Grissom Tiger Tale Newsletter
Issue: 25February 15, 2016
In This Issue
Principal's Note
Join PTSA
Tutors
IRegister
Seniors
Counselors' Corner
Scholarships
Summer Camps
Save the Date
AP US History
Yearbooks
Choir & Chili
Sports
Library Request
State of the Schools
Wizard of Oz
Dinner & Jazz
Art Needs
Counseling at JPII
Spirit Nights
Tiger Tale
Spirit Wear
Mrs. Sim's Recipes
Join PTSA
Hello Grissom Nation,
I hope everyone enjoyed their four-day weekend. It's hard to believe that we are only three weeks away from the end of the third nine weeks.
Tuesday, all of our senior students will be taking the ACT WorkKeys Assessment. The ACT WorkKeys Assessment is a job skills assessment system that helps employers select, hire, train, develop, and retain a high-performance workforce. This series of tests measures foundational and soft skills and offers specialized assessments to target institutional needs.
Please ensure that your child is present to school on time so that we may begin testing immediately. If your child is absent, he/she will be required to make-up this assessment at a later date.
I want to thank you for your support of our school community. Your support and involvement in our school community is crucial in our commitment to the standards of excellence that define Grissom High School.
"At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents." - Jane D. Hull
Sincerely,
Becky Balentine
Principal
Grissom High School
#ONEtiger
Anonymous Alerts is also another way to go if your child is reluctant to speak to an adult.
This Weeks Tiger Tale
While I know this weeks Tiger Tale is long, there is some very important information contained within it. Please look over it, especially if you have a senior looking for scholarships. There is also important information regarding the IRegister event that is coming up. There are also many fundraisers and activities. Please take a few minutes to look over it all.
Thank you,
Rhoda Johnson
Word of the Month
Huntsville City Schools Character words of the month for February are
Honesty and
Integrity.
Definitions: the quality of being fair and truthful, free from deceit or fraud;
adherence to moral and ethical principals, soundness of moral character.
These are words to live by and to always remember to be truthful and honest in all you do.
See Something, Say Something!!!!
Anonymous Alerts
Remember HCS has a
gray Anonymous Alerts
button at the top left of Grissom's webpage. It is also on the main HCS page.
"Students or parents in the school community can anonymously submit any suspicious activity, bullying or other student related issues to a school administrator(s). We encourage you to report important issues. Once you complete the contact form below, you will receive a confirmation that your information has been submitted to the school district.
False reporting will be taken seriously to the full extent of the law.
This system will be monitored between the hours of 7 am to 5 pm during the school year. Any reports submitted outside of these hours or during holidays will be responded to during the following normally scheduled school day.
Please DO NOT use this system for issues requiring immediate assistance. If this is an emergency requiring immediate assistance, please call 911."
www.grissomhigh.org
Check-In & Check-Out Policies
Please be sure to check the Grissom Website for the
Students Rules and Guide To School Policy for policy on checking students in and out and other school information.
February 15th is a "Snow Make-up Day." If we do not have to make up any weather days prior to the 12th, there will be no classes for students and teachers. Link to this year's school calendar.
Benefits of Joining PTSA
Join PTSA and help your school and STUDENTS
Grissom has over 1800 students.
Grissom PTSA has 678 members who have joined this school year, which includes all Grissom certified teachers.
Many of you wonderful parents and students are hard at work within the PTSA and within an assortment of the specialized clubs and organizations at Grissom, contributing hours of time and talent and donations.
We encourage you to officially join our Parent Teacher Student Association by renewing your annual membership. A strong PTSA is a reflection of a strong community. And as people move into Huntsville, these numbers represent us. We want our membership number to accurately reflect our vibrant dedicated community in the hope they will join us in educating, growing and inspiring all students.
As we near the deadline for this year's membership, please take time to also join PTSA by renewing your annual membership before the end of February.
$8/adults, $4/students. Online form via link below our Facebook cover photo, or fill out a paper form in the main office.
Perhaps you are unaware ways our PTSA serves our school and community?
Here are a few: Weekly Tiger Tale newsletter, social media communication (Facebook & Twitter), webpage, Baccalaureate, monthly snacks to staff meetings, 2-3 luncheons for our staff, National Merit Scholars Luncheon, Veteran's Day Breakfast, Legislative Breakfast, coordination of parent volunteers in the main office, orientation volunteers, Open House, applications for various awards and grants, fundraisers, awards annual scholarships for Grissom students, information meetings for feeder school PTA leaders and real estate agents, community events like the Car Show, Education Celebration, Health & Safety Day, speakers to encourage our students like Chris Payne from SADD, help with Blue Ribbon and School of Excellence applications, Reflections arts competition, participation in the Huntsville Council of PTAs and Campus Clean-up Days.
Please consider it and join at the bottom of this newsletter.
Worked Assessment Test
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
The Workkeys Assessment was suspended last week due to technical difficulties. The Assessment will be given to all 12th graders on
Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Please make sure your student comes to school on next Tuesday with a fully charged laptop.
If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Carla Parker, the Workkeys Coordinator, at carla.parker@hsv-k12.org or
256-428-8000 ext. 108. Thank you.
Tutoring
Mu Alpha Theta (Math Club)
Needing help in a math class?
Free tutoring is offered by Math Club students!
Monday & Wednesday 3:15-4:00 in I-305
Friday mornings 7:15-7:45 in AA4
Contact Mrs. Rodgers in I-305 or
Ms. Gardner in AA4 with questions.
REACH
REACH students offer peer tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 7:30-8:00 in the library. Come in the Main Entrance,
and sign in at the library. Sign-up for a tutor with Ms. Meek in I-310.
DON'T WAIT. GET EXTRA HELP NOW TO KEEP YOUR SCORES UP!
Science Bowl
Alabama State Science Bowl Competition
Grissom students won 4th place at the Alabama State Science Bowl Competition on January 30th.
The team included from left to right: Spencer Bralley, Matin Mirramezani, Michael McMeen, and Alex Jones.
I'm very proud of my team- especially since we didn't even have a senior and all of the other top four teams had more than one senior!
The team included from left to right:
Spencer Bralley, Matin Mirramezani, Michael McMeen, and Alex Jones.
Ellen Adams
Honors Chemistry, Medical Interventions
STEM Coordinator
Grissom High School
Ellen.Adams@hsv-k12.org
IRegister Event
Senior Dates and Events
Graduation Announcement Information
Grissom graduation is Thursday, May 26th at 5:30 pm
Senior Prom is currently scheduled for April 9, 2016.
Senior Awards Night is scheduled for Monday, May 23 @ 6:00pm at Willowbrook Church.
Baccalaureate is Tuesday, May 24th.
Mr. Cary Hurt, Senior Sponsor about Senior events and activities such as
Prom, Senior Banquet, Awards Night, Graduation Procedures and Graduation Attire etc.
Announcements can be ordered by phone (205-733-1060) or online:
www.alabamabalfour.com
18 Year Old Students
Voting Registration
Students, are you going to be 18 years old by March 1st? Then you can VOTE in the primaries.
Alabama's primary will be March 1. The deadline for registering to vote in the primary is February 15.
The last day for voters to register for the November 8 general election is October 24.
Counselors Corner
Seniors:
This section contains much information on scholarships, deadlines, FAFSA and many more things. Please be sure to read it and check out the links for many more scholarships and opportunitites.
Seniors and parents, click on the link www.smore.com/20482 for your College & Career Counselor's online newsletter.
Mrs. Sheri Crigger has important information for seniors. And if you are on Twitter, follow her at @hcscollegecouns
**** Now is the time to submit your 2016-2017 FAFSA application. The sooner the better as some
scholarships are on a first come first serve basis. If you haven't done your taxes yet you may use your last year taxes to estimate. Go to FAFSA.GOV for more information. Remember, this is a FREE application and you should not pay for it. There is a website that looks identical to the .GOV one but they charge you to fill it out and file. GO TO THE .GOV website.
For information and assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) go to the following link:
HCS Financial Aid Application Help_Smore.htm. Also, visit www.nacee.net.
Help is available beginning this Saturday from 9:00am - 1:00pm; every Saturday from February 13th through March 19th. 256.372.4600.
In addition, there will be two Financial Aid Application Workshops: Tuesday, Feb. 23rd 10am-1pm and 4pm-7pm at Huntsville High School (Lecture Hall) And..... Thursday, Feb. 25th 10am-1pm and 4pm-7pm at J.O. Johnson High School (Library)
****To complete the FAFSA you will need: 1. Your Social Security Number 2. Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen) 3. Your most recent federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned 4. Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable) 5. Records of untaxed income (if applicable) 6. An FSA ID to sign electronically
See SAVE THE DATE section for more dates and times.
----
Please report to your counselor any scholarships accepted by you and scholarships offered to you by colleges, businesses, clubs, organizations, etc. and then please forward to your counselor
any emails, letters, etc which show the amount and or type of scholarship received (academic, athletic). Counselors are required to document scholarship totals. Thank you.
College Visits:
Marion Military Academy will be here on Friday, February 19, 2016, at 10:00am in the I-Pod Conference Room to meet with interested students.
College applications - Counselors are encouraging all our seniors to apply to college, and the sooner the better! Most applications can be completed online by going to the college website. Mrs. Crigger, your HCS College Counselor, will be visiting each high school one day per week through the rest of the year. Your counselors are happy to assist any students who need help with this process. Students can sign up for an appointment to meet with us in the Guidance Office.
Students who are applying to colleges via the Common Application please let Dr. Gurley (theresa.gurley@hsv-k12.org) know so that she may complete the "Counselor Portion" of the Common Application and send in your Mid-Year Common Application Forms. Thank you.
Upcoming Deadlines. More details on scholarships posted on Naviance
- Huntsville Council of PTAs will award two scholarships per high school for $500 each. The deadline is March 1.
- Calhoun Scholarship deadline March 1, 2016.
- The Huntsville/Madison County Auburn Club will award a scholarship to a local student attending Auburn next fall. www.huntsvilleauburnclub.com The deadline is March 1.
- Huntsville/Madison County Builders Association. Deadline March 18, 2016
- Alabama Farmers Federation Members Scholarship Opportunities . Deadline is April 1, 2016
- The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program. Deadline April 11, 2016
Additional Scholarship Opportunities - We regularly post scholarship opportunities in Naviance. To access the list, go to www.naviance.com and log into the student account. Click on "Colleges", then scroll to the bottom and click "Scholarship List". Below are just a few of the great opportunities you can find listed in Naviance. Applications are attached at the bottom of the email.
Click here for a list of scholarships. It is updated weekly by the HCS Counseling Services Department. So be sure to bookmark it and check often as new ones are added. Here's another treasure trove of possibilities: collegescorecard.ed.gov
Transcripts should be sent thru Naviance to the school of your choice. If you would like a "hard copy" please fill out a request outside of Mrs. McMillan's office. These are free. For help sending a transcript, refer to the HSC website under "Family Connection" or speak with your child's counselor.
FREE ACT prep after school every Tuesday and Thursday in B2 with Mr. Graham. Be sure to sign up.
Any grade may sign up.
This information has been posted, emailed, or handed out to senior students and parents at some time during the 2015-2016 school year via Naviance and/or Edmodo or Senior Parent Meetings. If you are not receiving the emails please make sure your email address is accurate and updated in Infosnap, Naviance, or iNOW. Also, go to www.succeed.naviance.com/vghs to register and activate your Naviance account if you have not already done so. Contact the counselors if you need your registration code.
Counselors communicate with students in many ways. One way is via an Edmodo Group. Ask your child to show you the Edmodo account that their counselor uses to pass on all information including announcements, scholarships, essay contests, college recruiter visits etc.
Dr. Gurley and Ms. Sidney's Edmodo Group Code is: see64t.
Ms. Erica Sidney - Senior Counselor (A-L) 256-428-8000 x112
Dr. Theresa J. Gurley - Senior Counselor (M-Z) 256-428-8000 x113
Mrs. Sheri Crigger - District College & Career Counselor 256-529-8842
Mr. Cary Hurt - Senior Class Sponsor 256-428-8000 x311 Sr. activities/events
Mrs. Bonnie Venezia - Bookkeeper 256-428-8000 x106 Sr. fees
Mr. John Wright - Yearbook Sponsor 256-428-8000 x294 Ads, portraits
Dr. Carolyn Williams - 12th Gr. Assistant Principal 256-428-8000 x279
Emails: first name.last name @hsv-k12.org
Scholarships
Regions is proud to offer the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest.
Sixteen high school students will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship, and 16 college students will be awarded a $3,5000 scholarship in honor of Black History month.
Students can submit an essay about an African-America who has inspired and motivated them for the opportunity to win a scholarship. For more information, visit regions.com/ridingforward. Contest runs through February 25, 2016
2016 Student-View Scholarship Program
is offering $11,000 worth of scholarships to high school seniors who plan to attend a four-year college, community/junior college or career school. The program includes: One $4,000 scholarship, Two $1,000 scholarships, Ten $500 scholarships. It's quick and easy to apply: No minimum SAT/ACT score or grade point average, No essay required, No lengthy application forms, and No application fees. Deadline is April 22, 2016.
Simply log on to http://www.student-view.com and complete a 15-20 minute application survey about colleges in your area. The scholarship will be announced in May 2016. If you have any questions, contact John Becker at 724-903-0439 or contact@studentinsights.com.
2016 Diamond Book Scholarship---The Huntsville Alumni Chapter Kappa Scholarship Foundation, Inc. is sponsoring one (1) $500.00 scholarship to deserving male from a traditionally disenfranchised ethnicity.
2016 Dream Scholarship---The Huntsville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is sponsoring one (1) $1000.00 scholarship to deserving male of a traditionally disenfranchised ethnicity.
2016 Floyd Hughes Memorial Scholarship---The Huntsville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is sponsoring a $4000.00 scholarship to a deserving male student within the Class of 2016.
Deadline: February 28, 2016
There is still time to apply for the Princeton Prize until February 14:
http://www.princeton.edu/pprize/
Kappa Alpha Psi Floyd Huges Memorial Scholarship.pdf
KappaAlpha Psi Dream Scholarship Application pdf.
kappa Alpha Psi diamond Book Scholarship Application
Soroptimist International of Huntsville
would like to recognize a young woman between the ages of 14 - 17 who exhibits leadership qualities as a volunteer in your community or school. The application deadline is March 4th. Please see your counselor for more information and an application.
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations
There is perhaps no greater challenge facing our country than increasing understanding and cooperation among people of different racial backgrounds. It is a challenge that every new generation encounters. We therefore believe that young people have a particularly important role to play, and hope, through the Princeton Prize, to recognize and encourage young people who have made or are making efforts to improve racial harmony.
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations consists of regionally awarded $1,000 cash awards as well as an annual symposium on race.
Application Information and Instructions
The Princeton Prize application process consists of two parts (Part I and Part II). Each part can be separately completed online - OR - downloaded, printed and mailed. Alternatively, printed application materials can be mailed to you directly by contacting Board of Princeton Prize by phone (800-742-1036) or email (pprize@princeton.edu).
Candidate's Application-Part I
This is to be filled in and submitted by the applicant only. In order to apply for the Princeton Prize, the candidate must currently be enrolled in grades 9-12.
Access the Application Portal to submit your application online
Supporter's Form-Part II
All applicants must arrange to have a supporter fill in and submit this form. The supporter must be a teacher, adviser, community or religious leader, or other responsible individual - not related to the candidate - who knows about the candidate's participation in the activity described in the application.
After submitting Part I, applicants will grant access to supporters to submit Part II through the application portal.
- Applicants and supporters also have the option to mail in their forms.
- Download, print and mail your application:
FEDERATION MEMBERS ELIGIBLE FOR $1,000 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Alabama Farmers Federation members can now apply online for a $1,000 college scholarship funded through the Alfa Foundation.
Applications are due April 1. The scholarships will be awarded to 100 students attending Alabama colleges, universities or technical schools and may be used for tuition, fees, books or supplies required for coursework.
The program is open to high school seniors and post-secondary undergraduates enrolled or planning to enroll in a two- or four-year school in Alabama. Winners will be notified in May.
Scholarships will be awarded based on academic record; demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities; honors; work experience; and statement of goals and aspirations. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required. To be eligible, the scholarship applicant must be a member of the Alabama Farmers Federation, and the membership must be issued in the name of the scholarship applicant.
To apply, visit AlfaInsurance.com.
Madison County Homemakers and Community Leaders (MCHCL) Scholarship
based on financial need, leadership/service, character and scholastic ability Award amount is $500.00 Deadline: April 1, 2016 See Dr. Gurley or Mrs. Sidney for an application. Alabama Homemakers and Community Leaders (AHCL) offers a $1,000.00 scholarship to a high school senior who will pursue a degree in Family and Consumer Science or one of the areas of Human Science. The applications will be judged on the following criteria: Character, Leadership and Service, Financial Need, and Scholastic Ability. Deadline: April 1, 2016 See your Counselor for an application form.
Morris, King and Hodge Scholarship The scholarship helps to spread the dangers of texting while driving among your students (who are eligible to participate). The contest information can be seen here: mkhlawyers.com/community-involvement/scholarship-2016 . There are three winners- with prize amounts totaling $4,200. The scholarship is now open, and entries are due by April 30, 2016. Diane Enriquez On behalf of Morris, King, Hodge
Buick Achievers Scholarship
Up to $25,000 Per Year. Visit
buickachievers.com
for program details and the online application.
Deadline: February 29, 2016 5:00 p.m. EST. We encourage the following to apply: High school seniors and current undergraduates . U.S. military veterans and their dependents. Those that plan to enroll full time at a 4-yr college or university in 2016-2017. Those who plan to major in a specific course of study focused on engineering, technology or design, with an interest in the automotive industry.
The Huntsville/Madison County Builders Foundation is accepting scholarship applications from any person who is pursuing an education in the elds of architecture, drafting, building science, civil engineering, or other housing industry vocations such as heating and air conditioning, electrical, masonry, carpentry, etc.
Scholarship applicants must:
- * Be accepted by an accredited two year junior or
community college, four year college or university, or state accredited vo-tech school; or an enrolled undergraduate student; and - * Be pursuing study in architecture, drafting, building science, civil engineering, or other housing industry vocations such as heating and air conditioning, electrical, masonry, carpentry, etc.; and
- * Students must be residents of Madison County or contiguous counties.
APPLICATIONS - Interested persons can receive an application in any of the following ways:
- contact the H/MCBA Of ce at (256) 536-2602 for an application to be faxed or mailed; OR
- go to www.buildersassn.org, click on Consumers at the top of the page, and click on Scholarships & Grants; OR
- stop by the Association of ce at 2804 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, Alabama, 35805.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Friday, March 18, 2016
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program will provide FULLtuition, employment, employee benefits, fees, books, and room and board each year for up to 4 years to selected students pursuing a bachelor's degree at the following universities:
- Alabama A&M University, Alcorn Stat University-Mississippi, Central State University-Ohio, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University-Georgia, Kentucky State University, Langston University-Oklahoma, Lincoln University-Missouri, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University-Texas, South Carolina State University, Southern University-Louisiana, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University-Alabama, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Virginia St
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