The Whirling Dervish That Is GCMS!

Cougar Notes:

It has been another very busy week at GCMS!  I have heard good things from our teachers about the student efforts of our 7^th and 8^th grade students on this year’s EXPLORE testing.  The Pinocchio play was very well received by our students.  We want to thank Cougar Zone Director Melanie Manion for arranging the play and the Leitchfield Lions Club for helping sponsor the play.  Our 8^th grade manufacturing speakers got started this morning with Team 1 and will continue on Friday morning and Monday morning with Teams 2 and then 3.  All three teams will be touring at MTD on Tuesday.  We appreciate everyone from local industry helping our students learn about the manufacturing opportunities in our community. 

Personnel:

We have several staff members dealing with health concerns right now, as well as staff family members’ with health concerns.  Please remember your GCMS family.  We wish everyone the best in each situation.

Congratulations:

Congratulations to Mrs. Teresa Jarboe and the GCMS Chorus!  Four young ladies from GCMS have made the all-state choir.  We are very proud of Tia Druen, Macy Lively, Makayla Mudd, and Shayana Roach. 

Congratulations to the GCMS 7^th and 8^th grade football teams for advancing to the Conference Bowl Games!  Our 7^th grade team plays for the championship tonight, and our 8^th grade team plays on Tuesday night.  Good luck Cougars!

Showcase Lessons/Peer Observation:

We have several showcase lesson days coming up in the near future.  Team 9 will be hosting showcase lessons on Monday, Sept. 29, Related Arts on Tuesday, Oct. 21, and Team 7 on Wednesday, Oct. 29.  Remember, we are doing showcase lessons in sixth grade, seventh grade, and related this year.  Those teachers involved in Peer Observation this year are welcome but not required to participate in the showcase lessons.  We look forward to sharing some great teaching and learning through both processes.

All Things PGES, Focus on Student Growth Goals:

We have had a productive week during CSI time, taking a closer look at the process for developing student growth goals.  I appreciate Mrs. Miller and Mr. Whitmore for leading the way.  Our teachers are working hard at identifying enduring skills and developing growth and proficiency statements.  This is a learning process that we are all in together, and I am confident that we will get better and better at it.  We will devote most of our regular October faculty meeting to a further discussion of student growth goals.  Like most of PGES, this will be beneficial to our students in the long run.  Since student growth is not part of anyone’s evaluation this year, it is a good chance for us to learn the process without stressing over it.

Quote of the Day:

“Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” ~Benjamin Franklin

Coming Attractions:

Sept. 26…Rep. from Kentucky Deferred Comp at GCMS

Sept. 27...GCMS band in the Honeyfest Parade

Sept. 29…Team 9 Showcase Lessons

Sept. 30…Manufacturing Day field trip (8th grade to local factories)

Oct. 1…Faculty Meeting to review KPREP scores, 2:50

Oct. 2…GCMS Walkathon

Oct. 3-10…Fall Break

Oct. 3...GCMS band in the Caneyville Parade

Oct. 13…October Faculty meeting, 3:00

Oct. 17…KIP Survey (6th and 8th graders)

Oct. 21…Related Arts Showcase

Oct. 22…GCMS Staff Health Insurance Enrollment

Oct. 24…Picture Retakes, group/team pictures

Oct. 25…8^th graders and parents field trip to Campbellsville University

Oct. 28…Team 7 Showcase

Oct. 29…Deadline to sign up for the Staff Humana Vitality Check