Dear Families,

Welcome to the first edition of the Legacy Ledger.

It is truly a joy to connect with you as we continue this meaningful season of the school year at Great Bridge High School. Our hallways are filled with energy, purpose, and pride as students stay focused on their academic goals while thoughtfully considering the impact they have on one another and on our broader school community. There is a shared sense of responsibility here, a collective understanding that how we show up each day matters.

This year, our guiding light remains our theme: Legacy Lives Here. To us, this means that every classroom discussion, every act of sportsmanship, and every creative endeavor contributes to something larger than ourselves. Our students are not simply attending school; they are shaping the spirit, reputation, and future of our community with intention and heart.

February 2  Second Semester Begins

February 3 CVA Open House - Explore Opportunities with Chesapeake Virtual Academy (CVA)

February 9 Report Cards posted

February 10 Choral Pyramid Concert

February 16 Presidents Day- No School

February 25 & 26 PTSA/Red Cross Blood Drive Sign-up

February 27 PTSA Blood Drive

March 4 End of High School Grading Period

March 7 Junior Ring dance

March 26 & 27 Jostens Cap and Gown distribution

March 31  LifeTouch Senior Cap and Gown pictures

April 25  Saturday School

May 16  Saturday School

May 30  Saturday School

At Great Bridge High School, Legacy Lives Here. The Legacy Fund celebrates our proud Wildcat tradition by inviting alumni, families, and community members to invest in the continued success of our students. Each contribution strengthens the foundation built by generations of Wildcats—supporting programs, innovation, and opportunities that ensure future Wildcats thrive. With pride in our past and purpose for our future, the Legacy Fund keeps the Wildcat spirit strong for years to come. Click HERE to contribute.

Being part of your child’s PTSA is one of the most powerful ways to support their education. By joining, you help create a stronger school community, stay connected to important updates, and advocate for positive changes that directly impact your child’s learning environment. Your involvement shows your child that education is a priority and sets a great example of how to be an active and engaged member of the community. Click HERE to join

For students, joining the PTSA provides an opportunity to have a voice in shaping their school environment, earn volunteer hours, and develop leadership skills. It’s a chance to actively contribute to events and initiatives that make a difference for their peers while building connections with teachers, parents, and staff.

This February, Great Bridge High School is honored to celebrate Black History Month with a focus on reflection, education, and community. This year’s theme, "Commemorating 100 Years of Black History," invites our students and staff to explore a century of monumental achievements, cultural shifts, and the enduring legacy of Black leaders and innovators.

These celebrations are proudly sponsored by the Racially Unified Community Club (R.U.C.C.) and our Black History Committee. Together, these groups have curated a series of meaningful events and displays designed to honor the past while inspiring our students to build a more inclusive future.

Chesapeake Public Schools is expanding its student ID badge program to include high school students. Students will be issued a lanyard and badge holder. Each student will be issued only one badge for security purposes. Students will use their ID badge on the school bus, in the cafeteria, in the library, and with KioskVue when arriving to school late or leaving early. Click here to learn more.

Administrators will notify parents within 24 hours of a planned lockdown drill. Our schools conduct lockdown drills in accordance with state mandated intervals during both structured (classroom instruction) and unstructured times (lunch and hallway transition times). In addition, our schools conduct fire drills in accordance with state mandated requirements. An informational poster is on display in each classroom identifying primary and secondary exits to ensure safe and swift evacuation of students and staff in the event of a fire emergency.

During the instructional day, any personal communication devices are expected to be turned off and away. This means that these devices should not be kept on the person or on the clothing of students during the school day. This expectation applies to ALL instructional, administrative, medical, or health-related settings including, but not limited to: classrooms, hallways, libraries, cafeterias, auditoriums, gymnasiums, locker rooms, administrative offices, and clinics. Please
note that this policy has been updated to include ALL spaces, and cell phones/ devices will NOT be permitted before school or during lunches in the Cafeteria.

Students are expected to attend school daily for their scheduled courses, and attendance will be taken daily.

Please note that students who miss more than NINE days in a semester course will not receive credit for the
course. 

We are excited to continue Bridge Bites, held every Wednesday during first block!

This program offers a wonderful opportunity for our Exceptional Learners to gain hands-on experience and develop essential lifelong skills in a real-world setting. It’s a highlight of the week for both our student entrepreneurs and their customers. 

Please note that Bridge Bites is cash only.

Thank you for supporting our students as they build confidence and independence, one bite at a time!

Paws for Applause: Wildcat Spotlights

Congrats to the Speech and Debate team for placing 2nd at the TFL Tournament of Champions

JROTC Academic Challenge Team

Congratulations on winning 1st place! Demonstrating their knowledge, teamwork and dedication

One-Act Play

Congratulations to the GBHS Theatre Company on placing 1st for their performance of Frankenstein!

We are bursting with pride to announce that Mrs. Carol Wolgamot was selected as the CPS Power of the Peake Teacher for January! Mrs. Wolgamot’s dedication is a shining example of how "Legacy Lives Here" at Great Bridge High School. But don't just take our word for it, check out this heart-warming statement from one of her students on what makes her so special: 

"We are continuing to achieve and leave a legacy with the support of Mrs. Wolgamot . She has changed so many lives with her unconditional love and support and always sees the good and potential in a person. She is beyond deserving of this award and recognition because she works endlessly to the impact so many students lives. "

The Power of the Peake will be awarded monthly throughout the academic year. Recipients will fall under three categories: teach, support, and lead. Anyone can submit a nomination for the Power of the Peake. Your nomination celebrates a worthy candidate who consistently exceeds expectations and dedicates themselves to the success of every facet of the school district.

The Power of the Peake nomination form never closes. Nominations received by the 15th of each month will be reviewed by our district committee for award selection.

We welcome and encourage you to nominate a staff member today and as often as you are inspired to celebrate our staff! (CPS website)

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that this month’s Pass the Torch recipient is the one and only Mrs.Tonya White!

Mrs. Tonya is a heart-and-soul member of the Great Bridge High School family. Whether she’s ensuring our building looks spectacular or offering a helping hand, she does it all with "Wildcat Pride" and an incredible amount of heart. Known for her tireless work ethic and unwavering commitment to our school, Mrs. Tonya truly makes Great Bridge a better place to be every single day.

Please join us in giving her a huge round of applause for all she does to help our "Legacy Live Here"!

Congratulations, Mrs. Tonya! We appreciate you!

Scheduling

Counselors will begin meeting with students to schedule courses for the 2026-2027 school year. Please be sure to discuss with your student about their course selections.

What can school counselors do?

Your school counselors are here to help you. Some areas they can assist are:

- Stress and Anxiety

- Depression Awareness

- Youth Suicide Risk

- Self-Harm Awareness and Prevention

- Eating Disorder Awareness and Prevention

Be sure to check the Chesapeake Public Schools Family Updates newsletter for important information

For events throughout the community be sure to visit the City of Chesapeake Website.