GATOR BITES
MAY 15TH - MAY 21ST, 2022
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
5/16 Yearbook Distribution - 1st Period Class
5/16 Library Books are DUE
5/16 Choir Spring Concert 6:30PM-7:30PM @ Griffin Middle School
5/17 6th Grade Awards Ceremony 9:00AM-10:30AM @ Griffin Middle School
5/17 8th Grade Presidential Awards Ceremony 6:00PM-8:00PM @ GMS (See info Below)
5/17 SHAC Review of Proposed 6-12 Health/PE Instructional Materials (See info Below)
5/18 7th Grade Awards Ceremony 9:00AM-10:30AM @ Griffin Middle School
5/18 8th Lone Star attend Aloha Pep Rally 9:45AM-11:30AM (Permission Slip Required)
5/18 Special School Board Meeting - Canvass Election Results 9:00AM-10:00AM
5/19 8th Grade Celebration at The Fieldhouse 9:00AM-11:30AM (Permission Slip Required) -(Service Project/Rockbottom Outreach)
5/20 8th Grade Awards Ceremony 9:00AM-10:30AM @ Griffin Middle School
5/20 Last Day of School for the 2021-2022 School Year
5/19-5/22 Frisco ISD Graduation Ceremonies (See info Below)
Last Week Parent/Child Conversation
Parents/Guardians,
As we arrive at the final week of school for students, we are asking for your partnership in speaking with your child about school behavior and expectations to close out the school year. We have seen an increase in horseplay, some of which has led to actual altercations. We have also seen an uptick in students participating in social media challenges that encourage inappropriate behaviors towards others or vandalism against the campus. These are beyond the normal student behaviors of leaving trash in the cafeteria, using their phone during school hours, etc., which are still not acceptable on campus.
Please speak with your child about the importance of leaving a positive impression and that their name represents their family, athletic program, fine arts program, church, etc. Each student should want to R.I.S.E. and be remembered by the staff and other students for being respectful, having integrity, serving others, and excellence.
Students who do not follow the expectations of the campus and district, may miss out on the excitement of the last week and campus activities, or even begin the following school year with consequences, even at the high school level.
Thank you for partnering with the campus to ensure each child has a positive end to their school year.
Sincerely,
Principal Hill
STUDENT SAFETY - IMPORTANT TRAFFIC FLOW INFORMATION!!!
Here are a few reminders to help keep our students safe and expedite the pickup and drop off process at Griffin Middle School.
- The speed limit on campus is 10 MPH at all times.
- All lanes must stop at the stop sign on the west side or back of the building and the stop sign on the east side of the building before the cross walks.
- Pay attention to the cross walk locations to avoid stopping or parking on them. Stopping on the cross walks can be dangerous as it forces students to cross where you may not expect them.
- Please pull forward in the carpool lines to keep the line moving and to allow other cars to enter the parking lot.
- There are 2 lines to enter the south entrance off Lenox and one line for exiting. Do not enter on the exit lane as this could cause a backup or accident.
- Pickup and drop off your students ONLY in the designated lanes to the right hand side. Follow the traffic flow map for afternoon pick-up.
- Remember, parking on the school side of Lenox is not permitted between 2:00-4:00PM. Parking on Lenox has caused a backup onto Eldorado which is unsafe.
- Morning drop off is either in the front of the school or on the cafeteria side. Cafeteria doors open at 7:30AM. The front doors open at 7:45AM.
- In the morning, please avoid dropping your child off inside the fire lane in the front of the school, this space is reserved for buses.
- Afternoon pick-up: 8th grade is North side by Eldorado, 6th and 7th grade is South side by Cafeteria. Only buses should be in the front (East side) of the building. Map is also attached.
- Please remember your vehicle must be at a complete stop in a school zone if using your cell phone. If the car is in motion, using your phone is against the law.
- Lastly, please remember to be patient and courteous to your fellow parents. We understand pick up and drop off can be hectic due to the sheer volume of cars on campus during these times.
Nurse's Corner: Medication Pick-up
Medications in the clinic must be picked up by the last day of school!
If you would like to pick up the medications you have in the clinic for your student, please make arrangements to do so before the last day of school. Please contact Nurse Elliott with the day and approximate time that you would like to pick up the medication (s).
Medications that are not picked up by the parent by 4pm on Friday, May 20th will be disposed of properly by Frisco ISD via an authorized medical waste management contractor. FISD campuses do not store student medications over the summer.
Nurse's Corner: Immunizations
Attention 6th Grade Parents:
We need your student’s updated vaccine record before they can begin 7th grade.
All 7th graders are required to have a Tdap booster within the last 5 years and a Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4).
These immunizations are routinely given at a child’s 11 year well check visit. If your child has already received these immunizations, please got ahead and send in a copy to avoid the beginning of the school year rush. Your child will not be able to obtain their schedule or start 7th grade without these on file.
You may drop them off at the front office, email or fax them to me.
Thank you,
Nurse Elliott
469.633.4908 (phone)
469.633.4928 (fax)
2022-2023 Open Positions for Instructional Aides!!!
If you or anyone you know is interested in working full time as an instructional aide at Griffin or would like further information about these positions, please let Mrs. McDonald know via email at mcdonalc@friscoisd.org.
LIBRARY BOOKS ARE DUE!!!
Presidential Awards Ceremony (8th Grade)
When: May 17, 2022
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Griffin Middle School Cafeteria
Ceremony for students with last names beginning A - K will be at 6:00pm.
Ceremony for students with last names beginning L - Z will be at 7:15pm.
Students that are award recipients should sit together in the reserved section of the cafeteria near the stage. This is a semi-formal occasion, so we ask that students not wear jeans, flip-flops, or other casual dress attire. A rehearsal for the ceremony will be conducted on Tuesday, May 17th during the school day from 1:31p.m. – 2:13p.m. in the cafeteria.
SHAC Review of Proposed 6-12 Health/PE Instructional Materials
A special meeting of the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) will be held on Tuesday, May 17 at 5 p.m. in the FISD Administration Training Rooms, 5515 Ohio Drive, to review the proposed adoption of instructional materials for health and physical education in grades 6-12. Follow the link below to review the materials proposed for adoption and provide feedback.
Open to the Public
May 17, 2022
5:00 - 6:30 PM
Frisco ISD Administration Training Rooms
5515 Ohio Drive
Frisco, Texas 75035
Frisco ISD Graduation Ceremonies
Frisco ISD has partnered with Ford Center to host graduation ceremonies on May 19-22, 2022. Please visit the graduation website to see the schedule and times for each campus.
FISD Graduates and their families
May 19, 2022 - May 22, 2022
Secondary Summer School Registration Ends (Original Credit)
Secondary Summer School Registration will be available online for current Frisco ISD students who are enrolling in courses for advancement, virtual test prep and credit recovery. Once the online registration is received and processed, the appropriate fee will be applied to the student's Online School Fees Account. Registration ended for original credit on May 13, and May 26 marks the end of registration for credit recovery. All course fees must be paid in full by May 27, 2022.
Current FISD Students
6th-8th Wakeland Wrestling Information
Wakeland is offering after-school practices to any boy or girl, 6th grade - 8th grade, who would like to learn more about the sport. These practices will be from 4:30-5:30, every Tuesday and Wednesday until school is out.
Wakeland Wrestlers will be outside the gym to show them where the mat-room is.
2022-2023 Registration Began for Returning Students
FISD Secondary Summer School Registration has Began
Secondary Summer School Registration is available online for current Frisco ISD students who are enrolling in courses for advancement, virtual test prep and credit recovery.
Once the online registration is received and processed, the appropriate fee will be applied to the student's Online School Fees Account.
All course fees must be paid in full by May 26, 2022.
For: Current FISD Students
Principal Ryan Solano
Questions? Email: SolanoR@friscoisd.org
ORDER School Supplies 2022-2023
Parents - Skip the trip to the store this summer!
Your student's exact teacher requested school supplies for the 2022-23 school year are available now! Go to www.sproutsupplies.com and enter school code GMS001.
The deadline to order is July 12th! Supply kits can be picked up at Gator Camp in August.
Prekindergarten Registration has Began
Grade-Level Assessment Calendars
Core grade-level teachers will embed a Google Assessment Calendar on their Canvas homepage which will provide assessment dates for all grade-level courses.
The links to the calendars will also be added to the Griffin webpage and are included below:
Yearbook Distribution - 1st Period Class
Yearbooks will be distributed during student's first period class.
A very limited quantity of yearbooks are available to purchase if a student didn't purchase one earlier this year.
Request for yearbook must be made by filling out the Google form below.
Once the Google form has been submitted, the parent will receive an email stating that the fee to purchase the yearbook has been added to their Online School Fees account.
Once the payment has been confirmed, the student will have a yearbook reserved.
SECONDARY SUMMER SCHOOL MAY 31st-JUNE 23rd, 2022
FISD: Future Ready
Future Ready:
You may have seen or heard us reference the term “future ready.” But what does it mean for students and their learning in Frisco ISD? Check out our video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5EWNZvCZ5o, or learn more at friscoisd.org/about/future-ready.
Frisco ISD is committed to developing students who are ready for whatever lies beyond high school – whether that’s college, a career or the military. In a rapidly changing world, students need skills that can be easily transferred from one employer or job sector to another as well applied in any aspect of their life.
Future ready defines student achievement beyond test scores, grades and class rank to encompass a broader picture of what students need to be successful, both in the classroom and following high school graduation. From developing grit to persevere through challenges and identifying solutions to real-world problems, FISD seeks to create authentic and relevant learning experiences that go beyond the required curriculum standards and foster transferable skills that can be applied to a wide variety of life and career paths. To do that, FISD must reimagine education, empower students to take an active role in their learning and tailor instruction to meet their unique needs and interests.
Our Future-Ready focus areas guide the work of Frisco ISD campuses in accomplishing these goals. Our Future-Ready Profiles detail the traits FISD seeks to develop in its students, as well as the attributes cultivated in employees tasked with helping them become future ready.
Technology: Important Parent Information
Parents,
It has come to our attention students are using online apps, like Omegle, that allow them to communicate with complete strangers.
We encourage families to discuss online safety and family expectations with these types of online apps.
Student safety on campus and online is a top priority. We will continue to communicate this type of information as we find out about potential safety concerns through the internet or apps.
TECHNOLOGY: Chromebook Repairs
Please refer to the 1:1 In The Middle Handbook for information and see the Repair/Replacement information below.
Repair/Replacement Information
- The first incident will be repaired for free.
- The second incident will require the student to pay $20 to help cover the cost of repairs.
- The third incident will require the full cost of the device repair.
- In the instance that the damage to the device is intentional, the cost of the repair will be based on the damage regardless of how many incidents have occurred.
- Lost or broken chargers must be paid for to receive a replacement.
Estimated Replacement Costs
- Chromebook: $300
- Battery: $110
- Screen: $160
- Keyboard: $17
- Keyboard & Touchpad: $65
- Power Cord: $36
Deep Thoughts & Family Discussion
Each family is encouraged to discuss these questions/thoughts during dinner throughout the week.
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Teachers On The Rise Program
Market Street Supermarkets and Mrs Baird’s Bread are proud to bring its popular Teachers On The Rise program to North Texas. These two companies have hosted Teachers On The Rise for the past twelve years in West Texas/Panhandle and are looking forward to honoring your great teachers this school year because we know great things happen in our classrooms every single day.
Teachers On The Rise is a student/family nominated teacher recognition program honoring three teachers every month for the remainder of the school year—one winner in elementary, one middle school winner and one high school teacher. Now that we are back and better than ever, with in-person learning, we are excited to see what this school year has to offer.
Entering is easy. Students and families can log onto www.NorthTexasTOTR.com or simply google Teachers On The Rise. Once at the nomination site, they will enter in a little information about themselves and then tell us why their teacher deserves special recognition. Perhaps a teacher made a student feel welcome on the first day of school, or a student would like to honor a teacher they had in years’ past--these are stories we want to hear about. Tip: We know teachers are nice, funny and great, but we want to know why they are nice, funny and great. Please be as detailed as possible on your nomination.
We will continue to honor three teachers every month this school year—one from elementary, one from middle school/junior high, and one teacher from high school. The teachers will receive a great prize packet from our sponsors including a $100 Market Street gift card and a $100 American Express gift card from Mrs Baird’s Bread! The student or family who nominates a winning teacher also receives a $50 American Express gift card, so it 'pays' to enter!
We know school around the holidays can be stressful at times, so we want to know the great things teachers are doing to make learning fun, effective and memorable, and flexible. They deserve the recognition, so tell us about them today at www.NorthTexasTOTR.com and we look forward to honoring your great teachers and students this school year.
RAIL Tutoring Program
Frisco ISD teachers are now offering weekly online tutorials in the evenings, saving parents time and money that might otherwise be spent on outside tutors.
The tutorials are facilitated by District teachers who have worked with the Teaching and Learning Department to ensure alignment between what happens in the classroom and what is covered in online tutorials. Tutorials are at 6 p.m.:
- Mondays - Math
- Tuesdays - Social Studies
- Wednesdays - ILA
- Thursdays - Science
COVID-19 Priority Testing for Staff and Students
Students and Staff Get Priority Access to COVID-19 Testing
Frisco ISD has partnered with Nomi Health, a COVID-19 testing facility, to make sure students and staff have convenient access to free PCR and antigen testing. The testing site located at the northwest corner of Technology Drive and World Cup Way has a priority access line for FISD staff and students. Individuals are not required to use Nomi Health. Learn more about registration.
Support the Frisco Education Foundation through Amazon Smile
You can support the Frisco Education Foundation by shopping on smile.amazon.com. Choose the Frisco Education Foundation as the recipient and .5% of the purchase price will go straight to the FEF.
The Frisco Education Foundation is the 501(c)3 not-for-profit that exists solely to benefit the students and staff of Frisco ISD. Click here to learn more about the FEF.
FRISCO ISD Fine Art “Musings” Newsletter
Click here to find the latest newsletter or sign-up for the newsletter to get it directly in your inbox.
FRISCO ISD PODCAST
Check Out the FISD Podcast
In the third episode of The Frisco ISD Podcast, Managing Director of Guidance and Counseling Dr. Stephanie Cook joins us to discuss social-emotional learning. In this episode, we discuss its meaning and how parents can support their students throughout their SEL journey. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts.
FISD Printable Calendars
Get to Know the Calendars on the District Website
The Frisco ISD calendar section has numerous functionalities. You can customize your calendar to include only the district calendars that are applicable to you before printing, subscribing or syncing to your Outlook. For example, high school athletics and middle school fine arts can each be specified by campus and activity.
Check out the FISD Community Folder
Check Out the Community Folder
The community folder area of the District website is full of advertisements and links to information about goods and services that may be of interest to the FISD community. You can find everything from discounts on kids’ camps to volunteer opportunities. The folder does not represent the viewpoint of the District and is not an endorsement of the advertiser, products, or services listed.
GRIFFIN MIDDLE SCHOOL HOURS
SCHOOL HOURS: 8:25 AM - 3:45 PM School doors to the main entrance and cafeteria will open at 7:45 AM each day.
A.M. tutorials begin at 7:55 AM and P.M. tutorials end at 4:05.
HELPFUL LINKS AND GMS CONTACT INFORMATION
Bennett and Alma Griffin Middle School
Email: griffin@friscoisd.org
Website: http://schools.friscoisd.org/campus/middle-school/griffin/calendar
Location: 3703 Eldorado Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75034, USA
Phone: 469-633-4900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffingatorpta/
Twitter: @GriffinMSGators