GMS Principal's Corner
Sarah Shannon, 2020 ~ 2021
Dear Galvin Families!
We know that everyone - parents and students alike - is unsure what the fall will look like and that we are expecting a lot when we ask for your patience and your trust. Please know that at the Galvin we are preparing for a strong and supportive student learning experience designed to bring us closer to our vision of being a deeper learning school that prioritizes equity, social emotional learning and creating a purposeful culture of belonging so our students can realize their academic and personal potential. This vision is, like our desire to get back to teaching, unwavering and remains constant no matter if we are remote, hybrid and/or fully in person.
This summer we have been busy getting ready to coming back to learning this fall. Teachers have been engaging in professional development with the district and on their own. Many have taken courses in technology, project based learning, social emotional learning, equity and more. In addition, they have been collaboratively creating authentic, meaningful and rigorous curriculum and projects for students to engage in this year. All of us, administrators, custodians and staff, have also been working to ensure that whether our students are learning from home or in our school building, they are safe, cared for and connected to each other and our school, and they are learning in ways that challenge and inspire them.
We also know that as August rolls around 6th grade students wait anxiously for their chance to become oriented to the Galvin and that all students look forward to receiving their schedules. All of that is coming. We promise. And, we specifically appreciate your patience in this area. It is important to us that we create the best possible schedule for your child. As more information comes to us about who has chosen the The Continuum of Learning or The Remote Pathway, we are better able to do this. Given the timing of some of this work, students will receive their schedules later than they typically do and our incoming 6th grade orientation activities will happen closer to the first day of school for students as well. Yes, the start of this year will be unlike any other, and we are going to wrap our arms around your children and you to ensure that everyone feels like a valued member of our school community and is ready to learn.
While we at the Galvin spend the next few weeks preparing for the start of school on September 16, I hope that you and your families enjoy these final weeks of summer. We can't wait to start the year!
Warmly,
Sarah Shannon
SUMMER READING: You Still Have Time!
Our theme this year is "One World, Many Stories". We have the common experience of living in this one world, and wee have many stories to share about that experience. We hope that the text choices reflect the diversity in those stories, and that as readers, you will consider how your own "stories" compare tot he ones you enjoy during your summer reading.
Please click on the summer reading picture above to access our GMS Website and specific summer reading information by grade level.