Georgia Morse Middle School
2018-2019 Newsletter October 2018
Can you believe that first quarter is already coming to a close? We have had a wonderful start to our school year. Although we have had quite a few events already, the school year seems to just get busier and busier. We always encourage our students to get involved in school, whether that be with clubs, sports, or activities. When students feel connected to school, greater academic achievement, an increase in happiness, and improved attendance can result. We also hope by this time in the school year, as parents, you feel that you are "in the know" through team emails, our webpage, and our facebook page. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teachers or any other staff member that can help. Your child's Student Led/Homeroom teacher has reviewed his/her first quarter goals recently. We are extremely goal oriented at GMMS, celebrating successes that reflect on individual growth and always striving to meet the "next" goal. Hopefully you are able to talk to your child about what goals, even beyond academic ones, that your child has for second quarter.
GMMS LIBRARY
What’s up at the GMMS Library?
First, check out many valuable resources available at the GMMS Library webpage https://gmmsteamencore.shutterfly.com/mrslehman. Also, if your child has not yet visited the library, PLEASE ENCOURAGE him/her to do so. Each team at GMMS has set reading goals for their students, and there are over 9000 books to choose from in our print collection, not to mention an extensive e-book and audiobook collection through TIE/SD Schools OVERDRIVE collection here: https://tiesd.libraryreserve.com
Second, October 7th-13th was Teen Read Week, and in our state, we begin promoting the SD Teen Choice Awards for 2018-19! These awards are also referred to as the YARP Awards and feature two lists: one for middle school and one for high school. Online voting opens during Teen Read Week and winners are announced during National Library Week in early April. All of the middle school titles are available at GMMS, and you can find out more here: http://library.sd.gov/LIB/YAS/yarp/index.aspx
Third, Digital Citizenship Week is October 15th-19th. One of our many roles as school librarians and parents is to help students cultivate skills necessary to thrive in today's digital, information-rich world. It's our job to teach them how to think critically about information and then apply it to life. Two amazing resources to help us with this task are Google’s Be Internet Awesome, and Common Sense Media. You can access those resources at these links: https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship
Next, there are several fun opportunities planned for your child this semester, and all events will happen in the GMMS Library.
1. Join in our community coat drive. Donations of gently used coats, hats, gloves, and snow-pants in infant through adult sizes are needed, and the drive will run from October 12th-29th.
2. The 1st quarter book club will meet to discuss Tiger Rising, by Kate Dicamillio, on Wednesday, September 17 at 2:55 PM.
3. The first LEARNING/MAKER workshop for the year is a Yoga Basics class on Thursday, October 25, at 8:40 AM. Permission slips are required (pick up in the library), and due by Monday, October 22.
4. A Book Bingo event will be scheduled for Wednesday, November 7, at 2:55 PM. We have many books to give away, and snacks will be provided.
5. A collaborative holiday outreach project with Rawlins Public Library is scheduled for Monday, December 3, at 2:55 PM. We will be making Christmas cards and candy cane crafts to send to our local elderly shut-ins. Our goal is to create at least 100.
As always, if you have questions about anything, please contact Mrs. Lehman at 773-7330, or renae.lehman@k12.sd.us.
IMPORTANT DATES
November 2nd- Parent Group meeting 12:10
November 12th- 5:30pm School Board Meeting
November 21st- 12:30 dismissal
November 22nd-23rd- Thanksgiving Break
December 10th- 5:30pm School Board Meeting/7:00pm GMMS Music Concert
December 21st- 12:30 dismissal
December 22nd-January 2nd Christmas Break (school resumes January 3rd)
January 9th- End of second semester and first semester
From the counselors' corner
Greetings and salutations from the GMMS School Counselors!
Once again this year, we have a character trait that is being emphasized each month. This year the entire district is focusing on the same traits each month, so the character trait is the same at all grade levels, kindergarten through 12th grade. We love having the opportunity to meet with all the students each month to cover a variety of skills and topics that will help them in their social lives, their academics, and their careers; we have already seen everyone twice this year and are preparing to do so for November. Up to this point we have targeted Respect (September), and Courage (October). Still to come will be Citizenship (November), Caring (December), Responsibility (January), Honesty (February), Perseverance (March), and Self Motivation (April).
We encourage you to have conversations with your students about the trait each month. For conversation starters, and to keep up with the character traits and what the counselors are doing each month visit our website at https://gmmscounselingdepartment.shutterfly.com/.
From the Office
Students often make phone calls to parents regarding staying late or projects left at home, etc. In this era of cell phones and automated dialing, please make sure your student knows your phone number. We look up many, many phone numbers in the course of a day. A good tip is to have your student write phone numbers in the back of their agenda.
Thank you for notifying the office for absences as we do final attendance. Please remember to bring doctor notes to exempt absences if you have them. Email teachers directly if you would like homework for your absent student.
We look forward to a positive year with you and your student. It is nice to see students maturing and becoming more responsible each passing year at the middle school. Thank you for being wonderful role models.