January 2019 Gray Middle School 6229 South Tyler Street, Tacoma, WA 98409 Graypilots.org T: 253-571-5200 F: 253-571-5201 Principal: John Coalson Assistant Principal: Annie Mosich Principal s Passage The first few months of this school year have been very busy and exciting for staff and students alike. Two groups of our students and parents attended a STEM training session at Microsoft Headquarters in October with Mr. Schmitt. Our Concert Choir collaborated with the Concert Choirs from Baker and Mount Tahoma for a regional choir concert at Gray in November. Our Band and Choir performed at our Veteran s Day Assembly in November and our Concert Choir was invited to perform at the Superintendent s Breakfast Meeting on November 29. Mrs. Truett had her 2 nd child, another girl, in mid-october and named her Tiana. Mrs. Truett is scheduled to return to work in January. Mrs. Russoniello-Damaskos has been filling in for Mrs. Truett as Dean/Interventionist during her maternity leave and her presence was very much appreciated. January 10 Upcoming Events Family Skate Night 6-8 pm at Rolling 253 (ASB Fundraiser) January 17 Jazz Festival @ Mason during school day January 21 MLK, Jr. Holiday no school January 24 Beginning Band Concert @ Gray - 7 pm January 26 Music Honors Group @ Mt T January 30 Beginning Orchestra Concert @ Gray 7 pm January 31 Semester Break-No School February 1 District Data Day-No School Page 1 of 5
GRAY MIDDLE SCHOOL ASB IN ACTION Our ASB Leaders for 2018-19 are: President Vanessa Nguyen Vice-President Alana Pham Secretary Alaysia Colman-Puth Treasurer Monica Nguyen Our Student Council members meet with their Advisor, Mrs. Truett, each Monday (Ms. Keller has been our Acting ASB Advisor during Mrs. Truett s time off) and plan for student activities, etc. throughout the year. We just finished an all-school fundraiser with Great American Opportunities. This catalog sale fundraiser is just one way that our students raise money for assemblies, end-of-year activities, field trips, etc. We will keep you posted on upcoming events like this January Fundraiser - Who likes to socialize with friends? Who likes to skate? Who wants to see Ms. Keller slide across the skating rink? Come join us for a Family Skate Night January 10, 2019, from 6 to 8 PM at Rolling 253. This is a fundraiser for leadership class to earn money to pay for their trip to the Youth Legislature next spring. The cost is $7.50 per person to come in and skate. If you are just coming to watch the fun the cost is $3. They also have skate-mates available for the littlest skaters. This is fun for the family so invite the friends and family. Bring your cousins. The skating rink is splitting the take with us so the more who join, the more we get. Your child s daily, on-time attendance is critical to their success in school. While some challenges to your child s attendance are unavoidable, it s important to understand the impact of each absence. When students are not in class, they are missing out on critical learning. This puts them at risk of falling behind and not graduating from high school. Even as little as two absences in a month, whether they are excused or unexcused, can make a big difference, from kindergarten through their senior year. Please remember to contact Mrs. Burns in the Attendance Office to report your student's absence. 253-571-5208 or TBurns1@tacoma.k12.wa.us Page 2 of 5
SPORTS UPDATES Session I Recap Boys Baseball Record: 4 wins, 3 losses (4 th place) Highlight: Making it to the district semifinals for the first time. Summary: This is a young team with many 6 th and 7 th graders coming back next year. This team has the potential to be a playoff contender for years to come. Boys Basketball C-team record: 3 wins, 5 losses JV record: 5 wins, 3 losses Varsity record: 8 wins, 0 losses (1 st place) Highlight: Winning the city championship by the score of 87-45. Summary: This team was the best team, completing a perfect 10-0 season! With most of the varsity team being 8 th graders, 6 th and 7 th graders that are returning will need to step up. Next year will be a reloading year, hopefully staying in the playoff hunt. Cross Country Boys: Finished 6 th out of 9 teams Girls: Finished 4 th out of 9 teams Highlight: 35-40 players from both teams participating from both teams. Summary: Overall a great season from both teams. The teams display high levels of sportsmanship and empathy. Girls Soccer JV record: 3 wins, 1 tie, 2 losses Varsity record: 3 wins, 5 losses (5 th place) Highlight: Defeating Giaudrone and First Creek in consecutive matches. Summary: Both teams worked well together both on and off the field. A couple bounces their way and the varsity could have gone to the playoffs. There is a good, young core of players that will make next year an exciting time to watch Gray girls soccer! Page 3 of 5
Online Athletic Registration Process Registration can be completed and submitted online beginning in early August. Blank physical forms are available online also, can be printed for hand-carrying to your doctor for completion, then returned to Gray. A current physical form must be on file in the school office before a student can participate in sports. www.tacomaschools.org/student-life/pages/athletics- Activities Remaining Sports Sessions Session 3 - Jan 22nd (Girls Basketball, Bowling, Footballbegins Jan 14) Session 4 - April 8th (Wrestling, Fastpitch, Track and Field) GRAY STUDENT GEAR Hoodies Small - Extra Large - $32 2X and 3X - $35 Crewneck Small - Extra Large - $20 2X and 3X - $25 Polos Small - Extra Large - $20 2X and 3X - $25 T-shirts Small - Extra Large - $10 2X and 3X - $15 Students from South Korea visit Gray Things looked a little different at Gray November 19 th and 20 th. A number of students wore plaid ties and dress jackets. These were the 21 students that visited from Yeosu, South Korea. Yeosu is located on the coastline to the south. Students were paired with 21 Gray students that were nominated from leadership and social studies classes. They moved throughout the day together, exchanging comparisons and cultural similarities and differences. Students did math together, sand a song in Korean together in choir, and even did some engineering design and 3D printing in our own maker space the Dream Factory. By all accounts, the two-day visit was an enriching success. Mr. Foster, Instructional Coach We keep a supply of our logo clothing in the Main Office year round for your convenience. P.E. Suiting Requirements P.E. uniforms must be worn by all P.E. students. P.E. suiting policy for Gray Middle School requires students wear only the Gray Middle School logo P.E. uniform. This clothing is high quality, 50% cotton/50% polyester, and is reasonably priced. Prices are listed below. It is not necessary to purchase all of the items, just one top and one bottom. S-XL 2X-3X T-shirts $7.00 $9.00 Shorts $9.00 $11.00 Sweatpants $13.00 $15.00 Sweatshirts $13.00 $15.00 Page 4 of 5
1. Handwashing! Use soap and warm water. Wash for at least 15-20 seconds Make sure to wash between fingers and under fingernails. Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, coughing, sneezing, and before eating. 2. GET A FLU SHOT! Go to http://www.tpchd.org/resources/immunizations/ for dates and times of FREE immunization clinics. 3. Don t spread your germs. If your child is sick, keep them home from school to stop the spread of germs. Students may not come to school is they have: A fever of 100.4 or greater within 24 hours; Vomited (2+ times) within 24 hours; Had diarrhea (3+ times) within 24 hours; and/or Heavy nasal drainage and constant cough. 4. Wipe down hard surfaces with disinfectant/cleaner. The top five most virus-contaminated areas in your home are: Cell phones Faucets/Sink handles Light switches Door handles TV remote Alex Stillman, RN, MN Gray MS School Nurse 253.571.5211 Page 5 of 5