ATTENTION:  Class of 2020 Graduating Seniors and families:

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PLACED YOUR GRADUATION CAP AND GOWN ORDER YOU CAN STOP READING NOW!

If you have not yet ordered your graduation, cap and gown order, no worries.  Good news is here!  You still have time to go online at www.Jostens.com, choose your school and place your order prior to December 13, 2019 and still receive the current reduced group rate pricing.

You may also, call in your order to 1-800-Jostens and they can take the order over the phone.

Monday, February 24, 2020

Dental Health Month: February is National Children's Dental Health Month.  Need a new toothbrush, toothpaste or floss?  Pop by the Career Center and pick one up! Right outside Mrs. Kimball's door.

Lacrosse: Lacrosse practice begins today at Art Crate field (BHS).  Practice is from 6:30 – 8:30pm.

ACT:  ACT TEST attention Juniors 

All juniors will be taking the ACT test tomorrow during the school day. Juniors with the last name A-MC will bet testing in the gym, 

Me-Z in small gym

Running Start students in Auditorium 

Please make sure you come on Tuesday with a Photo ID, snacks, pencil and well rested ready to test. You will not be having lunch until late in the day.

Open Gym: Open gym will be held this week, see Mr. Jackson for details.

Talent Show: Attention all GK Eagles! The school talent show will be this Thursday, February 27th at 7pm with both some of your favorite friends and teachers such as Mr. Vollmer and his barbershop Quartet or Ms. Erickson and her clarinet. Come support your fellow Eagles, bring your friends and family, and show your spirit! Admission is $2 with ASB and $3 without. We'll see you there!

Library Books: Over 300 students have late or lost library books! Are you one of them? Check your school email for a message from Ms. Soler, then login to Destiny Discover to manage your check-outs.

iPads: Has your iPad been glitchy? Apps not working? Update your iOS! Go into settings on your iPad and check for an iOS update. If you aren't sure how to update, come to the library for help.

Baseball: Anyone that missed the Baseball Pre-Season Meeting make sure you see Coach Jackson.

Cheer: Cheer, dance, stunt and flag runners see Mrs. Smith in portable 12 for tryout information. Open gym and training opportunities this month.

Scholarship Opportunity:  Seniors!  Come get help with your BEST Scholarship application during Study Support on Thursday in the Career Center. Stop by for a pass.

Job Opportunity: Old McDebbie's Farm in Spanaway, otherwise known as Jim's U-Fish, is looking for students 16 and older to complete a variety of tasks around the farm, pony rides, fishing, etc.  Stop by the Career Center for the info sheet and to apply. 

Track: Track and Field practice starts on Monday March 2nd. We will meet out on the bleachers near the track by 2:25 sharp. Questions, see Coach Woyak in the Career Center or Coach Thomas in the Mezzanine.

WA Youth Academy: The Washington Youth Academy will be here on Tuesday, March 3rd during Study Support for a brief presentation on how you can earn up to 8 credits in only 5 1/2 months while living at the National Guard Campus in Bremerton. Passes are available from the Career Center or Mrs. Thomas' office on the Mezzanine.

Field Trip Opportunity: Students interested in checking out Bates Technical College on March 5th stop by the career Center for a field trip form.

Scholarship Opportunity: Seniors, if you played a varsity sport and plan to attend school this fall after graduation, you may be eligible for a $3,000 Ben B. Cheney Foundation scholarship. Visit their website at benbcheneyfoundation.org/scholarship to apply. Must have participated in at least one varsity sport.  Applications must be received by March 15.

We want to let you know about an important school policy change taking place for the 2019-2020 school year. All GKHS classrooms will be cell phone free zones. As a result, cell phones should remain in lockers, bags, or backpacks, off or in airplane mode, through the duration of their classes. This is a change from previous years when teachers set individual policies within their classrooms. All teachers will have a consistently worded cell phone free policy in their syllabi/course expectations, supported by a progressive administrative policy to reinforce it. Students will still be able to access to their phones before/after school, during lunch, and during passing periods. Specifics will be communicated upon return from summer break.

As a technology forward school, Graham-Kapowsin wants to help teach and promote appropriate digital citizenship. Our staff has overwhelmingly agreed that a consistent school wide policy to bar cell phone use during class will help students remain present and engaged in their learning. The intent of this policy is to support students in their academic success, remove a major temptation and distraction, and promote face-to-face social interaction and connection. Teachers have repeatedly observed that a cell phone on a desk, even when used as a research tool, still provides too tempting a distraction. When it dings or buzzes, the minds of even the strongest of students wander away. Studies indicate that it can take the brain up to ten minutes to re-engage after responding to a cell phone distraction. Phones are not merely distractions for their owners in the classroom, but they can also be a source of distraction for teachers and classmates alike. Students we interviewed as part of this process confirmed these assertions, albeit begrudgingly.

Parents and guardians, please help us promote this policy be restricting phone contact with your student to passing periods or during lunch, when cell phone use will be allowed. You are also welcome to call the office to deliver information to your student during the day.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us, 253-800-6100.