GHS Families,
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! Whether you’re returning to us, or have a new tiger earning their stripes, we’re grateful for the opportunity to serve your student this school year.
We had the pleasure of seeing many of your smiling faces this past week at our grade-level orientations, and are excited to see everyone back on Wednesday, August 5th at 8:30 AM.
For those new to Grissom, our school operates on a 4-block schedule, with an additional Advisory period sandwiched between 1st and 2nd block that we use for clubs, ACT preparedness, assemblies, pep-rallies, etc. The bell schedule is below so you’ll know what time each class starts/stops each day.
Morning Bell - 8:20
1st block - 8:30-9:55
Advisory - 10:00-10:45
2nd Block - 10:50-12:40
3rd Block - 12:45-2:10
4th Block - 2:15-3:40
On the first day of school, students will be reporting to their Advisory classes to start the school day. Advisory classes are organized by grade level and last name, so this gives our students an easy way to know where they’re headed as they enter our school on the first day. We’ll have posters on the walls indicating the Advisory destinations for students who were unable to pick up a schedule at orientation. Once everyone is settled in, students will receive an updated copy of their schedule, and we’ll dismiss them to blocks 1-4. After the first day of school, students will simply report to their 1st block class each morning upon arrival.
Lunch
Lunch takes place during 2nd block each day, and our school has three, 25-minute lunch sessions that we offer. Depending on their class location in the building, students will be dismissed to the cafeteria for lunch between 11:10 and 12:15 each day.
School Fees
HCS is utilizing a new site for the review and payment of school fees. All primary parents in PowerSchool should be receiving an email with this information but I wanted to add a link to the new site payment website.
Below is an aerial view of GHS that details the traffic flow pattern for student-drivers and parents dropping off students. From above, the car line enters campus on the West side of the school using Haysland Rd. Students and staff are asked to enter campus in their vehicles each day through the Meadowbrook Dr. gate on the East side of campus. 
All students regardless of grade level being dropped off before 8:30 AM need to enter through the Freshman Academy entrance on the West side of the building. Please do not drop students off at the Attendance Office entrance unless school is in-session.
The car line may take some time the first few days as everyone gets the hang of it, but moves quickly once the school year is in full-swing. Please note that Sams Club is private property and that parents and students are discouraged from using their parking lot.
Schedule Changes
Our counseling team is here to assist you if there are any mistakes or missing classes in your student’s schedule. If necessary, please ask your student to visit their grade-level counselor to submit a schedule request. Our grade level counselors this year are:
9th Grade - Cyndee Jenkins
10th Grade - Chanda Futey
11th Grade - Lizzie Cowan
12th Grade - Amy Langford
FOCUS Act
We’re in year 2 of the FOCUS Act, so this should be old-news for most of you. Please remind your students that wireless electronic devices are not permitted to be used while on school campus during the school day. Students must turn off their cell phones and store them in their backpacks or in their vehicles each day. This includes smart watches, wireless earbuds, handheld gaming systems, etc. Students in violation of this policy will have their items temporarily confiscated, and held in the front-office until the end of the school day.
To avoid confusion, we ask that students stow these items away upon entering the building each morning. After the 3:40 bell rings, students are free to use their devices as they exit the building.
Building Entry
Please note that we have 3 entrances that students may use each morning to enter school: Freshman Academy, the Gym Lobby, and the Attendance Office. Our school uses EVOLV weapons detection systems and requires that all students pass through as they enter Grissom each day. To make this process as quick as possible, please remind your student to remove their laptop from their backpack each morning and hold it in front of them as they walk in. This greatly reduces the number of students flagged for screening. Please note that other large metallic items will be flagged by the system, such as refillable water bottles.
Chain of Command
At Grissom, we have a great team ready to assist you as needs arise. I ask that you allow our teachers the opportunity to work with you prior to seeking administrative support. Our policy is for teachers to respond to parent messages within 48 hours (not including weekends). If an issue requires administrative support, please reach out to our amazing Assistant
Principals:
9th Grade - Alexander Mercieca
10th Grade - Timothy Cole
11th Grade - Karlton LeCompte
12th Grade - Terenca Elliott
Upcoming Dates
08/05 - First Day of School!
08/18 - Fall CERT practice ACT for students Grades 9-11
08/18 - RC Trash Pandas GHS Night @ Toyota Field
08/25 - ACT WorkKeys for all 11th Grade students (Makeup from last May)
08/25 - PTSA Open House
We’re looking forward to another GREAT year at GRISSOM!