Merry Christmas from GCMS!

This Week at GCMS:

The hustle and bustle of the holidays has certainly arrived at GCMS this week!  With five days of merriment, four school play productions, three holiday concerts, two home ball games, and a 7:40 Christmas flash dance, the middle school has been a whirlwind of activity.  As our week winds down, and everyone heads off for Christmas Break, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Get your minds off of school for a while, and spend some time with family and friends.  In the words of Charles Dickens, “God bless us every one.”

Good Luck:

Good luck to our Regional Champion GCMS Cheerleaders as they compete at State Competition Saturday in Lexington! 

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this a special week for our students at GCMS.  While lessons and learning have continued, we have also been able to spread some Christmas cheer to the GCMS Cougars!  Thank you to everyone who has worked to make it a great week for our kids.

Congratulations!
Hats off to Melanie Manion for winning a $500 MAC grant from McDonald's this week!  I appreciate the hard work that Melanie does on behalf of our GCMS students.

CIITS Entries:

Just one more reminder, make sure to complete your roster verifications and PGP mid-year review in CIITS before you go home on Friday.  Merry Christmas from CIITS.

Instructional Rounds Follow-Up:

The top responses from our Instructional Rounds Follow-Up Gallery Walk were as follows:

• Establish common expectations for questioning by 2/15/16
• Continue focus on open ended questions and building common understanding
• Continue to work through the PGP process to improve personal development of questioning techniques
• Work in grade level PLC’s to develop open and closed questions
• Develop common terminology when discussing higher order questioning
• Those were the top five responses for our Next Level of Work for our focus on questioning at GCMS.  We will be concentrating our next PLC day on this focus area. 

Observations:

Each non-tenured teacher will need to complete your second mini-observation by January 15.  Also, those in your summative year will need to complete your peer observation by January 15.  Thank you to all those who have already completed these observations.  Just get with your administrator or peer observer to schedule your observations.

Quote of the Day:

“’For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.’ That’s What Christmas is all about.“  ~L. Van Pelt

Coming Attractions:

Dec. 17…Drama Club Christmas Play (during school), public performance at 5:30

Dec. 17…Home Boys Basketball, 5:30

Dec. 18…due date for Teacher’s CIITS items (teachers, see earlier email)

Dec. 21-Jan. 1…Christmas Break

Jan. 8…Due date to have distributed parent permission (passive consent) forms for student voice survey

Jan. 15…Due date for 2^nd mini-observation for non-tenured teachers

Jan. 15…Due date for all peer observations

Jan. 15-29…Student Voice Survey Window

Busy, Busy, Busy!

This Week at GCMS:

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the halls of GCMS!  Many classrooms have decorations, Christmas scene doors, trees, bulletin boards, etc.  Thank you to everyone for spreading a little holiday cheer for our students.  Many of our students don’t get a lot of this sort of thing at home, so it is good to experience the season a little bit at school.  I have just a few notes to share this week.

Congratulations KYA Delegation!

Hats off to the GCMS delegation that participated in the Junior Kentucky Youth Assembly in Louisville this week!   GCMS won the Statesmanship Award for having the best overall speakers at KYA.  Payton Abney became the first Grayson County student ever to  be elected as KYA Governor.  Several other students were recognized or won awards:  Spencer Cannon, Hunter Pendergest, Stetson Higdon, Bailey Richardson, CJ Johnston, Kennedy Ferguson, and Ryan Haycraft.  We are also very proud of Teresa Blain and Melanie Manion, who were inducted into the KYA Hall of Fame for advisors.  Great job!

Congratulations Academic Team!
Our GCMS academic advanced to the final match of the Knowledge Masters television tournament at Elizabethtown today.  I have not heard yet how we fared in the finals, but we are very proud of the team for advancing to the finals!

Good Luck Lady Cougars!

We would like to wish the best of luck to our 8^th grade lady cougar basketball team!  The girls have advanced to the championship game of the GRVC Tournament.  They will play against Edmonson County at Edmonson County on Thursday night.  Good luck ladies!

Thanks for Breakfast!
Thank you to the district and to our food service department for this morning's Christmas breakfast!  Everything was delicious!

Instructional Rounds:

We appreciate everyone who participated and helped with our instructional rounds at GCMS this morning.  The group of observers was able to share some great suggestions for our next level of work in the area of questioning.  We will take a look at the recommendations at our after school teachers meeting on Monday.

Christmas Lunch:

GCMS would like to thank our teachers and staff and say Merry Christmas with a Christmas Lunch catered by Kay’s Café on Friday.  We will have the lunch set up in room 140, so you will have plenty of room to stay and eat with colleagues or take a plate back to your rooms.  Merry Christmas from GCMS!

Quote of the Day:

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” ~Roy L. Smith

Coming Attractions:

Dec. 11…Christmas Lunch catered by Kay’s Café

Dec. 11…Meet the Lady Cougar Volleyball Night, 5:00

Dec. 13….Orchestra Concerts, 2:00

Dec. 14-17…Mon is Santa Hat Day, Tues is Raindeer Antler Day,

                       Weds is Elf Day, Thurs is Christmas Sweater Day
Dec. 14...Teachers' Meeting, 3:00

Dec. 14…Chorus Concert, 6:00

Dec. 15…Home Boys Basketball, 5:00

Dec. 15…Band Concert, 7:00

Dec. 17…Drama Club Christmas Play (during school), public performance at 5:30

Dec. 17…Home Boys Basketball, 5:30

Dec. 18…due date for Teacher’s CIITS items (teachers, see earlier email)

Dec. 21-Jan. 1…Christmas Break

Welcome Decemberrrrrr!

This Week at GCMS:

December has come in with some wintery temperatures that seem way too soon, but fortunately we are not getting wintery precipitation like many parts of the nation.  I am always very hopeful that the wintery weather will hold off until at least Christmas break, and I am optimistic about this year as well.  December is a very busy month, and I have several notes to share as this week winds down.

Staff Concerns:

It seems like we have many staff members and their family members with health concerns right now.  Eugene’s brother, Pendleton, is still at Norton’s but Eugene says that he is making progress.  Tonya’s husband is back home after a few days in the hospital with pneumonia.  Elaine Holley’s brother will be having surgery on Monday.  Charlotte McDonald’s daughter is recovering from surgery, and Charlotte has an appointment coming up about blood pressure issues.  Please remember these, along with Shela Herman, Jerry Poindexter, Stephanie Brey’s mom, Cassie Jarboe’s daughter, Allyson, Gail Smallwood’s husband, Angie Escue’s mom, Paige Shiarella’s father, Rita Mullins’ daughter, and many more.  Please keep your GCMS family in your thoughts and prayers.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the GCMS academic team for winning their first round match over LaRue County on Wednesday.  The team will take on T.K. Stone next Thursday. 

Three more GCMS chorus students have been honored!  Jessica Manion, Liberty Payton, and Nathan Meredith have been named the KMEA Jr. High All State Choir.  Great job!

Good Luck!

Good luck to our GCMS KYA delegation!  Our delegation of about 60 students will be in Louisville for this year’s Kentucky Youth Assembly from Sunday through Tuesday.  We wish them the best of luck!  Also, since my wife is one of the sponsors of this group, I will get to have my annual Mr. Mom days with our 7 year old daughter.  Wish me luck!

Good luck to our GCMS girls basketball teams as they start GRVC Tournament play at Edmonson County.  The tournament starts on Friday, but our girls will play their first games on Saturday morning. Go Cougars!

Good luck to all GCMS groups competing and performing this weekend, including boys basketball, archery, band, and academic team 6^th grade showcase!

Instructional Rounds:

As you know, we plan to have our instructional rounds at GCMS next Thursday, Dec. 10.  We will have teams of observers including central office staff, principals from around the district, three GCMS teachers who are in the Leading to Learn grant, Mrs. Pearl, and our GCMS administrators visiting classrooms during 2nd and 3rd period that morning.  The observers will focus on our questioning practices.  Are we asking open ended questions that make our students think?  Do our student responses match the level of questioning?  Are the students asking questions (open and/or closed)?  The instructional rounds are a positive process by which a “fresh set of eyes” will look at our questioning practices and make some recommendations to help us get better at an area that our school has identified for improvement.  Most all of you have questioning as an improvement goal on your PGP this year, so I know that you have really worked to improve in this area already. 

Observations:

Teachers, please be thinking about scheduling formal classroom observations.  Non-tenured teachers must have your second mini observations completed by January 15.  Get with Mr. Blain, Mr. Whitmore, or Mrs. Miller to schedule your observations.  Thanks.

Quote of the Day:

“Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.” ~Yoda (Star Wars)

Coming Attractions:

Dec. 4…Recognize Girls Basketball with Pep Session, 7:40 am

Dec. 5-10…Girls Basketball at GRVC Tournament (Edmonson Co.)

Dec. 5…Academic Team at 6^th Grade Showcase

Dec. 5…Archery at NASP Competition

Dec. 5…GCMS Band at Hometown Christmas Parade and Nursing Homes

Dec. 5-6…GCMS 8^th grade boys basketball at TK Stone Tournament

Dec. 6-8…GCMS Students at KYA

Dec. 10…Christmas Breakfast provided by GCBOE

Dec. 10…Instructional Rounds at GCMS

Dec. 11…Christmas Lunch catered by Kay’s Café

Dec. 13...Orchestra Concert

Dec. 14...Chorus Concert

Dec. 15...GCHS Symphony at GCMS, 10:00 am

Dec. 15...Band Concert

Dec. 17...GCMS Drama Club Christmas Play

Dec. 18…due date for Teacher’s CIITS items (teachers, see earlier email)

Dec. 21-Jan. 1…Christmas Break

Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks:

As we close in on the Thanksgiving holiday next week, we will all pause to give thanks for the many blessings that we enjoy in our lives.  I am so thankful for what the good Lord has given me, my family, good health, and a wonderful group of people to work with at GCMS!  Thank you so much for what you do each day to help make the lives of these young people better!  I hope that each of you gets to relax and spend quality time with family and friends next week during the Thanksgiving break.

Thank You Related Arts:

I enjoyed getting to observe in several of our related arts classes today.  The students and teachers were highly engaged, and I saw some good examples of formative assessment in action.  Mr. Crump and Mrs. Cates from Clarkson were with me for part of the classes, and they were very complimentary of what they saw as well.  I appreciate our related arts teachers opening up your doors to colleagues and sharing some great teaching and learning ideas.

Striking Up the Band:

I enjoyed hearing our GCMS Pep Band play at the GCMS basketball games recently.  I appreciate the band coming out to play at a girls game and a boys game each year.  It adds so much to the atmosphere to have the band playing.  Great job, Cougar Band!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Laura Goff for being chosen as one of 15 Kentucky social studies teachers for the McConnell Center’s upcoming professional learning for teachers in Boston, Massachusetts in February.  Also, congratulations to Ellen Thomas for being chosen as first alternate for this program.  My only concern is that these ladies go to Boston and get snowed in by three feet of snow and we don’t see them again until after the spring thaw!  Hopefully, it will be a mild winter. 

Also, congratulations to Stacy French on earning her National Board Certification!  This is a great accomplishment.

Congratulations, ladies!

Instructional Rounds:

The instructional rounds date at GCMS has been set for December 10.  I will send out a detailed schedule as the date gets closer, but I would like for you to go ahead and mark your calendars for that date.  The teams will be in each classroom observed for 10 minutes and will be looking specifically at our use of questioning.  I will send out the revised Problem of Practice and guiding questions in the near future as we discussed at Monday’s faculty meeting.

Quote of the Day:

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” ~Aristotle

Coming Attractions:

Nov. 19…GCMS Boys Basketball hosts Edmonson Co., 5:00

Nov. 23…GCMS Girls Basketball hosts St. Romuald, 5:30

Nov. 25-27…No School, Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 10…Christmas Breakfast provided by GCBOE

Dec. 10…Instructional Rounds at GCMS

Dec. 11…Christmas Lunch catered by Kay’s Café

Dec. 21-Jan. 1…Christmas Break

The Wheels Keep Spinning!

This Week at GCMS:

It’s been a long, busy week at GCMS and still more to come!  With three home ballgames, 2 assemblies, a board meeting, etc., I know that everyone will be glad to get to the weekend.  I want to thank everyone for their efforts this week and throughout the school year.  I have just a few notes to share as our week draws to a close.

Veterans Day:

I would like to thank everyone for a great Veterans Day program on Wednesday.  We had about 35 veterans in attendance, and our students did a wonderful job of being respectful and appreciative.  I would like to specifically thank our GCMS staff members who are veterans:  Ellen Thomas, Mike Blair, and Eddie Dennison.  I would like to thank our GCMS chorus, band trumpet players, and Boy Scouts for an outstanding job as well.  Our students do not get many opportunities to participate in patriotic programs, so it is good for them to have the opportunity.  Thanks to all.

Friday Assembly:

Just a reminder, motivational speaker and juggler, Paul Kelly will be putting on an assembly in the gym during 1^st period tomorrow (Friday).  Come on down to the gym and help supervise the students.  It is fine for related arts to go ahead and have your PLC meeting.  We will go straight to 2^nd period when we dismiss from the gym.

Faculty Meeting:

We will be having a faculty meeting after school on Monday, November 16.  I want to spend some time going over the instructional rounds process and upcoming December visit by district administrators.  I will share the “problem of practice” and guiding questions that the observers will be focusing on that day.  Also, Mr. Parker will share information about the importance of formative assessment.  All teachers should plan to stay that afternoon.

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

We are offering an additional parent/teacher conference opportunity next week on a “by appointment” basis.  We have set a three day window for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for conferences during planning periods and/or right after school.  I hope that we have several parents to take advantage of this additional opportunity.  I appreciate our teachers being flexible with scheduling these conferences.

Quote of the Day:

“Example is not the main thing in influencing others.  It is the only thing.”  ~Albert Schweitzer

Coming Attractions:

Nov. 12…GC BOE meeting at GCMS, 6:00

Nov . 13…”Juggling Up the Ladder” assembly 1^st period

Nov. 16…Faculty Meeting, 3:00

Nov. 18…Dress for Success Day

Nov. 18…SBDMC Meeting, 3:15

Nov. 25-27…No School, Thanksgiving Break

Short Week News

This Week at GCMS:

It has been a short week but a very productive week at GCMS.  With students out Monday and Tuesday, we were able to have a beneficial PLC Day on Tuesday at GCMS.  Steph Jenson from Boys’ Town shared with us a presentation on relational aggression, bullying, and strategies to help our students be more successful.  I feel that we can work the social skills lessons into our current structure for teaching expectations.  Thanks for a great day of professional learning!

New Personnel:

I would like to welcome some new staff members to GCMS!  I am recommending Ms. Dana Drane for our new special education unit teacher position.  The board of education has created this position due to our units being over caps this year.  I would also like to welcome Halee Johnston, who is subbing in the 6^th grade special education co-teacher position created with Nell Elmore’s retirement.  I know that you will join me in welcoming Ms. Drane and Ms. Johnston!

GCMS Boys Basketball:

Our GCMS boys basketball teams kicked off the new season with victories on the road last week and will have their first home game of the season Thursday night starting at 5:30.  Girls’ basketball season is also in full swing, so I encourage everyone to get out and support our teams.  The kids love it when there are big crowds, and they love to see teachers and classmates along with their parents at the games. 

Morning Announcements:

It is important that all teachers show the morning announcements power-point.  I know that first period is short, but there are announcements on the power-point that the students need to be aware of.  When teachers fail to show the announcements slides, students are missing out.  We can move quickly through the slides, and most days the announcements can be completed in 5 minutes or less.  Thanks.

Supervision:

As always, it is very important for teachers and staff to be very visible in supervising students during the school day.  Steph Jenson spent some time discussing this on PLC day.  One time that is especially important is during the class changes.  Students are much less likely to engage in inappropriate behavior if they know that teachers are watching.  Thanks for your efforts in this area.

Quote of the Day:

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” ~Thumper from “Bambi”

Coming Attractions:

Nov. 5…GCMS Boys Basketball hosts Owensboro, 5:30

Nov. 6…6^th graders from Clarkson go to CES, 12:15-2:00

Nov. 11…Veterans Day program, 7:45 am

Nov. 12…GC BOE meeting at GCMS, 6:00

Nov . 13…”Juggling Up the Ladder” assembly 1^st period

Nov. 16…Faculty Meeting, 3:00

Nov. 18…Dress for Success Day

Nov. 18…SBDMC Meeting, 3:15

Nov. 25-27…No School, Thanksgiving Break

Good Bye October!

This Week at GCMS:

Halloween week, Red Ribbon Week, and a full moon…if that is not the perfect storm, I don’t know what is!  I appreciate everyone working hard and taking care of these 1,010 wiggly kids this week.  I hope that everyone enjoys the well-deserved long weekend.

A Bright Future:

Thinking about the makeup of our faculty at GCMS, we have a great mix of veteran and newer teachers.  Our core of veterans is very strong and provides great teacher leadership.  Mr. Whitmore, Mrs. Miller, and I have recently completed the first round of mini-observations for all of our non-tenured teachers, and I would just like to say that the future is very bright at GCMS!  Our newest teachers are doing a fantastic job with GCMS students!  It is so renewing and inspiring to see the enthusiasm and energy in these classrooms.  Keep up the great work!

Tuesday PLC Day:

We have a special guest speaker here for our PLC Day on Tuesday.  The sessions will be on relational aggression, conflict, and bullying.  We all know that middle school is the peak age group for bullying behaviors.  It is also the peak age group for many other inappropriate behaviors.  I believe this will be a very beneficial day for our staff.  We will meet in the library at 8:00 on Tuesday morning.

Boys Basketball:

Our GCMS boys basketball teams began the season this week with victories at Whitesville.  Our first boys home game will be this coming Thursday night, November 5 at 5:30.  Come out and support the Cougars!

Congratulations Band!

Our GCHS marching band finished in the top 4 at regionals and will be competing at state semi-finals in Bowling Green on Saturday.  There are many middle school band students who also participate in high school band, and we are very proud of them.  Good luck band!

Second Quarter Parent/Teacher Conferences:

Our parent involvement committee has recommended that GCMS have parent/teacher conferences during the 2^nd 9 weeks.  Rather than having an additional evening conference, we will offer conferences on three consecutive days during planning and/or right after school.  These conferences will be by appointment and may be whole team if desired.  Please mark this on your calendar for November 17, 18, 19.  That’s the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the week before Thanksgiving week.  I will announce it to parents a week or so in advance so that they can contact teachers if they would like a conference.

Quote of the Day:

“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.” ~Henry Ford

Coming Attractions:

Nov. 2…No School

Nov. 3…PLC Day (election day)

Nov. 5…GCMS Boys Basketball hosts Owensboro, 5:30

Nov. 11…Veterans Day program, 7:45 am

Nov. 12…GC BOE meeting at GCMS, 6:00

Nov . 13…”Juggling Up the Ladder” assembly 1^st period

Nov. 16…Faculty Meeting, 3:00

Nov. 18…SBDMC Meeting, 3:15