GMS Weekly News and Notes
Weekly Updates
This week's "cover art" is brought to us by our 6th graders who showed off their skills with 1-point perspective drawing. The detail is incredible! Also featured are winter athletes Sahana P, Athena G, Julianna M, Eva S, and Leia G showing off their new GMS Athletics Sweatshirts. Thanks to Mrs. Factor for providing the swag.
Please make sure your student has his or her district-issued chrome book on Monday. We will be tallying devices during X Block in order to ensure that we have the capacity for all of our students to properly access MCAS. Representatives from the district's technology office will be following up with families of students whose chrome books are missing or damaged.
It was a busy last full week of winter at GMS. Letters were emailed to all 5th, 6th, and 7th grade families on Thursday afternoon detailing the course selection process for the 2023-24 school year. Please see Ms. Kennedy's update below for more information on math placement. If you have any questions about the selection process for next year, please reach out to your child's guidance counselor.
On Friday, many students and staff wore their festive green in celebration of both St. Patrick's Day and spirit Friday. It was definitely a fun day on campus! Photos are included below.
Academic Spotlight: Memoir Gallery Walks
Information Regarding Math Placements
Your child’s mathematics teacher has made a recommendation for your child’s placement for next year. Math teachers will email your child’s placement to you on Monday, March 20th. There are two mathematics programs available to 7th and 8th grade students (Math 7/Math 7 Advanced and Math 8/Math 8 Advanced). The decision to place your child in a mathematics program is a data driven decision. The criteria used to make the placements are: IXL Diagnostic Score, Placement Exam, Test Grades, MCAS Score, and Student Independence. If you have any questions about your child's placement, please contact their math teacher directly or GMS Math Department Coordinator Mrs. Kelsey Cummings-Kennedy at cummingsk@cantonma.org.
AAPL Update for Grade 8 Families
March 12, 2023
The following is a transcript of the letter sent earlier this week by preK-12 World Languages Department Coordinator Heidi Olson
Dear Grade 8 World Languages Students and Families:
Earlier this year I sent you an email about our district's participation in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy and I am writing to update you on this work. We are fortunate to have received a one-year competitive state grant to fund in-school partner language (world languages) testing for grade 8 world languages students. This Department of Elementary and Secondary Education grant will allow us to determine our students’ progress toward language proficiency and prepare students for the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy.
From March 13-24, 2023, French 8 and Spanish 8 students will conduct practice exams and take
the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) during their
regularly scheduled world languages classes. Since this is a web-based exam, all students will need to come to school each day with the following:
- A fully charged Chromebook and the charger
- Headphones or ear buds with a built-in microphone (3.5 mm plug-in headset jack or USB)
Over the next two weeks, teachers will conduct practice exams with their students and will administer the proficiency-based exam, which evaluates the students’ skills in interpretive listening and reading, interpersonal speaking, and presentational writing. Since the exam has multiple components, the test will be given over a series of non-consecutive days to eliminate test fatigue. It is expected that the entire test will take approximately four class periods, one for each skill: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
In preparation for the test, students will review testing instructions and take model exams, which will allow them to review and apply the various language strategies that they have been practicing throughout the year. Practice days will focus on understanding the testing format, a critical aspect in ensuring that students feel confident. Families can assist their French 8 or Spanish 8 students by checking equipment, familiarizing themselves with the topics of the AAPPL exam, watching test tip videos together, and helping their children practice the Form A-AAPPL demo exam. Unlike performance exams, which focus on specific or discrete content, the AAPPL exam is a global exam that assesses student growth in language over time. Becoming proficient in a language is a process; it requires time and regular practice. For that reason, only grade 8 students who are completing the full grade 7/8 sequence, which is equivalent to a first-year language course, are taking this exam. Grade 8 students are taking Form A, which is
specifically geared to novice through intermediate language learners.
In May 2022, teachers will receive data about how their students performed on the AAPPL examination in order to make informed instructional decisions and to help students make personalized goals regarding the end of course proficiency targets and long-term goals like the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy. Once student assessment results are available, individualized student proficiency reports will be shared with students and families also.
I look forward to working with you and your children’s teachers as we prepare the students for the AAPPL examination. If your child needs a headset (or earbuds) with a working microphone, please email me immediately at olsonh@cantonma.org. All students will have the necessary resources and supports to feel comfortable, confident, and prepared when taking the AAPPL test. With its asset-based approach, the AAPPL examination celebrates the achievements of our students by focusing on what students can do, as they progress on their own personalized path to language proficiency. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
GMS Sports Update
Great job by all of our players and coaches!
CAPE Spelling Bee
You can find more information about the event here
World Down Syndrome Day: March 21st
Every year, on March 21, people all around the world come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored, mismatched socks. March 21 is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome. This day provides the opportunity to celebrate people with Down syndrome and all the wonderful contributions they make to society. The point of wearing the silly socks is as a conversation starter for people to ask questions and to remind them that while things may be different they are still wonderful! This is meant to bring awareness and acceptance of Down Syndrome.
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.
GMS Movie Night
On Friday, March 31st, Student Leadership will be hosting Movie Night at GMS, featuring the movie “Teen Beach Movie.” The movie will run from 6:00p to 8:00p. Admission cost will be $2 per student. There will also be pizza, snacks and drinks sold. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes or pajamas, and bring sleeping bags or yoga mats to sit on.
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.
Ramadan Begins
Important dates to note
Monday, March 20th: Math placement letters sent to 6th and 7th grade families
Tuesday, March 21st: Rock Your Socks Day at GMS
Friday, March 24th: CAPE Spelling Bee, 6-9PM, at CHS
Friday, March 31st: GMS Movie Night, 6-8PM, at GMS
Monday, April 3rd: GMS School Council Meeting, 5pm in the GMS Library
Monday, April 3rd: GMS CAPT Meeting, 6:30pm in the GMS Library
Events Around Town
At a Glance - New Event(s)
- 2nd Annual Great Canton Cleanup Day
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