Your Guardsmen Update
NOVEMBER 2017
"Good, Better, Best. Never let it rest."
Note to Parents
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The month of October has been full of exciting opportunities for our students and staff! As a school that has adopted the motto of good, better, best we have taken this to heart in how we approach education. Grissom teachers have been and will continue to have various types of professional development within our building, at the district level, and even at the state level. This effort to continually improve demonstrates our staff’s dedication to living out our motto of good, better, best!
Thank you everyone for your support of the all school fundraiser, Mrs. Fields cookies. It was a glowing success for all involved. We are also grateful to our fall sports coaches for all your efforts and leadership. Winter sports are just around the corner, be sure to get out there and support the Guardsmen!
As the grading period came to an end, it brought along Student Led Conferences. We were excited and grateful to see a great turnout this year. In case you didn’t have the opportunity to attend you may have missed seeing our fantastic Book Fair and our stations with student led initiatives. One of our student led initiatives is the “Giving Closet”, which was set up during conferences. These students were collecting donations in order to help supply items for the upcoming “Hygiene Drive”. Then, these students manage the inventory and distribution of these items to other families within our school. I am proud of the opportunities that our Grissom staff provides to our students, but even more proud when students open a door of opportunity for another!
Sincerely,
Jean Milfort
Principal
Early Pick Up/Late Drop Off
Remember!
If you need to excuse your child during normal school hours, please send a note stating what time you plan on picking them up. Remind them that this note must be handed into the office first thing in the morning so they can receive their pass excusing them from class at the appropriate time.
If you are dropping your child off after an appointment or later that 9am, you do not have to come in with them. Just remind them to stop in the office first before heading to class so that we know they are here and can write them a pass.
Thank you so much for your help!
Attendance Line: (574) 968-9628, Option 1
School Updates and Information
Although you can find information in other places too, in the office, we try our best to notify you of cancellations, changes and new information as quickly as possible using these two sources. Please check up on these daily or when you have questions about what's happening here at Grissom. If you see something that doesn't look right, give us a call! We'd love to hear from you and work with you on making things right.
Important Dates
- Veterans Day Convocation on Friday, November 10th.
- PTO Meeting at 6pm on Monday, November 13th. (Childcare Now Available!)
- Butter Braid Fundraiser Delivery on Friday, November 17th.
- 4.0 Breakfast at 8am on November 21st.
- Picture Retake Day on November 22nd.
- Thanksgiving Break on November 23rd and 24th.
Picture Retake Day - Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Any student who was absent on picture day should plan on having their picture taken on this day. Any family and/or student who is unhappy with their original picture should plan to bring their package back to school at that time and have them retaken as well.
Keep in mind that teachers will not let students out of class for a retake unless A) they have their original picture package to return OR B) have an order form if they missed the original picture day.
We need parent help in the concession stand. It is a great way to raise money for student activities and get to know other Grissom Families!
Email our concession coordinator at GMSconcessions@gmail.com to find out how!
There are also other opportunities to assist the PTO such as donating soda and water to the concession stands, participating in restaurant "give back" nights, chaperoning school socials, and many more! If you are interested, reach out to grissompto@gmail.com.
Chipotle Night was a huge success!
Thank you to all Grissom families and friends for helping us raise over $1,100!!
Important Dates for 8th Graders and Their Parents
Preparation for high school scheduling begins in November. The following dates are on the calendar, and we encourage you to jot them down in preparation for creating a high school schedule which best suits your child:
Tuesday, December 5th – 8th grade students learn about scheduling for high school and tour Penn, during the school day
Wednesday, December 6th at 6:00pm - Penn High School counselors present freshman scheduling and graduation information to parents of 8th graders, in the Grissom M.S. cafeteria. The presentation is very similar to the one student's will hear on the 5th, and will last about an hour.
Monday and Tuesday, December 11th and 12th, 6:30-8:00 pm - Penn High School Show Case for 8th grade students and their parents. We strongly encourage attendance one of the nights, at PHS. There will be opportunities to speak with subject area teachers and discuss elective opportunities.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
You can also check out our website for more resources.
Mary Reynolds (last names A-K): mreynolds2@phm.k12.in.us
Sheri Miller (last names L-Z): smiller@phm.k12.in.us
Melissa Welsch (YSB Counselor): mwelsch@phm.k12.in.us
Indiana’s 21 Century Scholars Program
Helps Students
Prepare – Plan – Pay
For College
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parents of students in 7th and 8th grade are encouraged to visit the website of Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Program at Scholars.IN.gov for information, eligibility requirements, and instructions to complete the online application for the program.
For income-eligible Hoosier students, the 21st Century Scholars Program offers tuition assistance, college and career readiness through the Scholars Success Program, and other support services. Application deadline is June 30, of the student’s 8th grade year.
Visit Scholars.IN.gov or contact your child’s GMS school counselor for more information.
Families, don’t forget to purchase your yearbook!
You can pick up an order form in the main office or go to Jostens.com to order online. Let’s make these middle school memories last a lifetime!
GRISSOM'S
Formerly known as “Grissom’s Food and Clothing Pantry,” opened in 2005 after receiving a grant from the PHM Education Foundation. The Giving Closet is currently being revitalized and will now be a student led initiative, while continuing to work in connection with the Northern Indiana Food Bank.
Any student can volunteer their time to help out on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. The Giving Closet Group meets in the PAC Office Conference room. Students can also ride the activity bus if needed.
Many Grissom students have been working hard to get the word out about their first initiative: A personal hygiene drive. If your family is able, please feel free to drop off any of the following items in the main office or send them to school with your child.
The pantry is open to all GMS students and their families. Open shopping (for food and other items) is from 4:00-5:00pm on the first and third Wednesday* of each month, when school is in session. If these times do not fit your schedule, you may contact Mrs. Reynolds or Ms. Welsch, in the Student Services Office.
*This is a change from the previous days of operation.
November and December Intramurals
There's a new way to get involved in Grissom's Intramurals.
Check out the video below to learn how!
Art (Mondays)
Dates: November 6,13, 20, 27 December 4, 11, 18
From: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: Art Room (room 202)
Sponsor: Mrs. Roeda
Jazz Band (Mon/Wed)
Dates: November 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29 December 4, 6, 11, 13
Times: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: Room 196
Sponsor: Mrs. Baker
Walking With Confidence (Mon/Wed)
Dates: November 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29
Times: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: Room 152
Sponsor: Ms. Pryor
Giving Closet Club (Tue/Wed)
Dates: November 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20
Times: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: PAC Conference Room
Sponsor: Mrs. Reynolds
Introducing Mr. Roberto Leal!
Grissom Middle School would like to continue to extend a warm welcome to Mr. Roberto Leal, teacher candidate from Indiana University South Bend. Mr. Leal is studying in Mr. Brandon Kresca’s 8th grade language arts classroom. He has been a huge asset to the class and Grissom Middle School so far.
Mr. Leal will begin his isolated teaching experience on Tuesday October 31st. Mr. Leal is ready for this opportunity to teach students and learn alongside them. Please continue to introduce yourselves to Mr. Leal, and communicate with him accordingly as long as he is with us at Grissom Middle School.
Mr. Brandon Kresca
8th Grade Language Arts
Kaitlyn Reed - 8th Grade
The artist of the month for October was 8th Grade student Kaitlyn Reed
for her well crafted foil art project.
Congratulations Kaitlyn!
Thank you for your P.R.I.D.E. Store Donations! We Appreciate YOU!
City of Mishawaka Parks & Recreation
Papa John's Bittersweet Location
Mrs. Karen Edison
Culver's
Dairy Queen
Niles Haunted House and Scream Park
For Your Safety...
Upon entering the building, all parents and visitors must present a valid government issued ID, military ID, or passport which will be scanned in by our security system. This will generate a nametag. Parents and visitors must wear this office-issued nametag while in the building. These nametags must be collected at the time of departure.
Thank you for helping us to keep our school safe by following this simple procedure. Your children are our first priority!
FOLLOW US!
Email: jmilfort@phm.k12.in.us
Website: https://grissom.phmschools.org/
Location: 13881 Kern Road, Mishawaka, IN, United States
Phone: (574) 968-9628
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Virgil-I-Grissom-MiddleSchool/291749927681507?fref=ts&rf=472089909509579
Twitter: @1GoodBetterBest