Marching Through August!

                              7th Grader Max Daley and His 582.5 lb State Champion Pumpkin!

Busy Week!

It has been another good week at GCMS!  Last week, I loved hearing weather forecasts saying that the daytime highs this week would only be in the upper 70’s, but somehow the revised forecast is for 94 degrees for this afternoon.  It's false advertising!!!  The GCMS Cougar Football team will have our first home game of the season at GCMS this evening.  The game will start at 5:30, and it should cool down nicely after that.  Come on out and support our boys!

Back to School Cookout:

Staff from the central office plan to be at GCMS on Tuesday to provide our staff with a lunch time cookout!  We appreciate them thinking of us and providing our lunch that day.  Just plan to come to the bus canopy during your regular lunchtime on Tuesday.  Thanks to Mr. Robinson, the central office staff, and our school board members.

Cougar Zone:

Our after school Cougar Zone program got started with week, and we have had very good attendance this week.  Please encourage students to attend.  After an hour of tutoring and homework help, our CZ program has many fun activities for the students to enjoy.  Please check the morning announcement power-point for more details.  There will be no Cougar Zone next week because of the Grayson County Fair.

Data Embargo:

I know that we have been sharing student test scores with teachers for your new students and your last year’s students.  Please do not share the scores with anyone yet.  Our data is currently under quality control and being reviewed for accuracy and any possible discrepancies.  I should be able to share our accountability report toward the end of September. 

Emergency Drills:

I have been pleased with our emergency drills so far this school year.  The police officers who helped us with Tuesday’s lockdown drill were very complimentary of our students and staff and how seriously everyone took the procedure.  As we always tell the students, the better we do with our drills, the better prepared we will be in the event of an actual emergency.  Along that line of thought, Braxton Allen has arranged for a presentation at GCMS during part of our November 8 PLC Day on “Active Shooter Survival”.  The program will be presented at GCMS that morning and then at GCHS that afternoon.  All staff should wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes that day.  I appreciate Mr. Allen getting this set up for our staff.

Quote of the Day:

"I Didn't Set Out to Beat the World; I Just Set Out to Do My Absolute Best." - Al Oerter

Coming Attractions:

Aug. 25….GCMS Home Football Game, 5:30

Aug. 30…Back to School Cookout during lunch (provided by the GC Board of Ed. and Central Office)

Sept. 2…PLC Day (staff only, no students that day)

Sept 5…No School, Labor Day

Sept. 9….due date for PGP and SGG in CIITS

This Week at GCMS!

Back in the Saddle!

Great Start!

By all accounts, our school year has gotten off to a great start!  I appreciate everyone showing such positive attitudes and being diligent about teaching the students our procedures and expectations.  I have also been very pleased with the transition in the front office.  Melanie and Karen have both been very positive additions to our office staff.  Please stop by and welcome them if you haven’t gotten a chance already.  Teachers are well into instruction now, and I am seeing positive teaching and learning all around the building.  Let’s make it our goal to sustain this high level of instruction throughout the school year, and our students will certainly reap the rewards!  I know that everyone is glad to get to the end of our first full week, and I hope you have a great weekend!

Whirlwind Trip:

Teresa and I had a bittersweet trip last weekend as we helped our son Scott make his move to Minneapolis.  He graduated from Vanderbilt this spring and will start his PhD program at the University of Minnesota this fall.  We are so proud of him and are excited about his future, but let me tell you it is tough to leave your child (and yes, I know he’s 22 years old) 800 miles from home.  All went well with the move, and he is very excited about it.  I appreciate so many of you asking about him.

SGG and PGP:

Mrs. Miller sent this reminder yesterday, but in case you missed it, I do want to repeat this information.  Some have asked about due dates for the student growth goals and professional growth plan, so this is a reminder that both of those need to be completed by September 9^th.  Mrs. Miller, Mr. Whitmore, and I look forward to talking with you about goals for this school year.

Suicide Prevention Training:

As you know, all middle school and high school certified staff members are required to complete 2 hours of suicide prevention training.  Most of you have already completed this training and turned in your certificates to Mrs. House.  If you have not done so, please have this turned in by the end of August.

Drink Machines:

After years of GCMS offering the cheapest soft drinks on Earth, we are finally going to have to raise the prices in the RC vending machines because of price increases from our distributor.  The prices will still be cheaper than most places, but I wanted you to know that we had no choice but to increase. 

Quote of the Day:

“There is an advantage in every disadvantage, and a gift in every problem.” ~John Johnson

Coming Attractions:

Aug. 22…Cougar Zone begins (Mon-Thurs, until 5:00)

Aug. 25….GCMS Home Football Game, 5:30

Aug. 30…Cookout during lunch (provided by the GC Board of Ed. and Central Office)

Sept. 2…PLC Day (staff only, no students that day)

Sept 5…No School, Labor Day

Sept. 9….due date for PGP and SGG in CIITS

Jim Blain, Principal

Grayson County Middle School

726 John Hill Taylor Dr.

Leitchfield, KY 42754

Ph. 270-259-4175

Fax 270-259-5875

“The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” ~William James