GMS Pony Express
Connecting you to the GMS family in one location
Principal's Message - September 8th
I hope everyone has had a great week. This week has been short and sweet and the kids have been doing great. This week, our volleyball team has kicked off their season, football had their scrimmages, and our choir has a coffee house show tonight in the cafeteria at 6:30. Great things are beginning to happen. Here's the information you need to know for the week:
1. Thank you to everyone that donated for our friends in Houston with the Storm Warriors group. It was nice to see things pile up. That will be getting out this weekend. There is still more to do for our friends in Beaumont that are working on a list.
2. Please remind your student(s) to bring their devices to school each day. The devices need to be charged but they also need to bring their chargers. Remember, we are part of a 1:1 district and our teachers are expected to utilize instructional technology. We don't want any student falling behind. Please help!
3. The grace period for receiving meals on the free and reduced lunch application from last year will end on Oct. 2nd. Please make sure to fill out a new application if you qualify: www.schoollunchapp.com
4. We've had a problem with students picking up after themselves at lunch. A reminder to clean up after themselves always helps. We're working on it and would love your help. Together, we can make a difference.
5. I have been given access to send separate reports in English and in Spanish. Let us know if you are receiving the wrong emails as of today. Thanks for your patience!
6. We will be assessing students reading and math skills during Corral on Wednesday, Sept. 13th and Thursday, Sept. 14th. These brief assessments give us data on what type of support our students need.
7. Don't forget to download the GCISD app!
http://launch.customschoolapp.net/grapevinecolleyville/
Thank you for all of your support!
Mrs. Laura Koehler
We are FAMILY! This is OUR HOUSE! Great students come from GREAT FAMILIES! #OurHouseGMS
Counseling
Our Counselor Corral:
http://www.gcisd-k12.org/cms/lib4/TX01000829/Centricity/Domain/73/Sept 2017 Counseling Corral.pdf
Please keep the info about the previews for SOS (even though the date at the Ad Bldg has passed, parents can preview online through the link) and the info about the Aim for Success dates. Updated times:
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
6th Grade 10:00 - 11:00 AM
8th Grade 11:15 - 12:15 PM
Thursday, September 14, 2017
6th Grade 6:00 - 7:00 PM
8th Grade 7:15 - 8:15 PM
Opt out for Aim for Success: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/cms/lib4/TX01000829/Centricity/Domain/73/Opt-Out Permission Slip AFS 2017.pdf
Previews for Play It Safe:
Sept 28—Parent screening for Play It Safe. Play It Safe is a curriculum about healthy relationships. 6th graders will see this program in November and March. 7th graders will see this program in October, November, and February. More information (including the opt-out) will be available closer to date.
STEM
9/1/17-
7th STEM will be taking a field trip to the Grapevine Botanical Gardens on Sept 15th to experience Fossil Fest.
Students will need to wear comfortable shoes as we are walking. They will also need a sack lunch. The STEM Booster club has agreed to provide funds to sponsor part of the cost for students. This means that each student will only have to pay $3.00 (cash only) for their tickets. We will leave campus at approximately 12:00, walk to the garden to eat our lunch then participate in the activities of Fossil Fest before we return to school.
Students who self-carry inhalers or EPI pens will need to be sure and bring their meds just in case. Forms and money should have been turned in to Mrs. Nutt by Friday, 9/8/17. If you haven't, please make contact with her by Monday, Sept. 11.
All STEM-
Please make sure you are turning in t-shirt orders and Booster club memberships. These funds provide opportunities for our students. Thank you!!
Fine Arts
Band:
Choir:
GMS Choir "Coffee House" Concert - Required for All GMS Choir Students
Friday, September 8th
6:00 PM Rehearsal
6:30 PM Performance
GMS Cafeteria
Short/Casual Concert with GMS families and friends!
Each choir sings one song and solo acts.
GMS Choir Booster - Drinks and Treats
Drinks
Coffee
Tea
Water
and More
Baked snacks
Candy
Community Supported Options:
Peace Love and Little Donuts
Nothing Bundt Cake
Cinnaholic
SPECIAL Relaxed environment. Bring your own seating.
Camping Chairs, Fold-up Chairs, Blankets, Pillows are strongly encouraged!
7th and 8th Grade All-Region Forms and Payments Due
Compete and join the best of the best in North DFW in the All-Region Choir!
Email Mr. Nidever for more details.
Beginning of the Year Forms and Payments Past Due
Yearbook:
Picture day took place today! Don't forget: Yearbooks are on sale and Josten's is offering up to four FREE Icons if you purchase personalization by September 15th. You can order online at www.jostensyearbooks.com
MAKE IT PERSONAL
WITH FREE YEARBOOK ICONS
Order a yearbook and personalize the cover with a name, and you'll get up to four free cover icons of your choice. Offer ends Friday, September 15, 2017.
Dual Language
This is an exciting year for Dual at GMS! The first Dual Language group in currently in the 8th grade and have the opportunity to take the Spanish AP exam for potential college credit. Dual language classes are designed to increase student proficiency in the four language domains: listening, speaking, reading and writing. We now have both Silver Lake and Cannon Elementary Dual programs feeding into our school. The program is growing along with the rigor of each level of Spanish and we can't wait to see what these students are able to achieve this year in their Spanish language proficiency.
All Dual Language classrooms have begun units of studies that will take them through language tasks that will ultimately be tested on the AP exam. Students are working on interpersonal communication, interpretive communication, simulated conversations, persuasive writing, presentational speaking, and formal email replies. Each unit of study will allow students to engage in these important skills while developing their academic vocabulary and confidence of language usage. The most incredible thing is that these skills are transferable to other content areas and will benefit their overall academic success. We are so proud of these students!
AVID
Planners for Sale!
Does your Student need an academic planner? AVID is selling them for $6. Students can bring cash or check (to GMS) to Mrs. Shepherd in room C106. We only have a limited quantity available!
This week in AVID
AVID 7th and 8th graders dove into the world of Cornell notes this week. They are working on honing their note taking skills! 6th graders reflected on themselves as learners and on their sucessess so far.
SAVE THE DATE!
GMS AVID has paired up with the city of Grapevine to set up a morning trash clean up on the GMS campus on October 7th from 9am-12pm! We would love for all of our GMS AVID students and families to attend, but the event is open to all GMS students.
Athletics
Boy's Athletics
The 2017 GMS Ponies hit the ground running with football practice on the first day of school. We are excited about the season and are working very hard to get our kids ready. We invite you to come out to practice and see your student-athletes prepare for what we know will be a successful season. Please note these important dates. #OURHOUSEGMS
Don't forget:
Saturday September 9th- 8th Grade Jersey Presentation in the Cafeteria @6:00pm. This is for 8th Graders only.
Next week kicks off the first games of the season! Let's go Pony Football!
Cross Country is working hard and getting ready for this season. It'll be an exciting year!
Girl's Athletics
The GMS volleyball focus this year is "All in All Season!" And our Lady Ponies really showed some heart taking on the Coppell East Broncos last night, dominating those Broncs in 3 out of 6 matches. It was an outstanding performance by all of our teams and every girl showed improvement from the scrimmage last week. We are looking forward to getting some extra practice during our Bye week next week. Both 7th and 8th grade A teams will be competing in a season tournament on Saturday the 16th in Saginaw, come out and support!
Our next matchup will be on Thursday, September 21st against Coppell West. Come watch our Ponies wrangle those Lady Wranglers!
7th Grade C team:
Player of the Week - Lauryn Peterson
Player of the Game - Jillian Wilson
7th Grade B team:
Player of the Week - Laura See
Player of the Game - Summer Richmond
7th Grade A team:
Player of the Week - Kira Johnson
Player of the Game - Jade Juline
8th Grade C team:
Player of the Week - Lizette Veith
Player of the Game - Addison Galante
8th Grade B team:
Player of the Week - Riley Cossette
Player of the Game - Naomi Jeter
8th Grade A team:
Player of the Week - Rebecca Pavlicin
Player of the Game - Caelyn Gunn
Have a great weekend and GOOOOOO Ponies!!! Our House GMS!!!
PTA
Click this link for a copy of the membership form: https://docs.google.com/a/gcisd.net/document/d/11vNGzwrjrLLIyF4cO9CFU4cGhKXzSEeRPkqXrG1R_WM/edit?usp=sharing
Physical Education
To purchase PE uniforms for class, bring $25 or write a check made out to GMS Athletics Booster Club. We have all PE uniforms and sizes at the school. Coach Tim Smith will be adding info on the new PE page on the GMS website very soon. Here's access to the link for more PE information so please check back periodically.
Grapevine Middle School
Email: laura.koehler@gcisd.net
Website: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/gms
Location: 301 Pony Parkway, Grapevine, TX, United States
Phone: 817-251-5660
Facebook: facebook.com/GrapevineMiddleSchool
Twitter: @GrapevineMiddle