GMS STEM Academy
January 1, 2017 Happy New Year!
Getting ready for the new year!
Be sure to get a good nights sleep and set those alarms for Tuesday 1/3
Things to do to prepare for the new year:
1. Talk to your students about setting achievable goals-- academics, school activities, and personal. Celebrate those milestones and achievements from first semester!
2. Clean out backpacks and binders.
3. Resupply backpacks and binders with the basics-- paper, pens, pencils, highlighters, earbuds (at least two). Students need these basics DAILY! Students can keep extra supplies in their lockers.
4. Charge laptops and be sure to pack chargers to bring daily.
Upcoming 7th grade field trip
Upcoming 7th grade Field Trip -- Return forms when we get back!
Mr. Hannon has distributed forms for the upcoming 7th-grade field trip.
Here is the information.
What: Generation STEM Discovering Aerospace Through Experience
Hosted by the AIAA Foundation and Lockheed Martin Corporation, Generation STEM will be a day filled with fun and interactive educational STEM experiences for middle school students
Where: Gaylord Texan at Grapevine
When: 1/10 9am-2:30pm
Cost: $5 per student and bring a sack lunch.
Money and Permission Forms Need to be Returned by Friday, January 6th to
Mr. Hannon.
8TH GRADE STEM Update for Biology and Algebra Parents 1/12 6 pm
8TH GRADE STEM Update for Biology and Algebra Parents
Thursday, January 12, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. we will gather in the GMS Lecture Hall and share updates on our Standards Based Learning Process. A group of STEM parent representatives will meet with GMS Administration next week to discuss what you need in your "parent tool kit" to ensure your student's success under the redesigned approach to grading in these content areas. The meeting will be led by GMS Administration and we look forward to this opportunity.
We have started a District STEM Blog to push out news and highlights of things happening at campuses.
http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/46067
STEM BOOSTER WEBSITE
GMS ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE SESSIONS -- open for all students!
Academic Assistance sessions will not be held the first week in January. We will begin on January 11th and hold them each Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 7:00 - 7:45 to assist students who need help in any core area. Please have your student enter in the front door by 7:10 if they plan on attending.
STEM students are always welcome to meet with STEM core teachers before school (beginning at 7:30 most mornings)and after school (3:30-4:00 most afternoons) for one on one tutoring assistance. Please contact individual STEM teachers for availability times.
General information and updates
COLLEGIATE ACADEMY OPEN HOUSE
All 8th-grade families are invited to tour Collegiate Academy on Monday, January 9th. Student led tours will be provided as well as the opportunity to meet the staff.
HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS AT GMS
All 8th-grade parents are encouraged to attend our "Evening with High School Counselors" on Tuesday, January 10th. The presentation will be held in the GMS cafeteria and will begin at 6:30. The evening will be led by our Director of Counselors, Emberly Hill, and high school counselors from all high schools.
DUKE TIP
The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented youth. Duke TIP's talent searches serve as the entry point to academic benefits and programs for gifted and talented students in grades 4-12. For more information, click here: http://tip.duke.edu/node/244
Parents may directly enroll their child online at http://tip.duke.edu/node/1275 or via paper applications at any time during the enrollment period, October 1-March 31. Fees are paid only once, and need-based financial aid is available. Students must have attained a qualifying test score at or above the 95th percentile on at least one accepted subtest area of a grade-level standardized achievement test (Stanford or Iowa Test of Basic Skills), or achieved a score of a 125 or above on an aptitude test (OLSAT, CoGAT, NNAT) or mental ability test (IQ test such as WISC), or met the Duke approved score on a state criterion-referenced test (STAAR). A school code will be provided on the Duke Tip website during the enrollment process.