Your Guardsmen Update
February 2018
Note to Parents
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We have officially arrived to the second semester of the school year. As we reflect, it is clear that semester one was busy and productive. Our students have been working hard inside and outside of the classroom. Starting with Focus class Remediation and Enrichment, which is an additional intervention we are providing the entire student body to prepare them for success. This intervention takes place in the morning during the first 30 minutes of school, and it addresses both Math and Language Arts. Then, outside of class, students have been active within social groups, intramural teams, fine arts groups, and various sports. Our girls basketball team and wrestling team have been getting better every day. While we have a good selection of groups to offer students, more and more students are proposing the creation of new groups that fit their interest.
We were blessed a few weeks ago to have some guest visit Grissom Middle School. These visitors were from various middle schools in China. As part of the Cultural Exchange Program developed by Mrs. Harper, we were able to meet and greet both students and administrators from this area. While speaking of visitation our Fine Arts department consisting of Mrs. Scott, Ms. Roeda, Ms. Marshall, and Mrs. Baker were able to visit all four of our feeder elementaries. It was exciting to meet all the future Grissom Guardsman from Madison, Meadow’s Edge, Elm, and Moran Elementary.
As we start looking ahead to some items to put on your calendar, please be aware of the following. On Wednesday, February 14th we will have the next 4.0 Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. in the cafeteria. Please do not forget to RSVP for this event as soon as possible.
Beginning February 27th-March 9th students will begin taking part 1 of ISTEP. Then on Wednesday, February 28th is Grissom’s Instrument Selection Night. Thank you for your continued support in the process of educating your child!
Mr. Milfort
- PTO Meeting at 6pm on Monday, February 12th. Childcare will be available!
- Picture Day for Girls' Basketball and Wrestling at 4:15pm on Wednesday, February 14th.
- 4.0 Breakfast & Awards at 8am in the Cafeteria on Wednesday, February 14th.
- An Evening of Jazz at 7pm on Thursday, February 15th at St. Mark's Missionary Church
- All School Social at 4pm to 6pm on Friday, February 23rd.
- ISTEP Part 1 Begins on Monday, February 26th.
- 5th Grade Instrument Selection Night on Wednesday, February 28th, from 4pm - 8:30pm.
- NJHS Induction at 7pm on Thursday, March 1st in the Cafeteria.
There will be no school Friday, February 16th and Monday, February 19th.
Enjoy the long weekend!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT "AN EVENING OF JAZZ"
Due to concerns about tomorrow's weather forecast and the number of students, families and guests traveling to attend our event, THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO POSTPONE this event from tomorrow night (2/9/18) to Thursday, February 15 at 7pm.
The venue will continue to be St. Mark Missionary Church, just north of Penn High School on Bittersweet Road. Over the next 24 to 48 hours, the Band Department staff and Band Booster Club will work together to re-develop the details for this event (Guest artist, dinner plans, number of bands able to participate, etc.) on its new date.
Whether you have paid for tickets in advance or were planning to pay on-site, understand that your tickets WILL be valid for next week's re-scheduled event. If you know that you WILL NOT be able to attend the rescheduled event on February 15, please consider donating your tickets to the Penn Band. We will provide you with a receipt for tax purposes. Otherwise, refunds may be obtained by contacting Sherri Campeau at mikeandsheri99@gmail.com before Tuesday, (2/13) at Noon with the following information:
• Your Name
• Table and seats that you purchased
• Confirmation Number
• Either a mailing address or your student’s name and school
We appreciate your support and your understanding!
Community Events and Activities
February Menus are now available online!
Thank you to Grissom families, friends, and staff that ordered from The Skillet Fundraiser!
Lego League
Contact Carrie Smith at carrie.e.smith@gmail.com if you would like to help out.
The Stone Family
Friday, March 9th - 6:00pm to 9:00pm
We are looking for volunteers to help with the Coffee House on March 9th, they can contact the PTO at grissompto@gmail.com if interested
We are currently gathering donation items for the Silent Auction that coincides with the Coffee House. If interested, contact Donna Chapla at donnajchapla@aol.com.
Grissom Concessions
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.
Important Dates for 8th Grade Students and Parents
For 8th Graders – Penn High School Summer PE 2018
Feb. 2: Penn will send out email notifications to families whether or not they "won" the PE lottery. Official summer school registration form with instructions will then be sent to those who "won". Families who "won" and changed their minds, need to let us know, so we can give their spot to someone else. (There will be a waiting list)
Feb. 15: Parents complete the registration form and make payment to the Penn Bookstore ($50). Students who are taking summer PE need to notify their middle school counselor to request new elective to replace PE. (They should also have an alternate)
Penn H.S. Summer School Sessions are June 11th - 29th and July 9 - 27.
Parents of 8th Graders
Make sure you’re signed up for the Penn High School Email Group!
Parents of students in the PHS class of 2022 can receive information directly from the PHS freshman counselors by emailing mwatkins@phm.k12.in.us, and asking to be added to the Class of 2022 Parent Email Group.
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Early February…………………. GMS Counselors assist 8th Graders in classrooms, as
students select Penn classes in HAC.
All students and parents are encouraged to explore the many wonderful resources on the ICE site: https://indiana.kuder.com/landing-page
Not sure what your child should take in 9th grade?!
Not sure what your child should take in 9th Grade?!... Click on the bottom 2 links for Course Descriptions for current 8th graders. The first is for the required classes, the second is for electives. Copies of the scheduling power points and paperwork that students have been given are included as well.
Course Scheduling Resources:
· Course Scheduling for Middle School Students PowerPoint
· Course Scheduling for Middle School Parents PowerPoint
· Grade 9 Course Selection Menu
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
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. The cost is 25$. Let’s make these middle school memories last a lifetime!
There's a new way to get involved in Grissom's Intramurals.
Check out the video below to learn how!
January and February Intramurals
Art (Mondays)
Dates: January 8, 22, 29 February 5, 12, 26
From: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: Art Room (room 202)
Sponsor: Mrs. Roeda
Jazz Band (Mon/Wed)
Dates: January 8, 10, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31
Times: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: Room 196
Sponsor: Mrs. Baker
Walking With Confidence (Mon/Wed)
Dates: January 8, 10, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31 February 5, 7, 12, 14, 21, 26, 28
Times: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: Room 152
Sponsor: Ms. Pryor
Giving Closet Club (Wed)
Dates: January 10, 17, 24, 31 February 7, 14, 21, 28
Times: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: PAC Conference Room
Sponsor: Mrs. Reynolds
7 on 7 Football (Tue/Thur)
Dates: January 23, 25, 30 February 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27
Times: 7:30 to 8:45 AM
Place: Gym
Sponsor: Coach K.
Morning Workout (Tue/Wed)
Dates: January 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
Times: 7:45 to 8:45 AM
Place: Gym/Weight Room
Sponsor: Ms. Pryor
Project 7 (Wednesday)
Dates: January 10, 17, 24, 31 February 7, 14, 21, 28
Times: 8:00 to 8:45 AM
Place: Room 168
Sponsor: Mrs. Gouker
Social Studies Academic Super Bowl
The Academic Super Bowl practice for Social Studies will be held on Wednesday
mornings from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. in room 151. These begin January 10.
The topic this year is World War I. The list of practice dates is as follows:
January 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
March 7, 14, 21, 28
April 11, 18, 25
Science Academic Super Bowl
We have 6 students on the team so far: 2 sixth grades, 1 seventh grader and 3 eighth graders. We meet every Tuesday morning in room 168 from 8-8:45 am.
We are learning about WW1. As team members tackle the outline we are supposed to be studying about WW1, they have been presenting great PowerPoint slides and student created videos (on Biteable.com) about diseases and treatments of the WW1, chemical weapons and counter attacks of WW1, and weaponry and technology of WW1.
If your child is interested in learning more about WW1 with a science twist please have them see Mrs. Gouker in room 168 for team information and competition dates.
6th and 7th Grade Science with Mrs. Gouker:
6th Graders are wrapping up our unit on Ecology and will begin our study of Earth in Space. I hope you enjoy the pictures of them looking at plant cells under the microscope.
7th Graders are wrapping up our unit on Plate Tectonics and will begin our study of Body Works and Cell Biology and Disease. I hope you enjoy the pictures of them making seismograms in class.
Working Lunches
Please remind your child to make up science activities when they are absent. Sometimes, your child will need to attend a working lunch with a friend that has already completed the lab activity. I offer working lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 7th graders. This is a great opportunity for your child to get caught up when they have been absent. Sometimes your child can get caught up on a lab activity by checking out what I have posted on Canvas--Science--Announcements. The daily announcement includes the daily agenda and links to pictures, videos, PowerPoint slides, worksheets, vocabulary notes etc.
The artist of the month for February was 6th Grade student Kassidy Pentelow
Congratulations Kassidy!
Kassidy Pentelow - 6th Grade
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.
"Good, Better, Best. Never let it rest."
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