8th grade Edition
Pacific Grove Middle School April 2020
Principal's Message
Dear PGMS 8th Grade Families,
Well, this is certainly not how we envisioned your middle school career concluding. But we find ourselves in an unprecedented time, one that we all will remember for a long time. I want to begin by saying that we hope to be able to reunite for all the wonderful end of year activities we have planned. In the event that these activities may not occur, I am working on a way to hold a virtual promotion ceremony for students and their families to celebrate you, and wish you well in high school. In case this year concludes without us seeing one another I’d like to send you some advice on how to navigate your freshman year in high school!
+ Don’t take your parents for granted. Your parents may nag you, and you may feel as if they don’t understand you. But they love you unconditionally, so appreciate them as often as you can.
+ Getting a bad grade isn’t the end of the world. In a few years, you won’t even remember most of your grades. If you get a bad grade, learn from your mistakes and prepare better for the next exam.
+ Make sleep a priority. Research has proven that sleep is essential for health and brain function. Make it a priority to get eight hours of sleep a night, and you’ll be a happier and better student.
+ Ask for help when you need it. There’s no shame in asking for help. If you can’t find the answer on Google, don’t hesitate to ask your teachers or parents. They’ll be more than willing to assist you.
+ Learn to embrace challenges rather than avoid them. Choose to see challenges as fun opportunities to learn. Even if you can’t overcome the challenge, you would have still grown as a person.
+ Be grateful. Grateful students are happy students. No matter what situation you’re in, there’s always something to be thankful for: school, friends, family, food, health, nature, technology, etc.
+ Be kind to yourself. Do you ever tell yourself that you’re lazy, ugly, dumb or irresponsible? Would you ever say those things to your best friend? Be kind to yourself, and learn to become your own best friend. In fact, research has proven that self-compassion is a key component of success.
+ Say no without feeling guilty. Leading an effective student life is all about knowing what your priorities and values are. If there are activities or opportunities that aren’t aligned with your priorities, say no with confidence.
Miss you guys!
Mr. Roach
Making Time to Unplug: The Tech Shabbat
Assistant Principal, Jason Tovani
According to my iPhone, my screen time was down 29% last week. Silly phone. I was online more last week than… ever. Instead of using my phone, I just used my laptop. My phone has no idea! But, by the time the week was over, I was ready for a break from both of them. In this state of screen-exhaustion, I remembered something I had read about taking a deliberate, scheduled, break from technology. Mother, author and filmmaker, Tiffany Shlain, has made it a weekly practice, and calls it a “tech shabbat.” It is one day each week where she and her family commit to logging off, shutting down, and reconnecting to each other. (See her short film on Tech Shabbats here, and check out her book, 24/6, here)
Last Friday night, as the weekend was just arriving, I broke the news to my two boys (10/12) that we were going to shut down our tech for 24 hours, starting at sundown. Having spent a week in front of screens big and small, they were concerned, “What will we do?” I didn’t really know. We made dinner together. We played board games. We read books. We went to bed early. The next morning, as our devices sat neglected in a pile, we played more board games. We sat on the deck, talking. My boys made me lunch. We worked in the garden for hours as rain clouds came and went, intermittently interrupting our projects. We watched the sun set. We connected. And, as the sun set, ending our 24-hour tech-free commitment, we went to our devices to connect with everyone else. We were all surprised, at least a little, at how few of our friends had even noticed we were gone.
Parenting Resources
I just wanted to send along a few links for families, or any of you, who might be looking for information on how to deal with the stress of parenting during these unprecedented times.
Helping Kids Cope -Expert Videos
https://gozen.com/coronavirus-anxiety/
Quick Guide from Safe Kids Inc.
The Child Mind Institute -Tips for Parenting During Coronavirus Crisis
https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/Dovetail Learning Seminar -Centering Skills for Parents/Caregivers during COVID-19
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CQCMLjg0Scid5JFqxWF09g
Dessie Zanger, dzanger@pgusd.org
Educational Psychologist
Robert Down El. & Pacific Grove Middle School
Message for Parents from Community Hospital's Ohana Physician and Chief
Thank you for your support as we navigate this health crisis. Be assured that Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and Montage Health entities remain at the ready to care for our community.
As part of our support, Dr. Susan Swick, Physician in Chief, Ohana, has put together a sample schedule and some tips for parents to help them navigate this transition with their children.
www.montagehealth.org/swick-tips
In addition, Montage Health is offering free eVisits for anyone with minor respiratory symptoms such as flu, allergy, or suspected COVID-19.
Visit evisit.montagehealth.org
Reminders for Eligibility
8th Graders: Great America Trip Friday, May 22:
• Students must be on track to promote academically to attend.
• No suspensions during 4th quarter.
• No more than two referrals during 4th quarter.
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, May 28:
• Students must be on track to promote academically to attend
8th Grade Promotion Dance, May 28:
• Students must be on track to promote academically to attend.
• No suspensions during 4th quarter.
• No more than two referrals during 4th quarter.
8th grade Picnic, May 29:
• No suspensions during 4th quarter.
• No more than two referrals during 4th quarter.
If you would like more information about Eligibility and Promotion and Retention, please check out the Parent Student Handbook. If you have any concerns about your child's academics or behavior, please contact Mr. Tovani. We want every child to succeed at PGMS. Every child should get to celebrate their accomplishments by being eligible for these end of the year activities.
SBAC testing has been terminated for this year.
Community Service Update
Library Book Check-In
• 8th graders by Thursday, May 14, to go to Great America.
• 6th & 7th graders by May 18, to pick up their yearbook.
Negative Lunch Account Balances
All lunch negative balances must be paid in full by the following dates:
• 8th graders by Thursday, May 14, to go to Great America.
• 6th & 7th graders by May 18, to pick up their yearbook.
Yearbook Distribution
Yearbooks will be distributed on the following days DURING LUNCH in ROOM 26 ONLY.
8th graders: Monday, May 18
6th & 7th graders: Tuesday, May 19
Great America Field Trip
Promotion Dress Code
• Dresses should have sleeves or straps. Long dresses should not be longer than ankle length to facilitate walking easily and not tripping. Short dresses should not be shorter than three inches above the knee.
• Nice pants and a dress shirt with a collar.
• Athletic-style shoes are discouraged.
• Hats and sunglasses are not permitted.
• Optional sweater, tie, and/or jacket would be appropriate, but not a tuxedo.
Promotion Tickets
Each person will need a ticket to attend the Promotion Ceremony. There is no standing in the Auditorium.
If you requested additional tickets, they will have to be picked up by an adult in the office. They will not be in the envelope with the four (4) tickets.
Non-Promoting 8th graders
On Wednesday, May 27, non-grads will report to the library for periods 4 and 5.
On Thursday, May 28, non-grads will be excused at 12:32, at the end of lunch.
Promotion Schedule
Promoting 8th graders will rehearse their first Promotion Ceremony practice during periods 2 and 3. At that time they will each be given four tickets along with the picture order form for the Promotion Ceremony.
Wednesday, May 27
Promotion practice during periods 4 and 5.
Thursday, May 28
Promotion practice during periods 6 and 7. Promoting 8th graders should arrive by 5:30 p.m. Students with the last name that begins A-L need to meet upstairs by Room 28 and M-Z meet downstairs by Room 13.
Friday, May 29
This is the last day of school and it is a Minimum Day. 8th graders get to sleep in and report to school at 9:30 a.m. They will meet in front of the school for roll call. The entire class will assemble and walk down to Caledonia Park for Breakfast in the Park. Students will be dismissed at 12:11 p.m. from Caledonia Park.
Promotion Ceremony Photographs
Please make sure to ask your student about the envelope they received during the promotion practice. If you would like to order the pictures, please fill out the order form and return it to school.
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
If your student's last name is A-L they need to meet upstairs by Room 28.
If your student's last name is M-Z they need to meet downstairs by Room 13.
The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for the family members to enter the Auditorium. Each person will need to have a ticket. Your student will receive four tickets on Tuesday, May 26. If you need more than four tickets, please contact Apple (aatofau @pgusd.org). Extra tickets are a first come first serve. We already have a list of names that are requesting extra tickets.