NEWS FROM THE CORRAL
September 25, 2016
Good Afternoon Pony Parents,
In middle schools, weather changes can sometimes cause strange behaviors to emerge! However, the one weather change that is the reverse is the the first time cool temperatures arrive from the dog days of summer. We welcome the temperature change this next week! For some reason middle school minds really don't enjoy learning when the temp is 100 degrees. Once we drop into the 80's it's amazing the transformation which occurs in learning! We look forward to an incredible week of student engagement this week.
If you are not new to GMS you are aware of the outstanding Veteran's Program we share each year. If you are new to GMS let me welcome you to our favorite event of the year. On Friday, November 11, our gym will be filled with Veteran's and their families. Our student body honors each individual and their families for their service. In this newsletter is the link for you to begin sharing the information and photos of the Veteran in your family. We honor all both living and those who have passed. We provide each family with a certificate of honor and will offer a reception prior to the ceremony where families can gather and share stories. Last year we were blessed with the presence of a Veteran who was serving on the Beaches of Omaha in WWII. Just to stand next to someone who experienced that moment in history was a memory I will never forget.
At last year's Veteran's Ceremony I spoke with a Veteran who shared they would speak at this year's event. I apologize for not writing down your name. I'm asking my Pony families to visit with their Veteran's and see if we can identify my volunteer. If not, we are seeking someone to speak who has served in the military as a high ranking officer and served in many different capacities.
Make sure you read our "Student Voice" section each week. We will be sharing why our students love being a member of the Pony Family. Enjoy your family time and we look forward to seeing you at campus activities.
Linda Young, Principal
Mr. Hannon 7th Grade Player Choice
Pony Strong
Ms. Coffman 7th Grade Player Choice
Mr. Naylor 8th Grade Player Choice
7th VB Tournament
Ms. Davis 8th Grade Player Choice
ATHLETICS NEWS
Red and Gray Teams were rained out. Red was rescheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21 at CTMS at 5:30 pm.
GMS White team lost a tough one to Carroll Middle, 19-6. GMS was led by another strong effort by William Leon who scored another rushing touchdown. Adolfo Pantoja was the defensive MVP who played hard at multiple positions. Christian “Bobcat” Begley wins the hustle award by “sweeping the shed” and stepping in wherever he was needed.
Our football teams have their bye week this week and be back in play on October 3rd.
VOLLEYBALL
Updates from Coach Hudnall
http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/31897
Our Lady Ponies had their bye week last week and will be back on the court Thursday facing Coppell East.
Please visit the GMS Athletics Booster site for continued updated information.
http://gmsathleticboosterclub.org/ We are looking to grow our membership and would love to have all parents of Pony Athletes to join. 6th Grade Parents that includes YOU! It's never too early to join and support!
STUDENT VOICE
"The one thing I love about GMS is how at lunch they let us go outside even though some of us don't do anything we still get to stand out there and not be stuck in school. I also like the lockers because we can put stuff in our locker in stead of carrying it. The locker is the perfect size for our stuff." Elizabeth T.
"At GMS I only like one thing. I love engineering because it's cool. I like it because you get to build robots. There are Lego's and alot of other building stuff." Anonymous
"Something I like about GMS is the hallways because of how organized and good it looks. It may sound weird but I like how it looks." Michelle G.
"What I like about GMS is that we have really nice and supportive people/teachers and students. That we have a lot of great coaches. I also LOVE band." Jacklen M.
"I have enjoyed GMS so far. I am very thankful that at GMS we get to choose our classes. I like my lunch period very much, but have you considered allowing 11 people at a table? I ask this because I've made so many good friends at GMS there isn't enough room for us all to sit together!" Mariana B.
"I like GMS because we have more freedom than elementary school. We had to walk in lines in the hallway and we didn't have lockers and had to be quiet in the hallways. I'm thankful that we have so many options at lunch. We have Pizza Hut EVERYDAY. We have more beverage choices and there is ham and turkey sandwiches everyday. I love GMS."
Chloe K.
VETERANS DAY WALL OF HONOR
https://goo.gl/forms/FfKTq84gs1ayVMKC3
NEWS FROM OUR COUNSELORS
SOS
The adolescent years are marked by a roller-coaster ride of emotions—difficulty for youths, their parents, and educators. Depression—which is treatable—is the leading risk factor for suicide. To proactively address these issues, GCISD offers depression awareness and suicide prevention training as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program.
The SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program is designed for all secondary students grades 6-12. The curriculum and presentations are aligned with district philosophy and the curriculum is age-appropriate, with children being taught new information as they mature. A video is shown, followed by a question and answer time, and then students are provided the opportunity to submit a card identifying if they would like to share concerns with a counselor about themselves or a friend.
AIM FOR SUCCESS
Your child will be given the opportunity to hear a powerful, live presentation by Aim For Success, Inc., that discusses the advantages of saving sex for marriage. The Aim For Success presentation is fun, interactive and never embarrassing. This program has challenged two million teenagers to focus on their dreams and goals while developing self-control, self-respect, and self-discipline. Aim For Success, a non-profit, educational organization, has received local, state and national recognition for the work they are doing in public schools. You can visit the Aim for Success website at http://www.aimforsuccess.org or contact the school if you have questions.
GMS Student Presentation Dates:
6th Grade—February 8, 2017
8th Grade—November 30, 2016
PLAY IT SAFE
As required by federal and state law, we will soon begin presenting personal safety curriculum to middle school students. GCISD uses the Play It Safe! Program to teach this curriculum. Please see the attached letter sharing the dates as well as parent view times.
Parents of last name L - Z
Your child's counselor, Stefani Chapman, begins maternity leave on Tuesday, September 6. We are excited to welcome her temporary replacement, Ms. Amy Atherton, to the GMS Counseling Team. She will be on board Tuesday morning and has previous experience working as a school counselor. Ms. Atherton is ready to serve in the same family friendly way you have been accustomed. Please communicate with Ms. Atherton at amy.atherton@gcisd.net.
OCTOBER 12: SAGE Speaker Series & Family Social
A Physician's Perspective of
Gifted & Talented Children
Justin Smith, M.D. will kick off our Sage Speaker Series & Family Social on
Wednesdayevening, October 12. Dr. Smith will cover issues encountered
by gifted students of all ages. Watch your emaiil inbox and the SAGE Facebook Page for details about the event. The Speaker Series is FREE for Sage members, or $5 at the door for non-members.
GMS FINE ARTS
NUTRITION NEWS
GCISD Nutrition Services is excited to introduce Superfoodie Thursday’s this year at our elementary and middle school campuses! Superfoodie Thursday’s is all about introducing the students of GCISD to different types of “super-foods.” On a select Thursday each month, Cafes will feature a new superfood at lunch. There will also be an educational display for the students & samples of the superfood item. Our goal is to educate the students of GCISD on the importance of making healthy choices each and every day at home and while here with us. This month’s super food is blueberries. Check your GCISD Nutrition Services calendar menu for dates on upcoming Superfoodie Thursday’s!
http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/20464
FREE AND REDUCED UPDATE
The grace period for receiving meals on the free and reduced application from the previous year will end on October 3, 2016. A list of students that will change to a full paid status will be emailed to the principal, assistant principal and designated counselor each Friday in September. Please notify the households to fill out a new free and reduced application either online www.schoollunchapp.com or a blue paper copy. Nutrition Services has mailed letters to the households notifying parents they need to fill out a new free and reduced application. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Telesca or Athel Micka. julie.telesca@gcisd.net athel.micka@gcisd.net
PTA REFLECTIONS
Started in 1969, the national Reflections program has encouraged millions of students to express themselves by giving positive recognition for their artistic efforts. Students in preschool through grade 12, including a division for students with disabilities, may create and submit works of art in six categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts. This year's theme is "What is your story?”. Entries will be judged at the school level with winners progressing through district, state and national competitions. Please encourage your student to explore their creativity by submitting one or more entries.
GMS Entries are due on Wed, 10/26/16:
7:30-8:10 am and 3:25–4:00 pm
Room C123, Art
No late entries will be accepted
All entries require PTA Membership
For more information, please contact Andrea Galante at 817-455-6663 or
· For more information, including rules, please visit www.txpta.org/programs/reflections/participate/
PTA MEMBERSHIP
GMS ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE SESSIONS
These are not baby sitting times where students come to socialize or play on their electronics. It is a student centered time where one-on-one assistance is available for all core content areas. Students needing assistance may attend all five days or as needed. We ask that your student come equipped with their assignments prepared to engage with the teacher on their point of confusion or with assignments which need to be completed. The front doors will be opened by the teacher from 6:55 - 7:05 and will relock at 7:10. Students must be in their seats in the lecture hall with a working mindset by 7:10. Doors do not open for campus population until 7:30 a.m. This is an excellent opportunity and we have found it to be extremely helpful for all students. Please email me at linda.young@gcisd.net if you would like your child to take advantage of this opportunity.
GCISD UPDATES
Parent Feedback Needed on STAAR Confidential Student Report: Please share the following information with your students' parents as input is needed regarding how student information from STAAR and STAAR EOC is reported in the Confidential Student Report.
Please help TEA and ETS re-design the new STAAR Confidential Student report (CSR) by taking their brief online survey at http://STAARreporting.com by September 30th. You will be able to preview the proposed redesign prior to taking the survey.
Let's Talk!
Let’s Talk! Is coming to GMS. What is Let’s Talk? Let’s Talk! is a cloud-based communication system that helps school leaders and their teams engage their communities. GCISD has been using Let’s Talk! at the administration level for more than a year, and it has proven to be a useful tool in improving communications with the various stakeholders in our district. Let’s Talk! offers a collaborative arena where we can work together to manage dialogues with our students, staff and community.
Below is the link to the GCISD Let’s Talk system. Soon you will be able to access the system from our Grapevine Middle School site and share dialogue pertaining to our GMS school and community!
MISCELLANEOUS UPDATES AND INFORMATION
Yearbooks are on sale for $35 at yearbooksforever.com. Online ordering is easy!
CHEERLEADER Webpage
http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Domain/1051
PONY PRIDE DANCE TEAM Webpage
http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Domain/1055
DUAL LANGUAGE
https://www.facebook.com/mswiseduallanguageclassroom?fref=ts
WEEK AT A GLANCE
Academic Assistance Sessions @ 7:00 a.m.
Band Practice-A-thon begins
7th Grade Football bye
Tuesday September 27
Academic Assistance Sessions @ 7:00 a.m.
8th Grade Football bye
Wednesday September 28
Academic Assistance Sessions @ 7:00 a.m.
Perot Museum Chemistry presentation for STEM
Thursday September 22
Academic Assistance Sessions @ 7:00 a.m.
7th VB @ Coppell East
8th VB @ GMS
Future Mustang Night 5:30
Friday September 30
Academic Assistance Sessions @ 7:00 a.m.
Progress Report and Mandatory UIL Academic Eligibility Grade Check
GMS Pep Rally 2:45
Playbill Speech Parent Showcase 6:30
Upcoming Dates
Choir Concert - October 7 @ GHS 7:00
Playbill Speech Tournament
6:00 - 11:00 a.m. S Grand Prairie
October 10 Student Holiday
October 14 - End of 9 weeks