Our Many Roles in Life

This Week at GCMS:

The last week of April is winding down, and we move into the final stages of the school year.  Its times like this that I tend to get a little reflective.  Most of you know our daughter, Tessa.  She comes over to GCMS most afternoons after school for a few minutes before Teresa picks her up.  This week, she took the notion to “fix” my nameplate on my desk, where it says “Jim Blain-Principal” and taped a sign over it saying “Jim Blain-My Dad”.  That made me stop and think about the many roles that each of us play in life.  Some are official titles, and some are more important than that.  I hope that as the year winds down that each of you are able to reflect and think about your many roles in life.  Each of us is important to many people, to our students, to our families, to our friends and co-workers.  Never let one role suffer because you get lost in another role.  At the same time, don’t let yourself suffer because you think you have to be all things to all people.  Take care of the ones you love, and thanks for listening to my ramblings. 

Staff Appreciation Week:

With next week being Staff Appreciation Week, I want to take this opportunity to thank our GCMS staff for the hard work and dedication that you show each day.  Your contributions are immeasurable in making a positive difference for the students of our school.  We are planning a staff appreciation lunch on Tuesday as a token of appreciation, so leave that bologna sandwich or micro-mac-n-cheese at home on Tuesday and enjoy a catered lunch on us! 

Operation Preparation:

Thank you to all who are volunteering for this year’s Operation Preparation at GCMS!  I appreciate Mrs. Sims and Mrs. Majors organizing this year’s event.  The 8^th grade year is a great time for students to stop and think about what their future might hold.  Four years of high school go very quickly, and it is so important that students have a plan for the future.

SBDMC Elections:

Congratulations to Jackie Stanton and Kari Ray on becoming our new parent representatives to the GCMS Site Based Council.  I also want to thank Jenny Cummings for her years of service as a parent rep to the council.  The teacher representative elections are still in progress.  Thank you to everyone who has taken interest in serving on the GCMS council.

Cougar Pride Week:

In getting geared up for this year’s K-PREP testing, the students of the Principal’s Advisory Council have planned a “Cougar Pride Week” for May 1-4.  The theme days for students and staff to dress for are:  Monday-Bowties and Tutus, Tuesday-70’s/Disco Day, Wednesday-Hollywood Stars, Thursday-Dress Like a GCMS Staff Member, and Friday-Orange and Blue Cougar Pride Day.  It should be a lot of fun for everyone! 

Quote of the Day:

“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” ~Abraham Lincoln

Coming Attractions:

April 27………GCMS Baseball at Hart Co.

April 27-28….Operation Preparation

April 29….Orchestra Solo and Ensemble Festival at GCMS (also May 13)

April 29….Band Solo and Ensemble Festival at North Hardin

April 29….Beta Club Softball Tournament

May 1-5…Cougar Pride Week

May 2…….Staff Appreciation Lunch at GCMS

May 2 & 4..Future Cougar Nights at GCMS, 5:00 (for current 5^th graders and parents)

The Home Stretch

This Week at GCMS:

We entered the homestretch of the school year this week, with spring break behind us and state testing right around the corner.  It seems that this school year has flown by!  Having so few snow days this year will allow us to finish the school year before the end of May, and most everyone is very happy about that.  I have just a few notes to share as this week winds down. 

Welcome:

We have a new face at GCMS starting this week!  Mrs. Tracy DiFelice has been hired as a one-on-one instructional assistant working with a 7^th grade student.  She has worked at schools in both Kentucky and Georgia, and her husband has retired from the military. They have just recently moved to Leitchfield.  I know that you will make her feel welcome at GCMS. 

Monday Faculty Meeting:

We will have our April teachers’ meeting after school on Monday, April 17.  We will be discussing several items at the meeting dealing with the closing weeks of school as well as thinking toward next school year.  We will go over some reminders about our upcoming K-PREP testing, end of year staff days, Infinite Campus possibilities, and an update from the assessment team.

Sick and Personal Days:

As always, it is important to be at school every day you possibly can.  I know that sometimes health issues arise, and that cannot be helped, but I also know that many staff members come to work even when they don’t feel like it.  I appreciate that kind of dedication and work ethic.  With that said, I want to remind everyone that sick and personal days are for just those reasons.  If you take a sick day, it should be because you are sick or attending to a sick family member.  Each of us get two personal days each year to take for personal reasons.  I sent out an article a few months ago about a teacher in another district who lost her job because of taking sick days to go on a vacation.  Please always follow the policy strictly.  Please let me know if you have questions about this. 

SBDMC Elections:

Site Based Decision Making Council elections are right around the corner.  Nominations will be taken for both teacher representatives and parent representatives to the council from Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21, and both elections will be held on Tuesday, April 25.  Teachers and parents may nominate others or may nominate themselves.  This is a great way to help your school!

Living Well Promise:

If you have chosen one of the Living Well insurance plans, it is required that you complete your Living Well Promise by June 1.  Anyone who has the Living Well plan but does not complete the Living Well online promise or Vitality Check is not eligible to take a Living Well insurance plan next year.  Please let me know if you have questions about this. 

Quote of the Day:

“If you learn only methods, you’ll be tied to your methods.  But if you learn principles, you can devise your own methods.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Coming Attractions:

April 13….Beta Club Induction Ceremony, 5:30

April14….Mid Term Grades go home

April 17-21…SBDMC Nominations

April 17-21…SGG Results Scoring (during CSI or see admin)

April 25….SBDMC Elections

April 28…Completion of summative conferences (non-tenured teachers)

May 15….Completion of summative conferences (tenured teachers)