PARENT GAZETTE: WINTER EDITION
WINTER 2021
A message from our principal, Ms. Nash
What a unique school year we have been living through during this Covid 19 global pandemic! Despite all the challenges this pandemic has presented, it has provided more time to slow down and enjoy family time. I am so thankful for the hard work our teachers have done creating engaging lesson for students, no matter what plan we have been in. The entire staff at CCGMS has pulled together and worked as a team to bring great instruction to all our students during this unique time.
We are excited to have students back in the building with us! Our kids have been great at following all the safety protocols that are asked of them at school, some have even developed a great fashion sense and style with their masks. Thank you to all the parents who are supporting your students at home, we know these are not easy times with at home learning.
We look forward to a great second semester and hope that you will stay well and continue to do your part when in out in the community to follow the 3 Ws; wash your hands, wear your mask, and wait 6 feet apart. We can all agree Cabarrus County is a great place to live and learn, let's work together as community to lower our covid positive rate and make our community safe!
February is "We LOVE our Heroes - who INSPIRES you?" month. Our students and staff will be highlighting historical heroes while celebrating Black History month and also honoring some of our own local heroes within our community. Finally, we are all excited to announce a modified version of spring sports will begin in March for 7th and 8th graders. Remember students must have passing grades in 3 out of 4 classes to try out for athletics. Further safety restrictions for athletics will be shared soon.
Stay well Gryphon Families!
Sue Nash, Principal
TWINNING!
SMIZING!
LEARNING!
Attendance: Everyday Counts!
Attendance Updates and Reminders
C.C. Griffin Families!
We are experiencing a school year like never before! But one thing has remained constant: your students’ teachers and the staff at CCG are working hard to provide engaging content and instructional opportunities for your developing student.
Whether your student is remote or coming in face to face - ATTENDANCE STILL MATTERS!
We want to partner with our parents to ensure our students are successful and feel prepared for the next school year and we need your help achieving those goals!
Help your student:
- Establish a routine.
- Create reminders as to where to find links to class, assignments, etc. and check for completed work nightly.
- Find a quiet place in their home to participate in LIVE sessions without distractions.
- Encourage them to turn their cameras on so their teachers and peers can see them and build relationships.
- Encourage them to email, message, etc. with their teachers if they do not understand an assignment.
If you have any questions regarding attendance, please contact me by email at sarah.jones@cabarrus.k12.nc.us and I will be happy to try and answer any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your support!
-Ms. Jones, School Social Worker
Missed LIVE Class? Here Is What You Need To Know!
If your student misses the LIVE class due to a technology issue or other problem please ensure you follow these steps to rectify the absence:
#1- Complete the Attestation form (parent) Parents must complete attestation form by the end of the next school day.
#2- Email the homeroom teacher explaining why their student did not participate in class.
#3- Students must complete Record Lesson Demonstration Form when applicable. You can find this on your each teacher's Canvas page!
Fridays will follow same asynchronous attendance policy- logged into Canvas by 2 pm
CHECK OUT SOME CREATIVE ART PIECES FROM OUR STUDENTS!
Faith McCall
William Swayze
Hannah Workman
Haley Smith,
Marcelo Piccilli
Samantha Little
LIKE.SHARE.FOLLOW.
Curriculum At A Glance
Math Curriculum Updates
The math department at CCG has worked tirelessly to be pioneers and innovators of the balanced approach to teaching mathematics. Teachers provide a rigorous curriculum that challenges students but also allows autonomy and flexibility in problem solving.
Parents can…
Ask students what they learned in math that day.
Ask to see student notes and worked examples for the day.
Check grades in PowerSchool and/or become an observer in Canvas.
Encourage students to do extra practice with topics that are proving difficult. ALEKS and Khan Academy are great resources.
Encourage students to reach out to the teacher to get extra help.
-Mrs. Julie Cline, 8th Grade Math
Science Curriculum Updates
Spotlight: Our 8th graders have been working hard learning about the processes that run our planet, all the way from atoms to entire continents. Soon we will be discussing Microbiology and diseases, so your student may be coming home with questions about COVID and other health related issues. The best way you can support your student's learning is to have conversations about how everyone in the family is feeling during this pandemic and how you can best help those around you during this difficult time.
- Mr. Garrett Jordan, 8th Grade Science
English Curriculum Updates
English Language Arts at CCG targets students’ growth in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Reading strategies, critical thinking skills, and vocabulary building comprise the main elements of our reading instruction. Through fiction, nonfiction, and poetry reading, students practice reading strategies and metacognitive comprehension skills. The focus of our writing instruction is on narrative, informational, and argumentative writing. The overall goal of our class is to increase the literacy and writing ability of all students.
Parents can...
- Ask students about what they are reading.
- Ask to see students' reading notebooks where they write their Teaching Points and notes for Mini-Lessons.
- Encourage students to study vocabulary on Quizlet.
- Check grades and missing work on PowerSchool.
-Ms. Kaleigh Oliver, 8th grade ELA
Social Studies Curriculm Updates
-Mrs. Tami Brantley, 7th Grade Social Studies
Agriculture Education Updates
Agriculture is not just farming, it involves igniting student interest in our environment and sustainability, inspiring students to find ways to become self sufficient from farm to fork, and using innovative plant, animal, medical technology and skills required in our 21st century career force.
We had 18 eggs of different varieties donated to our classroom by Alex Cornell and his family (8th grade). Eggs were labeled with X's and O's to help identify when eggs needed to be turned. Students managed the eggs while in class by turning the eggs to either the X side or O side. They were also checking the temperature and moisture levels inside of the incubator using a thermometer and built in hygrometer. Unfortunately, incubating chickens is a science and does not always have positive results. We did have developing embryos, however, due to having to take the incubator/eggs outside of the school on the weekends, when school was closed as the eggs were not found of traveling or changes in temperature. As a result, none were able to hatch.
Students enjoyed learning the process of handling chickens eggs. Students also viewed chicken development presentations and model sets as well as learned about byproducts/production in the poultry industry.Safety was always maintained with use of gloves and proper hand washing in order to avoid any contamination.
Additionally, special thanks goes out to Mrs. Mary Odom for assistance with educating students about the egg development, and Officer Page for lending us his flashlight for use of candling"
- Mrs. Katina Williams, Agriculture Education
LIKE.SHARE.FOLLOW.
WELCOME MS.REED!
Haley Reed, Technology Education Teacher
Show Your Work!
Partners At A Distance!
Keeping Our Garden Growing!
LIKE.SHARE.FOLLOW.
Counselor's Corner
Social Media: Safety First!
Your student's safety is our number one priority and that includes internet and technology safety. Technology and the Internet is a big part of our world, how we communicate, interact, and learn. As a school community, we want students to feel free to research, explore, and ask questions on topics they are interested in. However, it’s important to remember that just like their favorite social media apps like TikTok and Instagram, if they are using the school internet or technology, there are guidelines. Just like TikTok, the school gets alerted to certain keywords and inappropriate websites.
To ensure the safety of the student body, the school is required to investigate any alarming or inappropriate content, conversation, or website. Please be mindful of what you research, say, and watch using school computers or products. As mentioned before, the internet is a major tool to communicate and interact with each other, especially, during the COVID-19 pandemic. If your student is communicating with people, you know or do not know, over the internet it is important to keep your identity safe, whether you are using school technology or your own personal devices. Please treat your personal information with care and keep that information private.
Remember that whatever you write or post online leaves a digital footprint, even if you delete it, it is still on the internet and can be accessed at any point and time. Parents, we do encourage you to monitor your child’s computer usage and discuss with your child what is safe and what is unacceptable internet behavior.
-Justina Rodriguez, 7th Grade Counselor
Digital Citizenship At Home
Hello families! As you know, technology is an increasingly important skill for students to develop. To support this skill, your students will receive a total of three digital citizenship lessons over the course of each school year.
So far this year, we have covered topics such as chatting safely online analyzing breaking news (from news media or social media), and how to use and share different types of media without breaking copyright laws.
Coming up we will cover such topics as fake social media accounts, how big businesses use our personal data for advertising, and being aware of what we share on social media (and how that may affect our futures). Frequent and open conversations at home will support this learning and help keep our kids safe while they work and play online. For additional resources go to: www.commonsensemedia.org.
- Kerri Wike, Media Coordinator
Winter Fun!
Virtual Winter Chorus Concert: Dashing Through The Snow!
Hello, parents!
While it has been a challenge in the fine arts department to move to a virtual scenario, we have continued to sing, to learn about music, and to build our skills. Students have spent more time actually learning the basics of music like reading, terminology, history, theory, and sight-reading than they would have otherwise. During our brief return to school in October, we were even able to spend some time learning piano. Since we were unable to present our usual Winter Concert, we wanted to offer something as a gift to our families. This was our first attempt at any virtual recording and, though it’s not perfect, we did learn some things if we should need to do this again. The most important thing to me was the smiles on the faces of the students as they saw their friends and heard, at least in part, what it’s like to experience the unparalleled joy of singing in chorus! I long for that time to return soon - to be able to sing together safely in class and to present concerts for your enjoyment.
-Marla Young: Chorus Teacher
Band Winter Celebration
Happy New Year everyone! The bands of CC Griffin are working hard as we navigate this challenging school year. I am proud of each of my students who have practiced outside, played with masks on, and learned their very first notes virtually. I thank you and ask for your continued support of the band program and encouragement for these fine students to keep practicing and working towards becoming better musicians. Please stay tuned as we will be working on some performances for the Spring as we are able. From all the bands, we wish you a safe and healthy New Year!
- John Brooks, Band Teacher
Holiday Song Door Decorating Contest!
Our teachers and staff had a great time decorating their doors this winter for a Holiday Song Door Decorating Contest! Check out the fun below and thank you to the PTO for donating some AMAZING prizes for the winners of the contest!
Door Decorating Contest Winners: Most Artistic Scene
Do You Hear What I Hear?-Garrett Jordan(8th Grade)
Door Decorating Contest Winners: Best Use of Content
“Rocking Around the Christmas Tree”-Erin Dowd (8th Grade)
Door Decorating Contest Winners: Best Visual Scene
Door Decorating Contest Winners: Best Use of Lyrics
“Santa Baby”-Caitlin Gallion (Electives)