Excel in Mind, Body and Character

George Mason High School Newsletter

Tyrone Q. Byrd, Principal March 2012

Dear Mustang Parents and Guardians, We are rapidly approaching the mid-point of the third quarter. At 8:00 am on the morning of Thursday, March 1, you will be able to view your childs updated and accurate interim grades for each class through AccessGM. Please carefully review this important information with your child. I encourage you to reach out to teachers immediately if you have questions or concerns. As typical for the George Mason community, we have achieved much during the first three-quarters of the school year. Our continual efforts to Excel in Mind, Body, and Character resulted in the bevy of academic, artistic, athletic, and civic accomplishments listed below: State Championships in Girls and Boys Cross Country, and Scholastic Bowl Full scale musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie Successful JV Show Recognition of five National Merit Scholarship Finalists Outstanding seasons by our swim and wrestling teams with individual athletes competing for regional and state honors Representative students from theater, visual arts, instrumental and vocal music, and dance were selected to audition for Governors School Instrumental music students performance at the VCU Festival of Winds and Percussion Hosted Chilean students and teachers Hosted a robotics seminar to support and promote robotics throughout the metropolitan area A record number of instrumental students auditioned for the state and band district Successful Poetry Out Loud contest Regional finalists in Girls and Boys Basketball (more to come from states!) Successful launch of 1418 (Robotics) Multiple successful community performances by the GMHS Jazz Ensemble and Clarinet Quintet We look forward to celebrating the remainder of the 2011 12 school year as we prepare to bid a fond farewell to yet another amazing graduating class of Mustangs. Please encourage your child to maintain their focus as we collectively work toward the successful completion of the year. Remind her or him to make effective use of the extensive array of support services we offer for their continual use. Our commitment to Excel in Mind, Body, and Character compels us to work to the fullest of our ability to achieve at the highest levels. Working collaboratively greatly enhances the likelihood of success in our shared efforts. Please know that we are steadfast in our determination to help your child prepare for a life of limitless opportunity and that we appreciate your continued support as we work toward that aim. Sincerely,

Tyrone Q. Byrd Principal

Go Mustang

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GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL

A REMINDER

PARENT/TEACHER MINI-CONFERENCES MARCH 9

In keeping with our efforts to maintain open communication with parents, I would like to remind you of our Parent/Teacher Mini-Conferences to be held Friday, March 9, at 7:45 a.m. in the Mustang Caf, auxiliary gym and main gym. Teachers will be seated by department. This meeting will provide you an opportunity to speak with the teachers of your choice for three to four minutes to discuss your students progress and to make appointments for additional conferences if you so desire. No appointments are required for the March 9 mini-conferences. We ask that you park in the senior lot (nearest the grad center) or in the Haycock Road lot. On March 9, classes will begin at 10:00 a.m. with busses serving students on a modified schedule. Busses will pick up students at the bus stops shown on page 4. The mini-conferences will begin immediately at 7:45 a.m. and end promptly at 9:30 a.m. for a brief faculty meeting and to give teachers time to prepare for the start of the day. We look forward to seeing you on Friday, the 9th. NOTE: All GM students who attend morning classes at the Arlington Career Center are expected to do so as usual on March 9 and the regular ACC busses will run.

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GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL

Important Dates
Please note that some of these dates have changed since the beginning of school and some other changes may still occur.
March 1 Interims Available on AccessGM March 3 PTSA/Kaplan ACT Practice Test 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. TLC Pre-registration Required March 7 International Dinner/PTSA 6:30 8:30 p.m. Mustang Caf March 2, 3 District X Band Festival Annandale High School March 9 Parent/Teacher Mini Conferences 7:45 9:30 a.m. Cafeteria/Auxiliary Gym/Main Gym Two-hour Delay for Students March 10 District X Chorus Festival West Potomac High School March 14 Parent Walk-In (PWI) 7:15 a.m. 7:45 a.m. March 14 Early Release Wednesday 1:45 p.m. March 14 ACT Test Strategies 4:30 9:00 Mustang Caf March 27 Special Ed Parent Meeting 8:15 a.m. 8:45 a.m. Mustang Caf B121 March 28 Early Release Wednesday 1:45 p.m. March 29 End of 3rd Quarter March 30 Professional Day No school for students April 2-6 Spring Break April 9 Begin 4th Quarter April 11 Parent Walk-In (PWI) 7:15 a.m. 7:45 a.m. April 11 Early Release Wednesday 1:45 p.m. April 11 PTSA Meeting 7:30 p.m. Library April 11 College 101 Senior Panel 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Mustang Cafe April 12 Report Cards Distributed April 12, 13 and 14 State Band James River HSRichmond April 18-19 IB Art Show Open to Public 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Auditorium April 21 Solo & Ensemble Festival Poe Middle School April 24 Special Ed Parent Meeting 8:15 a.m. 8:45 a.m. Mustang Caf B121 April 25 Early Release Wednesday 1:45 p.m. April 26, 27 and 28 State Chorus EC Glass HSLynchburg

College 101 Senior Panel

April 11, 2012 7:00 p.m. Mustang Cafe A GMHS senior, student panel will reveal the ins and outs of the college admissions process from their first-hand perspective. The students will offer valuable insight into best practices as well as what pitfalls to avoid when navigating the often stressful college admissions process. This will be particularly helpful for juniors and their parents but anyone is welcome to attend.

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GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOLL

Falls Church City Public Schools George Mason High School Parent/Teacher Conference Bus Schedule Please be at the bus stop 5 minutes before expected time. March 9, 2012 Bus A 9:30 Seaton & Oak 9:31 Thomas Jefferson ES 9:33 Timber Lane & Parker 9:35 Jackson & Randolph Bus # B 9:24 9:26 9:28 9:32 9:35 Hillwood & Cleave Hillwood & Smallwood E. Fairfax & Katie Ct. Columbia & Forest Columbia & Cherry

Bus # G 9:32 Maple Ave & S. Tinner Hill 9:34 James St. & Virginia Ave. 9:36 Annandale Rd & Gundry

Bus # F 9:32 Great Falls St. & Lincoln Ave 9:34 Great Falls & Virginia 9:36 Great Falls & Little Falls

Bus # E 9:30 9:32 9:33 9:35 N. 11th St. & Roosevelt Blvd N. 11th St. & Sycamore Sycamore & Roosevelt Roosevelt & Ridge Bus # D 9:31 9:33 9:35 9:37 Timber & Poplar Rosemary & Tracy Pl Welcome & Waldorf Randolph St. & West St.

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GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL

IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Math Lab: Help for all Math Students!

Is your student taking an SOL soon? Is your student struggling with homework in math? Has your student missed math class? Does your student need help preparing for a test or quiz? Is your student preparing to take the SAT and in need of some math review?

If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, please encourage your student to come to the math lab to get help from Ms. Knoke during his or her lunch on Odd Days (Block 5). Students can bring a lunch from home or purchase one in the cafeteria and eat while getting help. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding the Math Lab please contact Ms. Knoke (knokej@fccps.org).

FROM THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

It is highly recommended that juniors take the SAT and/or ACT at least once in the spring. Please find below information regarding SAT and ACT registration: SAT www.collegeboard.com ACT www.actstudent.org

The College/Career Center will be conducting a College 101 Senior Panel Night on Wednesday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mustang Cafe. Current GMHS seniors will answer all your questions about the college search and application process. Come learn firsthand what these students feel they did right or what they wish they had done differently. Counselors will meet with juniors in the late spring and explain the collegeapplication process. The Counselors encourage students to sign on regularly to their Family Connections/Naviance account. This is the way we send emails containing important information meetings, college rep. visits, appointments, etc.