Dear GNBVT Community,

Dear GNBVT Families,

Welcome back to the 2025–2026 school year! We are off to a fantastic start filled with positive energy and excitement. I am proud to share that our students are doing an excellent job adjusting to the new cell phone policy. Because of this shift, we are seeing more face-to-face interaction, collaboration, and engagement among students than we’ve witnessed since before the pandemic—a truly encouraging sign for our school community.

In this newsletter, you’ll also find information about ParentSquare, a valuable tool that helps families stay connected to our school. ParentSquare is an excellent resource for receiving important updates, event reminders, and other information to support your child’s success. I encourage all parents and guardians to connect through ParentSquare if you haven’t already.

Lastly, I invite you to join our School Council, which meets here at GNBVT from 3:00–4:00 PM four times a year. Our first meeting will be held on October 14, and I look forward to collaborating with families and community members as we work together to strengthen our school.

Thank you for your continued support. I wish you and your child a rewarding and successful school year!

With appreciation,

Principal Williams

Lunch Menu

GNBVT Website

Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Student Handbook

GNBVT Calendars

Student and Family Technology Support

Wed Sep 17: Bus Evacuation Drill:10:25 am

Fri Sep 17: Early Dismissal: Following Bus Evacuation Drill – Staff Professional Development

Thu Sept 18: Sophomore ID Photos- D 10-1

Fri Sept 26th: Sophomore ID Photos- D10-2

Sat Oct 11: Class of 2027 Car Show-10:00 am

Mon Oct 13-No School: Columbus Day – Indigenous Peoples’ Day

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our newest students and their families. This is an exciting time, and we’re thrilled to have you as part of our school community.

At GNBVT, our goal is to create a school environment where every student feels a sense of belonging and is treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to fostering a welcoming and safe learning community that is free from bias, racism, and prejudice. We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment is essential for the personal growth and academic success of all our students. This means embracing our differences and learning from one another.

To maintain a safe and inclusive environment, it’s vital that everyone understands and follows our school policies, including those related to **sexual misconduct**. We are dedicated to ensuring that all students are protected and that any concerns are addressed promptly and fairly. Creating a safe and welcoming space sometimes means having difficult conversations. These discussions may be uncomfortable, but they are essential for growth and for strengthening our school community.

I am here to guide these conversations and ensure that all members of our community feel heard and supported. Please know that my door is always open. I encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. I can be reached at 508.998.3321 ext. 563, yolanda.dennis@gnbvt.edu.

Welcome again to GNBVT. I look forward to a great school year!

In Unity and Respect,
Yolanda Dennis
Executive Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Compliance, District Title IX Coordinator

Support is Available to Meet Essential Needs The DEI & Community Specialist is available to support all GNBVT families in meeting essential needs such as food, housing, utilities, clothing, and more. By connecting families with local organizations, we can help you access vital resources in New Bedford and the Greater New Bedford area. For assistance, please contact the DEI & Community Specialist at 508-998-3321 ext. 752, email maria.demelo@gnbvt.edu, or visit our DEI Website and click on the Community Resource tab for a list of available supports. You may also complete a Family and Community Referral Form to request direct assistance. In addition, GNBVT provides information on “Know Your Rights” and “Plan for a Family Emergency” to support our undocumented families. We are here to help and look forward to assisting you!

🎓 If you successfully completed required coursework but did not earn a diploma due to MCAS, please reach out! For more info call 508-998-3321 x563 or x752

The Class of ’26 gathered at sunrise on the first day of school to welcome the start of their senior year!!

Please take a few minutes to review the updated detailed Attendance Policy, including reporting a student absent, dismissals, and tardy protocols in the Student Handbook.

Students are expected to be present and on time every day that school is in session. School starts at 7:30 a.m., students must be present in their 1st period class by 7:40 a.m., to be considered on time. If a student must be absent, a parent/guardian must call the school (508-998-3321 ext. 734), by 8:00 a.m., stating the student’s name, ID#, DOB, and reason for the absence. Failure to notify the school may result in the student being considered truant for the day. Truancy is being absent without permission, which will result in disciplinary action.

**Please read the full updated policy using the link below.**

All new students are required to submit a physical exam dated within the past 13 months. This documentation must include up-to-date immunization records. Families can upload these records directly to Arbiter or submit hard copies to the nurse’s office. In addition, please complete the Health Questionnaire as part of your student’s Arbiter registration.

If your student is 16 years of age or older, proof of the meningococcal vaccination is required for entry into Grade 11. Please ensure that updated immunization records are submitted to the Health Office.

The Department of Public Health requires schools to report the final meningococcal vaccination status for all seniors. If proof of this vaccination was not submitted last school year, please provide documentation as soon as possible. A deadline for submission will be communicated at a later date.

Our nursing staff is here to support all students with their health care needs and concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact a member of the nursing staff:

· Nurse Ursula Crowell – ursula.crowell@gnbvt.edu | ext. 205

· Nurse Casey Clarke – casey.clarke@gnbvt.edu | ext. 661

· Nurse Jaala Duarte – jaala.duarte@gnbvt.edu | ext. 204

· Nurse Kim Horsfall – kimmarie.horsfall@gnbvt.edu | ext. 791

The School Council is a representative committee composed of the principal, parents, students, faculty, staff and community members. The group discusses such issues as budget, curriculum, student handbook, School Improvement Plan and professional development of the faculty. The School Council meets 4 times per year, usually held on the second Tuesday of the scheduled month from 3:00 – 4:00 pm, in the school’s Lighthouse Cafe.

For more information, click the button below.

Three competitors and one National Voting Delegate represented Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia from June 23- 28, 2025.

The SkillsUSA National Conference included over one hundred trade and leadership events with over 18,000 registered participants. All contestants had previously won their state competition where they demonstrated expertise in their chosen fields to advance to the national competition.

GNB Voc-Tech student James Edminster earned silver medals in Architectural Drafting. Other national competitors & participants included: Jacob Rocha earned fifth place in Industrial Motor Controls, Matthew Prezner earned eighth place in Power Equipment. Jada Sanchez was National Voting Delegate. These students demonstrated skill and leadership in their events.

Overall state winners totaled: 15 Bronze, 9 Silver, and 20 Gold medalists.

Students were accompanied by four advisors: Stacey Martin, Tracy Teixeira, Len Gauvin, and Lucas Spring.

ADDRESS:

Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School

1121 Ashley Blvd

New Bedford, MA 02740

508.998.3321

INTERNET/SOCIAL MEDIA:

WEBSITE: www.gnbvt.edu

INSTAGRAM: @gnbvoctechhighschool
X: @GNBVocTechHS