The Dog Days of Summer

Cougar Notes:

It’s been “as hot as blazes” this week after the mild temperatures of early August had spoiled us all.  Coach Gary and his staff have been very conscientious about gauging the heat index to make sure our football boys are safe.  I appreciate everyone watching out for safety during the extremely hot conditions that we are feeling right now.  Any outside walking time during lunch should be kept to a minimum when the temperatures and heat index are so dangerously high. Enjoy your weekend, but be safe out there!

Personnel:

We are glad to hear that Nycol Hart’s daughter Anna did very well with her surgery and gets to go home today.  I know that Nycol appreciates everyone’s concern and prayers.  Mary Ann McKinney’s daughter has been having some health issues and has also been in and out of the hospital this week.  Please remember her as well.  Brittany Geary and baby Bentlee are doing great, and we wish them all the best as well.

Safety (from Mr. Whitmore):

As you know, before learning can occur, our top priority is to keep our students and staff SAFE. I want to thank our Safety Committee for volunteering to conduct a GCMS Safety Assessment later this year.  Fortunately, this is the year for our District Team to conduct assessments at each school. The District Team will be at GCMS next week on Wednesday at 8:30. They will be looking for safety, maintenance/custodial, evacuation routes posted and flip charts, and facility issues. This will give the GCMS Safety Committee a jump start before our own assessment in the fall. I have placed  “Hazard Hunt” forms in mail boxes. Please take the time to report any safety/maintenance/policy issues you observe and return them to Mr. Whitmore.

Family Fun Night:

The Grayson County Board of Education has generously arranged a family fun night for the school staffs and our families this coming Wednesday evening at the Leitchfield Aquatic Center.  This will be from 5:30-7:30 pm on Wednesday evening, August 27.  Please let Mrs. House know if you and your family plan to attend.  We appreciate Mr. Anderson and the board for thinking of us in this way.

Next Friday PD Day:

We are looking forward to next Friday’s PD day at GCMS.  Please remember that this is a non-flexible PD day that does count as one of your four required days.  We will spend part of the day analyzing individual student data from this spring’s KPREP testing.  We are allowed to share data with teachers pertaining to students you had last year and/or students that you currently have this year.  For that reason, we will need to conduct this work in our interdisciplinary teams 1-9 instead of our CSI/PLC teams.  We will also have a segment of time devoted to program review that day, a segment of time devoted to KYCID screeners, and a little time to continue our PGES learning.  I look forward to another productive PD day at GCMS.

Principal’s Advisory Council:

I need for team leaders to send me the name of your team’s student representative to the Principal’s Advisory Council.  This student needs to be a well behaved,  hardworking, good citizen,  who is a creative thinker and doesn’t mind to speak up and share ideas to help make our school better.  If you find someone who fits all those criterion, we might want to clone a few more of them!  Thank you to Rita, Holly, and Carla for already sending me their team’s representative.

Self-Reflections and PGPs:

Many of you have successfully entered your PGES self-reflections into CIITS, and about a third of you have also entered your PGP.  Please remember that your PGP should include at least one goal based upon your self-reflection and at least one goal based upon our GCMS school improvement plan or the district improvement plan.  Both goals should match a PGES component. This should be entered into CIITS by August 30.  As I mentioned earlier, teachers should include the following for each goal:

•             What you want to change about INSTRUCTION that will effectively impact student learning.

•             What is the personal learning you will complete in order to make the change?

•             What will the measures of success be (student growth impact)?

Mrs. Purcell shared a simple template with the principals this week that you may want to use:

During the 2014-2015 school year, I will (insert practice that needs to change or improve).

I will (insert personal/professional learning needed to help achieve the goal). 

Growth will be evidenced through (insert measures of success). 

It will be wise to print both your self-reflection and your PGP after entering it into CIITS.  Mr. Whitmore, Mrs. Miller, or I will review your PGP and either approve it or suggest revisions.  Be sure to have two goals and address those three areas for each.  Remember, we will be revisiting your PGP throughout the year, so it is important to “make it real” and use it to impact your professional practice and student learning.

Quote of the Day:

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” ~John Wooden

Coming Attractions:

Aug. 27...Family Fun for GC School Staff at Leitchfield Aquatic Center

Aug. 28…Suicide Prevention Certificates due to Mrs. House

Aug. 29…PD Day Non-Flexible (no students that day)

Sept. 1…Labor Day (no school)

Sept. 8…Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4:00-6:00 pm

Sept. 15…September Faculty Meeting, 3:00

Sept. 16-18…KY Dept. of Agriculture Mobile Science Center at GCMS

Sept. 22-23…EXPLORE Test for 7^th and 8^th grade

Sept. 24…Pinocchio Play at GCMS (for all 3 grades)

Same Song, Second Verse...a little bit smoother than the first!

Cougar Staff:

As we wrap up the first full week of school, I have just a few notes to share.  I feel like we have gotten off to a great start this year.  After the first week of establishing procedures and expectations, we have gotten down to business more this week, and things are progressing well.  I was able to visit several classrooms this week, and I was pleased to see high levels of student and teacher engagement.  I look forward to visiting more classrooms next week.  Have a great weekend, everyone!

Personnel:

Please keep the Marshall family in your thoughts and prayers.  Ann’s brother-in-law, John Marshall, and his fiancé, Dayna Knight, died after a motorcycle accident on Wednesday night.  Mrs. Holley told me that Dayna worked as an assistant at GCMS several years ago before I was principal. 

I know that several GCMS staff members have been under the weather recently.  I hope that everyone is feeling better soon.

Faculty Meeting Monday:

We have a faculty meeting scheduled for after school on Monday.  I do not expect a long meeting.  We will spend some time on PGES items, share a tech tool, and have a few housekeeping items.  I believe we will be finished by 4:00.

Principal’s Advisory Council:

I need for team leaders to send me the name of your student representative for this year’s Principal’s Advisory Council.  Each team should select a student who is a good citizen, hard worker, and good all-around student.  It is also very helpful if the representative is outgoing and willing to speak up and share ideas for helping our school improve for the students. 

Self-Reflections and Professional Growth Plans:

Many of you have successfully entered your PGES self-reflections into CIITS, and about a third of you have also entered your PGP.  Please remember that your PGP should include at least one goal based upon your self-reflection and at least one goal based upon our GCMS school improvement plan or the district improvement plan.  Both goals should match a PGES component. This should be entered into CIITS by August 30.  As I mentioned earlier, teachers should include the following for each goal:

•             What you want to change about INSTRUCTION that will effectively impact student learning.

•             What is the personal learning you will complete in order to make the change?

•             What will the measures of success be (student growth impact)?

It will be wise to print both your self-reflection and your PGP after entering it into CIITS.  Mr. Whitmore, Mrs. Miller, or I will review your PGP and either approve it or suggest revisions.  You will receive an automated email reply to that effect.  Be sure to have two goals and address those three areas for each.  Remember, we will be revisiting your PGP throughout the year, so it is important to “make it real” and use it to impact your professional practice and student learning.

Suicide Prevention Training:

Please complete module 1 of the Jason Foundation training and submit your certificate to Mrs. House before the end of August.  Feel free to work on this during planning time.  This training is found at www.Jasonfoundation.com.  Let us know if you need assistance.

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:

Aug. 18…Faculty Meeting, after school

Aug. 18…Parent Meeting for Teams 1-4, 6:00

Aug. 19…GCMS Football hosts Glasgow, 5:30

Aug. 19…Cougar Zone begin  Tuesday (after that CZ will run Mon-Thurs until 5:00)

Aug. 20…GCMS SBDMC meeting, 3:15

Aug. 22…School Picture Day at GCMS

Aug. 29…PLC Day (no students that day)

And So It Begins!

Cougar Staff:

Thank you for an outstanding first week of school at GCMS!  I feel like we have hit the ground running and that your work teaching procedures and expectations this week will lay the groundwork for a very successful school year.  I have a few notes to share with you as we wrap up the week.  Have a great weekend, and rest up for a five day week!

Personnel:

Congratulations to Bridget Haycraft!  She has been hired as a reading intervention teacher at H.W.Wilkey! We will miss her at GCMS, but at the same time, we are very happy for her.

Please remember the Higgs family from Caneyville.  Justin was an 8th grader in Team 2 last year and tragically died in a four wheeler accident this past Sunday.  Our students observed a moment of silence at GCMS earlier this week in Justin's memory.  Please remember Karen Van Metre’s family.  Her uncle who was her mother’s twin brother passed away this week.  Charlotte McDonald has been under the weather but is back at work today.  We hope she is feeling better soon.  Rita Mullins’ husband suffered a concussion from an accident at work this week, but should return to his work next week.  Stacy Pierce has been going full force as she gets closer to the end of her treatments.  Crystal Bratcher and Venita Wilson are getting closer to being able to kick field goals after both suffering fractures this summer.  I know that there are others that I am probably leaving out, but please always keep your GCMS family in your thoughts and prayers.

Self-Reflections and Professional Growth Plans:

Many of you have successfully entered your PGES self-reflections into CIITS, and some of you have also entered your PGP.  Please remember that your PGP should include at least one goal based upon your self-reflection and at least one goal based upon our GCMS school improvement plan or the district improvement plan.  This should be entered into CIITS by August 30.  As I mentioned earlier, teachers should include the following for each goal:

•             What you want to change about INSTRUCTION that will effectively impact student learning.

•             What is the personal learning you will complete in order to make the change?

•             What will the measures of success be (student growth impact)?

Remember, we will be revisiting your PGP throughout the year, so it is important to “make it real” and use it to impact your professional practice and student learning.

First Period Schedule:

We will start our first period PLC meetings this coming Monday.  Assigned related arts teachers will take the math teachers' groups on Mondays, language arts on Tuesdays, science on Wednesdays, and social studies on Thursdays.  Related Arts PLC will be on Fridays, and advisory will be through teams on Fridays.  Teams can mix and match to even out numbers for advisory, but make sure you turn in accurate attendance.  All PLC meetings will meet in the library starting at 7:30.  Thanks. 

Suicide Prevention Training:

Please complete module 1 of the Jason Foundation training and submit your certificate to Mrs. House before the end of August.  Feel free to work on this during planning time.  This training is found at www.Jasonfoundation.com.  Let us know if you need assistance.

Emergency Drills:

As you know, we are required to complete one of each emergency drill during the first month of school and two fire drills.  Please train your students to take our emergency drills seriously.  It is by being properly prepared that we would handle any actual emergency as well as possible.  As the old adage goes, “when we fail to plan, we plan to fail.”  We must always plan for success.

Grants:

Applications are now available for this year’s MAC grants, sponsored by McDonald’s.  All applications must be postmarked by Sept. 30 to be considered and award teachers or teams of teachers up to $500 for completing a class project (which includes “meaningful, hands-on activities that enhance the learning process”).  Applications will be available at the office.

Warren RECC is sponsoring energy efficiency mini-grants again this year!  GCMS had a winner last year.  You could be next!

Student Health Records:

We still have a large number of sixth graders who have not returned all required medical records.  Each student is required to have a 6^th grade physical and certain immunizations in order to attend.  Please encourage students and parents to get these in to the GCMS nurse’s office ASAP.

Fundraisers:

Just a reminder, all first semester fundraiser requests will be considered at the August 20 site based council meeting.  Booster groups should have all required paperwork (financial reports, officer list, etc.) turned in to Mrs. House before any fundraiser requests will be considered for approval.  Please remember the new board of education guideline is that we are not to approve any processed food sale fundraiser requests, so that means no donuts, pizza kits, cookie dough, cheeses, sweet rolls, soft drinks, etc.  Please complete the fundraiser request form (Mrs. House has these) and include information about specifically what the funds are intended to be used for. 

Travel Vouchers:

Please be aware of a new requirement from the Board of Education.  Any travel vouchers should be submitted within 7 days after the PD date.  This is a new guideline this year.  Thanks.

Teacher Work Day:

As I mentioned on opening day, our teacher work day is 7:30-3:00 this year.  It is still fine for teachers who have their own children at Wilkey to walk over to get them after school if you like, but still, please follow the 3:00 guideline for actually leaving GCMS.  Thanks for all that you do!

Thought for the Day:

I have started having a student to take the microphone and read an inspirational quote each morning in the gym.  The students seem to like this “thought for the day” and having a classmate out in front with the microphone.  I hope to continue this throughout the year.  If you think of a student who would be a good candidate to read the thought for the day, please let me know!

Quote of the Day:

“The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” ~Vince Lombardi

Coming Attractions:

Aug. 14-15...American Fidelity Rep at GCMS (required for all employees; please sign up for your appointment in the office)

Aug. 18…Faculty Meeting, after school

Aug. 18…Parent Meeting for Teams 1-4, 6:00

Aug. 19…GCMS Football hosts Glasgow, 5:30

Aug. 19…Cougar Zone begins  Tuesday (after that CZ will run Mon-Thurs until 5:00)

Aug. 20…GCMS SBDMC meeting, 3:15

Aug. 29…PLC Day (no students that day)

Back to School Dates

Cougar Staff:

Welcome back!  This has been perhaps the fastest summer in memory, and believe it or not, we are only a week from the start of school.  I want to remind you of a few upcoming dates:

Tues, July 29...PD at GCMS, 8-3

Weds, July 30...New Teacher Breakfast, 7:00 am at Farmers

Weds, July 30, Teams 1, 2, 3, and 4 will meet about SBG at 11:00.

Thurs, July 31...Opening Day at GCMS, 8:00-3:00 and Open House, 4:00-7:00

Fri, Aug 1, District-wide Day at GCMS, 8:00-3:00, breakfast at 7:15 (GCMS cafeteria)

Mon, Aug 4...not a required work day at GCMS

Tues, Aug 5...Students' first day

Sweet Summertime!

Cougar Staff:

It is a bit quieter this week as the school year is wrapped up with a big bow finally on top.  Our son, Scott is enjoying his summer study abroad in Denmark, but as usual, Tessa is keeping lots of activity going at the Blain house.  At GCMS, Summer Cougar Zone has started, and Mrs. Manion reports that it is going well.  Preparations are being made for next week’s Camp Invention, with Mrs. Frank serving as Camp Director this year.  Several of our science and math teachers have been here working on standards and plans for next year.  The custodians are working hard on floor waxing and cleaning.  The roofing project on the west end of the building should get started next week.  So “quiet” and “slowing down” are very relative terms when referring to activity at GCMS.  I’m certain that Grand Central Station has its quieter, slower moments as well.

Congratulations:

Again, I want to say congratulation to Mr. Barry Duvall on his retirement from teaching at GCMS.

Congrats also to Mr. Shane Morris on his upcoming wedding on June 21.

Congrats to Mrs. Brittany Geary on finding out that she is expecting a baby boy this fall.

Staff Days:

I feel very good about the progress that was made during our week of staff training days.  PGES is such a huge proposition, but it also holds such huge potential for positive benefit.   I know that nobody savors the prospect of still being in school in June, but the training days really couldn’t have come at a better time.  I am confident that with this “head start” that we will hit the ground running when we return to school at the end of July.  It was interesting to look through everyone’s self-reflections that were completed last week.  I commented last week that I thought that several of our strongest teachers seemed to be the hardest on themselves in the ratings.  Through our administrator training, it is clear that “developing” and “accomplished” will be the most common performance ratings, but there are likely to be a few “ineffective” and hopefully a few “exemplary” in the mix as well.  I heard good comments about last week, and I appreciate everyone’s hard work and positive attitudes.

Data Retreat:

Our School Improvement Team will be attending a data retreat on June 18-20 at Smiths Grove.  We have gathered data from our school with the intentions of developing new improvement goals for this coming school year.  I appreciate David Whitmore, Becky Miller, Becki Pearl, Nycol Hart, Susan Higdon, Amanda Thomas, Lisa York, and Stacy Downs agreeing to help me with this process. 

Math Grant:

Our math teachers will be putting in some days attending Math-Plus grant training in late June.  I appreciate them going the extra mile to make sure that our students have the most effective instruction possible.  Thanks to Melanie Gallagher for heading up the Math Plus grant for GCMS.

Weighting of Grades:

Our GCMS Site Based Council recently revised the No Zero Policy for the coming school year.  Teachers are still not to record zeroes in Infinite Campus, but require make up work, catch up café, test retakes, , etc. to insist on student learning.  The section that has been changed is the weighting of grades section.  No longer will it be required to have a certain percentage summative, a certain percentage daily, and a certain percentage communication pieces.  With our Standards Based Grading Teams basing grades 100 percent on summative assessment, the council granted them an exception to the policy last year.  With more teams volunteering to go standards based next year, the council felt it was more appropriate to change the policy instead of expanding the exceptions.  We do still encourage teachers to based grades largely on summative assessment since that is where students demonstrate mastery.

Fundraisers:

Our school district is making a big effort to reduce fundraisers this coming school year.  The district does not want groups raising money just to be raising money, but to be able to clearly detail what the funds are needed for.  All Redbook forms will need to be filled out from now on.  Fundraisers involving the sale of processed foods (donuts, pizza kits, butter braids, cheeses, sausages, and on and on) are not acceptable for school fundraiser requests this coming year.

Time Flies:

It does not seem possible that I have completed seven years as principal at GCMS!  Mr. Bill Embry was principal for seven years here, so as I begin my 8^th year, the only person who has been GCMS principal longer is the immortal Kenneth Ray, the man who was principal when I was a student in middle school here!  Mr. Ray served as GCMS principal for 10 years in the 1970’s-1980’s.  I have often said that this is the best job that I have ever had, and I appreciate the great staff and students here that make it a pleasure to keep coming back!

Quote of the Day:

“A loving person lives in a loving world.  A hostile person lives in a hostile world.  Everyone you meet is your mirror.” ~Ken Keyes

Coming Attractions:

June 18-20…Data Team Retreat at Smiths Grove

June 24-25..Math Plus grant meetings at GRREC

June 26…Math Plus leadership meeting

July 15-17…Sixth Sense

July 29..GCMS PD Day

July 31...GCMS Opening Day and Back to School Night

Aug. 1….District wide day in Grayson County Schools

Aug. 4…Not a required work day at GCMS

Aug. 5…Students first day of school         

A Job Well Done!

Cougar Staff:

As we wrap up field days and 8^th grade commencement programs this week, I look back and think about how rapidly the year has gone by.  Lots of snow days have impacted our calendar, but the students are still getting out of school in May.  We have a week of staff training days to look forward to, and with the coming of PGES, these days couldn’t have come at a better time.  We will be able to get a head start on the new teacher and principal effectiveness system, and this fall we will be able to hit the ground running as we launch the new system.  Thank you so much for another great year at GCMS!

Personnel:

I know that you join me in wishing Mrs. Stacy Pierce a speedy recovery.  Her surgery on Tuesday went well, and her doctors say that she is making good progress.

Please remember Lea Ann Frank and her son, Paul.  Paul’s grandfather, who lives in Florida is in the final stages of kidney failure and will likely pass away in the next few days.  Lea Ann and Paul will be travelling to Florida to be with him.  Please keep their family in your prayers.

Susan Higdon is continuing to recover from her recent knee surgery.  We all wish Susan a speedy recovery as well.

Carla Butler is as busy as a bee taking care of her baby boy, Lucas.  I know that Carla is and will be a great mom, but we look forward to her return to GCMS as well.

We want to wish the best of luck to Mr. Barry Duvall.  As you all know, Mr. Duvall will be retiring at the end of this school year.  Thank you, Barry, for your years of dedication and perseverance.  You have inspired the love of learning and the love of music in hundreds of Grayson County students over the past 25 years (and 31 years counting time in other districts).  Thanks for everything.  You will be missed.

Field Days:

Thank you to everyone who helped to make our 2014 GCMS field days the most successful in recent memory.  Things went very smoothly, and I know that this is due to the work of our GCMS staff.  The Grand Poobaw, David Whitmore, did a great job as always, and everyone pulled together to make things run smoothly.

Friday/8th Grade Commencement:

We are looking forward to our 8th grade commencement programs on Friday.  It seems like just yesterday when these boys and girls came here as 6th graders, but they have grown up right before our eyes.  As always, it will be important to keep our 6th and 7th graders out of the front hallway on Friday.  Our 8th grade commencement programs will be held in the auditorium at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00.  Classes going to lunch should go around outside either in front or behind the building (bus canopy) to get to the cafeteria.  There are always requests of students to attend the 8th grade programs.  Our rule is simple.  We do allow brothers or sisters of 8th graders to attend if they request.  We do not allow other relatives such as cousins or friends.  Please remember to park either in front of the building or behind the band room.  If you park in front, it is fine to park to the right side of the long lane (John Hill Taylor Dr.) that leads into our front parking lot.

Next Week:

June Staff Days:

As you know, Grayson County Schools will be having staff days on June 2-6 and closing day on June 7.  Here is a basic outline of our schedule:

June 2…Domains 1 and 4

                        Half of Science Dept.: science standards with Elem/HS at Centre on Main in the afternoon

                          Monica Heavrin will meet with our faculty from 1:30-3:00

                          Related Arts:  arts specific sessions in the afternoon

June 3…Morning, TBA

                        Afternoon, Domain 2 and Student Voice

                        Half of Science Dept.: science standards with Elem/HS at Centre on Main in the afternoon

                        Related Arts:  arts specific sessions in the afternoon

June 4…Observations, CIITS, EDS, Certified Evaluation Plan

                        Self-Reflection Survey and Professional Growth

June 5…Data Analysis and Student Growth

June 6…District-wide gathering at GCMS

                         Meal and Touring of local industries          

June 7…Closing Day

Quote of the Day:

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Coming Attractions:

May 29…8th Grade Awards Night, 6:00

May 30…Students’ Last Day, 8th Grade Commencement Programs, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00

June 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 will be staff training days.

June 7…Closing Day

June 9-26…Summer Cougar Zone “Movin’ Minds”

June 9-13…Administrator Meetings at the BOE

June 18-20…Data Team Retreat at Smiths Grove

June 24-25..Math Plus grant meetings at GRREC

June 26…Math Plus leadership meeting

July 15-17…Sixth Sense

July 29..GCMS PD Day

July 31...GCMS Opening Day and Back to School Night

Aug. 1….District wide day in Grayson County Schools

Aug. 4…Not a required work day at GCMS

Aug. 5…Students first day of school        

Sigh of Relief

Cougar Staff:

By all accounts that I have heard, this year’s testing efforts were at a very high level!  Thank you so much for emphasizing the importance of every student giving their best.  I truly believe that our results will be very good when they come back in the fall.  I hope that each of you enjoys your well-deserved three day weekend!

Personnel:

Mrs. Higdon did well with her knee surgery earlier this week.  Please remember her in your thoughts and prayers for a quick and full recovery.

Mrs. Pearl’s mom got a good report from the doctors yesterday.  She took a fall on Tuesday when voting in the Republican primary election and broke her arm and jaw.  The doctors say that the fractures were “clean breaks” and surgery should not be necessary.  I know that you all join me in wishing her a speedy recovery as well.

Thank You:

I want to give a special thank you to all of those who worked on this year’s program reviews for arts & humanities, practical living, and writing.  Our scores look very good, and with program reviews “counting” this coming year in our overall accountability, that is great news.  I appreciate your time and efforts in this process.

Assessment Literacy/Peer Observation:

I appreciate everyone’s hard work on Tuesday during our training in the areas of assessment literacy and peer observation.  Becki Pearl did a great job and a great deal of work in preparing and presenting a lot of important information for us that day.  As far as the peer observations, I will be recruiting a team of GCMS peer observers in the near future.  Let’s approach this in a very positive way from the very beginning.  Peer observations are just a way to help our teachers be more successful and will not be part of anyone’s evaluation.

 

June Staff Days:

As you know, Grayson County Schools will be having staff days on June 2-6 and closing day on June 7.  Here is a basic outline of our schedule:
June 2      Domains 1 and 4

                Half of Science Dept.: science standards w/Elem/HS at Centre on Main, afternoon

                Monica Heavrin will meet with our faculty from 1:30-3:00

                Related Arts:  arts specific sessions in the afternoon

June 3      Morning, TBA

                Afternoon, Domain 2 and Student Voice

                Half of Science Dept.: science standards w/Elem/HS at Centre on Main, afternoon

                Related Arts:  arts specific sessions in the afternoon

June 4      Observations, CIITS, EDS, Certified Evaluation Plan

                Self-Reflection Survey and Professional Growth

June 5      Data Analysis and Student Growth

June 6      District-wide gathering at GCMS

                Meal and Touring of local industries          

Supervision:

Our supervision of students is especially important at this time of year.  Please do everything possible to let students know that you are watching them closely.  A little extra supervision can prevent a lot of misbehavior from occurring.  

Teacher Tech Survey:

All teachers, counselors, curriculum coordinators, and librarians in the district need to complete the survey on this link for this year’s faculty tech assessment.  Mr. Graybeal says it takes about ten minutes. Here's the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/95TeacherTech

Quote of the Day:

“We would never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world.” ~Helen Keller

Coming Attractions:

May 26…Memorial Day – No school for students or staff

May 27…School Play for 8^th grade, 8:00, for the public, 5:00 pm

May 28…School Play for 6^th grade, 8:00, for 7^th grade, 12:00

May 28…Field Day for 8^th grade

May 29…Field Day for 6^th and 7^th grade

May 29…8th Grade Awards Night, 6:00

May 30…Students’ Last Day, 8th Grade Commencement Programs, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00

June 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 will be staff training days.

June 7…Closing Day

July 15-17…Sixth Sense

July 29..GCMS PD Day

July 31...GCMS Opening Day and Back to School Night

Aug. 1….District wide day in Grayson County Schools

Aug. 4…Not a required work day at GCMS

Aug. 5…Students first day of school