East Middle School Newsletter
November 2021
November Dates to Remember
November 2 - No School - Election Day/Staff Professional Development
November 5 - Marking Period 1 Report Cards ready for viewing on Jupiter - no paper copies will be sent home
November 9 - Full Day of School
Parent/Teacher Conferences 5:00 - 8:00 PM - VIRTUAL ONLY
November 10 - Half-Day of School for Students - 11:29 AM Dismissal
Parent-Teacher Conferences 12:30-3:30 PM - VIRTUAL ONLY
November 11 - Half-Day of School for Students - 11:29 AM Dismissal
Parent-Teacher Conferences 5:00 - 8:00 PM - IN PERSON ONLY
November 12 - Half-Day of School - Dismissal at 11:29 AM
November 22 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 PM - Perry Center
November 24- Students dismissed at 11:29 AM for Thanksgiving Recess
November 25-28 - Thanksgiving Break, no school, all buildings closed
Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences
Our fall conferences are just around the corner! Please see the schedule below for days/times, and whether conferences will be virtual or in person. You may sign up at www.myconferencetime.com/gbems.
Tuesday, November 9
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM - VIRTUAL ONLY
Full Day for Students
Wednesday, November 10
12:30 PM to 3:30 PM - VIRTUAL ONLY
1/2 Day for Students-11:29 AM Dismissal
Thursday, November 11
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM - IN PERSON ONLY
1/2 Day for Students - 11:29 AM Dismissal
Friday, November 12
1/2 Day for Students-11:29 AM Dismissal
Notes from Mr. Turnbow
The school year is well underway. The students continue to settle into their middle school lives and we are all striving for a successful year.
Even as middle school students, it is important for children of this age to continue to maintain the homework structure used as they progressed through their elementary years. An emphasis still needs to be placed on a homework routine, such as having a quiet place to study, reviewing their work, and establishing a time when they get home that is devoted to homework. As parents/guardians, ask your students questions about what they learned in school and inquire about their homework. Take a look at their homework and see if they have completed and understood what was expected of them. Email or call their teachers if you have a concern. Please schedule a parent-teacher conference. This lets your student know you are interested in what he or she is doing.
Middle school students’ lives become busier during this time and even though they are trying to establish their independence, they still need structure and guidance. This is a wonderful time in your child’s life but it can also be very challenging. With these things in mind, let’s continue to work together to have a great year!
Sincerely,
Mr. Turnbow, Principal
Grand Blanc East Middle School
From the Counselors
Attention parents of 8th-grade students…
Your child recently started working on their Educational Development Plan (EDP). In their language arts class, students were introduced to XELLO which is the college and career readiness software that replaced Career Cruising. Students completed a matchmaker interest survey along with a personality style survey and a learning style survey. Students were suggested careers based on their interests and personality traits. If you have time, please ask your 8th-grade student to log in to Xello and let them show you the information they learned about themselves as well as the careers that were suggested to them. Students will work on EDPs each year through their graduation. It’s never too early to begin talking about life and careers after high school. If you have any questions about Xello and career planning, please contact your child’s counselor.
Mr. Sokoloski, last names A-K 591-3589
Mrs. LaFleur, last names L-Z 591-3582
Information from the Athletic Department
Winter 1 season is officially underway! Students need to continue to have masks and bring plenty of water to practices. We are still awaiting guidelines for mask requirements regarding our Winter 1 sports. Please use the link below for more information!
Social Emotional Learning
Food Pantry
A Hand Up food pantry is located at Grand Blanc West Middle School, and provides free food items to families that have a connection to one or more students at Grand Blanc Community Schools, K-12. Order online at www.ahandup.rocks and then pick up your order on Thursdays from 9:00-4:00 in the foyer at West Middle School.
The pantry is supplied from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.
News from FISH of Grand Blanc
Suggested non-perishable food items: canned fruits/vegetables, non-powdered macaroni & cheese, soup, spaghettios, ravioli, beans, tuna, peanut butter/sun butter, cereal, granola bars, crackers. Personal hygiene and laundry supplies are also helpful.
Christmas Baskets: Applications continue to be available. Eligibility is determined by the following:
· All children infant to grade 12 living within the Grand Blanc School District
· Must Participate in the Free Lunch Program, receive Food Stamps OR, fall under the USDA income guidelines
· For school-aged children, please bring your GB School Food Services Lunch letter
· For infant and preschoolers, please bring your DHHS assistance approval form listing all children in the home
NOT ELIGIBLE: School of Choice, foster, non-custodial, or graduate/adult children.
Please use the link below to find out more about applying for the Christmas Basket program sponsored by FISH. The deadline to apply is Nov. 12.
PTO Updates
The EMS PTO would like to thank our generous sponsors for the homecoming parade. We appreciate your support in helping make this year's parade a complete success!
Aubree's
Italia Gardens
Jimmy Johns
Ziggy's
Cinnamom
Triple Delight Cafe
Bubble Bee Tea
The next meeting for PTO will be on November 16 in the EMS Library. Please remember your mask. Looking forward to seeing you all there.