Galesburg Jr./Sr. High School

On Friday, October 27th, we received our summative designations from the Illinois State Board of Education. Unfortunately, our school improvement efforts did not produce the results we were hoping for in the prescribed timeline, but we have so much to be proud of. The new designation gives us more funding and learning opportunities and expands our ability to take a more holistic approach.

Our Junior High designation is Comprehensive due to schools that have completed a full Targeted Support school improvement cycle, where the performance of one or more of the originally Targeted student groups remains at or below the level of the “all students” group in the lowest-performing 5 percent of Title I-eligible schools at the end of the four-year improvement cycle. Our High School designation is Targeted due to our students with disabilities group, which is performing at or below the “all students” group of the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools. I have provided the following links for additional information regarding the Illinois Report Card.

Annual Summative Designations

Multiple Indicators of Student Success

We Need Your Help

If you open the link that lists the indicators of student success, you will notice that we are scored on Chronic Absenteeism. That is why it is extremely important that your student attends school every day. Research has shown that students who attend school regularly are able to learn more, have fewer discipline problems, develop better study habits, and are often more successful than students who do not attend school on a regular basis.

We are also scored on the academic indicators of Math, Science, and English Language Arts proficiency. As mentioned above, regular school attendance has been shown to increase proficiency in these areas. But our students can influence this proficiency in a positive way as well. We need our students to take state tests seriously. We ask that you promote your student's best effort on these state tests next Spring. We can do this together, a partnership of teachers, school staff, students, and parents all working toward the common goal of improving our school's achievement.

During the last newsletter, I asked you to encourage your students to read more. 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.

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.

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

Anti-Bullying

Recently you should have received an email from me regarding the school district's anti-bullying policy and procedures for reporting bullying. Please visit the following link which provides more information on the topic of Bullying: Bullying Prevention and Response

New School Spirit Store

Looking for ideas for the holidays or do you want the newest fashions in school spirit? Please visit our school spirit store at: (https://galesburgschooldistw23.itemorder.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.

November

6- 7th and 8th Class Meetings

9- Girls Basketball Meet the Streaks, 6 pm

10- Boys Basketball Meet the Streaks, 6 pm

13- School Board Meeting, 7 pm at the District Offices

14- ASVAB Testing, 8-11am

16- Parent and Teacher Conferences, 3:15-6:45 pm

17- Midterm 2nd Quarter

17- Fall Play, The Play That Goes Wrong, 7 pm

18- Fall Play, The Play That Goes Wrong, 7 pm

19- Fall Play, The Play That Goes Wrong, 2 pm

21- 1:55 Early Dismissal

22- No School, Conference Day

23&24- No School, Thanksgiving Holiday

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.

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- You must present a student ID to be served promptly during 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.

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