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)