Thursday, December 5, 2013

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like....

Cougar Staff:
With snow and ice in the forecast, everyone is getting really excited…and the students too!  I always love to get through the first semester without missing any days, but that may be in jeopardy in the near future.  Mr. Anderson and Mr. Hack will be checking roads and conditions very early on Friday to make a decision about school on Friday and then again about school on Monday.  The district does a School Messenger call on the mornings of days with cancellations or delays, but it is also good to always check the Louisville and Bowling Green TV stations as well as K-105 radio.  Cancellations and delays are also normally posted on the GCBOE twitter account and the Graysoncountyschools.com website.  I know that there are many extracurricular events scheduled for this weekend, and these may be impacted by the weather as well.  It looks like winter is about to arrive.  Please use caution about travelling this weekend, and don’t get out on bad roads if you don’t have to. 

Personnel:
There are so many GCMS staff members with health concerns right now that I want to ask each one to remember your GCMS family in thoughts and prayers.  I know that there are others, but please remember Ellen Thomas and her family, Elaine Holley, Mary Jane Crawford's sister and family, Shirley House’s husband Jim, Cassie Jarboe’s daughter Alyson, Ginny Paine’s husband Barker, and Stacy Pierce.  Stacy stopped by school yesterday and plans to return to work next week.  She will be starting chemo later in December.  Also, please remember Carolyn Thomason, who is recovering after being in the hospital earlier this week. 

Christmas Breakfast:
The Christmas breakfast provided by the Grayson County Board of Education is scheduled for GCMS on Monday, December 9.  If school were to be cancelled or delayed on that day, we will plan to have the breakfast on Tuesday, Dec. 10.  We appreciate the board of education providing this breakfast!

Team 7 Showcase:
We are planning our Team 7 showcase lessons for Tuesday, Dec. 10.  If we were to cancel school one or more days, then the showcase day will be delayed by that many days.  Let me know if that does not make sense. 

Christmas Dinner:
Our GCMS Christmas Dinner is planned for Tuesday evening, December 10 at 6:00.  We will have a catered meal in the cafeteria starting at 6:00, followed by desserts and a visit from Santa in the library. 

Extracurricular Activities:
As I mentioned, we have many extracurricular activities scheduled for the next few days that may be impacted by the weather.  I do want to wish good luck to our GCMS Lady Cougar basketball team as they head into conference play at McLean County, our 6th grade academic team which will be hosting the 6th grade showcase here at GCMS, our GCMS Cougar Band which will be involved in the Hometown Christmas parade, playing at the nursing homes, and playing a Christmas concert here on Sunday afternoon.  Our boys basketball game at St. James, scheduled for Saturday, has been cancelled.  Also, the GCMS social sponsored by the cheerleaders for after school Friday has been cancelled.

Royal Visit to GCMS:
Some of you have seen the emails about Royal Albert’s upcoming visit to GCMS.  Albert is a dog from the local Humane Society which has been sponsored by Gwen Franich’s CCR class.  Donna White will be bringing Albert to school on Wednesday morning so that the students can see him and perhaps be inspired to make a donation.  Gwen said that her class is glad to share this project with the school.  We all hope that the students see this as a way to give back to their community by helping with this need.

Sub Limits:
This does not directly affect most of you, but I have heard several questions about the new limitations on substitute teachers and substitute aides/custodians.  Due to changes in health insurance and also changes in classified retirement regs, the following limitations now apply:  substitute teachers cannot work more than 150 school days in a year (from October to October), and classified subs cannot work more than 79 hours per month.

Fire Drill Reminders:
Yesterday’s fire drill went well.  We did notice in a few occasions, teachers walking at the front of their group rather than at the rear.  It is important that the teacher always be the last one out of the classroom to make sure that everyone has exited safely.  Also, always be sure to take your class roster with you for accountability purposes in an actual emergency.

Quote of the Day:
“The bridges you cross before you come to them are over rivers that aren’t there.” ~Gene Brown

Coming Attractions:
Dec. 7…GCMS hosts 6th Grade Showcase (academic team)
Dec. 7…GCMS girls basketball conference tourney, at McLean County
Dec. 8…GCMS Band Christmas Concert
Dec. 9…Christmas Breakfast, sponsored by GCBOE
Dec. 10…Team 7 Showcase Lesson Day
Dec. 10…GCMS Christmas Dinner, 6:00 pm at GCMS
Dec. 15...GCMS/GCHS Orchestra Concert, 3:00 and 5:00
Dec. 16…Staff Potluck Lunch in Library
Dec. 16...GCMS Chorus Concert, 6:00 
Dec. 17…8th Graders tour the GC Tech Center
Dec. 18...GCMS Site Based Council Meeting, 3:00
Dec. 19...Christmas Sweater Contest, 7:45 in the gym

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