Back in the Saddle Again!

This Week at GCMS:

It has been great to get back in school this week after our latest round of winter weather.  Our students seem to have responded well and gotten right back into our normal routines.  I appreciate everyone working hard to make sure that our students do not lose ground when we have weather interruptions like we had last week.  Tis the season!

It has been a very difficult week for me personally.  My father has been having some health problems, and spent the past week in the hospital before transitioning to the nursing home yesterday.  We would love to see him get to go home at some point, but at 93, it may be very difficult for his health to get back to where it was.  I appreciate your prayers and so many of you asking about him.

Make Up Days:

It has been decided that February 15 and March 18 will be used as makeup days instead of PLC Days.  Students and staff will be here those two days.  Also, one PLC Day will be held on primary election day, Tuesday, May 17.  As of right now, spring break has not been affected, but this could change if we continue to have bad weather and have to close school additional days.  Stay tuned. 

Welcome New Staff!

I would like to welcome two new staff members to our GCMS family!  Stacey Escue and Annie Zellers will both be working as assistants with students in Mr. Greenleaf's unit.  We are very happy to have both of these ladies joining our staff.  I know that you will make them feel welcome!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the GCMS band on having 19 students to qualify for All District Band!

Congratulations to the GCMS academic team for doing very well at District Governor’s Cup, placing first in FPS, third in quick recall, having a large number of individual student winners, and placing second overall in the district!

Good Luck!

Good luck to the GCMS boys basketball teams in the conference tournament!  The tournament was postponed because of the bad weather, and GCMS teams will begin tournament play on Friday evening at Muhlenberg South Middle School.

Good luck to the GCMS Archery Team at this weekend’s NASP Competition!

Leading To Learning Grant:

There will be an informational meeting at the central office in March about the GRREC Leading to Learn Aspiring Principals program.  This is the third and final cohort of the grant, and it is a great way to get your principal’s certificate through WKU at a greatly reduced cost.  Ashley Johnson and Lea Ann Frank are in the year 1 cohort, and Gary Parker is in the year 2 cohort.  I know that any of the three would be glad to talk to you about the details of the program if you are interested.  Again, this will be the last year of the Aspiring Principals part of the grant, so if you are interested, now is the time.

Quote of the Day:

“To love what you do and feel that it matters…what could be more fun?” ~Katharine Graham

Coming Attractions:

Jan. 29…Boys Basketball begin GRVC Tournament at Muhlenberg South

Jan. 30…Archery Team at NASP Competition

Feb. 1…Balfour Rep to meet with 6^th graders at 2:20 in auditorium

Feb. 2/3…Humana Vitality Check at GCMS, sign up at the front desk

Feb. 8…Faculty Meeting, 3:00

Feb. 16…Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4:00-6:00

Feb. 17…GCMS SBDMC Meeting, 3:15

Batten Down the Hatches!

This Week at GCMS:

Not much action to report at GCMS this week, with the MLK Holiday, one day with students, and then the winter weather cancellations of school.  I took the day off yesterday with the slick roads but decided to come in today since ice and an even bigger snow event is forecasted for tonight and tomorrow.  My driving in snow and ice personality has made something of a full circle over the years.  When I was a new driver in the early 80’s, I didn’t have a vehicle suited to drive in the snow, but I loved nothing better than to get out there and slide around in the middle of it.  My ’74 Chevy was proficient if not distinguished in making donuts on the big parking lot across from Breezy Hill store at Falls of Rough.  When I got married and had a family, I still loved to get out in it, but with 4 wheel drive.  I could make it anywhere, anytime…a regular Klondike Jack.  As I have gotten older and perhaps wiser, I have realized that getting rid of the 4X4 actually gives me a great excuse not to get out there and risk life and limb.  I’m still proficient, if not distinguished, but I realize that there are a lot of novices and apprentices sliding around out there!  The insurance companies and emergency rooms don’t care if those novice drivers are from the non-duplicated gap group or not.  If we have an inch of ice and a foot of snow in the next 24 hours, I will plan to be at the house on Friday.  I would encourage everyone to stay home unless you absolutely have to be out.  Be safe if you do have to be out.  See you after the thaw!

Quote of the Day:

"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily.

"So it is."

"And freezing."

"Is it?"

"Yes," said Eeyore. "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately."

— A. A. Milne

Coming Attractions:

GRVC boys basketball and District Governor’s Cup are scheduled for Saturday but look very doubtful at this point.  Coaches will contact players and parents about any cancellations or rescheduling of events.

Winter Has Arrived!

This Week at GCMS:

Starting the week with our first snow day of the school year hasn’t affected us much this week, as things continue to go very smoothly around GCMS.  The new student drop off procedure out front each morning seems to be going very well, and we appreciate our GCMS parents helping make this a smooth transition.  Car traffic seems to be moving better as more students are able to be dropped off simultaneously.  I have just a few notes to share as this week winds down.

Staff Concerns:

We pass along condolences to Ashley Johnson’s family and Hannah Embry’s family.  Ashley’s grandfather and Hannah’s aunt both passed away this week. 

Please continue to remember those GCMS staff members and families with health concerns.  There are too many to name them all.  Venita Wilson’s father is still in the hospital in Louisville but hopes to get moved to Elizabethtown to a Rehabilitation in the next few days.   

Emergency Drills:

As you know, each school in Kentucky is required to practice every emergency drill several times during the school year.  GCMS students and staff have been doing a great job practicing our emergency drill procedures since we returned from Christmas break.  We had several local policemen, including our own Sergeant Bryan Hammons, to assist with the lockdown drill earlier this week.  Our students and staff did a great job with the lockdown and took it very seriously.  I always encourage our students to react as if the drill is a real emergency, so they will be well prepared in the event of an actual emergency.

Great Job Team 6!

I want to thank our Team 6 teachers for doing an excellent job with showcase lessons this week!   I saw highly engaged students studying everything from photosynthesis to ratios, rates, and proportions to the political system.  Great job Team 6 teachers and students!

Family Resource Survey:

GCMS students received surveys to take home this week regarding services provided by the Leitchfield Family Resource and Youth Services Center.  Our FRYSC provides very valuable services and support for our students and their families.  Students should return these surveys to their teacher by Tuesday, January 19.

MLK Day:

As most of you know, there will be no school on Monday, January 18 in recognition of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Observations:

As you know, all formal classroom observations must be completed by the end of March.  That sounds like a long way off, but it will be here before we know it…and we obviously prefer not to do 60 observations all that last month.  Our 7^th and 8^th grade teachers just need one mini-observation this year.  Our 6^th grade teachers, unit teachers, and Title teachers are in the summative year, so those will need a full observation and show evidence of progress on Domains 1 and 4.  I do not want anyone to complete a huge portfolio for 1 and 4, just an example of how you are meeting each of those 12 components of D1 and D4.  Non-tenured teachers have two minis and a full (unless you were hired later in the school year) and evidence of the 12 components of D1 and D4.  Please review your lesson plans and decide when you would like for your assigned administrator to observe.   

Quote of the Day:

“Adversity is the first path to truth.” ~Mike Murdock

Coming Attractions:

Jan. 14…Parent Involvement Committee, 3:30

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

Jan. 15…Due date for all peer observations

Jan. 18...No School, MLK Day

Jan. 20…GCMS SBDMC meeting, 3:15

Jan. 27-Feb 10…Student Voice Survey Window

Happy New Year from GCMS!

This Week at GCMS:

Welcome back!  I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and holiday season this year!  As we each make our New Year's resolutions, let's all set the goal to do everything in our power to help students be successful at GCMS and beyond.  We had a smooth first week back after the break, and it was good to get back to our normal routines.  I have just a few notes to share with you as the week winds to a close.

Staff Concerns:

We have several staff members and staff members’ family with health concerns right now.  Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers.

Congratulations!

Hats off to the GCMS Beta Club.  These students raised over $3,000 to support Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville through the “Piggies for Preemies” program!

Congratulations to the GCMS cheerleaders for placing as 3^rd Runner Up in the state competition in December!

Student Voice Survey:

Our student voice survey will be given during the window of January 27-February 10 this year.  Becki Pearl is working on the schedule and will be sending that out soon.  All students should have received the passive consent form to take home.  This form should be signed and returned only if the parent does not want their child to participate.  Becki participated in a lync session this week and will be sharing information through PLC groups in the next couple of weeks.

Observations:

As you know, all formal classroom observations must be completed by the end of March.  That sounds like a long way off, but it will be here before we know it…and we obviously prefer not to do 60 observations all that last month.  Our 7^th and 8^th grade teachers just need one mini-observation this year.  Our 6^th grade teachers, unit teachers, and Title teachers are in the summative year, so those will need a full observation and show evidence of progress on Domains 1 and 4.  I do not want anyone to complete a huge portfolio for 1 and 4, just an example of how you are meeting each of those 12 components of D1 and D4.  Non-tenured teachers have two minis and a full (unless you were hired later in the school year) and evidence of the 12 components of D1 and D4.  Please review your lesson plans and decide when you would like for your assigned administrator to observe. 

  

Quote of the Day:

“Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly…until you learn to do it well.” ~Steve Brown

Coming Attractions:

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. 27-Feb 10…Student Voice Survey Window