Greenville Middle
Principal Update: Week of May 22
Connecting * Informing * Supporting
Mark Your Calendars!
- Students will be dismissed from school at 12:45 PM.
- Lunch will be served before students are dismissed.
- There will be NO Extended Day Program (EDP) on the half days of school.
From Principal Andrews
Students did a great job last week with testing. We're proud of their focus and efforts. Keep it up this week as we continue with testing. On Tuesday, May 23, students will take the SC READY Mathematics assessment and on Wednesday, May 24, 6th grade students will take the SC READY Science assessment and 8th graders taking Algebra I will take the End-of-Course assessment. Students, please make sure you are at school, on time, ready to begin testing. Eat breakfast so you can focus and do your best. Remember that Chromebooks should be fully charged. Also, cell phones and smart watches will need to be placed in your lockers. They are not permitted in the test sessions. More information can be found on our website.
- SC READY Mathematics - Tuesday, May 23
- SC READY Science (Grade 6 Only) - Wednesday, May 24
- End-of-Course Examination Algebra I - Wednesday, May 24
- SC READY Make-Up Testing - May 18-19 & May 26-31
- End-of-Course Make-Up Testing - May 26-31
All library books and materials need to be returned to the media center by Tuesday, May 23.
Students will be returning Chromebooks this week. Please ensure the Chromebook cover is returned with the Chromebook as well as the Chromebook charger.
- 7th grade on Wednesday, May 24,
- 8th grade on Thursday, May 25, and
- 6th grade on Friday, May 26.
The 8th Grade Dance and 8th Grade Day are quickly approaching and we need volunteers to help make it is a fantastic experience for our students. Click here to sign up.
8th graders interested in taking a Virtual Summer Course, please use this link to sign up. The deadline to sign up is Friday, May 26.
Please remember to:
- If your student will have a change in transportation status for next year, please complete and submit the 2023-24 Transportation Request Form. Completed forms should be sent to the school. Access the English/Spanish for the 2023-24 Transportation Request Form.
- Pick up student medication in the health room at the end of the year. Any medications that remain in the health room after Friday, June 2nd by 12:00 pm will be destroyed by the nurse, per district policy.
- Ensure 7th graders get the required Tdap vaccination now. Students will not be able to start the 2023-2024 school year without this updated vaccination. Please submit the vaccination form to the nurse before June 2. Feel free to contact our school nurse with any questions at 355-5607.
- If you would like a copy of your student's Report Card mailed home at the end of the quarter, please send in a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Parents will be able to access their student's Report Card, online, through Parent Backpack.
- Grab your GMA Spirit Wear! The PTA has a limited supply of GMA Spirit Wear. Go online to purchase.
- Place your Yearbook Order. Please visit our website for details.
Get Involved at GMA:
- 8th Grade Day & Dance - Volunteer to help make it is a fantastic experience for our students. Click here to sign up.
General Reminders:
- Eating breakfast? Make sure to arrive prior to 8:15 AM to ensure you are aren't missing any instructional time in 1st period.
- Tardies after 8:25 AM or later require that a parent enter the office to sign your student in to school.
School Calendar:
- May 23 - SC READY Math Test
- May 23 - All Library Books Due
- May 24 - SC READY Science Test / Algebra I End-of-Course Test
- May 24 - 7th Grade Chromebook / Charger Collection Day
- May 25 - 8th Grade Chromebook / Charger Collection Day
- May 26 - 6th Grade Chromebook / Charger Collection Day
- May 26-31 - SC READY & EOC Make-Up Testing
- May 29 - Memorial Day Holiday
- May 31 - 8th Grade Awards (9:00 AM) / 8th Grade Day
- Jun 1 - Field Day (6th & 7th Grades)
- Jun 1 - Half Day / Dismissal at 12:45 PM (No EDP)
- Jun 1 - Virtual School Chromebook / Charger Collection Day
- Jun 2 - 7th Awards (9:00 AM) / 6th Awards (11:00 AM)
- Jun 2 - Half Day / Dismissal at 12:45 PM (No EDP)
Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
As always, thank you for your support of Greenville Middle Academy. Let's have a great week!
Testing Calendar
Testing dates for the SC READY assessments in May are now posted. Please ensure appointments are scheduled around these dates. While tests are untimed , most students typically finish around 12:00 PM. More information, including a presentation to parents about these tests, can be found on our website. Parents, if you desire to help your student with the upcoming tests, please review the presentation. There are test items you can ask of your student to prepare them for the tests.
- SC READY English/Language Arts Day 1 - Tuesday, May 16
- SC READY English/Language Arts Day 2 - Wednesday, May 17
- SC READY Mathematics - Tuesday, May 23
- SC READY Science (Grade 6 Only) - Wednesday, May 24
- End-of-Course Examination Algebra I - Wednesday, May 24
Resources for Families this Summer
THANK YOU - Friends of the Ram
Friends of the RAM
REMINDERS:
Upcoming Events
Consider Becoming a Substitute Teacher
Parent Resources
FREE First Aid Classes
The 500 Foundation is providing free First Aid Classes for students and families this summer. First Aid and Safety for Kids is a course that is available to students and families at their Saturday Community Events. Additional training levels are also available. The next Saturday Community Event is on Saturday, June 10, at Butler Springs Park. Visit here to register.
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.
Join our Greenville Middle PTA
Join the Greenville Middle PTA for $5 to show your support of our school community. Visit our online PTA store to purchase:
- Frosty Friday Punch Cards ($10)
- New GMA Spirit Wear
- Birthday Announcements ($10)
- Friends of the Ram Sponsorships ($25)
Visit our school PTA website to learn about parent volunteer opportunities. Current needs:
- Frosty Friday - Sign up here.
If you’re interested in volunteering for other opportunities throughout the year to help support other teacher, student, and parent activities, please click here.
Complete an online Volunteer form and let us know how you're interested in helping our school. Review the GCSD Visitor & Volunteer guidelines. GCSD has added the Volunteer Portal for those volunteers that have set up accounts to be able to manage/update their accounts.
Car Line Procedures
MORNING CAR LINE
- Student drop off begins at 7:30 AM and no earlier. Do not leave your student unattended.
- Stay in line to the far right and drop off and load at the front of the school. Students should quickly exit wherever they stop in the line and walk to the entrance of the school.
- Students cannot be dropped off in the parking lot. Please use the car line. Parking is reserved for parents who enter the building.
- Do not park on Lowndes Ave and allow students to exit your vehicle. You will be ticketed.
- Do not drop off or pick up students except in designated areas at the front of the building.
- Do not drop students off in the East North Street Academy (elementary) car line.
AFTERNOON CAR LINE
- Please be mindful that we have many students who walk to the church and walk home from school.
- All cars will line up in a single line in front of the school as far right as possible.
- Do not block roads, cross walks, intersections, or private residence driveways.
- When the lane fills up from the front porch of the school to the school entrance, traffic will begin to line up on Perrin Road in a single line.
- Pull as close to the curb on Lowndes and Perrin, as school buses will need to pass you on your left.
- We strongly encourage exiting to the right once leaving campus. This route will easily take you towards downtown and Pleasantburg.
- Student safety is our priority. We are using the Car Line System to assist us with a safe dismissal. Pay attention to staff directing cars in the line. We will utilize a double line to load cars and safely dismiss one line at a time.
- Please be courteous and take turns at the intersections.
Remember, we’re all learning procedures during the first few weeks of school, so please be patient.
PLEASE NOTE: Crossing Guards do not direct traffic. If you have a concern regarding traffic or crossing guards, please contact the Greenville County Sheriff's Department.
2022-2023 School Meals
Change from Last Year: Students who received free or reduced-price meals in the past must apply to receive them this year. The online application process for free and reduced-price meals is accessible here: http://greenville.schoollunchapp.com.
Meal Prices:
Breakfast - Available to all students at no cost.
Lunch -
- Paid Students: $2.50
- Extra Milk: $.65
Link to My School Bucks (add funds to account)
Supply Lists
Our School Supply List has been updated for the 2022-2023 school year! Please click below to access the supply list:
2022-2023 School Calendar
2023-2024 & 2024-2025 School Calendars Released
Students will start the new school year on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. The last day of school will be Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
The calendars reflect a shift to allow the fall academic semester to end prior to Winter Break. This adjustment will be academically beneficial to students, and the feedback received regarding this shift was extremely positive, with 74% of respondents in favor, as detailed below. Midterms, finals and state testing will be completed before students leave for winter break, rather than in January when they return to school after an extended break.
GCS Sick Policy & COVID Requirements
Parents are asked to report any Flu & COVID-19 positive test results to your student's grade level administrator or school nurse.
Parents are strongly encouraged to screen their students daily, at home, for COVID-19 symptoms (see below). If a student takes a COVID-19 test because he/she is symptomatic, the student should not be physically present in school until the test results are returned.
Keep students at home if they present with any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing - or -
- Loss of taste or smell - or -
- New or worsening cough
Please also keep students home they are presenting with two or more of the following symptoms: headache, fatigue, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, nausea/vomiting, or diarrhea. Speak with your doctor and/or have your student get tested for COVID.
Flu/Covid Drive-through Testing Sites:
Starting Monday, November 28, there will be free, drive-through testing for both Flu and Covid-19 provided at three locations. GCS students, employees, and their household contacts can get tested. Results will be provided in approximately 1 hour. An important change from last year: parents and employees are responsible for reporting any positive results directly to the school or their supervisor. DHEC has again contracted Mako Medical to administer the testing, and the three sites are the same as last year:
- Fountain Inn High School,
- MT Anderson Support Center, and
- Northside Park.
All of the information has been updated on the GCS website, which includes flyers in both English and Spanish.
The new cashback app for families and schools is here!
When you sign up for Givebacks, you’ll earn an average of 5% cashback on your everyday purchases and our school will receive up to 1% every time you shop. Plus, we’ll receive a $5 donation for each new active supporter, so please join!
It’s as simple as adding a browser extension to your desktop and phone, and you and our school will start earning cashback. Like magic!
Sign up here: https://www.givebacks.com/causes/detail/GreenvilleMiddleAcademyPTA
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