Jaguar News
Volume 2, Issue 7 - September 28, 2018
Dear Families,
October 1st to 5th Advisory will focus on Anti Bullying Awareness. Advisory teachers will work together using discussions and peer collaboration to learn about Bullying and its impact. This month the Advisory Board outside of the concession stand will focus on Bullying Awareness and Red Ribbon Week, which is Oct 22nd to the 26th. Each year, thousands of schools across the country use this time to engage youth in dialogues about the importance of making positive life choices and avoiding the temptation to use drugs and alcohol.
For resources in both these topics:
- Click HERE to access StopBullying.gov, which is a great educational resource that students, teachers, and parents can use to learn more about Anti Bullying Awareness and strategies!
- Click HERE to access information about Red Ribbon week!
Guest Speaker - PTSA Meeting
Please, do not miss this important opportunity to learn about what our students are doing online and how to better protect them!
If you would like some food for thought before Tuesday, THIS is an interesting article about teens and social media.
Drill - Active Shooter
This week we participated in our first A.L.I.C.E. drill. A.L.I.C.E. stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Escape. A.L.I.C.E is not a step-by-step program; rather, it empowers teachers and students to make decisions based on their unique location and situation. During this drill, we role play with the Assistant Safety and Security Director and our School Resource Officer to practice making these decisions. The first priority during an active shooter event is to ensure maximum security of students and staff through a combination of lockdown and evacuation responses. Students did a wonderful job following directions and practicing during the drill. You may want to review the A.L.I.C.E. steps with your student and make sure they know their plan.
Media Center Minute
We have seen an increase this week with students not being able to connect their iPads at home. Students should remember that there are 2 STEPS to connecting you iPad at home:
- Step 1 – Connect to your Home WiFi
- Step 2 – Connect to the CPS Filter
You MUST connect to the filter everyday!
Attached are directions for connecting to the CPS filter at home. If this step is skipped, CPS iPads will NOT work!
Flu Shot
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The 2018-19 injectable Influenza vaccine (flu shot) will be given free of charge to students at Gentry Middle School on October 17, 2018, from 8:00 – 10:00 am. The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services will be on site to administer the vaccine on the Cafeteria Stage. This opportunity to have your child vaccinated is strongly encouraged, but it is NOT mandatory.
** Note: This "Influenza (Flu) Vaccine School-Based Clinic Consent Form" was included in the packet of paperwork that was provided to parents during our Schedule Pick-Up Night in August. If you completed and returned this form to our school nurse during Schedule Pick-Up, then there is no need for further action on your part.
If, however, you did not complete this form, in order for your child to be vaccinated, the 2018 Influenza “Flu” Vaccine School-Based Clinic Consent Form must be:
-
FULLY completed and SIGNED by the parent or legal guardian
-
Completed for EACH CHILD (you must return a separate form for each child you want
vaccinated)
-
Returned to your school nurse by October 11, 2018.
The injectable flu vaccine (flu shot) is the only type of flu vaccine that will be offered. FluMist nasal spray will not be given this season. The Vaccine Information Statement for the flu shot can be found at: http://www.immunize.org/vis/ . You may also contact your school nurse or the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services for Vaccine Information Statements.
If you decline, or do not return the required permission form to the school, the free flu vaccine will not be given to your student at school.
If you return the consent form, and your child receives the flu vaccine elsewhere, it is important that you notify your school nurse immediately. This will prevent your child from receiving an unnecessary second dose of vaccine.
Boone County’s free flu vaccine program is made possible by these generous partners:
-
MU Children’s Hospital
-
David B. Lichtenstein Foundation
These organizations are funding free flu shots for all Boone County children age 6 months – 18 years of age. Children who do not get the vaccine at school may receive free flu shots at the health department clinic, 1005 West Worley, Monday – Friday from 8 am – 4:30 pm. No appointment is needed. If you have any further questions please contact your school nurse, Dawn Sapp RN, at 214-3246.
Seeking Volunteers
We are looking for 4-5 parents who are willing to judge the Door Decoration contest all classrooms will be participating in on Tuesday, November 13 at 9:00 am.
Please, contact Ms. McCormick (CMcCormick@cpsk12.org) if you are interested in helping!
Jaguar Rumble Against Cancer
Please mark your calendar for our second annual Jaguar Rumble Against Cancer! This
student-driven fundraiser for cancer research will be held on Friday, October 12th. Our fall Football and Cross Country team athletes have challenged our 8th grade girls Volleyball team and Cheer Squad to a "friendly" competition on the volleyball court. The game will begin after school at 2:45 and will end at 4:00 pm with one team claiming victory! Please plan to join in on the fun for a good cause! More details will follow in next week's newsletter!
AVID Update
Wednesday, Oct 3rd - College T-shirt Day
This week’s college talking points:
- Location - A college’s location can really matter. If you intend to live at home and commute to college, you will want to attend a campus that is located nearby. For those who would like to go away to college, you must get a feel for the college and surrounding area. Are you a city dweller or more relaxed in the country? Try to visit the college in order to see what the area has to offer, both on and off-campus. Also, when choosing a campus, consider companies based nearby, as they may be a valuable source of summer internships and future job offers.
- Cost - Cost is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a college, and you will need to determine how much tuition you can afford to pay prior to selecting a school. The cost between public and private universities has risen considerably in recent years. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, for the 2011-2012 school year, undergraduate tuition, room, and board cost an estimated $14,300 at public institutions, $23,300 at private for-profit institutions, and $37,800 at private non-profit institutions. Total costs will also vary by the length of program you choose.
We are looking for AVID Guest Speakers!
AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. We are looking for people interested in talking to our kids about their own “personal stories.” Please email Kayla Phillips (KPhillips@cpsk12.org) if you, your spouse, or someone you know might be willing to help!
Possible talking points could include:
- Childhood background
- Family dynamics
- Activities (sports/clubs) growing up
- *Obstacles you overcame*
- Work ethic
- Strategies that helped you become successful
- Citizenship
- Leadership
- What makes someone employable to you
October Lunch Menu
Jaguar News
6th Grade Science Camp
This is a reminder that 6th grade Science Camps are coming up! For more detailed info, please visit last week Jaguar News!
6th grade Science Camp Dates:
October 4th-5th (Team 6B)
October 8th-9th (Team 6A)
October 11th-12th (Team 6C)
No Body To Murder - by Edith Weiss
Please join us for our fall performance: No Body to Murder. Our theatre department will be performing on Thursday, October 11 and Friday, October 12 at 7:00 pm each night in our very own GMS cafetorium. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 per person. Hope to see you there!
Looking Ahead (October 1-7)
Please see listed below the clubs and/or activities along with their locations that are occurring at GMS for the upcoming week. Please know that activities are subject to occasional last minute changes.
Monday, October 1 (A Day)
2:35-4:00 pm- 6th Grade Intramurals/Cafe and Outside
2:35-4:00 pm- Fall Play Rehearsal/Stage
2:35-4:00 pm- Student Council Meeting (6th-8th)/Annex L
5:30-7:30 pm- 7th/8th Cross Country Practice (Top 20 Only)/Stephens Lake Park
2:35-5:30 pm- 8th Grade Football Practice/Shed and Field
5:15pm- 7th/8th Cheer Squad Cheering for VB Game/GMS
6:00 pm- 7th Grade Volleyball Game vs. West @ West
6:00 pm- 8th Grade Volleyball Game vs. West @ GMS
Tuesday, October 2: (B Day)
2:35-4:00 pm- Fall Play Rehearsal/Café/Stage
2:35-4:30 pm- 7th/8th Cross Country Practice (Top 20 Only)/Annex C and Outside
2:35-5:30 pm- 8th Grade Football Practice/Shed and Field
2:35-5:00 pm- 7th/8th Grade Volleyball Practice/Gym
2:35-4:00 pm- 6th Grade Intramurals/Cafe and Outside
2:35-4:00 pm- Games Club/Up Commons
2:35-4:00 pm- GMAC/Rm. 113
2:35-4:00 pm- 7th Orchestra Rehearsal/Rm. 171
2:35-4:00 pm- Gentry World Cultures Club/Rm. 205
6:00-7:00 pm- PTSA Meeting/Media Center
Wednesday, October 3: (A Day)
7:00-7:20 am- FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)/Rm. 203
2:35-5:30 pm- 8th Football Practice/Shed and Field
5:30-7:00 pm- Cross Country Practice (Top 20 Only)/Stephen's Park Lake
2:35-5:00 pm- Cheer Squad Practice/Up Commons
2:35-5:00 pm-7th/8th Volleyball Practice/Gym
Thursday, October 4: (B Day)
7:35 am- 6th Grade (6B) Science Camp/Camp Hickory Hill
2:35-4:30 pm- 7th/8th Cross Country Practice (Top 20 Only)/Annex C and Outside
2:35-4:00 pm- French Study Hall (6th-8th)/Annex K
2:35-7:30 pm- Fall Play Rehearsal/Café and Stage
2:35-4:00 pm- Science Olympiad/Rm. 116
6:00-8:00 pm- Archery Club/Up Commons
4:15 pm- 7th/8th Cheer Squad Cheering for FB Game/Lewis and Clark
7:00 pm- 8th Grade Football Game vs. Lewis and Clark @ Jeff City
7:00 pm- 7th and 8th Grade Volleyball Game vs. Boonville (A) @ GMS
Friday, October 5: (A Day)
7:35 am- 6th Grade (6B) Science Camp/Camp Hickory Hill
4:00 pm- 7th/8th Cross Country Invite @ Jefferson City
2:35-5:30 pm- 8th Football Practice/Shed and Field
2:35-5:00 pm- 7th/8th Volleyball Practice/Gym
Saturday, October 6:
There are no scheduled activities for today.
Sunday, October 7:
There are no scheduled activities for today.
Dates to Remember
10/2- PTSA Meeting @ 6:00 pm
10/4-10/5 – 6B Science Camp @ Camp Hickory Hill
10/8-10/9 – 6A Science Camp @ Camp Hickory Hill
10/11-10/12 – 6C Science Camp @ Camp Hickory Hill
10/11-10/12- Fall Play Performance: No Body to Murder- by Edith Weiss
10/12 - Jaguar Rumble and IPR Grades Sent Home
10/15- 7th Girls/Boys Basketball Tryouts Begin
10/16 - Early (12:05) Dismissal Due to Staff Collaboration Day
10/17 – Student Flu Clinic
10/22- 8th Girls/Boys Basketball Tryouts Begin
10/22-10/26- Red Ribbon Week
Dr. Fairouz Bishara
Email: fbishara@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/Domain/17
Phone: (573) 214-3240
Twitter: @FairouzBishara