Grizzly Gazette
December 2nd, 2021
Dear PGMS Families,
As we approach the conclusion of 2021, I want to take a moment to express my boundless gratitude to all who help make Piney Grove an amazing place to work and learn every day. Ours is a community of people with many gifts and talents, which we share daily with one another, and most importantly, our students. From the classrooms, to virtual learning environments at home, and all points in-between, our collective efforts to serve our students are driven by limitless passion, commitment, and a determination to make learning happen for all students.
In 2021, I have witnessed our PGMS community come together as a truly impactful team to support each other, never losing sight of our purpose… educating our amazing students. Please accept my most heartfelt thanks for your continued support and dedication to our school. While the New Year will continue to bring challenges, there is no doubt that our school community will continue to come together as an even stronger team. We will continue to support each other. We will continue to encourage each other and take pride in the accomplishments of all members of our PGMS family. Bring on 2022!
May you have a joyous and special holiday season with time to relax and safely enjoy family and friends.
With warm tidings,
Pam Pajerski
Principal
Last Call for PGMS Holiday House!!!
Attention 8th Grade Families: High School Transition
Please be sure to check out website or this direct link regarding High School Transition information. As we receive any information from our high schools, we will post on social media, as well as this website. It is located on the Piney Grove Website -Student Services -Counseling -Transition 8th to 9th grade.
On Tuesday, December 21st our 8th grade students will be learning all about the pathways our high schools have to offer during our College and Career Day.
Also, here is the latest information from Alliance Academy.
PGMS 12 Days of December
Media Center News
Please be sure to return ALL OVERDUE library books to the media center before the break. Excessively late books will be marked lost in January and a fee applied.
Can students CHECK OUT or RENEW books to read over Winter Break? YES, absolutely!
2022 Grizzly Great Day of Giving (G3)
WHAT IS G3...
G3 is a 12-year strong tradition where Piney Grove staff and students spend a day serving our neighbors, our country, and our world through hands-on service experiences.
WHEN IS G3..
This year G3 is on Friday, May 20, 2022.
WHERE IS G3…
6th and 7th grade will participate in service projects on the Piney Grove campus, while 8th grade will head into the community to serve, if restrictions allow.
WHY IS G3 IMPORTANT...
The goal of G3 is to EDUCATE students on why service is important, ENGAGE students in hands-on service projects, and EMPOWER students to identify service opportunities in their own lives, both now and in the future.
We want students to develop a love of service that will last a lifetime!
HOW CAN YOU HELP WITH G3…
● Pay the $20 G3 fee on MyPaymentsPlus
○ Fee covers student t-shirt, lunch, and all service project supplies
● Become a G3 Family Partner - visit MyPaymentsPlus
○ $50 Family Partners: Receive car magnet and letter of thanks
○ $125 Family Partners: All items above PLUS your family’s name listed on the G3 shirt and one adult size shirt
○ $200+ Family Partners: All items above PLUS breakfast for one adult parent/guardian with Mrs. Pajerski and staff
● Would your business like to support G3 with a Corporate Sponsorship?
○ Contact Katie Spring for more information at teamspring1999@gmail.com
● Would you like to serve on the G3 Committee or volunteer for G3 day?
○ Email Katie Spring at teamspring1999@gmail.com
G3: EDUCATE, ENGAGE, EMPOWER
PBIS at PGMS
Celebrations from Quarter 1
On Friday, October 15th, we celebrated the rewards that each grade level earned! All grade levels earned lunch on the lawn and music, and 6th & 7th grade also earned popsicles! Check out the photos here!
PGMS Basketball Schedule
December 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.
December Teacher of the Month Nomination Form
December 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 December nominations by the end of the day on December 17th
Yearbook Update
There are less than 55 yearbooks left to buy! You do not want to miss out! Go to Balfour.com and search Piney Grove Middle School.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Kimberly Zimmerman at kzimmerman@forsyth.k12.ga.us
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.