Galesburg Jr./Sr. High School

On September 28th, our students had the opportunity to experience a very powerful presentation from Rachel's Challenge. This organization was created as a result of the tragic event at Columbine High School in 1999. Rachel's Challenge promotes kindness, which is a free service that anyone can provide. The cost of promoting kindness among our students and school community is $0! Our students were challenged that day to find people they care about and let them know how they feel about them. They were also challenged to be kind to one another and to go out of their way to help someone in need. Overall, it was a very powerful presentation for our students.

This month your students will have a presentation from Foster's Voice. Foster's Voice has the mission to end suicide and end the stigma around mental illness by improving conversations and creating awareness, action, and hope. This presentation will take place on October 24th.

Tardies to school and in between classes are a problem for some students. Unfortunately, this can become habit forming in other areas of a student's life. School starts at 7:40 a.m. on most days and at 9:40 a.m. on Wednesdays. Students need to be seated and ready to learn at this time. Parents, you can help support your students by getting them to school on time so they can be in their classrooms when class starts. Parents can also use Skyward to check for their students' tardies to school and each class period. Help us promote this life skill that our students will need for the future.

Finally, as we get closer to the end of the 1st quarter and our Fall Break, I challenge our parents and guardians to talk to their students about school stamina, especially in the area of reading. Challenge your students to read over the break. Improving reading skills can increase students' self-esteem, improve concentration, help promote critical and analytical thinking skills, provide students with stronger memory, and expand a student's vocabulary. Reading is fundamental to school success.

Parent and Teacher Conferences

Parent and Teacher Conferences are scheduled for October 26th, from 3:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Please schedule a conference with your child's teachers on Skyward. Once you have logged into Skyward, Click on "Conferences" to schedule with your student's teacher. Click here to watch a Skyward Conference Schedule video for more information. Whether your child is struggling or doing very well, this provides caregivers with the opportunity to communicate with our staff members. Please take advantage of this opportunity.

Shine in 205

This program is aimed to provide recognition for district employees who go the extra mile for students in CUSD No. 205. Each month there will be two staff members selected from the nominations. Parents, guardians, co-workers, and community members are welcome to nominate a CUSD No. 205 employee. To nominate a staff member please use this Form.

Keisha Cares is Back

Keisha Cares will begin serving families in our District on October 10th. The purpose of Keisha Cares is to continue the legacy of late long-time Lombard Middle School secretary Keisha Harris. It is dedicated to supporting students in need of food, tutoring assistance, referrals for other services, hygiene items, and clothing as needed. Requests for services can be made by filling out a brief Google Form: Keisha Cares Form

Keisha Cares will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. To see the schedule for planned stops, please check the district's Facebook page weekly.

Worried About Completing the FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is how students apply for federal grants, work-study, and loans for college. Completion of the FAFSA is a state of Illinois graduation requirement. Graduating seniors and their families can attend this informational workshop to learn about the materials that you need for FAFSA completion along with timelines for submission. We will be offering this workshop on Thursday, October 26th at 6:00 p.m. in the Little Theater.

Student Council Trunk or Treat

The Galesburg High School Student Council will be hosting its annual Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 29th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the main student parking lot. This event is a safe way for families of the community to take their young children Trick or Treating. This event is open to the public.

Student Council Veterans' Day Breakfast

The Galesburg High School Student Council will be hosting its annual Veterans' Day Breakfast on Wednesday, November 8th, starting at 6:45 a.m. This event is open to any veteran or current active duty service member. We appreciate you for your service to our country.

Junior High Family Game Night

We will be hosting a Family Game Night for our junior high families on Thursday, November 9th, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The event will take place in the 2nd Floor Commons and will include Uno, Connect Four, Jenga, Checkers, and Chess. We hope to see some of our junior high families there.

School Start Times

A reminder that our students are expected to be sitting in their classrooms at 7:40 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; and by 9:40 a.m. on Wednesdays. We are noticing that the traffic at the parent drop-off lane at West Circle Drive is getting very light around 7:35 a.m. Please use this route to drop off your students so they can be on time to school.

Bus Riders

Do you have a student who rides the bus? Make sure you have the FirstView School Bus App installed on your phone. The FirstView app allows you to see the location and direction of your student's bus, your student's stop schedule for the current day, and timestamps for school arrivals and departures. Register today at web.firstviewapp.com

I know that was a lot of information to share, but we are striving to provide your student(s) with a great educational experience while they are a student here in Galesburg. Thank you for your time in reading this newsletter.

In Silver and Gold,

Mr. Hawkins

• Please note that a parent/guardian or approved caregiver who is listed in Skyward as an authorized person for pick-up must present a photo ID to verify their identity.
• When the identity of the parent/guardian or approved caregiver is verified, the attending staff member will then call the classroom to have your student report to the attendance office for pick up.
• Parents/guardians/caregivers must fill out the sign-out sheet before leaving the office.
• If your student is a driver, please notify the office if your student is leaving the building for an appointment. Your student will then need to sign out before leaving the building.

9-12 Grade Students: Pre-order your high school yearbook to capture the memories of your school year! You may purchase the yearbook online (www.yearbookforever.com) or bring cash or check, payable to GHS Reflector, to the GJSHS Main Office with the order form. Click here for the form.

Order by November 1, 2023, for the Early Bird Price, $60.00. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Bennewitz, at bbennewitz@galesburg205.org.

October

3- Fall Choir Concert (Grades 5-8) Hegg Performing Arts Center 7 p.m.

7- Fall Choir Concert (Grades 9-12) GHS Commons 6 p.m.

6-GHS Student Council Blood Drive

8- Fall Band Concert (Grades 6-8) Hegg Performing Arts Center 2 p.m.
12-End of 1st Quarter (1-hour Early Dismissal)

13-Teacher Institute (No Student Attendance)

16-20 Fall Break (No School)

25-Junior High Picture Retakes

26-High School (Grades 9-11) Picture Retakes

26-GAVC Manufacturing & Trades Showcase

26-Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:15-6:15 p.m.

29- Trunk or Treat 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Student Dress- Student dress (including accessories) may not advertise, promote, picture, or display alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, violent behavior, or other inappropriate images, lewd, vulgar, obscene, or offensive language or symbols, including gang symbols. No head coverings unless for religious reasons or for protective hair covering as approved by the building Principal.

Lunch- Galesburg Junior/Senior High School is a closed campus. This means that students are not allowed to leave campus to get lunch. Our Servery is newly remodeled and provides many nutritious choices for our students. Additionally, our new student commons provide students with a spacious atmosphere to enjoy lunch with their friends.
Start Time- On a regular school day, school starts at 7:40 a.m. This means students are expected to be seated in their classrooms, ready to learn, at 7:40 a.m.

Restrooms- Our restrooms have been newly remodeled. Please use the restrooms appropriately.

Lockers- Students are to place coats and backpacks in their lockers during the school day. It is also a great location to store their cell phone. Students in grades 9-12 may use clear backpacks.

Order your pink out shirt and come support the Junior High Girls Basketball teams on October 19th. It is the 2nd Annual Pink-Out Night benefiting the Knox County Relay for Life. https://gburgpinkout23.itemorder.com/ #StreaksNation

Email: cusd205@galesburg205.org
Website: https://ghs.galesburg205.org/o/ghs
Location: 1135 West Fremont Street, Galesburg, IL, USA
Phone: 309-973-20001
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalesburgHighSchool205
Twitter: @Galesburg_HS