Monday - Wear Red, Pink, and Purple for Valentine's Day (no hats)

Tuesday - "When I Grow Up...." - Dress for your Future Profession

Wednesday - Jersey Day - celebrate your favorite team/player (no hats)

Thursday - SMS Blue Devil Day (SMS hats only)

Friday - College Day - represent your favorite college

Remember all Spirit Wear must follow the GCS dress code.

8th graders - the time has come for you to start seriously planning with your families about your options for high school next year.

In the near future, you will be getting options about choice programs for high school, course registration, the Pre-ACT and so much more.

We will make sure you have all you need, you just need to be mindful that the time to start thinking about this, if you have not been doing so already, is now.

CHOICE FAIR DATES - March 5.

IMPORTANT - Students who are at SMS via lottery (not in the attendance zone) and qualify to attend East Gaston, must still complete the lottery form and choose the pathway they want in the Medical Science Academy.

GCS SCHOOL CHOICE INFORMATION LINK

Please see the videos below of all high school choice programs. 8th grade students will be viewing these over the next few week, but we want you to have access to view them as well.

Ashbrook High

https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/Page/10369

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zbYUXXvUBrxT9OdVKGaUsr4BZ0IsK1T9/view?usp=sharing

Bessemer CIty High

https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/Page/9748

https://www.wevideo.com/view/2524917178

Cherryville High

https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/Page/9747

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i7EIdSHejBEhsxiQAgfSB2bnsM7ZIejN/view?usp=sharing

East Gaston High

https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/Page/9746

https://youtu.be/TlAK_AB1d3s

Forestview High

https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/Page/9744

https://youtu.be/3vdvID986X4 - use this one first

https://youtu.be/IW6KnnDtRD8

Gaston Early College High School

https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/Page/9752

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IDpKoLRRsonco6uT2Oh8o_wEdDuHBKOv/view?usp=sharing

Gaston Early College of Medical Science

https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/Page/11318

GECMS Promotional Video

Gaston Virtual Academy

https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/Page/9751

https://watch.screencastify.com/v/E2STrmmr3FMGVHl8rvHP

Highland School of Technology

https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/Page/9753

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uNJ2QsX9GoFGqJ6NYX_DgxhhwLO9woJN/view?usp=sharing

Hunter Huss High

https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/Page/9743

https://youtu.be/f8p1PYT9e68

North Gaston High

https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/Page/9745

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-EPaKH3ra4ZNsZjluD54zYJIOkMn61sV/view?usp=sharing

SMS Spirit Wear will be sold at the Chavis Basketball game on Monday afternoon!

All 8th grade students will take the Pre ACT on Wendesday, October 16. They will take the ACT in high school, so this is just a preparation for them. Students will complete an interest inventory as part of the test. They will also see areas of strength and areas to grow long before they get to the actual ACT.

Unlike testing they are used to, this is a paper and pencil test. Think back to your days of bubbling answer sheets. There are very specific testing guidelines, most importantly, no hats, hoodies, water bottles, or electronic devices of any kind are allowed. We will provide their pencil and calculator for them.

Please keep students at home and notify our school nurse if they exhibit any of the following symptoms. Students who come to the nurse and express they have these symptoms will be sent home and be asked to return with a negative COVID test or non-COVID diagnosis from a doctor.

• Fever above 100.4

• Sore Throat

• Shortness of Breath (above baseline)

• Fatigue/Muscle Aches

• Severe headache

• Cough, congestion, runny nose (different from allergies)

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

SMS will continue to be one of the 8 Test to Stay sites in the district. Students who have been exposed to COVID and meet the conditions of the Test to Stay program will be given a ticket to present at the testing site.

Students must be issued a ticket by the school nurse in order to test at any Test to Stay site.

We are in the midst of a multi-year process of applying for and earning recognition as a North Carolina STEM School of Distinction. One part of that is to connect with various businesses men and women who are in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) field.

Additionally, we would like to make connections with parents who represent many careers. We are asking that our parents please complete the Google Form to help us build our Stanley STEM Network.

Thank you to those who have already completed the form. If you use STEM skills in anyway in your profession, we need you in one of many ways!