Galesburg Jr./Sr. High School

February 2023 Family Newsletter

Parents and Guardians,

Parent-Teacher Conferences

It is almost time for parent-teacher conferences. This is a great opportunity to provide a foundation for a partnership between families and schools. We invite you to schedule a time to come and meet with one or all of your student's teachers on February 13, 2023. For your convenience, all conferences are scheduled through Skyward Family Access.

If you need assistance scheduling a conference please get in touch with the school at 309-973-2001.

Scheduling Information for High School 2023-2024

This is the time of year that our counselors begin the scheduling process for the 2023-2024 school year. Please make sure that you are having conversations with your student regarding course selections. We ask parents to check their emails as our counselors have shared information regarding the scheduling process. If you have any questions you may contact your student's counselor at:

Mrs. Gonzalez- students last name A-Dav; 309-973-2262; ggonzalez@galesburg205.org

Ms. Johnson- students last name Daw-I; 309-973-2260; rjohnson3@galesburg205.org

Mrs. McDermott- students last name J-Mt; 309-973-2263; smcdermott@galesburg205.org

Mr. Bredemeier- students last name Mu-Z; 309-973-2259; bbredemeier@galesburg205.org

Ms. Wills- Counselor for Student Support Program; 309-973-2255; swills@galesburg205.org

Mrs. Woodard- Family Engagement Specialist; 309-973-2261; swoodard@galesburg205.org

Information regarding scheduling for future 7th and 8th-grade students will be provided toward the end of the month of February.

Attention Current 8th Graders

Galesburg Community Unit School District #205 is involved in partnerships with Carl Sandburg College and Knox College to provide students with opportunities throughout their high school career and beyond. These programs are TRIO Upward Bound, TRIO Upward Bound Math-Science, and George Washington Gales Scholar Program. Below is a detailed description of each program.

TRIO Upward Bound

Students typically apply to this program during the spring of their 8th-grade year. Students start with the program during their freshman year of high school and are able to continue until they graduate. However, students can apply throughout their time in high school should spots become available. TRIO Upward Bound is designed to help high school students excel in secondary and post-secondary education through weekly meetings, summer sessions, internships, college visits, tutoring, etc. More information can be found on the website: Upward Bound Website. Applications are due March 31st.

TRIO Upward Bound Math-Science

This program offers all the same support as the TRIO Upward Bound program while also exposing students to STEM careers and opportunities. More information can be found on the website: Upward Bound Math-Science Website. Applications are due March 31st.

Gale Scholar Program

The George Washington Gale Scholars program was established in 1996 and was named after the founder of Galesburg and Knox College. The program is a collaborative partnership between Knox College, Carl Sandburg College, and Galesburg Public Schools District 205 and was created to encourage and support higher education aspirations and success in the target population of academically promising first-generation and income-eligible youth within District 205. Up to ten 8th-grade students will be selected annually for the program. Gale Scholars will receive free tuition to Carl Sandburg College and to Knox College upon completion throughout their Galesburg High School years. Applications will be mailed to all 8th-grade students later this month and are due on Wednesday, March 15.

Attendance

Regular attendance at school contributes to the foundation of academic success for students. This includes days when there is inclement weather. School is still in session on days when we are experiencing participation such as rain or snow. We ask for your help on these days, we will continue to strive to improve our daily attendance as we work in partnership with our parents and guardians.

Cafeteria Expectations

Students need to pick up after themselves. This seems pretty straightforward, but this is a problem at all grade levels. Please have a conversation with your students regarding this expectation.

As I have stated before, parents and guardians have the biggest influence on their own students. We are asking for your help. Please have conversations with your students regarding these basic areas of concern. Our goal is to provide your students with a clean and safe learning environment.

In Silver and Gold,

Mr. Hawkins

open_in_new zoom_out_map

zoom_out_map

Big 6 Conference Champions

Congratulations to the Swim and Dive Team for an undefeated season and for claiming the Western Big 6 Conference Champion Title.

zoom_out_map

All-State Band Students

Congratulations to our All-State band students.

Keaton Empey - Trombone in the All-State Jazz Band

William Edwards - Violin in the All-State Orchestra

Juniper Schwartzman - Horn in the All-State Concert Band

Brady Warner - Tenor Saxophone in the All-State Concert Band

zoom_out_map

Sectional Qualifiers

Congratulations to the GHS wrestlers who won their regional wrestling matches and are heading to Sectionals!

Galesburg Area Vocational Center Updates

Welcome back! With the beginning of the second semester, we have introduced some semester length courses at GAVC. Those courses include: Nutrition & Pharmacology/Medical Terminology (dual credit through Sandburg), Electricity (dual credit through Sandburg) Engineering Design, Drone Maintenance & Operation (New this year!), AR/VR, Introduction to Teaching, and ECE- II. We are excited for the opportunities our students will have in these courses in addition to our year-long courses!

February is National Career & Technical Education Month!
SkillsUSA has begun and students are excited to be a part of this organization! Students will take local assessments at the end of February. From there, successful students will move on to the State competition in April in Peoria, and those who place at state will have the opportunity to compete at Nationals in June in Atlanta, GA!
We are in the process of meeting with students to discuss our programs as the course request & registration process begin for next school year. GJHS 8th grade students will tour the GAVC facility on Tuesday, February 14.
Health Occupations has welcomed a new group of students for the 2nd semester! These students are starting to learn the 21 skills required by IDPH to become certified nursing assistants. The students are currently learning the skills of Handwashing, Donning and Doffing PPE, and Ambulation with a gait belt to name a few. Students who took Health Occupations during 1st semester are in the process of testing for their Illinois CNA license now.
Building Trades, Manufacturing, & Electricity students will complete the OHSA 10 course work and certification testing as a part of their courses.
Culinary Occupations students and Manufacturing students worked on items to be donated for auction for the Give Back Galesburg auction on 1/27. Thank you to Mrs. Barrett, Mr. Miller and the students who made these fantastic items!
Law Enforcement students had the opportunity to listen to a presentation from Knox County Sheriff Jack Harlan and some of his staff. As a part of the presentation, students saw a demonstration from the K-9 unit.
AR/VR students are in the process of learning the basics of the tools and software used to create virtual words. Recently, students had the opportunity to use the headsets to test out the VR word they created!
Students are prepping for the build process in our Drones Operation and Maintenance class. This class will also participate in drone racing league simulators, competition courses and will get instruction to prepare students to take the FAA Unmanned Aerial System certification test, if they so choose.
Culinary students are preparing to make 60 dozen cookies for Sweetheart Swirl. They will also hold their first staff lunch this month, offering a salad, pasta, garlic bread and cheesecake!

Student Reminders

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.

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.