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APS Calendar

IMPORTANT DATES


SEPTEMBER
Monday | September 7 | Labor Day - no school
Wednesday | September 9 | Principal's Coffee & General PTSA Meeting, 9am

To see the complete, current Grady calendar, please visit HERE.
 

**GRADYGRAM SUBMISSIONS**
If you have items to submit for publication in the weekly GradyGram, please send HERE.  Please note that all items are due by 5pm Friday of that week's newsletter.

General Grady News

Principal's Coffee & General PTSA Meeting 
Wednesday, September 9 at 9am via Zoom

Grab your favorite cup of coffee, a comfy chair and join Dr. Bockman for our first Principal Coffee to kick off the new virtual school year.

Zoom Meeting:
https://atlantapublicschools-us.zoom.us/j/86145092956?pwd=ZVVuNldTWHBGejhtMGxuQUY5Z1AzUT09

Meeting ID: 861 4509 2956
Passcode: 188385


Daily Student Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Check-In via Zoom will be available to students 8:30am - 8:50am with their counselor and social worker. Students will be able to access the Daily SEL Check In Zoom links via the Google Classroom. Mondays & Fridays will be Open Dialogue Days and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays will include SEL curriculum. 
 
September 7th
No School
 
September 8th-10th
SEL Competency: Relationship Skills & Human Connection
Lessons: A New Year: A New Opportunity to Create an Inclusive Community 
Standard: Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively & use social skills to interact positively with others.
Standard: Demonstrate the ability to resolve interpersonal conflict and/or differences of opinions.
 
September 11th
Open Dialogue Day 
 
 We're asking students to complete an electronic confidential Counseling & Guidance Needs Assessment. The purpose of the needs assessment is to assist us in providing services/lessons that meet student needs.  
 
Counseling & Guidance SEL Needs Assessment 
https://forms.gle/cx51UUGVoJ2QR1fP7 
 
Week 2 Highlights
  • Some students shared they feel better about navigating the virtual environment
  • Students identified ways in which they are connected, disconnected, &the power of empathy
  • They continued connecting more with their counselor/social worker on a more personal level
  • Students worked in breakout rooms and shared participated in a Rose, Bud, & Thorn weekly experience
  • Some started the week with What's on Your Mind Monday while others ended the week with SEL Free-Style Musical Friday
I want to encourage students to Check-In. 3 Prizes will be given away to those that have completed
the form:  https://forms.gle/LMGoMumB8TvwU44t9
 
Friday is The Virtual Student Coffee Shop. They can join the Social Worker from 11:30am-12:10pm for Freedom Fridays. They can fill out the form if there is a specific discussion they’d like to address: https://forms.gle/64cmnUX8agAQHLxg9
 
Students may join Ms. Johnson's Google Classroom for Resources, Job Postings, and Raffles.
 

 

School-wide Tutorial Schedule 2020-2021 

Please click HERE for out tutorial schedule.



 


Senior Photos  
Seniors 
If you have not already taken your senior pictures, we will have senior picture retakes on Monday through Thursday, September 21 through the 24 from 3:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Grady High School. If you have not received an appointment, please contact Prestige Portraits in Marietta at 770-485-2117.
 
Senior Parents
Don't let the time slip away. Honor your graduating senior by purchasing a personal tribute ad for him or her. What a great way to say "We are very proud of you!" Go to www.jostensyearbooks to place your order. Absolute final deadline is Monday, November 9th!

Underclassmen Photos
Underclassmen portraits will be taken November 10th, 11th and 12th. 
 

Yearbook Stories Needed  
As members of the yearbook staff, we are Grady's historians, and we are tasked with collecting and recording a full-school year's activities here at Grady. Needless to say,  the Coronavirus has complicated our task tremendously and we need your help!

We are encouraging the Grady High School students and parents to help us to create this year's 2021 yearbook by sharing your own personal stories and pictures with the yearbook staff for a chance to have them published in the 2021 yearbook!

Periodically, I will send out the following QR code with specific pictures and story requests. All you need to do is hover over it with your smartphone and it will take you directly to the upload page. For example, right now, students we really want you to send in your stories and pictures in the following categories:
  • Back-to-school activities
  • Things you did to survive the lock-down
  • Businesses you may have started or activities you may have participated in during the lockdown
  • Pictures of your pets and stories
Be sure to label the put which category your pictures fall under and remember to include your name and contact information. 

Just take lots of pictures and use the QR code to upload them to the yearbook staff. Be sure to label them with one of the above categories.  For clarifications, we may need to do a follow-up interview.

Still, this is a great opportunity for you to get your stories into the 2021 yearbook!

So, get started now. This could be one of the most personal and most inclusive yearbooks ever! 

BY THE WAY!!!! HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR YET! Go to www.jostensyearbooks.com and place your order! 

Just hover over the QR code above and upload your pictures. 
 

Remaining 2019-2020 Yearbooks
Did You Forget To Pick Up Your 2020 Yearbook?

If so, I will be in Grady's cafeteria, which is located at the 8th entrance, on Tuesdays, September 1 and  8 from 2:00pm until 3:45pm waiting for you to pick up your 2020 yearbooks. Please remember to wear a mask.

If you cannot come during these times, please email me at gblair@apsk12.org so that I can make other arrangements for you to get your yearbook. Our school secretary, Mrs. Alex Coffman, says that if it is convenient, parents can also pick up their yearbooks from her front porch. Please email me for the address in Inman Park.

I know that you can't wait to get your yearbooks. So make sure to stop by Grady's cafeteria to get them.
 

Gifted Testing
The Gifted Testing Parent Referral Window is open September 1 through September 30 – To request a form to refer your child for gifted program eligibility testing this school year, please Click Here for a video orientation to gifted eligibility testing in addition to the location of the electronic parent referral form.  Gifted eligibility testing will take place early in the spring semester this school year.
 


Grady GO Team  
Voting for Grady’s GO Teams starts on September 8. Our GO Team has decision-making authority over the strategic plan, budget approval, school-based solution flexibility requests, and more. Your voice matters, so be prepared to cast your vote for your Parent/Guardian representatives! You can see Grady’s parent candidates and read their declaration statements HERE.
 
Your household will receive a unique voting link through email, text message, and/or a mailer to your home. Find more information about GO Teams and the APS Charter System at www.apsstrongschools.com.
 
 
My Meals
Due to the Labor Day holiday, the deadline for the next meal distribution is Tuesday, Sept. 8. All APS families must pre-order meals for each week through the MySchoolBucks online pre-order system. Those orders must be placed no later than one week before distribution.

Families must pre-order meals no later than 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31. Once in the pre-order system, you can select whether you will pick up the meals at one of the school sites or if your meals should be delivered via a school bus route. Families paying for meals will need to submit payment through the MySchoolBucks online payment system. Schools will not be collecting money for school meals. 

For more information, visit: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/63224.
 

 


Join the PSTA and Receive Access to Our New Grady Family Directory
Grady PTSA is excited to start the 2020-21 school year! PTSA stands for Parent Teacher Student Association, and parents, educators, and students—working in collaboration—help make Grady the incredible school it is. Your support is greatly appreciated. Parents, when you join, don't forget that your high school students may also be members. Membership is $10 per person. 
Please register and update your contact information with our new Grady PTSA Membership Toolkit

While you are online, you can:

Join the PTSA which gives you access to our new Grady Family Directory
Make your donation to the Annual Knight Fund
Make a donation to support providing School Supply Kits for Grady families
Sign up for the GradyGram e-newsletter (please share with friends who are not receiving this)
Volunteer!

Like Apps? Then add either the Apple or Android app to your phone for easy access!
Apple App
Android App

DONATE TO OUR ANNUAL KNIGHT FUND
The PTSA operating budget needs your generous tax-deductible support, so please donate to our Annual Knight Fund and *BE KNIGHTED!* when you join PTSA! Help strengthen our Grady Knights! The suggested amount is $100 per child, but any amount is greatly appreciated.  PTSA Knights will be listed in the GradyGram and on the Grady website. Please read our Annual Knight Fund letter here.

It's easy! You can donate after joining PTSA through Membership Toolkit. 
Grady PTSA Membership Toolkit 

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE - Help our local students continue learning at home
Between Covid-19 and the economic downturn, millions of people nationwide are unemployed and struggling for critical items and even food.  Unfortunately, in our own city, the Atlanta Community Food Bank is reporting a 300% increase in food demand in the metro area.  Some of our own Grady families are having a difficult time, and obtaining necessary school supplies could be a challenge. As we continue our transition to virtual learning, we would like to support those Grady students and parents in their home learning environment, ensuring that all of our students have the supplies they need to grow academically over the next several months. 
The Grady PTSA is asking for donations to help ease this burden for 200 of our kids. We have a goal of raising $15,000 to fulfill this need. You can donate an entire kit with supplies covering the school year for $75, or just make a general donation to the school supply drive. Whatever you can contribute will make a difference.  We really appreciate our Grady family coming together for each other during these uncertain and challenging times.

Click HERE to donate and support the Supply Drive.
 


Class Facebook Pages 
Private Facebook groups have been created, by parents, to serve as a place for parents and guardians to ask questions, share information and exchange ideas as our children move through Grady and approach graduation.  Pages are for parents/guardians of students in that class. Click the links below to join:

Seniors, Class of 2021
Juniors, Class of 2022
Sophomores, Class of 2023  (link wasn't working last week, but should be now)
Freshman, Class of 2024
 

Grady Foundation's New Projects!  Donate Today!  

 

 

 
Grady 2020-2021 Yearbooks 
 
Order Your Yearbooks Now!!! 
Four Free Icons Added From Now Until 9-18-2020 

Parents everywhere are trying to help their children regain a sense of normalcy and to reconnect with their friends and their schools during this upcoming school year. One way to do this is to purchase a yearbook for your child before the back-to-school rush. Yearbooks serve to document the school year’s activities so that years from now, your child will look back on what will be a memorable school year. This year, the yearbook staff will be encouraging students and staff to submit their own stories and pictures for possible publication in this year’s yearbook. So, order your child’s yearbook now! These are the lowest prices of the year and payment plans are available. You can also get four free icons on your yearbook from now until September 18th.  So don’t wait. Order now HERE.

Seniors: Do Not Order Yearbooks via this link! You will receive a yearbook as part of your senior fees.

Surprise & Your Graduate!!! 
Parents, do you have a child who will be graduating this school year? If so, show them how proud you are of their accomplishments by purchasing a Yearbook Recognition Ad. Gather their personal pictures and include a special message celebrating this major accomplishment in their lives. What will really make this special will be for you to not tell them that you have purchased a recognition ad. When the yearbooks come back and your graduate sees that special page dedicated to them, tears of joy will flow. So, remember, celebrate and surprise your graduate by purchasing a senior recognition ad. 
Go to jostensyearbooks.com now! Deadline: November 9th, 2020!!!

Senior Picture Retakes
Approximately 228  seniors have not taken their senior pictures yet. In order to accommodate these remaining seniors, we will retake senior pictures from 3:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on September 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th in the Grady cafeteria. This will be for caps & gowns and formals only.

Seniors should receive an e-mail and a mailer stating their appointment times. If for any reason you do not receive an appointment by Wednesday, September 23rd, please email Mrs. G. Blair, and be prepared to have your pictures taken on Thursday, September 24th.

College & Career Center + Counselors' Corner

Upcoming Virtual College Visits  
Registration for virtual college visits is encouraged but not mandatory. Find the registration form  here, or you can use this QR code.      

Students who register will receive an email with a Zoom link the day before the visit, however Zoom links are available to all on the CCC's calendar page--just click on the visit you want to attend. You can also find all scheduled visits there.

Tuesday, September 8
11:40 a.m., St. John's University, New York, NY (Queens)
3:00 p.m., Georgia Military College, Milledgeville, GA
3:30 p.m., Berry College, Rome, GA
4:00 p.m., Mercer University, Macon, GA 
 
Wednesday, September 9
11:40 a.m., Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
3:00 p.m., High Point University, High Point, NC
3:30 p.m., Columbus State University, Columbus, GA
3:30 p.m., Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
3:30 p.m., University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
 
Thursday, September 10
11:40 a.m., Beloit College, Beloit, WI
3:00 p.m., Denison University, Granville, OH
3:30 p.m., Oglethorpe University, Atlanta
3:30 p.m., Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC
4:00 p.m., University of Georgia. Register HERE.

Friday, September 11
11:40 a.m., Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
 
Monday, September 14
3:00 p.m., University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
3:00 p.m., University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
3:30 p.m., Williams College, Williamstown, MA
3:30 p.m., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
 
Tuesday, September 15
11:40 a.m., Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL
11:40 a.m., Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
3:00 p.m., ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA
3:00 p.m., Wesleyan College, Macon, GA (women's college)
4:00 p.m., Emory University, Atlanta
 
Wednesday, September 16
11:40 a.m., Brown University, Providence, RI
3:00 p.m., Yale University, New Haven, CT
3:30 p.m., University of Arizona, Tucson
4:00 p.m., Georgia Tech
 
Thursday, September 17
11:40 a.m., Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
3:00 p.m., Macalester College, St. Paul, MN
3:00 p.m., Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL
3:30 p.m., Stetson University, DeLand, FL
 
Friday, September 18
11:40 a.m., Spelman College, Atlanta (women's HBCU)

 


Sign up for text alerts from the CCC to get reminders about what you can do this summer to prepare for college admissions. Who knows how things will look this fall, but if you’ll be applying to college, do all you can over the summer to get ready.   

TEXT THIS NUMBER: 81010   
And in the message line:
Seniors type @grady2021
Juniors type @grady2022
Sophomores type @grady2023
Freshman type @grady2024
 

Clubs

Grady Robotics  
Grady’s Robotics team, G3, is now recruiting for our 2020-21 season! Whether you’re interested in mechanics and coding, public speaking and writing, or community service, there’s a place for you on G3 (with no experience required). We’re having a virtual interest meeting on Monday, August 31st at 4:30. Visit g3robotics.com/join for more info!
 



Speech and Debate Team: Surely, You Jest!  
For all students interested in learning more about the Grady High School 11-time and current Varsity State Championship team, the Jesters, submit the form provided. Auditions/try-outs will start the next week, adjusting the dates to meet the schedules of students. All tournaments will be virtual as will all practices. We will follow the guidelines of the school and district before considering in-person gatherings. We look forward to hearing from you! Should you have any questions feel free to email us.

Here is the form. Click/copy and paste into address bar-https://forms.gle/K84Mazg41tiY11ga8

 



Mock Trial   
Enhance your public speaking skills and learning about the justice system by joining the Mock Trial team! 
The Grady High School Mock Trial team is looking for new team members in the upcoming school year. As a part of the team, you will learn how to prepare and argue trials in court. If you are an actor, there’s also a place on the team for you! Students prepare witness roles, acting as different people ranging from forensic experts to undercover cops to shrimp boat captains. Students from all grade levels make up the team -- everyone gets a shot to compete! Grady’s team is nationally recognized with 8 top ten finishes at National Competitions, 1 World Championship, 8 State Championships, and a Top 10 finish in the First-Ever Online Mock Trial Tournament via ZOOM. 

If you are interested, please fill out this link: https://forms.gle/iRXddnTn59RsgABk6 by August 29th. Help Grady Mock Trial win its next championship!

We will begin introductions to the team as well as ZOOM meetings on August 30th. If you have any questions, please email: 
Andre Myette: myetteandre@gmail.com
Lindsey Snyder: lindseysnyder@gmail.com
Katie Dwyer: katie.dwyer@icloud.com

You can also contact our teacher sponsor, Andrew Copeland, at amcopeland@atlanta.k12.ga.us

There will be a student meeting on Tuesday, September 1 from 3:10 to 4pm and a parent meeting on Thursday, September 3 from 6 to 7pm. Fill out the survey link to get the Zoom info!

Sports

For the most updated results, schedules, and team information visit the Grady Athletics website and follow @GradyAthletics on Twitter.



Upcoming Athletic Events Schedule

Day

Date

Time

Event

Location

Tues

9/8/20

5:30pm

Softball vs. Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill

Thurs

9/10/20

5:00pm

Volleyball vs. Villa Rica - JV & Varsity

Grady

Thurs

9/10/20

5:30pm

Softball vs. Lithia Springs

Walden

Sat

9/12/20

8:00am

Cross Country Meet - Lions Invitational

Boundary Waters

 

*Please be advised that spectators are not allowed at any Grady home contests or other APS-hosted competitions due to COVID-19 restrictions and protocols.

 

Game of the Week:

Softball

Thursday 9/10

vs. Lithia Springs

at Walden Athletic Complex

5:30pm

The Knights battled Lithia Springs in their first matchup of 2020, falling to the Lions 11-9, but get a chance for revenge on Thursday 9/10 at Walden Athletic Complex. Grady has won two of its last four games, including a dominant 18-1 performance against New Manchester and a back-and-forth 16-9 victory over Galloway.

 


E-Sports Season Info

This year will be Grady’s second competing in Esports on the Varsity level, and the Fall season is approaching fast. Students interested in participating can find out more information on the program HERE.
If interested, please complete the 2020-2021 Esports Interest/Contact Information form HEREand plan on attending the interest meeting on Tuesday 9/8 at 3:30pm via the Zoom link below:

https://atlantapublicschools-us.zoom.us/j/88901590679?pwd=OTEyZklLOG5haDlZSWFEYzM2Rk1CUT09 
 



Golf Season info
The team is open to Grady students of all grades (boys and girls). Practices will begin in early February and run through the end of April. An Interest Meeting for prospective players will be held in the Fall at Grady if possible or online if not. Additional details about the season can be found at www.gradyknightsathletics.com. To express interest in playing on the team, please contact David Johnson at 404-217-7971 or djgolfdesign@mindspring.com.

 
 

Reminders
All students planning to participate in a sport in 2020-2021 must have updated paperwork on file before being allowed to participate in workouts, tryouts, practices, or competitions:

  1. Physical Form - completed within the last 12 months

  2. Athletics Waiver - NEW for 20-21

  3. Concussion Awareness Form - NEW for 20-21

  4. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form - NEW for 20-21

All forms can be found on the Grady Athletics website under the “More” tab. Completed paperwork should be scanned and emailed in PDF format to either the head coach of the sport or Athletic Director Patrick Johnson.
 



Grady Letter Jackets
Creative Keystrokes, the official Letter Jacket partner of Grady Athletics, is currently accepting orders for the 2020-2021 school year. You can find the custom order form with style options on the Grady Athletics website under the “More” tab. Letters and pins from 2019-2020 will be distributed when school begins again in the Fall.

Volunteer Opportunities

Community Service Hours
Community service hours are managed and stored in a platform called MobileServe. Students can log their hours HERE

They can download the app to their smartphones too. Once their accounts are created, 9th graders should select GP2024 for their organization. This ensures that their accounts are attached to Grady High School.

 



Blue Heron Nature Preserve
The Blue Heron Nature Preserve has an Adopt a Trail program that can easily be done after school.  Students will walk our trails: 

  1. Learn what invasives and aggressives vegetation is and the difference.  Help remove these plants.  Hand tools provided.
  2. Help us keep our trails clean of litter.
  3. Help with trail maintenance.

Students should love the outdoors and wish to make a positive impact on nature!  Must have their own transportation.  

Located:
4055 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
For more information please call (404) 946-6394

 



Grady Athletics
Grady Athletics is looking for students interested in sports medicine or healthcare careers for the upcoming sports season. Due to COVID-19, written parent/guardian permission will be needed. If interested, please email the following information to Head Athletic Trainer LaToya Franklin no later than Monday, September 7.

  1. What do you already know about sports medicine? Do you have any prior experience?

  2. Why do you want to join the sports medicine team?

  3. What are three goals you hope to accomplish after joining?
     



Please review this packet as it contains dozens of other community service opportunities.

 

Policy Regarding Possible Paid Programs or Services Listed
 
Grady High School PTSA does not endorse for-profit entities possibly listed within our newsletter and makes no representations, warranties or guarantees as to, and assumes no responsibility for, the products or services provided by these organizations.

Grady High School PTSA expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind arising out of the use or performance of the products or services possibly listed and encourages any family considering such use to exercise their own due diligence. 

Would you like to share information with others in the Grady Community? Please send your information HERE by Friday at 5pm. All submissions are subject to editing. 
Copyright © 2020 Midtown High School PTSO, All rights reserved.


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