Pony Express
Connecting GMS In One Place
December 8th
GMS is full of energy as we end our second week of December. As I said before, there is still plenty to do. Please read through the newsletter so you don't miss out on anything. As you know, GMS is a great place to be! Here’s what you need to know for this week:
(SRC). The School Report Card provides information concerning student performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®), as well as, as information on student enrollment, class size averages, and financial expenditures. The School Report Card for the GMS campus can be found on at https://tinyurl.com/y8nregql
We are FAMILY! This is OUR HOUSE! Great students come from GREAT FAMILIES!
#OurHouseGMS
Rotary Club Honors
Outstanding Students
These 6 "Outstanding Students,"were honored at the Rotary Club on Dec 6. Students are: Kayla Lux, Peighton Kruzel, Ethan Harris, Kaleb Bell, Owen Comer, Ariyan Abed
Teachers Give Honors
Texas Strong T-Shirts
Since we already have requests for another order, we have that started. The deadline for the next order is Tuesday, Dec. 12th. Please have students pick up order forms in the front office. We have to have at least 12 shirts ordered to place a second order. Our first order had 44 shirts! We were able to send just under $400 to Marshall M.S. - Every bit helps! Thank you, GMS Families!
Duke Tip:
The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented youth. Duke TIP's talent searches serve as the entry point to academic benefits and programs for gifted and talented students in grades 4-12. For more information, or enroll your child online:
7th Grade https://tip.duke.edu/programs/7th-grade-talent-search/enroll-now
6th Grade https://tip.duke.edu/programs/4th-6th-grade-talent-search/enroll-now OR
via paper applications at any time during the enrollment periods. Fees are paid only once, and need-based financial aid is available.
Students must have attained a qualifying test score at or above the 95th percentile on at least one accepted subtest area of a grade-level standardized achievement test (Stanford or Iowa Test of Basic Skills), or achieved a score of a 125 or above on an aptitude test (OLSAT, CoGAT, NNAT) or mental ability test (IQ test such as WISC), or met the Duke approved score on a state criterion-referenced test (STAAR).
Qualifying 2017 STAAR Scores:
ENGLISH- 5th Grade: Reading 1774 or greater; Math 1849 or greater, Science of 4702 or greater 6th Grade: Reading 1782 or greater; Math 1879 or greater
SPANISH- 5th Grade: Reading 1745 or greater; Math 1710 or greater, Science of 4145 or greater Here’s a link to information on how access your student’s STAAR scores: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/46681
Grapevine Middle School’s Duke Tip school code is: 819555-GA
High School Plans for 8th graders
GMS Counselors continue to work with 8th grade Ponies on what they currently think they want to take in high school. They encourage using pencil on this document as it is a living, breathing document. More information regarding high school planning is available on the GMS Counselor’s webpage
( http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/49107 )
and in the Counselor’s Google Classroom
Play It Safe:
Play It Safe is a multi-session curriculum about healthy relationships. It is presented by The Women’s Center.
Students at GMS will see the Play It Safe presentation on these dates:
6th grade-- March 22
7th grade-- Feb 28
Questions may be addressed to Mrs. Lemke at 817-251-5673. The opt out is here:
English--Play It Safe English
Spanish--Play It Safe Spanish
GMS Scholastic Book Fair: You can also shop the Book Fair online through December 9th. Click here to shop: scholastic website
The Book Fair is a great time to get some holiday shopping done, check out our new Learning Commons space, and support our library at the same time!
6th Grade Cotillion 2018: Save the dates February 2, 9, 16, 23. Each week will be a different theme. Cost is $50 for all 4 weeks. Cotillion is so much fun and requires a lot of planning. Committee members are needed to help plan and volunteers to help each week. Please contact Cotillion Coordinator Stacey Comer at Stacey@coreachinsight.com to help out.
To stay connected with all the latest PTA news be sure to like our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/grapevinemiddleschoolpta/
Happy Holidays!
Hour of Code
Excitement
November AVID Student of the Month
We would like to celebrate Darlene Ramirez as our November AVID student of the month! Darlene embodies the AVID spirit and works hard day in and day out to get all that she can from her classes. She has the drive and determination that will surely secure her a spot in a 4-year college. Expect great things from Darlene!
Attention all GMS 7th Grade Parents!
We have a limited number of spots available to join the AVID program beginning next semester! We are currently speaking with teachers about their recommendation of students. If you would like your child to be considered in joining the AVID program, please reach out to the AVID Site Coordinator, Trelawny Shepherd (trelawny.shepherd@gcisd.net) for more information.
What’s happening in AVID?
Check out our Facebook page for class updates, pictures and more!
Community Service
Please remember that the first ½ of community service hours are due at the end of the semester
Students will begin reviewing for finals in classes throughout the next week. Please make sure students are completing missing or make up work. Most teachers will be providing a review sheet through Google Classroom and/or time in class for review. Students should be studying notes outside of class as well. It will be important for students to stay rested during this stressful time. Please let us know if you have questions.
The schedule for the rest of this semester:
Dec 11-15th- ABCCC
Dec 18-21st- All C days for finals
Finals-
Tuesday 19th- 1st period final
Wednesday 20th- Early release
2nd period final
3rd period final
4th period final
Thursday 21st- Early release
5th period final
6th period final
8th period final
8th grade Parents:
Please don’t forget to attend the informational meeting on December 14th. This will be t about the 8th grade STEM Field trip. The meeting will be held in the lecture hall at 4:00 and 6:30. *same information each time, choose which works best.
BAND: https://www.smore.com/9fx8e
YEARBOOK:
Yearbook!!
LAST CHANCE to get your yearbook for $40!!! The price increases on Monday, December 4th so buy it online now at www.jostensyearbooks.com
THEATRE NEWS:
We are excited to announce our first production of the year.
Just as you thought Halloween was over, it’s back, and right in the middle of the busy holiday season! Take a break from your shopping, and please join us for an evening of spooky fun as we present Dracula: The Twilight Years by Tim Kelly. Here on our GMS stage, Tuesday, December 12 at 6:30 P.M. Admission is $5 at the door.
Over the weekend, twenty of our theatre students entered the South Grand Prairie Speech Tournament. See below for results:
Speech Tournament Results
Twenty Theatre students entered the South Grand Prairie Speech Tournament on Saturday. Ten schools with 800 students entered the tournament including hundreds from five Fine Arts Academies.
Our students did an outstanding job representing GMS. I am so proud of them; they encouraged each other and fellow contestants from other schools. At one point, another student's sound equipment failed. Rather than watch her be disqualified, our own Kayla Bacon stepped up and helped her by offering up her sound equipment. That student went on to take 1st place in the entire lip sync event. In that same room, another group's sound failed, the other contestants sang the song, so that they could perform.
Our students competed in lip sync, dramatic interpretation, impromptu speaking, duet acting, humorous interpretation, and T.V. commercials which they created themselves. After the first round of competition, we had 7 students who placed 3rd, 6 who placed 2nd, and 4 who placed 1st. After the second round, we had 1 in 2nd place and 1 in 1st place.
Kaira Gula went on to take 3rd place in the entire competition with her amazing Dramatic Interpretation!
Please help me in congratulating all the students for a job well done and making it through a long day with style and grace. Our day started at 6:30 A.M. and ended at 8:20 P.M.
Here are our outstanding Theatre students:
Kayla Bacon
Elizabeth Bolen
Morgan Comiskey
Kara Cramer
Jackson Dollar
Kennedy Fray
Kaira Gula
Madison Hilcher
Dylann Hudson
Laci Jackson
Eva Johansen
Megan Johnson
Anna Kanaga
Lizzy Matlock
Bryna Payne
Rylie Peppers
Madison Sanders
Madison Smith
Ella Williams
Jack Williamson
Cross Country Announcements
GCISD District CC Meet Dec. 5th @ CTMS
Girls CC:
8th Grade Outstanding Performers –
Lila Nicodemus – Most Valuable Performer
Lila placed 2nd in the A race while improving her time by 41 seconds.
Jackie Molina & Danny Navarro – Players of the Week
Danny placed 3rd and Jackie placed 4th in the GCISD District cross country meet.
7th Grade Outstanding Performers –
Amanda Coy – Most Valuable Performer
Amada was the top finisher for the 7th grade A team placing 10th.
Destiny Terrazas – Player of the Week
Destiny shaved almost a minute off (56 seconds) for her best time of the year.
8th Grade A Race
On Tuesday, December 5th the Cross Country team competed in the GCISD District Cross Country Meet Cross Timbers Middle School. The 8th grade girls placed 2nd out of 4 teams: Cross Timbers (31 pts.), Grapevine (40 pts.), Heritage (76 pts.), and Colleyville (95 pts.).
Individual placing for the GMS 8th Grade A Race: 2nd Lia Nicodemus, 3rd Danny Navarro, 4th Jackie Molina, 15th Abby Castellanos, 16th Morgan Comiskey, 17th Nicole Tovalin, and 22nd Ella Williams.
8th Grade B Race
Individual placing for the GMS 8th Grade B Race: Placing 5th was Yoana Contreras, 9th Madison Hartsfield, 10th Julianna Vargas, 16th Addison Galante, and 20th Michelle Granados.
7th Grade A Race
The 7th Grade A team place 3rd of the four teams. Cross Timbers (24 pts.), Colleyville (59 pts.), Grapevine (64 pts.), Heritage (86 pts.).
The top Individual finisher for the Lady Ponies was Amanda Coy who placed 10th , Following close behind were Jaycee Martin 11st, Marina Barrera 12th , Sirenia Granados 14th, Jade Juline 17th, Scarlett Reed 21th, and Jayce Cleveland 25st.
7th Grade B Race Highlights
Lexie Crome 15th, Amy Escobedo 17th, Madison Redwine 24th and Jaeda Vittali 25th .
Boys CC:
3rd Meet Results: GCISD District Meet
Tonight the Ponies ran in the GCISD District Meet. The Ponies had a remarkable night of running. At the close of the meet, the Ponies would walk away with 4 District Championships. The 8th Grade A squad had 30 points for a 1st place win. The 7th Grade A Squad had 30 points for a 1st place win. The 8th Grade B Squad had 28 points for a 1st place win and rounding out the District Championship sweep was the 7th Grade B squad with 18 points and a 1st place win. Congrats to all four squads on their District Championships.
Places: 8th Grade A Squad-Walker St John 1st place-10:57, Josue Granados 3rd place-11:25, Byran Guerva 5th place-11:30, Damien Lezama 9th place-11:55,Alex Morales 12th place-12:04,Skyler Wright 17th place-12:35 and Matthew Monson 21st place-13:04. 8th Grade B Squad-Chris Morales 2nd place-12:40, Christian Begley 3rd place-12:47, Austin Kelsoe 5th place-13:00, Micheal Milano 7th place-13:02 and Mark Hanna 11th place-13:21
7th Grade A Squad-Alberto Rayon 1st place-8:33, Austin Fye 3rd place-9:07, D'Shawn Grey 4th place-9:10, Cole Comer 7th place-9:17, Logan Vorachard 15th place-9:28, Gavin Richardson 16th place- 9:32. Kameron Shleton 17th place-9:34. 7th Grade B Squad-Jorge Pozos 1st place-9:25, Ryan Wolter 2nd place-9:25.1, Saxton Staley 3rd place-9:26, James Hines 5th place-9:27, Jose Beltran 7th place-10:10, Victor Mar 13th place-10:14, Evan Gonzalez 17th place-10:19. Congrats to all of our teams and runners tonight. Thier hard work this week paid off in a big way. This Saturday the Ponies run at Wagon Wheel park in the Zone Cross Country Meet. The Ponies hope to ride momentum into the Zone Meet and once again perform well.
(PARENTS, I apologize that this section wasn't updated - I'm unable to recover the email that updated info. was sent to me as I delete emails once I put them in the newsletter and my original newsletter was lost. I'm so sorry for any inconvenience - Dr. Koehler)
Boys Basketball
Go Ponies!!
We have started new exciting themes in our Dual Language classes!
Our 6th grade Dual students are learning about clothing, shopping, and dressing for a special occasion. We are having a live fashion show in our classroom on Wednesday to show off their new vocabulary, speaking skills, and ability to describe their crazy outfits at the end of the runway!
7th grade Dual students have been researching about famous Hispanic singers, bands and latin styles of music. We have students researching artists and bands from genres ranging from ranchero music, latin pop and hip hop. Students will be sharing their research about the artist that they chose and will be presenting to the class.
8th grade Dual AP students have transitioned into a unit that focuses on Science and Technology. This week, their efforts will be focused on composing an email to a newspaper editor recommending an article for publication in their next featured issue, as well as recording a mock conversation of themselves talking about how technology has impacted their lives. Students will be able to use these tasks to help improve their skills for the AP exam that is coming up next semester. We have already seen huge improvements in their work!
The National Junior Honor Society is collecting donations of non-perishable food items for GRACE now through December 15th. Grace will use these food items to make food baskets for families needing assistance during the holidays.
A list of suggested foods is available at drop off locations throughout the school, but any non-perishable from your pantry is appreciated.
Thank you for supporting NJHS as we continue to help and serve those in need!
Click here to volunteer for 2-hour shift(s).
Students compete by maneuvering their robot on a field to complete increasingly complex challenges. Additionally, students present to panels of judges regarding teamwork, robot construction, and a problem-solving project.
The event will begin at 8 am and judging is generally finished around 2 or 3 p.m.
Grapevine Middle School
Email: laura.koehler@gcisd.net
Website: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/gms
Location: 301 Pony Parkway, Grapevine, TX, United States
Phone: 817-251-5660
Facebook: facebook.com/GrapevineMiddleSchool
Twitter: @GrapevineMiddle