Jaguar News
Volume 3, Issue 22 - February 14, 2020
New Gentry Principal Hiring Process Begins- Mark Your Calendar for February 20th!
As you all are aware, our building principal, Dr. Bishara, has accepted a new position which will begin next school year. As part of the hiring process for the selection of our next principal, there will be a listening session for families hosted by Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools, and Nickie Smith, Director of Human Resources. This event will give you all an opportunity to offer your input in the qualities desired in our next principal. All Gentry families are welcome! This will be on Thursday, February 20th, from 6:00-7:00 pm in the Gentry Media Center. Please plan on joining us!
Upcoming Four Day Weekend
Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence Award
Since its inception in the 1979-80 school year, the Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence has served to recognize more than 250 educators in the Columbia Public School District. Each year, educators are selected from nominations submitted by parents and peers as outstanding educators.
This year, the following teachers have been nominated at Gentry to receive that honor:
Outstanding Middle School Educator:
Danielle Ryan
Outstanding Educator in a Specialized Educator:
Sarah Greenlee
Outstanding First Year Educator:
Andrew Laws
We would like to ask you to write letters of support for these outstanding educators so they can be recognized as district wide winners at the Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence banquet. You may bring your letters to the office, or you might email them to Twanda Thomas (Tthomas@cpsk12.org)
The deadline is February 21st! Thank you for your support!
February Students of the Month
The Gentry Student of the Month exhibits outstanding, consistent, exemplary behavior in the areas of: effort, attendance, classroom participation, positive attitude and/or improvement in a subject area. We are proud to announce the following students who achieved Student of the Month for February. Congratulations to all and keep up the great work!
6th Grade
G. Brady Lidolph
M. Harrison Hicklin
S. Ishaan Thakar
Henry Bodine
7th Grade
G. Olivia Borsheski
M. Mara Goeckler
S. Jonah Paskar
8th Grade
G. Emma Blakey
M. Kate Hall
S. Kyra Hockman
6th Grade Students of the Month
Seventh Grade Students of the Month
8th Grade Students of the Month
AVID Elective Recruitment 2020-2021
Does your student have potential to be one of our AVID Scholars in the 2020-2021 school year? AVID is a college readiness system that provides structure and support to students in the academic middle. The AVID Elective class is offered to 7th and 8th grade students in CPS middle schools. As your student prepares to choose classes for their 7th and 8th grade school year, please consider applying to be in the AVID Elective class. Current 6th and 7th graders will learn about the program from the AVID Site Team and current AVID Scholars in February. You can find the AVID application here or on the Gentry Middle School website under AVID. If you have any questions, please contact the Gentry AVID Site Coordinator, Ashley Swanegan, at aswanegan@cpsk12.org. Applications are due Tuesday, February 25.
2020 Columbia K-8 Scholastic Chess Tournament
Parent Teacher Conferences
We will be hosting Parent-Teacher Conferences Tuesday, February 25th and Wednesday, February 26th from 3:30-6:30 pm each day. We thought that you may want to pencil it on your calendars now. As these dates draw near, please be looking for an email from your student's teachers with further details.
Summer CARE Program- Deadline to Apply is Drawing Near
Rising 7th and 8th Grade Enrollment Coming Soon
Our counselors will be visiting our current 6th and 7th grade Social Studies class rooms on February 20th and 21st to present enrollment information for next year (2020-2021). Forms will be handed out and counselors will present information on course options. Due to the boundary shifts occurring next school year, these presentations and course selection forms will be applicable to any school that students attend next school year.
More detailed updates will be sent in the coming weeks as we get closer to the enrollment dates. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our counseling department.
Mrs. Kelly Off (A-G): koff@cpsk12.org
Mr. Mark Holman (last names F-Pe): mholman@cpsk12.org
Ms. Lexie Davis (last names Pf-Z): aldavis@cpsk12.org
Summer School Enrollment
The 2020 Summer SUNsation K-8 is coming again to Columbia Schools this summer with new, fun course offerings. Starting February 18th at 9:00 a.m. you can enroll your student online at cpsk12.org/ssenroll or, if needed, paper enrollment forms will be available at the GMS main office the last week in February (Feb. 24-28).
Secondary Summer School enrollment (9-12th grade) will begin on Tuesday, February 3rd at 9:00 am. Please click on this link for further details.
PBIS Goal for February 17-21
This week’s RRKS ribbon goal is about being respectful. In our classrooms, students will raise their hands and wait to be called on before speaking. We will be looking to reward students who are aware of their surroundings and following procedures.
Advisory Lessons for February 17-21
Students will be exploring various career paths and learn the ins and outs of building a quality resume.
Looking Ahead to February 17-23
Please see listed below the clubs and/or activities along with their locations that are occurring at Gentry Middle School for the upcoming week. Please know that activities are subject to occasional last minute changes. Feel free to contact the main office at 214-3240 or visit our website if you have any further questions.
Monday, February 17:
School in not in session due to President's Day
Tuesday, February 18: (A Day)
2:35-4:00 pm- Gentry Musical Rehearsal/Stage
2:35-4:00 pm- Jazz Band Rehearsal/Rm. 172
2:35-4:00 pm- Engineering Balsa Bridge Club/Rm. 166
2:35-4:00 pm- Rubik's Cube Club Meeting/Rm. 106
2:35-4:00 pm- Gentry Builder's Club/Rm. 205
2:35-4:00 pm- 6th Grade Co-Ed Intramural Basketball/Gym
Wednesday, February 19: (B Day)
7:00-7:25 pm- FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)/Upstairs Commons
2:35-4:00 pm- MAC Scholars/Rm. 161
Thursday, February 20: (A Day)
7:00-7:20 am- Jaguar PAWS/Rm. 100A
2:35-4:00 pm- 6th Grade Co-Ed Intramural Basketball/Gym
2:35-4:00 pm- Gentry Musical Rehearsal/Stage
2:35-4:00 pm- Jazz Band Rehearsal/Rm. 172
2:35-4:00 pm- Tennis Club/Locker Room
2:35-4:00 pm- Advanced Gaming Club/Rm. 168
2:35-4:00 pm- French Study Hall/Annex K
2:35-4:00 pm- Outdoor Club/Rm. 108
2:35-4:00 pm- 6th Grade Book and Art Club/Rm. 207
6:00-8:00 pm- 6th-8th Grade Archery Practice/Gym and Up Commons
Friday, February 21: (B Day)
School is not in session due to a Teacher Work Day.
Saturday, February 22:
9:00-11:30 am- Gentry Musical Set Building/Stage
Sunday, February 23:
There are no activities scheduled for today.
Future Dates to Remember
2/14- Teacher Work Day/School Not in Session
2/17- President's Day/School Not in Session
2/25 and 2/26- Parent Teacher Conferences
2/28- Teacher Work Day/School Not in Session
3/4- 8th Grade Orchestra @ CPS Orchestra Festival/BHS
3/11- School Not in Session Due to a Teacher Work Day
3/12- 8th Grade Concert Band Festival/BHS
3/14- Show Choir @ Battle High Festival
3/18- 7th/8th Choir Concert @ 6:00 pm
3/23-3/27- School Not in Session Due to Spring Break
Dr. Fairouz Bishara
Email: fbishara@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/Domain/17
Phone: (573) 214-3240
Twitter: @FairouzBishara