Jaguar News
Friday, February 12, 2021
Please keep in mind that school will not be in session on Monday, February 15th due to President's Day. Enjoy the weekend!
Parent Teacher Conferences
Additionally, Gentry Counselors will be available during Parent/Teacher conferences via phone call or Zoom on the evenings of February 23rd and 25th from 3:00-6:30pm. Please reach out to your student's counselor if you would like to schedule a meeting:
Jeanine Atwell: Last names A-Hi jatwell@cpsk12.org
Abigail Elliott: Last names Ho-R aelliott@cpsk12.org
Michael Onwulata: Last names S-Z monwulata@cpsk12.org
Erin Maynard: Outreach Counselor emaynard@cpsk12.org
Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to the following GMS teachers who have been nominated for one of the CPS awards this year:
Ms. Abby Vaughn - Outstanding First Year Teacher
Mr. David Aulgur - Outstanding Middle School Educator
Mrs. Christine Spurling - Outstanding Educator in a Specialized Area
The official criteria for this award is that these staff members “by their performance and dedication, have demonstrated the highest commitment to their duties, giving particular weight to the contribution made by the teacher to the total development of his or her students.”
With that being said, if you and/or your student would like to write a letter of support for one (or all) of these amazing teachers, please email your completed letter to Josh Johnson at josjohnson@cpsk12.org (or have your student hand deliver it to the GMS main office) no later than February 28th. As always, thank you for ALL of your continued support!
Co-Taught ELA and Social Studies Course
For the 2021-2022 school year, Gentry will be offering a new course option for our 8th graders. This course, which will be a co-taught ELA and Social Studies class, will be modeled similarly to the co-taught courses in high school, but will be reflected into the 8th grade setting. It will provide students with the opportunity to stretch their thinking and prepare them for high school, while also providing student support and differentiation. None co-taught sections of English and Social Studies will still be offered. Students have heard about this course option during their registration presentations with guidance, but we wanted to offer a place for parents to ask questions and meet the teachers. Please feel free to attend a Zoom on Tuesday, Feb. 16th at 5:00pm with the teachers, David Aulgur and Bri Noltie, one of our guidance counselors, and one of our administrators. https://cpsk12.zoom.us/j/98485511512
6th/7th Grade Parents: Course Registration Begins February 8th
Middle school course registration will begin on Monday, February 8th and run through February 19th. Our Guidance department will present information during core classes next week. Students, however, will not be able register at school as this process requires parent/guardian approval. All registration materials can be accessed through our Gentry Middle School webpage. Please complete this process with your child. If you need further direction, don't hesitate to reach out to one of the counselors. The link below will be live on Monday, February 8th.
https://www.cpsk12.org/domain/10269#calendar29550/20210204/month
Picture Retake and/or New Student Photo Date
Interstate Studios will return to Gentry on April 6th and April 8th (7:30-11:00 am) to retake photos for those students who would like to have their photos retaken. If your student is having their photo retaken, they will simply need to bring their original photo packet and uncut photos to this sitting and return them to the photographer. You will NOT need to reorder photos.
On this same day, we will also be taking photos of those students who missed having their initial photo taken in early February. New students can pre-order photos using the link and code below. If you have any further questions, please contact Inter-State Studios at 573-449-3090.
New students can order at:
www.inter-state.com/order Enter code: 49850W
Student Yearbooks- Final Pre-Order Date is March 24th!
Black History Month
KBIA's "You Don't Say" Podcast Series: Black History told by Columbia's Black Community:
https://www.kbia.org/term/you-dont-say#stream/0
MU Black History Month:
https://blackstudies.missouri.edu/black-history-month
City of Columbia Black History Month:
www.facebook.com/groups/231622748555808/
African American Heritage Trail Self-Guided Tour and Reflection:
African American Heritage Trail self-guided tour and reflection
iPad Tech Support- Reminder
- The nearest CPS middle school M-F between 12:30 and 2:30 pm
- The Main CPS Building (1818 W. Worley Street) M-Th from 5:00-7:00 pm
Hunt for Optimism Contest
Media Center Minute
Library Visits - We are so excited to announce that Gentry students will come and visit the library every other week starting next week! Students have not had an opportunity to browse for books in almost a year, so we are excited to be able to do this. Students will be visiting in small RTI groups and will be given Covid safe directions on how to check out and return books.
Guessing Jars - We had over 200 guesses for our candy kisses guessing jars this week. Aidan Wehmeyer and Hannah Tiemeyer were only one away with their guess of 143 kisses. The actual count was 144! Both students have received 144 candy kisses. Our next few give away's will be for books written by black authors. We will be giving away a copy of 'Ghost' by Jason Reynolds next week.
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college readiness program offered to 7th–12th grade CPS students. AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in society. If you believe your child would benefit from this program, please talk with them and encourage them to apply. The application is right on their iPad. Student applications are due February 15. Below are common characteristics of AVID students:
An AVID Student...
* Has desire and determination to be successful in school
* Might fall into the academic middle
* Has special circumstances in which support would be beneficial
* Might be the first person in their family to go to college
* Appears capable of success in rigorous or advanced courses with support
* Might benefit from an “AVID Family” support system
* Might benefit from guidance at school to become college-ready
* Might be learning English as a second language
If your child applies, you will receive an invitation to an AVID Informational Session and the student will be contacted concerning their interest in being in our AVID class during the 2021-2022 school year.
If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Abby Vaughn avaughn@cpsk12.org, Brianne Hunter bhunter@cpsk12.org, or Josh Johnson josjohnson@cpsk12.org
Boone County Mental Health Survey
Our students and teachers will be completing the second round of the Boone County Schools Mental Health Coalition survey from February 8th-February 19th . If you have questions, please check the Frequently Asked Questions document below or contact Outreach Counselor Erin Maynard at emaynard@cpsk12.org
Future Dates to Remember
2/15- School Not in Session Due to President's Day
2/17- PTSA Zoom Meeting @ 6:00 pm
2/22-2/25- Parent Teacher Conferences via Zoom or Phone
2/25- Student Grades Posted onto Home Access
2/26- School Not in Session Due a Teacher Work Day
3/1- Track and Field Opening Day- First Day of After School Practice
3/10- School Not in Session Due to a Teacher Collaboration Day
3/17- PTSA Zoom Meeting @ 6:00 pm
3/29-4/2- School Not in Session Due to Spring Break
4/5- Beginning of Quarter 4/Rotation 4
Josh Johnson, Principal
Email: Josjohnson@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/Domain/17
Location: 4200 Bethel Street, Columbia, MO, USA
Phone: (573) 214-3240