Things to Know and Do

The 2021-2022 school year is approaching fast. Below is important information to help you get ready.

1. Family Handbook

   Now is the time to familiarize yourself with school policies, programs, and other information about Greenhills in the Student and Family Handbook.
   > View the Family Handbook

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2. GryphOn and Student Email Access

   Parent Guide for Accessing GryphOn for the First Time
   Gryphon is Greenhills’ password-protected, web-based student- and parent-portal. If you are new to Greenhills or have never used GryphOn before, please follow the steps below to set up your account.
   > See the Parent GryphOn Guide

   Email Accounts for New Students Arriving Thursday, July 21
   Parents of new students will receive information for student account access on Thursday, July 21. Please communicate the account information to your student and ask them to follow the instructions outlined in the email. If you do not receive an email by Friday, or if you have trouble accessing email or GryphOn, please email techsupport@greenhillsschool.org.

   Student Access to GryphOn for the First Time
   New students will be able to access GryphOn after they have received their school email. A step-by-step guide will be provided in the student account access communication referenced above.

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3. Acknowledgement of COVID-19 Risk During On-Campus Learning (Parent Signature Required)

   Parents, please review the Acknowledgement of Risk document, then log into your GryphOn account to sign and acknowledge your understanding of Greenhills’ approach to on-campus learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, the related risks of exposure to the virus, and consent to your child attending the School.

   1. Read the Acknowledgement of Risk document linked here
   2. Visit the Files & Forms page in GryphOn
      You may also navigate to Files & Forms by clicking your name at the top right of the screen, or clicking the link in the banner notifying you of Forms to Review
   3. Complete the form(s) for your child(ren) and click Submit

   Both parents/guardians must sign the form in GryphOn for it to be complete. If you have completed the form but continue to see a banner in GryphOn notifying you that this form must be reviewed, it is likely because the parent/guardian has yet to sign. If you have any issues or questions, please email [email protected].

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4. COVID-19 Vaccination

   Greenhills School requires all eligible students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In an effort for our Health Services and Covid Coordinators to understand the vaccination status of every student, please complete the Vaccine Status form and select the category that best represents your child’s vaccination status.

   1. Visit the Files & Forms page in GryphOn
      You may also navigate to Files & Forms by clicking your name at the top right of the screen, or clicking the link in the banner notifying you of Forms to Review
   2. Upload a photo/scan of your student’s vaccination card and click Submit

   COVID-19 Immunization Exemption
   Any students requesting medical, religious, or emergency use authorization status exemption must complete the COVID-19 Immunization Exemption Request form by August 6 (upper school sports begin on August 9).

   1. Download the COVID-19 Immunization Exemption Request form
   2. Fill in your child’s information and save the PDF
   3. Visit the Files & Forms page in GryphOn
      You may also navigate to Files & Forms by clicking your name at the top right of the screen, or clicking the link in the banner notifying you of Forms to Review
   4. Upload the PDF form(s) and click Submit

   Email Greenhills Health Services at healthservices@greenhillsschool.org with any questions.

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5. Technology Recommendations and Student Laptop Policy

   Greenhills School requires students to bring a laptop to school. A 1:1 device for students allows us to continue to boost our instruction technology capabilities, help students to collaborate and communicate on devices that they feel most comfortable with, and decrease the usage of shared devices.
   > Review the Student Laptop Policy

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6. Acceptable Use Policy (Student Signature Required)

   Each year all students must review the Acceptable Use Policy contained within the Student and Family Handbook. If you have any issues or questions, please email [email protected].

   1. Read the Acceptable Use Policy linked here
   2. Visit the Files & Forms page in GryphOn
      You may also navigate to Files & Forms by clicking your name at the top right of the screen, or clicking the link in the banner notifying you of Forms to Review
   3. Complete the form(s) and click Submit

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7. Student Courses Available

   Parents and students can now access their course assignments through GryphOn. Please note that the Academic Office will continue balancing sections and making small adjustments, so schedules (i.e. class periods and teachers) will not be published until the week of August 16.

   1. Log into GryphOn
   2. Parents click Your Child's Name (click Children if there are multiple students enrolled, and select the individual child's name) from the main menu.
      Students click "My Day"
   3. Click the "Course Requests" tab

   The right side of the screen will show you/your child's course enrollment. To see the course description, click on the arrow next to the grade level on the left to expand the course list, then click on the course name to open the description.
   > Log into GryphOn

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8. Book Ordering Information

   Greenhills hosts an online bookstore through BNC K-12, part of MBS Direct, to make ordering books convenient and fast for parents. The course catalog is linked to your student's assigned materials so you know you're getting the right course materials, and most orders are shipped within 24 hours.

   Note About Digital Book Options
   Many courses offer options for hard copy books, digital books, or a combination of both. Only one option is required for each class. Families may choose between any of the format options available for their classes (9th grade Introductory Biology recommends the digital book option).
   > Order Books Through BNC K-12
   > Book Ordering How-To Guide

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9. New Families: Orientations and Summer Gatherings

   Greenhills will host several events later this summer to welcome our new families and help them feel prepared for the upcoming school year. More information about the events listed below will be emailed to families later this summer.  

   • 9th Grade Student Orientation on August 25, 11:00am - 2:30pm
   • New 10th – 12th Grade Student Orientation on August 25, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
   • New Family Orientation on August 25, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

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10. Calendar and Major Dates

    The calendar can be accessed from the Greenhills website, as well as through the GryphOn portal. There you will find events, activities, athletic schedules, performances, and more. This is a dynamic calendar, and changes and/or new events may be added throughout the course of the school year.

    You will find several calendar feeds, including all-school, extracurricular, fine and performing arts, and individual athletic team calendars. Links are available to subscribe to any of these calendars so they will sync to your phone and/or computer’s calendar app.

    > Website calendar (greenhillsschool.org/calendar)
    > See the major event list

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11. Classroom Materials Lists

    Middle School
    Middle school teachers have prepared lists of materials students will use throughout the school year, which they should have on the first day of school.
    > 6th Grade Materials List
    > 7th Grade Materials List
    > 8th Grade Materials List

    Upper School
    Individual teachers will inform upper school students of required supplies for their respective classes.

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12. Athletics Information

    Greenhills is following guidance from the Michigan High School Athletics Association (MHSAA), communicating with peer schools, and putting the health and well-being of our students first as we plan for the 2021-2022 athletic season. The MHSAA continues to modify its plans, and we will communicate directly with families when updates are available. More information about Greenhills' athletics program are below, and middle school and upper school students are encouraged to complete the interest form and to contact coaches directly if they have any questions.
    > Athletic Program Overview
    > Upper School Fall Athletic Information
    > Upper School Sports Interest Form
    > Middle School Athletic Information
    > Middle School Sports Interest Form

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13. Get Your Student's Physical

    All students that plan to participate in athletics need to submit a 2021-22 Physical Form completed on or after April 15th, 2021. Completed forms are required by the first day of practice.

    1. Download the 2021-22 Physical Form
    2. Fill in your child’s information and have a physician sign
    3. Visit the Files & Forms page in GryphOn
       You may also navigate to Files & Forms by clicking your name at the top right of the screen, or clicking the link in the banner notifying you of Forms to Review
    4. Upload a scan/photo of the completed and signed form(s) and click Submit

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14. Medication Authorization

    Michigan law requires a physician’s written order, along with the parent/guardian signature of authorization, for administration of all prescribed medications, including EpiPens and inhalers. Only parent/guardian signature of authorization is required for non-prescription drugs used on an occasional basis, such as Benadryl or ibuprofen. A new form must be provided each year.

    1. Download the Medication Authorization form
    2. Fill in your child’s information (a physician signature is required for prescription medication)
    3. Visit the Files & Forms page in GryphOn
       You may also navigate to Files & Forms by clicking your name at the top right of the screen, or clicking the link in the banner notifying you of Forms to Review
    4. Upload a scan/photo of the completed and signed form(s) and click Submit

    Email Greenhills Health Services at healthservices@greenhillsschool.org with any questions.

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15. Greenhills Parent Organization (GPO)

    All parents are automatically members of the Greenhills Parent Organization (GPO). This year's GPO grade reps are linked below, and they will contact you regarding opportunities to connect, engage, and volunteer throughout the year. Please feel free to reach out to your grade rep with any questions about GPO or Greenhills.
    > Learn more about GPO leadership

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