Driver Education enrollment at Great Bend High School has been canceled for April 1. There has been no decision on the status of the driver education class being canceled for the summer. Students will receive more information as it becomes available.

Schedule times to pick up personal items

GBHS students are asked to contact the office if they have personal items or projects they wish to pick up. The office will schedule a time from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to access those items since the Kansas Department of Health has recommended no more than 10 individuals gather in one area. All individuals approaching or entering the school must maintain the social distancing recommendation of six feet away from one another and are asked to clean their hands at the hand sanitizing station in the entrance.

The telephone number for GBHS is 620-793-1521.

 GBHS principal tells students what to expect

Great Bend High School Principal Tim Friess sent emails to students on Friday about what to expect when school resumes on Monday. In his blanket email, Friess said he would try to answer some of the questions and concerns.

“I don’t have answers to all of your questions because, frankly, we have some of the same questions!” Friess wrote. “This is purely ‘uncharted waters’ for all of us.”

Seniors are reminded that graduation orders (caps and gowns) can be picked up Monday, March 30 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in front of the school in “drive-by fashion.”

Here some other items from the principal’s prelude for Monday:

• Students will remain in all of their classes until the end of the semester. You will receive a letter grade for the 4th quarter which will be averaged in with your 3rd quarter grades to achieve a final semester grade, as we have normally done.  

• Teachers are working to provide lessons for their classes beginning on Monday, March 30. Each class will be different as to how they are delivered, assigned, etc.  

• A general rule of thumb that I have given to our teachers is: “A student should have no more than 3 hours of ‘school work’ on any day.” Less is More. Teachers will try and hit on four essential standards that are important for receiving credit in their class.  

• “Due dates” are very flexible and most standards will be spread out over a two-week period.

• Teachers will be “virtually accessible” from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. Communicate with your teachers via email as often as needed.

• When we start on Monday, please do not be overwhelmed with all of the “work” that pops up at the same time.  Remember, we will work with you throughout this eight-week period and we do not intend to add any stress to an already stressful circumstance for you.

• If you have any questions that need answers that your teachers may not be able to help with then please email Principal Tim Friess, Assistant Principal Randy Wetzel or Assistant Principal Daryl Moore and we will help you.  

The message concludes, “Please understand that these next eight weeks are totally new to every one of us and everyone has different levels of anxiety and concern because of the entire situation. We will commit to making the best of the situation without increasing your anxiety. One of the biggest losses that we have had is, in my opinion, not the academic side of school but the social aspect of being together in this building! We miss seeing all of you and will try and make these next eight weeks as stress-free as possible for all of you. Take care, stay safe and contact one of us if you have any questions.”