GUHSD Announces Early Start Calendar for 2016-17 School Year
On December 10, 2015, the Governing Board of the Grossmont Union High School District adopted an early start calendar for the 2016-2017 school year. Click here to view it. School year calendars were also adopted for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. Click here to view all three adopted calendars.
Benefits of the new calendar include:
• Better alignment with elementary and middle schools
• More instructional time to prepare for Advanced Placement (AP and IB) exams
• Fewer school days after AP testing
• Fall semester ends before Winter Break
• Eliminates need for review in January before finals
• More time to complete college applications and submit transcripts
• Allows students to attend community college summer programs, internships, and college orientations
• Creates greater opportunity for dual enrollment (students taking college courses)
Grossmont High Hosts “Topping Out” Ceremony
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| Trustees and school officials pose with signed beam |
On Tuesday, December 15, we held a “Topping Out” Ceremony today for the new student support services and arts classroom buildings under construction at Grossmont High School.
“Topping Out” is a ceremony held when the last structural beam is placed at the top of a building. Students, staff and construction workers signed the beam before it was lifted into place.
These new buildings will provide modern classrooms and offices to support our award-winning Associated Student Body, Art Department and Student Support Services.
The new art building will be a modern two-story building housing our art department in three classrooms – one for photography and digital design, one for 2-D art, and one for 3-D art (clay and metal). There will be two other rooms in the art building; one will house a portion of the school’s special education transition program and the other room will be used by the Associated Student Body, the finance office, and a student store.
The new student support services building will be a two-story modern facility that will be home to the school’s Administrative Offices, Counseling Department, College and Career Center, and the Grossmont Resource Center.
I thank our taxpayers, board members and district staff who support our efforts to provide quality instruction and modern facilities for our students.
Construction of the new $13 million student support services and arts classroom buildings began this past summer and is expected to be complete by the end of July 2016.
Student Talent Shines at Senator Anderson's Holiday Party
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| Culinary students from Granite Hills High School |
The culinary skills of GUHSD students from IDEA Center, Granite Hills, and Santana High Schools delighted guests at State Senator Joel Anderson’s Annual Holiday Legislative Open House on Thursday, December 10, at Toyota of El Cajon. Our students shined as they represented GUHSD and offered hors d’oeuvres and refreshments to guests. In addition, the beautiful floral arrangements made by the floral design students at IDEA Center made the event more festive.
Teachers Jill Enright (Granite Hills), Donna Small (Santana) and Laureen Botticelli and Brenda Davis-Landini (IDEA Center) did an exemplary job of guiding their students as they prepared for this event.
District Office Holiday Luncheon
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| Grossmont's Red Robe Choir performs at the Holiday Luncheon |
The luncheon itself was overseen by our talented Food Services Director, Vince Scimone and his staff. The meal was underwritten by District Cabinet members.
This act of combined generosity, along with all the many wonderful donation programs occurring at our school sites, embodies the true holiday spirit. I’m proud to be part of this amazing, dedicated and compassionate team.
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As we begin our long-awaited holiday this weekend, I wish each and every one of you the very merriest holiday season. Please enjoy a safe and joyous time with your family and friends over the next couple of weeks. Classes resume on Monday, January 4.
Superintendent Ralf Swenson
