Friday, February 28, 2014

This Week at GCMS

Cougar Staff:
It’s been another busy week at GCMS!  Things seem to have gotten back more to our regular routine after getting a couple of weeks without weather interruptions.  Let’s keep out fingers crossed about this weekend, as the forecast is threatening some wintery weather for Sunday night and Monday.  Let’s hope that it stays all rain in our area.  Either way, enjoy your weekend!

Personnel:
We were glad to have Elaine Holley back to school this week after her recent stay in the hospital.  Please remember Chris Drake as he goes in for back surgery next week and Jeremy Meredith as he recovers from gall bladder surgery.  We have many staff members with health concerns right now or family members with health issues:  Pam Armstrong, Stacy Pierce, Cassie Jarboe, Lea Ann Frank, Wendy Butler, Melanie Gallagher, Debbie Carman, Nycol Hart, and others.  Please keep your GCMS family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank You:
I appreciate Chris Drake serving as a substitute administrator for the past couple of days.  Mr. Drake has been a big help, not only this week, but throughout the year, in helping out with supervision duties, covering for people who were out, etc. when he did not have students in detention.  Mr. Drake does a great job for our students and school!  Thanks Chris!

I appreciate Melanie Gallagher accepting the role as Math Plus Teacher Leader.  Our math department is part of a new math grant through GRREC that will provide a great deal of math specific professional development and resources to our math teachers over the next three years.  Melanie will be sharing some information with the math department during next Friday’s PLC session.

I appreciate Mary Ann Hack and Tez Hawkins serving on the school culture assessment team for GCMS as part of the Leading to Learn grant.  We were in training yesterday and today and learned a great deal about the importance of having a positive school culture.  This is something that we all know already, but it is also something that sometimes gets pushed onto the back burner.  We will be asking you to complete a short (13 question) survey sometime next week about our school culture at GCMS, then there will be a team from Allen County School District visiting with us on March 10 and March 13 to conduct interviews and unobtrusive observations.  Tez, Mary Ann, and I will in turn visit a school in Allen County to conduct an assessment for them on March 11 and 12.  I hope that you feel good about the culture at our school, and I hope that you will continue to work together to make it even better!

GCMS Data Team:
Also as part of the Leading to Learn grant with GRREC, our school is going to be involved in a “data retreat” in Bowling Green on June 18, 19, and 20.  I appreciate those who have already agreed to participate:  Susan Higdon, Stacy Downs, Amanda Thomas, Nycol Hart, Becki Pearl, Becky Miller, David Whitmore, and myself.  I have a couple of more slots if anyone would like to be a part of this team.  We would love to have a related arts teacher and/or a Title teacher, or anyone who has the desire to participate in our school improvement process.  Just let me know!

Quote of the Day:
“Remember, happiness doesn’t depend on who you are or what you have; it depends upon what you think.” ~Dale Carnegie

Coming Attractions:
Feb. 28..Please do not spend any 920X classroom funds after this date
Mar. 3..Kickoff date for American Heart Association Events
Mar. 10..8th Grade Night, 6:00…all 8th grade teachers should attend
Mar. 11-13..Freshman Registration through teams
Mar. 13..Team 3 Showcase Lesson Day
Mar. 18-20..Reality Store and Operation Preparation
Mar. 21……WKU History Contest
Mar. 24……GRVC Volleyball Tournament at GCMS (24th, 25th, 27th)
Mar. 26..Reward Assembly for all students with no office referrals, 1:45
Mar. 28..Battle for Heart, AHA Event


Friday, February 21, 2014

TGIF (Thank Goodness!)

Cougar Staff:
I was reading a headline earlier this week that a certain eastern Kentucky school district had already missed 36 days of school this school year.  So while our 11 days out of school is a lot, it could be much worse.  Our board has a plan for making up the days without us going very far into June, but none of us need to be making any early-mid June vacation plans this year.  The kids have been a little extra squirrelly this week, so I hope that everyone enjoys a well deserved rest this weekend.  When we have to open up a "detention annex", everyone knows that it has been a tough week.  Hang in there, next week will be better.

Personnel:
Elaine Holley has been suffering from some health problems this week and was hospitalized for a couple of days earlier in the week.  I know that you join me in wishing Elaine a speedy recovery.  We have many staff members with health concerns right now or family members with health issues:  Pam Armstrong, Stacy Pierce, Cassie Jarboe, Lea Ann Frank, Elaine Holley, Chris Drake, Wendy Butler, Melanie Gallagher, Debbie Carman, Nycol Hart, and others.  If I leave someone off, it’s mainly because being principal at a middle school for seven years tends to garble your mind, not because I am not concerned.  Please keep your GCMS family in your thoughts and prayers.

Congratulations:
I sent out an email a week or so ago congratulating Mr. and Mrs. French for being named the Kentucky String Directors of the Year by their professional association.  We are very proud of Adam and Stacy and the work that they are doing with our students in Grayson County! 

We are also very proud of Mr. Barry Duvall who was recognized by KMEA for his 30 years of service (actually 31).  As the BOE tweeted yesterday, Mr. Duvall has served in three districts, worked with 7 superintendents, 15 principals, approximately 8,000 students, and a partridge in a pear tree!  Mr. Duvall eats lunch in the cafeteria with our students each and every day.  He has done an outstanding job for a long time and even had time to tell a joke or two. Mr. Duvall does plan to retire at the end of this school year, and we want to thank him for all that he has done for the students of Grayson County.

Great Job Team 4!
I appreciate Team 4 teachers opening up their classrooms to their colleagues with showcase lessons this week.  I heard many positive comments from other teachers about what you observed.  We are starting to wind down showcase lessons for the year.  Our next showcase lesson day will be hosted by Team 3 on March 13.

GCMS Data Team:
As part of the Lead to Learn grant with GRREC, our school is going to be involved in a “data retreat” in Bowling Green on June 18, 19, and 20.  I appreciate those who have already agreed to participate:  Susan Higdon, Stacy Downs, Amanda Thomas, Nycol Hart, Becki Pearl, Becky Miller, David Whitmore, and myself.  I have a couple of more slots if anyone would like to be a part of this team.  We would love to have a related arts teacher and/or a Title teacher, or anyone who has the desire to participate in our school improvement process.  Just let me know!

Physical Activity/Brain Activity:
The link above is a website that Shane learned about that incorporates physical activity into the classroom through brain breaks.  Remember, we are not requiring exercises in regular classes, but most of the students will be glad to do this voluntarily.  Just what we learned about from Dr. Payne. Thanks, Shane!

Workman’s Comp:
It is always very important to fill out Workman’s Comp paperwork right away if you are injured on the job.  This must be done within 24 hours and turned in to me, to Mrs. House, or to Karen Colyer at the central office.  If you even think that there is the slightest possibility that you might have to seek medical attention as a result of something that happens while you are on duty, it is best to go ahead and fill out the paperwork.  Mrs. House has the forms in her office.

Wireless Updates:
I appreciate the work that Mr. Butler and other techs from around the district have done in installing our new wireless access points.  As I understand, the work is about three fourths finished, so you should be getting better wireless service in most parts of the building now. 

Quote of the Day:
“To love what you do and feel that it matters – how could anything be more fun?” ~Katharine Graham

Coming Attractions:
Feb. 21-22…All District Band
Feb. 28..Please do not spend any 920X classroom funds after this date
Mar. 3..Kickoff date for American Heart Association Events
Mar. 10..8th Grade Night, 6:00…all 8th grade teachers should attend
Mar. 11-13..Freshman Registration through teams
Mar. 13..Team 3 Showcase Lesson Day
Mar. 18-20..Reality Store and Operation Preparation
Mar. 21..WKU History Contest
Mar. 24-25..KUNA
Mar. 24..GRVC Volleyball Tournament at GCMS (24th, 25th, 27th)
Mar. 26..Reward Assembly for all students with no office referrals, 1:45
Mar. 28..Battle for Heart, AHA Event


Thursday, February 13, 2014

Back to Business

Cougar Staff:
It has been good to get back into school this week after six consecutive snow days.  Hopefully, we can continue to be in school from here on without many (if any) more snow days.  The weathermen are talking about snow for Friday afternoon and Friday night, but I am hopeful that this doesn’t affect school on Friday and is gone before Monday.  I know that everyone will continue to make the most of each and every school day we have whether that be in February or in June. Just try to stay away from the sinkholes.

Personnel:
Please continue to remember those with health concerns and family members with health concerns.  Both Cassie Jarboe's and Lea Ann Frank’s husbands have surgeries coming up.  Jeremy Meredith and Chris Drake both have surgeries in the near future as well.  Stacy Pierce is continuing with chemo treatments every three weeks, and is about half way through the series of treatments.  It was good to have Wendy Butler back this week after her time off with surgery.  It is also good to have Mary Jane Crawford back after the passing of her father.   I know that you join me is wishing each of these and others the very best.

Faculty Meeting:
We will have our February faculty meeting after school on Monday.  Our main agenda item will be discussion of the Ruby Payne webinar.  The district has temporarily blocked all streaming video, so if you have not already viewed the webinar, we are trying to come up with a solution to allow you to do so.  We will let you know asap.  If you have already viewed the webinar, please post to http://padlet.com/wall/7xgr1oph7g.  I appreciate Becky Miller setting up this padlet discussion for us.

Math Grant:
Mrs. Pearl and I will attend a kickoff training on Tuesday regarding the Math-Plus grant that we have been awarded through GRREC.  We hope to have a lot of good information to share with the math department next Friday during CSI time.

Calendar for 2014-15:
As Mr. Anderson emailed earlier this week, he plans to recommend Calendar option A with some minor adjustments to the Grayson County School Board at tonight’s board meeting.  This is the calendar option most similar to this year’s calendar.

Attendance Contest:
The district is once again sponsoring an attendance contest for the month of February.  The school in Grayson County with the best percentage of improvement compared to last February will receive $1500.  The other schools will receive $500 in recognition of attendance efforts as well.  Please encourage your students to be here every day!

Living Well Promise:
Don’t forget that if you enrolled in one of the Living Well health insurance plans this year, that you are required to go online and complete the “Living Well Health Assessment” between now and May 1.  This is located online at www.livingwell.ky.gov.  Sarah Crume sent out a helpful email with detailed instructions back in December.  I can forward that email for anyone who may have misplaced it.

Quote of the Day:
“A winner is big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” ~John Maxwell

Coming Attractions:
Feb. 14..Dance sponsored by Volleyball and Y-Club, 3:00-5:00 (weather permitting)
Feb. 17..Makeup Day, School will be in session
Feb. 17..after school faculty meeting
Feb. 18..Team 4 Showcase Lesson Day
Feb. 19..GCMS SBDMC Meeting, 3:00
Feb. 28..Please do not spend any 920X classroom funds after this date
Mar. 26..Reward Assembly for all students with no office referrals, 1:45
Mar. 28..Battle for Heart, AHA Event


Thursday, February 6, 2014

That #$%# Groundhog!

Cougar Staff:
Will there be school tomorrow?  Won’t there be school tomorrow?  Will somebody please sing the School Messenger call?  Maybe Monica Heavrin could do it for a little variety?  Do you prefer Swamp People or Appalachian Outlaws on TV tonight?  Oh, the satellite is frozen.  Forget it.  How many cars off the road today?  Do you remember the blizzard of 1978?  Did you really go to school on Saturdays that year, and if so, did you really get to watch cartoons?  And so it goes this year.  I am hoping that we can get back to normal next week, though the forecast does not look very encouraging.  I hope that everyone is staying warm, dry, and above all safe during this cold and “weathery” winter!

Parent/Teacher Conferences:
We do still plan to have our parent/teacher conferences on Monday, February 10 from 4:00-6:00 if we are in school on Monday.  If we were to get more bad weather and be out Monday, then we would cancel the conferences.  As always, please try to have positive, productive conversations with our parents.  Start out each conference by pointing out something positive about the student and be sure to end on a positive.  In between, please have those needed conversations about areas for growth and improvement.  Hopefully, we will have a good turnout on Monday night.

Back to the Future:
We also still plan to have our 7th and 8th grade Back to the Future Day on Tuesday, February 11.  This is a great opportunity to authentically engage parents in their child’s learning.  I have done a School Messenger call about this event, but please remind your students on Monday and the parents on Monday night.  The parents who attend these events are generally very interested in their child’s success in education.  That’s why they are here, and that’s why we are here!

"Keys to Educating Middle Grades Students in Poverty":
Between now and our next faculty meeting, I would like for you to view the webinar "Keys to Educating Middle Grades Students in Poverty" with Ruby Payne.  We will follow up on the webinar at our February 17 after school faculty meeting.  Mrs. Miller will set up a Wall Wisher for you to post to as we get closer to the meeting date.  Please look for specific strategies that you can use in your classrooms or with your advisory students.  Here’s the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szncUEECSjc&feature=em-share_video_user.

Living Well Promise:
Don’t forget that if you enrolled in one of the Living Well health insurance plans this year, that you are required to go online and complete the “Living Well Health Assessment” between now and May 1.  This is located online at www.livingwell.ky.gov.  Sarah Crume sent out a helpful email with detailed instructions back in December.  I can forward that email for anyone who may have misplaced it.

Quotes of the Day:
“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” ~John Steinbeck
"The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears."  ~Bill Vaughn

Coming Attractions:
Feb. 10..Parent/Teacher Conference, 4:00-6:00
Feb. 11..7th/8th Grade Back to the Future Day
Feb. 17..Makeup Day, School will be in session
Feb. 17..after school faculty meeting
Feb. 18..Team 4 Showcase Lesson Day
Feb. 28..Please do not spend any 920X classroom funds after this date
Mar. 26..Reward Assembly for all students with no office referrals, 1:45
Mar. 28..Makeup Day, School will be in session
Mar. 28..Battle for Heart, AHA Event



Friday, January 31, 2014

Time Marches On!

Cougar Staff:
January has come and gone, and it has been quite a month!  Between the cold temperatures and the illnesses and health concerns that have hit our staff, we are hoping for a better February.  On a personal note, our son Scott turned 20 this week!  This does not seem possible.  It seems like he should still be the little red headed elementary student riding Moon Smith’s bus over to the high school from Lawler each afternoon instead of being a sophomore at Vanderbilt.  Time marches on.  We are looking forward to a trip to Nashville this weekend to see him and go out for a birthday meal.  We are truly blessed and thankful for our children.  I hope that everyone will stop and be thankful for the blessings in your lives, whether it be a wonderful family, great friends, a job to support your family, or the blessing of good health.  I think everyone, myself included, gets too caught up in the day to day stresses of life.  When something goes wrong, please try to stop and ask yourself “will this problem be a big deal ten years from now or even one year from now?”  If the answer is no, then try to get through it and forget about it.  If the answer is yes, then try to deal with it positively and work for the best results possible.

Personnel:
Please continue to remember those staff members who are dealing with health problems and have family members with health concerns:  Nena Tucker, Pam Armstrong, Wendy Butler, Paige Lopez, Chris Drake, Stacy Pierce, Cassie Jarboe, Shela Herman, and several others. 
I want to welcome our newest staff member, Emily Hornback.  Mrs. Hornback will be working as a one-on-one aide with a student based in Mrs. Lindsey’s class, taking Mr. Whobrey’s place after he was hired as the new FMD teacher at GCHS.

Good Luck:
I would like to wish good luck to GCMS teams and groups representing our school.  Our GCMS academic team will be competing in Regional Governor’s Cup competition tomorrow.  Our 7th grade boys basketball team has advanced in the GRVC Tournament and will continue play next week.  Finally, our GCMS Cheerleaders will be leaving for national competition in Florida late next week.  There will be a sendoff for our cheerleaders here at GCMS gym on Monday night at 6:00.  Please come out and show your support!

"Keys to Educating Middle Grades Students in Poverty":
We all know that it is our daily challenge to teach students who live in poverty.  About 70 percent of students in Grayson County are on free and reduced lunches, and many are from families living in poverty.  Between now and our next faculty meeting, I would like for you to view the webinar "Keys to Educating Middle Grades Students in Poverty" with Ruby Payne.  We will follow up on the webinar at our February 17 after school faculty meeting.  Mrs. Miller will set up a Wall Wisher for you to post to as we get closer to the meeting date.  Please look for specific strategies that you can use in your classrooms or with your advisory students.  Here’s the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szncUEECSjc&feature=em-share_video_user.

From Goodness to Greatness? 
Many of you have read Jim Collins’ popular book, From Good to Great.  Collins talks about the notion that many times “good” is actually the enemy of “great” and that we get comfortable and content when we are having good results rather than pushing on for great results.  Looking at a different perspective, have you ever thought about what a terrible thing it is when someone moves from “goodness” to “greatness”?  When someone who shows kindness, morality, and love sacrifices those attributes in exchange for power, position, and “greatness”, it is a truly tragic thing.  Maybe there is another book in that notion! 

Principal Certification Grant:
Have you ever considered getting your principal’s certificate?  Whether you have or not, right now might be the “best deal” you will ever get on the program at WKU.  Their new program does require that you already have your Master’s degree (with a minimum 3.0 GPA for masters coursework) and at least 3 years teaching experience.  GRREC is involved in a grant for four school districts including Grayson County that is helping to pay tuition for the principal program at WKU.  Your reduced rate for tuition would only be $125 per graduate hour!  That is compared to WKU’s regular rate for graduate tuition of $490 per graduate hour!  The program is 30 graduate hours total and could get you your Rank I.  The first of three 20 student cohorts will start in the Fall semester, 2014 with each cohort lasting 18 months.  The tentative application deadline for the Fall 2014 cohort is March 28, 2014.  I have some brochures about this program on the round table in my office.  There will be a recruitment event in late February or early March.  Feel free to grab one if you are interested.  Also, as always, I would be glad to sit down and talk with anyone who might be interested in becoming a principal.

Quote of the Day:
“Training teaches people what to do; education teaches people what to be.” ~Nido R. Qubein

Coming Attractions:
Feb. 3…GCMS Cheerleader Sendoff, 6:00 pm
Feb. 10..Parent/Teacher Conference, 4:00-6:00
Feb. 11..7th/8th Grade Back to the Future Day
Feb. 17..Makeup Day, School will be in session.
Feb. 17..after school faculty meeting
Feb. 18..Team 4 Showcase Lesson Day
Feb. 28..Please do not spend any 920X classroom funds after this date
Mar. 26..Reward Assembly for all students with no office referrals, 1:45
Mar. 28..Battle for Heart, AHA Event
Mar. 28..Makeup Day, School will be in session.
Apr. 18..Makeup Day, School will be in session.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Here in the Polar Vortex of Grayson County

Cougar Staff:
Most of us have added some new vocabulary this year.  Polar Vortex, circumpolar whirl, and Arctic oscillation are common banter in the halls of GCMS right now as we continue to shiver our way through this winter season.  The past two mild winters had us quite spoiled, so the weather has been something of a shock to our systems.  Bundle up if you have to be out.  I hear that long underwear stock is really soaring this year!

Personnel:
Please remember those who are dealing with health concerns, those who have family members with health issues, and those who have recently lost loved ones.  I know that Susan Higdon’s mom has a surgery coming up.  Stacy Pierce is having her second chemo treatment today.  Chris Drake has a back surgery coming up in the near future.  It is good to have Tracie Johnston back with us at GCMS.  Wendy Butler is still recovering from her recent surgery.  Pam Armstrong is here but still recovering as well.  I appreciate so many of you asking about my Dad.  He is still struggling with some issues but is going to get to go home this morning after being in the hospital the past six days.  At 91, he constantly amazes me with how well he does.  Thanks for the prayers.

Great Job, Team 5!
I enjoyed spending a few minutes in each of the Team 5 classrooms this morning.  I observed students and teachers who were highly engaged.  I also noticed some very effective questioning going on!  I want to encourage all teachers to please continue to work on the engagement and questioning pieces…our students are the beneficiaries of these efforts!

Afternoons/Check and Connect/Possible Loitering:
We have noticed recently that more and more students are out of classrooms from about 2:30 until the end of the day at 2:40.  Part of this is undoubtedly our Check and Connect students going to check out with their mentors.  Please double check anyone who says that they are going to see their C&C mentor to make sure that they are on the list and that they are getting to where they are supposed to go.  Let’s not let our C&C students go until 2:35, and keep everyone else in the classrooms.  I will send you the update C&C list so you can double check it.

Scheduling Survey:
An overwhelming 92 percent (45 out of 49) of those who responded to our recent GCMS schedule survey question said they would prefer having the core schedule the same five days a week, with a 30 minute class to start the day, then six 55 minute classes. CSI would be from 7:30-8:20 once each week. Advisory would be during the 30 minute first period once each week. RTI and CCR would also be scheduled during the 30 minute first period the remaining days.  With this in mind, I am working on a draft daily schedule and hope to share that with you in the near future.

Good Luck!
Good luck to our GCMS teams competing in the near future.  Our GCMS academic team has advanced to Regional Governor’s Cup competition in both quick recall and FPS!  Our GCMS boys basketball teams will compete in the conference tournament starting this Friday night.  Our GCMS dance team will be in regional competition on Saturday.  Our GCMS Cheerleaders have made it to nationals and will be competing in Florida in early February.  GCMS band had 20 students to qualify for All District Band.  GCMS volleyball season starts next week.  Busy, busy times!

ILP Reminder (from Mrs. Sims)
The ILP completion date for this school year is May 2nd.  Please make sure to remind students to get as many entries in as possible under the “Organizations and Activities” and “Awards and Recognition” sections of their ILP.  Remind them that all GCMS clubs, academic team, sports, etc. need to be listed, as well as any academic awards, attendance awards, sports awards and recognitions.  8th Grade Teachers- please make sure that your students get their freshman class choices entered into the “Education Plan” section of the ILP after they register for classes.  The counselors are working with the high school to get a date set for freshman registration, and will let you know as soon as it is set. 

Make Up Days:
With Grayson County Schools having missed 5 days of school already, the following dates have been set as make up days:  Feb. 17, March 28, and April 18.  Again, students will be in school on those three dates.

No "Vote for Bubba" Shirts:
With this being a county election year, I need to remind you early on that school employees are not supposed to wear election campaign shirts, hats, etc. while on duty at school.  Thanks, and good luck to Bubba!

Quote of the Day:
“Remember, happiness doesn’t depend on who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think.” ~Dale Carnegie

Coming Attractions:
Jan. 29..Team Leader Meeting, 7:15 am
Feb. 10..Parent/Teacher Conference, 4:00-6:00
Feb. 11..7th/8th Grade Back to the Future Day
Feb. 17..after school faculty meeting


Thursday, January 9, 2014

Welcome Back!

Cougar Staff:
I want to welcome everyone back after our extended Christmas break!  I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and restful time these past two weeks.  The frigid weather has come, but hopefully we have seen the last of sub-zero temperatures for this year!  As we start the New Year, I know that many of you have set personal resolutions to make improvements in certain areas of your lives.  Some, like me, have decided to lose weight and improve health.  Some may have chosen to kick some bad habit.  Some may have resolved to make financial improvements this year.  I wish you the very best in the coming year, no matter what areas of improvement you are focusing on.  Regardless of personal resolutions, let’s all make the professional resolution to make a positive difference in the lives of our students each and every day.

Personnel:
Please continue to remember those GCMS staff members who are having health concerns, who have family members with health issues, and who have lost loved ones recently.  Cassie Jarboe has a surgery coming up on Tuesday.  Pam Armstrong and Wendy Butler are both recovering from surgeries right now.  Stacy Pierce had her first chemo treatment this past week.  Continue to remember Ellen Thomas, whose husband passed away during the break.  Also, please continue to remember Lisa York’s father, Howard, who is in serious condition in Norton’s Hospital in Louisville.

Congratulations to Brittany Watson on becoming engaged to be married!

GCMS Scheduling Survey:
I would like for all GCMS teachers, counselors, and other certified employees to respond to the following survey about next year’s schedule.  We have tried doing a “different” schedule on Fridays for the past two years, and I want your input on whether to continue or move a different direction with our schedule.  As always, we want to think about the schedule that would most benefit our students.  Click on the survey link to take this one question survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2N29Z3R.

PLC Day on January 17:
Our next PLC Day is scheduled for Friday, January 17.  We will be examining PGES 3 B that morning focusing on effective questioning strategies.  That afternoon, Ron Hurley from GRREC will be here to share with us about the Framework for Teaching and how the framework guides PGES.  We will plan to do a potluck lunch at school that day.

School Board Appreciation Month:
If you see one of our school board members, please take time to thank them for the hard work that they put in on behalf of our schools, our students, and our staff.  We sincerely appreciate Carolyn Thomason, Valeria Hayes-Hicks, Mona Fulkerson, Anna Majors, and Charlotte Gower for their service on the Grayson County School Board!

Emergency Drills:
As you know, state law requires schools to have at least one of each emergency drill during the first month of school and again during January, plus monthly fire drills and other drills at various times during the school year.  We did not do our tornado drill that was scheduled for Wednesday because of our delayed school day, so we will plan to conduct our tornado drill near the end of 2nd period on Monday, January 13 instead.

Quote of the Day:
“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Coming Attractions:
Jan. 10...Critical Vocabulary Assessments in all core classes
Jan. 16…Club/Team/Group Pictures
Jan. 17…PLC Day (no students)
Jan. 20…MLK Day (no school)
Jan. 27…After school faculty meeting
Jan. 29..Team Leader Meeting, 7:15 am
Feb. 10..Parent/Teacher Conference, 4:00-6:00

Feb. 11..7th/8th Grade Back to the Future Day