GMS Weekly News and Notes
Weekly Updates
We celebrated World Languages Week at GMS with a pair of special dance instruction sessions. It was great to see our students participate in cultural traditions associated with the languages they study here. Pictures are included below.
On Monday, March 13th, families will receive an email outlining this year's course selection process for SY 2023-24. More detailed information will be provided in next week's newsletter.
We have seen an unfortunate uptick in the number of damaged and/or broken chromebooks since our return from February break. While some accidental damage is to be expected in the course of a year, we have gotten reports that some devices are being deliberately damaged or destroyed. This is completely unacceptable. With MCAS season fast approaching, it is critically important that students take steps to safeguard their chromebooks as much as possible. Students who are found to have deliberately damaged or destroyed a device will face disciplinary consequences, and in certain cases, families will be required to pay the replacement cost. As always, your partnership in reinforcing this message at home is greatly appreciated.
Please note that lunch times will shift for the final time this year starting this Wednesday, March 15th. 7th graders will have first lunch, 8th graders will move to second lunch, and 6th graders will shift to third lunch for the remainder of the year. We will update the students tomorrow.
Finally, an important reminder to all 8th grade parents: Elective Course and Override Google Forms are due on Monday, March 13th. Please reach out to Dr. Chamberland at chamberlandm@cantonma.org if you have any questions
Galvin Goes Global!
Galvin went “global” as they celebrated World Languages Week. Students had a “taste” of culture as their talented cafeteria staff created menus from different countries and as the morning Pledge of Allegiance was spoken in native languages: Isabella Mizaine (grade 6) recited the Pledge in Haitian Creole, Amelia Chambon (grade 8) in French, Prakrit Lyer (grade 8) in Hindi, Ms. Paula Odierno (instructional aide) in Greek, and Isabel Colmey (grade 8) in Spanish.
In addition, language classes participated in daily trivia from around the world and enjoyed a language swap. Spanish students taught their classmates French, and French students taught Spanish. Other activities included playing dominoes, playing Kahoot with world cultures, creating French art and making papel picado (cut-out paper designs).
The GMS library was transformed into a dance studio, and students excitedly practiced some new dance moves! On Tuesday, Ms. Naomi Akan, dance teacher and special education teacher from the Kennedy Elementary School instructed African Dance, while on Thursday, Tomas Vascek, a professional dancer from the Czech Republic, led Latin American dances, like the “bachata, cumbia, and salsa.”
What a wonderful, diversified fun-filled week at the GMS with so many experiences from different cultures!
Special thanks (Merci/Gracias) to our World Language Department:
Ms. Heidi Olsen, World Languages Department Coordinator
Ms. Ashley LaCourse, Ms. Jana McNeil, Ms. Ana Bajramovic, Ms. Laurie Moore (Spanish teachers)
Mr. Matthew Snipe, Ms. Rebecca Backmender (French teachers)
Cultural Connections: Dominoes
Language Swaps
Arts spotlight: 7th Grade Visual Art
Term 3 Progress Reports
Term 3 Progress Reports have been posted in Plus Portals. 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), numerical average, and current grade.
To access the Progress Report:
Log on to the PlusPortals.
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
Grizzlies at Patriot Place!
CAPE Spelling Bee
You can find more information about the event here
GMS CAPT Corner
As noted above, CAPE is bringing back the Spelling Bee! On March 24, student teams from third through eighth grade will compete in the High School Auditorium. There will be no adult round this year. Letters regarding team selection were sent to principals yesterday. If anyone is willing to help plan this event, please have them contact galvincapt@gmail.com
Please visit the GMS CAPT Website which has updates on special programs and updated meeting minutes.
Next GMS CAPT Meeting: Monday, April 3rd at 6:30 in the GMS library.
Artists in Bloom
Please save the date and spread the word!
The Visual Arts Department, in conjunction with the Canton Garden Club, is once again hosting "Artists in Bloom" at Pequitside Farm (79 Pleasant Street, Canton) on March 25th and 26th from 10am-5pm each day.
What is Artists in Bloom?
Modeled after the MFA's Art in Bloom exhibition, in this show Canton Garden Club members interpret a selection of student artworks as floral arrangements. All student artwork selected by their art teachers for this event will be on display (close to 150 pieces). The artworks included represent every school (grades 1-12) in our district. From this work, the Canton Garden Club has selected 28 student artwork pieces to inspire their floral designs. Every school and grade has an artwork that will be interpreted as a floral arrangement. This event is a fundraiser for the Canton Garden Club's CHS Scholarship for Seniors pursuing Visual Arts related studies in college. All proceeds from this event benefit this Scholarship program. At the end of the event, the floral arrangements will be raffled off. Entrance for exhibiting students and floral designers is free. For all others, the $5.00 entrance fee includes a ticket to the raffle of floral arrangements. You are also welcome to write a message of praise to the exhibiting artists - $1.00 purchase at the event. We look forward to seeing you at the show!
Cultural Heritage Night
Attention Students and Families!
Mark your calendar for this year's Cultural Heritage Night on Friday, June 9th from 6-8 PM here at Galvin Middle School. We invite the Canton community to come out and take part in the cultural experience featuring various foods, spoken word, dance, hair braiding, henna and much more. We currently have a group of eager student members who are working with staff to plan the event. If you or your child are interested in helping out with the event or have ideas, please reach out to Mr. Gibson @ gibsonk@cantonma.org.
Important dates to note
Monday, March 13th: 8th grade CHS course selection and override sheets due
Friday, March 24th: CAPE Spelling Bee, 6-9PM, CHS
Events Around Town
At a Glance - New Event(s)
- Brookwood Community Farm Community Supported Agriculture
William H. Galvin Middle School
Courtney Gaboury, Administrative Assistant
Jim Spillane, Assistant Principal
Amy Muldoon, Special Education Team Chair
Karim Gibson, Dean of Students
Email: mulhernj@cantonma.org
Website: https://www.cantonma.org/gms/index
Location: 55 Pecunit Street, Canton, MA, USA
Phone: 781-821-5070
Twitter: @GalvinMiddle