High School
Parents & Students
As we begin the school year, please note that the Dolan Building entrance on Rock Island Street will serve as our temporary main entrance for students, families, and visitors. The front canopy entrance will not be used at the start of the school year due to construction. We appreciate your patience as everyone adjusts to these temporary changes.
With construction still in progress, many classrooms and offices have been relocated. Both students and staff will be learning the new layout together during the first few days of school. We know there may be a few bumps along the way, but our staff is ready to help students navigate the building and settle into their new routines.
As always, our goal is to provide a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where every student can learn, grow, and succeed. We value the partnership we have with our families and encourage you to reach out whenever you have questions or need assistance. Working together is one of the best ways to ensure a successful school year for our students.
Please take a few minutes to read the enclosed newsletter, which contains important information to help your family prepare for the start of school.
Upcoming Dates:
★ August 28th - Student Schedules available in the Parent/Student Portal
★ August 31st - 9th Grade Orientation - 3-4pm; Last Names A-K & 4-5pm: Last Names L-Z
★ September 2nd - First Day of School
★ September 17th - School Picture Day
I look forward to a wonderful school year and all that we will accomplish together.
Sincerely,
Nicole L. Donaldson
High School Principal
Homework, Communication, & Tutoring
Importance of Homework
Homework is a component of the student’s day that needs to be carefully managed, so many of our students have activities after school that it can be very easy to procrastinate or be neglectful when it comes to homework, however, there is a strong correlation between student’s success and homework completion. Besides the obvious impact on the quarterly grade, the skill development and practice that homework provides is the most important facet.Parents play an important role in assisting in the following:
- Reinforcing the importance of completing homework and being positive with the approach.
- Helping establish a routine for homework completion and overall organization during the first week of school so that your child does not fall into bad habits.
- Stay informed. Communicate with your child and their teachers to stay aware of what is needed for success.
Communication From School
Open communication between school and home is essential for our work with students. To that end we maintain schoolTool's Parent Portal. This is efficient way for families to monitor student progress. Teachers and parents are encouraged to establish communication lines early in the school year. Teachers are encouraged to call parents with the good, and where necessary, the not so good news.After School Tutoring
At GHS, we want every student to be successful and we will continue to explore opportunities to help students. One such opportunity is the after school tutoring program. The tutoring program is offered Monday through Thursday from 2:35 - 3:35 pm in the library. Any high school student is able and encouraged to stay after school to work with certified content teachers. The 3:30pm late bus is available for students to ride home after.Attendance & Health
School Attendance
Regular attendance to school and class is one of the most important aspects of a student’s educational program. Research shows that regular attendance increases student performance and achievement.SAFETY: The attendance office will always err on the side of caution when it comes to student attendance. If we are unsure of the validity of a note or a phone call, we will contact a parent or guardian. Please do not take offense to this as we are merely keeping our students’ interest at heart.
ABSENCE: A parent/guardian must call the attendance office or submit a Parent Square note each day a student is absent. The call or note must provide the reason for the absence.
LATE ARRIVAL: If a student is arriving tardy to school, please send a note stating the reason for your child's tardiness. Students must be dropped off at the Dolan building entrance and sign in at the attendance office prior to going to class
EARLY DISMISSAL: In order to be dismissed early from school, a parent or guardian must send a written note or call the attendance office directly. Students will receive an early dismissal pass from the attendance office and will sign out there prior to leaving school. Students may be picked up at the Dolan building entrance.
Please Note-An absence, tardiness or early departure may be excused if due to personal illness, illness or death in the family, impassable roads due to inclement weather, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health clinics, approved college visits, approved cooperative work programs, military obligations. An absence, tardiness or early departure is considered unexcused if the reason for the lack of attendance does not fall into the above categories. Examples include oversleeping, vacation, babysitting, haircut, etc.
SICK STUDENTS: Please remind your child that if they are feeling ill, they need to report to the Health Office. Our nurses will assess the situation and contact parents if they feel the students should go home.
Health Office Information
Physicals: All 9th & 11th grade students and all new students entering the district are required to have a physical examination. Forms are encouraged to be turned in to the health office by September 4, 2026. Physical forms are available at the health office or online. If your student has already had a physical, send the completed physical form to the Health Office as soon as possible. The form can be mailed, faxed to (315) 287-5517, or emailed to Mrs. Morgan at morgan.lisa@gcsk12.org. Students participating in sports need a current physical, which is valid for one calendar year. DOCTOR NOTES: if a student has an injury, minor/major surgery, or extended illness, please request a note from your doctor. Any head injury will require a doctor’s note stating the diagnosis and listing restrictions or clearance. All doctor’s notes should state the restrictions necessary for PE class, sports, and/or the school day. A note stating the student is cleared to participate is also required. All doctor notes should be brought to the health office first where copies will be made as needed for the PE teacher and coach. If your child had a doctor’s note with restrictions for the last calendar year, please provide an updated note.MEDICATIONS: ALL medications taken during the school day or school activities require a doctor’s note with specific instructions, a parent note, and the medication in the original container. Medications are to be brought to the health office by the parent with the paperwork. This includes all over the counter items, such as Tylenol or Advil.
Transportation & Student Parking
Due to construction, parking is very limited. Student parking is restricted to the auditorium parking lot for the start of the year. Student drivers must register their vehicles in the main office and will be assigned a numbered parking spot. All drivers are expected to respect all traffic rules and regulations.
Traffic Flow on Barney Street
- All traffic signs around the building will be enforced. Special attention should be given to hours for parking near the building.
- During morning drop off and afternoon pick up, traffic will be directed to move in a westerly direction on Barney Street from Rock Island and Caroline Streets to North Gordon Street. This will allow curbside drop off and pick up in front of the school without students having to cross Barney Street.
- Drivers are reminded that the directions of a police officer or traffic control officer override posted signs.
Students who have used district transportation to come to school and leave campus to loiter off school grounds will be in violation of our Code of Conduct and appropriate disciplinary steps will be taken.
Building Access
GHS will be open to students who need to be dropped off early at 6:50 am each morning. For the safety and security of all students and staff, please be aware that the Dolan building entrance is the only unlocked entrance to the high school. Students must remain in open of the cafeterias until the first bell rings at 7:25 am. Once the school day begins at 7:30 am, students and guests must sign in at the attendance office.After 5pm, those students who participate in after school clubs, organizations, and/or sports will be able to utilize the Dolan building entrance only and will not have access to their lockers or classrooms. The upper floors of the building will be locked. Students who stay after school should be supervised by an adult and will only be able to wait in the Dolan lobby when their activity is complete.
We appreciate your support in providing a safe environment for all students and staff.
Late Transportation
Late buses are provided at 3:30pm and 5:00pm Monday through Thursday each week. Students are required to have a pass from the teacher, advisor, or coach they stayed late with in order to ride the late bus. There will not be a late run the night before a break.
Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) is a premier cooperative partnership linking Syracuse University with secondary schools. Through this partnership, high schools can offer qualified seniors the opportunity to enroll in SU courses for university credit. Teachers who have qualified through SUPA as SU adjunct instructors teach enhanced concurrent enrollment university courses in high schools during the school day. SUPA began in 1972 as an attempt to address "senioritis," the tendency for seniors who have completed their graduation requirements to relax rather than prepare for the transition from high school to college.
Courses We Offer At GHS
American History, Biology, Calculus, English, Forensic Science, Public Affairs, and Spanish
Transcript Requests
https://exchange.parchment.com/
Students should NOT request transcripts until grades are officially submitted; 6-8 weeks after a course is complete). Please be aware there is now a $12 fee for each request.
Alma Mater
Among the hills of Old St. Lawrence
Stands the school we love so well.
Where we spent so many bright and happy days;
Its fond memories will linger
In our hearts to cheer and bless
As we toil along life's rough and rugged ways.
Then her praises we will sing
Till the echoes 'round us ring
And we'll sing them with a will forever more,
For we're singing of the glories
Of our dear old G.H.S.
May they echo from the mountains to the shore.