Hello Again Parents!

Parents’ Corner:

This is the second “for parents” entry in my Cougar Notes blog.  I hope that this information is helpful to our GCMS parents and families.  Also, feel free to email me at jim.blain@grayson.kyschools.us or call 270-259-4175 if you ever have questions or concerns about your child’s education at GCMS.

EXPLORE Testing is Here:

Our 8^th graders completed the interest inventories and demographics Friday morning and will be taking the EXPLORE subject area tests on Monday, Sept. 22.  Our 7^th graders will be taking the EXPLORE on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 22 and 23.  Please encourage your student to do their very best on this test.  It is the first test in the ACT series, and it gauges how students measure up in the area of college and career readiness.

GCMS Football:

We are excited that our 7^th and 8^th grade Cougar football teams have both advanced to the Conference Bowl Games!  Our boys will play Ohio County in both games.  We will host the 7^th grade game on Thursday evening, Sept. 25, starting at 5:30 pm.  Our 8^th graders will play at Ohio County on Tuesday, Sept. 30, also at 5:30.  Good luck Cougars! 

Pinocchio is Coming:

Cougar Zone Director Melanie Manion has arranged for an off Broadway troupe to come to GCMS again this year.  The troupe will be presenting the play “Pinocchio” for all three grades in three sessions on Wednesday, September 24.  This company has brought us productions of “Tom Sawyer” and “Hansel and Gretel” the past two years, and our students have responded very positively.

GCMS Walkathon:

The annual GCMS Walkathon is scheduled for October 2, the last day before Fall Break.  Our walkathon is the only school wide fundraiser conducted at the middle school, and we hope that all GCMS students will participate.  The 90 minute walk provides students with the opportunity to help their school and a great and healthy interaction time.  Students raise money by asking friends, family, neighbors, and other community members to sponsor them for a total pledge amount rather than a per mile amount.  To participate in the walk, students must have a minimum of $5.00 pledged and turned in by the morning of October 2.  To be eligible for prizes, all money must be turned in by Wednesday, October 1.  There are various prizes for different amounts raised, and the top three individual fund raising students will win either a 2015 season pass to the Leitchfield Aquatic Center, a Fat Head wall decoration, or Nike shoes and socks.  The first place fund raiser gets first choice, then the second place, and then the third gets the remaining prize.  The GCMS Beta Club will be selling bottled water during the walkathon.  We want to thank parents in advance for sponsoring students and supporting GCMS in this way!

Quote of the Day:

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Coming Attractions:

Sept. 19 and 22….EXPLORE Testing for 8th grade

Sept. 22 and 23…EXPLORE Testing for 7th grade

Sept. 24…Pinocchio Play at GCMS for each grade, actors’ workshop during Cougar Zone

Sept. 25…GRVC 7^th Grade Football Bowl Game at GCMS, 5:30

Sept. 30…GRVC 8^th Grade Football Bowl Game at Ohio Co, 5:30

Oct. 2…GCMS Walkathon

Oct. 3…GCMS 7th and 8th Grade Band performs in the Caneyville Parade

Oct. 3-10…Fall Break

Oct. 17…KIP Survey for 6^th and 8^th grade

Oct. 17…GCHS Band performs at GCMS, 2:00 (tentative date)

Oct. 25…Field trip for 8^th graders and their parents to Campbellsville University