GHNO News & Updates
Great Hearts Northern Oaks | Upper School | May 25, 2021
Upcoming Events & Date

Last Day of School & Early Dismissal-May 28

Class of 2021 Graduation-May 29

Save the date for Back to School Events
August 9-7th-9th Grade Orientation
10-12th Textbook Locker Set Up
Headmaster Letter
Dear Families,

Our inaugural Class of 2021 will soon be graduating and we are so excited to see all the places they will go.
 
Our seniors were accepted to over 60 different colleges across the nation, including top-tier universities! However, many of them have chosen to stay a little closer to home this year. A sampling of where our seniors will be attending this fall include Texas A&M University, UT Austin, UTSA, Texas State, Texas Tech, Baylor, University of Dallas, BYU, Colorado State, Arizona State, Schreiner, St. Johns College, Stephen F. Austin, LeTourneau, University of the Incarnate Word, and San Antonio College. We also have students going straight into careers such as plumbing, landscaping, and piloting.

Please consider joining our seniors who will take their final steps as Griffins this coming Saturday, May 29 at 10 am at the Real Life Amphitheater located at 16765 Lookout Rd, Selma, TX 78154.
 
We wish them the best of luck as they begin their new adventures...roar & soar seniors!

A few things to note:

A note on graduation:
In light of both the continued improvement in county health conditions and the pending end of the Texas school mask mandate, this Saturday’s GHMV/GHNO commencement will be masks-optional for all attendees and participants. There will be masks-only seating available for attendees who desire it.

Forget to order a Yearbook? Yearbooks that were pre-ordered have been sent home. If you forgot to place an order, there will be a limited number of yearbooks for sale on a first-come, first-served basis Wednesday, May 26, starting at 9 a.m. The cost is $40, cash or checks only. Change is very limited. Both Upper and Lower School books will be sold at the Lower School front desk.
 
The GHNO Upper School Music Department is excited to announce that we will be débuting “The Feather and Talon Chamber Choir” a varsity-level choir to compete in UIL for the 2021-2022 school year. This is an all-year, auditioned choir that will offer students support in the All-State Choir audition process throughout the fall and winter seasons, and that will prepare to compete as an ensemble in the Region Concert and Sight-Reading competition in the spring. There will also be other performances throughout the year. In light of this opportunity, we will be offering a Choir Camp from August 2-5 that will focus on foundational choral and sight-reading skills. All interested parties should direct inquiries to Mr. Austin at kevin.austin@greatheartsnorthernoaks.org

May is Mental Health Awareness month and the Griffin Service Club decided to host a promotional campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues, especially for teens. The message they wanted to get out to their peers is that “it’s okay to not be okay” and provide resources on where students can turn when they need help.

Verification of Education
If you need a VOE form during the summer, please email Mrs. Thompson
VOE forms are valid for 30 days from issuance during the school year, and valid only through the summer from June 1 – August 11, 2021, since school is not in session. Please allow a 72-hour window for processing. Once completed it will be emailed to you.

EduKits-On Sale Now!
The 2020-2021 EduKits are now available for purchase-Click Here! to place your order.  
For best pricing, the deadline to order through Edukit is June 18!

Should you prefer to purchase the supplies independently, you may print the Lower School supply list here.

Textbook and Device Return
Starting Tuesday, 1st June, we will be set up in the upper school lobby area to receive the textbook and school device that were issued out at the beginning of the school year.

Drop-off information:
Date: Tuesday, June 1st to Thursday, June 3rd
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm

Please check the textbook link for books you will need to return: Textbook Link

Summer Hours
Should you need to visit the school administration in the summer, please note Summer Office Hours-Monday-Thursday 9 am -1 pm

Summer Campus Closure-June 28-July 9. The campus will be closed due to improvements happening.

College Counseling
Follow this link for the college counselor newsletter


Onward Griffins,

Samuel Heisman
Headmaster
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
GHNO Community Investment

Let's Finish Strong Griffin Families!

As we’re encouraging our students to finish the school year strong, GHNO also asks our families to help us finish strong. At this point in the year, families have had opportunities to give towards our Community Investment Campaign, and we are so thankful for those who have given so generously! If you have yet to support GHNO and would like to you can make a donation here!

We currently have only 50% of our families participating in the Community Investment Campaign- 15% less than last school year! Please help us meet our budgetary needs and give today. Our fiscal year ends June 30, help us finish strong! Remember, even a small gift is helpful.

Every gift counts and matters to us, if you would like to make a gift you can do so here.

We recognize this year has had its struggles, which is why your support is more important than ever!

 Questions? contact DeAnna Macias.
Advocacy Corner
Great Heart Texas Advocacy
  • The Texas Public Charter School Association has been tracking the non-discrimination bill -- HB1348 – that would prohibit cities and municipalities from creating a separate set of rules for charter schools to open and operate. The bill has been sitting in the House Calendars Committee for nearly a month, after which it must be scheduled for a vote on the House floor. Stay tuned for updates and action alerts on this priority legislation through the Texas Public Charter School Association by signing up here.

  • Time to rally our charter community for the last week of the 87th Texas Legislature! Our most urgent issue will be discussed on the House floor on Monday. This issue addresses how cities are discriminating charter schools when it comes to zoning, permitting, and fees. Opponents are telling House member to stand against anything at all that supports charter schools. We need to ensure our community is heard. 

You can help do this in any of these 3 ways:

  1. Complete and share this action alert with fellow charter parents and charter supporters.
  2. Sunday: Virtual March! Virtual March at the Capitol for Students Over Politics on Sunday from 4:00-6:00 pm. Subscribe now to the Texas Public Charter School Association’s action alerts for forthcoming information here
  3. Monday: In Person At The Capitol  Meet at the Capitol at 8 am (or if you can join later) to meet your lawmakers and head to the House gallery Wear GREEN to show your support for public charters . 
Can’t physically get to Austin? Then participate in the social media campaign throughout the day! Follow Texas Public Charter Schools on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more information, email Great Hearts parent advocacy manager Bridie Chaudoir at bridie.chaudoir@greatheartstx.org.
PSO-Parent Service Organization
PSO News & Events
Thank You Teacher Appreciation Week Committee, and for all the parent support in contributing towards the gift card pool! It was a wonderful week honoring wonderful people.

A special thanks to these woman, who lead, served and supported us during the week:
Mary Dobecka
Magali Hernandez
Sabrina Herrera
Frine Maldonado
Diana Nagao-Mojica
Lisa Nerad
Sybil Stokes

We are still looking for parents to lead committees for high school grades. Please contact Amy Elkins if you are interested in supporting a grade level.

News to Know
 
Parent Resources
Faculty emails, Parent Handbook, Supplies, and Classics to Keep lists along with more school-specific information can be found on the Great Hearts Northern Oaks Website.
 
Follow us on our official Facebook and Instagram!
Quick Links
Great Hearts Northern Oaks | 210-888-9483 | www.greatheartsnorthernoaks.org.