Dear Grizzly Families:

Happy New Year and welcome back, Grizzlies! I hope you all had a great break and are ready to hit the ground running as we wrap up the first semester. It is always a privilege to lead this community of excellence, and I am so proud of how our students are living out the “Grizzly Way” in everything they do. From the classroom to the community, you have shown the focus and fortitude that make us one of the best schools around—Wow! We have so many reasons to celebrate as a Grizzly family, and I cannot wait to see you keep that energy going as we finish the semester strong.

To our parents and families, thank you for being such a huge part of our community and for everything you do to support your students. Your encouragement and sacrifice are what help these scholars reach their goals every single day. Let’s keep that momentum moving right into the second half of the year!

Please also follow our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for any last-minute updates. If you have any questions, please contact us at 757-558-4749.

Sincerely,

Brian Haughinberry, Principal

Hybrid SOL Day. Please refer to the the email communication and alerts that have been shared for more information.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Schools are closed

Talent Show, 6:30 pm

Senior Banquet-Seniors must complete registration and payment via the instructions provided in their Canvas class page.

Virtual Scheduling Webinar for the 26-27 School Year, 5:30 pm.

Pre-registration is required for this event: https://bit.ly/SchedulingNightGFHS

Semester 1 Culminating Assessments

In-service and Teacher Workday; no school for students.

Fall Non-Writing SOL:

The SOL Testing Schedule maximizes instructional time and provides additional flexibility to our students and staff.

Only students who are scheduled to take the test will report to school by 8:55 am.

Please reach out to your student's teachers regarding which days they should test.

Additional information regarding SOL testing can be found via this document : Click Here

Culminating Assessments will be administered on January 27th and January 28th. Students are required to complete a final culminating assessment with each course. Seniors are exempt from the 5th portion (commonly referred to as exam) if they have an A/A- in the course.

If your student is absent, they will need to schedule the make-up assessment with their teacher for January 30th.

Wednesday, January 28 marks the end of our fourth and final marking period. Please make sure that your students are communicating with their teachers to complete their missing assignments.

Please reach out to your students' teachers with any questions.

Our school, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Virginia Department of Education, is conducting the Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions. We will survey students in all grade levels, as well as classroom instructors and staff, beginning in January 2026. The purpose of the student survey is to measure student support, student engagement, school discipline, and safety conditions in each school. This information will be used to guide educational practices that produce a safe and supportive school environment. Information was shared to your email on December 18th, 2025.

A parent or guardian may request a waiver of the attendance regulation (seat-time requirement) for transfer students and students with documented family or medical extenuating circumstances that resulted in an excessive number of absences in credit-bearing courses.

Students who do not submit the attendance waiver and are at 9+ or are denied for the waiver will not receive credit for the course.

Please keep in mind, an approved waiver allows the student to receive the grade earned regardless of attendance, but the waiver does not change the student’s attendance record. The attendance waiver is not submitted for future absences but absences that have accumulated throughout the first semester. The attendance waiver does not provide an exemption for the final culminating assessments on January 27th and January 28th (attendance is required).

Please contact Mrs. Ott with questions or concerns (Heather.Ott@cpschools.com).

The attendance waiver will begin accepting submissions on January 12th via the following link (Click Here).

Mrs. Ott shared a form with Juniors and Seniors to start a wait-list for parking spots. Please refer to that email for additional information.

Congratulations to all Economics & Personal Finance (EPF) students and teachers for their outstanding performance on the W!SE Financial Literacy Exam.

W!SE recently announced the 2024-2025 W!SE Platinum Star Schools and recognized Grassfield High for earning the W!SE Platinum Star Award for a 4th consecutive year!

The Platinum Star is the most prestigious award recognizing an entire school's achievement. To earn this coveted award, a school must have achieved a 90% passing rate on the Financial Literacy Certification test. The average score on the test must be 85% or higher, with at least half the students on a grade level, OR a minimum of 10% of school enrollment. 

W!SE also announced its 2024-2025 Gold Star Teacher awards. To be considered for the Gold Star Award, a teacher must achieve a 93% pass rate in at least one of their classes in either the Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 W!SE Financial Literacy Certification Test administration. Grassfield had a total of 8 teachers recognized as Gold Star Teachers. 

You're invited to the annual Governor's STEM Academy Winter Showcase, a thrilling display of innovation and critical thinking from our students across all three specialized pathways!

Join the Grassfield community to experience the culmination of months of rigorous work as our students unveil their ambitious Projects of Excellence.

What You Will See:

This event features dynamic, hands-on demonstrations from every STEM pathway:

🖥Engineering & Technology: Explore functional prototypes, from fixed-wing aircraft to autonomous robotics, designed to solve real-world physical challenges.

🖥Programming & Software Development: Interact with student-built applications, complex databases, and innovative software solutions in 2D and 3D.

🖥Global Entrepreneurship & Technology: See student business plans, market analyses, and product pitches that fuse technological innovation with scalable business strategies, demonstrating global impact.

We Need You!

We invite the Grassfield community—parents, business leaders, alumni, and friends—to support our students, challenge their ideas, and STEMulate their minds. Your questions and expert feedback are invaluable to their growth.

Come see the future of innovation built by our students! 

Senior ads: Celebrate your senior with a recognition ad in The Pawprint yearbook! Ads can be purchased at https://schools.lifetouch.com/yearbooks-for-parents/, but don’t wait — the deadline to reserve your space is Feb. 2, 2026.

Yearbook sales: Don’t miss your chance to own the limited-edition collection of memories from this school year! The Pawprint yearbook is now on sale, with prices starting at $85. Order your copy today at https://schools.lifetouch.com/yearbooks-for-parents/.

Students should have an ehall pass from their teacher or an appointment entered in ehall pass by their counselor before visiting their counselor's office. Please contact the school counseling department at 558-4509 for additional help.

School Counselor Alpha-List:

• Mrs. Lenhart: A-Be

• Mrs. Butler: Bf-C

• Mrs. Askew: D-Gn

• Mrs. Edmonds-Young: Go-J

• Mrs. Creamer: K-Me

• Mr. Lubelski: Mf-Ra

• Mrs. Davis: Rb-St

• Ms. Morris: Su-Z

✨ Scheduling Information will be posted on the Grassfield High School website early January.  Counselors will meet with students during PE 9, PE 10, and USH courses beginning January 12th.  Fall semester and full year PE 9, PE 10, and USH teachers will let students know when their classes will meet with counselors.  Students who have PE 9, PE 10, or US History in the spring will learn their scheduling date when the new semester starts. Parents and students should review the scheduling information on the website and discuss options/make a list of questions, so students are prepared for the scheduling session with the counselor.  Students may enter course requests ahead of time or while they are meeting with counselors.  

✨ Students will have one scheduling session with their counselors-on the PE 9, PE 10, or USH class assigned day.  Throughout the scheduling window, counselors will meet with students who are absent, by the end of February.  Course request verification letters will be posted in ParentVue on March 5th.  Parents/guardians are asked to review courses and complete the Google form linked in the letter indicating courses are correct OR identifying changes that should be made.  Course verifications are due March 9th.

✨Attention Military Families! Grassfield High School is dedicated to supporting military-connected students and offers the Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC) Program for all active duty and recently retired servicemembers and their dependents. MFLCs provide free confidential non-medical counseling and support for a range of issues to include military life challenges, academic stress, relationship building, and adjustment to transitions. If you would like to access these services or if you have questions, please contact Hannah Spanik, MFLC at 757-719-9654 for more information. 

Transcripts include students' final grades, class rank, GPA, SAT/ACT scores, Industry Credentials, and courses in progress for the year. Transcripts may be ordered, processed, and delivered using Parchment. Most students have created a Parchment account. If your student has not created a Parchment account, Click Here for instructions.

Good afternoon, Grassfield senior parents and guardians,

Below is important information for your Grassfield seniors. Currently there have been 186 FAFSA filed at Grassfield.

FAFSA Information

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is officially open.
If your senior is planning to attend a two- or four-year college after graduation, they should complete the 2026–27 FAFSA, which requires 2024 tax information.

I am available to assist any student or family who would like help completing or reviewing the FAFSA. You may book a meeting with me at any time through my CALENDAR.

And don’t forget — College Commitment Day is coming up on May 5th!

To participate, you must have:
-Your FAFSA completed
-Acceptance into at least one college

For January Graduates

Seniors graduating in January and planning to start college before August must complete both the:

2025–26 FAFSA, and 2026–27 FAFSA

Completing the FAFSA allows students to be considered for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, including:

-Grants (free money)

-Work-study programs

-Scholarships and additional aid offered by colleges

Grassfield seniors who have already submitted their FAFSA should send me a screenshot or picture of their FAFSA confirmation page showing their SAI number.

They may also forward the “We’ve Received Your FAFSA Form” email.

Important Reminders

Without a completed FAFSA, students cannot be considered for ANY grants.

Students using GI Bill benefits may still qualify for additional aid determined by the FAFSA.

Students and parents can create their FSA ID accounts HERE.

A Class of 2026 senior and at least one parent each need an FSA ID.

Parents who have completed the FAFSA for older children can retrieve their existing FSA ID on the same site.

Some colleges also require the CSS Profile.

Students in unique living situations or with special circumstances may contact me directly with questions or concerns.

Each college has its own FAFSA priority deadline—we do not want to miss money deadlines.

Helpful FAFSA Tools

Financial Aid Estimator (FSA):

Provides an estimated SAI and can be used before the FAFSA opens or for younger students.

Who Is My Parent Contributor(s)? (FSA):

Helps dependent students determine which parent(s) must provide financial information.

2026–27 uAspire FAFSA Checklist:

A step-by-step guide to prepare for completing the FAFSA.

Juniors! 

Be sure to check out all the great resources in Mr. Kelly’s Virtual Office and follow the Junior Prep Handbook to stay on track for college success.

Now’s the perfect time to start preparing for your SAT — use Khan Academy for free, personalized practice!

Let’s get ready for senior year, Grizzlies! 

Tickets & Passes

Cash is NO LONGER accepted at Chesapeake Public Schools athletic events. All tickets must be purchased via Gofan.co (not .com) prior to the game.

Adults - $7 Student - $5

Parents are highly encouraged to purchase a “Parent Pass” at Gofan.co. Parent passes are ONLY $60 and allow you entry into any high school or middle school regular season sports event in the city of Chesapeake. This pass is good for the entire 2024-2025 school year!! (Does not include playoffs events.

“Student passes” are available at Gofan.co as well. Student passes are ONLY $30 and are good for the entire school year to any sports events at the high school or middle school levels.

(Does not include playoffs)

Purchase the 2025-2026 athletic pass using the QR Code.

Acceptable passes for entry into Athletic Events:

🔹 VHSLPass
🔹 VHSCA (Coaches Pass)
🔹 Media Credentials
🔹 Gold Card/CPS Senior Citizen Pass (regular season ONLY)
🔹 Faculty passes of those schools participating in the competition and CPS badges

The following individuals will be serving a two year term as officers of our PTSA for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. Thank you very much for volunteering your time to serve our school community.

✨President- Sandy Huneycutt
✨1st Vice President (Legislation)-Amy Fannon
✨2nd Vice President (Craft Show)- Meghan McDermott
✨Treasurer- Dawn Tenorio
✨Secretary-Charlene Shearer

Please check out our Facebook for meeting details or for link to Join. New Members are always welcome!

It's that time of the year that we invite all parents and students to join our PTSA. The cost is $8.00 and you may join at the link below. Any senior student wishing to apply for a $1000 scholarship(possibly 3), needs to be a member to win. Givebacks (memberhub.com).

Please follow us on Facebook- Grassfield High School PTSA and Instagram-GFHSPTSA

If you have any questions, please feel free to email GFHSPTSA@gmail.com

Our next PTSA meeting is in January 13 at 4:30 pm.