Merry Christmas from GCMS!

This Week at GCMS:

The hustle and bustle of the holidays has certainly arrived at GCMS this week!  With five days of merriment, four school play productions, three holiday concerts, two home ball games, and a 7:40 Christmas flash dance, the middle school has been a whirlwind of activity.  As our week winds down, and everyone heads off for Christmas Break, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Get your minds off of school for a while, and spend some time with family and friends.  In the words of Charles Dickens, “God bless us every one.”

Good Luck:

Good luck to our Regional Champion GCMS Cheerleaders as they compete at State Competition Saturday in Lexington! 

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this a special week for our students at GCMS.  While lessons and learning have continued, we have also been able to spread some Christmas cheer to the GCMS Cougars!  Thank you to everyone who has worked to make it a great week for our kids.

Congratulations!
Hats off to Melanie Manion for winning a $500 MAC grant from McDonald's this week!  I appreciate the hard work that Melanie does on behalf of our GCMS students.

CIITS Entries:

Just one more reminder, make sure to complete your roster verifications and PGP mid-year review in CIITS before you go home on Friday.  Merry Christmas from CIITS.

Instructional Rounds Follow-Up:

The top responses from our Instructional Rounds Follow-Up Gallery Walk were as follows:

• Establish common expectations for questioning by 2/15/16
• Continue focus on open ended questions and building common understanding
• Continue to work through the PGP process to improve personal development of questioning techniques
• Work in grade level PLC’s to develop open and closed questions
• Develop common terminology when discussing higher order questioning
• Those were the top five responses for our Next Level of Work for our focus on questioning at GCMS.  We will be concentrating our next PLC day on this focus area. 

Observations:

Each non-tenured teacher will need to complete your second mini-observation by January 15.  Also, those in your summative year will need to complete your peer observation by January 15.  Thank you to all those who have already completed these observations.  Just get with your administrator or peer observer to schedule your observations.

Quote of the Day:

“’For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.’ That’s What Christmas is all about.“  ~L. Van Pelt

Coming Attractions:

Dec. 17…Drama Club Christmas Play (during school), public performance at 5:30

Dec. 17…Home Boys Basketball, 5:30

Dec. 18…due date for Teacher’s CIITS items (teachers, see earlier email)

Dec. 21-Jan. 1…Christmas Break

Jan. 8…Due date to have distributed parent permission (passive consent) forms for student voice survey

Jan. 15…Due date for 2^nd mini-observation for non-tenured teachers

Jan. 15…Due date for all peer observations

Jan. 15-29…Student Voice Survey Window

Busy, Busy, Busy!

This Week at GCMS:

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the halls of GCMS!  Many classrooms have decorations, Christmas scene doors, trees, bulletin boards, etc.  Thank you to everyone for spreading a little holiday cheer for our students.  Many of our students don’t get a lot of this sort of thing at home, so it is good to experience the season a little bit at school.  I have just a few notes to share this week.

Congratulations KYA Delegation!

Hats off to the GCMS delegation that participated in the Junior Kentucky Youth Assembly in Louisville this week!   GCMS won the Statesmanship Award for having the best overall speakers at KYA.  Payton Abney became the first Grayson County student ever to  be elected as KYA Governor.  Several other students were recognized or won awards:  Spencer Cannon, Hunter Pendergest, Stetson Higdon, Bailey Richardson, CJ Johnston, Kennedy Ferguson, and Ryan Haycraft.  We are also very proud of Teresa Blain and Melanie Manion, who were inducted into the KYA Hall of Fame for advisors.  Great job!

Congratulations Academic Team!
Our GCMS academic advanced to the final match of the Knowledge Masters television tournament at Elizabethtown today.  I have not heard yet how we fared in the finals, but we are very proud of the team for advancing to the finals!

Good Luck Lady Cougars!

We would like to wish the best of luck to our 8^th grade lady cougar basketball team!  The girls have advanced to the championship game of the GRVC Tournament.  They will play against Edmonson County at Edmonson County on Thursday night.  Good luck ladies!

Thanks for Breakfast!
Thank you to the district and to our food service department for this morning's Christmas breakfast!  Everything was delicious!

Instructional Rounds:

We appreciate everyone who participated and helped with our instructional rounds at GCMS this morning.  The group of observers was able to share some great suggestions for our next level of work in the area of questioning.  We will take a look at the recommendations at our after school teachers meeting on Monday.

Christmas Lunch:

GCMS would like to thank our teachers and staff and say Merry Christmas with a Christmas Lunch catered by Kay’s Café on Friday.  We will have the lunch set up in room 140, so you will have plenty of room to stay and eat with colleagues or take a plate back to your rooms.  Merry Christmas from GCMS!

Quote of the Day:

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” ~Roy L. Smith

Coming Attractions:

Dec. 11…Christmas Lunch catered by Kay’s Café

Dec. 11…Meet the Lady Cougar Volleyball Night, 5:00

Dec. 13….Orchestra Concerts, 2:00

Dec. 14-17…Mon is Santa Hat Day, Tues is Raindeer Antler Day,

                       Weds is Elf Day, Thurs is Christmas Sweater Day
Dec. 14...Teachers' Meeting, 3:00

Dec. 14…Chorus Concert, 6:00

Dec. 15…Home Boys Basketball, 5:00

Dec. 15…Band Concert, 7:00

Dec. 17…Drama Club Christmas Play (during school), public performance at 5:30

Dec. 17…Home Boys Basketball, 5:30

Dec. 18…due date for Teacher’s CIITS items (teachers, see earlier email)

Dec. 21-Jan. 1…Christmas Break

Welcome Decemberrrrrr!

This Week at GCMS:

December has come in with some wintery temperatures that seem way too soon, but fortunately we are not getting wintery precipitation like many parts of the nation.  I am always very hopeful that the wintery weather will hold off until at least Christmas break, and I am optimistic about this year as well.  December is a very busy month, and I have several notes to share as this week winds down.

Staff Concerns:

It seems like we have many staff members and their family members with health concerns right now.  Eugene’s brother, Pendleton, is still at Norton’s but Eugene says that he is making progress.  Tonya’s husband is back home after a few days in the hospital with pneumonia.  Elaine Holley’s brother will be having surgery on Monday.  Charlotte McDonald’s daughter is recovering from surgery, and Charlotte has an appointment coming up about blood pressure issues.  Please remember these, along with Shela Herman, Jerry Poindexter, Stephanie Brey’s mom, Cassie Jarboe’s daughter, Allyson, Gail Smallwood’s husband, Angie Escue’s mom, Paige Shiarella’s father, Rita Mullins’ daughter, and many more.  Please keep your GCMS family in your thoughts and prayers.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the GCMS academic team for winning their first round match over LaRue County on Wednesday.  The team will take on T.K. Stone next Thursday. 

Three more GCMS chorus students have been honored!  Jessica Manion, Liberty Payton, and Nathan Meredith have been named the KMEA Jr. High All State Choir.  Great job!

Good Luck!

Good luck to our GCMS KYA delegation!  Our delegation of about 60 students will be in Louisville for this year’s Kentucky Youth Assembly from Sunday through Tuesday.  We wish them the best of luck!  Also, since my wife is one of the sponsors of this group, I will get to have my annual Mr. Mom days with our 7 year old daughter.  Wish me luck!

Good luck to our GCMS girls basketball teams as they start GRVC Tournament play at Edmonson County.  The tournament starts on Friday, but our girls will play their first games on Saturday morning. Go Cougars!

Good luck to all GCMS groups competing and performing this weekend, including boys basketball, archery, band, and academic team 6^th grade showcase!

Instructional Rounds:

As you know, we plan to have our instructional rounds at GCMS next Thursday, Dec. 10.  We will have teams of observers including central office staff, principals from around the district, three GCMS teachers who are in the Leading to Learn grant, Mrs. Pearl, and our GCMS administrators visiting classrooms during 2nd and 3rd period that morning.  The observers will focus on our questioning practices.  Are we asking open ended questions that make our students think?  Do our student responses match the level of questioning?  Are the students asking questions (open and/or closed)?  The instructional rounds are a positive process by which a “fresh set of eyes” will look at our questioning practices and make some recommendations to help us get better at an area that our school has identified for improvement.  Most all of you have questioning as an improvement goal on your PGP this year, so I know that you have really worked to improve in this area already. 

Observations:

Teachers, please be thinking about scheduling formal classroom observations.  Non-tenured teachers must have your second mini observations completed by January 15.  Get with Mr. Blain, Mr. Whitmore, or Mrs. Miller to schedule your observations.  Thanks.

Quote of the Day:

“Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.” ~Yoda (Star Wars)

Coming Attractions:

Dec. 4…Recognize Girls Basketball with Pep Session, 7:40 am

Dec. 5-10…Girls Basketball at GRVC Tournament (Edmonson Co.)

Dec. 5…Academic Team at 6^th Grade Showcase

Dec. 5…Archery at NASP Competition

Dec. 5…GCMS Band at Hometown Christmas Parade and Nursing Homes

Dec. 5-6…GCMS 8^th grade boys basketball at TK Stone Tournament

Dec. 6-8…GCMS Students at KYA

Dec. 10…Christmas Breakfast provided by GCBOE

Dec. 10…Instructional Rounds at GCMS

Dec. 11…Christmas Lunch catered by Kay’s Café

Dec. 13...Orchestra Concert

Dec. 14...Chorus Concert

Dec. 15...GCHS Symphony at GCMS, 10:00 am

Dec. 15...Band Concert

Dec. 17...GCMS Drama Club Christmas Play

Dec. 18…due date for Teacher’s CIITS items (teachers, see earlier email)

Dec. 21-Jan. 1…Christmas Break

Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks:

As we close in on the Thanksgiving holiday next week, we will all pause to give thanks for the many blessings that we enjoy in our lives.  I am so thankful for what the good Lord has given me, my family, good health, and a wonderful group of people to work with at GCMS!  Thank you so much for what you do each day to help make the lives of these young people better!  I hope that each of you gets to relax and spend quality time with family and friends next week during the Thanksgiving break.

Thank You Related Arts:

I enjoyed getting to observe in several of our related arts classes today.  The students and teachers were highly engaged, and I saw some good examples of formative assessment in action.  Mr. Crump and Mrs. Cates from Clarkson were with me for part of the classes, and they were very complimentary of what they saw as well.  I appreciate our related arts teachers opening up your doors to colleagues and sharing some great teaching and learning ideas.

Striking Up the Band:

I enjoyed hearing our GCMS Pep Band play at the GCMS basketball games recently.  I appreciate the band coming out to play at a girls game and a boys game each year.  It adds so much to the atmosphere to have the band playing.  Great job, Cougar Band!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Laura Goff for being chosen as one of 15 Kentucky social studies teachers for the McConnell Center’s upcoming professional learning for teachers in Boston, Massachusetts in February.  Also, congratulations to Ellen Thomas for being chosen as first alternate for this program.  My only concern is that these ladies go to Boston and get snowed in by three feet of snow and we don’t see them again until after the spring thaw!  Hopefully, it will be a mild winter. 

Also, congratulations to Stacy French on earning her National Board Certification!  This is a great accomplishment.

Congratulations, ladies!

Instructional Rounds:

The instructional rounds date at GCMS has been set for December 10.  I will send out a detailed schedule as the date gets closer, but I would like for you to go ahead and mark your calendars for that date.  The teams will be in each classroom observed for 10 minutes and will be looking specifically at our use of questioning.  I will send out the revised Problem of Practice and guiding questions in the near future as we discussed at Monday’s faculty meeting.

Quote of the Day:

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” ~Aristotle

Coming Attractions:

Nov. 19…GCMS Boys Basketball hosts Edmonson Co., 5:00

Nov. 23…GCMS Girls Basketball hosts St. Romuald, 5:30

Nov. 25-27…No School, Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 10…Christmas Breakfast provided by GCBOE

Dec. 10…Instructional Rounds at GCMS

Dec. 11…Christmas Lunch catered by Kay’s Café

Dec. 21-Jan. 1…Christmas Break

The Wheels Keep Spinning!

This Week at GCMS:

It’s been a long, busy week at GCMS and still more to come!  With three home ballgames, 2 assemblies, a board meeting, etc., I know that everyone will be glad to get to the weekend.  I want to thank everyone for their efforts this week and throughout the school year.  I have just a few notes to share as our week draws to a close.

Veterans Day:

I would like to thank everyone for a great Veterans Day program on Wednesday.  We had about 35 veterans in attendance, and our students did a wonderful job of being respectful and appreciative.  I would like to specifically thank our GCMS staff members who are veterans:  Ellen Thomas, Mike Blair, and Eddie Dennison.  I would like to thank our GCMS chorus, band trumpet players, and Boy Scouts for an outstanding job as well.  Our students do not get many opportunities to participate in patriotic programs, so it is good for them to have the opportunity.  Thanks to all.

Friday Assembly:

Just a reminder, motivational speaker and juggler, Paul Kelly will be putting on an assembly in the gym during 1^st period tomorrow (Friday).  Come on down to the gym and help supervise the students.  It is fine for related arts to go ahead and have your PLC meeting.  We will go straight to 2^nd period when we dismiss from the gym.

Faculty Meeting:

We will be having a faculty meeting after school on Monday, November 16.  I want to spend some time going over the instructional rounds process and upcoming December visit by district administrators.  I will share the “problem of practice” and guiding questions that the observers will be focusing on that day.  Also, Mr. Parker will share information about the importance of formative assessment.  All teachers should plan to stay that afternoon.

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

We are offering an additional parent/teacher conference opportunity next week on a “by appointment” basis.  We have set a three day window for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for conferences during planning periods and/or right after school.  I hope that we have several parents to take advantage of this additional opportunity.  I appreciate our teachers being flexible with scheduling these conferences.

Quote of the Day:

“Example is not the main thing in influencing others.  It is the only thing.”  ~Albert Schweitzer

Coming Attractions:

Nov. 12…GC BOE meeting at GCMS, 6:00

Nov . 13…”Juggling Up the Ladder” assembly 1^st period

Nov. 16…Faculty Meeting, 3:00

Nov. 18…Dress for Success Day

Nov. 18…SBDMC Meeting, 3:15

Nov. 25-27…No School, Thanksgiving Break

Short Week News

This Week at GCMS:

It has been a short week but a very productive week at GCMS.  With students out Monday and Tuesday, we were able to have a beneficial PLC Day on Tuesday at GCMS.  Steph Jenson from Boys’ Town shared with us a presentation on relational aggression, bullying, and strategies to help our students be more successful.  I feel that we can work the social skills lessons into our current structure for teaching expectations.  Thanks for a great day of professional learning!

New Personnel:

I would like to welcome some new staff members to GCMS!  I am recommending Ms. Dana Drane for our new special education unit teacher position.  The board of education has created this position due to our units being over caps this year.  I would also like to welcome Halee Johnston, who is subbing in the 6^th grade special education co-teacher position created with Nell Elmore’s retirement.  I know that you will join me in welcoming Ms. Drane and Ms. Johnston!

GCMS Boys Basketball:

Our GCMS boys basketball teams kicked off the new season with victories on the road last week and will have their first home game of the season Thursday night starting at 5:30.  Girls’ basketball season is also in full swing, so I encourage everyone to get out and support our teams.  The kids love it when there are big crowds, and they love to see teachers and classmates along with their parents at the games. 

Morning Announcements:

It is important that all teachers show the morning announcements power-point.  I know that first period is short, but there are announcements on the power-point that the students need to be aware of.  When teachers fail to show the announcements slides, students are missing out.  We can move quickly through the slides, and most days the announcements can be completed in 5 minutes or less.  Thanks.

Supervision:

As always, it is very important for teachers and staff to be very visible in supervising students during the school day.  Steph Jenson spent some time discussing this on PLC day.  One time that is especially important is during the class changes.  Students are much less likely to engage in inappropriate behavior if they know that teachers are watching.  Thanks for your efforts in this area.

Quote of the Day:

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” ~Thumper from “Bambi”

Coming Attractions:

Nov. 5…GCMS Boys Basketball hosts Owensboro, 5:30

Nov. 6…6^th graders from Clarkson go to CES, 12:15-2:00

Nov. 11…Veterans Day program, 7:45 am

Nov. 12…GC BOE meeting at GCMS, 6:00

Nov . 13…”Juggling Up the Ladder” assembly 1^st period

Nov. 16…Faculty Meeting, 3:00

Nov. 18…Dress for Success Day

Nov. 18…SBDMC Meeting, 3:15

Nov. 25-27…No School, Thanksgiving Break

Good Bye October!

This Week at GCMS:

Halloween week, Red Ribbon Week, and a full moon…if that is not the perfect storm, I don’t know what is!  I appreciate everyone working hard and taking care of these 1,010 wiggly kids this week.  I hope that everyone enjoys the well-deserved long weekend.

A Bright Future:

Thinking about the makeup of our faculty at GCMS, we have a great mix of veteran and newer teachers.  Our core of veterans is very strong and provides great teacher leadership.  Mr. Whitmore, Mrs. Miller, and I have recently completed the first round of mini-observations for all of our non-tenured teachers, and I would just like to say that the future is very bright at GCMS!  Our newest teachers are doing a fantastic job with GCMS students!  It is so renewing and inspiring to see the enthusiasm and energy in these classrooms.  Keep up the great work!

Tuesday PLC Day:

We have a special guest speaker here for our PLC Day on Tuesday.  The sessions will be on relational aggression, conflict, and bullying.  We all know that middle school is the peak age group for bullying behaviors.  It is also the peak age group for many other inappropriate behaviors.  I believe this will be a very beneficial day for our staff.  We will meet in the library at 8:00 on Tuesday morning.

Boys Basketball:

Our GCMS boys basketball teams began the season this week with victories at Whitesville.  Our first boys home game will be this coming Thursday night, November 5 at 5:30.  Come out and support the Cougars!

Congratulations Band!

Our GCHS marching band finished in the top 4 at regionals and will be competing at state semi-finals in Bowling Green on Saturday.  There are many middle school band students who also participate in high school band, and we are very proud of them.  Good luck band!

Second Quarter Parent/Teacher Conferences:

Our parent involvement committee has recommended that GCMS have parent/teacher conferences during the 2^nd 9 weeks.  Rather than having an additional evening conference, we will offer conferences on three consecutive days during planning and/or right after school.  These conferences will be by appointment and may be whole team if desired.  Please mark this on your calendar for November 17, 18, 19.  That’s the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the week before Thanksgiving week.  I will announce it to parents a week or so in advance so that they can contact teachers if they would like a conference.

Quote of the Day:

“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.” ~Henry Ford

Coming Attractions:

Nov. 2…No School

Nov. 3…PLC Day (election day)

Nov. 5…GCMS Boys Basketball hosts Owensboro, 5:30

Nov. 11…Veterans Day program, 7:45 am

Nov. 12…GC BOE meeting at GCMS, 6:00

Nov . 13…”Juggling Up the Ladder” assembly 1^st period

Nov. 16…Faculty Meeting, 3:00

Nov. 18…SBDMC Meeting, 3:15

Changing Seasons

This Week at GCMS:

It has been another busy week at GCMS, and I have just a few notes to share this afternoon.  The school year is moving right along.  We started the second quarter of the school year this week!  As the weather turns colder and the leaves change colors, it is important that we are firmly settled in to our learning systems and routines.  Thanks for all that you are doing to help our students succeed.

Red Ribbon Week:

This year’s Red Ribbon Week is scheduled for next week, Oct. 26-30 with themed days each day of the week.  Monday will be Wear Red Day for “respect yourself and be drug free.”  Tuesday will be Mustache Day and Mix It Up Day (everyone should wear mix matched clothing/I mustache you not to do drugs).  Wednesday will be Super Hero Day (be someone’s hero).  Thursday will be Favorite Team Day (be a drug free team).  Friday will be Costume Day (wear a scary, funny, original, or group costume and “say boo to drugs”).  We will have a costume contest in the gym on Friday morning with the categories of scariest, most original, and best group.  Please remind students not to wear masks. 

Lady Cougar Basketball is Here:

Our GCMS lady cougar basketball teams have gotten off to a great start to the new season and had our first home games of the season this week.  Please try to get out and support these young ladies as they compete and represent our school.

Second Quarter Parent/Teacher Conferences:

Our parent involvement committee has recommended that GCMS have parent/teacher conferences during the 2^nd 9 weeks.  Rather than having an additional evening conference, we will offer conferences on three consecutive days during planning and/or right after school.  These conferences will be by appointment and may be whole team if desired.  Please mark this on your calendar for November 17, 18, 19.  That’s the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the week before Thanksgiving week.  I will announce it to parents a week or so in advance so that they can contact teachers if they would like a conference.

Thank You Team 1:

I enjoyed observing the Team 1 Showcase Lessons this week.  The students and teachers were highly engaged in each classroom.  I appreciate you opening up your classrooms to share with your colleagues in this way.  Please remember, all teachers except those doing peer observation (6^th grade and peer observers) should participate in the showcase lesson days by observing in the designated team.  This is a great way to share effective teaching strategies.

Dress for Success was a Success:

We had a good level of participation in our second Dress for Success Day of the school year.  Please encourage your students to participate.  This will be held on the third Wednesday of each month during this school year.

Quote of the Day:

“Failure is success if we learn from it.” ~Malcolm Forbes

Coming Attractions:

Oct. 22…GCMS Girls Basketball hosts Hancock Co., 5:30

Oct. 23…Walkthon Rewards, 6th/7th periods

Oct. 26-30…Red Ribbon Week

Nov. 2…No School

Nov. 3…PLC Day (election day)

Welcome Back!

This Week at GCMS:

Welcome back after the well-deserved week off for Fall Break!  I hope that everyone enjoyed the week and hopefully got to relax and enjoy some time with family and friends.  I have just a few notes to share today as the week winds to a close.

Congratulations!

I would like to congratulate Tori Banks Dangerfield on her recent marriage!  I am working on calling her by her new name when I dismiss her lunch group each day, and I can tell the students are trying to get used to the name change as well.  They give me a puzzled look for a couple of seconds and then proceed on their way.  Anyway, we are very happy for you, Tori!

Test Scores:

KPREP test scores for GCMS were something of a mixed bag this year.  Our overall score dropped by 7 tenths of a point this year leaving us at the 64^th percentile among Kentucky middle schools.  While most middle schools did drop this year, we are never content with any sort of a drop.  Our work this year will target our need areas, and I am confident that GCMS scores will increase as they have continuously done over the years.  I don’t want anyone to be discouraged, and I encourage you to continue your diligent work to help GCMS students learn and achieve at the highest levels possible.

Faculty Meeting on Monday:

I know that everyone has had a little time to digest the latest KPREP test scores, and we will continue to look at our scores after school on Monday.  I also understand that there is a contest going on that will culminate at Monday afternoon’s meeting.  We might even have some free cheese at the meeting. 

Quote of the Day:

“When you have a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice.” ~William James

Coming Attractions:

Oct. 16…end of 1^st nine weeks

Oct. 16…GCHS Band to perform at GCMS, 1:45

Oct. 19…faculty meeting, 3:00

Oct. 20…Team 1 Showcase

Oct. 20…GCMS Girls Basketball hosts Butler Co., 5:30

Oct. 21…Dress for Success Day

Oct. 21…GCMS SBDMC Meeting, 3:15

Oct. 22…GCMS Girls Basketball hosts Hancock Co., 5:30

Oct. 23…Walkthon Rewards, 6^th/7^th periods

Oct. 26-30…Red Ribbon Week

Welcome to October!

Fall Break Already?

The scriptures say “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.”  (James 4:14)  I think that this passage certainly applies to the first eight weeks of the school year!  It seems like we just started school, but here we are about to start fall break.  Everyone has worked really hard to get off to a great start, and I appreciate your efforts.  Please enjoy your break, spend some time with family and friends, and get some well-deserved rest.  Thanks for all that you do!

Walkathon:

Thank you to everyone who helped out with this year’s GCMS Walkathon!  As of Cougar Note press time, we are very close to breaking the school record for walkathon fundraising at close to $21,000.  I appreciate all of the work of our Related Arts teachers and Title teachers in organizing and supervising the walkathon, and all of our students and staff for such enthusiastic support of our annual school-wide fundraiser. 

School Report Card:

The annual school report cards are now available to the public.  I know that I shared some basic information about our GCMS results already, but if you would like to check out our school report card in more detail, you may go to the KDE website and view our school report card as well as those of other schools in Kentucky.  Go to http://applications.education.ky.gov/SRC/ to see school report cards.  Some areas showed improvement for GCMS students, while a couple of areas were down.  I think that it is important to look at the 4 years of data that I shared with team leaders yesterday.  Every assessed area has shown growth over the past four years, and every assessed area has seen steady novice reduction.  This is due to the hard work of the students and teachers at GCMS!  Keep up the great work!

Manufacturing Week:

Thank you to everyone who helped out with the 2^nd annual Grayson County Manufacturing Week.  We had guest speakers from local industries here to speak to 8^th graders for three consecutive mornings, and our 8^th graders got to tour a local manufacturing plant yesterday.  One team visited MTD, one toured Plastikon, and one team went to Kelley Beehive Company.  It is very important for our students to start thinking about what type of jobs are available right here in our community.  Thanks to everyone who helped out.

Quote of the Day:

“Dig the well before you are thirsty.” ~Chinese Proverb

Coming Attractions:

Oct. 1…..GCMS Walkathon

Oct. 2-11…Fall Break

Oct. 16…end of 1^st nine weeks

Oct. 16…GCHS Band to perform at GCMS, 1:45

Oct. 19…faculty meeting, 3:00

Oct. 20…Team 1 Showcase

Oct. 21…Dress for Success Day

Oct. 22…GCMS SBDMC Meeting, 3:15

Oct. 23…Walkthon Rewards, 6^th/7^th periods

Oct. 26-30…Red Ribbon Week

We Are Grayson!

This Week at GCMS:

We have had another positive and productive week at GCMS!  We had a good crowd of parents in attendance at Tuesday evening’s parent/teacher conferences.  It was good to see lots of smiling faces and hear many productive conversations about student progress.  Thanks for putting in the extra time to make our conferences a success.  I enjoyed the pep session for our Football Cougars this morning.  The students showed good school spirit in cheering for their classmates this morning.  I have just a few notes to share as this week winds down.

Here Comes Joe!

As a student reward, Mr. Whitmore and our KYCID committee has arranged for world champion basketball dribbler, Joe Odhiambo,  to put on an assembly at GCMS this coming Monday afternoon.  All students who have not had a discipline referral this school year will be eligible to attend the assembly.  This promises to be a great performance and a well-deserved reward for our students!

Manufacturing Week:

We appreciate local industries helping us to offer Manufacturing Week activities for our 8^th grade students.  There are some nice displays set up in the front lobby, and guest speakers from local industries will be here to speak to all 8^th graders on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday during first period in the auditorium.  Our 8^th grade teams will be touring local factories on Wednesday morning.  We hope that we can continue this initiative each year to expose our students to opportunities right here in our own community.

Supervision:

It is very important to always help supervise students during class changes.  Please be visible at your doorway or in the hallway or restroom areas as much as possible.  Students are much less likely to misbehave if you are there.  As the year progresses and students start feeling more comfortable, many will also become more likely to horseplay and rough-house in the halls and restrooms.  Please remind them of our expectations and be as visible as possible.  Thanks.

Quote of the Day:

“If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” ~Frank Clark

Coming Attractions:

Sept. 23...GCMS Football hosts East Hardin, 5:30

Sept. 24, 28, 29…Manufacturing Speakers for 8^th grade, 7:50-8:20 am

Sept. 28…Joe Odhiambo Assembly, 1:30 (for all students with no discipline referrals so far this year)

Sept. 30…Factory Tours for 8^th grade, leave GCMS at 8:10 am, return at about 10:00 am

Oct. 1…..GCMS Walkathon

Oct. 2-11…Fall Break

All About Success at GCMS

This Week at GCMS:

It’s been another very busy week at GCMS!  I enjoyed getting to spend some time in lots of classrooms this week and saw some great teaching and learning in action! 

Extracurricular Activities/High School Participation:

We are very proud of our many students who participate in sports and extracurricular activities.  I probably talk more about our football, basketball, and volleyball participants because their activities take place right here on our campus, but we also have a large number of students who participate in high school programs.  Many middle school students participate in high school band, soccer, cross country, track, volleyball, golf, baseball, softball, tennis, and more.  We are very proud of all of these students who go above and beyond!

Thank You Team 2:

We appreciate Team 2 opening up your classrooms for your colleagues to observe lessons today.  This is a great way to see new strategies as well as new approaches to using old strategies.  I found the lessons very interesting, everything from finding the author’s purpose in local stories and advertising to human sensitivity to touch with toothpicks to a Socratic seminar on Columbus to scientific notation in real world math.  The students were highly engaged in every classroom.  I heard many positive comments and conversations about today’s lessons!

Dress for Success was a Big Success:

Our first Dress for Success Day went very well on Wednesday!  We had a high level of participation, and those who dressed up really seemed to feel good about themselves yesterday.  Our Culture and Climate Committee has planned to have Dress for Success Day on the third Wednesday of each month during this school year. 

PGP and Student Growth Goals:

Most teachers have already submitted your self-reflection, professional growth plan, and student growth goals into CIITS.  Thank you for getting this taken care of.  Tomorrow is the due date that I have asked for all of these tasks to be in CIITS.  The assistant principals and I have enjoyed talking with teachers about goals for the year, and we look forward to supporting and assisting with the accomplishment of these goals.

GCMS Expectations Drawings:

Our students have done a great job of memorizing the GCMS Expectations:

Give Your Best Every Day 

Consider and Respect Others

Make a Positive Difference 

Strive for Excellence

Our next step is to have teachers to recognize examples of students carrying out one or more of the expectations.  We would like for teams to submit two names for a weekly drawing for prizes.  Teachers, see Mr. Whitmore’s earlier email for more details.

Quote of the Day:

“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” ~Swedish Proverb

Quote of the Day:

Sept. 18…PGPs and SGGs are due in CIITS

Sept. 18…Progress Reports go home

Sept. 21…Walkathon Kickoff, through Related Arts classes

Sept. 22…Aladdin Performance (3 shows, see calendar for times)

Sept. 22…Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4:00-6:00

Sept. 23...See You at the Pole, 7:30 am

Sept 24…High Attendance Day in KY

Sept. 24…Orange and Blue Day, 7:45 am pep session for football teams

Sept. 28…Joe Odhiambo Assembly, 1:30 (for all students with no discipline referrals so far this year)

Oct. 1…..GCMS Walkathon

Oct. 2-11…Fall Break

September Already!

This Week at GCMS:

It has been another busy week at GCMS!  I was thinking this morning how quickly time has past over the past nine years.  We had a young lady here as a substitute teacher yesterday who was an 8^th grader my first year as principal, and we have a young lady subbing here today who was a 7^th grader my first year as principal.  When did we approve teenagers as substitute teachers??  I’m still as young as ever, so there has to be an explanation!  I have just a few notes to share as this week comes to a close.

Congratulations:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Nell Elmore for her many years of work and dedication to the students of GCMS.  Nell has decided to retire from teaching as of the first of November.  We will all miss Nell and wish her the very best in retirement.

Dress for Success Days:

GCMS has declared every 3^rd Wednesday to be Dress for Success Day at GCMS!  We tried this in the spring and had a very good response.  The students seemed to really feel good about themselves when they were all dressed up.  Our first Dress for Success Day of the school year will be this coming Wednesday, September 16.   Please encourage all of your students to participate.  If anyone has neck ties, bow ties, or other dress clothing that you would like to donate, that would be great!  Let’s make Dress for Success a big success at GCMS this year!

Orange and Blue Fridays:

GCMS has declared every Friday to be Orange and Blue Day at GCMS!  We are encouraging all students and staff to wear orange and blue to show your school spirit each Friday this school year!

GCMS Takes the Bronze!

Grayson County Middle School is one of 12 Kentucky schools receiving the 2015 National Healthy Schools Bronze Award for leading comprehensive health, physical activity, and wellness efforts during the 2014-2015 school year. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation will recognize each school at the National Healthy Schools Award for transforming their environment into a healthier place at the Leaders’ Summit.  To earn the Award schools improved their nutrition and wellness services and physical activity programs to meet or exceed stringent standards set by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program. 

School Publicity:

Whenever you are doing an especially good learning activity and would like some publicity for our kids and our school, feel free to contact Caryn Lewis at the central office.  Caryn is great about coming out to the schools, snapping photos, and writing stories to publicize the great things going on in Grayson County schools.  Just give her a call or an email, and she can get your class on the website or in the papers.

KTRS and Social Security:

GCEA plans to have someone here at GCMS all day on Monday to share information about the crisis with our Kentucky Teachers Retirement System and the correlation with Social Security’s windfall elimination.  Even if you are a young teacher and see retirement as a distant notion, you need to be aware of how the system works and the nature of the present situation with teachers retirement.

Team 2 Showcase:

Our first showcase lesson day of the school year is planned for this coming Thursday, September 17.  Please stop by and visit in a Team 2 classroom during your planning period that day.  We appreciate Team 2 opening up your classrooms to your colleagues and sharing teaching and learning strategies that are working well for you!

Quote of the Day:

“If you don’t think every day is a good day, just try missing one.” ~Cavett Robert

Coming Attractions:

Sept. 14…GCEA Rep. in the library (KTRS/Social Security Info), all day

Sept. 16…Dress for Success Day at GCMS

Sept. 16…GCMS Site Based Council meeting, 3:15

Sept. 17…Team 2 Showcase Lessons

Sept. 18…PGPs and SGGs are due in CIITS

Sept. 21…Walkathon Kickoff, through Related Arts classes

Sept. 22…Aladdin Performance (3 shows, see calendar for times)

Sept. 22…Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4:00-6:00

Sept. 23...See You at the Pole, 7:30 am

Sept. 24…Orange and Blue Day, 7:45 am pep session for football teams

Sept. 28…Joe Odhiambo Assembly, 1:30 (for all students with no discipline referrals so far this year)

Oct. 1…..GCMS Walkathon

Oct. 2-11…Fall Break

Laboring On Toward Labor Day

This Week at GCMS:

Everyone at GCMS has been abuzz this week, and the students too!  It is fair week in Grayson County, and that always means lots of excitement is in the air.  From pageants to thrill rides, the fair has something for just about everyone…and it also makes things interesting around the schools.  Thanks for your patience with our students this week, as our Cougars are roaring a little louder than usual around GCMS this week!  I have just a few notes to share as our week comes to a close.

Friday PLC Day:

We will start our PLC Day tomorrow morning at 8:00 in the library.  Our agenda will include several items inc

• Tech Tools…….Becky Miller
• PBIS Universal Screener……..David Whitmore
• Discrimination Issues……….Jim Blain
• Student Growth Goals………Blain/Whitmore            
• Cite Lighter Training (8^th Grade Teachers and   Related Arts who have 8^th graders)….Miller
• Lunch (on your own)
• Testing Data (individual student scores to teachers who have the students this and last year)…..Becki Pearl

Great Start With Discipline/Behavior:
Mr. Whitmore sent out the August Discipline Report a couple of days ago, and it was a very impressive report.  I hate to jinx us, but only 16 referrals in 15 school days was our best month ever, and zero fights for the first month of school is un-heard-of. 
 

Fast Path Signage:

Some of our students and staff have been asking about the new signage hanging in the hallways at GCMS today.  These signs are for the new Fast Path program designed to allow emergency responders to locate classrooms in school buildings more quickly in the event of an emergency.  While the signs are mainly for use by emergency responders, we plan to have training for our staff as well, so that we are all familiar with the system.

Quote of the Day:

“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” ~Margaret Thatcher

Coming Attractions:

Sept. 3….GCMS home football game, 5:30

Sept..4…PLC Day (no school for students)

Sept. 7…Labor Day (no school)

Sept. 8…Meet the Lady Cougars Night, 6:00

Sept. 10…Program Review Committee, 3:30

Sept. 14…GCEA Rep. in the library (KTRS/Social Security Info), all day

Sept. 16…Dress for Success Day at GCMS

Sept. 17…Team 2 Showcase Lessons

Sept. 18…PGPs and SGGs are due in CIITS

Sept. 21…Walkathon Kickoff, through Related Arts classes

Sept. 22…Aladdin Performance (3 shows, see calendar for times)

Sept. 22…Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4:00-6:00

Sept. 23...See You at the Pole, 7:30 am

Sept. 24…Orange and Blue Day, 7:45 am pep session for football teams

Sept. 28…Joe Odhiambo Assembly, 1:30 (for all students with no discipline referrals so far this year)

Oct. 1…..GCMS Walkathon

Oct. 2-11…Fall Break

Seems a Lot Like Middle School!

This Week at GCMS:

It has been another busy week around GCMS, as we hit full stride in the third week of the school year.  I told someone this morning that it seems “like middle school” around here this week!  That’s not necessarily bad or good, but anyone who has ever worked in a middle school would understand what that means!  I have just a few notes to share as this week winds down.

Principal’s Advisory Council:

I now have all of the student names for this year’s PAC (Principal’s Advisory Council).  Please encourage students who may have sincere ideas for making our school better to talk to their team representative.  We will plan to have the first meeting of the PAC next Wednesday during first period.  Here are the names of this year’s group.

Team 1…Hunter Pendergest

Team 2…Tallin Smart

Team 3…Nolan Shartzer

Team 4…Cheyenne Decker

Team 5…Grant Manion

Team 6…Stetson Higdon

Team 7…C.J. Johnston

Team 8…Sophia Elmore

Team 9…Tanner Rivera

Team 10…Tiffany Clark

McDonald’s MAC Grants:

MAC grant applications are available online at www.mylocalmcds.com/coops/kentuckiana/macgrants.  These grants are in amounts up to $500 for creative classroom activities.  You can apply as an individual or as a team.  GCMS has had several winners in past years.  Give it a shot!  Deadline for application is September 30. 

PLC Day:

We have a busy day ahead on our first PLC Day of the school year, next Friday, Sept. 4.  We will spend some time on PBIS (universal screeners), Student Growth Goals, Questioning, Tech Tools, Cite Liter (8^th grade only), Special Education issues, and PLC s.  If you have specific PD needs or requests for Friday or for future PLC/PD days, please let us know.

Humana Vitality:

Staff from the Grayson County Health Department will be at GCMS on Wednesday of next week (Sept. 2) to do the Fall Vitality Checks.  These checks include Cholesterol, Weight, Blood Glucose, Waist Circumference, BMI, Height, and Blood Pressure.  There is a sign-up sheet at the front counter.  Go ahead and sign up.  You might be an inch taller this year!  See Kristy Hodge’s email from yesterday for more details. 

School Messenger Lists:

If any team, club, or school group needs a School Messenger list set up, please let Becky Miller or Jim Blain know.  It does take some time to set up a list, so it is better to let us know well ahead of actually needing to place a call.  Right now, we are having difficulty with creating new 6^th grade groups, but this should be resolved soon.  Any 7^th and/or 8^th grade call lists can be built as of now.  Just let us know.

Entering Attendance in Infinite Campus:

Please be diligent about entering your class attendance into Infinite Campus every class period each day.  We have had several errors because of teachers failing to post attendance into Infinite Campus.  Also, please do not assume that the first period attendance is correct.  We have to enter attendance based on the students that are present.  If you know for a fact that a student is with intervention or GATE or at the nurse or the office, etc. count them present.  Otherwise, please post the attendance based on the students that are in your classroom.  This is never a job to delegate to a student.  Thank you.

Quote of the Day:

“All things are difficult before they are easy.” ~John Norley

Coming Attractions:

Aug. 31…Suicide Prevention Certificates due (certified)

Sept..4…PLC Day (no school for students)

Sept. 7…Labor Day (no school)

Sept. 8…Meet the Lady Cougars Night, 6:00

Sept. 10…Program Review Committee, 3:30

Sept. 14…GCEA Rep. in the library (KTRS/Social Security Info), all day

Sept. 16…Dress for Success Day at GCMS

Sept. 17…Team 2 Showcase Lessons

Sept. 18…PGPs and SGGs are due in CIITS

Sept. 22…Aladdin Performance (3 shows, see calendar for times)

Sept. 22…Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4:00-6:00

Sept. 24…Orange and Blue Day, 7:45 am pep session for football teams

Sept. 28…Joe Odhiambo Assembly, 1:30 (for all students with no discipline referrals so far this year)

Same Song, Next Verse!

This Week at GCMS:

It has been another great week at Grayson County Middle School.  We have gotten the “first week jitters” out of the way, and most everyone seems to be getting used to the routine of the school year.  Our students are doing a great job following our procedures and expectations.  Please continue to stress the importance of following proper procedures.  Training the students at the beginning saves a great deal of time and effort later in the year!

Thank You GC Central Office Staff!

Thanks again to our Grayson County Schools Central Office Staff for preparing and providing our staff with a very nice cookout lunch on Wednesday.  The rainy weather cleared up just in time, and it turned out to be a very nice day.  We appreciate Mr. Robinson and all of the CO staff for taking time out to do this for our GCMS staff!

Professional Growth Plans:

I have been talking to PLC teams this week about professional growth plans.  Please complete the paper copy of the self-assessment and then follow the template for creating your goals.  You will need to meet with Mr. Whitmore, Mrs. Miller, or me to finalize your PGP, and then it will need to be in CIITS by Sept. 18.  For those who do not have a regular morning PLC meeting, I will place these forms in your mailboxes. 

Clubs/Extracurricular:

If any club sponsor, coach, or director would like to provide information about your group to be sent home to students and/or placed on the school website, please send this information to me this coming week.  A parent at the site based council meeting mentioned that this would be helpful, and I agree.  If you could get that to me by next Friday, August 28, that would be great.

GCMS Virtual Marathon:

As Becki Pearl and Cassie Jarboe shared with you on opening day, we are going to have a virtual marathon for GCMS staff members during the month of September.  The goal will be to walk and/or run a total of 26.2 miles during the month of September.  The cost of entry is $10, which will include a super nice GCMS Marathon tee shirt.  This should be a great way for us to start getting healthier, and I encourage you to participate!  See Mrs. Pearl or Mrs. Cassie for more details.

Suicide Prevention Certificates:

All teachers and other certified staff members should complete the suicide prevention training and turn your certificate in to Mr. Blain or Mrs. House by the end of August.  Just go to www.sptsuniversity.org.  On the left hand side under the Log-In section, click “create new account”.  You choose your own username and password and complete a quick registration.  After you are registered and logged in, choose the module “Making Educators Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention: Act on Facts” (National).  No need to do the South Dakota version.  The program takes about 2 hours to complete (depending on your reading speed, transition time, and if you repeat any video segments), and then you should print off your certificate of completion.  This training is only required of certified employees, but if classified employees are interested; feel free to complete this FREE training.  It would also be good information for parents or grandparents.

Quote of the Day:

“The key is not to prioritize what’s on the schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” ~Steven Covey

Coming Attractions:

Aug. 20…GCMS Home Football, 5:30 pm

Aug. 21…School Picture Day at GCMS

Aug. 26…Team Leader Meeting, 7:15 am

Aug. 31…Suicide Prevention Certificates due (certified)

Sept..4…PLC Day (no school for students)

Sept. 7…Labor Day (no school)

Sept. 18...PGP due in CIITS

Sept. 18...SGG due in CIITS

Back in the Saddle Again!

First Week of School:

Things are back as they should be at GCMS this week as our students have returned from summer break.  Our student population is on the rise this year as we have topped the 1,000 student mark this year.  This is up from about 970 last school year.  We have had a great first week of school, and I have seen lots of smiling faces of students and staff.  I appreciate your efforts in getting things off to such a great start!

Professional Growth Plans:

The assistant principals and I will be visiting PLC meetings in the near future to get the ball rolling on this year’s professional growth plans and student growth goals.  Remember, these will need to be entered into EDS/CIITS by September 18.  In order to do this, we would like to meet with you about your PGPs  and SGGs as soon as possible.  We have a target date of August 28 to have already met with all teachers  about PGP goals.

Walk-Throughs:

I plan to get into lots of classrooms next week for walk-through observations.  Please remember, when I or the assistant principals or central office staff visits, it is not a big event.  Just continue on with the lesson as if we were not there.  Walk-throughs are never a part of anyone’s evaluation.  I look forward to seeing the great teaching and learning that is going on in your classes.

Student Dress Code:

Please go over the student dress code with our students and make sure that they understand what is and is not acceptable.  Dress codes are somewhat different at the elementary level, so it may be a little adjustment for some students.  Please speak to students individually who may be in violation of the dress code and just advise them not to wear the particular clothing back to school if in violation.  If a student is persistent in breaking the dress code, please contact Mr. Blain or one of the assistant principals, and we will be glad to follow up.

Sunshine Club:

On opening day, we discussed the Sunshine Club flower fund being almost empty.  Please stop by the office to give your contribution of $5, $10, or more if you like, to Mrs. Viola.  The school will give gifts in the amount of $35 value for staff members’ first marriage, birth of first child, retirement, or death in the immediate family.  Thanks for supporting your GCMS family in this way.

Emergency Drills:

As we discussed at opening day, we will be having one of each type of emergency drill during the month of August (2 fire drills).  Please stress to students how important it is to take our drills seriously and follow proper procedures.  In the event of an actual emergency, we will be well prepared since we have practiced properly.  Someone asked me this morning, “what should we do if a fire alarm goes off when we are in lockdown?”  That’s a great question, and the answer is to stay in lockdown.  When in lockdown, you should disregard any other alarm or emergency tones that might go off.  

Quote of the Day:

“As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say.  I just watch what they do.” 

~Andrew Carnegie

Coming Attractions:

Aug. 17…First Day for Cougar Bookstore

Aug. 18…Cougar Zone begins, 2:40-5:00

Aug. 19…GCMS Site Based Council Meeting, 3:15

Aug. 20…GCMS Home Football, 5:30

Aug. 21…School Picture Day at GCMS

Aug. 26…Team Leader Meeting, 7:15

Sept..4…PLC Day (no school for students)

Sept. 7…Labor Day (no school)

Welcome Back!

A New School Year!

Welcome back for another year at Grayson County Middle School!  The summer has flown by, and it does not seem possible that our students will be here next week.  As I start my 26^th year and 9^th year as GCMS principal, I want to thank each of you for helping to make GCMS such a great place to live and work each day.  I am looking forward to a great year with our students and staff! 

Great Start!

Things have gotten off to a great start this week.  The building looks great!  Please brag on our custodians when you see them.  They have worked hard this summer to get our building ready.  I heard many positive comments and conversations about our PD sessions from Monday and our Opening Day on Tuesday.  We had a great crowd for Back to School Night on Tuesday night, even in the pouring down rain.  I think the students (and their parents) are ready for school to start! 

Welcome New Staff:

We have two new teachers and a new custodian at GCMS this year.  I know that you will make these folks feel welcome at GCMS!

Paige Shiarella, team 5 math

Shannon Loughran, team 8 ELA

Glen Cottrell, custodian

District-Wide Day:

Our annual district-wide day is scheduled for Friday at GCMS.  Staff from all over the district will converge on GCMS for breakfast and a vendor fair from 7:00-8:30 and then a staff meeting in the auditorium at 8:30.  Lunch will be on your own, and then we will have PD here at GCMS that afternoon.  Our main session will be led by our own GCMS related arts department and will focus on program review processes. 

Restraint/Seclusion/Bullying Training:

Late that afternoon, I will present a power-point on restraint/seclusion and bullying.  Those staff members who have not completed the online training will need to report to the library for that training.  If you still want to do the online training before Friday, just go to http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/catalog/courses/LEAD1103 and click on the enroll button. You will need a PBS TeacherLine or PBS LearningMedia login to enroll. If you do not already have a PBS account, you will be directed to create one.  It’s quick and easy.  After completing this training, just print your certificate and give it to me or Mrs. House.   Remember, this training is for ALL STAFF, certified and classified.

Suicide Prevention Training:

Classified staff members are not required to complete the suicide prevention training.  Teachers, counselors, administrators, and all certified middle and high school employees are required to complete suicide prevention training.  Just go to www.sptsuniversity.org.  On the left hand side under the Log-In section, click “create new account”.  You choose your own username and password and complete a quick registration.  After you are registered and logged in, choose the module “Making Educators Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention: Act on Facts (National)”.  No need to do the South Dakota version.  The program takes about 2 hours to complete (depending on your reading speed, transition time, and if you repeat any video segments), and then you should print off your certificate of completion.  Please return your certificate to Mrs. House before the end of August. 

Technology:

I appreciate Becky Miller and Becki Pearl training our teachers on the new Infinite Campus format.  Like anything, it will take a little time to get used to, but the new features should make things better as we get more accustomed to it. 

As Kevin Butler emailed you yesterday, we are going to use the ticket system for all technology help requests this year.  Please review Kevin’s email for details on how this works if you are not familiar.

Also, we will all use the digital discipline referral this year.  About ¾ of our teachers used the digital referral in Infinite Campus last year, and it went very smoothly.  Let’s completely get away from the old paper referrals this year. 

Teaching Procedures and Expectations:

It is critical that we do a great job of teaching our procedures and expectations at the beginning of the school year.  Things that seem very simple and common sense to us are not so obvious to our students.  Doing this right at the beginning of the year saves us a lot of time and effort in the long run.

Quote of the Day:

“The quality of our expectations determines the quality of our actions.” ~Andre Godin

“My teacher thought I was smarter then I was—so I was.” ~Six year old

Coming Attractions:

Aug 7.…District-wide Day

Aug 10...Not a required work day at GCMS

Aug 11...Students’ First Day of School

Aug 17...Begin PLC meetings (7:30-8:20)

Aug 17...Begin Related Arts teachers first period classes

Aug 19...Central Office Cookout Lunch for GCMS Staff

Aug 19...GCMS SBDMC, 3:15

Aug 21...School Picture Day at GCMS

Aug 26...Team Leader Meeting, 7:15

Aug 28...PGP meetings with admin by this date

Sept 18...PGP’s due in CIITS

Sept 18...SGG’s due in CIITS