Jaguar News
Volume 2, Issue 3 - August 31, 2018
As part of our district goal to ensure our students are College, Career, and Life Ready, our AVID program provides montly talking points to teachers so they can take a few minutes to visit with students about their own college experience. This month’s topics are:
1. Accreditation
Accredited universities have been recognized by official local, state, and national agencies as providing a high-quality education (US Department of Education). Accreditation is important to applicants who intend to attend graduate school, especially those who will need to obtain advanced degrees in medicine, law, and education, as well as applicants whose financial aid requires that they attend an accredited school. If you intend to transfer credits from one university to another, accreditation can also be a factor. Your new school will only accept your previous coursework if it recognizes your old school’s accreditation.
2. Types of Majors and Degrees Available
No matter how good the school, it will not be the right one for you if it does not offer your preferred area of study or desired degree level. A school’s admissions office would be able to answer any questions you may have concerning the availability of the type of degree you would like to pursue. Their website or brochure will also have a wealth of information. Be sure to read about the available programs and take note of the curriculum, credit requirements, and typical rate of completion.
This is a good opportunity to have conversations at home with your students about their post-secondary plans. It's never too early to start planning!
Reminder
Drinks in the Classroom
In an effort to be consistent in all classrooms and to minimize disruptions, students are only allowed to drink water in the classrooms and gym. If your student brings a drink when they get to school, they will be asked to finish it in the cafeteria before being dismissed for class at 7:21am.
From the Nurse
Middle school and high school students are allowed to carry ONE day’s dose of over the counter medicine with them to school. This generally is one tablet of medicine. It must be in the original container, with the label on it.
With cold/flu season upon us, this is just a reminder of the CPS policy and includes medicine such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold medicine, throat lozenges, cough drops.
If you have any questions, please contact Gentry health office at 573-214-3246
Picture Retake & New Student Photo
Interstate Studios will return to Gentry on September 27 to retake photos for those students who would like to have their photos retaken. If your student is having their photo retaken, they will simply need to bring their original photo packet and uncut photos to this sitting.
On this same day, we will also be taking photos of those students who missed having their initial photo taken at our Schedule Pick Up Night. Please be sure that your student has an order form (located in the main office) and money with them to give to the photographer that day or use the code below to pre-order you child's photos. If you have any further questions, please contact Inter-State Studios at 573-449-3090.
Enter code: 28549M
Yearbook Orders
If your student would like to receive a yearbook at the end of the year, please be sure (if you have not done so already) to pre-order it on-line. Full color yearbooks are sold for $15 each. Interstate Studios only accepts on-line pre-orders for the yearbook so be sure to get yours today. Students will not be able to purchase a yearbook unless they pre-order it!
If you have further questions, please contact Inter-State Studios at 573-449-3090. Please see the link below.
Click Here to Pre-Order a Yearbook Enter Code: 285334F
Media Center Minute
Student iPads-
All students will have been issued iPads by August 31, 2018. All iPads and cases are 1 year old with the exception of brand new 7thgrade keyboard cases. Students have been informed that they have one week from the date of issue to inform the media center of any problems with iPads and/or cases. We are extending this date to Friday, September 7 for everyone. Please look over the device with your student. If there is any damage to the iPad or case, please notify the media center. If the damage is cosmetic, we will put a note in their record for the end-of-year turn in. If something is broken, we will get it fixed. After September 7th we will consider all iPads in good condition and any future damage will be assessed to the student. For a copy of the CPS damage device policy, please see this: https://www.cpsk12.org/cms/lib/MO01909752/Centricity/Domain/82/Damage%20Loss%20Theft.pdf
iPad Chargers-
All 6th graders and new students were issued a charger (cable and brick) with their iPad check out. Students are expected to keep and utilize the charger given to them for their academic career at Gentry. Students are expected to return the charger at the end of 8th grade or if they move. Please help secure a good spot for your student to charge their iPad each evening so they will be prepared for school the next day. Returning students should use the charger that they were issued during the 2017-18 school year to charge their device.
iPad Basics-
All students received instruction about the use and care of their iPad over the past two weeks utilizing our RRKS Rules. Students are expected to be respectful to their teachers and follow directions in the classroom. Teachers are expected to beresponsible by keeping their iPad charged every day and bringing it to school and being prepared for class. Students are expected to practice kindness to each other by never posting or sending negative images or comments using their iPads. Finally, students are expected to practice safe behavior with their iPad by always leaving it in it's case and not sharing it with others at home so they will have it ready for school and to aid them with academic success.
Family Portal-
The family portal is your new way to access home access to view your student's grades and attendance. You can also access your student's lunch account and other resources via the family portal. Around August 13, you should have received an email with your new user name (6 digit number) and password (your email address). Please try accessing the portal with this data so you can see your student's records.
Bullying Information
In accordance with state law, bullying is defined as intimidation, unwanted aggressive behavior, or harassment that is repetitive or is substantially likely to be repeated and causes a reasonable student to fear for his or her physical safety or property; that substantially interferes with the educational performance, opportunities or benefits of any student without exception; or that substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school. Bullying includes, but is not limited to: physical actions, including violence, gestures, theft, or property damage; oral, written, or electronic communication, including name-calling, put-downs, extortion, or threats; or threats of reprisal or retaliation for reporting such acts.
Please, follow this LINK to read the entire bullying policy, definitions, and reporting.
Fundraiser
PTSA's Believe Kids/OTIS Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough Fundraiser starts today, Friday, August 31st! It’s time to get your students excited to sell some cookies, help their school, and win some AMAZING prizes! Your students will get everything they need today, so get ready!! IN ADDITION, the TOP 3 students with the highest sales WIN a $100 AMAZON GIFT CARD!!!
Our fundraising goal is $15,000, which will go to PTSA funds and the sound system we just installed in the gym. We are asking every family to participate. Please, sell at least 10 items so we can reach our funding goal. We are counting on these funds for the benefit of each and every child. This funding does not come from other sources, so your participation is critical.
If you do not wish to buy items from our fundraiser but you would still like to contribute financially, you can send a check (payable to GMS PTSA) or cash!
Thanks for your help and support!
Bike Riders
If your student rides their bike to and from Gentry during the week, please be sure to encourage them to lock it to the bike rack that is located by our parking lot while they attend school. We have many students who we observe in the morning that simply roll their bike onto the rack and then walk away without securing it for the day. Better to be safe than sorry!
Parent Teacher Conferences
November 13, 2018 from 3:30 – 7:00 p.m.
November 15, 2018 from 3:30 – 7:00 p.m.
February 26, 2019 from 3:30 – 7:00 p.m..
February 28, 2018 from 3:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Athletic Passes
We are currently selling GMS athletic passes in the main office for $50. This pass allows a family of five to attend both home and away middle school athletic games and matches (excluding invitationals and non-CPS, out of town games/matches). While all CPS middle schools sell these passes, if purchased at GMS all of the proceeds stay at GMS and directly benefit our athletic program. Checks should be made payable to Columbia Public Schools. If you do not purchase an athletic pass, our normal admission prices for athletic events are: $3/adult and $2/students.
Box Tops and Beverage Pull Tabs
We wanted parents to know that Gentry DOES collect Box Tops for Education and beverage pull tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Each year the Box Tops that are collected have allowed us to purchase much needed educational equipment and supplies that we would not otherwise have had the chance to purchase if not for the funds received from this program.
Additionally, the pull tabs that are collected go to help support Ronald McDonald House Charities which is an American independent nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to create, find, and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Both Box Tops and beverage pull tabs can be dropped off any time in the main office. Thanks for your support!
GMS Athletic Calendar
Clubs and Activities
Activity Bus
2018/19 GMS Grade Level Lunch Schedule
7th Grade- 10:34-10:59 a.m.
8th Grade- 11:28-11:53 a.m.
6th Grade- 12:22-12:47 p.m.
Looking Ahead (September 3rd- 9th)
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, September 3:
No School Today Due to Labor Day
4:30-7:00 pm- 8th Grade Football Practice/Shed and Field
Tuesday, September 4: (A Day)
2:35-4:00 pm- Fall Play Rehearsal/Café/Stage
2:35-4:30 pm- 7th/8th Cross Country Practice/Annex C and Outside
2:35-5:30 pm- 8th Grade Football Practice/Shed and Field
2:35-4:00 pm- Gentry World Cultures Club/Rm. 205
2:35-4:00 pm- 7th/8th Cheer Practice/Up Commons
6:00 pm- 7th Grade Volleyball Game vs. Lange @ Lange
6:00 pm- 8th Grade Volleyball Game vs. Lange @ Gentry
Wednesday, September 5: (B Day)
7:00-7:20 am- FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)/Rm. 203
2:35-5:00 pm- 7th/8th Grade Volleyball Practice/Gym
2:35-5:30 pm- 8th Football Practice/Shed and Field
2:35-4:00 pm- Fall Play Rehearsal/Café and Stage
2:35-5:00 pm- 7th/8th Cheer Practice/Up Commons
4:00 pm- 7th/8th Cross Country Meet @ Stephen’s Lake Park
Thursday, September 6: (A Day)
2:35-4:30 pm- 7th/8th Cross Country Practice/Annex C and Outside
2:35-5:00 pm- 7th/8th Grade Volleyball Practice/Gym
2:35-4:00 pm- Fall Play Rehearsal/Café/Stage
6:15 pm- 7th/8th Cheer Squad Cheering for FB Game/RBHS
7:00 pm- 8th Grade Football Game vs. Lange @ RBHS
Friday, September 7: (B Day)
2:35-4:30 pm- 7th/8th Cross Country Practice/Annex C and Outside
2:35-5:00 pm- 7th/8th Grade Volleyball Practice/Gym
2:35-5:30 pm- 8th Football Practice/Shed and Field
Saturday, September 8:
8:00 am-12:00 pm- Fall Play Tech Work Day/Café and Stage
10:00-11:30 am- 7th/8th Cross Country Practice MKT Trail Run/MKT Scott Blvd. Trailhead
Sunday, September 9:
There are no scheduled activities for today.
Dates to Remember
August 27 - Fall Athletic Team/Individual Photo Day – Gym 2:30 – 5:00 p.m.
August 28 - PTSA Meeting in Media Center 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Dr. Fairouz Bishara
Email: fbishara@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/Domain/17
Phone: (573) 214-3240
Twitter: @FairouzBishara