Gator Gazette Gray Middle School Newsletter Volume 1 September 2016

Transcription

1 Gator Gazette Gray Middle School Newsletter Volume 1 September 2016 To the Gray Middle School Community As we enter into another year of educating the citizens of this community, we continue to strive to look for ways to improve the learning experiences of our students. Committed to growing students, Gray Middle School will begin utilizing Rosetta Stone for world language acquisition in the 8th grade and has developed two new Project Lead the Way courses: Energy and the Environment and Flight and Space. We will continue to do all that we can to provide the education that you demand in order to make middle school meaningful and move our children toward college, career, and life readiness. The faculty/staff within these walls have high standards and rigorous expectations they will challenge their students each and every day to be the best student that they can be. In addition, Gray Middle School offers a wealth of successful extracurricular activities to enrich the middle school career; I encourage each student to take advantage of these opportunities as well. Partnering with the community, it is my wish for each student at Gray Middle School to have a safe, successful, and rewarding academic year. Todd Novak

2 GMS PTSA Welcomes Our Families and Students! The GMS PTSA would like to welcome all the new families to Gray. To those who are returning, Welcome Back! Our school offers a great mix of academics and athletics so we can only imagine how busy your household must be as you begin this new school year! Your PTSA is here for you through the adjustments Parents, Teachers and Students. If at any time you have questions, comments, concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to one of our Board or Committee members. If we don t know the answer, we will find someone who does. Our current Board/Committee Members for the 2016/2017 School Year are: President: Michelle Woolf Treasurer: Angie Deatherage Secretary: Kristi Walke VP Membership: Susan Lappin, Lisa Black VP Ways & Means/Dance: Jamie Smith* VP Ways & Means/Walk-a-Thon: LeeAnn Magee VP Volunteers: Tammy Stanton Hospitality: Paula Barkholtz, Wendy Proffitt If you have not joined the PTSA yet, please consider it. In addition to membership, we would like to invite you to consider a leadership role with the PTSA. Please know that middle school PTSA responsibilities are much less involved than elementary school we promise! Current Open Positions VP Ways and Means Dance Socials: Our current board member, Jamie Smith, is moving and this position needs to be filled ASAP. The themes for this year s dance/social nights have already been set. If someone can fill that position now before Jamie moves, that would be great!! Reflections: This is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the home and at school. The theme this year is What is Your Story? We are in need of someone to manage this. It is a self-directed program, meaning is does not require participation, it is completely elective. In past years, GMS students have been recognized on the District, State and National levels.

3 GMS PTSA NEWS continued Concessions: Oversees the sale of refreshments for all dance/social events. 8 th Grade Dance Committee Chair: Leads parent committee meetings and manages budget for end of the year dance. Seventh grade parents needed (see more information below) Last year the Dance Committee suggested we make a significant change that will ultimately help make this a better overall experience for our 8th grade families. The PTSA has listened to their suggestion and while we understand change can be difficult, moving forward the 7th grade class will be hosting the dance for the 8th grade class. Why would we make this change? There is simply too much going on the weekend of the dance that puts additional stress on the families. Eighth grade families are making food for the dance, hanging decorations for the dance, running errands to prepare for the dance, and so much more. This stress does not allow the families to celebrate this milestone in the spirit in which it is intended. What does this change mean? The Dance Committee will be made up of volunteers from the 7th Grade (or 6th grade if parents are interested). Parent volunteers will work with students on the Student Council to poll the 8th graders for a dance theme but beyond that, the 8th graders and their families can relax in anticipation of the big night. The Dance Committee, comprised of 7th grade parent volunteers (or 6th), will take the theme and will work on the dance in its entirety. This means, they will worry about entertainment, DJ, tickets, communications, food and decorations and all other aspects of preparation for the dance. Please consider joining us and allowing the 8th grade parents to enjoy this moment with their kids! If you are interested in any of these positions or have questions, please Michelle Woolf at michelle.woolfptsa@yahoo.com. Tammy Stanton, who is our VP Volunteers, has set up a database for those who have a PTSA membership or who have filled out the volunteer information sheet to be included in correspondence for events throughout the year. If you wish to receive sign ups and have not submitted your name and , please go to the following web address to add your information: Thank you to those of you who took the time to review this year s budget at Gatorama. Membership has voted and approved our budget. If you have any questions, our treasurer, Angie Deatherage can be contacted at angiedeatherage@gmail.com.

4 GMS PTSA NEWS continued REMEMBER - The GMS PTSA understands that middle school is an adventure. We also understand that it s not just an adventure for the students, but for the parents as well. We are here for you! Welcome and here s to a fantastic year ahead! PTSA meetings are held the second Monday of every month at 4:00 p.m. in room 101. Exception: October, March and April the meeting will be held on the 3 rd Monday. Please come and join us for those meetings. GMS Walk-A-Thon On Friday, September 2, our one and only fundraiser for the whole school, the Walk-A-Thon will take place! The money made from this Walk-A-Thon is the money that is used to fund different programs for the students throughout the year and help with improvements throughout the building. In the past, new televisions and big screens in the café have been purchased. Trophy and display cases throughout the school as well. Last year s Walk-A-thon was a huge success and money was put toward technology for the classrooms. Our goal this year is to raise $40 per family. We are happy with whatever amount your student is able to raise. Because this is our ONLY fundraiser, we believe every dollar matters and every student should be awarded for their effort. We have fun class competitions planned, a DJ to play music while the students are walking, and Kona Ice will be available that day. We are looking forward to a fun afternoon!!

5 GMS PTSA NEWS continued Kroger Community Rewards It is time to register your Kroger card for the school year.... If I registered last year do I have to register again? Yes, you have to register each year for the Program. Your current registration will automatically end on April 30th if you do not register for the new year which runs from May 1, 2016 through April 30, Does this affect my fuel rewards points? No points you earn for fuel discounts are not affected nor do they go away if you participate in this program.... How do customers sign up for Kroger Community Rewards? Customers enroll online at Customers must have a valid Plus Card account and an online account. It s easy to start a free online account at

6 Please Join GMS PTSA A message from Susan Lappin and Lisa Black, Membership Thank you so much to those of you who joined our PTSA at Gatorama. We truly appreciate all of your support! For those of you who did not get a chance to sign up, we still want you to join! Membership in the Gray PTSA is just $5 per person. Parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles are all welcome to join. Remember, students who sign up receive a $1 discount on dance/social events throughout the year (with the exception of the first event with the football game). To sign up, please print the form below and return to the PTSA drop box at the front desk. Joining the PTSA does not mean you have to attend every meeting or volunteer for every event. It simply shows your support for your student s school and helps with the programs the PTSA is involved with throughout the year. Gray Middle PTSA 2016/2017 Membership Each membership is $5. Students are encouraged to join as well. Students that join can show their membership card to receive a $1 discount off the admission charge for regular PTSA dances. Please list the student name even if you are not signing up your student in order for us to get your membership card to you. Please note that memberships are for 1 school year. To be a current member you must sign up again next year Student Name: Grade: List all individuals requesting membership and circle the appropriate category: 1. Student Parent Teacher Other 2. Student Parent Teacher Other 3. Student Parent Teacher Other 4. Student Parent Teacher Other Amount Due = # of memberships x $5 = $ Parent address Parent address

7 Scholastic Book Fair Arrives! The book fair is coming early this year and will be open for business during the following times: Friday, August 26 th thru Wednesday, August 31 st Open for students in the library during school hours Wednesday, August 31 st 5:00 PM thru 7:00 PM Open for parents in the front lobby before Open House To get a sneak peek of the titles that will be available at the fair, to sign up to volunteer, or to shop our online book fair store, visit the Book Fair webpage at Hope to see you at the fair!

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9 8 th Grade News Camp Joy Camp Joy is an overnight experienced based camp in Clarksville, Ohio that allows our students to work as a team, participate in a high ropes challenge course and even reenact a slave auction. This trip has proven to be a favorite among former 8 th graders. Mud and cold temperatures are usually involved, but a great trip nonetheless. The class will be divided into two groups for this trip. The two sessions are: Mrs. Bailie s 3, 4, 6 and 7 periods along with Mrs. Coleman s 3 and 4 period classes will attend November Mrs. Ollier s 3, 4, 6 and 7 periods along with Mrs. Coleman s 6 and 7 period classes will attend November The cost is $150 and includes meals, transportation and overnight accommodations. Chaperones are desperately needed and the cost for each chaperone is $20. Background checks are required and may be obtained from the Gray website. (Background forms are under School Forms on left hand side of website.) Students not attending Camp Joy may opt to participate in a day trip to Potter s Ranch near Big Bone State Park. Students may zip line, have fun on a low ropes course and enjoy a wonderful buffet lunch. The cost of this trip is undetermined at this point. Info on the Camp Joy trip will be sent home in early October and Potter s Ranch forms will be sent home in late October. Please direct Camp Joy questions to Pam Ollier at pam.ollier@boone.kyschools.us and Potter s Ranch questions to Heather Tombragel at heather.tombragel@boone.kyschools.us

10 8th Grade Parents, The annual trip to Chicago has been scheduled for April 27-29, This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to see world class museums and celebrate the culmination of middle school. We will visit The Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, Willis Tower, Medieval Times Dinner Theatre, Blue Man Group and have lunch in the jungle of the Rainforest Café. All 8 th graders are encouraged to attend, however, we reserve the right to exclude any student with academic or behavioral issues. To insure these qualifications are met, please sign and return the attached acknowledgement form with info and return with the first payment. Refunds will only be honored up until the final payment date in early March. All students must remain with the group for the duration of the trip. No early departures are permitted due to liability issues. The cost of the trip is as follows: Student: (quad or triple occupancy) $525 This includes all meals, attractions, lodging, transportation and hotel security guards. Adults (double occupancy) $560 This includes all meals, attractions, lodging, transportation and hotel security guards. To accommodate as many students as possible, we will have a payment plan so the trip is affordable for all. If you need additional time on a payment, please contact me and arrangements can be made. Detailed trip info will be sent home with each student in early September.

11 Boone County Schools Family Resource and Youth Services Center HELP US PROVIDE BASIC NECESSITIES FOR STUDENTS IN NEED IN OUR SCHOOLS Did you know that 32% of children in Boone County Schools are considered to be living in poverty, and that 1% of those children are homeless? You can help provide these children with basic items like clothing, personal hygiene items, food, and cleaning supplies by donating to the Boone County Schools FRYSC at Gray Middle School. What is the FRYSC? The Boone County Schools Family Resource and Youth Services Center assists children in our schools with basic needs items. In these tough economic times, the FRYSC is struggling to provide the help our students need to assure they are ready to learn when they get to school. The Board has started a district-wide initiative which aims to help keep the FRYSC stocked so it can provide for our students in need. THE ITEMS MUST BE NEW. Each month, we will ask for specific items to be donated. Personal hygiene and cleaning supplies are always needed. We will post each month s item request on the Infinite Campus Portal, as well as in the Gator Gazette. Simply send the item to school with your student (there will be a permanent donation box in the front lobby of the school) or drop off the item in the main office. We will make sure your donation gets to the FRYSC. If you have any questions, please Kara Nixon at kara.nixon@boone.kyschools.us Family Resource & Youth Services Center September Items Needed Kleenex, Clorox Wipes Paper Towels Hand Sanitizer Gallon size Ziploc Baggies Play-doh

12 GMS Academic Team Academic Team tryouts will be held: 8th grade--week of August 29 7th grade--week of September 12 6th grade--week of September 6 The season starts on Wednesday, October 5 with a home match against Ockerman. GMS Box Tops for Education This year our school will be participating in the Box tops for Education program once again. My name is Amy Lutes and I m happy to be the Box tops Coordinator for Gray Middle School. Clipping Box Tops is an easy thing to do and it will help support programming in the Gray Middle School Library. Box Tops are each worth 10 and they quickly add up to real cash for our school. This school year, our school s earnings goal is $1,000.00! To help our school, just look for pink Box Tops on products, clip them, and send them to school. The collection box is located in the library. For more information on the Box Tops for Education program, including a list of participating products and our school progress, visit Be sure to become a member to receive exclusive coupons and recipes and learn about extra ways for our school to earn. I hope you re excited for everything we can do this year with Box Tops! If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to contact me at amy.lutes@boone.kyschools.us. I m here to make our school s Box Tops for Education program a huge success this year. Thanks for your help, Amy Lutes

13 Gray Middle School Student Council Learning. Serving. Leading. All interested students are invited to the first meeting of the GMS Student Council on Wednesday, September 28 from 2:40 3:15 in Room 152 (8 th grade hall). In this year s Student Council, students will learn the expectations of leadership and engage in activities to increase their leadership skills, such as BullyProof and Pennies for Patients. For more information, please contact Mrs. Sturdivant at ronda.sturdivant@boone.kyschools.us and sign up for the REMIND texts by texting the to

14 GMS EXTRA-CURRICULAR DRAMA In addition to our Drama curriculum, offered each term for every grade level, Gray Middle School offers a rich history of extra-curricular theatrical productions including a fall play and a spring musical. Last spring debuted our first ever student directed play which is rarely seen at this, or even a high school level. The interest generated among our students demonstrates their desire for experiential and creative challenges, a sense of purpose, and responsibility, which theatre provides. The benefits of such an extensive program helps students build their social, communication, and creative thinking skills, and has been shown to improve self-esteem as well as confidence in their academic abilities. DRAMA FACULTY TEAM Producer & Director: Ms. Amanda Volpenhein, amanda.volpenhein@boone.kyschools.us Music Director: Mrs. Diana Kozar, diana.kozar@boone.kyschools.us Set & Props Design: Mrs. Toni Twaddell & Ms. Julie Tracy, toni.twaddell@boone.kyschools.us julie.tracy@boone.kyschools.us Choreography & Publicity: Mrs. Michelle Gibbs, michelle.gibbs@boone.kyschools..us WHO, WHAT AND WHEN? Productions are open to all interested 6 th, 7 th and 8 th grade students who maintain passing grades in all subjects. (same expectations as athletes) Performance opportunities include: acting, singing, dancing, and student directing Technical opportunities include: stage management, costuming, lighting, sound, set, props, hair & make-up, & special effects Administrative opportunities include: box office/publicity & house management Most cast rehearsals are on Mon/Tues/Thurs from 2:45-5:30pm and crew meetings are Wed/Fri from 2:45 to 4:30pm. During tech week (the last week of rehearsals before opening night,) rehearsals are every day from 4-7:30pm. The fall show, Testing Gone Wild, features two one act plays and runs Dec 2-3 at Gray The spring musical, Mary Poppins, Jr. runs April at Ryle

15 GMS Drama News continued PARENT MEETING: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 TH If your child is interested in being involved in Drama this year, an orientation meeting will be held in our cafeteria at 6:30pm. Please plan to attend, or contact Ms. Volpenhein via with questions, or check out the school website for audition and performance information. PARENT COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Our main method of parent communication for each production is REMIND to which all parents and students are encouraged to sign up for, allowing them to receive text messages regarding updates throughout the rehearsal process. is also used to stay connected and any parent or student can send a message through school , or REMIND. EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS Be safe, respectful and responsible towards peers, property, and staff Maintain a positive attitude and productive work ethic during rehearsals and peformances Attendance at rehearsals Follow guidelines for qualification in extra-curriculars (see GMS Student Handbook). EXPECTATION FOR PARENTS Attend the Drama Club Parent meeting on Thursday, September 8 th at 6:30 pm Pick up your child in a timely fashion at the end of each rehearsal or performance Communicate with director by , phone, or note if your child has to miss a rehearsal Keep up with all Drama Club electronic or written communications PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED School dance chaperone to earn $500 for Drama program, minimum of 10 parents needed, exact date for school year tbd Opening night dinner coordinators Costume pick up & return to The Costume Gallery in Newport, KY Strike assistance following closing night to organize and return all items to GMS or elsewhere.

16 GMS ATHLETIC NEWS GATORS GATORS GATORS GATORS IMPORTANT INFORMATION Before trying out for any sport, cheerleading, dance team, Ryle sports, etc., the student MUST HAVE a current MIDDLE SCHOOL KHSAA sports physical form completed and returned to school. There are four pages to this form. This form can be printed from the GMS webpage. A permission to tryout form, proof of insurance, and passing grades are also needed. Gator volleyball We have three GRAYT teams. They have been working very hard and all teams have been very successful. The teams love having a big crowd to cheer them on so come to the games for a fun evening. Cost is $1. Doors open at 4:30 and the first game starts at 5:00. Hope to see you there!! Cheerleaders The Cheerleaders had their tryouts in May. The team has been working hard all summer sharpening skills and getting their spirit on. Basketball Basketball tryouts will be mid October. Look on the GMS website and listen for announcements for the individual team tryouts. Tryouts are closed to parents.

17 Important Dates 8/26-8/31 Book Fair 12/2 & 12/3 Fall Play 8/31 Open House 7-8:30 12/22-1/4 Winter Break 9/2 Walk-A-Thon 1/5 First Day Back from Winter Break 9/5 No-School Labor Day 1/16 No School 9/9 Dance/Walk to Ryle Game 5-7 pm 1/20 Dance/Social 7-9 pm 9/12 Picture Day 2/3 End of Term 3 10/6 End of Term 1 2/6 No School 10/7 & 10/10 No School 2/10 Social/Dance 7-9 pm 10/14 Social/Dance 7-9 pm 3/10 & 3/13 No School 11/7 Skate Night 6-8 pm 3/29 End of Term 4 11/8 No School 4/10-4/14 Spring Break 11/12 GMS Gators 5K Run 4/19 & 4/20 8th grade Reality Store 11/14-11/15 8th grade Camp Joy Group 1 4/21 & 4/22 Spring Musical 11/16-11/17 8th grade Camp Joy Group 2 4/27-4/29 8th Grade Chicago Trip 11/18 & 11/19 Ryle Craft Show 5/6 8th Grade Dance 11/23 11/25 Thanksgiving Break 5/24 Last Day of School 12/2 End of Term 2 PTSA meetings are held the second Monday of every month at 4:00 pm. Exception: the months of October, March and April the meeting will be held on the 3rd Monday. SBDM meetings are held the second Monday of every month at 5:00 pm. Exception: The months of October, March and April the meeting will be held on the 3rd Monday. Please feel free to join us for these meetings.