GMS Newsletter

March, 2022

Message from the Superintendent

GCS Families:

This message is being sent to inform you that effective Tuesday, March 1, 2022 Gaylord Community Schools will be making a change in our process for reporting positive COVID-19 cases to you. Confirmed positive cases will now only be reported via the district’s website (GCS COVID-19 Dashboard). Please be advised that school email messages will no longer be sent to families for each instance of a confirmed positive case. If you have questions about the daily COVID-19 updates on our website, you may contact your student’s building for more details. Thank you.

Brian Pearson

Superintendent

Progress Reports

3rd Quarter Progress Reports will be sent home Wednesday, March 2nd.

Athletics

Track & Field practice will begin April 4th, weather depending. Students must have a physical on file in the GMS office. Coaches are Mr. Berkshire, Mrs. Baril, and Mrs. Fitzgerald. If your student has not been active this winter, we suggest having them do a bit of running between now and when we start. The track meet schedule, when finalized, will be on the GMS website.

Education Development Plans (EDP)


Gaylord Middle School students will soon begin their Educational Development Plans (EDPs). The purpose of an EDP is to provide a personal, ongoing record of career planning and future goals. Students begin this process in middle school and refine their EDP as they move through high school. Middle school is a good time for students to begin to explore available careers and the training needed to attain those careers.


Students use a website called Career Cruising to make their EDP’s. Each student has their own Career Cruising account where they can explore all types of career and future education options in addition to financial aid information, resume writing capabilities and many other resources. We ask students to take an inventory called Career Matchmaker that uses a student’s likes and dislikes to suggest careers that might appeal to them. Then each student saves at least three careers they find interesting. We also look at post-secondary education options. Some students choose to save colleges, trade schools and military options to their EDPs as well. Mostly, we want students to be thinking about the future. If you have any questions concerning this you may contact Mrs. Baril at barilm@gaylord.k12.mi.us

8th Grade High School Course Selection

GHS counselors met with students on March 1st to go over high school course selection for the 22-23 school year. The pink high school course selection sheets are due back at GMS by March 8th.

Students Arriving Late/Leaving Early

Students arriving to school late must sign in at the office before reporting to class. Parents or guardians can excuse their child's tardiness by phone or by note. Students not excused will receive an unexcused tardy.


Students leaving before the end of the school day will only be released to a parent or guardian. The office must be notified by a parent or guardian, in writing or by phone, whenever a student is to be released to someone other than themselves.

Parent Portal

Parent Portal is a great way to keep up-to-date on your student's grades and attendance. Please contact the office for your sign-in credentials. Please note that PowerSchool is no longer updating the Parent Portal phone app. The best way to access Parent Portal is through the Gaylord Schools website. Staff email addresses are attached to this newsletter.

Important Dates

March 21st thru March 25th - No School Staff & Students (Spring Break)

April 14th - Half Day School for Students; Dismissal 12:02 p.m. (Half Day PD for Teachers)

April 15th - No School Students (PD Day for Teachers)

May 30th - No School Staff & Students (Memorial Day)

June 7th (Tentative) - Last Day for students - Half Day

Gaylord Middle School

Joe Somerville, Principal

Dave Smith, Assistant Principal