Jaguar News
Volume 3, Issue 18 - January 17, 2020
Our teachers have noticed that students are very tired in the morning, falling asleep in class and unable to learn. Many share that they stay up late on their phones or playing video games. We invite you to read this short article about sleep in middle school students, and as always, we recommend that you take the electronic devices away from your students before they go to bed... they don't need their phones if they are actually sleeping!
Martin Luther King Day
Please remember that school will not be in session on Monday, January 20th due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Thank you SO much!
National Geography Bee
The Gentry social studies classes spent the first two days of the semester holding the opening rounds of the National Geographic Bee. Each classroom declared a winner and then these winners took a written test in order to qualify for Gentry’s final round. The top ten finalists were announced this morning. They are: Mustaf Seye, Michael Kouba, Chase Hofmann, Ella Wampler, Pedro Kfuri, Shubha Gautam, Nik Loyd, Evan Walker, Shuvesh Mahto, Matthew Kamara.
The finals will be held on Thursday, January 30th. The winner qualifies for the chance to compete in the State Geography Bee. Its winner will travel to Washington DC in May for the chance to win a $50,000 Scholarship, $500 cash, and an all-expense paid trip. We wish all the finalists the best of luck!
Winter Athletic Recognition Night
We will be hosting our Winter Athletic Recognition Night on Thursday, January 30th at 6:30 pm in the cafetorium. This is a time for the coaches of our Winter sports teams to recognize both the accomplishments of their team as a whole and of individual athletes on the team. Parents of athletes are welcome to attend and enjoy this nice wrap-up and conclusion to our Winter athletic season. Hope to see you there!
Spelling Bee
Our 2020 Spelling Bee will take place on Monday, January 27th in the media center. Those students who have pre-qualified as finalists from their classroom spelling bees have been busy studying the national spelling list and will be competing to become the winner of the 2020 GMS Spelling Bee. Parents and students are welcome to come watch the competition.
Upcoming Summer School Enrollment Dates
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.
Basketball Team Uniform Return
If your son or daughter competed on one of our 7th or 8th grade basketball teams and has not yet had the chance to return their uniform, now is the time to do so. We are asking that the entire uniform (jersey top, shorts, warm-up jersey and pants) be washed and placed in a plastic bag with your student's name on the bag. Uniforms may either be turned into the main office or to your child's coach. Thanks for your help with this!
6th Grade Co-ed Winter Intramural Basketball
Reminder 8th Grade Parents: Work to Begin Next Week on 4 Year High School Individual Career and Academic Plans
Students are now able to complete the registration materials that were handed out on Wednesday (1/15) and they should begin working on their 4-year plan, called the Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP). The 4-year ICAP plan is not the student’s registration for 9th grade courses, instead it is an outline or starting point that students will be able to revisit as they work through their high school years.
Additionally, all 8th grade students are enrolled in a Schoology course called “Class of 2024.” In this course, students have access to: the power point shown in Social Studies classes, a blank ICAP, course offerings by grade level and the High School Registration Guide, and their registration sheet (green paper). Students will be encouraged to work alongside their parent or guardian to complete and submit their ICAP plan. Please ask your student to familiarize you with the materials in the above “Class of 2024” course and talk with them about this plan by: helping them understand how courses build upon one another, explaining how some classes require prerequisite courses prior to enrolling, navigating the various course descriptions with them and offering wisdom on how enrolling in certain courses will help prepare them for certain academic and career paths post high school graduation. The completed, signed registration sheet (green sheet) is due to their social studies teacher by Wednesday, January 29. Lastly, please mark your calendar and plan on attending the following upcoming parent event:
Rock Bridge High School Course Fair
When: Monday, January 27, from 5:30-7:00 pm
Where: RBHS/Building Wide
Who: For current 8th grade students (who will be attending RBHS) and their parents
**Final ICAP's will be due in Schoology no later than Tuesday, January 21st.
**Final Course Registration Requests will be due no later than Wednesday, January 29th.
Please feel free to reach out to your student’s GMS guidance counselor or the RBHS Director of School Counseling if you have any further questions or concerns regarding this process.
Kelly Off (last names A-G): Koff@cpsk12.org
Mark Holman (last names H-Pe): mholman@cpsk12.org
Lexie Davis (last names Pf-Z): aldavis@cpsk12.org
RBHS Director of School Counseling, Rachel Reed: rreed@cpsk12.org or 573-214-3113
PBIS Goals for January 20-24
This week’s RRKS ribbon goal is about being respectful. In our restrooms, students will leave a clean stall and consider others’ privacy. We are looking to reward students who are aware of their surroundings and following procedures.
Advisory Lessons for January 21-24
“Self image and Digital Citizenship"
Students will be focusing on the ins and outs of self-esteem. They will also be discussing digital citizenship and will gain a better understanding of the long-term impact that their digital footprint can have on their reputation and character.
2019/20 Student Yearbooks
The final date to order a yearbook is March 13th! If your student is interested in a 2019/20 yearbook, it is not too late to purchase one. Although most orders were placed during our Schedule Pick Up Day in August, you can still purchase a yearbook online . Each yearbook is $15 and can be purchased using this link and entering code 40068C. If you are unable to recall if you placed an order at the beginning of the year, please contact the main office at 214-3240. Hurry and get your student's order in before it is too late!
Looking Ahead to January 20-26
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, January 20: School Not in Session Due to MLK Day
TBA- 8th Grade Boys Basketball Oakland Tournament @ Oakland
10:00-12:00 am- 8th Boys Basketball Practice/Gym
Tuesday, January 21: (A Day)
TBA- 8th Grade Boys Basketball Oakland Tournament @ Oakland
2:35-4:00 pm- Gentry Musical Rehearsal/Stage
2:35-4:00 pm- Jazz Band Rehearsal/Rm. 172
2:35-4:00 pm- Gentry Builder's Club/Rm. 205
2:35-4:00 pm- Engineering Balsa Bridge Club/Rm. 166
2:35-4:00 pm- Rubik's Cube Club Meeting/Rm. 106
2:35-5:00 pm- 8th Boys Basketball Practice/Gym
Wednesday, January 22: (B Day)
TBA- 8th Grade Boys Basketball Oakland Tournament @ Oakland
7:00-7:25 am- Fellowship of Christian Athletes/Up Commons
2:35-4:00 pm- Gentry Musical Rehearsal/Stage
2:35-4:00 pm- Kindness Club/Up Commons
2:35-4:00 pm- MAC Scholars/Rm. 161
2:35-4:00 pm- Student Council Meeting/Rm. 164
Thursday, January 23: (A Day)
TBA- 8th Grade Boys Basketball Oakland Tournament @ Oakland
7:00-7:20 am- Jaguar PAWS/Rm. 216
2:35-4:00 pm- Gentry Musical Rehearsal/Stage
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- Running Club/Annex C
6:00-8:00 pm- 6th-8th Grade Archery Practice/Up Commons
Friday, January 24: (B Day)
TBA- 8th Grade Boys Basketball Oakland Tournament @ Oakland
Saturday, January 25:
There are no activities scheduled for today.
Sunday, January 26:
6:00-7:30 pm- 8th Boys Basketball Practice/Gym
Future Dates to Remember
1/20- School Not in Session Due to MLK Day
1/27- GMS Spelling Bee
1/29- All 8th Grade Freshman Course Requests Due
1/29- Early (12:05 pm) Dismissal
1/30- Geography Bee @ 2:35-4:00 pm in the Media Center
1/30- Winter Athletic Recognition Night @ 6:30 pm
2/4- Yearbook Group Photo Day @ 8:00 am
2/6- Grade Cards Sent Home
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
Dr. Fairouz Bishara
Email: fbishara@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/Domain/17
Phone: (573) 214-3240
Twitter: @FairouzBishara