Jaguar News
Friday, October 23, 2020
Dear Gentry Families,
This week was interesting for a number of reasons. The weather fluctuations, presidential debates, and the announcement of our district leader’s retirement. Here are some quick thoughts going into next week:
Keep checking your child’s work. For the last two weeks I’ve been extremely vigilant about checking home access. My son is now in the habit of showing me the screen that says the assignment he completed has been submitted. I recommend this strategy, because just because your child completed the assignment doesn’t mean they submitted it.
I know it has been exhausting for parents, but I recommend checking your child’s work daily. The last couple of weeks, I discovered when I didn’t check daily my son would be missing a couple of assignments. I’ve gotten in the habit of having him verbally tell me what he’s learning, what his assignments are, and what’s coming up. I think this holds value for 2 reasons: 1. You keep up with your child’s learning and 2. your child has an opportunity to reflect on their learning and go over what’s due, which I think is more effective when they have to verbalize it.
Have a great weekend and please let us know if you need anything.
Supply Pick Up for Rotation 2 Classes
- 6th/7th Grade Math
- Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS)
- 7th Grade Social Studies
- Art (all grade levels)
If you will need to pick up supplies for your student, please simply drive through the bus loop and one of our staff members will greet you at the curb to get the appropriate supplies to you. Our staff would appreciate it if you would place your child's name (in large/bold print) on a piece of paper in your windshield. Thank you!
Secondary Virtual/In-Seat Change Request
Currently, CPS Middle and High School students are assigned to either “In-Person” or CPS Virtual. In-Person students attend based on the learning model of the district at any given time. CPS Virtual students remain in online instruction, regardless of the learning model. Families made their selections through the summer months with the option to change from CPS Virtual to In-Person at the semester break, which is January 19, 2021.
Students who would choose to change their assignment from CPS Virtual to In-Person, effective January 19, 2021, must contact their school (214-3240) to request the change by Friday, October 30, 2020. Students schedules are subject to change as a result of changing this assignment. Students who would elect to change from In-Person to CPS Virtual may request this at any time. Doing so will put you on a waiting list until space is available or appropriate staffing can assist with the changes.
The CoMo200 Calendar Contest is underway!
This history/art contest is designed to help celebrate Columbia’s 200th Birthday! We would LOVE to have lots of Gentry students participate in this great event celebrating our community! If you think this is something that may interest your student, please have them review the links below for further information. Entries are due November 12 and can be submitted directly to Heather Bruns at GMS, Joy Bess at Aslin, or, soon, there will be a submission area on the CoMo200 website.
Video about the contest
Google Slides Information
Contest Submission Form
Contest Rules
Free Influenza Vaccination Date Revision- November 9th!
The GMS Student Influenza Vaccination date has been changed from October 23 to the new date of Monday, November 9th from 9:00-11:00 am in the GMS cafetorium. The reason for this change is to give elementary students priority since they will be returning to an in-person school day before students at the secondary level. Again, thanks for your patience and understanding as we navigate things from week to week.
Please be sure that you have completed our Influenza Consent Form which was included in our Back to School series of acknowledgement forms that parents had the option to submit virtually prior to the start of school. If you did not already complete this form for your student during this back to school process and would now like to take advantage of this service for your student, please complete the form below and email it to our Gentry school nurse, Jennifer Ferguson at jferguson@cpsk12.org no later than Friday, November 6th. She also can be reached at 214-3240 to answer any questions that you may have. Don't hesitate to contact the main office if you have forgotten whether or not you actually completed this form for your student. Our nurse would be happy to look this up for you.
Social Distancing Guidelines for the Day of the Event:
- Students only will be allowed into the building. We are asking parents to wait in their vehicle.
- Students will enter through the main entrance and be escorted to the appropriate alpha ordered registration table.
- Students will then be directed into the cafetorium to receive their vaccination and will then exit through the doors that lead to the bus circle.
- Masks will be required.
Media Center Minute
Zoom Chat Rooms – As of today, the Zoom Group Chat Rooms outside of the meetings have been disabled. Students can still chat with their teachers during their Zoom meeting classes, but they are unable to form groups outside of meetings.
Notability issues continue with documents losing text boxes and work appearing to be blank. Apparently the work is there, but the text box is just so small you can't see it. Click in the area where you think the text box is and press space or return to make it appear.
The work around is to tap on the 'T', but not insert a text box. Just type on the spot where you want the text. Notabiity is working to resolve this issue.
Rock Bridge Elementary 5th Graders (Now Gentry 6th Graders)
We have discovered that when your keyboard cases were put together, many of them were missing a vital part to make it charge. If your iPad is having difficulty charging, or feels loose in the case, please contact the Gentry Media Center so we can arrange a time to check your iPad case and see if it needs an additional part. You may stop by Gentry any day from 7:30 am – 3:00 pm.
Middle School Tennis Play Day (6th and 7th Graders)
School Not in Session November 3rd and 4th
Fall Feeding Program
Local Hy-Vee Grocery Stores Offer Free COVID Testing
Attention Parents of 8th Grade Students
Please have your student head to this link: 8th Grade Weekly Homework Document each week to review the homework that has been assigned by their teachers. Teachers will email parents and students once a week as well to elaborate and communicate any necessary information. Please have your student reach out to their teachers if they have any questions or concerns. Go Jaguars!
Tell Me Something Good
Future Dates to Remember
October 30- Final Day to Request a Change in Assignment From Virtual to In-Person
November 3-4- School Not in Session Due to Teacher Collaboration Days
November 6- Live "Virtual" Fall Play @ 7:00 pm
November 7- Live "Virtual" Fall Play Matinee @ 3:00 pm
November 9- Student Influenza "Flu" Vaccination Day from 9:00 am-11:00 am @ Gentry
November 13- School Not in Session Due to Teacher Collaboration Day
November 25-27- School Not in Session Due to Thanksgiving Break
Josh Johnson, Principal
Email: Josjohnson@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/Domain/17
Location: 4200 Bethel Street, Columbia, MO, USA
Phone: (573) 214-3240