EGMS NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2023
Grandview Families,
It has been a great first few weeks of the school year. Students completed their first round of MAP testing this week. Mrs. Mitteis and I talked with all 6th graders on Monday about code of conduct and common school expectations. We will do the same with 7th grade on 9/14 and 8th grade on 9/11. It is fun to see students getting used to a new school year with new routines. I can tell you there is fantastic teaching and learning taking place!
We hope to see you all at parent teacher conferences on 9/26 and 9/27. If you need anything, please reach out. See you soon.
Mrs. Stichler
Meet Mrs. Mitteis!
EGMS BOOK FAIR IS COMING!!
Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from September 20th-27th at Grandview Middle School's Library.
This year, say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account. Before the Fair, set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases.
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/egms
The countdown to more Bookjoy is on! Catch you at the Fair!
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Elkhorn Grandview Middle School will be conducting parent-teacher conferences on September 26 & 27 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Student's last name A-M attend conferences on Tuesday
Student's last name N-Z attend conferences on Wednesday
You may come at any time on your recommended day and if you need to switch your day, we can accommodate you without a problem.
As always, if you feel you need a private conference with a teacher or the team, call or email the Team Teacher Point of Contact to set up your appointment. We encourage you to visit with each teacher during conferences about the specifics of their class.
** Don’t forget to stop and visit your child’s specials and exploratory teachers.**
Team Teacher Point of Contact:
6th Grade – Krisa Smith - ksmith@epsne.org
7th Grade - Kari Pilkington - kpilkington@epsne.org
8th Grade - Tracy Everly - teverly@epsne.org
Health Screen Parent Volunteer Sign Up
The school nurse will be conducting health screens on 10/26. We need about 12 parent volunteers to help speed up the process. Click the link if you are interested in helping out. Thank you.
ATTENDANCE & TARDY POLICY REMINDERS
Students that arrive after the 8:10 a.m. bell will be counted as tardy.
All students must be excused verbally or with a note by a parent or guardian. Students that are absent for professional appointments must provide documentation from the appointment in order to have the tardy or absence excused.
It is important to be on time and present at school daily. Parents/Guardians will be contacted when tardies and/or attendance becomes a concern.
YEARBOOK PURCHASE
EGMS BOOSTER CLUB MEETINGS
Our September meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6th at 6:00pm in the library. All parents are welcome to attend!
Mark your calendar for the following Booster Club Meeting dates:
Sept. 6
Oct. 10
Nov. 7
Dec. 12
Jan. No meeting
Feb. 6
March 12
April 16
May 14
Safe2Help
In collaboration with the Omaha Police Department, EPS utilizes Safe2Help to ensure students and families have an anonymous way to report safety concerns. Students, parents, staff, or community members can report safety concerns through Safe2Help via any of the following channels:
Call or Text (833) 980-7233
Download the “Safe2Help” app from your app store
Please know that we believe that Elkhorn Public Schools are safe places for students, and we work diligently to that end. However, parents, students and community members are an important aspect of our safety and security plan. We need your help to keep our schools safe. If you see something that concerns you, report it immediately.
Please contact us with questions regarding the Safe2Help reporting system. We appreciate your continued partnership in helping keep Elkhorn Public Schools safe for all.
ELECTRONIC DEVICE REMINDERS
A point of emphasis this year at Grandview is the proper use of electronic devices. This includes the student's chromebooks, cell phones, smartwatches, earbud/headphones, IPods, etc. All of these devices have the potential to be a distraction to the learning environment when used inappropriately.
Chromebooks are to be used for educational purposes only. They are a wonderful learning tool and we are grateful for the possibilities that now exist in the classroom. Even though the district has a sophisticated filter system and all activity by students can be monitored, there are still a few game sites that students have access to. Students are reminded often that their chromebook should not be used as a gaming device during school hours.
All other electronic devices are to be out of sight during school hours and should remain in a safe place. Approval of such devices will be very limited with clear expectations and boundaries being explained to the students. Any violation of the electronic device policy (found on page 10 of the student handbook) will result in the electronic device in question being taken from the student. We ask that all communication with your child go through the office during the school day. When parents send text messages to their child at school, it puts them in a difficult position and at risk of violating the school’s policy.
A general guideline for disciplinary action will be as follows:
First Offense: Device may be taken from student and given to the office. Device may be returned to the student at the end of the day.
Second Offense: Device may be taken from the student and given to the office. Device will be returned to parent/guardian.
Third Offense: Device may be taken from the student and given to the office. A plan will be implemented with parental input for the remainder of the school year.
We appreciate your help and support in making Grandview a place where students can focus on their education and reaching their potential!!
DRESS CODE REMINDER
Parents and Guardians, please review middle school dress code policy found in the handbook with your student. Please note we are specifically seeing violations for items 1 and 2 below. Dress code violations will be addressed and enforced. We appreciate your cooperation and support on this.
ATHLETIC REGISTRATION FOR 2023-2024
If your child plans on playing a sport at EGMS during the year they will need to complete the following online forms to become eligible for competition. Under the Athlete Registration link families will create an account for their child, select the sports they will be participating in at EGMS and then complete all of the demographic and emergency contact information that is required. There is also a spot to upload a digital copy of your child's physical. Note: Physicals must be dated after 5/1/23 in order for them to be eligible to participate during the 2023-2024 school year.
Athlete Registration:
https://elkhornps-ar.rschooltoday.com/
Activity Fee:$35.00 (running club participants do not need to pay)
If you have any questions please contact our Athletic Director:
Jacob Rapp
402-289-9399
GOOGLE CLASSROOM GUARDIAN EMAIL SUMMARIES
Starting September 7th, guardians will be able to receive email summaries about their student’s activity in Google Classroom. Guardians will receive an email invitation on September 7th and will need to accept the invitation in order to receive Google Classroom email summaries. When you receive the invite email and click the accept button, you will be taken to a page verifying your email address. Please make sure this is the email address you would like to use before clicking accept. If it is not the correct email address, do NOT click decline or accept, and see bullet number 3 under "Get email summaries" in this document Guardian Email Summaries - for Guardians.
You may not receive an invite email if you are still signed up from last year or if teacher(s) have not enabled email notifications in their Google Classrooms.
In email summaries, you can review:
- Missing work—Work not turned in when the summary was sent
- Upcoming work—Work that is due today and tomorrow (for daily emails) or that is due in the upcoming week (for weekly emails)
- Class activities—Announcements, assignments, and questions recently posted by teachers
- Email summaries do not include grades.
If there’s no activity to report, or if a teacher turns off email notifications, you might not get an email summary.
Please see this document for more information Guardian Email Summaries - for Guardians.
DEPARTMENT NOTES
BULLETIN BOARD
TeamMates of Elkhorn: Call for Mentors
TeamMates mentors spend 30 minutes a week leaving a positive impact that lasts a lifetime. Please consider volunteering your time to meet the growing need for mentors across our District. Apply now by clicking here!
TeamMates and Runza Day!
Safe2Help
- (833) 980-7233
- www.Safe2HelpNE.org
- Safe2Help App
Contact Info Updates
2023-24 Academic Calendar
Elkhorn Grandview Middle School
Email: egms@epsne.org
Website: https://www.elkhornweb.org/egms/
Location: 17801 Grand Avenue, Omaha, NE, 68116
Phone: (402) 289-9399
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElkhornPSEGMS
Twitter: @ElkhornPS_EGMS
Notice of Non-Discrimination
The Elkhorn Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race (including skin color, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation or gender identity, or other protected status in its programs.
The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
- Students: Anne Doerr, Executive Director of Student Services, 20650 Glenn Street (402) 289-2579, (adoerr@epsne.org).
- Employees and Others: Don Pechous, Executive Director of Personnel, 20650 Glenn Street (402) 289-2579, (dpechous@epsne.org).