Mustang Minutes
Gemini Middle School - December 2020
Lewis Roberts, Principal
Erica Perelgut, Brian Gariti, and Wendy Brutt, Assistant Principals
63 Online
Gemini teachers take attendance each class period. Parents need to call the 24-hour attendance line at (847) 827-1758 to report any student absence. You may track your child's attendance through the Parent Portal.
Need help with technology? Submit a helpdesk ticket.
Use the Gemini bell schedule to help set a daily routine.
63 Hybrid
Please continue to watch for emails with information on returning to hybrid instruction. We anticipate welcoming students back to Gemini beginning January 19th.
Virtual Book Fair
We are so excited to offer a virtual book fair this month! Students can create wish lists for books they wish to purchase, and families can shop for books for all ages.
The book fair will run from December 1-December 16*. All orders will be sent directly to Gemini in January. A notification will be sent when the books are ready to be picked up.
Click here to shop this year’s virtual book fair!
*In the event that the office is closed in January, the book fair and/or distribution of books may be postponed. Please check the book fair site to confirm that it is open and available for shopping.
After School Clubs and Activities
Important Dates:
December 7 - 18: Student sign up for Session 1
January 11 - March 19: Session 1 Clubs
March 15 - March 29: Student sign up for Session 2
April 5 - May 28: Session 2 Clubs
Winter Card Contest Winners
6th Grader - Muhriz Mohammed
7th Grader - Isha Kansagra
SEL Corner
Please visit our Community Holiday Resources page for an up-to-date list of resources available to support our community during the holiday season.
It is getting cold outside! If you need a coat, hat, or gloves for your child please reach out to the social worker for your child's grade (see below). We will be happy to help your family.
6th grade: Laura Mell
7th grade: Zoe Turner
8th grade: Emily Alexander
D63 Virtual Goods Drive
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Library Updates
Book Checkout
All students can still place books on hold at the Gemini Library during remote learning if the office is open. Students and families will be able to pick up books at the Gemini office during regular school hours once they have been notified that their books are ready for pickup.
In the event that the office is closed due to stay-at-home orders, books will not be available for pickup during that time.
We continue to be available to answer your questions and offer some recommendations. Please contact Ms. Buican or Ms. Wahlers.
Caudill List
A great place to find current, high-quality literature is to look at the 2021 Caudill List. The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award is given each year to a book selected by students throughout the state of Illinois. Students are encouraged to explore the titles on this list. If students have read at least three of the books on the list, they may vote on the winner this winter. Please explore the Gemini Library Caudill page for more information, book trailers, and links.
Community Libraries
Our community libraries continue to provide wonderful programs for students. Please check out your local library to see what is new!
Travel Club - Washington D.C./NYC
Let’s go!
The Gemini Travel Club has begun open enrollment for its upcoming Washington D.C./New York City spring break trips, touring in 2022 and 2023. Current 6th-grade students may enroll in either the 2022 or 2023 trips; Current 7th-grade students may only enroll in the 2022 trip. For current pricing, the enrollment deadline is November 20th. Space is limited!
Highlights of the DC/NYC trip include:
Wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Tour the Smithsonian campus
Catch a Broadway show
and so much more!
For more information:
2022 enrollment guide (Open to current 6th and 7th-grade students)
2023 enrollment guide (Open to current 6th-grade students)
Contact Mr. Thayer with any questions.
Happy travels!
Schuler Scholar Program
The Schuler Scholar Program at Maine East High School equips high-achieving underrepresented students to gain access to and succeed at highly selective colleges and beyond. Students in the Schuler Scholar Program receive specialized support and opportunities throughout high school, including tutoring, academic enrichment, field trips, college visits, and help with college applications--all at no cost to the students or families.
Scholars in the Schuler program also are awarded significant college scholarships. Each scholar receives a $10,000 college scholarship ($2,500/year), and undocumented or DACAmented students receive a $60,000 college scholarship ($15,000/year) to help to replace federal aid. College scholars also are eligible for additional grants that cover the cost of college-sponsored health insurance and that cover costs for preparing for graduate school.
The Maine East Schuler staff will reach out to 8th-grade students who are academically eligible to apply in the spring of 2021. Schuler Scholars have a strong academic record and are typically first-generation college-bound, are students of color, or come from low-income families. Please reach out to the Schuler School Director, Karly Vance (karly@schulerprogram.org) with any questions about the Schuler Scholar Program!
Schuler equipa a estudiantes de alto rendimiento, típicamente subrepresentados en campus universitarios para tener acceso y triunfar en universidades altamente selectivas y en su vida profesional posterior. Los estudiantes del Programa Schuler reciben apoyo y oportunidades especializadas durante la escuela secundaria, que incluyen tutoría, enriquecimiento académico, excursiones culturales, visitas a universidades y ayuda con las solicitudes para la universidad, todo sin ningún costo para los estudiantes o sus familias.
Los estudiantes del Programa Schuler también reciben becas universitarias de cantidades considerables. Cada estudiante recibe una beca universitaria de $10,000 ($2,500 / año), y los estudiantes indocumentados o de DACA reciben una beca universitaria de $60,000 ($15,000 / año) para ayudar a reemplazar la ayuda federal. Los estudiantes universitarios también son elegibles para becas adicionales que cubren la aseguranza médica patrocinada por la universidad y los costos de preparación para la escuela de posgrado.
El personal de Maine East Schuler se pondrá en contacto con los estudiantes de octavo grado que sean académicamente elegibles para aplicar en la primavera del 2021. Los estudiantes de Schuler se destacan académicamente y, por lo general, serán la primera generación de su familia en graduarse de la universidad, forman parte de un grupo etinico subrepresentado en los campus universitarios o provienen de familias de bajos ingresos. Comuníquese con la directora de la escuela de Schuler, Karly Vance (karly@schulerprogram.org) si tiene alguna pregunta sobre el Programa de Schuler.
Niles Teen Center
Due to the rise in Covid-19 cases, the Niles Teen Center will be closed for in-person events until further notice. Virtual events will continue. Sign up for updates at www.nilesteencenter.com.
Meal Pickup
Due to a recent change in programming and funding provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, D63 is once again providing free meals for any child in the community aged 18 or younger. Meals will be distributed twice weekly through a drive-by pickup:
Mondays & Wednesdays
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Gemini Middle School
Calendar Highlights
November:
30: 63 Remote School Resumes
December:
3: D63 Board of Education Meeting @ 7 PM
7 - 18: Session 1 Club Sign Up Begins
8: Gemini PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM
21 - January 1: No School - Winter Break
January 4:
4: 63 Remote School Resumes
#hereatgemini
Email: gemini411@emsd63.org
Website: emsd63.org/gemini
Location: 8955 North Greenwood Avenue, Niles, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 827-1181
Twitter: @D63Gemini