The Middle View
A Publication of Garden City Middle School -February 2023
📌Principal's Message
Greetings GCMS Family!
Welcome to March!! With February behind us, we are steaming right ahead into warmer weather, tulips, sunny days, and the second half of what has been an amazing school year!
With the second semester fully upon us, we experience a blend of emotions—pride at our amazing accomplishments and some excitement about it to come—certainly with new classes and teachers, we see a need to develop new relationships and new connections. We encourage our families to reach out to new teachers to learn about new elective offerings and with the release of report card grades, we invite our families to connect with teachers once again to get status updates on how our learners are progressing. If things are going well, let's take a moment to name the strategies that we're using and make sure that we keep them in our routine. If things aren't as shiny as we'd like them to be, let's take stock of that, too, and identify other tools that we can use to find our success.
Warmly,
Matthew Samuelson
📌March 2023
📌One School, One Book
This school-wide book club allows GCMS students, teachers, and staff to read the same book at the same time and partake in activities related to the text. The school community was given three options and voted for the title they wanted to read. The winner was Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein.
Participants will have until the end of April to read the book. Copies of the book will be available in print as well as on Sora as ebooks and audiobooks at the beginning of March. Students are also welcome to purchase the book on their own. Participating students are encouraged to join our One School, One Book Google Classroom. Please have your child ask his or her ELA teacher for the Google Classroom code. Our Google Classroom will contain a reading schedule, posted activities, and important information. At the end of April, we will have an event to discuss the book and celebrate everyone who took part in the One School, One Book program. While this program is voluntary, we encourage everyone to participate.
📌Spring Morning Intramural Season
The Spring Morning Intramural Season will begin the week of March 6, 2023. We are excited to be offering dance, dodgeball, basketball, and floor hockey to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. There is no longer a need to preregister for the program. All are welcome to attend!
Dance
- Wednesday & Friday mornings
- 7:30 a.m. - 8:05 a.m.
- Small gym
Dodgeball Tournament
- Monday & Wednesday Mornings
- 7:30 a.m. - 8:05 a.m.
- Big gym
Students will have the option to form their own teams of 6 or be placed on a team by a staff member. Teams will play 1 to 2 games each morning and will earn 3 points for a win, 2 points for a tie, and 1 point for a loss. A team that does not attend on a given day will receive 0 points for each game played.
Basketball Tournament
- Tuesday mornings
- 7:30 a.m. - 8:05 a.m.
- Big gym
Students will have the option to form their own teams of 6 or be placed on a team by a staff member. Teams will play 1 to 2 games each morning and will earn 3 points for a win, 2 points for a tie, and 1 point for a loss. A team that does not attend on a given day will receive 0 points for each game played.
Floor Hockey Tournament
- Thursday mornings
- 7:30 a.m. - 8:05 a.m.
- Big gym
Students will have the option to form their own teams of either 3 or 4 or be placed on a team by a staff member. Teams will play 1 to 2 games each morning and will earn 3 points for a win, 2 points for a tie, and 1 point for a loss. A team that does not attend on a given day will receive 0 points for each game played.
📌Family Bingo Bash!
📌Challenger Basketball Team
The Challenger Basketball team is excited for their upcoming season! Their first game was an away game on February 27, 2023 against Lynbrook High School. The much anticipated Hoops for Hope game is March 6, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. at Garden City High School. We hope to see you there cheering on the team!
🎭Music Box Players
GARDEN CITY STUDENTS VENTURE OFF THE ISLE OF THE LOST WITH THEIR PRODUCTION OF DISNEY'S DESCENDANTS
The Music Box Players will present Disney's Descendants at Garden City Middle School on March 16-18 under the direction of Ms. Kristen Aguilo, vocal direction of Ms. Nancy Menges, backstage direction of Dr. Kimberly Greenwald, technical direction of Mr. John Paul Camilleri, and choreography instruction of Ms. Lynnette Skrivanek.
General ticket sales will begin on March 9, 2023. Please check Parent Square for the link to purchase tickets! Dates and showtimes are:
Thursday, March 16th at 7:00 P.M.
Friday, March 17th at 7:00 P.M.
Saturday, March 18th at 1:00 P.M.
Saturday, March 18th at 7:00 P.M.
Disney’s Descendants introduces audiences to The Isle of the Lost, home to the daughters and sons of the world’s worst villains, about as far from a fairy tale as you can get. But for Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos—the children of Maleficent, the evil queen, Jafar, and Cruella De Vil, it is home! These villains’ kids have learned to survive on the challenging streets of the island to which their families have been banished for all time. Meanwhile, in the nearby shimmering kingdom of Auradon, the children of the most regal of royals from a Who’s Who of famous fairy tales enjoy a life of privilege and prestige. But when Ben, the son of Belle and her Beast (and soon-to-be heir to the Auradon throne) optimistically decides to open the barrier and invite exchange students to join Auradon Prep School, will it usher in a new era of acceptance, or spell certain disaster? Based on the runaway-hit Disney Channel original movie musical, this spectacular NEW stage production will feature many of your favorite showstoppers…AND the talented students of Garden City Middle School showcasing their song and dance skills LIVE on stage!
📌Order Your Yearbook!
It's never too early to order your copy of the 2022-2023 Garden City Middle School Yearbook, Spearhead!
📌Spring Sports Season
The Garden City Middle School Spring Sports Season will begin on Monday, March 27, 2023. Grade 7 and 8 students interested in trying out for a spring sports team must attend a brief meeting after school on Monday, March 27, 2023. The meeting will end at approximately 3:50 p.m.
The meetings will be held outdoors on the teams' designated middle school athletic fields. Student athletes will have the opportunity to meet the coaches, review the tryout procedures, the process of getting cleared through “FamilyID,” and the safety requirements that will be implemented to allow for a smooth start to the season.
The spring sports being offered are:
Girls
- 7th Grade Lacrosse Team, 8th Grade Lacrosse Team, 7/8th Grade Combo Lacrosse Team,
- 7th Grade Softball Team, 8th Grade Softball Team
- 7/8th Grade Combo Track Team
Boys
- 7th Grade Lacrosse Team, 8th Grade Lacrosse Team, 7/8th Grade Combo Lacrosse Team,
- 7th Grade Baseball Team, 8th Grade Baseball Team, 7/8th Grade Combo Baseball Team,
- 7/8th Grade Combo Track Team
Tryouts will begin for all spring sports after school on March 28, 2023.
- Tryouts and team practices throughout the season for all sports will be held Monday to Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
- The completed game and practice schedule for the season will be sent home by March 31, 2023.
ALL ATHLETES MUST BE REGISTERED AND CLEARED PRIOR TO PARTICIPATING.
Click the button link below to register your child.
*Please note that all registrations require at least 24-48 hours to be reviewed. If your child is not cleared by the middle school health office, a notification will be sent to the email address that you used to register.
For more information please visit our website.
🏃♂️“GC For A Cure”
Garden City Teachers' Association's (GCTA) 14th Annual
“GC For A Cure”
Saturday, April 29, 2023 — Rain or Shine
5K (3.1 mile) Timed Run/Walk — 9:00 am
1 Mile Untimed Fun Run/Walk — 8:30 am
Start/Finish at Garden City High School
170 Rockaway Avenue, Garden City, N.Y.
📌Math Lab & English Studio
The Math Lab and English Studio provide drop-in support for Math and ELA/Writing. Math Lab will run on Mondays and Wednesdays; English Studio will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
As this is a drop-in service, classes may fill up quickly, so it is important for your child to come to school with a back-up plan in the event that a teacher’s space is occupied by other students. Good back up plans include meeting with another teacher for help or quiet reading/studying in the library.
📌Digital Math Resources
Additional digital resources to support your child's learning of mathematics at home are available on the District's website. The resources include engaging games and learning activities to supplement classroom instruction and further develop your child's mathematical skills.
📌SCOPE Summer Enrichment 2023
Registration is now open for the SCOPE Summer Enrichment 2023 program. SCOPE is also accepting high school volunteer counselors entering grades 9-12.
Register your child for the grade level he/she will be entering in September of 2023. Please be careful to enter all information correctly to receive updates and alerts. If a course or camp your child wants is full, try flip-flopping the weeks (instead of art week 1 and coding week 2, flip-flop them), or check back as SCOPE may open additional sections once courses fill.
If you have any questions call 631-360-0800 Ext 167 and ask for SCOPE or email dseid@scopeonline.us.
🏫IN & AROUND GCMS
🚀Student Spaceflight Experiment Program
Exciting news for the Garden City Space Program! After spending several weeks at the International Space Station, our very own microgravity experiment designed by the GCMS “Female Astronaut” group has landed on Earth! Bridget Coviello, Isabelle DeNoto, Samantha Racich and Elsie Ross (teacher facilitator, Christine Lebenns) are busy collecting data on the rates of germinating the tomato seeds in space! They will compare these results to their ground control experiment.
⭐A Carnevale, Ogni Scherzo Vale!
On February 16, 2023, students in Signora Caruthers’ and Signora Berardi’s 7th grade Italian classes celebrated Carnevale, the pre-Lenten traditional celebration in Italy. The word “carnevale” literally means “farewell to meat” from the Latin carnem levare. Carnevale is celebrated all throughout Italy; however, the city of Venezia is known to have more unique and elaborate celebrations that are world-famous. The Carnival of Venice dates back over 900 years and today’s theme focuses on the grandeur of 17th and 18th century Renaissance as well as characters from the commedia dell’arte. The commedia dell’arte is the famous comic form of street theater that developed in Italy in the 15th century. The actors wore colorful costumes and would travel from town to town performing in town squares. Nowadays in Venice, people walk around in elegant costumes and opulent masks to emulate this time period, which creates a magical ambience.
In the 7th grade Italian classes, the students decorated their own masks at home and celebrated Carnevale with a festa in class. The students voted on the best mask in the class and the winner received a gift card. Students contributed with homemade baked goods and other delicious treats during the school day and during Il Circolo Italiano (the Italian Club) after school. The students also tried a traditional Italian dessert eaten this time of year called chiacchiere which are strips of dough that are fried and dusted in powdered sugar. These are commonly served during Carnevale in Italy. Carnevale is celebrated with lots of fried sweets even though it marks the beginning of Lent. A final day of indulgences before the more solemn Lenten period begins is a must!
⭐Cold Spring Harbor’s DNA Center
Seventh grade science students had the wonderful opportunity to work with Cold Spring Harbor’s DNA Center this past month. Students worked with lab scientists to study the relationship between antibiotics and bacteria. Students discussed how antibiotics have provided a way for humans to counteract infections that previously would have been deadly to our population. However, with the increased use of antibiotics comes increased resistance due to the rise of different variants. Working with a dormant form of bacteria, students put this knowledge of antibiotics to the test.
⭐GSA Club
February is Black History Month. In honor of it, the GSA club of Garden City Middle School created a bulletin board to celebrate black Americans and their contributions throughout history.
⭐Grade 6 Science Students Escape!
Grade six students in Ms. Tweedy's science classes used their knowledge about renewable and nonrenewable energy sources to solve puzzles in order to “Escape the Room.”
⭐German Class Explores Culture through Food
In Ms. Rupes’s 6th grade and 7th grade classes, the students got to sample some German food items.
The students researched German foods learning about their importance to the German culture as well as their origin. The students shared their research before sharing the delicious desserts with the class. They also spoke German to each other at the food tasting party. Some items brought in were Spagetti Eis, German fruit tarts, German pretzels, Sauerbraten, Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte and more.
⭐Kindness Counts!
Students are nominated for the “Kindness Counts” award when they are caught in the act of committing a random act of kindness.
Congratulations to February's recipients: Annabeth Anci, Claire Arendt, Daniella Bacich, Sadie Brantuk, Anthony Grego, John Juliano, Charlotte Kohner, Peter Marchelos, Ava Reni, Sheldon Steadman, Peter Winter
🎨Mrs. Biondi’s Art Corner
Artist Tip of the Month: How to Sharpen a Colored Pencil
If you use a handheld pencil sharpener and you experience lead breakage, check whether your pencil sharpener is still sharp or not. You can determine if your sharpener is in good condition by checking the length of the pencil shaving. If your pencil sharpener can produce one long, continuous pencil shaving (as shown in the picture), then it is in good condition. That means you are less likely to experience any breakage as a result of sharpening.
If the shavings are small and come off in bits and pieces, it means your pencil sharpener has gone blunt. This means that there is more chance of breakage. If the blades are replaceable, replace the old one with a fresh blade. If the blades are not replaceable, try tightening the little screw to see if that makes a difference. If that doesn't help, it's time to throw it out and buy a new pencil sharpener!
“Creativity takes Courage” ~ Henri Matisse
🍎 Upcoming Middle School Meetings
March 14, 2023
- 9:15 a.m.
- Joint Middle School/ High School PTA Meeting @ GCHS
April 19, 2023
- 7:30 p.m.
- Middle School PTA Meeting @ GCMS
🍎Reflections
Congratulations to the five Garden City Middle School students who have advanced from the Nassau County competition to the New York State level for judging. We wish them lots of luck at this next stage of the competition!
- Visual Arts: Katie Zhao
- Photography: Caroline Ciullo
- Film Production: Anya Smith
- Music Composition: Patrick Corrigan & Ryan Schmidt
🍎Rock Your Socks
World Down Syndrome Day is Tuesday, March 21, 2023!
Wear crazy socks, lots of socks, or whatever you choose! Just be sure to “Rock Your Socks” and celebrate inclusion! March 21st (3-21) is internationally recognized as World Down Syndrome Day (signifying a third copy of the 21st chromosome).
Please “Rock Your Socks" to raise awareness and create conversation about Down Syndrome, diversity and inclusion. “Rock Your Socks” is a reminder that all types, shapes and sizes of the same thing can be unique in their own way!
SEPTA collaborates with parents, administration, and teachers to advocate for each and every student.
📗March 2023 Programs
💜Community Service Opportunities
Take advantage of these wonderful community service opportunities at the Garden City Public Library! Garden City Middle School students are encouraged to earn at least 10 hours of community service. Hours should be logged on the GC Cares forms from October 19, 2022, Unity Day, through April 28, 2023, Pay It Forward Day. Completed forms should be dropped off in the main office.