🎓 Meet Yadhira Alvarado-Zarate, a remarkable 16-year-old student who was not only singled out during a college prep presentation but also won a prestigious $40,000 scholarship for her outstanding achievements both inside and outside the classroom.

In a heartfelt moment, Yadhira shared, "It was very overwhelming, I didn't really expect it." She secured the scholarship by diligently creating a college preparation plan using the online resource called "Big Future."

Yadhira, driven by her aspiration to change the world, expressed her gratitude for seizing this incredible opportunity. The scholarship funds will play a pivotal role in pursuing the education she envisions, aiming to transform her family's life. "My parents work a lot, and I would like to get them out of that lifestyle," she emphasized.

Juggling seven AP classes as a junior at McClure Health Science High School, Yadhira dreams of creating the next vaccine when she's not immersed in her studies.

Remarkably, she is one of two students in Gwinnett County Schools who secured the $40,000 scholarship this Friday. The College Board recognizes and rewards students nationwide who exhibit a serious commitment to college preparation.

Yadhira's inspiring story is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities. As she looks ahead, Yadhira plans to graduate with a degree in bioengineering, aiming high to make a lasting impact on the world.

A momentous occasion calls for a celebration! Join us in extending heartfelt congratulations to the shining stars of The Class of 2024 - our Valedictorian, Judy Mammen, and Salutatorian, Tony Ho! 🌟

🎉 Surprise Extravaganza: The administration pulled out all the stops to make this announcement extra special! In a surprise reveal, Judy and Tony were bestowed with the well-deserved titles, adding an extra layer of joy to their incredible achievements. It's moments like these that make the journey unforgettable!

Let's rally together and give a thunderous cheer to our VAL SAL duo! Judy and Tony’s dedication, hard work, and academic prowess have not only earned them these prestigious titles but have also left an indelible mark on the legacy of our esteemed Class of 2024. GO PULSE!

We are excited to invite students to apply to PCOM Georgia’s Opportunities Academy 2024! Opportunities Academy is an enrichment program for local high school students that encourages them to pursue a career in the healthcare profession.

Opportunities Academy is hosted by PCOM Georgia students who are studying to become physicians, pharmacists, physical therapists, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals. Selected high school students will enjoy an action-packed, one-week, interactive program at NO cost to them at PCOM Georgia's Suwanee campus.

Opportunities Academy will include hands-on activities, touring of the campus, and more. On-campus policies will be communicated to students selected for the academy at a later date. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

The Opportunities Academy leadership team will review applications and send an invitation to students who are accepted into the Academy on Friday, February 23, 2024, by 11:59 PM.

Thank you, and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

OPPORTUNITIES ACADEMY 2024 DATES/HOURS

Monday June, 24th - Friday June, 28th 2024

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

APPLICATION CRITERIA

For rising high school Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors from underrepresented communities who attend high school in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, February 2nd, 2024, at 11:59pm

APPLICANT SELECTION DATE: Friday, February 23rd, 2024 by 11:59 pm

LINK TO OPPORTUNITIES ACADEMY APPLICATION: OA Application Link

The next time you go grocery shopping, read the nutrition labels on the items in your cart to see which ones have the most added sugars. You may be surprised to see the amount of added sugars in some drinks.

Sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet. These sweetened liquids include regular soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened waters. The flavored coffees we grab on the way to work and sweet drinks we order when eating out also count as sugary drinks. Adding sugar and flavored creamer to coffee and tea at home counts, too.

People who often drink sugary drinks are more likely to face health problems, such as weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cavities, and gout, a type of arthritis.

The latest guidelines recommend that people 2 years and older keep their intake of added sugars to less than 10% of their total daily calories. For example, in a 2,000 calorie diet, no more than 200 calories should come from added sugars. Two hundred calories is about 12 teaspoons of added sugar in food and beverages combined. A 12-ounce regular soda has more than 10 teaspoons of added sugar, adding up to about total 150 calories. CDC research found about 30% of Americans ages two and older eat and drink high amounts of added sugar each day. Cutting out 2 regular sodas per day would reduce total calories by 2,100 in a week.

• Choose water (tap or unsweetened, bottled, or sparkling) over sugary drinks.
  
• Need more flavor? Add berries or slices of lime, lemon, or cucumber to water.
  
• Missing fizzy drinks? Add a splash of 100% juice to plain sparkling water for a refreshing, low-calorie drink.
  
• Need help breaking the habit? Don’t stock up on sugary drinks. Instead, keep a jug or bottles of cold water in the fridge.
  
• Water just won’t do? Reach for drinks that contain important nutrients such as low fat or fat free milk; unsweetened, fortified milk alternatives; or 100% fruit or vegetable juice first. (NOTE: Before infants are 12 months old, do not give fruit or vegetable juice. Juice after 12 months old is not necessary, but 4 ounces or less a day of 100% juice can be provided.)
  
• At the coffee shop? Skip the flavored syrups or whipped cream. Ask for a drink with low fat or fat free milk, an unsweetened milk alternative such as soy or almond, or get back to basics with black coffee.
  
• At the store? Read the Nutrition Facts label to choose drinks that are low in calories, added sugars, and saturated fat.
  
• On the go? Carry a reusable water bottle with you and refill it throughout the day.
  
• Still thirsty? Learn how to drink more water.
  

Energy drinks are often marketed as products that increase energy. In addition to added sugar, these products may also contain large amounts of caffeine and other legal stimulants. Concerns have been raised about the potential health risks of these products, especially for young people. If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up, alternatives to energy drinks include:

• Plain or unsweetened flavored water. Dehydration is often a reason for low energy.
• Unsweetened tea. A number of tea flavors are available in naturally caffeinated varieties that can be enjoyed hot or cold.
• Hot or iced coffee.
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice. There are many types of juices and juice combinations. Find one that you enjoy!
• Whole fruit. Sometimes a snack can give you as much of a boost as a drink.

See more about energy drinks in children and adolescents.

Annual Parent Involvement Survey

Who: Families of students who are receiving special education services

What: Each state is required to conduct a parent survey to measure parent/family perceptions of the success of parent engagement between home and local schools.

When: Available January 16

Where: Parents can complete the survey via the survey link below. We ask that a copy of the attached letter be sent home with every SWD student. Also, we ask that the letter(s) and survey link be posted on your special education teachers' e-class pages and your school website. Our goal is to ensure that all parents are aware of the survey and can have the opportunity to participate.

https://survey.gadoe.org/SPEDParentSurvey/Pages/ParentSurvey.aspx

Click on the file below to read the full list of parent e-Tips.

Scan the QR codes below or click the links to stay connected to MHSHS and stay up to date on important information.

GCPS Website

MHSHS Website

MHSHS Instagram - @mcclurehealthsciencehigh

MHSHS Foundation

SY 24 Free and Reduced Lunch Application

Parent Portal

MyPaymentsPlus

ParentSquare Help

Thank you for supporting us through our Foundation! Please ensure that you are choosing McClure Health Science High School when donating. See the picture below for details!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is the gateway to getting federal student loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study for school, but there can be so much confusion around it.

The FAFSA® used to be a super long application that took a lot of time and effort—that’s now a thing of the past. The FAFSA® for the 2024-2025 academic year is the new and improved version. Check out the link below to see all the changes!

Tips on how to avoid these common FAFSA® mistakes

Every year, families postpone filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Some skip it entirely because they think it’s a waste of time, the application is too long, or it's only a fast track to federal student loans. However, the FAFSA® package can also include college scholarships, work-study, and grants. Not filling it out—the most costly FAFSA® mistake—can result in losing money that could have helped you pay for college. Don’t be that student, and make sure you avoid these common FAFSA® mistakes by checking out the article link below!

GCPS has transitioned from SchoolMessenger to ParentSquare for two-way communication between schools and families, and we encourage all families to download the app and create an account. With its user-friendly interface, ParentSquare offers seamless two-way communication through text, newsletters, posts, emergency alerts, and direct messaging. One of our favorite features is the integrated translation feature, which enables automatic translations for multilingual families.

MHSHS Website | Mission & Vision | Family Resources | Student & Family Handbook

GCPS Portal | GCPS 23-24 School Calendar | GCPS Newsletter

ParentSquare Resources | My Payments Plus | GCPS News

Tutor.com

Britannica Online School Edition

Driving Test

GCPS Library: Book Selection Ideas

Mano Languages

LinkedIn Learning

McClure Health Science High School

3921 Club Drive, Duluth, GA

770-806-7900

MHSHS Website