Grand Blanc High School

11/2 - No School - Staff Professional Development

11/3 - No school - Election Day

11/18 - Bobcat Time - Door Decorating Planning

11/19-21 GBHS Theater Presents "Radium Girls"

11/25 - 11/27- Thanksgiving Recess (No School)

11/30 -GBHS Wind Ensemble Winter Concert

12/2 - Bobcat Time - Door Decorating

12/2 - GBHS Band Winter Concert

12/9 - GBHS Winter Choir Concert

12/21 - 1/1 - Winter Recess (No school)

1/4- School Resumes

1/13-15- Midterms (1/2 days)

1/15- End of First Semester

1/18- MLK Day (No School)

1/19 - Records Day (No School)

1/20- First day of second semester

1/29- Final Yearbook sales with personalization

Dear Grand Blanc High School Families,

Happy November! As we wrap up the first marking period, I want to extend a sincere thank you to our students, staff, and families for a fantastic start to the school year. Your support, hard work, and dedication have all contributed to a positive tone across our campus.

As we move into marking period 2, we are excited for all the incredible learning opportunities ahead. This month, I ask that our families focus on helping their students Build Ownership and Take Charge of Their Learning.

At this stage in the academic year, we encourage students to step into the driver’s seat of their education—taking active responsibility for their progress through setting goals, seeking feedback, and self-assessing their work.

To help reinforce these habits at home, here is actionable advice on how parents and guardians can support their teens this month:

• Support Goal Setting: Help your student set 1–2 achievable academic goals for the remainder of the semester (e.g., mastering a specific math concept or revising essays before submitting).
• Encourage Proactive Feedback: Coach your teen to reach out directly to teachers to ask, "How can I improve my understanding of this material?" rather than waiting for grade reports.
• Guide Self-Assessment: Before submitting assignments, have your student review their own work against the assignment rubric or criteria.

Thank you for your continued partnership in guiding our students toward success, independence, and growth. Let’s make November a great month!

Michael Fray

Principal - Grand Blanc High School

GBHS Website

X: @MFrayGBHS

Are you a student looking for ways to get more involved at GBHS? Take a look at our many exciting and active clubs. There is definitely something for everyone! See the link below for information and club contacts.

Join us for a powerful and moving theatrical experience as our talented Grand Blanc Thespians bring Radium Girls to life on November 19, 20, and 21 at 7:00pm in the Howard Pepper Auditorium at Grand Blanc High School.

Based on the true story of the 1920s radium dial painters, this emotional drama explores the lives of young women who suffered devastating consequences after being poisoned by the very radium paint they used in their work. Their fight for justice, truth, and accountability is a story that continues to resonate today.

With a cast, crew and creative team of more than 50 dedicated students, this production represents countless hours of hard work, passion, and collaboration. Your support means so much to our students, and we invite family, friends, and the entire community to come out, experience this important story, and celebrate the incredible talent of Grand Blanc High School!

Tickets are $12 available online at or at the door.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A TICKET ONLINE

On October 9, GBHS welcomed music students from Graz, Austria, for a special cultural and educational exchange in collaboration with the Flint School of Performing Arts. The Austrian students had the opportunity to attend classes alongside our students, share their musical talents in a special performance, and experience American school spirit by attending a football game. Students celebrated their shared love of music, and experienced new traditions. We are grateful for the opportunity to build connections across cultures and create lasting memories through music, learning, and school community.

Calling all current sophomores with a 3.0+ cumulative GPA, and interested in college!

Are you looking for an opportunity to get a head start on college?

Join GBEC!

Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention and mental health support program that empowers students to look out for their classmates' well-being. Hope Squad members are not trained to be counselors or therapists, but they do receive training to recognize signs of depression or suicidal thoughts so that they can connect classmates with trusted adults who can help. In addition, Hope Squad organizes school-wide activities and events that promote inclusion and connectedness. The goal is to create a safer, more supportive school environment where every student feels seen, valued, and never alone. Visit our Hope Squad page on the GBCS website for more information.

CLICKE HERE TO VIEW THE HOPE SQUAD VIDEO

Seniors, this is your biggest year yet!

Every month, our newsletter will feature a special senior section.

Never miss a date, event, or important update.

Jostens representatives were here for an All Senior Meeting on 9/30/26. A few items to note:

• Jostens provides cap & gowns, class rings, graduation announcements, and senior spirit wear.
• The only required item for graduation is the cap & gown set. Students were given a deadline of October 10th to order their cap & gown at the best price group rate. Thank you to the 440 seniors who have placed their cap & gown order! Cap & Gowns can still be ordered through the link below, but individual shipping will now be added to each order. Prices on the individual cap & gown set will go up in the beginning of January!
• Grand Blanc introduced a beautiful new custom graduation gown in 2023. This gown must be worn by all seniors attending graduation. Older sibling gowns, prior to the Class of 2023, cannot be worn.

SENIOR RECOGNITION ADS

Recognize your Senior with a special spot in the Echo Yearbook. Last year, the staff sold out of senior ad space quick. Don't miss out! This is the most meaningful gift you can give your grad and it lasts a lifetime. SENIOR RECOGNITION AD LINK

Seniors - purchase your GB All Night Party ticket now for the best price!

Tickets can be purchased through your SchoolPay account.

The Genesee ISD has provided us with a Senior Success Toolkit, containing information and links to various recourses seniors can use as they begin to make decisions about their future.

• Guide to College Planning
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Michigan's Community College Guarantee
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship
• Genesee Opportunity (GO)
• Career Connection Center

LINK TO TOOLKIT

Students, don't forget to order your class rings, now available at Jostens.com. Design you one-of-a-kind class ring and tell your story.

Students generally order a class ring during their sophomore year and wear it proudly for the remainder of their high school years. However, rings can be ordered for any student 9-12 grade.

Follow the link to browse the many styles of class rings available through Jostens.

LINK TO ORDER YOUR CLASS RING

A-C Nicole LaFleur (810)-591-6652

D-I Betsy Wambaugh (810)-591-6680

J-M Nicole Kernen (810)-591-6651

N-S Courtney Wood (810)-591-6929

T-Z/EC Sarah Clark (810)-591-6648

Special Ed Bethany Jackson (810)-591-6035

BVL/CSS Jennifer Uhl West Campus (810)-591-1658

9th Grade David McMillan West Campus (810)-591-6645

Seniors - Make sure you have set up your parchment account!

All seniors who are applying for college should have a parchment account. This is necessary for requesting your high school transcripts be sent to colleges. Click on the image to the right for a direct link to Parchment.

A college Board account is required of all students. If you do not have a College Board account set up, please do so at www.collegeboard.org. The student needs to be the one to set this up. Do not set up a second account. This account is needed for PSAT9, PSAT10, and SAT review, score viewing, and score sending to colleges. Please keep your login and password somewhere where you can find it as needed. These accounts are sometimes used during class time. If you already set up an account and cannot remember your login and password information, please call College Board at 1-866-756-7346. Staff members DO NOT have access to student information.

AP Exam Information:

The AP Exam ordering deadline for S1 and yearlong AP classes has passed. In order to make a change to your exam selection, you will need to email Mrs. Kernen at nkernen@gbcs.org. College Board charges $40 to order a late exam or to cancel an exam that you had previously ordered.

You can now begin paying for your exams through SchoolPay. If you qualify for the reduced exam fee (the Educational Benefits Application would have had to be completed by October 23rd to determine eligibility), each exam will cost $45. If you do not qualify for educational benefits, each exam will cost $105. If you have any outstanding AP fines from previous years, AP exams will NOT be ordered for you.

The deadline to pay for all AP exams is March 1st, 2027, and payments can be made at the following link:

Please reach out to Mrs. Kernen with any questions!

GBHS WELCOMES COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES TO OUR CAMPUS

GBHS Juniors and Seniors - check out our LIST OF COLLEGE VISITS that will have a representative here on campus during the month of October.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO ATTEND A COLLEGE VISIT HERE ON CAMPUS

For current seniors:

We are excited to announce that our Senior Class of 2027 will be participating in MI College Match. This innovative program allows eligible seniors to receive college admission offers and scholarships without ever having to apply—completely free to students and families, with NO application fees.

• MICOLLEGEACCESS.ORG
• Submit Your Match Profile Now!
• Watch this QUICK video to learn how Match works.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your counselor!

We are excited to share that the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is now live and available to the public at fafsa.gov. Don't miss out on available federal, state, and institutional aid!

Parents: Be on the Lookout for ZYN

ZYN is a brand of nicotine pouches that are placed between the lip and gum. The pouches are small, discreet, and do not produce smoke or vapor, making them easy for teens to use without detection. These pouches do not contain tobacco but do contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance and even small amounts can lead to dependence. ZYN pouches release nicotine into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth to produce effects similar to smoking or vaping, such as a quick release of nicotine leading to a feeling of relaxation or stimulation

The product comes in various flavors and nicotine strengths, including mint, coffee, citrus, cinnamon, and unflavored. There are other brands as well, but Zyn seems to be the most popular.

If your teen is using ZYN or another nicotine product, consider seeking resources such as counseling or nicotine cessation programs designed for teens.

• Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Text or chat online with a dedicated quit coach for personalized support & customized quit plan.
• Online enrollment is available at Michigan Quitlink
• Or visit mylifemyquit.org for resources specifically designed to help Utah teens ages 13–17 or text “Start My Quit” to 36072 to talk to a coach via text message

Lunch & Learn is a great opportunity for students to seek help with difficult school work during their scheduled lunch time. If your student is struggling, make sure they are taking advantage of this opportunity to get the academic support needed. Lunch & Learn meets every Tuesday and Thursday during all three lunches. Students can bring their lunch with them to tutoring. Our own NHS peer tutors will be available to help in many subjects. Mrs. Warber specializes in helping in science and math.

After School Tutoring is available from our NHS student volunteers. Make sure to take advantage of the Tutoring Lab Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the East Campus Library.

While lockers are not mandatory for grades 10-12, we recommend using one to keep your backpack, coat, extra books, and sports gear out of the way during the day. Want to reserve one? Drop by the main office and we will get you set up with a locker assignment.

ALL student parking permits will need to be PURCHASED ONLINE on the GBCS Ops-Com parking website. Each individual student driver will need to create an account and follow all steps as prompted to ensure all information is correct and you can proceed to purchase a permit. Students are responsible to remember your log-in information as this will be the account you use for all your parking needs for the duration of your time in high school. This means If a student already had an account last year, they SHOULD NOT create a new account! Each time a student commits a parking violation, a message is sent to the email on file with the account. Students and parents are responsible to monitor the account to make sure all violations/fines are being taken care of in a timely manner. GBCS Ops-Com parking website: https://gbcs.ops-com.com/login

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) is launching a new Youth Employment Permit Portal, which will move the work permit process to a centralized, statewide online system.

Beginning October 2, local school districts will no longer issue youth employment permits. Instead, minors and employers will complete the permit process directly through the new online portal.

This means that our schools and district staff will no longer be responsible for issuing or processing work permits for students. Students and families in need of work permits should visit the State of Michigan’s Youth Employment website.

For information and access to the new process: Michigan.gov/YouthEmployment

For additional information and updates, visit Michigan.gov/YouthEmployment.

Students and Parents - Please make sure you are following the proper procedures for students leaving the building during school hours:

1. Parent/Guardian must call in first to check the student out.
2. The student then checks in with the office to get an exit pass prior to leaving.
3. All students leaving for special programming must check out with security prior to leaving - MedOcc, BVL, CSS Mentor, Teacher Cadet, Early College, Dual Enrollment.

Students have been leaving the building during the day and parents are calling in at a later time to excuse the absence. If an emergency were to take place in the building, we must be able to account for every student currently believed to be present. For those safety reasons, we will NOT retroactively excuse the attendance of any student that leaves the building without following the proper procedure.

Donations can be dropped off at the HSE Main Office location.

Items needed the most:

• Men's Winter Coats
• Belts
• Backpacks
• Gently worn gym shoes.
• Sweatshirts and Hoodies - Men's and Women's (Large-XXL)
• Deodorant
• Socks - Men's and Women's
• Leggings - Women's new or gently used (all sizes)
• Sweatpants - Men's and Women's new or gently used (all sizes)

Food Backpacks:

• If your family is dealing with food insecurities, we have food backpacks from FISH we hand out weekly.
• Please contact the high school office to set up your student's delivery. Food bags can be picked up on Fridays and returned on Mondays to be refilled.

This is a reminder, as we start the new school year, a student's academic success is greatly impacted by their attendance. Parents - Please be aware of our attendance contract procedure:

1. When a student has accumulated more than 10 absences in a class, they will be notified by the classroom teacher and given an attendance contract.
2. The student and teacher both sign the contract and it is returned to the office. The student is given a copy to take home with them.
3. The attendance contract explains what the student must do in order to earn credit in that particular class.
4. If your student then accumulates 10 or more absences in a different course hour, this will result in further - separate attendance contracts.

Follow THIS LINK to preview an attendance contract and review the full explanation of requirements in order to receive class credit.

As you may have noticed, schools across the state are experiencing a shortage of bus drivers. With such a large number of district buses on the road every day, the need for new drivers at GBCS is almost continuous. We are currently hiring and provide free training and licensing. There are full and part-time opportunities available! If you have ever considered becoming a bus driver, we would love to talk to you! Please call 810-591-8965 or stop in to 2500 E Maple Ave, Flint, MI 48507 and talk to Bonnie or Adam at GBCS Transportation or apply online!

College & Career Resource for the Class of 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030

All students are required to join their grade-specific Google Classroom. Students - Please verify that you are in your grade-specific classroom. This will be used to communicate resources and assignments for your EDPs, resumes, Junior interviews, and other important information.

Class of 2027 Google Classroom

Class of 2028 Google Classroom

Class of 2029 Google Classroom

Class of 2030 Google Classroom