August 2025 - Back To School
Recently, Grossmont High School began its 105th year of welcoming students; this year’s students number 2,240.
9th grade orientation was Thursday, August 7th with a day of activities planned and hosted by G Crew, upper classmen selected and trained to mentor freshman during their first year as Foothillers.
G Crew Advisor Kristen LoPrell recalls that “The class of 2029 brought unmatched energy to our campus during orientation! Our mentor students loved welcoming their younger peers and showing them the Foothiller community of support”
A current freshman Helin Abdulmajeed said, "It was awesome and really helpful. The people were really nice. My favorite part was when the mentors took us into the classroom and played games with us."
Then the week of August 11th, the staff returned to plan and “fine tune” curriculum, programs, and technology. On Friday, the teaching staff visited the museum and learned more about our history and how they could use the museum to enrich their lessons. Later, alumnus Spanish teacher Hillary Park, Class of 1988, led a discussion of our traditions, many dating back to the 1920s.
New Staff Members
Foothillers welcomed several new staff members this year:
Maddison Adcock - Administrative Assistant I (Counseling Secretary)
Charlene Alsbaugh - Library Technician
Heather Blue - Dance Teacher
Jennifer Hudson-Vice Principal
Diana Maldonado - Spanish Teacher
Joseph Mapes - Auto Teacher
Hartley Sahagun - Art Teacher
Rebecca Taylor - PE Teacher
Facilities
Our immense gratitude to our community for its support through bond measures Propositions H and U. Over the past 17 years, GHS has been transformed with its new buildings in the upper areas of the campus.
2009 Boys and Girls PE Facilities
2010 Two Story Science Building
2012 Child Development Center
2013 Two Story Humanities Building
2014 Automotive Technology Facility
2016 Two Story Student Support Services and Art Buildings
2020 Performing Arts Facility: Theater, Black Box, Dance, and Vocal Music Rooms
2024 Food Services Facilities
2024 New Home-side Bleachers, Press Box, and ADA Access on both sides
2024 News Sports Medicine and Athletics Facilities, Weight Room and Storage
2024 GHS Museum (housed in two new classrooms)
These historic facilities have been modernized over the past 17 years.
1937 Gymnasium/Auditorium
1941 NJROTC and Recording Studio (was Music and Drama Building)
1956 Social Science Building (was Language Building)
1959 Library and Business Building
1963 Math Building
1970 New Gym
1970 Band Room
According to Plant Manager Tom Fordham, who oversaw most of these transformations, “We, for the first summer in a while, had no major renovations with just a few small projects: some new fencing put up in the staff lot and JV baseball field and a new bathroom installed at the softball field.”
First Week of School
The Class of 2026 seniors celebrated the first week of school with a Senior Sunrise on Friday by bulletin encouragements to “RISE AND SHINEEEE! And meet on the upper blue stage at 5:30 a.m. Bring blankets, chairs, be ready to take pictures, and have a great time with friends!”
Friday, all students were encouraged to dress as a celebrity: “Be ready to walk down the red carpet on your way to the welcome back assembly of the year “Hillers in Hollywood!” “Alright Alright Alright” just like Matthew McConaughey get hyped for the first assembly of the year!”
ASB Class Member and this year’s ASB Representative to GUHSD Governing Board Ava Hersch shares, “We kicked off an awesome school year with Senior Sunrise and a Hollywood themed Welcome Back assembly. School activities are beginning to ramp up with fall sports in full swing and Auditions for the fall play coming up. Students on campus are so excited about all the upcoming events!”
Foothiller PRIDE Continues
Each week Foothiller PRIDE celebrates and reinforces 5 essential Foothiller qualities. The week of August 18th’s bulletin reminds students and staff to be “Prepared, Respectful, Involved, Disciplined, and Empathetic”. Each quality is related to an activity or behavior.
For example, that week Respectful reminds us that “in the early days of the school year, our actions are crucial. We can set a tone for the community as a whole. Oftentimes, it is our small actions that matter.”
Empathetic encourages us with this quote from Clare Pooley: "In a world
where you can be anything, be kind."
With these values to guide us, the 2025-26 school year should be amazing!
Visit the GHS Museum
10-1 Saturdays, August 23rd, September 13th, October 4th
OR
Fridays by prior appointment when school is in session
Contact:
Upcoming Reunions
Class of 1965 60th Reunion: Save the Weekend of October 3rd-4 Contact
Class of 1970 55th Reunion: August 23, 2025 Contact
Class of 1975 50th Reunion: September 12th-14th