Welcome to the new school year! I'm honored to serve as principal of Greenville Middle Academy, an exemplary middle school. The beginning of the year is truly a special time of year, and I look forward to getting to know our students, partnering with our parents and guardians, and working with our community. I encourage our parents to take advantage of the opportunities to get involved and support our school this year. Let's go, Team GMA!

In this Beginning of Year Bulletin, you'll find information about:

• Meet & Greet
• FAQs for Parents (COVID-19)
• District & School Calendars
• School Supply Lists
• Summer Reading Info
• 2021-22 Bus Transportation Form / Magnet Bus Transportation Form
  
• Extended Day Program (Limited Slots)
• PTA Volunteer Opportunities
• Dress Code
• Technology, Bookbags, & Student IDs
• Spirit Wear
• Summer Reading
• Student Attendance
• Car Line Etiquette
• PTA Memberships and more!

The first day of school for students is on Tuesday, August 17.

As always, thank you for your support of Greenville Middle Academy!

This is a drop-in event for all grades. During the first days of schools, we will provide a robust Orientation for all students to welcome them back and ensure they have a strong start to middle school.

6th & 7th graders will report to 1st period to receive their Schedules and 8th graders will report to 3rd period to receive their Schedules. Staff will be on hand to direct you to the right place.

• 8th Grade 8:30-10:00 (REPORT TO 3RD PERIOD)
• 7th Grade 10:30-12:00 (REPORT TO 1ST PERIOD)
• 6th Grade 1:00-2:30 (REPORT TO 1ST PERIOD)
• All Grades (evening option) 6:00-7:30

In the cafeteria, we'll have the following stations:

PTA - Join PTA, sign up to volunteer, and purchase school Spirit Wear

Cafeteria - Check your student account, complete the free/reduced priced meal application

Bus Transportation - Find out bus route #s as well as pick up and drop off times

Extended Day Program - Sign up for afterschool care

Parent Backpack - Create a Parent Backpack account

We can't wait to see you!

FAQs for Parents / FAQs para Padres (Español)

In addition, the district has re-opened registration to the GCS Virtual Program. If interested, please visit the district website for information.

Please make sure your student has the Tdap vaccine this year and have the vaccine certificate sent to school as soon as it is completed. If your child already had the Tdap vaccine, please send a copy of the immunization form into school to ensure that we have it on record. Your child will not be able to attend the 7th grade until we have this form on record at school.

Thank you in advance for your help. Please feel free to contact GMA's School Nurse, Catherine Manske, with any questions.

In order to ensure your student is routed correctly for the bus, please complete the 2021-2022 Transportation Request Form (English | Spanish). This applies to current virtual and brick-and-mortar students. If the transportation method is not going to change for next year, you do not need to complete the form. If your student needs Magnet Transportation, please reach out to Susan Simpson, our Magnet Coordinator.

Both the regular Transportation Form as well as the Magnet Transportation form should be returned to Sherry Coleman, Guidance Clerk, as soon as possible.

As we are preparing for the next school year's registration, it is most important that we have your correct address information on file. This determines the school your student will attend.

Also, keep in mind that the final report cards are mailed at the end of the school year. All address changes require proper documentation (two proofs of residency) to be presented to the school.

If you have moved or will be moving, please email Sherry Coleman, our Guidance Clerk, by email at shecoleman@greenville.k12.sc.us or phone at 864-355-5604.

Our School Supply List has been updated for the 2021-2022 school year! Please click below to access the supply list:

6th Grade Supply List

7th Grade Supply List

8th Grade Supply List

Related Arts Supply List

Self-Contained Special Education Supply List

Parent Backpack is an online application that allows parents and guardians to view your student's grades, school attendance, and discipline when you are logged into the system. Parent Backpack works on any device and is mobile-friendly.

To access Parent Backpack, go to https://parents.gcsbackpack.com and create an account. Please access directions by clicking on Creating a Parent Backpack Account.

English Directions

Direcciones en español

MORNINGS:

• Student drop off begins at 7:30 AM and no earlier. Do not leave students unattended.
• Stay in line to the far right and drop off and load at the front porch area. Students should quickly exit wherever they stop in the line at the front of the school, and walk to the entrance of the building.
• Do not park on Lowndes and allow students to exit your vehicle. You will be ticketed.
• Do not drop off or pick up students except in the designated area at the front of the school.
• Students cannot be dropped off in the school parking lot. Please use the car line.

AFTERNOONS:

• Please be mindful that we have many students who walk to the church and walk home from school.
• All cars will line up single file in the front of the school as far right as possible.
• Do not block roads, intersections, or private driveways.
• When the lane fills up from the front porch of the school to the school entrance, traffic will begin to line up on Perrin Road in a single line.
• Pull as close to the curb on Lowndes and Perrin, as school buses will need to pass on your left.
• We strongly encourage exiting to the right once leaving campus. This route will easily take you towards downtown and Pleasantburg Road.
• Student safety is our priority. We use the Car Line System to assist us with a safe dismissal process. Please pay attention to the staff directing cars in the line. We will utilize a double line to load cars and safely dismiss one line at a time. The double line will begin at 2:45 PM and no earlier.
• Please be courteous and take turns at the intersections.

Since we create a double line in the car line at 2:45 PM, no early dismissals will occur after 2:30 PM.

Please Note: Crossing Guards do not direct traffic. If you have a concern regarding crossing guards, please contact the Greenville County Sheriff’s Department.

Don't delay, join PTA today! Memberships for Student, Parent, or Teacher. are $5. Family memberships (4 or more) are $20. JOIN PTA / MEMBERSHIP INFO

Our PTA works throughout the year to support our students and staff. Money raised will support various areas within the school, including school needs such as school projects, instructional grants, technology, student awards as well as student enrichment such as academic competitions, student celebrations, to name a few.

Greenville Middle's PTA is looking for volunteers to help with activities planned for students, teachers, and parents in the upcoming school year. If you're interested in helping, please review the available slots by clicking on the Sign Up Genius link below. Thank you!

Sign Up Genius Volunteer Link

Our PTA is excited to launch a FUN fundraiser this year called STEP IT UP! Funds will support needs within the school, including technology safety software, incentives and recognition of students, as well as, instructional and classroom needs.

STEP IT UP! is a fitness fundraiser that combines the ease of an online donation platform with the thrill of a school site DAY OF AWESOMENESS featuring our interactive Obstacle Course based on the TV shows WIPEOUT and AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR! The Step It Up Kick-off is September 14! Information will be sent home on this day.

The school year contains 180 days. To earn credit, students must attend 85 days of each 90-day (semester) course and at least 170 days of each 180-day course. Any absence in excess of ten (10) days may cause the loss of credit for the year. Morning Announcements will begin at 8:20 AM. Students will need to be in their 1st class, in their seats by 8:30 AM, otherwise, they will be marked Tardy.

Perfect Attendance Criteria:

The definition of an absence at a Greenville County Middle School is missing more than one-half of any single class period for which a student is enrolled, or multiple class periods for which a student is enrolled, during a school day. Absence in any part of the school day for a minimum of more than one-half class period, even if the student was present for all other portions of that same school day, by definition excludes a student from being determined to have Perfect Attendance for the year.

Students are expected to dress in an appropriate manner while on school district property or representing the school. Personal appearance shall be such that it does not disrupt student work or school order, become distracting to students, or violate health and safety guidelines.

The following standards apply and will be vigorously enforced. Principals may make additions to these standards as they deem necessary.

• Hoods from sweatshirts/jackets cannot be worn inside the building.
• No skin showing through the jeans above the knee. Leggings are allowed under clothing that meets the dress code.
• Shoes must be worn at all times. All sandals must have a hard sole. Slides, bedroom slippers and shower shoes are prohibited.
• Shorts, dresses, and skirts must be mid-thigh when standing up straight. Leggings under dresses and skirts are recommended.
• All shirts/tops must be at least one ID card width at the shoulder. Low cut tops, mid-drifts, tanks, and off-the shoulder shirts are prohibited.
• No cut-off pants, yoga pants, biker shorts or pajamas.
• Undergarments are to be covered by outer clothing. No see-through garments.
• No pants or shorts hanging too far below the waistline (no “sagging”).
• No profane or vulgar language; no drawings containing alcohol, tobacco or illegal drug advertisements on any part of clothing or jewelry.
• No hats, bandanas (any color), shower or hair caps, skullies, curlers or sunglasses.

Each student will be checked-out a Chromebook provided by Greenville County Schools. Chromebooks are permitted to go home with students for educational use. However, students will be responsible for maintaining their good condition and returning the Chromebooks at the end of the school year.

• The expectation is that all students bring a charged Chromebook to school each day and practice responsible digital citizenship at all times.
• A consequence matrix addressing infractions is included in the Student Handbook.
• Cell phones should be turned off and stored in the bookbag during the school day.
  
• Smart watches may be worn during the day, but are only permitted to be used to keep time.
• Students are not permitted to wear wireless headphones/earbuds unless directed to by a teacher. This includes arrival, dismissal and transitions between classes.

More information about Chromebook use and expectations will be shared by teachers at the beginning of the year.

As part of our school district’s continuing efforts to provide a safe learning environment, all middle school students and staff will be required to wear Photo ID badges.

• Students must wear their ID badge whenever they are on campus.
• Students who do not have their ID badges will receive a temporary ID.
• Lost, stolen, or defaced ID badges must be replaced at a cost of $5.00
• Stickers, writing, or other defacing of the ID badge is not be permitted.
• ID badges will also be used to purchase lunch and check out media books & textbooks.
• After the first week of school, students not wearing their ID badge will be subject to disciplinary action.