Old Man Winter Comes to Grayson County

This Week at GCMS:

It has been an interesting last couple of weeks to say the least!  We have gotten a small dose of what the New England states have been dealing with this winter, and I am thankful it was only a small dose.  It was great to get back in school this week, and I feel like we have had a very good week.  I have just a few notes to share as this week winds down.

Showcase Lessons:

We have two showcase lesson days coming up in the near future.  Team 5 will be having showcase lesson day on Wednesday, March 4, and Team 6 will be having showcase lesson day on Tuesday, March 10.  This is a great opportunity for our teachers to visit colleagues’ classrooms to observe different ways of doing things and different lesson strategies of teaching and learning.  Please mark your calendars and plan to visit during your planning period on those days.

Student Voice Surveys:

We are getting closer to time to conduct our student voice surveys at GCMS.  This is a brand new component of PGES that we will be doing for the very first time.  Mrs. Pearl has developed a schedule, and she has been sharing that with CSI groups this week.  We will have advisory groups to go over the questions to clarify vocabulary and understanding next week.

Backpack Food Program:

As you know, our Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC) works with the local Community Alliance to provide weekend foods for many students at GCMS.  Please make sure that these students always receive their food bags to take home.  There have been a few cases of students not getting their foods and then being without food over the weekend.   None of us ever want this to happen, so let’s all be very diligent about making sure that these students receive their food bags.  Thanks.

Attendance:

We have been having a higher than usual level of absenteeism lately, with both students and staff.  Please encourage your students to be here at school every day.  It is also crucial that our staff be here at school every day to work with our students.  We have some great substitute staff members, but it is the most benefit to our students to have our full time teachers and staff at school each day.  Let’s make it our goal to be here at school each and every day!

Staff Changes for Next Year:

It is that time of year to start thinking about staffing for next school year.  If any staff member has a change coming up, please let me know.  If you are planning to retire or otherwise leave GCMS, please let me know so I can plan accordingly for next year.  Of course, any resignation or retirement would need a written and signed letter of resignation.  Not trying to rush anyone out the door, but that paperwork is required before I can ask the central office to advertise a position.  Also, if anyone desires a change of assignment, please let me know.  I cannot always accommodate such requests, but it is helpful when I know that someone is interested in moving to a different grade level or different subject, etc.

Quote of the Day:

“There is only one way to succeed at anything and that is to give everything.” ~Vince Lombardi

Coming Attractions:

Feb. 27…Allegro Dance Theatre at GCMS, 1:45-2:30

Feb. 27…last day to spend 920X funds

Mar. 2-31…TELL Survey

Mar. 4…Team 5 Showcase

Mar. 9…8^th Grade Night at GCHS, 6:00

Mar. 10-12…8^th Graders register for HS classes

Mar. 10…Team 6 Showcase

Mar. 13-20, Student Voice Surveys at GCMS

Mar. 16…Faculty Meeting, after school

Mar. 18…SBDMC Meeting, 3:15

Apr. 3…All post assessments should be completed for Student Growth Goals.

Apr. 3…All classroom observations must be completed by this date.

Apr. 4-12…Tentative Spring Break dates

Happy Valentines Day from GCMS!

No Phone, No Light, No Motor Car, Not a Single Luxury

We truly do take our modern technology for granted…until we are without it.  With internet down and our phones working on a very limited basis on Wednesday, we are reminded of just how dependent we are on technology.  I hear of schools and districts that claim to be going “paperless,” and I agree that we all need to move in that direction.  That notwithstanding, we must always have a plan B when our precious technology is on the fritz.  My word processor is working just fine on Wednesday afternoon, and I will put this edition of the Cougar Notes into the blog just as soon as internet is restored.  If my word processor breaks down, I also have a couple of pencils within arm’s reach!

Good Luck!

I would like to wish the best of luck to our GCMS boys basketball team.  Our 8^th grade boys team will be competing in the middle school state tournament in Lexington this coming weekend!

I would also like to wish the best of luck to all of those students who will be competing in the annual Grayson County Spelling Bee.  This year’s bee is scheduled for Saturday, February 14 in the GCMS auditorium.

PLC Day (Monday, February 16):

There will be no school for students on Monday, February 16.  This will be the last PLC day of the school year for staff professional training.  We have a variety of activities planned for the staff that day and will try to send an agenda out as soon as we have it finalized. 

Balfour Rep at GCMS (date change):

Mr. Bush will be back at GCMS to take school ring orders on Wednesday, Feb. 18 during lunch.  Students who would like to order a ring should have their completed order form along with a $20 deposit that day.  Please note that this is a change from the original date that I mentioned in last week’s School Messenger call.

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

We had a nice turnout for parent/teacher conferences last night.  There were not as many parents in attendance as we had for the first semester conferences, which is to be expected this time of year.  I know that there were some good meetings and important conversations taking place as we enter a very important time of the year.  It is crucial that students and teachers do not let down in February and March, because the home stretch of the year is not that far away.  I encourage everyone to continue your hard work, and our students will benefit greatly!

Observations: (repeated from last week)

Teachers who still need to have formal classroom observations this year should contact the administrator in charge of your evaluation to schedule an observation date.  Remember, non-tenured teachers are required to have 2 minis, a peer, and a full observation.  Tenured teachers in your summative year (8th grade) are required a peer and a full.  We are scoring Domains 1 and 4 for all of those teachers.  Tenured teachers not in your summative year are required a mini observation only.  Those teachers should also be keeping up with documentation for Domains 1 and 4 and carry it forward for when your summative year rolls around.  Let me or one of the assistant principals know if you have questions about that process.  We would like to get several more completed in February, so there are not so many left for the last minute in March.

Quote of the Day:

“One nice thing about egotists: they don’t talk about other people.” ~George Carlin

Coming Attractions:

Feb. 13-14..Middle School State Boys Basketball Tournament, Lexington

Feb. 14…Grayson County Spelling Bee (at GCMS)

Feb. 16…PLC Day (no school for students)

Feb. 18…Balfour School Ring rep will take ring orders during lunch

Feb. 18…SBDMC Meeting, 3:15

Feb. 23…8^th Grade Parent Night at GCHS, 6:00

Feb. 24-26…8^th Graders register for GCHS Classes

Groundhogs, Volleyballs, Valentines, and All Things February

An Early Spring?

If old Punxsutawney Phil is an accurate prognosticator, we will be enjoying an early spring.  We have been very fortunate so far this winter, unlike folks in the northeast, and have enjoyed mild weather so far.  We are not out of the woods yet, but we have only missed one day of school so far.  Knock on wood that Phil knows what he is doing!  I have just a few notes to share this week.

Personnel Concerns:

Please remember Becki Pearl this week.  Becki’s father passed away this past week.  Karen Likins is still recovering from her recent surgery. Please remember all those who are dealing with health concerns right now. 

Good Luck Cougars!

Our GCMS Cougarbots teams will compete at the state level robotics competition at Northern Kentucky University on Saturday.  Good luck to the team and their sponsors, Melanie Gallagher, Ali Clemons, and Tony East.

Good luck to the GCMS archery team at regional competition this weekend as well.

Volleyball is Here!

Our GCMS volleyball season has started, and our girls are off to a good start.  Come out and see Coach Decker's and Coach Thomas' teams this season.  Our next home match is February 19.  

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

Our spring parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for this Tuesday evening from 4:00-6:00 pm.  This is a great opportunity to have conversations stressing the importance of keeping up effort levels as the school year winds down.  As always, please point out positives about each and every child and then address the areas for improvement as well.  We always need parents to understand that we are all on the same team and want every child to achieve at the highest levels possible.

Observations:

Teachers who still need to have formal classroom observations this year should contact the administrator in charge of your evaluation to schedule an observation date.  Remember, non-tenured teachers are required to have 2 minis, a peer, and a full observation.  Tenured teachers in your summative year (8^th grade) are required a peer and a full.  We are scoring Domains 1 and 4 for all of those teachers.  Tenured teachers not in your summative year are required a mini observation only.  Those teachers should also be keeping up with documentation for Domains 1 and 4 and carry it forward for when your summative year rolls around.  Let me or one of the assistant principals know if you have questions about that process.

Valentines:

Just a reminder, please remind students not to have Valentines Day deliveries sent to GCMS.  We do not have the capacity to deliver these items, and we cannot interrupt the instructional day for this.

Attendance Audit:

Mr. Prunty shared with me this week that the attendance auditors noted that some middle school teachers were not posting their attendance in Infinite Campus for every period, each day.  Mrs. Wilson and I have reminded teachers repeatedly, but this continues to be an issue.  Please make it your new year’s resolution to post your attendance in IC every period, every day.  Thanks.

Attendance Contest:

Mr. Prunty is sponsoring a February attendance contest again this year.  The school in Grayson County with the highest percentage of improvement over February of last school year will win $1500.  Please encourage your students to be present each and every day in February.

Quote of the Day:

“Don’t be afraid to take a big step if needed. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.” ~Anonymous

Coming Attractions:

Feb. 6…Progress Reports will be sent home today.

Feb. 7…GCMS Cougarbots at State Competition

Feb. 10…Balfour School Ring rep meets with 6^th graders

Feb. 13…Balfour School Ring rep will take ring orders during lunch

Feb. 14…Grayson County Spelling Bee (at GCMS)

Feb. 16…PLC Day (no school for students unless changed to a makeup day)

Feb. 23…8^th Grade Parent Night at GCHS, 6:00

Feb. 24-26…8^th Graders register for GCHS Classes