Grizzly Gazette
December 2018
Grizzly Den
Dear PGMS Family,
On behalf of the entire staff at PGMS, we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season with family and loved ones. As educators, we are so proud of our students and all of the many special talents they bring to the campus each day, which make up the exceptional culture of our wonderful school. We are truly thankful to be working with such amazing young people and supportive families.
Please be aware the school will be closed beginning on Friday, December 21, 2018 until Friday, January 4, 2019 in recognition of the winter holiday break. School will resume normal hours of operation on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.
Again, from our PGMS family to yours, take care and we will see you in the New Year!
Sincerely,
Pam Pajerski
Principal
Just One Africa Sale
How would you like to take care of your holiday shopping and your community service all at once? This Holiday season, consider shopping at the Just One Africa club’s holiday market, this Friday, December 7th. The purchase of “Just One” bracelet provides 200,000 gallons of clean water for families in Kenya.
There will be many gift choices at the market including bracelets, necklaces, earrings, African themed stuffed animals and holiday greeting cards. The market will be in the atrium from 8:15 am to 3:00 pm. Please stop by the Just One Africa market and change someone’s life with your purchase. Also, Just One Africa club members who are helping with the holiday market on Friday should see Mrs. Witalis in the media center for a morning pass.
Science Olympiad Competition
On Saturday, December 8th, Science Olympiad will send two teams to the Chattahoochee Invitational at Chattahoochee High School.
PAGE Regional Academic Bowl Tournament
Lollipop and Airhead Sale
Basketball Schedule Changes
Please note the following schedule change to the games below.
Tuesday, December 11th at PGMS
8th Girls
7th Boys
Thursday, December 13th at PGMS
7th Girls
8th Boys
Popcorn and Candy
The PTSA will be treating the teachers to popcorn and candy on Monday December 17th and we need your help to make it a success. Please consider volunteering to send in food for the teachers.
Items can be dropped off at the front office anytime before 10am on Monday. (It might be easier to drop them off by Friday the 14th)
Thank you,
Linda Selbach
Holiday Crockpot / Potluck
It's time to treat our wonderful PGMS staff for the holidays. Please consider signing up to help out with the potluck. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4CAFA62AA13-holiday4
Dishes can be picked up after school on Wednesday. Please use crock pot liners and disposable pans when possible.
Thank you
Linda Selbach
FCS COLLEGE AND CAREER FAIR
Piney Grove Middle School 8th Grade Students will attend FCS College and Career Fair on December 14, 2018. Each year our school system hosts a college and career fair for all 8th grade students at Lanier Tech. This year the date is Friday, December 14. Information was sent home with students on December 5th. There is NO COST for students to participate in this wonderful experience!
Students will visit information booths at the conference center regarding various career pathway exploration and learn more about businesses/industries in our community. We are asking that students dress professional for this event.
Parent School Climate Survey
The school climate surveys for the 2018-2019 school year will officially open on Monday, October 15, 2018, and will remain open through Friday, March 1, 2019.
The Georgia Parent Survey contains 24 questions. Parents may complete the survey using their personal computer, smartphone, or tablet. All parents are encouraged to participate in the Georgia Parent Survey because the data will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. The Georgia Parent Survey is also available in Spanish. Parents may select the Spanish version within the survey. The Georgia Parent Survey link is posted below.
Georgia Parent Survey:
8th Grade Savannah Trip Information
Attention 8th Grade Parents:
The third and final payment for the 8th grade Savannah trip in May 2019 is due Friday, February 8th. The amount due is $115, and checks should be made out to PGMS. Students can turn them in to Ms. Gibson in the 8th grade hallway, or they can be left at the front office.
Contact Ms. Gibson for more information or to check your balance. sgibson@forsyth.k12.ga.us
FCS SOAR School Bus Safety Reminder
This is a reminder for students on how important it is to be S.O.A.R. safe when waiting at bus stops, getting on/off the school bus, or when crossing a road to load/unload the school bus.
SOAR Student Safety Brochure:
https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/cms/lib3/GA01000373/Centricity/Domain/34/FCST%20Brochure.pdf
Box Tops for Education
Kids remember to bring your box tops and drop them off in packs of 25 at the front office to visit the treat box. The treat box contains squishies, full-size candy bars, and other fun items.
Yearbooks Are Now On Sale!
Visit Balfour.com and search: Piney Grove, to order your yearbook today for $55.
If you have any questions, please email Kimberly Zimmerman at kzimmerman@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Notes From PE
PE students are required to wear a Piney Grove PE shirt and either athletic shorts/athletic pants in order to be considered properly dressed out for class. Please have your student talk to their PE teacher if they need to purchase a shirt.
From The School Nurse
If Medications can be given at home or after school hours, please do so. All medication will be taken directly to the office by parent or guardian. Students MAY NOT have medication in their possession except with a physicians’s request or a physicians order on a Forsyth County care plan.
Judith Femia RN
PGMS Nurse
678-965-5010 ext 381527
Important Arrival And Departure Information
PGMS Arrival and Departure Information
Details regarding student arrival and dismissal, including car rider line expectations, permission to walk off campus and parking information, has been posted on the PGMS Website.
To navigate to that page from the PGMS Website (https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/pineygrove), hover over “Our School” in the menu bar, and select “Policies & Regulations”. From that page, click PGMS Arrival and Departure Information from the menu on the left hand side. You may also access that page by clicking the link provided below.
PGMS Arrival and Departure Information
As a school, we stress the importance of maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for our students from the time they enter campus until they head off for home. To that end, please note the following.
Piney Grove Middle School will open to receive students at 7:30am. Students may not be dropped off before that time.
Students must be picked up from school no later than 4:45pm, unless they are participating in a supervised school activity.
Grizzly Mentors Needed
Dear PGMS Family,
Please consider volunteering some of your time to serve as a Grizzly Mentor this year. Many of our students could benefit from a caring adult investing around 30 minutes a week into a one-on-one relationship. Studies show that having a mentor can drastically improve a student's attendance, motivation, achievement, and general outlook.
A list of training dates is attached.
Please feel free to call or email me if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Randolph Thrower
Piney Grove Middle School
Counselor (A-K)
678.965.5010 ext. 381005
Parent Reminder Regarding Student Pickup
Parents....please remember to update your Parent Portal Demographics Section with anyone who has your permission to check out your child. Your child will not be able to leave with anyone not on the list.
My Payments Plus Info Below!
Are You Receiving Emails From Piney Grove?
This is just a reminder that at Piney Grove we communicate often and in various ways. Information is put on our Piney Grove Dashboard on itsLearning, on our Piney Grove web page, and on our Facebook / Twitter accounts. Information is also sent out in emails via Campus Messenger. We have sent quite a few already and hope that you have not missed them. If you are not receiving them for some reason there are a couple things you will need to check.