GMHS Family Update
September 25, 2020
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9/24/20 Principal Report & Announcements |
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Dear GMHS Students and Families,
As September comes to a close and fall begins, we hope you all have a chance to enjoy the beautiful fall colors and the cooler weather. This week's update includes several important items that we hope will help you navigate this school year.
We are excited to introduce Julie Federico who has been hired as an additional counselor for this year. Julie has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Counseling & Educational Psychology both from Indiana University. She has worked intermittently in Jeffco at Everitt MS and North Arvada MS since 1996, including a stint at Englewood HS as an AVID Tutor, and Dora Middle School as a counselor. Julie is also a children's book author and community speaker. We are excited to have Julie join our Ramily. She starts Monday, September 28th.
Some of the priorities we have for Julie include:
- Mental Health Team Lead - We are starting a MH team to group think and plan our response to MH needs this year.
- MH Outreach - resources, outreach to full remote students, parents/families, etc. Partners like JCMH, CU Denver, other schools with the position, etc.
- Utilize our virtual Ram Time (two days a week) where students access updates, have a teacher mentor, resources, etc.
We are still working on a virtual trainings for parent/guardians to assist you in understanding the learning management systems (Schoology and Google Classroom), the Infinite Campus grading and attendance system, and school structures we are employing to educate hybrid and remote learners. This newsletter includes some of that information as well. We will have dates soon.
Thank you for your continued support!
Go Rams!
Colleen Owens
Principal
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Updating Contact Information & Notifications
Below is information on some of the many ways we can communicate with students and families. It can be overwhelming and we are hoping this information is helpful in understanding the purpose of the various platforms. If you would like assistance in managing your families' notifications, please complete this form so we can contact you for assistance.
Jeffco Connect: Jeffco's primary platform for housing student and family contact information, communication preferences of how you would like us to communicate with you, and who to contact in an emergency. This platform is the engine that runs Infinite Campus information.
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Refer to this instructional document to check or change your contact information and select the modes that we communicate with you (text, phone, email).
Jeffco School Messenger: Jeffco's primary platform for sending automated messages to students and families. Used for student attendance notification and D&F auto dialer.
- GMHS uses School Messenger to send mass phone calls to families for attendance, D&F communication, and to remind families to check email for our newsletters or other updates.
- Jeffco School District uses School Messenger to send messages via phone or email directly from the District (i.e. snow closures or delayed start)..
- Some challenges we have found with Jeffco Connect and School Messenger for receiving our communications:
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If at any time in your history in Jeffco, you unsubscribed from any Jeffco email sent via School Messenger, your email address is blocked from receiving any messages sent on this platform. Families who wish to reinstate an email address to receive messages are asked to complete this Form so we can assist you in unblocking the messages.
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In Jeffco Connect under "Contacts," "Notification Preferences," if an email address or phone number does not have the appropriate boxes checked or the email listed is not correct, notifications will not be sent to the specific email address or phone number. (See graphic below)
Constant Contact: GMHS primary communication platform to create and send newsletters to staff, students and community via email. We pull email addresses from Jeffco Connect and update our distribution list nightly. If you are receiving this newsletter, we have your contact email. GMHS uses Jeffco School Messenger to send phone or text messages to families such as reminders to check your email. We will use Constant Contact to send messages via email to students, staff and families.
Infinite Campus/Parent Portal: Jeffco's official attendance and gradebook platform. Grades entered into Infinite Campus go on a student's official transcript. Grades entered into a teacher Learning Management System (LMS) (Google Classroom/Schoology) are feedback grades and when they are official they are manually entered by teachers to Infinite Campus for official grades.
- Notifications from Infinite Campus can be set up by students and families.
- Infinite Campus may be accessed from a desktop or cell phone via the Infinite Campus App.
- Desktop Notifications
- There is a notification symbol (bell) in the top left corner of Infinite Campus. Clicking on this bell will show you when teachers enter or change grades including missing assignments.
- Infinite Campus App Notifications
- See link above on how to download the Parent or Student App
- Using the Apps allows for students or families to receive notifications to your cell phone when grades are updated in real time including missing assignments.
- Infinite Campus Assignment Flags Explanation
- Here is the document that explains what the different flags mean in Infinite Classroom's Grade Book (M=Missing, L=Late, etc). Please take a moment to look over it so you know what the flags mean on your student's grades.
LMS Weekly Summaries:
Google Classroom: A learning management system that houses online course content, provides a communication platform for class announcements or online assignments, and collects online assignments. There is some gradebook capability for assignments linked in the Google Classroom (these grades are feedback grades. Official grades are in Infinite Campus only).
- We sent an invite through the student's grade level Google Classroom (Class of 2021, Class of 2022, Class of 2023, Class of 2024) the week of August 17th.) If you cannot find your invite, please complete the form above for assistance.
- Once they send you a invite, you can accept and you will receive the summaries for each class about:
- Missing work—Work not turned in when the summary was sent.
- Upcoming work—Work that’s due today and tomorrow (for daily emails) or that’s due in the upcoming week (for weekly emails).
- Class activities—Announcements, assignments, and questions recently posted by teachers.
- Parent's Guide to Google Classroom
- Google Classroom Summaries for Guardians
Schoology: A learning management system similar to Google Classroom.
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Week of October 12-16 - Adjusted Schedule
- Monday, October 12 - Odd synchronous Hybrid Bell Schedule- all students remote
- Tuesday, October 13 - Even synchronous Hybrid Bell Schedule- all students remote
- Wednesday, October 14 - Future Day - No classes as teachers will be proctoring the following assessments.
- Seniors taking SAT in person
- Only for students that requested to take.
- A typical Student will be at GMHS from 7:45 AM until 12:00 PM.
- Juniors taking PSAT/NMSQT in person
- Only for students that requested to take.
- A typical student will be at GMHS from 7:45 AM until 11:30 AM.
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Sophomores and Freshmen - See below for practice PSAT opportunity
- Remote opportunity for all Freshmen and Sophomores.
- A typical student will be taking this test from 8 AM until 11:30 AM.
- Thursday, October 15 - District-wide Teacher Professional Development Day
- Friday, October 16 - District-wide Fall Break
- Friday, October 23 - Senior Photos Due
Tentative - November - Virtual Student/Parent/Guardian/ Teacher Conferences. More details coming soon.
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PSAT Opportunity for Freshmen and Sophomores
College Drive is offering our Freshmen and Sophomore students an optional practice version of the PSAT remotely via Zoom on October 14th. Mr. Craig will provide the email addresses of all our Freshmen and Sophomores to College Drive. Each Freshman and Sophomore will receive an email from College Drive with a link to join this practice PSAT remotely on the morning of October 14th. More information will be coming next Friday, October 2nd.
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We know that there have been a lot of questions around Homecoming and why there hasn't been any info posted about it. This week, All Jeffco High Schools were told that there are not to be any homecoming in person events because of the large gatherings that they produce.
We are allowed to do Virtual events, and that is why we have moved our Powder Puff game to a virtual event, but the students could still get the jerseys. We will be doing a spirit week October 26-30. The Jeffco high schools have been brainstorming together ways that we can celebrate this traditional fall event in non-traditional ways. As we come up with ideas on what to do, we will communicate them in this newsletter as well as through our social media channels.
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- The link to the video presentation will be sent to all seniors and their contacts in Jeffco Connect by 5pm. There are too many people for us to have a "live" virtual meeting with the restrictions we have with our video conferencing systems.
- Please watch the video to learn about how to order your cap & gown (they are changing this year), graduation announcements and/or senior gear if you wish.
- We will also go over the senior year expectations, graduation day logistics and expectations.
- Seniors will receive their Graduation contract and diploma name paperwork in their English classes. Remote only students will need to download the paperwork and turn in back into school October 19-23 through the attendance office.
- Senior Pictures are due to [email protected] by October 23.
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Senior Handprint Wall Update |
We will be doing the Senior Handprint Wall on Friday October 9, 2020 from 11am-1pm. This will be the only time seniors can get their handprint on the wall as part of the senior tradition. |
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2020-2021
Yearbooks are on Sale!
Make sure you order your 2020-2021 Yearbook through your Jeffco Connect Account! They are $70 or $76 with a nameplate.
The book will be white this year with the theme of The One where they are R.A.M.N.A.T.I.O.N! You don't want to miss out on the most unique book in RamNation history!
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Student Support &Technology Update |
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Ram Time Student Support Provided This Week
Parent Notifications on Google Classroom and Schoology
Here is a short video tutorial on how parents/guardians can receive Google Classroom and Schoology notifications. This is also posted on the 20/21 Student/Family Resources website too.
Please contact Wendee Vezzetti, Digital Teacher Librarian for assistance at
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Grab n' Go Breakfast and Lunch is being served at GMHS.
Remote Learners
- Breakfast and lunch are available for remotes students as follows:
- Tuesdays 12:50-1:15 - Students will be provided two breakfast and lunch meals.
- Thursdays 12:50-1:15 - Students will be provided three breakfast and lunch meals.
- These meals are to be prepped at home and instructions are included.
Hybrid Learners
- Breakfast and lunch are provided while students are in person AND
- Group A: Tuesdays students may pick up three meals (breakfast and lunch) that are to be prepped at home.
- Group B: Thursdays students may pick up three meals (breakfast and lunch) that are to be prepped at home.
All school breakfast and lunches are FREE through December (or as long as the federal funding lasts).
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Supplemental Food, Clothes and hygiene products available to the Green Mountain Area Families is located at Foothills Elementary School Campus. For more information follow this link: Foothill Foodies
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Counseling & Future Center News |
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Colorado Free Application Day
October 13, 2020
Check out the information on how to apply, and what colleges are participating at this link:
Students can submit their applications to colleges in Colorado to receive application fee waivers only on October 13, 2020. Out of state colleges are not included in this Colorado Free Application Day. Get your materials ready now!
The applications must include all required essays, and other information completed by the students on that date. Student transcripts, teacher and community letters of recommendation, and all high school required documentation are not required to be submitted on October 13, 2020, but must be submitted by the published deadlines of each individual institution. Be sure to let Mrs. Griffin know when you've applied and to make sure you have requested transcripts and letters of recommendation on Naviance.
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College Fairs
There are numerous virtual college fairs coming up! These are open to all students, but particularly Juniors. Please keep your eye on GM social media for more info and/or the Counseling and Future Center pages on the GM website. Feel free to contact your student's counselor for more details as well.
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Virtual Future Center Appointments
Services provided through the Future Center include:
*Official Transcripts submitted to colleges or for scholarships
*Unofficial transcripts for student personal use
*Letters of recommendation request forms
Information/postings regarding: ACT or SAT testing;
- college financial aid; scholarship opportunities;
- college summer study opportunities;
- student leadership or volunteer opportunities;
- local employment opportunities
And More..."
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PTA NEWS
The GMHS PTA is accepting membership enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year!
PTA's role is vital now more than ever in connecting parents, teachers, and administrators, and supporting critical school needs. We want as many families to join PTA as possible, because we can do more together than apart!
Click here GMHS PTA to sign up for the 2020/2021 school year. Once you hit SUBMIT, you will be taken to a page with a "BUY NOW" button where you can pay your $20 membership dues.
Next Virtual Meeting: Monday, October 12 @ 6:20 p.m.
Reach out to Lisa Lord, PTA President to receive the meeting link. ([email protected]).
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PTA sponsors the GMHS Reflections
Look for more information coming soon!
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Highly Recommended Opportunity for Parent/Guardians!
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It’s never too late to register for the workshop series, Parenting with a Coaching Mindset! Each workshop session stands on its own, so you can pop in and out of the series, and still get a lot of value. This workshop series is sponsored by Green Mountain High School, and it's free to parents in Jefferson County Schools. The 2nd session of the series is Tuesday, October 6, from 12 to 1pm. The same session will also be held on Wednesday, October 14, from 7-8pm. These 2 sessions are via Zoom, and if you can't make them, you can attend the FB Live session on Thursday, October 15, from 8 to 8:30am. You are free to attend all 3 of these sessions, if you like. To register for this workshop series, first, email me your first and last name. Then, send me a Friend Request via FB, and I will invite you to the group, Coaching Your Kids, where the FB Live sessions happen. The FB Live video of Session 1 is saved on this page, and I highly recommend that you watch it, and do the homework. This page contains other content that is supportive to parents. You are free to post your challenges with parenting, get support, coaching tips, etc.. It's a totally safe space! Please, let me know if you have questions: [email protected].
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GMHS Registered Nurse Update |
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Dear RAM Families,
We need your help. In order for our health staff to recognize infectious outbreaks in schools, we ask you to be specific when calling in students as absent to school.
Instead of “sick” please give us specific symptoms or diagnosis, for example: diarrhea, vomiting, fever, sore throat, cold symptoms, strep throat, flu… and any diagnosed illness in your absence messages. This is not a requirement, just a request that will help nurses monitor the numbers of condition outbreaks at schools.
We want to keep all of our students safe and healthy. We appreciate your help with this!
Thank you for your help!
REMOTE STUDENTS WITH HEALTH CONDITIONS:
Even if your student has a remote learning schedule, the district nurse requires an updated health plan for your student, signed by your physician prior to OCT. 1 so the sooner the better! This will help us support them in remote learning and when life allows them to return in person. This is a good opportunity for you to discuss the impact of remote learning/in person learning on your student to include how to maintain their mental health! Being isolated is hard on teenagers, even if it is the best option for their safety.
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ATHLETICS
- Congratulations to golfers, Ollie Gibbons and Jack Policaro as they qualified for State (October 5-6 at Country Club of Colorado).
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Football, Spirit, and Field Hockey (FH is offered at Dakota Ridge) began beginning on 9/24.
- ATHLETICS ELIGIBILITY
- Athletic Eligibility will be run by pulling the “in progress” grades every Wednesday by noon (a slight change) for all in season athletes. Those reports are sent to coaches so they can communicate with their athletes if they are listed as ineligible. It will be the athlete’s responsibility to email their teachers if they believe there is an error with the grade listed. They should request that the teacher email both Ms. Sereno and Mrs. Koontz by 3 pm on Friday in order for them to regain their eligibility for the following week. When emailing, teachers will state the name of the class and what the correct grade is, and cc the student so they know the email was sent. Students are responsible for taking care of this by the deadline.
- Come out and support, but make sure you wear a mask!
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Find schedules, seasons, and other info here: https://greenmountainhs.rschoolteams.com/
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Communication with GMHS
- Main Office: 303-982-9500
Technology Questions:
Counselor Contact Information
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