This Week at GCMS

Another Great Week:

We have had another great week at GCMS!  I felt like we had a productive follow up meeting after our instructional rounds from last week.  We will be continuing the work with the assessment focus and working on those “next level of work” items identified during the process.  Thanks again to everyone who helped with the rounds. 

Red Ribbon Week:

I had a kid ask one day this week, “why don’t we ever have a spirit week at GCMS?”  I responded “you mean where everyone dresses up in different themes each day?”  He said “yes, that would be great!”  I elaborated, “how about school colors one day?”  He loved it.  I went on, “and a camouflage day and a sports team day!”  By this time, he was on to me…”kind of like this week, huh?”  Red Ribbon Week is a lot of fun, but it gets a little crazy as well.  We need to always remind ourselves that if one kid says no to drugs because of these activities, it is well worth the craziness. 

PLC Alternative Plans:

Since there will be no PLC Day on November 8, we are working on plans for an alternative professional training.  This will likely be set up through Google Docs, so everyone can participate and respond digitally.  We will structure the learning so that it is worth 6 hours of professional credit.  This learning will support the focus areas that we are working on and will likely explore the concept of growth mindset.  This will not have to be completed right away.  We will give you plenty of advance notice about the due dates, etc.  More information to come!

School Rings:

Students who ordered school rings from Balfour will have their rings delivered during lunch on November 10.  Students will need to pay their balance in order to pick up their ring. 

Halloween:

GCMS will have a costume day on Monday, October 31, including a costume contest in the gym that morning.  Categories will include 1. Scariest  2. Most Original or Funny  3. Best Group.  Basic guidelines are:  no masks except for during costume judging, any face paint or hair coloring spray should be applied at home and not brought to school and not on the buses, no clown costumes because of media hype and threats elsewhere, and no real or fake weapons of any sort as part of costumes.

Quote of the Day:

“People often tell me that motivation doesn’t last, and I tell them that bathing doesn’t either.  That’s why I recommend it daily.” ~Zig Ziglar

Coming Attractions:

Oct. 24-31…Red Ribbon Week

Oct. 27…Walkathon Rewards

Oct. 31…Costume Contest, 7:45 am

Nov. 1....Boys Basketball Home Opening, 5:30

Nov. 4…KIP Survey (6^th and 8^th graders)

Nov. 7-8..No School in Grayson County (PLC Day postponed)

Nov. 14…November Faculty Meeting, 3:00