Sweet Summer, Where Have You Gone?

This Summer at GCMS:

It seems that the summers at GCMS get more active and busy with each passing year.  Our school has been hopping with teaching and learning during June and July, with programs such as Camp Invention, summer reading, 6^th Sense, safe crisis management, etc.  Our custodial crew is getting closer to having the floors finished as they have worked around so much summer activity.  I know that our teachers are champing (or chomping) at the bit to get into the classrooms to get things ready for the new school year, which is right around the corner.  I expect that teachers will be able to access classrooms in the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade hallways after 3:00 this afternoon and until school starts.

The New School Year:

As I begin my 27^th year working in education, I look back at all the changes that have come along, and I am amazed.  So many positive changes have taken place over the years with innovative teaching strategies and new technologies, along with some not so positive, mostly regarding government mandates and social changes.  The main constant I have seen has been the persistent drive of teachers to help students succeed, and students looking to teachers for kindness, encouragement, and positive guidance.  I look forward to the school year, my 10^th as principal at GCMS, and I expect to continue being amazed by the efforts of our students and staff.  Let’s make it a great year!

New Faces:

I want to update you on staff changes and additions that have taken place:

Shane Decker returns to GCMS and will be teaching social studies in Team 4.

Alex Lovell, who student taught with Melanie Gallagher this spring, is teaching math in Team 8.

Bryan Jones joins us after several years teaching in Todd Co. and will teach science in Team 3.

Daniel Priddy crosses the street from Wilkey to join our staff and teach math/reading intervention.

Loren Dudgeon will be our new library aide this year.

Josh Derque will be a one-on-one aide in Team 7.

Changing Places:

Melanie Manion will be our new receptionist at GCMS.

Stacey Escue will move to an aide position in our FMD unit this year.

Tonya Haycraft will work one-on-one with a student in Team 3.

Stacy Pierce will be our new 21^st Century Site Coordinator.

Vickie Hicks will move to Team 6 social studies.

Ali Clemons will move to Team 4 science.

Karen VanMetre will be the new Team Leader for Team 8.

Back to School Dates:

There are many dates that you need to be aware of in the near future.  The new employee breakfast will be on July 29 at Farmer’s Feed Mill in Leitchfield.  The breakfast will start at 7:30.  Our GCMS Opening Day will be on Tuesday, August 2 from 8:00-3:00.  I anticipate our staff meeting will last from about 8-11, and then teachers should have the afternoon to work in your classrooms.  We will also have our GCMS Back to School Open House on August 2, with 6^th graders from 5:00-6:00 and 7^th/8^th graders from 6:00-7:00.  As usual, we will need Title teachers and available aides to hand out schedules in the gym that evening starting around 4:30.  GCMS teachers will have PD on Thursday, August 4 from 8-3, and district wide day will be Friday, August 5 at GCMS.  Breakfast on August 5 will be from 7:00-8:15, and all staff will gather in the auditorium at 8:30.  We will have our district wide session until lunch.  After lunch, each school will go to their own buildings for the afternoon session.  Monday, August 8 is not a required work day at GCMS, and students’ first day of school is on Tuesday, August 9. 

Summer Renovations:
Some of our common areas have received a makeover this summer with the installation of new bleachers and painting in the gym, new carpet to go with our new curtains in the auditorium, and some remodeling of the front hall restrooms.  We appreciate Mr. Robinson, Mr. Crump, and the board for supporting us in getting these needed improvements to our school.

Suicide Prevention Training:

As I emailed you back in June, we are going to use the training from the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide again this year.  This is required for all middle and high school teachers, counselors, administrators,  and other certified employees.  Since most of you completed this training last year, just watch the videos and print off a new certificate.  I had a little trouble with the program wanting to print it with last year’s date on it.  If you have this issue, it is fine to print it with last year’s date, then write in the actual date and initial it.  This does not count as part of our 4 days (24 hours) of PD, so you are welcome to wait until school starts and complete the training during planning time if you like. 

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)”.  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. 

Restraint/Seclusion Training:

As you know, all certified and classified employees are required to have annual restraint and seclusion training.  I will conduct this training during our afternoon session on August 4.  Some of our staff has also completed safe crisis management training this summer and will serve on our SCM core team.  I will send you that list of names as soon as it is finalized.

Quote of the Day:

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.  ~Sydney J. Harris

Coming Attractions:

July 29……..New Employee Breakfast, 7:30 am at Farmer’s Feed Mill

Aug. 2………Opening Day at GCMS, 8-3

Aug. 2………Back to School Night at GCMS, 5-7

Aug. 4………PD for GCMS teachers, 8-3

Aug. 5………District Wide Day at GCMS, breakfast from 7:00-8:15

Aug. 8………not a required day for teachers

Aug. 9………Students’ first day of school in Grayson County

Aug. 18…….School Picture Day at GCMS