SWGHS message on reopening and Career College Promise

Southwest community, in case you missed the GCS Board of Education meeting last evening, Students in GCS will begin the 2020-21 academic year with at least nine weeks of remote learning.

The district is still considering how students will return to the classroom after the nine weeks, which would happen on Oct. 20 if public health data and trends indicate it is safe to do so.

Please check out the district's new webpage on the reopening of schools, which includes Frequently Asked Questions, a link to the Board presentation, more information on the virtual schools and much more: https://www.gcsnc.com/reopening

A direct link to the FAQs will be embedded in this message: https://bit.ly/335t8y0

Additionally, as I have mentioned in the past, schedules are being worked on as quick as possible during the summer, and most schedules have the strong possibility of being changed due to enrollment fluctuations therefore causing the overall matrix to need adjustments. Thank you for having patience with this process. Final schedules will be provided to students when we start the school year. A schedule change time frame for any valid requests will be communicated at the beginning of the year.

Juniors and seniors, I highly encourage you to take advantage of Career College Promise. You must have a 2.8 or higher unweighted GPA for this program. You can enroll in more than one class. These classes will provide you with college credit that can be applied towards NC state universities and colleges. Many public out of state also accept these credits. This is a great way to get ahead with your future college credits while also saving money.  Please contact your student’s counselor immediately for questions and details as the deadline is August 6th.

As a gentle reminder, please make sure you connect to any of the GCS and Southwest Guilford High School social media accounts to stay in the know. While I will be placing this information on our social media accounts, I will also place this under the Principal's Weekly Messages tab on the school's website.

SWGFHS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/southwestghs

SWGHS Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SouthwestGHS/

SWGHS Twitter - https://twitter.com/SouthWestGHS

Other commonly used school communciations include:

SWGHS Athletics website and school store - www.cowboysports.org

Southwest Guilford Cowboy Athletic Fan Club

SWGHS Athletics Twitter Page

I hope everyone is staying well. I miss each and everyone of you and I can't wait until the day I will get to safely meet all of our new students while also reconnecting with those returning.

Have a great evening and remember, we are...Southwest!

SWGHS Principal's weekly updates for the July 20th...

Good evening Southwest,

This past week, Superintendent Contreras presented 3 models for reopening as well as the first 5 weeks to start on virtual for all grades.

Those models are embedded in the blog which can be found on any of our social media sites as well as on our website under Principal's Weekly Message

Options for the Board of Education to consider in reopening Schools

The Virtual School Academy application window for High School students is open from July 14-August 1. This is different from the Career College Promise Program and is offered for grades 9-12. Click Here

One push you may have heard is for students to take dual enrollment classes at GTCC. Southwest has the highest enrollment of all large high schools  as we have seen the positive benefits from this program. If you are unfamiliar with this program, students are able to earn AP weighted credit, no AP exams, and the best part is that it is free (except for a small student fee). Students are able to transfer free college credit into most colleges/universities in North Carolina and some outside of North Carolina if student earns a C or higher in the course. 

 The criteria is as followed:

• You must be a 11th or 12th grader in order to register, (or rising 11th grader in the Spring). 
• Minimum GPA is unweighted 2.8 (no rounding)
• Extended deadline is August 6th
• Fill out appropriate forms. 
• Submit a transcript
• Contact Ms. Linda Whitow for any information - 336.334.4822/lswhitlow@gtcc.edu OR Ms. Annette Harper at amharper2@gtcc.edu

The forms are also linked within this blog.

Application for Admission

Attendance Policy

Career College Promise Dual Credit Allowances

Consent Release Student Information

GTCC Verification of Student Eligibility Form

Placement Test Guide 2019

Web Advisor Information

Please reach out to your student's counselor if you have any questions:

10th-12th grade Last Name

A-D - Ms. Graves  gravesg3@gcsnc.com

E-L - Ms. Campbell  campbes2@gcsnc.com 

M-R - Ms. Graham  grahamk2@gcsnc.com

S-Z - Mrs. Hudgens  hudgenj@gcsnc.com

In light of the recent decision by the tNCHSAA to delay the start of fall sports until at least Sept. 1, GCS will delay the start of marching band and athletics until at least Monday, August 3. We remain committed to our students and understand many are eager to resume participation in these programs. We will continue to monitor trends in our state and region regarding the spread of COVID-19 and will only allow activities to resume when it is safe to do so. 

Check Social Media outlets for update:

Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/Southwest-Guilford-Cowboy-Athletic-Fan-Club-209221442541162/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/SWCowboys_Athl

Website- www.cowboysports.org

As I finish my blog, I ask the community again to assist all Southwest Schools with monitoring the grounds. Since our most recent Social Media posts asking for assistance, we have had a soccer net cut up and the spirit rock defaced with inappropriate graffiti. We still ask for the community to keep their eyes out and report anything or anyone to the schools. Thank you for your assistance. 

Please continue to stay in the loop with all communications. Please remember that with this pandemic and the unknown, staying in the loop of all communications is very important. I recommend you connect to all GCS and Southwest Guilford High School communications. Thank you again, I miss you all and I look forward to seeing you hopefully in the near future.

We are ... Southwest!

SWGHS Principal's Message - Athletics

Southwest... 

Please pay attention to this coming week's discussion by the Governor regarding the reopening of schools for the fall. Please remember that GCS can only plan within the orders of the Governor. 

Another hot topic is how Fall Sports will start. With the most recent delay, here is the latest with the current proposed start date of July 20th. 

SW Athletic Dept. will be collecting all potential Fall Athlete’s Return to Play Paperwork along with the GCS required 2 proofs of residency here at school at the designated time slots below next Tuesday and Wednesday morning, July 14^th and 15^th.  The drop off location will be in front of the SW Coggins Gymnasium.  We ask that you please wear a mask once you leave your car!  The following forms must be completed in order to Return to Play on July 20^th:  NCHSAA Initial Screening Form, Concussion Awareness Form, the GCS Risk Waiver Release Form, and Physical (if expired) and Medical Preparticipation Form (front 2 pages of physical).  All must be signed and dated by the student athlete and Parent.  Also, each student is required to bring in 2 proofs of residency (please see attachment for what proofs are acceptable).  We will have a copy machine on site to make copies if needed.

Return to Play Requirements:

Return to Play paperwork can be found outside the SW gym doors in a box labeled Return to Play Forms, on the SW website at www.cowboysports.org (more/Files/Links) and  on the front page of the website under Announcements on the right had side of the page.

Drop off times for Tuesday/Wednesday, July 14 and 14^th:

8:30-9:30              Football Players

9:15 to 10 am    Volleyball/Tennis

10 to 10:30 am  Cross Country

10:30 to 11 am  Cheerleading

11 until noon- Men’s Soccer

*Please note if we don’t have this paperwork turned in by Monday, July 20^th, you will not be allowed to practice.

*Physicals- All athletes/parents MUST complete the Medical History pages of the physical.  If your physical was given after 3/1/19, your physical will be good for one extra school year.  Physical dates before 3/1/19 or after 5/120 will need a new physical.  New students at SWGHS for the upcoming school year must also turn in completed physicals and must be enrolled in SWGHS before you can practice.

Announcement for Return to Play for all Fall Athletics

Forms Link-  https://mcusercontent.com/d94370c35d0d68d439383eccb/files/20926295-3a07-489d-b86d-d64730678caf/COVID_19_Resuming_Athletic_Activities_Guide_with_Forms_FINAL.pdf

Or go to www.cowboysports.org (under forms and links), or can be picked up outside of the Coggins Gym.

Essential Items Required in order to practice:

1. Mask
2. Covid-19 Return to Play Forms- Can be picked up outside the gym in a box marked Return to Play Forms (see above or go to www.cowboysports.org
3. Water bottle and extra water
4. Towel
5. Backpack

Time Slots for Practices- You MUST sign up in order to attend.  Coaches are sending out sign up genius for your sport.  Please go to www.cowboysports.org and click on Return to Play under announcements for how to contact your coach.

1. 7:30 am- Men’s Soccer- Check in at the gym, then report to the SW Elementary School field.  Session will end at 9 am.
2. 8 am- Football- Session 1- Check in at the gym, then report to the track.  Session will end at 9:30 am and pick-up at the rock in student parking lot.
3. 8:30 am Football- Session 2- Check in at the gym, then report to the practice field.  Session will end at 10 am and pick-up is at SW Middle School parking lot.
4. 9 am- Football Session 3- Check in at the gym, then report to the SW Middle School Baseball Field.  Session will end at 10:30 am and pick-up is at the SW Middle School parking lot.
5. 9:30 am- Volleyball and W. Tennis- Check in at the gym, then volleyball will report to behind the gym and tennis to the courts.  Sessions will end at 11 am. and pick-up is in the student parking lot for volleyball and at the tennis courts for tennis.
6. W. Tennis-  July 20-24 from 6:45 to 8 PM.
7. Cheerleading will not start tryouts until July 13^th-16^th at 6 PM. Please email Coach Brennan at swghcheercoach@gmail.com to sign up and attend the zoom workouts. The final tryout date will be Thursday, July 16^th at 6 pm.
8. XC workouts starting at 5:45 check-in, 6PM start Monday through Thursday, through the entrance of the ticket booth gate of the stadium. No practices the week of July 13th and July 27th.

How do I sign up for Voluntary Workouts?

1. Most sports have a sign-up genius or a group me app for their student athletes.
2. Go to www.cowboysports.org and click on Fall at the top of the page.  Then click on the sport.  Most are posted under their sport.
3. Go to the announcement on the right hand side of main page of www.cowboysports.org and click on Return to Play.
4. Email the varsity coach of each sport for details. Those can be found under Return to play at www.cowboysport.org
5. Football players need to check their Hudl account, check twitter @SWGHS_Football

Check in for Practice:

• Check-ins will start 15 minutes prior to workouts.
• Workouts will last 90 minutes and students MUST BE picked up at that time from the field they are assigned to.
• Students will not get out of the car until they have completed the daily health assessment form online and have their temperature checked.
• If students have a temperature over 100.4 degrees, they will not be allowed to stay for practice.
• Students that have been positive for Covid-19 will not be allowed to practice until a doctor has released them back to practice. Return to Play for Infected Covid-19 Patients Form must be signed off by a licensed physician.
• Once a student has been checked in from their car, they will be asked to put on a mask, receive a wristband and report to their assigned workout area.  After workouts end, students will be asked to wash their hands, and put back on their masks return to their pick up spots.

What are we doing to stay safe:

• Coaches, trainers and Administrators will wear masks at all times.
• All equipment, bathrooms, and work areas will be cleaned after every session
• No community water stations.  Students must bring their own water. 
• There will be no passing, kicking, or sharing of any balls
• No touching, high 5’s etc. at anytime
• Work areas will remind 6 feet apart at all times

Check Social Media outlets for update:

Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/Southwest-Guilford-Cowboy-Athletic-Fan-Club-209221442541162/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/SWCowboys_Athl

Website- www.cowboysports.org

Thanks all and if you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Christman 

at christb2@gcsnc.com .