Paw Prints Family Newsletter
Dear GNBVT Families,
Last week, I spoke with our students during my weekly Monday Morning Message about the importance of kindness, respect, and courage in standing up against harassment and bullying. At Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, we believe that every student deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported.
In my message to students, I reminded them that “it takes courage to be kind, and strength to stand up when others stay silent.” (full message can be viewed by clicking the button below) This idea remains at the heart of our school community.
As we continue to build a culture of respect and inclusion, I ask for your partnership at home. Please take time to speak with your child about what bullying looks like, how it affects others, and what they can do if they witness or experience it. Whether it’s through small acts of kindness or standing up for a peer, or reporting it to school staff, each student has the power to make our school a safer, more caring place.
Together—students, staff, and families—we can ensure that our school remains a place where every Bear feels seen, heard, and respected.
Thank you for your continued support in reinforcing these values at home.
Sincerely,
Principal Williams
Oct 20-24: Fall Spirit Week
Tues Oct 21: Community Resource Fair: For students during lunch periods
Tues Oct 21: Principal's School Council Meeting-3:00 pm. Lighthouse Cafe
Tues Oct 21: College Financing Seminar-6:30 pm, Auditorium
Wed Oct 22: Trafficking 101- Virtual Training: 5:00 pm (details below)
Fri Oct 24: Pep Rally: 1:30-2:30 pm- Students -Fieldhouse
Fri Oct 24: Homecoming Football Game: 7:00 pm
Sat Oct 25: Homecoming Dance: School Lobby: 6:00-10:00 pm
Tue Nov 4: No School: Staff Professional Development
Tues Nov 11: No School: Veteran's Day
Please join Principal Williams
The School Council is a representative committee composed of the principal, parents, students, faculty, staff and community members. The group discusses such issues as budget, curriculum, student handbook, School Improvement Plan and professional development of the faculty. The School Council meets 4 times per year, usually held on the second Tuesday of the scheduled month from 3:00 – 4:00 pm, in the school’s Lighthouse Cafe.
2025-2026 Meeting Dates:
TUESDAY OCT 21, 2025-3 pm
TUESDAY JAN 13, 2026- 3 pm
TUESDAY MAR 13, 2026- 3 pm
TUESDAY MAY 12, 2026- 3 pm
The DEI office is excited to announce that we will host a Resource Fair on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 during lunch from 10:30-1:00 p.m. for students!
This is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore the many programs and activities available to them throughout the Greater New Bedford community. Whether they're looking for wellness services, career advice,
recreational activities or community engagement opportunities, the Resource Fair has something for everyone!
We will have representatives from various organizations to speak to students about the programs they offer that are geared to their age group. Plus, there will be some great giveaways! We look forward to having an amazing event. Connect with Mrs. deMelo, DEI Community Specialist via email at maria.demelo@gnbvt.edu with questions.
- The Class of 2026 will be hosting the 2nd Annual Powder Puff Football game and Bonfire on Wednesday November 26th at 4:30.
- Scan the QR code or click on the link below to buy your tickets now! All proceeds will go towards the Class of 2026.
Craving a treat after school? Come to the Welcome Center Monday through Thursday and grab:
Candy – $2
Drinks & snacks – $1
Every purchase supports BPA and After Prom! Don’t miss out — stop by after school and treat yourself while supporting your school community!
GNBVT Partners with Cartwheel to Provide Teletherapy
We are committed to supporting the well-being of our students and believe supporting mental health is an important part of overall student health. This school year, we’ve partnered with Cartwheel to provide teletherapy, family check-ins and guidance, and psychiatric care—all with licensed clinicians and no waitlists.
Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, having a hard time staying focused, or just needs someone to talk to, Cartwheel is here to help. Visit www.cartwheel.org/families to learn more.
- A licensed therapist or psychiatrist with no waitlist, within a matter of days.
- ️ Telehealth sessions from 8am to 8pm, whenever is most convenient.
- ️ Care in several languages, including English, Spanish, and others.
- Completely free care for families who have Medicaid or are uninsured and considered an in-network provider for families with private insurance (standard co-payments and deductibles may apply).
- Individual therapy sessions are available for students in grades 3+ and parent guidance sessions are available at all grade levels, providing families with the right level of support at the right time.
You can raise your hand for support today – we’re here when you need us: www.cartwheel.org/families
College Financing Seminar- Oct 21st
The Guidance Department would like to invite Juniors and Seniors and their parents or guardians to attend a College Financing Seminar on Tuesday, October 21st at 6:30 pm, in the Auditorium. The seminar is hosted by the Educational Opportunity Center and MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) and will focus on navigating the financial aid process for college-bound students and their families. All Juniors and Seniors planning on attending college are highly encouraged to attend.
If your child has a life-threatening allergy and requires an EpiPen, please ensure the following steps are completed as soon as possible, if you haven’t already:
- - Submit a completed EpiPen packet for the current school year, including a signed doctor’s order.
- - Provide the school with a current, non-expired EpiPen to be kept in the health office.
If a student requires medication during school hours, the following must be provided:
- A signed Parent/Guardian Permission Form
- A Doctor’s Written Order for the medication
- The medication delivered to the school nurse
- • Prescription medications must be in a pharmacy-labeled container
- • Over-the-counter (OTC) medications must be in a new, unopened bottle
All Medical Forms are available online or in the nurse’s office.
https://www.gnbvt.edu/parents-students/student-health/
BMI, Vision, & Hearing Screenings – 10th Grade
- All 10th-grade students will receive BMI, vision, and hearing screenings as part of routine health monitoring.
- These screenings help identify potential health issues that may impact learning and development.
- Screening results are confidential. Parents/guardians will only be notified by mail if their child does not pass the screening.
- Screening Schedule by Division:
- Division 1: Cycle 7 – Starting October 20th
- Division 2: Cycle 8 – Starting October 28th
If you wish to opt your child out of BMI, Vision & Hearing Screenings please contact one of the school nurses.
Health Office Contacts
If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact a member of the nursing staff:
- Nurse Casey Clarke – casey.clarke@gnbvt.edu | ext. 661
- Nurse Tammy Tisdelle- tammu.tisdelle.gnbvt.edu l ext. 204
- Nurse Kim Horsfall – kimmarie.horsfall@gnbvt.edu | ext. 791
Medical Forms
All Medical Forms are available online or in the nurse’s office.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts through Governor Healy has created the Massachusetts National School Lunch Program that permanently will provide free school meals for all students starting with the 2023-2024 school year! This means that one (1) breakfast and one (1) lunch per day will continue in the 2025-2026 school year to be served at no cost to all students.
Please note that even though meals will be free for all, it is very important for families that may still need to complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2025-2026 school year. ALL applications completed in the school year 2023-2024 have been removed, a NEW application needs to be completed each year. If you have already been notified of your status (direct certification) through an email from school.lunch@gnbvt.edu you do not need to complete another application. The application may assist for reduced pricing on AP testing, PSATs, etc. based on income eligibility.
Please click the button below to review the full letter of notification and details for application
ADDRESS:
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School
1121 Ashley Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02740
508.998.3321
INTERNET/SOCIAL MEDIA:
WEBSITE: www.gnbvt.edu
INSTAGRAM: @gnbvoctechhighschool
X: @GNBVocTechHS