Mustang Minutes
Gemini Middle School - October 2021
School is back in full swing! Gemini students have been doing a great job being engaged in their classes, collaborating on class activities, and completing their weekly SHIELD Illinois Saliva Test. Our Physical Education classes, soccer teams, and cross country runners have enjoyed using our new track and our volleyball teams play with pride and commitment. Other student activities have begun as well and after-school activities will be starting this winter. We can do all these activities because our students have been following safety protocols - including wearing their masks correctly, using hand sanitizer, and social distancing.
We are asking parents to review Principal Robert's September 22nd email about the Tik Tok Devious Licks Challenge as we continue to address an increase in bathroom vandalism at Gemini. Please continue to talk to your children about this as we all share a common goal of helping young adults make positive choices, even in the face of peer pressure on outside influences that tell them to do the wrong thing.
Lewis Roberts, Principal
Erica Perelgut, Brian Gariti, and Wendy Brutt, Assistant Principals
Updated Dismissal Procedures
To increase the safety of our students, we have updated the car pickup line procedures.
- Students may only cross at four distinct points - marked by the no parking signs along the sidewalk. This is where our adult supervisors will be stationed.
- Students may only cross into the parking lot when all cars are stopped. Supervisors will stand in the car line with large stop signs indicating that it is time for students to cross.
- Cars may only move forward when all the students and supervisors are on the sidewalk. Supervisors will hold up a stop sign for the students.
- Students will not be allowed to cross to cars past the final supervisor. They will walk to the front of the line and wait for their ride to pull forward.
- As has been the procedure all year, when a staff member is holding up a stop sign or their hand in the stop position, the expectation is that you stop moving your vehicle. This includes if your child (ren) has already gotten into the car. We want all children to be able to get safely in their cars.
For dismissal, if you change how your child (ren) usually goes home, please notify the office no later than 2:45 p.m. We cannot guarantee the message will get to your child if you make us aware after this time.
Fall Performing Arts Events
This Fall, Gemini is thrilled to welcome back live music and acting performances, while opening our performance space in the Gemini auditorium. Students and families are encouraged to attend these events. Masks must be worn while in the building. Thank you for supporting our performers.
Fall Play: The Internet is Distract--OH LOOK A KITTEN!
Tickets: $1 for students; $6 for adults
Thursday, October 21 @ 4:15 PM
Friday, October 22 @ 7 PM
Saturday, October 23 @ 2 PM
Band & Orchestra Fall Concert (6th, 7th & 8th Grades)
Admission is free
Wednesday, November 3 @ 6 PM
Choir Fall Concert (6th, 7th & 8th Grades)
Admission is free
Wednesday, November 10 @ 6 PM
Virtual Open House Presentation
Maine 207 High School Athletic Events
Family Event
Maine East will be putting on its fall play, entitled PUFFS.
This play is a retelling of the Harry Potter book series but from the viewpoint of Hufflepuff House. Click here for the play poster.
WHEN: Thursday, September 30 @ 4 PM; Friday, October 1, and Saturday, October 2, at 7:30 PM
WHERE: Maine East Auditorium
COST: Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students.
October Sports Schedule
Gemini Attendance Line
Student Breakfast
Submitting Vaccination Records
We are aware that many of our students have been vaccinated, and although it is not required, we strongly recommend that you upload a copy of your child’s vaccination record for our school health records. There are several good reasons for doing so:
- As is always the case, knowing our students’ health information helps us navigate any unforeseen health emergencies that may arise.
- Quarantining rules now differ for those who are vaccinated - and those who are not.
- Although currently all students and staff are wearing face coverings indoors, it is possible this may change. If that does happen, students with vaccination records on file may not have to wear a mask in the building.
Updated Contact Information
Securly for Student Safety
Our district uses Securly to keep students safe on their school-issued devices, or when logged into a Chrome web browser using their school account. Securly has a seamless login to its Parent Portal. Below are some details on this service.
- The District enables notifications for parents/guardians of all students when they enroll.
- Once students are enrolled, parents, with emails on record with the District, receive a weekly summary of their student’s internet activity.
- If a parent turns off notifications, only that parent can turn them back on.
Securly Parent Portal Key Information:
- Email Reports - Parents receive a summarized activity report, emailed every week, of their child’s Internet activity. These emails are meant to give a positive overview of the student's productivity, and cover four topics: Educational Sites, Sites, Searched Words, and Videos.
- Access to Parent Portal - Parents can log in and see a full audit trail of what their child is doing on a school-owned device at any time.
- To enter the Parent Portal, simply click on the "view more" link, or the “sign up” link at the bottom of your weekly email.
- The Parent Portal contains two categories on the left from which you can choose: Activity (shows a real-time audit trail of your child's online activity) and Flagged (shows items that have been flagged by Securly).
Technology Updates
Students are expected to take their Chromebooks home each day and charge them for the next day using the provided charger. Students should not use cell phone chargers, even if the plugs are compatible. View our webpage for information about repair and replacement costs.
SEL Corner
Fall is here, which means coats are coming out of storage for the season. If you need help getting a winter coat for your child, please call or email the social work team. We also have accessories like mittens, hats, etc. You can also reach out to us if you need help with access to food or other community resources. Our website has more information.
6th Grade: Emily Alexander, ealexander@emsd63.org
7th Grade: Laura Mell, lmell@emsd63.org
8th Grade: Zoe Turner, zturner@emsd63.org (Habla español)
Community Partners:
Niles Family Services offers many community resources, including a weekly snack backpack program. Students can receive a backpack full of food on Friday, to be returned Monday for a refill for the next week. Niles also offers counseling, a food pantry, financial wellness, and crisis support. You can contact them at (847) 588-8460 or talk to a Gemini Social Worker for more info.
MaineStay Youth and Family Services offers counseling and community services for youth and their families in Maine Township. They have two exciting programs coming up, an Improv Theatre Workshop and Art in the Town. Both programs are free and have in-person or virtual options. Visit their website at mainetown.com/mainestay for more info, or contact Logan Brown at lbrown@mainetown.com or 847-297-2510 x272.
Library Updates
Gemini Library Instagram Page
We have an Instagram page - Geminilibrary63. Follow us for more library information and virtual student contests.
Famished for Fiction
Famished for Fiction is back this year! Each month, we will conduct a program during students’ lunch/advisory in the library where they can come in and get some book recommendations from both Gemini and public librarians. This month, we will be featuring scary stories. Students can visit the library for more information and get a special pass from their ELA teacher.
Community Libraries
Our community libraries continue to provide wonderful programs (both in-person and virtual) for students. Please check out your local library to see what is new!
Niles Teen Center
The Niles Teen Center is back and open for teens Monday thru Friday from 3 PM to 7 PM.
Niles Junior Police Academy
Calendar Highlights
October:
7: Board of Education Meeting @ 7 PM
8: School Improvement Day - Dismissal @ 11:25 AM
11: No School - Indigenous Peoples Day
20: First Quarter Ends
21 - 23: Fall Play - see times above
27: Report Cards Distributed Electronically
November:
1: No School - Teacher Institute Day
3: Band & Orchestra Fall Concert @ 6 PM
4: Board of Education Meeting @ 7 PM
9: Picture Retake Day
10: Choir Fall Concert @ 6 PM
11: Parent-Teacher Conferences 5 PM - 8 PM
12: School Improvement Day - Dismissal @ 11:25 AM
19: Parent-Teacher Conferences 8 AM - 11 AM & 12 PM - 3 PM
22-26: No School - Thanksgiving Break
#hereatgemini
Email: gemini411@emsd63.org
Website: emsd63.org/gemini
Location: 8955 North Greenwood Avenue, Niles, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 827-1181
Twitter: @D63Gemini