Grizzly Gazette
October 19th, 2021
Dear PGMS Family,
We hope everyone is enjoying the milder weather and looking forward to the coming splendor of fall in North Georgia. This certainly is a beautiful time of year, with the changing of the leaves, cool evenings, and earlier sunsets.
As we begin October, I wanted to express my profound gratitude for the support of the entire PGMS community. With the cooperation of our students, families, and our full staff, the school year has been a tremendous success thus far. Our students have been very willing to follow school expectations, while navigating their school day and after school activities. Families have been extremely cautious in working through any health related concerns. Our amazing school staff continues to go above and beyond in the service of our students.
Please know that we are here to assist you or your student in any way. Teachers are beginning to schedule virtual conferences for later in the month. October 20 and 21 are Early Release Days to allow for parent-teacher conferences. If you are interested in having a conference, please contact your student’s teacher. The partnership we share with families is vital to the success of every student. It is our pleasure to work with you to ensure each student is meeting his or her educational and personal goals.
Thank you all for your continued support of Piney Grove!
With very best regards,
Pam Pajerski
Principal
Progress Report Information:
9 week grades (Connections classes) are final. However, this is just a check point for our semester-long and year-long classes, as grades will be changing as teachers enter more grades.
You will notice Work Habits have been entered for each student by each teacher. Please note that a 2 is the expectation. Please see the picture below for reference.
Early Dismissal Reminder! 1:30 PM for Wednesday 10/20 and Thursday 10/21
Scholastic Book Fair will be held October 22-29
Digital Flyer: - https://bookfairsfiles.scholastic.com/flippingbooks/F21-MS-Case-Booklist/F21_MS_Case_Booklist.html#p=1
Book Trailers: https://bcove.video/2Uzgk0D
Welcome to Purposity
Everywhere around us we see people in need. We also see people who want to help others but don’t know how. We connect those dots through the power of technology.
School systems and non-profits in local communities let us know needs in your area. We spread the word to individuals near them who are willing to help. They click a link, see the need, and make a difference for someone near them. It may be the family next door who lost their home in a fire or the child down the street you didn’t know needed school supplies.
It’s easy. It’s simple, and it takes just a few clicks to make a difference in someone’s life. It’s the fastest way to impact your community, one need at a time. Download the app to start making a difference today!
PBIS at PGMS
The Nurtured Heart Approach
This fall we will be hosting an opportunity for parents to explore The Nurtured Heart Approach. During our conversations we will be exploring implementing the Nurtured Heart approach at home. The Nurtured Heart approach is a highly effective method used by parents and educators to help channel your child’s greatness. You will learn strategies to build positive relationships while establishing healthy boundaries and enforcing rules.
Join us as we explore the 3 stands of the Nurtured Heart Approach. Each week we will discuss a stand and how we can use it to support our children's success.
Stand 1 Absolutely No!
Stand 2 Absolutely Yes!
Stand 3 Absolutely Clear!
We will meet at 11:30 am virtually through Microsoft Teams.
Dates:
October 8th
October 15th
October 29th
November 5th
November 12th
Register using this form: NHA for Parents
Caroline Shariett
Counselor PGMS
Certified NHA Trainer
No-Cost Flu Shot- Wednesday, October 20th
October Teacher of The Month / Staff Member of The Month
Teacher of the Month & Staff Member of the Month Program!!!
Rosati's Pizza and Sports Pub will once again be honoring each monthly designee. We are extremely excited to be partnering with a business that is so dedicated to giving back to the community. Please take the opportunity to nominate one of our amazing teachers or staff members for this honor.
October Teacher of the Month Nomination Form
October Staff Member of the Month Nomination Form
If you have someone in mind to nominate and you are not sure which form to use please don't hesitate to reach out. jwiles@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Please submit all October nominations by the end of the day on October 26th
Important Yearbook Information
It is officially National Yearbook Week! And I am excited to announce that we have less than 100 yearbooks left to sell! If you are wanting to purchase a 2021-22 yearbook for your child, be sure to visit Balfour.com and search Piney Grove Middle School soon!!!
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Kimberly Zimmerman at kzimmerman@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Chick-Fil-A Biscuits For Sale: Last Day October 12th
A Note From Nurse Judy
Please inform school nurse of any medical condition that could effect your child while at school.
New healthcare plans are needed at the beginning of each new school year
Please contact the school nurse with any questions or concerns regarding your child.
Judith Femia RN
Piney Grove Middle School
678-965-5010 ext-381527
Fax-678-965-5011
Please do not send your child to school if they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. (Symptoms include any of the following: Fever/chills, cough, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea or new loss of taste or smell.)
Piney Grove Daily Procedures
Arrival:
Our doors will open for drop off / car-rider line at 8:00 A.M. Any student being dropped off at that time will report to the cafeteria. Students will be released to their 1st period class at 8:30 A.M.
Any student dropped off after 8:30 A.M. will report directly to 1st period.
Students riding the bus will be dismissed directly to 1st period.
Breakfast will be served from 8:20 A.M.- 8:55 A.M.
Dismissal:
Walkers and car riders will be dismissed at 4:10 P.M. Bus riders will be dismissed at 4:15 P.M.
Like in year's past, if a bus is running extremely late, we will update the status on our social media accounts. Thank you for your continued support and patience!
Lunch Room
Students will now be eating in the lunchroom on a rotation, which will significantly lower numbers of students in our lunchroom.
Technology:
As stated in the FCS Guidelines for reopening, we are encouraging students who have BYOT to utilize it in their classes as needed. We encourage students to bring devices (laptops, phones, tablets, etc.) from home.
Masks:
Masks will be optional and encouraged for all students and staff in all areas this school year.
Clubs:
Club meetings are beginning to be scheduled. A list of clubs and activities can be found on the Piney Grove Website. Club sponsors communicate information via signs in the hall, on the overhead announcements, or on the Daily Announcements Slides (on the website, Facebook, and student page on itslearning. Some use more than one method of communication. Some use all three. Some clubs even have their own itsLearning pages.
Our Schedule
We will be following the schedule below this year:
Grizzly Days (all periods) will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays
Green Days- Wednesdays
Gold Days- Thursdays
Have You Joined PTSO?
Did you know that PTSO member dues directly impact your child's education? In previous years, PTSO funds have provided grants for various educational materials such as iPads, calculators, software, and media center materials that are utilized in the classroom. PTSO has provided items for the Art, Drama, and Music Departments. We have also supported the Outdoor Classroom and speakers for Parent Information Nights.
Volunteering to help PTSO is greatly appreciated by other members, students, teachers and staff.
We thank you for your support!
Piney Grove PTSO Membership 2021-2022:
$25 Basic Membership
$50 Basic Membership + Magnet + Raffle for free Yearbook
$100 Basic Membership + Magnet + Raffle for free Yearbook + Early VIP entry into Block Party on Curriculum Night and Meet/Greet with Admin
$250 Basic Membership + Magnet + Raffle for free Yearbook + Early VIP entry into Block Party on Curriculum Night and Meet/Greet with Admin + Sponsor a Letter and special recognition on a Plaque inside the school commemorating 15 Years of Excellence + “Vintage” Spirit Wear Item
Free Meals For All Children in Forsyth County
Troubleshooting Steps for Logging in to ClassLink and /or Itslearning
Here is a link to let you check the status of itslearning. It will tell you if there are any issues and where they are on a fix for said issues.
https://status.itslearning.com/
This document will let you check your settings and help you clear your cache for better performance in Classlink.
Troubleshooting steps for logging in to ClassLink and /or itslearning:
Are You Receiving Emails From Piney Grove?
This is just a reminder that at Piney Grove we communicate often and in various ways. Information is put on our Piney Grove Dashboard on itsLearning, on our Piney Grove web page, and on our Facebook / Twitter accounts. Information is also sent out in emails via Campus Messenger. We have sent quite a few already and hope that you have not missed them. If you are not receiving them for some reason there are a couple things you will need to check.
From the Front Office
Our check in and check out process allows your kids to check themselves in. Feel free to just drop them at the door and we will get them all checked in! To check out, you will still need to come into the front office but everything is now touchless so it is a much more streamlined process.
We are asking to please limit dropping off items if at all possible. Thank you all for your help with this!
FCS Digital Citizenship Tools for Families
Check out our FCS Digital Citizenship Tools for Families website! It is filled with incredible tips, videos, articles and more. We invite you to check out the website at http://ow.ly/YZvn50vlQa3 and refer to it anytime you need ideas to help teach your kids how to manage their technology use. Together, we can guide our FCS students towards making safe and healthy choices online.