Pony Express
Connecting GMS in one place!
May 11th
GMS Families,
As we head into next week, we will be testing Monday through Thursday of next week. With that, there will be some anxiety. Please have a conversation with your child that they simply need to do their best but keep in mind that it is MAY and there are fun times to be had! That's right! At the end of next week, we will have our FunFest Day at GMS. It's an exciting day of karaoke, Gator Ball, chess, and other fun activities.
This week, we had students take the Algebra I, Biology I, and Spanish IV AP test. We also had our 6th graders receive their new district Chromebooks. They've got new hardware - look out!
Before you know it, the next school year will be here. Check out the link to purchase a school pack for only $21 this year! See link in the PTA section. More info. on school supplies will go out next week. Wanna plan ahead? Save the dates for online registration, schedule pick-up, Pony Camp and more by clicking the link!
As you know, there's always something great happening at GMS and it is THE middle school to attend! Please read through this newsletter so you don't miss out on anything. Here’s what you need to know for this week:
On Slide 8, you will find the actual bell schedule. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
As we wrap up another great school year in GCISD, we are already looking ahead to next fall and the re-opening of Mustang Panther Stadium. I am sure that most of you have observed the progress on the facility while driving down Highway 26, but I am also sure that many of you have asked the question, “will this be ready by August?”
This year, Texas had a significant amount of rain, compounded with high winds, which has unfortunately delayed the completion date for the project. We have been working diligently with our football coaches and their respective opponents to make any necessary adjustments to the schedule. As a result, we have made the following changes:
Week One:
August 30: Grapevine v. Azle at Dragon Stadium
August 31: Colleyville Heritage v. North Forney at Dragon Stadium
Week Two:
September 7: Grapevine v. Abilene Cooper at Apogee Stadium (UNT)
September 7: Colleyville Heritage v. Carroll at Dragon Stadium
Week Three:
September 13: Colleyville Heritage v. Trinity at Pennington Field
September 13: Grapevine v. Northwest at Northwest Stadium
Week Four:
September 21: Bye week for both teams
At this time, the first planned home game for the 2018 season is the Colleyville Heritage homecoming game against Newman Smith High School on September 28.
We understand that this is not ideal for our families, fans and especially our players; however, the weather and its impact on construction is beyond our control. We have worked with neighboring districts to have great places for our students to perform and I am confident that our students, fans and community will show up and support our teams during these first few weeks of the season.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during the stadium construction. It will all be worth it when we are enjoying the performances from our students at the new Mustang Panther Stadium!
Dr. Robin Ryan
GCISD Superintendent of Schools
5. Results for April Grades 5 and 8 Reading and Math STAAR will be posted at www.texasassessment.com in the FOR FAMILIES section in the STUDENT PORTAL on May 1, 2018. Parents will need their student's unique access code to retrieve the scores. This code is located in SKYWARD or on any previous STAAR Report Card at the bottom of the page. Parents can also go to www.texasassessment.com and retrieve the unique access code with their student's first name, social security number, and date of birth.
6. With the new TEXRail coming to the area, please view these safety videos with your student(s)
On Thursday, May 3, at 9:00 a.m. registration for the June 20th administration of math telescoping tests opened. The registration window will remain open through midnight on May 23, 2018. Parents must complete a two-step registration process by going online from this webpage to register their child and then printing their online confirmation to attach to their fee payment. Payment is due by 4:00 p.m. on May 24, 2018. Payments may be mailed or hand-delivered to the Administration Building but MUST arrive by the deadline in order to be accepted. No exceptions.
Tuesday, May 29th
1st Period Final 8:10 - 9:35 85 min
2nd Period 9:39 - 10:31 52 min
3rd Period 10:35 - 11:26 51 min
5th Period 11:30 - 1:00 90 min (lunch)
4th Period 1:05 - 1:50 45 min
6th Period 1:54 - 2:39 45 min
8th Period 2:43 - 3:25 42 min
Wednesday, May 30th Finals
2nd Period 8:10 - 9:27 77 min
3rd Period 9:31 - 10:48 77 min
4th Period 10:52 - 12:10 78 min
Thursday, May 31st Finals
5th Period 8:10 - 9:27 77 min
6th Period 9:31 - 10:48 77 min
8th Period 10:52 - 12:10 78 min
We are FAMILY! This is OUR HOUSE! Great students come from GREAT FAMILIES!
#OurHouseGMS
Monday, May 14th - Math 6th and 7th STAAR (Closed Campus)
Tuesday, May 15th - Reading 6th and 7th STAAR, 8th Reading STAAR Retest (Closed Campus)
Wednesday, May 16th- 8th Math STAAR Retest and 8th Science STAAR (Closed Campus)
Thursday, May 17th - 8th Social Studies STAAR (Closed Campus), GMS Soccer District Tournament (Girls @ Colleyville MS and Boys @ Heritage MS), 5-7
Friday, May 18th - PTA Funfest 1:30-3:25, Spring Concert, 6:00-9:00 in GMS Cafeteria
Save the dates for End of Year Awards:
May 22nd at 8:30am - 6th grade awards
May 24th at 8:30am - 7th grade awards
May 29th at 9:30am - 8th grade awards
Box Tops
Teacher Appreciation
Donuts
Retirement
New Hardware
Patience
In order to make the process of schedule pick-up SUPER easy, all upcoming 7th graders (current 6th graders) will need to provide proof of immunization. Please make sure you take care of this before schedule pick up in August - you will have to show proof of immunizations. If you do it before the school year ends, please send a copy of your child's immunization record to Nurse Jansen.
Attention parents of 8th graders attending CHHS & GHS For the 2018-19 school year:
Arena Scheduling is a registration system through Skyward that allows students to create their own schedules similar to the scheduling systems used in college. Arena allows students greater control to build their schedules, and students know their unofficial schedules by the end of the current school year. Below is the timeline for the process.
Arena Scheduling- Students will schedule their courses for the 2018-2019 school year using their Skyward Student Log-in.
The online scheduling window opens at 7:00 a.m. on May 10th and closes at 11:59pm on May 12th. GMS, CHHS & GHS counselors will be available at GMS in or near the GMS Lecture Hall starting @ 6:45am on May 10th to assist students and/or parents with this process. Our 8th graders have on-line access to helpful information in the GMS Counseling Google page and the GMS Counselor webpage.
As we’ve told the students many times, the key to success in this process is being prepared before May 10th. If you or your student have questions or concerns, please let Mrs. Gardner or Mrs. Johnson know.
Adjustment Windows- Students with schedule errors or concerns may submit one change request form online during each adjustment window.
Window #1: May 21-23
Window #2: August 1-3
The 2018 Summer School Registration is now open for students to sign up.
The link below will take you or your students to the Summer Programs page. Simply scroll down to locate the link to register.
http://www.gcisd.net/cms/one.aspx?portalId=96313&pageId=195746
- EPI School Supply Packs: School supply packs are now on sale for 2018-19. Orders can be placed online through June 24th at https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/. Our school id is GRA176. Packs are $21 plus tax.
- 8th Grade Dance: 8th Graders celebrated “Under the Stars” and had a great time at their last GMS dance on Friday night. Thank you to Mindy Matlock for organizing the dance & all the volunteers who helped make the night a huge success! Here’s the shared Google link for pictures from the 8th grade dance: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vRDg5LJRk23j74279 Please feel free to add more pictures too.
- GMS Pony Fest 2018 is on Friday, May 18th: This will be a fun filled afternoon with Gatorball, Nuke’em, karaoke, games, and the concession stand. Go by the front office to pick up a tournament form to enter your team for Gatorball or Nuke’em. Teams can consist of up to seven players from the same grade level & cost is $3 per player. Team forms with the money can be turned in to the front office or after school on Wednesday or Thursday at the PTA table near the pony. Don’t forget to bring extra money on Friday for Rita’s frozen ice, pizza, & lots of other treats. This is our biggest PTA fundraiser for the year. We appreciate your support!. Volunteers are also needed for Pony Fest. Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a44aaa729a57-gmspta
- Scholarships: Congratulations to GHS Senior, Cassidy Johnson!!! She is the winner of our GMS PTA Scholarship for $500. Cassidy plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin & major in Speech Pathology. Good luck Cassidy!
- World Wear Project: Time for Spring Cleaning to begin! Please donate your gently used shoes, clothing, purses, belts, wallets, hats, caps, backpacks, hard toys, stuffed animals, & pots/pans into the World Wear Project bin, located in the circle drive near the gym entrance. For every pound collected, we receive $0.12. Help do your part to Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle!
Keep bringing those Box Tops!
To stay connected with all the latest PTA news be sure to like our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/grapevinemiddleschoolpta/
CALLING ALL AVID STUDENTS!
We searching for AVID students who are strong participators in Socratic Seminars and Philosophical Chairs who could join in presenting these strategies to teachers at the GCISD Learning Institute this August!
Participation Requirements:
Must be available all day August 8th and 9th with transportation in the morning and afternoon.
Strong participator in Socratic Seminars and Philosophical Chairs (ex. Ties discussion to the text, communicates clearly)
Could benefit from leadership opportunity!
**Students could earn up to 12 community service hours for these days!**
Schedule:
August 8th 8:30-3:30 Student Presenter Training
August 9th 8:00-4:00 GCISD Learning Institute
*Times of presentations to be determined*
If you are interested, please email Mrs. Shepherd!
What’s happening in AVID?
Check out our Facebook page for class updates, pictures and more!
Community Service
Classroom Visits
Debate, anyone?
In Action
Engagement
AVID Tutorial
AVID Panel
Thank you to our Booster club and parents for the gifts you provided during Teacher Appreciation week. We love your kids and are so blessed to work with your families. Thank you for thinking of us! Thank you to those families that we able to supply tissues and pencils. We always need them!! we would appreciate it. THANK YOU!!
STAAR tests for all grades are next week. Please make sure students are rested and received a good breakfast. Students can bring an individual bag of pretzels to eat each day and a water bottle. This is a hard week. We are so proud of the work they have each done to get to this point. We can’t wait to see students show what they know.
Awards ceremonies are coming. You will receive an email from one of your child’s teachers if your student is being individually recognized. Look for these the end of next week! Thanks.
STAAR Schedule:
Monday- 6th grade take Math STAAR
Tuesday- 6th and 7th grade take Reading STAAR (8th take retest if needed)
Wednesday- 7th STEM take 8th grade Science STAAR
Thursday- 8th take Social Studies STAAR
Schedule for May- All C days.
Standing Ovation
The After Show
Cast and Crew
Nice Hardware
Just Chillin'
Hard at Work
The National Junior Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the ares of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1929.
Holocaust Museum
NJHS
Big D
NJHS Induction
Outstanding Students
Celebration
Cheer coaches will be offering information on our new 6th grade Pep Squad, The Wranglers! We are SO excited to offer this opportunity!
Wednesday, May 16th at 6 pm in the Lecture Hall – New Costume Fitting with Leapin' Leotard- Half of your entire order is due up front. Funds from the Century Fundraiser will be available to help cover costume costs that were independently raised.
Chalk the Walk!
Join student council Monday, May 14th at 7:15 outside the entrance doors to write encouraging messages to other students as they walk in to take the STAAR!
Girls Soccer
Coaching Advice
On the Move
We are so proud of all our student athletes and coaches! This has been an amazing year, with school and district records being achieved, and the year is not over yet!
We know how busy everyone’s schedule is this time of year and we want to make our spring fundraiser as simple as possible. No selling products, no sending out emails, no physical activity required! You can simply donate online to our Go Fund Me page www.gofundme.com/gms-athletic-booster-club , share this link with your friends and family, or you can send in cash or check to your coaches (make checks out to GMS Athletic Booster Club).
The fundraiser will run from April 18-May 2nd. Our goal is to raise $4K.
Thank you in advance for your help. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Hill eric.hill@gcisd.net , Coach Hudnall leah.hudnall@gcisd.net or Melissa Pavlicin, Booster Club President, mrpavlicin@verizon.net214-335-2767.
Our Dual Language 8th grade students took their AP exam on Tuesday. We are so proud of them!
Alamo
A little fun
Great Memories
- Parent meeting: Thursday, May 24th / CHHS Lecture Hall /6:30 pm
- Coach's Overview
- Order Team Apparel, Summer practice & August information
- chhscxc@gmail.com
- Facebook parent group
6th grade - Tuesday, May 22nd at 8:30am
7th grade - Thursday, May 24th at 8:30am
8th grade - Tuesday, May 29th at 9:30am
*Any time at VISTA
*2 or more times in ISS
*UIL academically eligible
*No more than 2 "N"s or "U"s on their citizenship grade for the 3rd 9 weeks
Remember, it they're not taking care of business in their classes, they are NOT attending this field trip privilege.
Summer Nutrition Program 2018
Important outreach materials regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) summer nutrition programs will be delivered to the campuses by May 20th.
Each package will contain the following summer outreach materials:
• Posters to display throughout the school
• Postcards to pass out to every student
Locations of summer sites:
Cross Timbers Middle School: June 4 – August 10
Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Silver Lake Elementary: June 4 – July 13
Breakfast: 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 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