GMS Principal's Corner
January 22, 2021
Dear Galvin Families,
As we head into the final week of January and of term II, we'd like to provide families with some tips to support your children's learning and engagement in school. Typically, as the terms end, teacher have students do locker and folder clean outs, assess what can be done to increase achievement and success, and reflect on their levels of participation and engagement. We will continue to do these things at school (whether your child is in the building or at home), but this year, we want to partner with you in this as much of our students' time is spent at home. Below are some suggestions we have.
- Does your child have a dedicated work space at home? Did it start clean and organized in September? What does it look like now? Might it be good to take time to organizing the space to allow for both physical and mental cleansing?
- What is your child's routine on their at-home days? Are they getting up, eating breakfast and getting dressed? Are they turning their cameras on for class? Are they using their time effectively to get work done? Talk with your child about their routine and support their efforts to recommit and, possibly, revise their daily plans. Encourage your child to turn their cameras on for class.
- Is your child getting outdoors each day? The weather has been wonderful this winter - we are lucky! A short walk helps refocus our brains. Students learn better after physical activity. Even just two minutes of fresh air can refresh us and wake us up. Help your child schedule an outdoor break into their daily routine.
- Does your child need support with focus when at home? Are they distracted easily by other things like T.V., YouTube or gaming? If so, how can you help them not get sidetracked by those opportunities? Does your child just have trouble focusing on and attending to an online class? Might a fidget help? What kind of fidget would support their focus and engagement while not distracting them from their work? Some DIY Fidget ideas include: paperclips, a Lego, a tennis ball, an elastic band, a keyring, and more.
Term II closes on January 29th and report cards will be published via PlusPortals on February 5, 2021. At that point we will be halfway through the school year. If there's anything that we can do to help your child as we turn this corner, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help and partner with you to best support your child!
Warmly,
Sarah
Adapted resource: Preventing Home Learning Burnout: 4 Strategies to Keep Your Child Engaged
Flu Clinics: Updated Information
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently announced it is removing the requirement for flu vaccination for attendance in childcare/preschool, primary, secondary and postsecondary education. Preliminary data shows that this has been a mild flu season to date, presumably as people have received their seasonal flu vaccine and have been adhering to mask wearing and social distancing due to COVID-19.
The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza. Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. More information on the flu virus and ways to prevent it can be found here at https://www.mass.gov/flu-facts.
With consideration of the CDC health recommendations, we wanted to offer additional clinics for families and staff. In collaboration with CVS Pharmacy, the Canton Nursing Team has scheduled two more flu clinics for staff, students, and families who wish to receive the flu vaccine.
- Flu Clinic Monday 1/25, 4:00-7:00 pm
- Flu Clinic Monday 2/8, 4:00-7:00 pm
Both clinics will be held in the Rodman building gymnasium and will have no pre-registration.
Thank you and be well.
Lauren Pushard, RN
Interim Nurse Leader
Canton Public Schools
GMS Clubs - Session Two: Starting February 1st!
Grade 8 ONLY: Canton High Course Selection Night - Feb 11, 2021
GMS Yearbook - Order Now!
Each year, our GMS Yearbook Committee produces a quality hardcover yearbook. Inside are hundreds of photos capturing moments such as school spirit days, Breast Cancer Awareness Day, and candids, in addition to individual student photos. There are so many fun theme pages, such as "Galvin favorites", “trends” and “throwbacks” as well. Yearbooks are a great way to remember these years!
Ordering a yearbook is easy! Simply click on the link below or go to the GMS website. The cost is $35, and the deadline for personalization is January 29th. Please go to this link and order yours today.
http://jostensyearbooks.com/?ref=A03431970
Thanks so much for your support!
Liz Cormier
Julie Ghostlaw
Yearbook Advisors
GMS Student Work Spotlight!
By Daphne B.
By Carolyn S.
By Kayleigh K.
By Julia V.
By Sophia P.
The purpose of this assignments was to review and reinforce vocabulary terms associated with faults and earthquakes.
By Georgia P.
From the GMS CAPT...
Want to help earn money for GMS?
There are two ways to help! Sign up for Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards and Amazon Smile to earn money for our school while you shop!
1) To sign up for A+ Rewards visit http://www.stopandshop.com and:
- Register for an online account or sign in to an existing one
- Go to My Account
- Choose Rewards & Programs
- Choose A+ and select GMS by entering our School ID: 08122
- You can register up to 2 schools!
2) To sign up for Amazon Smile go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/84-2311578 and choose William H. Galvin School CAPT Inc.
Buying gift cards? Check out Scrip! Earn up to 20% on EACH card for the Galvin Middle School!
Enrollment Code: B618B87365682
https://www.shopwithscrip.com/
Or get the app and have your gift card to use within minutes!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shopwithscrip.app&fbclid=IwAR0Ah1e2XlOtU0t7zjaR_GKRgmOqjUIgAdgDcn-hOYBI6aIlsgIaZOOjvn0
If you have any questions you can email GalvinCAPT@gmail.com.
Thank you from the Galvin CAPT!