Galvin Goes Global! 2022 World Language Week

This past week students joined in celebrating World Language Week! Students enthusiastically performed morning announcements in their native language. Cultural music also motivated students to start each day.

With a change of pace, GMS students excitedly looked forward to daily events. The GMS library was transformed into a busy dance studio as students learned to dance the “salsa and bachata” to the tunes of Latin American music. Mr. Tomas Vasicek, a professional ballroom dancer of Savaria Dance Studio, instructed students. In addition, students learned Tai Chai with Mr. Zhai, Chinese author and chief editor of The Tai Chi and Active Aging magazines. Mr. Moussa Traoré from Mali, West Africa, engaged students in a Djembe drumming workshop. Mr.Traoré is one of the top “djembe” players in the country! Finally, students were introduced to global citizenship and children’s rights around the world by UNICEF. Ms. Daisy Cardenas, Boston Regional Office Community Engagement Associate, presented to students. Ms. Carolyn Daly, Executive Director from Mil Milagros also spoke to students about her organization in helping mothers and teachers in Guatemala with nutrition, hygiene, and educational programs.

In class, students competed in daily trivia from around the world. Dunkin Donuts cards were awarded to the winners. What a fun start to welcome the month of March! Many thanks, “Merci and Gracias” to Señora Olson, Pre-K-12 World Languages Department Coordinator, and the GMS World Language Teachers, Señora Moore, Señora McNeil, Señora Bajramovic (Sra.B), Madame Backmender and Monsieur Snipe, for making this possible.

Term 3 Progress Reports were posted to PlusPortals on Tuesday 3/8/22.

The Progress Report is a snapshot of the academic average and grade of each class at the halfway point within the term. The Progress Report will show you the subject (class), staff (teacher), and current grade.

To access the Progress Report:

Log on to the Portal.

Next to the student's name and picture click More.

In the green menu bar below select Classroom.

Select Progress Reports and click on Combined Reports.

Below is the GMS MCAS schedule. Please help make sure students bring their Chromebook (fully charged) and their charger to school each each day.

Our students had a fun first week of practice. Students and coaches had a great time as they worked on developing teamwork, interpersonal skills, and fundamentals. Our first home game is Thursday, March 17th @ 3:15pm in the GMS gymnasium. Please come out and support our team. We want to fill our stands with fans!

Our last lunch rotation change will take place on Monday, March 21st. The new lunch times are as follows:

1st Lunch - Grade 7

2nd Lunch - Grade 8

3rd Lunch - Grade 6

Students will continue to enjoy lunch outdoors, weather permitting.

Students in Ms. Backmender's Spanish and French classes created drawings in the style of Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso, and Haitian-American artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat.

The Grade 8 End of Year Activities Committee comprised of parents, teachers, and administration has been working hard the past few months planning an engaging and memorable end of year experience for our 8th grade students.

PLEASE SAVE THE FOLLOWING DATES - more specific details will follow in the coming weeks:

• Friday, June 10th - Canobie Lake Park - arrive back at GMS approximately 7 pm
• Monday, June 13th - Fenway Park & Spirit of Boston
• Tuesday, June 14th - Field Day at GMS & ice-cream truck
• Wednesday, June 15th - Level 99 Escape Room
• Thursday, June 16th - Promotional Celebration at GMS (6/17 rain date)
• Friday, June 17th - Grade 8 Semi-Formal at CHS 7-9:30 pm

Get your popcorn ready because the Galvin is having a talent show on Friday March 25th at 6:30 pm! If you would like to sign up, use google classroom code aizqwpg on your school Gmail account. The show will be virtual and a link to view the show will be available the week of March 21st.

At the February 17, 2022 School Committee meeting, the committee voted to follow the most recent guidance around masking from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. As of February 28, 2022, students and staff are no longer required to wear masks while in school. Anyone that wants to continue to wear a mask will be supported and is most definitely able to do so. This is a shift from where we have been in the past two years, and we recognize that this step is exciting for many and also may cause some discomfort for others. Please make the decision that is best for your child and family, and know that we are committed to maintaining an inclusive school community where each circumstance and individual decision will be respected and supported.

Please note, as part of the policy there are two situations where face coverings are still required, which are outlined below:

● By state public health order, masks will be required in all school health offices.

● By DESE and DPH protocol, students and staff returning from 5-day quarantine following a positive COVID test must follow strict mask use, other than when eating, drinking, or outside, and conduct active monitoring for symptoms, through day 10 of exposure.

The updated Face Covering Policy can be viewed on our website at www.cantonma.org

Hello from the Health Office,

We are preparing to begin our MA mandated screenings. Please let us know if you would prefer your child to opt-out of one or all of the screenings. We will provide dates for the spinal screenings.

All health screenings conducted in school are required by Massachusetts Law. Screenings are ongoing throughout the school year. Parents and legal guardians shall be provided with an opportunity to request, in writing, that their child not participate in the program. This request must be written each year and be specific to which screening you do not wish your child to participate.

Spinal Screening

Postural screening is conducted for all grades 5 – 9. Parents are notified of concerns and referred to their physician for follow-up.

Vision Screening

Vision screening is conducted for all grades 1 – 5, 7 and 10. Parents are notified if the student does not pass for referral to their physician for follow-up.

Hearing Screening

Hearing screening is conducted for all grades K - 3, 7 and 10. Parents are notified if the student does not pass for referral to their physician for follow-up.

Growth Development Screening

Growth screening is conducted for students in grades 1, 4, 7 & 10. Heights and weights are measured and calculated into BMI or Body Mass Index.

Thank you,

Kerry Darcy, M.Ed, BSN, RN

781-821-5070, Ext. 3186

darcyk@cantonma.org

Lauren Fallon, BSN, RN

781-821-5070, Ext. 3110

fallonl@cantonma.org

The Galvin Middle School Program of Studies has been updated. Please use this link to access the GMS Program of Studies which includes academic and course information.

It is our students' responsibility to bring their charged Chromebook to school with them each day. We have a very limited number of loaners available and are using those to first support students who's Chromebooks aren't working. The Chromebook is an essential, daily, school supply. Please help your child come up with a process that allows them to have their device ready for school each day. Thank you.

GMS is looking for a lunch aide to help supervise lunches each school day from 11:15 am to 1:00 pm. If you are interested in joining the Galvin team, please email Mr. Spillane, spillanej@cantonma.org.

There are many items in our lost and found including hats, sweatshirts, and water bottles. Please ask your child to check the lost & found table for anything that may be missing.

Please click here for At Home Rapid Testing Frequently Asked Questions.

Please see this link for information to apply to become a bus driver.

Please see this link for information to apply to become a substitute teacher.

March 17th - Unified Sports 3:15 pm

March 21st - GMS Lunch Rotation

March 25th - GMS Talent Show

March 29 & 30 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS

The Galvin CAPT (Canton Association of Parents and Teachers) is an organization which promotes well-being and enrichment for the students at the Galvin Middle School and encourages a close relationship between home and school.

Available CAPT Positions

The following positions could use support, potentially shadowing this year to take over in future years:

• GMS CAPT Treasurer (Shadow 21/22 for School year 22/23)

GALVIN CAPT Meetings

Galvin CAPT meetings are held the first Monday of every month at 6:30 PM. Please send us an email at galvincapt@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more. The next meeting is April 4, 2022.

Find us on Facebook! There are two sites:

Galvin Middle School Parents

Galvin Middle School CAPT