Greenville Middle
Principal Update: Week of September 20
Connecting * Informing * Supporting
From Principal Andrews
THANK YOU for helping your student participate in our STEP IT UP! Fundraiser. Every dollar raised makes a difference in the lives of our students! There's still time to register and collect donations through the link below: www.stepitupkids.com/GreenvilleMA29607
We have THREE more prize drawings coming up next week, so the fun is not over! All online and check donations are due by 9/28/2021. Please turn in any cash or checks in an envelope with your students’ name on it to the main office. Make checks payable to Greenville Middle PTA. Thank you again for everything you’re doing to make this fundraiser a huge success!
We hope you join us for our virtual PTA Meeting and Parent University. Our PTA Meeting will begin, virtually, at 6:00 PM, followed by two parent sessions:
- Session 1: School Counselors will provide an overview of the SEL program, taking participants through a classroom lesson. School counselors will walk parents through how to access videos and activities for both parents and students.
- Session 2: Math teachers will provide an overview to the Carnegie Learning math curriculum, including the Mathia online program.
A Zoom link will be sent through Parent Backpack and SchoolMessenger. Zoom easily works on your personal mobile device. You will not be able to access the link if logged on using your student's greenvilleschools.us account.
Upcoming Dates:
- Sept 20 - PTA Meeting & Parent University (6:00 PM Virtual)
- Sept 21 - GMA Volleyball @ Mauldin
- Sept 24 - SIC Meeting (12:00 PM Virtual)
- Oct 1 - PTA Board Meeting
- Oct 11-15 - Teen Read Week
- Oct 11 - Magnet Open House (6:00 PM Virtual)
- Oct 18-19 - GCS Holiday for Students
- Oct 21 - Report Cards
As always, thank you for your support of Greenville Middle Academy! Let's have a great week!
REMEMBER TO: Charge Chromebooks Nightly / Wear Your Student ID
RAMS OF THE MONTH: September
The following students exhibit the RAM qualities of demonstrating respect, having a positive attitude, and promoting safety in our school. The bulletin board at the front of the building will recognize our students. Congratulations!
8th grade William Allender
7th grade Tess Gandolfo
6th grade Ellison Brown
PTA: Become a FRIEND OF THE RAM
The PTA campaign’s mission is to enhance students’ learning opportunities by providing additional financial support for the academic and learning environment. It is committed to augmenting and supporting the programs at Greenville Middle Academy that ultimately affect the success of our students, families, and community. Your generosity in this campaign enables Greenville Middle to make a difference in students’ lives, now and in the future.
- Company logo/Name on GMA school website as “Proud Ram” Sponsor
- Company logo/Name on all GMA newsletters
- Company logo/Name on PTA meeting agendas
PSAT Reminder for 8th Graders
Registration for the PSAT has closed. The deadline to register was September 13.
For students registered to take the PSAT, the PSAT/NMSQT test will be administered during the school day on October 13, 2021. You may explore the link below to learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT test. Should you have any questions about the test, please contact your school counselor. PSAT/NMSQT Parent Information
COVID-19 Reporting
Parents are asked to report any COVID-19 exposures, quarantines within the home, and positive test results to the school principal.
Parents are strongly encouraged to screen their students daily, at home, for COVID-19 symptoms (see below). If a student takes a COVID-19 test because he/she is symptomatic, the student should not be physically present in school until the test results are returned.
Keep students at home if they present with any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing - or –
- Loss of taste or smell - or –
- New or worsening cough
In order to return to school from this exclusion, student must provide one of the following:
- Return to school note from your student's medical provider indicating a medical evaluation has determined symptoms are related to another cause other than COVID-19 OR
- Documentation of a negative COVID-19 test.
Student are also required to exclude from school with one of the following symptoms but does not require COVID-19 medical clearance:
- Fever (100.4 or greater). Must be 24 hours fever free before returning to school. (this means without the use of fever reducing medications).
- Diarrhea (3 or more episodes of loose stools in a 24 hour period). Must be 24 hours diarrhea free before returning to school (this means without the use of diarrhea suppressing medication).
- Vomiting (2 or more times in a 24 hour period). Must be 24 hours without vomit and able to have 1 to 2 meals before returning to school. (this means without the use of vomiting suppressing medications)
GCS has shared a Frequently Asked document related to COVID-19 and back to school. You may access this document in the link below. FAQs for Parents / FAQs para Padres (Español)
Set Up Parent Backpack - An App for Parents & Guardians
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. 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. English Directions / Direcciones en español
PTA Reflections
2021-2022 Reflections Arts Program Theme: “I Will Change the World By...”
Student Attendance & Arrival
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.
Dress Code
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.
Student Technology & Cellphones
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.
Bookbags & Student ID Badges
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.
Greenville Middle Academy
Email: gmaoffice@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gvillem/
Location: 339 Lowndes Avenue, Greenville, South Carolina 29607, USA
Phone: (864) 355-5600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gvillerams
Twitter: @gvillerams