Autumn is Here!

This Week at GCMS:

The calendar may say Fall is here, but the temperatures are sure not falling yet.  It's been hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalks outside GCMS, but hopefully we will get some relief soon.  It has been another busy week at GCMS, with a variety of activities going on.  I want share just a few notes as the week winds to a close.  I hope that everyone has a nice weekend!

KPREP Data:

The testing data from this spring’s KPREP testing will be available to principals on Tuesday morning and under embargo until 12:00 am on Thursday morning, when it is made available to the public through the KDE School Report Card.  I would like to have a brief meeting after school on Tuesday to go over our results.  Again, we cannot share these results outside the school staff until Thursday.  It will be important to keep this information confidential until Thursday.

Walkathon:

As you know, our GCMS walkathon is quickly approaching, and is planned for next Thursday, September 29.  Please remind students to get their donations in.  Our related arts teachers and others will be setting up tables in the gym each morning next week to collect walkathon donations.  Students may bring money in through Wednesday to be counted toward prizes, and last minute money (to walk) will also be collected on Thursday morning.

Edgenuity Lab:

Approximately 60 GCMS students were referred for our first Friday Edgenuity lab.  I appreciate the work that our Title teachers did today and have committed to doing to provide one more opportunity for our students to succeed.  The number of referrals was somewhat higher than expected, but hopefully that number will decline as the year progresses.  I appreciate all of our teachers and staff working to make sure that our students are successful. 

Manufacturing Week:

Next week is manufacturing week in Grayson County.  We will have guest speakers for the 8th graders at 8:30 on Monday and Tuesday mornings, and then our 8th graders will take tours at local factories on Wednesday morning.  It is never too early to start thinking about what job opportunities are available in our community.  

Around the World Day:

We had a nice turnout for this year’s Around the World at GCMS day, with 125 parents in attendance.  There were lots of smiling faces of kids, parents, and teachers alike, and I heard lots of positive comments during the day.

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

Mrs. Majors reported that we had approximately 475 conferences on Tuesday evening at our first parent/teacher conferences of the year.  I know that many constructive conversations took place that evening as we work together to help students make progress in their learning.

Instructional Rounds:

We are looking at having our school based instructional rounds focusing on assessment at GCMS on October 20.  We plan to conduct observations in the morning and in the afternoon so that we can get into every classroom that day.  The team of observers will complete analysis work after school on the 20^th, and then share the results with the full faculty after school on Monday, October 24.

Quote of the Day:

“Regardless of your lot in life, you can build something beautiful on it.” ~Zig Ziglar

Coming Attractions:

Sept. 26-28…Manufacturing Week Activities for 8^th grade

Sept. 26…Rumpelstiltskin Play

Sept. 29…GCMS Walkathon

Sept. 30-Oct. 7…Fall Break