GMHS Principal Report
Dear GMHS Students and Families,

We hope this message finds you all doing well. This week's Principal Report includes the latest updates as of July 21, 2020.

GMHS Restart Questions and FAQ
  • Thank you to everyone who submitted questions about the Restart on the GMHS Restart Questions form last week.
  • We created this GMHS Restart FAQ based on questions submitted by our families. We know that it does not answer all the questions you have, but we hope it is a start. We will continue to update the FAQ and will include it in our weekly Principal Report for easy access.

As always if you have any questions or need any support, please don't hesitate to reach out. We hope you all enjoy the remainder of the summer break! We will continue to communicate with weekly email updates, and on our Facebook and Instagram.

Take care,

Colleen Owens
Principal
GMHS Virtual Meetings




  • This is our first attempt at a large virtual meeting. If we have technical issues, or more guests than capacity, we will email you with how we will address them. Both meetings will be recorded and available on our website. (If anyone is an expert on these types of formats and has any tips we would appreciate it. Email Mrs. Owens at cdowens@jeffcoschools.us)

  • Both meetings will be facilitated by Mrs. Owens and will review information about the Restart and allow time for feedback and input as we continue planning.
2020-2021 Restart Planning

Please note: Information is changing quickly at this time due to public health and other factors (i.e. Colorado Dept. of Education, National, State and Local Governments, employee associations, etc.). This section provides the most up to date information we have at the moment.

Here is a link to the Family Survey to identify whether you student will be in the 100% Remote/Online or 100% In Person learning environments.


We know this is a very difficult decision. We are working to address questions and provide clarification as we can.

  • This morning we met with our staff (we had about 70% virtual attendance). They are on the summer break until August 12th, but many of them offered to work with school admin to assist in creating our bell schedule; process and collaborate on classes we can offer online and in person; create common expectations for online learning, learning management system platforms, how we will communicate with students and families, and more. We are meeting this Thursday to work on the bell schedule, etc. We hope to have a strong draft ready next week and will discuss it in our virtual student and parent/guardian meetings on July 28th to gather feedback. Feedback will also be available to students and families through our GMHS Restart Question Form linked above.
  • We have been notified by the Colorado Department of Education that schools and districts will be required to meet instructional minute requirements unlike last year. We will make sure our plan meets the requirements.
  • School October Count requirements will also need to be met this year. This directly affects our funding.
Leadership, Equity, and Action for Diversity - LEAD Team

Like you, we have been saddened and worried about the social unrest happening in our country. I feel a huge sense of urgency and responsibility to help lead positive change. We cannot be naive to think that these issues will not be part of our return to school. We are creating a LEAD Team at GMHS. The LEAD Team will include students, staff and community members to identify equity and diversity issues and act on influencing a safe and positive school culture for all. If your student or you are interested in being part of this work, please complete this form.


We will use resources that the LEAD Team agrees upon. Last week we mentioned specific resources. We are not married to any specific resource, we are married to supporting the dialogue and work collaboratively to ensure that GMHS is a safe and positive school for all.

GMHS is a diverse and caring school. We are not perfect, yet we do try to be the best we can be. It is healthy to take an objective look at our processes, procedures, and curriculum to ensure we are providing a fair and equitable learning environment. We encourage anyone interested in helping to use the link above.
District Chromebook Buy Back Program
Attention: Incoming Freshmen Families

As you may have heard, Jeffco is moving forward with a district-wide 1:1 learning device program (TechforEd) starting in the 2020-21 school year. As the parent of a 9th grade student for the 2020/21 school year, we wanted to share details about what the roll out of this program will mean for your family.

Beginning in August, each Jeffco student entering 5th and 9th grade will receive a NEW Lenovo 300e touchscreen Chromebook as their district 1:1 TechforEd learning device. Students will keep this device for the next four years to customize and enhance their learning at school and at home. This implementation process started last year and will continue for the next three years until all 5th-12th grade students in Jeffco have district 1:1 TechforEd learning devices.


Students who have received a TechforEd device will pay a $50/year “Personalized Technology Use Fee.” This fee, combined with funding from the 5A mill levy override, helps to cover costs associated with the district 1:1 TechforEd program including the device and protective case, digital learning tools, internet filtering, and additional support.

If your family purchased a device for a school-run program in the past two years, you can either keep your previously purchased device to use personally or you may sell it to the district through their buyback program. See the attached flyer for more details. Devices sold back to the district will be used by Jeffco students who will need one for remote learning.
Construction Update

Please follow the above link on our GMHSRams.org website for updates and pictures of the construction this summer! You won't believe the in-progress photos - take a look!

  • While our construction projects are moving along nicely, they moved up the timeline with the school closure.
  • Contractors will be working right up to mid August to get the building in a place where we can regain access.
  • There is a possibility that GMHS will need start later than August 24th to prepare the building for the school year.
  • We will keep you updated on whether we start at a later date than other schools in Jeffco.
Class of 2020 Graduation
Join us virtually on Wednesday, August 5th for the Livestream of the in person graduation ceremony. Due to health restrictions, each graduate is only allowed two in person guests (this is being strictly enforced by the venue and Jeffco Health Department). Ms. Ketchum has communicated with the Class of 2020 regarding ceremony details. If you know a graduate who needs information, please have them reach out to Ms. Ketchum (rketchum@jeffcoschools.us).

Livestream links will be available on our website the day of the ceremony.

Communication with GMHS
  • GMHS Restart Questions Form
  • gmhsramnation@gmail.com - use this email for any questions and concerns. Multiple staff members are tracking communications to this email via spreadsheet to ensure your inquiries are addressed.


School Counselors return on August 3, 2020.
  • Counselor Contact Information
  • Laura Oliver - 9th grade for 20-21
  • loliver@jeffcoschools.us
  • Alicia Kuehn - 10th grade for 20-21
  • akuehn@jeffcoschools.us
  • Erin Slaughter - 11th grade for 20-21
  • eslaught@jeffcoschools.us
  • Kim Angcay - 12th grade for 20-21
  • kaangcay@jeffcoschools.us
  • Dr. Lisa Langerman - School Psychologist
  • lschrade@jeffcoschools.us
Green Mountain High School | GMHSRams.org