Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween:

Red Ribbon Week has gone well this week!  Everyone seemed to love the Remix Education Assembly on Monday, and the students and staff really enjoy the dress up days that culminate with a costume contest on Friday.  For middle school students, saying no to drugs is one of the most important lessons they can learn.  As we wrap the week up and head into a long weekend, I have just a few notes to share.

Personnel:

Please remember your GCMS family.  There are lots of health concerns right now.  We are all very thankful that Nycol Hart’s son Jacob wasn’t injured more seriously in his automobile accident this week.  From the looks of the pictures of his car, Jacob is a very fortunate young man to be alive. 

Stacy Pierce did well with her surgery yesterday.  She is at home recovering.  Please also remember Holly Milliner’s father in law, Hannah Embry’s grandfather, Venita Wilson’s father, Wendy Butler, and others who are also having health concerns right now.

Good Luck GCHS Band!
I want to wish the best of luck to our GCHS Marching Cougar Band, which includes several GCMS students this year!  The band will be competing at State on Saturday!

Showcase Lessons:

I enjoyed visiting in the Team 7 classrooms for showcase lessons this week!  The students were really getting into their work in all four classes!  I know that the teachers who observed picked up some great ideas that day.  Thanks for opening up your classrooms to your colleagues!  We look forward to the next showcase lesson day, which will be on November 20 in Team 4.

PGES/CIITS:

We are continuing to progress in the new PGES processes.  I have been interested in seeing lots of great ideas in your student growth goals.  Remember, Tuesday is the due date for your student growth goals to be completed and approved in CIITS.  We can work on last minute questions and changes on Tuesday as needed.  Everyone needs to be developing your SGG rubric if you have not already.  The rubrics are not necessarily due on Tuesday.  This is a great way to focus on and assure student improvement in needed areas.

Veterans Day Program:

We are planning our annual Veterans Day program for Tuesday, November 11 at 7:45 am.  We would like to invite any parent, grandparent, or staff member who is a Veteran of any branch of the United States military to attend.  We want to thank our veterans for their service to our country, protecting our freedoms and helping to keep our nation safe. 

Quote of the Day:

"The miracle is this – the more we share, the more we have." ~Leonard Nimoy

Coming Attractions:

Nov. 1…GCHS Band competes at State

Nov. 3…No School in GC

Nov. 4…PD Day, Certified Only (Election Day)

Nov. 7…Window 1 Peer Observations should be completed by today

Nov. 10…GCMS Boys Basketball hosts Hart Co., 5:00

Nov. 11…Veterans Day Program in the gym, 7:45 am

Nov. 11…Progress Reports go home

Nov. 11…GCMS Girls Basketball hosts Muhlenberg North, 5:30

Nov. 12…Staff Humana Vitality Check for those who have signed up

Nov. 17…Faculty Meeting after school

Nov. 19…GCMS SBDMC Meeting, 3:15 in the conference room

Nov. 24…Hooked on Science Program (6^th grade science)

Nov. 26-28…No School, Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 17…Drama Club Christmas Play

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Summer Turns to Autumn:

There was frost on the grass yesterday morning as I got out and drove to work.  As fall goes on and we get closer to winter, it strikes me just how fast this year is going and how fast the years have gone.  I did observations of two of our newer teachers this week, and it seems like just a short time ago, I was a new teacher at GCHS having Arnold Hack or Mike Adams come to my class to observe.  It doesn’t seem like this could be my 25^th year working in the school system.  Lots of things have changed over the years, but working with folks who want to help kids has been the constant.  I am thankful for the years that I have spent working with kids in Grayson County, and I hope to work for several more. As the week winds down, I have just a few notes to share.  I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Personnel:

Please remember those GCMS staff members who are having health issues or family members with health issues.  Stacy Pierce will be having a surgery next week.  Holly Milliner’s father-in-law is having some serious issues with his colon and appendix.  Wendy Butler is recovering from surgery.  Ellen Thomas is back to work but still recovering from her surgery.  I know that there are many others.  Please remember your GCMS family!

Back to the Future:

We had 87 sixth grade parents to visit GCMS for Back to the Future Day this week!  Thank you to our 6^th grade parents, 6^th grade teachers, Faye Critchelow, Kelzey McCubbin, and everyone who helped to make the day a great success.

Related Arts Showcase:

I enjoyed visiting our related arts classes for showcase lessons on Tuesday.  I saw highly engaged students and teachers in a wide variety of settings.  Thanks for opening up your classrooms for your colleagues.  Lots of great ideas were shared that day!

Thanks Mrs. Manion:

Thank you to Melanie Manion and the 21^st Century Learning program for bringing in two special programs to GCMS this week.  Our students responded very well to the Animal Tales science program and to Kentucky Shakespeare’s Living History program. 

Staff Attendance:

We are seeing a higher than usual level of teacher and staff absenteeism right now.  Please make every effort to be here every day possible, and also please try to make doctor’s appointments outside of the school day.  I know that this is not always possible, but when a doctor’s office says “how about Tuesday at 10:00 am, try saying “what have you got after 3:00 pm?”  They might laugh at you, but then again, they might just say “we will see you at 3:30 that day”.  As I have said a million times, and we all know it is true, our students learn more when the teacher is here at school.

Anti-Bully Assembly:

Just a reminder, as we wind up Kentucky Safe Schools Week, our Anti-Bully Assembly presented by Re-Mix Education will be Monday at 1:30.  We will start calling students to the gym at about 1:15 that afternoon.

Quote of the Day:

“True greatness is starting where you are, using what you have, doing what you can.” ~Arthur Ashe

Coming Attractions:

Oct. 24…Picture Retakes, group/team pictures

Oct. 25…GCMS Boys Basketball Night of the Future Stars, 6:00 pm

Oct. 26…GCMS/GCHS Orchestra Concerts, 2:30 (7^th and String) and 5:00 (8^th and Chamber)

Oct. 26-30…Red Ribbon Week

(wear red Mon, wear boots Tues, sunglasses/hats Weds, silly socks Thurs, Costume dress up day Fri)

Oct. 27…Home Girls Basketball vs. Owensboro, 5:30

Oct. 28…Team 7 Showcase

Oct. 28…Mix-It-Up Day at Lunch

Oct. 28…Home Academic Team vs. Edmonson Co, 4:00

Oct. 28…Parent Meeting on Career Paths has been cancelled

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

Nov. 3…No School in GC

Nov. 4…PD Day, Staff Only (Election Day)

And the Band Played On!

Welcome to October!

The cool temperatures and rain have been a sharp contrast to the warm dry weather that we saw in September…that we either enjoyed or suffered through, depending upon your perspective.  We have had a good week of school as we returned from Fall Break.  Our students and staff seemed glad to be back, even though everyone always enjoys a little time off.  I have just a few notes to share as we wrap up this first school week of October.

Personnel:

Ellen Thomas and Wendy Butler both had successful surgeries recently.  We wish both ladies a speedy recovery.  I know that Stacy Pierce has a surgery coming up toward the end of October as well.  We wish her the best also.

Congratulations to Mr. David Whitmore on the birth of his second granddaughter! 

Congratulations to Mrs. Charlene Noblett on the birth of her second granddaughter as well!

Becki Pearl’s daughter is expecting next week!!

What a Wonderful World:

I think back to when I was 20 and a student at Western Kentucky University.  It seemed like a big deal once in a while to get to visit Louisville or Nashville.  Our 20 year old son, Scott, spent the summer doing a study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark and is spending his Fall Break at a Neuroscience Conference in Washington, DC!  My point is that opportunities have changed.  I am amazed at the travel opportunities that college students have today and at the same time leery of the modern world that includes so much violence, terrorism, disease, etc.  I suppose the key is finding a good balance between enjoying this great big world and being diligent about safety at the same time.  With that said, I will rest easier when Scott is back in his dorm room at Vanderbilt!

Hats Off to the Marching Cougar Band!

We appreciate the GCHS Marching Cougar Band touring the district to perform for our students today!  Mr. and Mrs. Bell and their staff have done a great job with the band, and they are just getting better each year!  Mr. Parker has our middle school band students ready to step up to the next level, and in fact, many of our middle school students are performing in the high school band again this year.  Watching the band brings back great memories of being a band member when I was in school.  It was truly one of the best experiences that I have had, and I appreciate that our students are able to share that same great experience in the Grayson County Band program!

GCMS Basketball is off to a Great Start!

I enjoyed watching our girls basketball team’s opening home games of the season this week.  Our teams were outsized, but battled and hustled to two victories on Tuesday night!  Come out and watch our girls in action this year.  Boys basketball is right around the corner as well.  Night of the Future Stars is planned for Saturday, October 25.

6th Grade Back to the Future Day:

The date has been set for our annual 6th grade Back to the Future Day.  6th grade parents are invited to spend all or part of the day attending classes at GCMS on October 21.  This is a great way for parents to engage in their child’s education.  We always look forward to this day of fun and learning.  We will have a BTF day for 7th and 8th grade later on this year.

Lions and Tigers and Bears…well, not exactly!

Our 21^st Century Grant has some interesting programs coming to GCMS next week!  On Wednesday, Animal Zone will be set up in the gym.  Students will be able to visit the program through science classes throughout the day and at Cougar Zone after school.  While there are no “big cats” coming, we will have a variety of snakes, reptiles, spiders, and other creepy –crawly creatures in attendance!  A Living History performance is slated for our 8^th graders  for last period on Thursday.  We appreciate Cougar Zone Director Melanie Manion for arranging to bring these programs to GCMS!

Quote of the Day:

“Knowledge is power, but enthusiasm pulls the switch.” ~Ivern Ball

Coming Attractions:

Oct. 18…GCHS Band Contest (GCMS Band will play the National Anthem.)

Oct. 21…Related Arts Showcase

Oct. 21…6th Grade Back to the Future Day

Oct. 21..Home Girls Basketball vs. Butler Co, 5:30

Oct. 21…6^th Grade Band Concert, cafeteria, 7:00 pm (after 6:00 band parent meeting)

Oct. 22…GCMS Staff Health Insurance Enrollment

Oct. 24…Picture Retakes, group/team pictures

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

Oct. 26-30…Red Ribbon Week

(wear red Mon, wear boots Tues, sunglasses/hats Weds, silly socks Thurs, Costume dress up day Fri)

Oct. 27…Home Girls Basketball vs. Owensboro, 5:30

Oct. 28…Team 7 Showcase

Oct. 28…Home Academic Team vs. Edmonson Co, 4:00

Oct. 28…Parent Meeting on Career Paths (presentation by Derek Clemons), 6:00

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

Fall Break is Here!

Fall Break Edition:

It is hard to believe it, but fall break is here already!  We have had a great start to the school year at GCMS.  Our students and staff have been working very hard both in and out of the classroom.  I hope that our students, parents, staff, and families have a restful and safe break.  I look forward to spending time with my family.  We also look forward to seeing you back at GCMS on Monday, October 13.

Personnel:

Please remember Ellen Thomas as she recovers from her surgery.  She is doing well and looks forward to returning to work.  We wish Ellen a speedy recovery.

Wendy Butler will be having a surgery today.  I know that everyone joins me is wishing Wendy a quick and full recovery as well.

There are too many to name them all, but please remember all of your GCMS family who are having health issues, surgeries, and family members with health concerns.

In the race to grandparenthood, Mr. Whitmore has eased out in front of Mrs. Pearl and Mrs. Miller.  David’s daughter Lauren has been admitted to Norton’s, and they are expecting the baby this weekend!  We know they are excited, and we all wish the Whitmore family the very best!

State Testing Results:

For the first time since Kentucky implemented the new KPREP test in 2012, GCMS has been named a Proficient School based on the state testing and accountability system.  GCMS jumped from the 62^nd percentile in 2013 to the 71^st percentile among Kentucky Middle Schools for 2014.  This means that GCMS ranked better than 71 percent of Kentucky middle schools.  I estimate that GCMS leaped about 30 schools from 2013 to 2014.  Scores improved in reading, math, science, and social studies.  We also scored proficient on all three program reviews:  arts & humanities, practical living, and writing.  For a more in depth look at this year’s school report cards, go to the KDE website at http://applications.education.ky.gov/SRC/.  I would like to congratulate our students and staff on a job well done, and I encourage everyone to work hard in our continuous improvement at GCMS.

Walkathon:

Thank you to all students, parents, and staff members for doing a great job with this year’s GCMS walkathon.  GCMS smashed the record for our walkathon total by raising over 19 thousand dollars this year!  Our top three student fund raisers were Kennedy Kendrick, Taylor Acia, and Stetson Higdon.  Team 9 was our first place team, raising over 4 thousand dollars themselves!  I especially appreciate our related arts department for organizing the walk again this year.  Everyone did an outstanding job!  These funds will go to support student learning needs at GCMS.

Building Access during Break:

The gym will be closed Monday, October 6 through Wednesday, October 8 for floor refinishing. The office and auditorium will be closed Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 9.  Mr. Blain will be at GCMS most of the week.  Email if you need anything on the days the office is closed.

PGES:

Our new Professional Growth and Effectiveness System (PGES) has gotten off the ground, and our teachers are in the process of developing student growth goals.  We have also started the new peer observation process with our 8^th grade teachers and our non-tenured teachers.  I am hearing good things about the benefits of this process. 

6^th Grade Back to the Future Day:

The date has been set for our annual 6^th grade Back to the Future Day.  6^th grade parents are invited to spend all or part of the day attending classes at GCMS on October 21.  This is a great way for parents to engage in their child’s education.  We always look forward to this day of fun and learning.  We will have a BTF day for 7^th and 8^th grade later on this year.

Quote of the Day: 

“A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.” ~Robert Orben

Coming Attractions:

Oct. 3-10…Fall Break

Oct. 3…GCMS band in the Caneyville Parade, 10:00 am

Oct. 13…October Faculty meeting, 3:00

Oct. 14…Home Girls Basketball vs. Breck Co., 5:30

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

Oct. 21…Related Arts Showcase

Oct. 21…6^th Grade Back to the Future Day

Oct. 21..Home Girls Basketball vs. Butler Co, 5:30

Oct. 22…GCMS Staff Health Insurance Enrollment

Oct. 24…Picture Retakes, group/team pictures

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

Oct. 27…Home Girls Basketball vs. Owensboro, 5:30

Oct. 28…Team 7 Showcase

Oct. 28…Home Academic Team vs. Edmonson Co, 4:00

Oct. 28…Parent Meeting on Career Paths (presentation by Derek Clemons), 6:00

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