Happenings @ the Hill
Volume 1 Issue 24 (Week of April 1 - 5)
Report Cards Come Home Wednesday, April 3rd.
Need Access To Your Student's Grades, Attendance, Lunch Balance, and Other Info?
Use Parent Portal - access the link below to learn how to use this tool.
Please note that we are not sending home written progress reports this year.
If you are having any issues with Parent Portal, please notify Dawn Fite @ fited@fortmillschools.org.
Quick List - On Campus This Week
- Student State Report Card Survey Window Opens
- Continuing SLO Post Assessments
Monday - ChessMates (After School)
Tuesday - SC READY/PASS Video Tutorials - start during Homeroom
Wednesday - 1:1 PD for Teachers on Technology Use / 6th Grade Play Field Trip / No Afterschool Meetings
Thursday - Another Great Day to be a Bulldog!
Friday - Career Fair for 7th Graders at PKMS / Flip of 8th and 7th schedules for the day
During FLEX This Week (8:15-8:45am)
*We are required to utilize the online practice tools in preparation for SC Ready and PASS testing. We will be organizing these this week and utilizing FLEX as needed to accomplish this state requirement.
- Monday - Literacy FLEX Day
- Tuesday - FLEX
- *Wednesday - Literacy FLEX Day
- *Thursday - FLEX
- *Friday - Literacy FLEX Day
7th Grade Career Fair is Friday, April 5th @ PKMS
Dear Bulldog Parents and Families,
The Fort Mill School District 7th Grade Career Fair is Friday, April 5. Students will travel to Pleasant Knoll Middle School to meet with approximately 75 professionals in a variety of careers. In preparation for Career Fair, students took an online interest inventory to find their career cluster. Then, the Career Development Facilitator, Kati McFadden, and School Counselor, Marc Wesseling, went into classes to review the results of the interest inventory, talk about who was going to be at Career Fair, discuss why students should be thinking of questions to ask, and explain the importance of soft skills and professional dress. I was able to observe one of Mrs. McFadden's classroom lessons, and it was outstanding!
Students were told what professional dress looks like, but for our Career Fair, they were asked to "simply dress better than an average day of school." Students do not have to wear dress clothes, but are encouraged to make an effort to look nice that day by choosing jeans without holes or a collared shirt instead of a t-shirt, for example. We certainly do not want students to buy anything new or stress about their clothes next Friday. We are hopeful that they will be mindful that they are meeting a lot of new people that day and try to make a little bit of a special effort for a positive first impression.
During the classroom lesson, students were also reminded that in 8th grade they will do an IGP, which means Individual Graduation Plan. It is a fancy way of saying 'picking their high school classes'. (They were told an easy way to remember IGP is “I Get to Pick” and reminded of the shopping cart dance that they learned in 6th grade!) In high school, students have the opportunity to pick their classes based on their career interests. Not only is Career Fair fun and interesting, but it will help students start thinking about what choices they will make when it’s time for their IGP.
You can help your child prepare for Career Fair by talking with him/her about who will be at Career Fair (students have seen a list) and reviewing soft skills like eye contact and handshakes.
We look forward to seeing the GHMS students shine in front of our visitors!
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Christine McNeil, Principal
Kati McFadden, Career Development Facilitator
Marc Wesseling, 7th Grade Guidance Counselor
Dodgeball Tournament
Friday, Apr 12, 2019, 09:00 AM
GHMS Gymnasium during Related Arts periods
Spring Break is April 15-19
Admin Updates - Cell Phones & Vaping
We need your help! Many of our students are carrying their cell phones on them throughout the day leading to improper usage / violations (in the restrooms/locker rooms, at blacktop time, during lunches, and during classes). Our agenda states that cell phones are permitted on campus, but should be kept in the student's locker until the end of the school day.
Please remind your student that his/her cell phone should be secured in his/her locker if brought to school.
Information regarding our district's middle school cell phone policy along with the violations plan is found in the student handbook. Our student handbook may be found online for your review.
Thank you for your continued support!
Kindest Regards,
Christine V. McNeil, Principal
Download the InfoGraphic (CDC.gov) for more information
Save the Date(s)
April 12 - Spring HOUSE Games day
April 26 - Spring BBEL Walk during FLEX (details coming home later this week)April 30 - STEAM Literacy Night (see flyer below) featuring a special Pay It Forward Basketball Game between TCPD and GHMS/GHES/TCES teachers.
Save the Date(s) for 8th Graders
April 26th - 8th Dance (7:00-10:00pm)
May 24th - Rising 9th Grade Tours
June 3rd - Recognition Practice Day
June 5th - Recognition Ceremony @ 9:00am (Half day of school.)
Parent Night for Rising 6th Graders - May 6 @ 6:15pm - 7:15pm
Friday of that week (May 10th), the rising 6th graders will be coming to GHMS from their elementary schools for a building tour.
May 8 is the Final Yearbook Purchase Deadline.
This is our school-specific link to your online Jostens yearbook offer.
http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01085939
This link prevents the purchaser from having to enter school name or city/state when going to www.JostensYearbooks.com.
*If you are uncertain as to whether or not you have purchased a yearbook, please contact Leslie Shrum @ shruml@fortmillschools.org or refer back to sites above.
Nurse's Update
The health and well-being of all students is of utmost importance. School nurses will request that you pick up your child if his/her medical condition is unstable, or if he/she is not capable of participating in the daily school activities. This decision is based upon an assessment conducted by the school nurse. In addition, the school must also follow the DHEC School Exclusion List for specific medical conditions to be in compliance with SC State Health guidelines.
End of Year Assessment Schedule
2/15-3/15 Student Engagement Survey
4/2-4/12 SC Ready/PASS Online Tools Tutorials5/13-6/5 SC Ready/PASS Testing
- 7th Grade 5/13-5/17
- 8th Grade 5/20-5/24
- 6th Grade 5/28-5/31
5/28-5/30 End of Course Exams for English 1 and Algebra 1
2019-2020 Approved Academic Calendar
Thank you to the following corporate sponsors for your continued support!
Jackson Orthodontics - LEADER OF THE PACK SPONSOR!
Thank you Dr. Jackson for continuing to support our district athletic programs! You are our Leader of the Pack Sponsor by donating an additional $3,500 above your $5,000 donation to our district wide 5k!
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!
Christine V. McNeil, Principal
Website: http://ghms.fortmillschools.org/
Location: 1025 Dave Gibson Boulevard, Tega Cay 29708
Phone: 803-548-8300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHMS1998/
Twitter: @GHMSBulldogs