#GOCOWLS

The weekly newsletter for Gwinnett Online Campus

Thursday, October 13, 2022

GCPS has two early release days scheduled on the calendar next week (Wednesday, October 19 and Thursday, October 20) for students in grades K-8. As always, parent conferences can be scheduled as needed throughout the semester therefore GOC does not observe these early release days.

We are at the midpoint of the semester and encourage parents to check the Parent Portal to access student grades. This is a great go-to location for up-to-date information on your student that should be reviewed on a regular basis.

#CARE

#OnlineWeLearnSuccessfully

Grades 4-12: Roost & Boost

Come join us for Roost and Boost where you can connect with a content teacher to receive support with specific subject areas. This is an in-person academic assistance session, where a teacher from each content area (math, language arts, science, and social studies) will be available to provide academic support to students. All students are welcome and may choose which content area to attend but are strongly encouraged to attend a targeted content area if they receive a personal invitation from a teacher.

Grades K-12: Food Drive

GOC will participate in Gwinnett County’s Great Days of Service which is a service opportunity that benefits families in need in our community.

During the week of October 24-28, GOC will collect canned foods, non-perishable items and toiletries for the various organizations that support our communities. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to place donation items in the GOC Cares Wagon in the front lobby during this week.

We appreciate the generosity of our GOC families and we thank you in advance for helping those in need!

Grades 8, 10 & 11: PSAT Testing

Students in grades 8, 10, plus those in grade 11 who have pre-registered, will take the PSAT on campus on Tuesday, October 25 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Students should report to campus no later than 8:15 a.m. and testing  will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Students are required to bring a photo ID, a calculator, and at least two Number 2 pencils (no mechanical or colored pencils are permitted).

Please contact the GOC Assessment Office with questions and be sure to include the student's full name and student ID number in the email.

Grades 9-12: Advanced Placement Exams

The Advanced Placement Exam registration window is now open through Friday, November 4. Click HERE to access the 2022-23 AP Exam Registration Information Flyer. Visit the students MyPaymentsPlus account to pay exam fees.  

Please contact the Assessment Office with questions.

Grades 10 & 11: PSAT/NMSQT Study Guides

Would you like to know more about PSAT/NMSQT? Do you want to receive test-taking advice and tips to possibly improve your score? Are you interested in taking an official practice test to help alleviate testing jitters? If so, then stop by the GOC front lobby to get your copy of the College Board's official PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide.

Quantities are limited, so act FAST!

Grades 6-8: VIRTUAL Breakfast with Buddies

We are excited to announce a new “Breakfast with Buddies” Program. Our vision for this program is to encourage students to enjoy breakfast with their school counselor every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. to develop meaningful relationships with peers and caring adults! This connection may positively impact the student and their learning!

Please click HERE to reserve your spot for Wednesday, October 19. The counselors will provide a participation link to those who have reserved a spot for this event.

For questions please contact your middle school counselor, Ms. Teshia Dula or Ms. Nikita Johnson.

Grade 12: FAFSA Application Now Open

Attention Seniors planning on attending college! The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) window opened Saturday, October 1 for the upcoming school year. To learn more please click HERE to access the FAFSA checklist.

Please contact Mr. Dwight Jackson with questions.

Grade 5: Lifelines Prevention Lessons

To ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in the Lifelines Prevention lessons, Ms. Santiago-Fecht, the 5th grade counselor will present lessons 4 and 5, the first 30 minutes in Social Studies class on Tuesday, Tuesday, October 18 and October 25 to all in person and virtual classes. More information about this important topic has been emailed to all 5th grade parents earlier this week. 

 Please contact Ms. Barbara Santiago-Fecht with questions.

Grades 9-12: High School Lifelines Prevention Curriculum

During the month of October, GOC's high school counselors will deliver the Lifelines Suicide Prevention Curriculum to students currently taking Health this semester. Additional information about this important topic has been emailed home to parents.

Please contact Ms. Jessica Pompilus with questions.

Grade 12: C3 - College and Career Connections

Are you interested in getting more information about College Planning? Help with College Applications? Figuring out what to do for a living?

Please click HERE to sign up to attend the Counseling Department's C3: College & Career Connections! These are weekly, small-group sessions designed to help students with the next steps of their education journey.

Please contact your Counselor with questions.

Grades 6-8: Friendship/Resilience Group

GOC's middle school counselors will be conducting group sessions beginning mid October. These group counseling sessions are with one of the counselors along with several peer students covering the topic of Friendship & Resilience.

If you are interested in being a part of these group sessions, please contact your counselor Ms. Nikita Johnson or Ms.Teshia Dula no later than Friday, October 14.

We look forward to hearing from you and being a part of Group with us!

Grades 8 & 9: College Bus Tour

The GOC Counselors are proud to announce that Gwinnett Online Campus will be offering a College Bus Tour for students in grades 8 and 9. The trip is scheduled for Wednesday, November 2. We have space available for 25 8th grade and 25 9th grade students to participate on a campus tour of Georgia Gwinnett College and the University of Georgia! We will meet at GOC at 8:30 a.m. and return to GOC by 5 p.m. We also plan to eat lunch at UGA. We have limited spots available which will be filled on a first come, first serve basis on MyPaymentsPlus.

The registration link on your students MyPaymentsPlus is now available and will close once all spots are full.

Please contact your counselor Ms.Teshia Dula, Ms. Nikita Johnson, or Ms. Jessica Pompilus with questions.

Grades 6-12: GOC's Fall Play - FINAL Ticket Sales

GOC Theatre will present “Check Please” by Jonathan Rand and “Bad Auditions By Bad Actors” by Ian McWethy on Friday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m. The pair of one-act comedies will be performed back-to-back by our high school and middle school theatre troupes, respectively.

VIP seating is limited and includes show tickets, a charcuterie board, and beverages. Individual play tickets only are also available, so get them while they last! Click HERE to purchase tickets to one of the most hilarious events of our season.

Please contact Mr. Miro Gomez with questions.

Grades 4-12: October Clubs & Activities Friday

We are looking forward to seeing you at our next Friday Clubs and Activities scheduled for Friday, October 21. All students in grades 4-12 are welcome to attend however you MUST click HERE to RSVP for this event by Sunday, October 16 at 11:59 p.m.

Grades 4-7

 Leadership Lessons 9-10 a.m.

(Open to all students but you must RSVP as space is limited)

Tie Dye Science Activity 10-11 a.m. 

(Please RSVP & pay participation fee on MPP)

Grades 4-12

Clubs/Activities Hour 11 a.m.-Noon

(Please RSVP below to select clubs/activities you will attend)

Grades 8-12

Tie Dye Science Activity Noon-1 p.m. 

(Please RSVP & pay participation fee on MPP)

 Leadership Lessons 1-2 p.m.

(Open to all students but you must RSVP as space is limited)

If you are participating in the Tie Dye activity, please be sure to RSVP and then pay the activity fee on the students MyPaymentsPlus account by Sunday, October 16 at 11:59 p.m.

If you are participating in the garden update project via the Environmental Science Club or SWAG Service Group during Clubs/Activities Hour, please plan to bring your own garden tools, gloves, etc.

To reserve your spot please click HERE as soon as possible to RSVP by Sunday, October 16 at 11:59 p.m. NO late RSVP's will be accepted. Please visit your students MyPaymentsPlus account to pay for the Tie Dye event.

Grades 4-12: Tie Dye with the Science Department

The Science Department will be hosting a fun and groovy Tie Dye Rich Experience during Friday Clubs & Activities scheduled for Friday, October 21. Students who wish to participate in this event will need to bring a pre-washed white shirt, RSVP and pay a $5 fee on the students MyPaymentsPlus account.

Click HERE to RSVP by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 16 and also be sure to pay your $5 fee on your MyPaymentsPlus account.

Please email Ms. Melissa Amir Smith with any questions.

Grades 4-12: You Matter! Caring Conversations

Come out on Friday, October 21 during Friday Clubs & Activities to join Caring Conversations. We plan to get to know YOU better by doing fun personality/interest inventories and getting to know you games! If you haven’t already, please click HERE to RSVP for Caring Conversations during Club & Activities Friday scheduled for next week.

Please contact Ms. Rachel Capaldi with questions.

Grades K-12: Talent Show Auditions

Please mark your calendar with the upcoming dates for our annual Talent Show Auditions and the 2022 Talent Show performance.

Students in grades 4-12 will audition in-person and grades K-3 will audition via video submission. Please sign up HERE if you plan to perform in the Talent Show.

Grades K-12: Fall Social

Grades K-3

Friday, October 28

9-10:30 a.m.

Students in grades K-3 will have fun on their visits to rooms hosted by their grade level teachers and will enjoy some treats and snacks. Students are welcome to wear costumes that are school appropriate (NO Halloween masks allowed). Students should have a parent/guardian with them for this event. The event fee is $5 for the student and there is no fee for the accompanying parent/guardian. Please visit the student's MyPaymentsPlus account to pay the event fee.

Grades 4-7

Friday, October 28

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Students in grades 4-7 are welcome to join us for some FALL FUN including games and activities in the auditorium, gym activities, costume contest for school appropriate costumes (NO masks allowed), Kona Ice, other light refreshments, cake walk, coloring contest, escape room, games and video games, karaoke, photo booth, and much more. The event fee is $8 and should be paid on the student's MyPaymentsPlus account.

Grades 8-12

Friday, October 28

1:30-3 p.m.

Students in grades 8-12 are welcome to join us for some FALL FUN including games and activities in the auditorium, gym activities, costume contest for school appropriate costumes (NO Halloween masks allowed), Kona Ice, other light refreshments, cake walk, coloring contest, escape room, games and video games, karaoke, photo booth, and much more. The event fee is $8 and should be paid on the student's MyPaymentsPlus account.

Please contact Ms. Hope Campbell with questions.

Grades K-12: Parent Meeting

Calling all parents!! We need your help as we get ready to kick off lots of fun student events here at Gwinnett Online Campus!

Please join us on Friday, October 21 from 11 a.m. to Noon for a parent volunteer meeting to discuss how you can help with upcoming events such as the Fall Social, Talent Show, Winter Social and planning some off campus events for our families.

If you are unable to attend the in-person parent meeting, please plan to participate virtually via zoom on Monday, October 24 from 11-11:30 a.m. by clicking HERE.

For questions and to RSVP for the in-person parent meeting, please email GOC's PAC (Parent Advisory Committee).

Grades 10-12: Scholastic Images On-Site Campus Visit

A representative from Scholastic Images will visit Gwinnett Online Campus on Wednesday, October 26 beginning at 12:30 p.m. for GOC Letter Jacket orders.

Students who receive a GOC eligibility letter in the mail (qualifying them for 2021-22 school year academics, fine arts and/or leadership) may present their mailer to the on-campus representative to make a purchase. As always, these types of purchases are optional.

A $100 deposit or payment in full is expected at the time of order and students must be formally sized by Scholastic Images during their on-site campus visit. Payment options include: cash, check (to Scholastic Images), money order or credit/debit card.

If you are unable to meet the representative on campus, please click HERE to contact Scholastic Images directly.

Extracurricular Podcast

Make sure to check out the latest episodes of Extracurricular, GOC's podcast about the amazing hobbies and interests GOC students, staff, and faculty members have outside of school. There are two episodes this week!! You can listen by clicking on the links below or searching for Extracurricular on your podcast app.

GOC 12th grade student Charlotte sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk about performing and teaching ballet. Click HERE to listen.

GOC 10th grade student Andrew sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk about Rocky, wrestling, movies, acting, and GOC's Student Leadership Team. Click HERE to listen.

If you are interested in sitting down to chat about a hobby or interest you have outside of school, please contact  Mr. Dan Lollis. He would love to have you on the podcast!

Grades K-12: GOC Spirit Wear T-Shirt

A GOC Spirit Wear T-Shirt is now available for students and parents to purchase through their MyPaymentsPlus account! 

The deadline to place your order on MyPaymentsPlus is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022. Once orders arrive on campus we will communicate pick-up dates and times via the #GOCOWLS.

*We need a minimum of 24 to be able to place an order. If we do not have at least 24 by the deadline, we will issue a refund via MyPaymentsPlus.

Community Bulletin Board

Click HERE for events going on in our community!