Thursday, May 29, 2014

A Job Well Done!

Cougar Staff:
As we wrap up field days and 8th grade commencement programs this week, I look back and think about how rapidly the year has gone by.  Lots of snow days have impacted our calendar, but the students are still getting out of school in May.  We have a week of staff training days to look forward to, and with the coming of PGES, these days couldn’t have come at a better time.  We will be able to get a head start on the new teacher and principal effectiveness system, and this fall we will be able to hit the ground running as we launch the new system.  Thank you so much for another great year at GCMS!

Personnel:
I know that you join me in wishing Mrs. Stacy Pierce a speedy recovery.  Her surgery on Tuesday went well, and her doctors say that she is making good progress.

Please remember Lea Ann Frank and her son, Paul.  Paul’s grandfather, who lives in Florida is in the final stages of kidney failure and will likely pass away in the next few days.  Lea Ann and Paul will be travelling to Florida to be with him.  Please keep their family in your prayers.

Susan Higdon is continuing to recover from her recent knee surgery.  We all wish Susan a speedy recovery as well.

Carla Butler is as busy as a bee taking care of her baby boy, Lucas.  I know that Carla is and will be a great mom, but we look forward to her return to GCMS as well.

We want to wish the best of luck to Mr. Barry Duvall.  As you all know, Mr. Duvall will be retiring at the end of this school year.  Thank you, Barry, for your years of dedication and perseverance.  You have inspired the love of learning and the love of music in hundreds of Grayson County students over the past 25 years (and 31 years counting time in other districts).  Thanks for everything.  You will be missed.

Field Days:
Thank you to everyone who helped to make our 2014 GCMS field days the most successful in recent memory.  Things went very smoothly, and I know that this is due to the work of our GCMS staff.  The Grand Poobaw, David Whitmore, did a great job as always, and everyone pulled together to make things run smoothly.

Friday/8th Grade Commencement:
We are looking forward to our 8th grade commencement programs on Friday.  It seems like just yesterday when these boys and girls came here as 6th graders, but they have grown up right before our eyes.  As always, it will be important to keep our 6th and 7th graders out of the front hallway on Friday.  Our 8th grade commencement programs will be held in the auditorium at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00.  Classes going to lunch should go around outside either in front or behind the building (bus canopy) to get to the cafeteria.  There are always requests of students to attend the 8th grade programs.  Our rule is simple.  We do allow brothers or sisters of 8th graders to attend if they request.  We do not allow other relatives such as cousins or friends.  Please remember to park either in front of the building or behind the band room.  If you park in front, it is fine to park to the right side of the long lane (John Hill Taylor Dr.) that leads into our front parking lot.

Next Week:
June Staff Days:
As you know, Grayson County Schools will be having staff days on June 2-6 and closing day on June 7.  Here is a basic outline of our schedule:
June 2…Domains 1 and 4
                        Half of Science Dept.: science standards with Elem/HS at Centre on Main in the afternoon
                          Monica Heavrin will meet with our faculty from 1:30-3:00
                          Related Arts:  arts specific sessions in the afternoon
June 3…Morning, TBA
                        Afternoon, Domain 2 and Student Voice
                        Half of Science Dept.: science standards with Elem/HS at Centre on Main in the afternoon
                        Related Arts:  arts specific sessions in the afternoon
June 4…Observations, CIITS, EDS, Certified Evaluation Plan
                        Self-Reflection Survey and Professional Growth
June 5…Data Analysis and Student Growth
June 6…District-wide gathering at GCMS
                         Meal and Touring of local industries          
June 7…Closing Day

Quote of the Day:
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Coming Attractions:
May 29…8th Grade Awards Night, 6:00
May 30…Students’ Last Day, 8th Grade Commencement Programs, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00
June 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 will be staff training days.
June 7…Closing Day
June 9-26…Summer Cougar Zone “Movin’ Minds”
June 9-13…Administrator Meetings at the BOE
June 18-20…Data Team Retreat at Smiths Grove
June 24-25..Math Plus grant meetings at GRREC
June 26…Math Plus leadership meeting
July 15-17…Sixth Sense
July 29..GCMS PD Day
July 31...GCMS Opening Day and Back to School Night
Aug. 1….District wide day in Grayson County Schools
Aug. 4…Not a required work day at GCMS
Aug. 5…Students first day of school        




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