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)