Greenville Middle
Principal Update: Week of January 25
Connecting * Informing * Supporting
From Principal Andrews
It's hard to believe we're heading into the last week in January! We are well into the third quarter, and I want to remind students that our next No NHI Celebration is scheduled on February 19. Students are encouraged to arrive early, by 8:00 AM, to work on missing assignments in their homeroom and to request help from teachers during this time. I hope to see all of our students participate in this celebration next month!
Students are reminded that masks and student IDs should be displayed upon entering the building. Administrators will meet with students, as needed, to address any violations to our school rules and safety protocols.
If our staff can assist you or your student, please let us know. We appreciate your support!
In this week's GMA Bulletin, you'll find information about:
- A.R.M.E.S Registration
- Registration for GCS Virtual Program for Next School Year
- GCS Job Fair
- Parent Information Session on Sexting
- 4K Registration
- Spring Sports
- 6th Grade Tdap Requirement
- Make-Up Pictures for Virtual Students
- Lunch Menu this week
- Free Meals for Remainder of the Year
- Much more!
Upcoming Dates:
- January 25 - Sexual Health & Responsibility Education Classes Begin for In-person Students
- January 25 - SIC Meeting (12:00 PM via Zoom)
- January 26 - PSAT
- January 28 - Make-Up Picture Day for Virtual Students (9:00-12:00)
- February 1-19 - ACCESS Testing for ELLs
- February 5 - 8th Grade Yearbook Ads Due
- February 28 - Yearbook Orders Due
As always, thank you for your support of Greenville Middle Academy! Let's have a great week!
Stay well,
Principal Andrews
LUNCH MENU
Monday:
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Roast Turkey w/ Gravy
Tuesday:
Chicken Pot Pie
BBQ Roasted Chicken
Wednesday:
Chicken Biscuit
General Tso's Chicken w/ Fried Rice
Thursday:
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
Fish and Chips
Friday:
Grilled Cheese
Oven Roasted Chicken
FREE School Meals to All Students for the 2020-2021
Greenville County Schools is providing FREE school meals to ALL students for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. There is no requirement to complete an application to receive this meal benefit. Breakfasts and lunches are available daily at all schools.
Mark Your Calendar - Parent Session on Sexting
Please join the Julie Valentine Center as we discuss internet safety, sexting and it’s impact, and talking to your kids in a constructive way about this sometimes sensitive topic. Tonya Stewart, JVC adolescent therapist, will share her experiences with sexting, trauma, supporting your kids through this experience, and taking to other parents about this. We will also discuss internet safety tips and talking points for your and your child.
You can join us via zoom or watch us live on Facebook. We invite you to share this with your parents, post this on your or your school’s webpage, or social media pages. Thank you for your partnership, we look forward to talking with you on the 28.
Make-Up Pictures for Virtual Students
Make-up Pictures for Virtual Students will be scheduled on Thursday, January 28 from 9:00-12:00.
Strawbridge is asking that parents sign their student up for their make-up picture. Please click on flyer below to sign up for your time on January 28.
A.R.M.E.S. Nomination Information
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT AREAS? Strings, Art, Dance, Creative Writing and Drama. Students may be nominated and audition for as many areas as they have interest but once accepted into the program, can only participate in one area per year. A separate nomination form for each discipline is required.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Rising 3rd – 8th graders for the 2021 - 2022 school year.
HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK? Anyone can nominate a student, including teachers, parents, other adults, or self. Go to http://www.armesprogram.com and click on the link, “ARMES NOMINATION” and complete the online nomination.
Nominations will be open from February 1, 2021 through April 1, 2021.
ACCESS Assessment for English Language Learners
We are getting ready to test your child for his/her proficiency in the English language by administering the state assessment, ACCESS for ELLs. You can help your child prepare for this test by ensuring that he/she gets plenty of rest and focuses on his/her goal that was set with Mrs. Uria during the recent goal-setting conferences. Both in-person and virtual students will be tested.
Please review the parent letter for dates and times:
If you have any questions, please email your child’s ESOL teacher, Mrs. Uria, at turia@greenville.k12.sc.us.
8th Graders: YEARBOOK ADS ON SALE NOW
8th grade Ads are due February 5. Parents can create their own ads online on the Jostens' website. Access the link though the yearbook webpage on our school website.
REMINDER: Yearbooks must be ordered by February 28.
Register Now for Next Year - 2021-22 GCS Virtual Program
Looking forward to next school year, Greenville County students have the opportunity to enroll in the full-time GCS Virtual Program. Registration for the 2021-22 GCS Virtual Program opens Tuesday, January 19 and will continue through Tuesday, February 9.
To register, students must be enrolled in Greenville County Schools and parents must have a Backpack account. This first registration window is for those who are certain they want to participate in the Virtual Program next fall. NOTE: The Virtual Program will not be offered at Specialized/Magnet programs such as Charles Townes Center, Language Immersion and preschool/self-contained disabilities.
Spring Sports
Spring Sports are currently scheduled to start February 15, 2021. All 7th and 8th graders who want to tryout must complete a physical and permission form and a Covid-Waiver before being admitted to the playing field. These must be turned into Athletic Director Nicholas Hall. If interested in trying out, please email the coach of your intentions and pose any questions to the following e-mail addresses.
Softball: Ruth Forbes kforbes@greenville.k12.sc.us
Baseball: Stephen Williams stewilliams@greenville.k12.sc.us
Girls Soccer: Matthew Giacalone mpgiacalone@greenville.k12.sc.us
Boys Soccer: TBD, send questions to A.D. Nicholas Hall nihall@greenville.k12.sc.us
4K Applications Accepted January 11-March 10
Parents of four-year-old children can apply for the GCS 4K Program beginning Monday, January 11. Your child must turn four years old on or before September 1, 2021. Parents can apply online at https://bit.ly/3mHuiH9. If you do not have internet access, call 864-452-0437.
Children selected for 4K programs must demonstrate academic or developmental needs and/or risk factors such as low family income and low parent education level. A child’s primary custodial parent/legal guardian can submit the application. The GCS Virtual Program is not available to 4K students. For more information, please email 4K@greenville.k12.sc.us or call 864-452-0437. Flyer
6th Grade Tdap Requirement
Attention all 6th grade parents: South Carolina law states that ALL students are required to have the Tdap vaccine BEFORE they enter 7th grade. This means that your 6th grader should get the vaccination during his/her annual doctor visit this year. The Tdap vaccine can be obtained at your primary health care provider, the Health Department, or various walk-in clinics.
Please make sure your student has the Tdap vaccine this year and have the vaccine certificate sent to school as soon as it is completed. If your child already had the Tdap vaccine, please send a copy of the immunization form into school to ensure that we have it on record. Your child will not be able to attend the 7th grade until we have this form on record at school.
Thank you in advance for your help. Please feel free to contact GMA's School Nurse, Catherine Manske, with any questions.
ACE AWARDS
The ACE Awards (Advocates for Character and Education) was created by Greg Blatt, Founder and Executive Director of Coaches 4 Character. It is an annual award given to 74 male and female students from each of the 36 Greenville County middle and high schools.
It will honor one male and one female from each middle and high school in grades 8 and 12 who are considered the true “unsung heroes” in their schools. These are students who might go unnoticed for one reason or another, students who are role models, who work hard and give their best effort, students who are all too often not recognized for their accomplishments, or students who demonstrate unusual commitment to academics despite various obstacles. The award ceremony will be organized and hosted by Coaches 4 Character and Greenville county school counselors.
Anyone can nominate a student: faculty and staff, parents, community members, and students. The nomination form is online at https://forms.gle/jYXXZ6cWnFwFDAVv6
Nominations open December 7, 2020 and close February 8, 2021.
Updated COVID Guide for Students & Parents
The GCS Return to In-Person Instruction Timeline can be found on our school website.
COVID-19 Reminders
- South Carolina's DHEC website has a website that shows COVID-19 testing locations. The interactive map is available here.
MASK REQUIREMENT
- Masks are required for all students and staff when entering and exiting the building. Masks will also be worn during transitions from class to class and whenever seated in the plexiglass pods.
- Social distancing of at least six feet is critically important. DHEC requires an exclusion from school for 10-14 days for anyone who tests positive for COVID and all close contacts.
- Close contacts are defined as individuals who spend at least 15 cumulative minutes within six feet of a person while he/she is contagious with COVID. Individuals with COVID are believed to be contagious for up to 48 hours before they develop symptoms or test positive (if asymptomatic).
Students with symptoms of COVID-19 should be excluded from school if they have any one of the following with or without fever:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing -or-
- Loss of taste or smell -or-
- New or worsening cough
2021-22 School Calendar
5K-12 Student Calendar English 2021-22
Student Activities
High School Information
Eastside High School
Southside High School - The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Southside High School provides students with a rigorous course of study to help prepare them for university success and life beyond high school. Students may elect to complete the full diploma program or earn a certificate in one or more areas of study. In order to complete the diploma program students study six subjects over the course of two years. Learn more about the SHS Program.
Career Explorer
Career Explorer helps students forge a future within some of the fastest-growing careers and industries in South Carolina. It provides information on the pay rate, expected job growth and number of openings for a variety of high-demand jobs.
Check out Career Explorer!
Scholarship and Awards Programs - Information and Deadlines
- $1000 - 4 Awards (Deadline: March 5, 2021)
- To be eligible for the award a student must be a U.S. student enrolled in 6th-8th and have exactly 4 students in your team (students do not need to be from the same school)
- $100,000 - 100 Awards (Deadline; May 1, 2021)
- To be eligible for the award a student must be a student between the ages of 4 and 18 (as of the date the entry is submitted)
Nominate a Teacher for the WYFF Golden Apple Award
Use this Nomination Form to complete your entry. This link will prompt you to make a copy, click make a copy and complete your nomination. Once finished, print and mail your entry to:
WYFF News 4
Golden Apple Award
505 Rutherford Street
Greenville, SC 29609
Parent Resources
Set Up Parent Backpack - An App for Parents & Guardians
Parent Backpack is an online application that allows parents and guardians to view your student's grades, school attendance, and discipline when you are logged into the system. Parent Backpack works on any device and is mobile-friendly.
To access Parent Backpack, go to https://parents.gcsbackpack.com and create an account. Please access directions by clicking on Creating a Parent Backpack Account.
PTA Memberships - The Backbone of Our School Community!
Please join the GMA PTA. Membership is $5. Our membership goal is to have 100% membership participation. Our PTA supports students and staff. Money raised goes towards staff appreciation, school improvement and end-of-the-year events.
Memberships are available in the virtual school store at: https://gma.memberhub.store/.
eLearning Tab On Our Website
Here are a few resources that you will find on this page:
- Parent Video Guide to Google Classroom
- Google Guardian Feature (Summary emails about your student's missing work, upcoming work, and class activity)
- Parents’ Guide to Google Classroom / La guía de los padres para Aula de Google
- Accessing Google Classroom Files and Websites while Offline / Accediendo a Google Classroom Archivos y sitios web sin conexión
- Directions to Authenticate Your Chromebook
Learn English With the Greenville Literacy Association
Virtual ESL Classes run January to March 2021 Monday—Thursday!
Registrations are in person. We follow social distancing and require facial masks to fill out registration forms, test, pay and obtain a Skype account. Please allow 1 hour for registration.
Only applicant can enter GLA. We register by appointment only. Email us now: eades@greenvilleliteracy.org or arroyave@greenvilleliteracy.org
Greenville Middle Academy
Email: gmaoffice@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gvillem/
Location: 339 Lowndes Avenue, Greenville, South Carolina 29607, USA
Phone: (864) 355-5600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gvillerams
Twitter: @gvillerams