Greenville Middle
Principal Update: Week of May 23
Connecting * Informing * Supporting
Mark Your Calendars - June 2 & 3 are Half Days!
We will dismiss school at 12:45 PM. Lunch will be served before students dismiss.
From Principal Andrews
Make-up Testing will continue this week for students who missed any portion of the SC READY or SCPASS assessments. Virtual students will complete make up testing on Thursday, May 26 for ELA Day 1 and on Friday, May 27 for ELA Day 2.
Students will be returning Chromebooks this week, with 6th grade on Monday, May 23, 7th grade on Tuesday, May 24, and 8th grade on Thursday, May 26. Please ensure the Chromebook cover is returned with the Chromebook as well as the charger.
The End-of-Course Algebra I test will be given on Wednesday, May 25 for both in-person and virtual students. Please arrive to school on time.
There will be a volleyball interest meeting on Wednesday, May 25 at 8:00 AM in the Cafeteria. Anyone thinking about trying out in August should plan on attending this meeting.
We look forward to celebrating our 8th graders this week with the 8th grade Dance and with 8th grade Day. Students receiving an award received an invitation on Friday.
Medications in the Health Room must be picked up by an adult, between 8:00-3:00 PM, by June 1. Any medications remaining in the health room on the last day of school will have to be destroyed per school district policy.
6th grade parents, please remember to schedule the Tdap vaccine now. South Carolina law states that ALL students are required to have the Tdap vaccine BEFORE they enter 7th grade. Once your child has the Tdap vaccine, please send a copy of the vaccination record to the school. After June 30, 2022, all vaccines must be provided on an official South Carolina immunization form in order to be accepted for school.
Please make sure we have your correct address information on file. The final report card will be mailed at the end of the school year. All address changes require proper documentation (two proofs of residency) to be presented to the school. If you have moved or will be moving, please email Sherry Coleman, our Registrar, at shecoleman@greenville.k12.sc.us or call 864-355-5604.
If your child will have a change in transportation status for next year, please complete and submit the 2022-23 Transportation Request Form. Completed forms should be sent to the school. Access the English/Spanish for the 2022-23 Transportation Request Form.
Early registration for our Extended Day Program (EDP) is now open. Please use the link on our website to access the EDP Handbook and EDP Registration link.
Any 7th or 8th grade students interested in taking a Virtual Summer Course for high school credit, please complete the application. Contact your counselor with questions. Summer Virtual Application
We need students on time to school. Students should be in their first class by 8:30 AM. Parents, please make sure student clothing abides by our school dress code. We are seeing shorts and skirts that are too short. Tops should also cover the mid-drift area of the body. The latest time for an early dismissal is 2:30 PM. Students are reminded to bring their Student ID daily and have them on prior to entering the building. If a student needs a replacement ID, please send in $5. Students should also charge Chromebooks nightly so there is a full charge for the entire school day. Don't forget to turn in library books to the media center.
Upcoming Dates:
Chromebook Collection for 6th grade - 5/23
Chromebook Collection for 7th grade - 5/24
Virtual SCREADY Math - 5/24
EOC Algebra I (in-person & virtual) - 5/25
Chromebook Collection for 8th grade - 5/26
8th Grade Dance - 5/26
8th Grade Day & Awards Program - 5/27
Memorial Day Holiday - 5/30
Field Day (all grades) - 6/1
Yearbook Distribution - 6/1
Half Day of School - 6/2
Half Day of School / Last Day of School - 6/3
As always, thank you for your support of Greenville Middle Academy! Let's have a great week!
Brooke Knarr
Harper Crow
Tyanah Blakley
2022 Report to the Community
We are pleased to present the 2022 Report to the Community, where we highlight our beliefs, student achievement, and special features. Among the many wonderful features about Greenville Middle Academy, we're pleased to announce the following rankings:
- Ranked #1 Writing Middle School in the County
- Ranked #3 of all middle schools in the County
- Ranked #37 out of 345 middle schools in the state (US News & World Report)
Call for Parent Volunteers
May & Summer Birthdays
If your child has a May birthday, be sure to recognize him or her at school. For $10, your child’s birthday will be announced at school, and it will be recognized on the school’s website. Sign up here.
Frosty Fridays
Ice cream treats will be available for students to purchase during lunch for $1.00, and we need parent volunteers to run the store. (The ice cream window is across the hall from the Guidance office.) If you would like to work a shift or two, please sign up here.
Tdap Requirement for Rising 7th Graders
South Carolina law states that ALL students are required to have the Tdap vaccine BEFORE they enter 7th grade. This means that your 6th grader should get the vaccination during his/her annual doctor visit this year. The Tdap vaccine can be obtained at your primary health care provider, the Health Department, or various walk-in clinics.
Please make sure your student has the Tdap vaccine this year and have the vaccine certificate sent to school as soon as it is completed. If your child already had the Tdap vaccine, please send a copy of the DHEC South Carolina immunization form to the school to ensure that we have it on record. Your child will not be able to attend the 7th grade, or pick up a schedule the week before, until we have this form on record at school. Please note that vaccine records after June 30, 2022, can only be accepted if it is on the official DHEC SC immunization form. Thank you for your help. Please feel free to call the GMA health room with any questions.
Catherine Manske GMA School Nurse 864-355-5607.
Pick Up Medications by June 1
Any medications remaining in the health room on the last day of school will have to be destroyed per school district policy. Than you for your assistance!
GCS Magnet Academies Information
The academic program of each magnet academy offers a theme or focus that is designed to give students an opportunity to explore a special interest, gift, talent or skill. These schools attract top students and talented teachers who bring innovative ideas to the classroom. Teachers are chosen based on their academic preparation, professional experience, and specialized skills.
Admission into magnet academies is open to all eligible students, but spaces are limited. Students may apply to more than one magnet academy. Applications are scored based on four criteria: attendance, discipline, grade average (student interview in Grades K-5, 1, 2), and a student statement indicating why the student would like to attend the magnet academy. Students who apply and qualify during the first application period have a greater chance of being offered a slot than those students who apply and qualify in later rounds.
COVID-19 Reporting
Parents are asked to report any COVID-19 symptoms, exposures, quarantines within the home, and positive test results to the school principal.
Parents are strongly encouraged to screen their students daily, at home, for COVID-19 symptoms (see below). If a student takes a COVID-19 test because he/she is symptomatic, the student should not be physically present in school until the test results are returned.
Keep students at home if they present with any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing - or –
- Loss of taste or smell - or –
- New or worsening cough
In order to return to school from this exclusion, student must provide one of the following:
- Return to school note from your student's medical provider indicating a medical evaluation has determined symptoms are related to another cause other than COVID-19 OR
- Documentation of a negative COVID-19 test.
Student are also required to exclude from school with one of the following symptoms but does not require COVID-19 medical clearance:
- Fever (100.4 or greater). Must be 24 hours fever free before returning to school. (this means without the use of fever reducing medications).
- Diarrhea (3 or more episodes of loose stools in a 24 hour period). Must be 24 hours diarrhea free before returning to school (this means without the use of diarrhea suppressing medication).
- Vomiting (2 or more times in a 24 hour period). Must be 24 hours without vomit and able to have 1 to 2 meals before returning to school. (this means without the use of vomiting suppressing medications)
GCS has shared a Frequently Asked document related to COVID-19 and back to school. You may access this document in the link below. FAQs for Parents / FAQs para Padres (Español)
Set Up Parent Backpack - An App for Parents & Guardians
To access Parent Backpack, go to https://parents.gcsbackpack.com and create an account. Please access directions by clicking on Creating a Parent Backpack Account. Parent Backpack is an online application that allows parents and guardians to view your student's grades, school attendance, and discipline when you are logged into the system. English Directions / Direcciones en español
DON'T FORGET: Charge Chromebooks Nightly / Have Your Student ID
See Something, Say Something
It is critically important that if students see or hear something that is concerning, they say something to a trusted adult or report it anonymously through our reporting system. Reports can be made by phone call, text, email or an online form, which are all accessed here.
Student Attendance & Arrival
The school year contains 180 days. To earn credit, students must attend 85 days of each 90-day (semester) course and at least 170 days of each 180-day course. Any absence in excess of ten (10) days may cause the loss of credit for the year. Morning Announcements will begin at 8:20 AM. Students will need to be in their 1st class, in their seats by 8:30 AM, otherwise, they will be marked Tardy.
Perfect Attendance Criteria:
The definition of an absence at a Greenville County Middle School is missing more than one-half of any single class period for which a student is enrolled, or multiple class periods for which a student is enrolled, during a school day. Absence in any part of the school day for a minimum of more than one-half class period, even if the student was present for all other portions of that same school day, by definition excludes a student from being determined to have Perfect Attendance for the year.
Dress Code
Students are expected to dress in an appropriate manner while on school district property or representing the school. Personal appearance shall be such that it does not disrupt student work or school order, become distracting to students, or violate health and safety guidelines.
The following standards apply and will be vigorously enforced. Principals may make additions to these standards as they deem necessary.
- Hoods from sweatshirts/jackets cannot be worn inside the building.
- No skin showing through the jeans above the knee. Leggings are allowed under clothing that meets the dress code.
- Shoes must be worn at all times. All sandals must have a hard sole. Slides, bedroom slippers and shower shoes are prohibited.
- Shorts, dresses, and skirts must be mid-thigh when standing up straight. Leggings under dresses and skirts are recommended.
- All shirts/tops must be at least one ID card width at the shoulder. Low cut tops, mid-drifts, tanks, and off-the shoulder shirts are prohibited.
- No cut-off pants, yoga pants, biker shorts or pajamas.
- Undergarments are to be covered by outer clothing. No see-through garments.
- No pants or shorts hanging too far below the waistline (no “sagging”).
- No profane or vulgar language; no drawings containing alcohol, tobacco or illegal drug advertisements on any part of clothing or jewelry.
- No hats, bandanas (any color), shower or hair caps, skullies, curlers or sunglasses.
Student Technology & Cellphones
Each student will be checked-out a Chromebook provided by Greenville County Schools. Chromebooks are permitted to go home with students for educational use. However, students will be responsible for maintaining their good condition and returning the Chromebooks at the end of the school year.
- The expectation is that all students bring a charged Chromebook to school each day and practice responsible digital citizenship at all times.
- A consequence matrix addressing infractions is included in the Student Handbook.
- Cell phones should be turned off and stored in the bookbag during the school day.
- Smart watches may be worn during the day, but are only permitted to be used to keep time.
- Students are not permitted to wear wireless headphones/earbuds unless directed to by a teacher. This includes arrival, dismissal and transitions between classes.
More information about Chromebook use and expectations will be shared by teachers at the beginning of the year.
Bookbags & Student ID Badges
As part of our school district’s continuing efforts to provide a safe learning environment, all middle school students and staff will be required to wear Photo ID badges.
- Students must wear their ID badge whenever they are on campus.
- Students who do not have their ID badges will receive a temporary ID.
- Lost, stolen, or defaced ID badges must be replaced at a cost of $5.00
- Stickers, writing, or other defacing of the ID badge is not be permitted.
- ID badges will also be used to purchase lunch and check out media books & textbooks.
- After the first week of school, students not wearing their ID badge will be subject to disciplinary action.
Greenville Middle Academy
Email: gmaoffice@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gvillem/
Location: 339 Lowndes Avenue, Greenville, South Carolina 29607, USA
Phone: (864) 355-5600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gvillerams
Twitter: @gvillerams