Your Guardsmen Update
January 2018
Note to Parents
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Happy New Year! I hope everyone was able to enjoy this holiday season with their loved ones. Our staff worked hard to provide students and families with some great opportunities to enjoy this holiday season. This began with a fantastic performance at the Band Concert. Then some of our sixth grade orchestra students were invited to perform at Barnes and Nobles to display their skills and share the holiday spirit. Mrs. Scott helped lead our combined choir for an amazing performance at the Choir Concert. Then the Winter Orchestra Concert helped us wrap up the holiday concert season.
The student led group, “Giving Closet” was able to go a step beyond just providing basic essentials for our families. They were able to wrap and give gifts to families that needed it the most, we are blessed to have such great students! Another example of our great students has been seen during, Grissom’s Got Talent competition. Grissom’s Got Talent has been an ongoing talent competition over the past couple months, allowing our students to display their skills and then select the winner.
Our staff has continued its pursuit of making their good better by participating in Professional Learning Communities and staff led Professional Development. All these efforts are towards one goal, to better provide all students a quality education! The Math and Language Arts departments have been working overtime to help develop processes and resources for our all school remediation/enrichment during Focus Period.
“Open A Door” is our theme for this school year. It always makes me proud to see our staff and students, providing opportunities for others to be successful. It makes me especially proud when our staff and students are working together to open a door of opportunity for others. This was displayed recently when our National Junior Honors Society traveled to Grand Emerald Assisted Living Community to serve in a variety of ways. Our group led by Mr. Kresca and Mr. High spent some time getting to know and serving the residents of this community. Thank you students and staff for continuing to open doors for others!
Sincerely,
Mr. Milfort
Save the Date
Student Internet Safety
Wednesday, February 7, 7:00 p.m. in the SMS Cafeteria
Community Events and Activities
January Menus are now available online!
P-H-M Middle School Cultural Exchange Program
Don't miss out on this life changing experience!
The P-H-M Education Foundation is making available for the first time two (2), $2,000 travel grants, which will be awarded to two (2) qualified P-H-M current 6th and 7th grade students for participation in the Spring 2019 Middle School China Cultural Exchange Program.
The next trip is planned for @March 27 – April 4, 2019. The program has been described by past participants as "life changing!" More information about the grant application qualifying criteria can be found on the P-H-M District website at https://www.phmschools.org/china. Attached is also a copy of the grant application with the description.
Interested students and families, please contact P-H-M China Trip Coordinator James Howard (social studies teacher at Discovery Middle School) at jhoward@phm.k12.in.us.
- String Fling at SMS for PHM 6th Grade Orchestra Students at 4:30pm on Thursday, January 18th.
- Grissom Dinner & a Movie Night at 5:30pm on Friday, January 19th.
- Tri-M Induction Night at 6pm on Thursday, January 25th.
Orders can still be made until Thursday, January 18th!
Dine in, Carry Out or Enjoy it Later!
December Social Thank You
Thank you to those who donated items and time to make the December social a success! The students had a wonderful time and the PTO is thankful to have so much support.
Annual Silent Auction
Grissom Concessions
We need parent help in the concession stand. It is a great way to raise money for student activities and get to know other Grissom Families!
Email our concession coordinator at GMSconcessions@gmail.com to find out how!
There are also other opportunities to assist the PTO such as donating soda and water to the concession stands, participating in restaurant "give back" nights, chaperoning school socials, and many more! If you are interested, reach out to grissompto@gmail.com.
Important Dates for 8th Grade Students and Parents
For 8th Graders – Penn High School Summer PE 2018
The "Lottery Form" will be available on the Penn High School Website (or using the link below) on January 19th, at 8:00 AM.
https://penn.phmschools.org/summer-2018-penn-pe-lottery
Jan. 19 - 26: 8th graders can register ONLINE to be included in the summer PE lottery. This is only indicating that you have an interest. Filling out this form does not register you for summer PE.
Feb. 2: Penn will send out email notifications to families whether or not they "won" the PE lottery. Official summer school registration form with instructions will then be sent to those who "won". Families who "won" and changed their minds, need to let us know, so we can give their spot to someone else. (There will be a waiting list)
Feb. 15: Parents complete the registration form and make payment to the Penn Bookstore ($50). Students who are taking summer PE need to notify their middle school counselor to request new elective to replace PE. (They should also have an alternate)
Please do not indicate an interest in summer PE unless the student can attend both sessions, every day. Penn H.S. Summer School Sessions are June 11th - 29th and July 9 - 27.
Parents of 8th Graders
Make sure you’re signed up for the Penn High School Email Group!
Parents of students in the PHS class of 2022 can receive information directly from the PHS freshman counselors by emailing mwatkins@phm.k12.in.us, and asking to be added to the Class of 2022 Parent Email Group.
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For 8th Graders not enrolled in the Early College Program:
End of January………………… Grissom Counselors gives 8th Graders course selection
sheets with teacher recommendations. Students
finalize core and elective class choices with parents.
Early February…………………. GMS Counselors assist 8th Graders in classrooms, as
students select Penn classes in HAC.
During December, all 7th Graders created an account on the Indiana Career Explorer (ICE) website. Each student completed their personal interest inventory and searched for careers aligned with their results. Students can continue to access their accounts to investigate college and career information.
All students and parents are encouraged to explore the many wonderful resources on the ICE site: https://indiana.kuder.com/landing-page
Not sure what your child should take in 9th grade?!
Not sure what your child should take in 9th Grade?!... Click on the bottom 2 links for Course Descriptions for current 8th graders. The first is for the required classes, the second is for electives. Copies of the scheduling power points and paperwork that students have been given are included as well.
Course Scheduling Resources:
· Course Scheduling for Middle School Students PowerPoint
· Course Scheduling for Middle School Parents PowerPoint
· Grade 9 Course Selection Menu
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You can also check out our website for more resources.
Mary Reynolds (last names A-K): mreynolds2@phm.k12.in.us
Sheri Miller (last names L-Z): smiller@phm.k12.in.us
Melissa Welsch (YSB Counselor): mwelsch@phm.k12.in.us
Indiana’s 21 Century Scholars Program
Helps Students
Prepare – Plan – Pay
For College
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parents of students in 7th and 8th grade are encouraged to visit the website of Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Program at Scholars.IN.gov for information, eligibility requirements, and instructions to complete the online application for the program.
For income-eligible Hoosier students, the 21st Century Scholars Program offers tuition assistance, college and career readiness through the Scholars Success Program, and other support services. Application deadline is June 30, of the student’s 8th grade year.
Visit Scholars.IN.gov or contact your child’s GMS school counselor for more information.
Families, don’t forget to purchase your yearbook!
You can pick up an order form in the main office or go to Jostens.com to order online. The cost is 25$. Let’s make these middle school memories last a lifetime!
There's a new way to get involved in Grissom's Intramurals.
Check out the video below to learn how!
January and February Intramurals
Art (Mondays)
Dates: January 8, 22, 29 February 5, 12, 26
From: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: Art Room (room 202)
Sponsor: Mrs. Roeda
Jazz Band (Mon/Wed)
Dates: January 8, 10, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31
Times: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: Room 196
Sponsor: Mrs. Baker
Walking With Confidence (Mon/Wed)
Dates: January 8, 10, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31 February 5, 7, 12, 14, 21, 26, 28
Times: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: Room 152
Sponsor: Ms. Pryor
Giving Closet Club (Tue/Wed)
Dates: January 10, 17, 24, 31 February 7, 14, 21, 28
Times: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: PAC Conference Room
Sponsor: Mrs. Reynolds
7 on 7 Football (Tue/Thur)
Dates: January 23, 25, 30 February 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27
Times: 7:30 to 8:45 AM
Place: Gym
Sponsor: Coach K.
Morning Workout (Tue/Wed)
Dates: January 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
Times: 7:45 to 8:45 AM
Place: Gym/Weight Room
Sponsor: Ms. Pryor
Project 7 (Wednesday)
Dates: January 10, 17, 24, 31 February 7, 14, 21, 28
Times: 8:00 to 8:45 AM
Place: Room 168
Sponsor: Mrs. Gouker
Social Studies Academic Super Bowl
The Academic Super Bowl practice for Social Studies will be held on Wednesday
mornings from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. in room 151. These begin January 10.
The topic this year is World War I. The list of practice dates is as follows:
January 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
March 7, 14, 21, 28
April 11, 18, 25
Second Payment due Jan. 10, 2018
Students will get an itemized document regarding profits made from 6th, 7th and 8th grade Butter Braid sales, the school fundraiser, and the Poinsettia sale. We will subtract the profit amount from the 2nd payment with the total you need to submit to Hemisphere. This paper went home on the week of Dec. 18-22nd.
FYI
Students are expected to watch/listen to announcements-WGMS for updates regarding this trip. It is also expected that the student will keep you, the parent(s) updated with any paperwork or announcements that may be distributed.
Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Kummeth
The artist of the month for November was 7th Grade student Gabriella Reinholtz
for her graphite drawing.
Congratulations Gabriella!
Gabriella Reinholtz - 7th Grade
Early Pick Up/Late Drop Off
Remember!
If you need to excuse your child during normal school hours, please send a note stating what time you plan on picking them up. Remind them that this note must be handed into the office first thing in the morning so they can receive their pass excusing them from class at the appropriate time.
If you are dropping your child off after an appointment or later that 9am, you do not have to come in with them. Just remind them to stop in the office first before heading to class so that we know they are here and can write them a pass.
Thank you so much for your help!
Attendance Line: (574) 968-9628, Option 1
School Updates and Information
Although you can find information in other places too, in the office, we try our best to notify you of cancellations, changes and new information as quickly as possible using these two sources. Please check up on these daily or when you have questions about what's happening here at Grissom. If you see something that doesn't look right, give us a call! We'd love to hear from you and work with you on making things right.
"Good, Better, Best. Never let it rest."
FOLLOW US!
Email: jmilfort@phm.k12.in.us
Website: https://grissom.phmschools.org/
Location: 13881 Kern Road, Mishawaka, IN, United States
Phone: (574) 968-9628
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Virgil-I-Grissom-MiddleSchool/291749927681507?fref=ts&rf=472089909509579
Twitter: @1GoodBetterBest