Jaguar News
Volume 3, Issue 23 - February 21, 2020
There are many viruses causing illness this season. Handwashing is the best way to prevent getting sick, but here is a reminder of other things we can do to keep healthy:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Keep your distance from others who are coughing and sneezing
We know that we always emphasize how much we want kids at school. However, if they are sick, it is in their best interest to stay at home and recover instead of coming to school and making other kids (and adults!) sick.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Parent Teacher Conferences
We will be hosting Parent-Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, February 25th and Wednesday, February 26th from 3:00-6:30 pm each day. Be looking for an email from your student's teachers with further details.
7th/8th Track and Field to Begin on Monday, March 2
Krispy Kreme Fundraiser- Orders Due on Wednesday, February 26th
As you all are aware, PTSA is raising funds for our students, teachers, building and *BEYOND, and we are grateful for all of your help. All Krispy Kreme orders and money collected will be due to the main office by Wednesday, February 26th. Fresh donuts will arrive at Gentry on Saturday, March 7, and students will need to pick them up for delivery between 8:00 am-10:00 am in the cafetorium. Please note that our PTSA is happy to deliver your donut order on Saturday morning to our nearby Fire Department and the Columbia Police Department (as indicated by your order sheet) if you truly want to participate in our fundraiser and help our cause, but don’t necessarily want to indulge in the extra calories. Any orders that are not picked up by 10:00 am will automatically be donated or re-sold as needed.
Also, as we pass the torch to some of our amazing students and families who will be attending the new middle school, please note that a portion of the total proceeds raised from this fundraiser will be donated to the start-up of the John Warner M.S. PTSA. The top 3 sellers will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
We would like to THANK all of you in advance for your continued support of our students and our entire school community.As always, thank you for your incredible support!
Columbia Youth Athlete of the Year
Gentry's own Aubrey Willmeth was awarded the Women's Intersport Network (WIN) of Columbia, Youth Athlete of the Year Award at the Annual WIN Luncheon held at Columbia College. Each year, WIN for Columbia celebrates local female athletes with National Girls and Women in Sports awards. These award winners show great promise and are exceptional leaders to their peers. Gentry was proud to nominate Aubrey for her work both on the track and in the classroom. Congratulations on this prestigious award, Aubrey!
Media Center Minute
We have seen several issues with iPads not connecting at home. We think everything is working on our end now, so if your student is having issues with their school iPad connecting at home, please have them report to the media center.
2020 Columbia K-8 Chess Tournament- Congratulations!
Congratulations to our Gentry chess players on their performance at the city K-8 chess championship this past weekend at Lange Middle School. The 7-member team won the first place team trophy in the middle school division. Leading the way were Shubha Gautam, who won the first place individual trophy in the grade 6-8 grade division, and Megan Walker, who earned the second place individual trophy in the 6-8 grade division. Earning medals for the team were Amali Noel Ramesh, Rithvik Mettu, Shuvesh Mahto, Hamzah Almasri and Vedant Patel. Congratulations to all and good luck to all at the upcoming Missouri State Scholastic Chess Championship on March 21 at Battle High School. Go Jaguars!
Rising 7th and 8th Grade Course Selection Forms- Due February 27th
Our counselors recently presented information (classroom presentations below) to our 6th/7th grade students on their electives course options for next year (2020-2021). Course enrollment forms (yellow – 6th grade, blue – 7th grade) were handed out and counselors presented information on course selection. Due to the boundary shifts occurring next school year, these presentations and course selection forms are applicable to any school that students attend next school year. On each form is a student identifying sticker that includes the middle school they are slated to attend next year and their math class recommendation for next school year.
Students were instructed that, unless they are attending John Warner Middle School, they will need to enroll for their electives using Home Access AND by submitting the actual paper copy of the Course Selection form. John Warner Middle School students ONLY need to turn in the paper copy of the Course Selection form. Instructions for entering requests are attached below.
Note that all elective choices will be listed under "electives" in Home Access. You will find the World Language options under "World Languages" in Home Access. Please work with your student to enter this information onto Home Access AND have them submit the information on the paper copy of the Electives Course Selection Form to their Social Studies teachers no later than Thursday, February 27th. As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our counseling department.
Mrs. Kelly Off (A-G): koff@cpsk12.org
Mr. Mark Holman (last names F-Pe): mholman@cpsk12.org
Ms. Lexie Davis (last names Pf-Z): aldavis@cpsk12.org
AVID Elective Recruitment 2020-2021
Does your student have potential to be one of our AVID Scholars in the 2020-2021 school year? AVID is a college readiness system that provides structure and support to students in the academic middle. The AVID Elective class is offered to 7th and 8th grade students in CPS middle schools. As your student prepares to choose classes for their 7th and 8th grade school year, please consider applying to be in the AVID Elective class. Current 6th and 7th graders will learn about the program from the AVID Site Team and current AVID Scholars in February. You can find the AVID application here or on the Gentry Middle School website under AVID. If you have any questions, please contact the Gentry AVID Site Coordinator, Ashley Swanegan, at aswanegan@cpsk12.org. Applications are due Tuesday, February 25.
Summer School Enrollment
You can enroll your K-8th Grade student in the 2020 Summer SUNsation program by visiting cpsk12.org/ssenroll or, if needed, you may complete a paper enrollment form which are available in the GMS main office.
Please click on this link for further details regarding enrollment in Secondary (9-12th grade) Summer School.
PBIS Goal for February 24- March 1
Next week’s RRKS ribbon goal will focus on being responsible. In order to use the restrooms, students will be on time and prepared to learn. Teachers will be handing out RRKS ribbons to students that they see demonstrating responsible classroom behaviors and/or students who are demonstrating RRKS goals from previous weeks.
Advisory Lessons for February 24-March 1
“Who Will Get the Job"
In next week's advisory classes, students will learn how to successfully fill out a job application and will then apply that knowledge as they work on completing one of their own.
Looking Ahead to February 24- March 1
Please see listed below the clubs and/or activities along with their locations that are occurring at Gentry Middle School for the upcoming week. Please know that activities are subject to occasional last minute changes. Feel free to contact the main office at 214-3240 or visit our website if you have any further questions.
Monday, February 24: (A Day)
2:35-4:00 pm- Gentry Musical Rehearsal/Stage
2:35-4:00 pm- Desire to Aspire/Rm. 170
Tuesday, February 25: (B Day)
3:00-6:30 pm- Parent Teacher Conferences/Building Wide
Wednesday, February 26: (A Day)
3:00-6:30 pm- Parent Teacher Conferences/Building Wide
Thursday, February 27: (B Day)
7:00-7:20 am- Jaguar PAWS/Rm. 100A
2:35-4:00 pm- Gentry Musical Rehearsal/Stage
2:35-4:00 pm- Jazz Band Rehearsal/Rm. 172
2:35-4:00 pm- Tennis Club/Locker Room
2:35-4:00 pm- Intramurals/Gym (Final Session)
2:35-4:00 pm- Advanced Gaming Club/Rm. 168
2:35-4:00 pm- French Study Hall/Annex K
6:00-8:00 pm- 6th-8th Grade Archery Practice/Gym and Up Commons
Friday, February 28: (A Day)
School is not in session due to a Teacher Work Day.
Saturday, February 29:
9:00-11:30 am- Gentry Musical Set Building/Stage
Sunday, March 1:
There are no activities scheduled for today.
Future Dates to Remember
2/25 and 2/26- Parent Teacher Conferences
2/28- Teacher Work Day/School Not in Session
3/4- 8th Grade Orchestra @ CPS Orchestra Festival/BHS
3/11- School Not in Session Due to a Teacher Work Day
3/12- 8th Grade Concert Band Festival/BHS
3/14- Show Choir @ Battle High Festival
3/18- 7th/8th Choir Concert @ 6:00 pm
3/23-3/27- School Not in Session Due to Spring Break
4/6- Multicultural All School Assembly
4/9- All 8th Grade Field Trip to the Lyceum Theater @ Arrow Rock
4/16- Interim Progress Reports Go Home
4/16- 6th Grade Spring Band Concert @ 6:00 pm
4/20-4/24- MAP Testing Window
4/30- 7th Grade Spring Concert
Dr. Fairouz Bishara
Email: fbishara@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/Domain/17
Phone: (573) 214-3240
Twitter: @FairouzBishara