Middle School Weekly Update

This feature of our newsletter highlights students who have been nominated by their teachers as upholding the school's core values of Integrity, Responsibility, and Service.

Congratulations to our Middle School Knights of the Week!

Parents,

Just in case you missed the email sent from the School Counselor for the HS, Roy Morgan...

Last week, we conducted an assembly on the topic Social Media Landmines. We also conducted a parent session of the same topic. As part of our partnership with Dynamic Influence, we were given access to his online resources and also to a copy of the Parent Session recording. Below, you will find that information and links/access codes to be able to obtain those resources. If you are a parent and were unable to attend the session, I encourage you to take a look. There is a lot of great information that was shared.

For the students (High School):

Through our “edutainment” portal you will get access to the curriculum for the high school students. The curriculum breaks down the presentation by topic. Each topic has a video for the teacher to play in front of the class. After each video there is a class discussion question along with a interactive class activity and/or assignment. The curriculum was designed to be extremely flexible. You can either watch the videos and do the lessons in order OR you can plug it into your existing curriculum/lesson plans.

For the Parents (ALL):

Here is the link to the recorded “Parenting in a Digital Age” presentation: https://dynamicinfluence.com/parenting-in-a-digital-age-presentation-for-parents-of-gray-stone-day-schools/

To access the video use code: graystone

Here is the link to the parent social media resources: https://dynamicinfluence.com/digital-and-social-media-resources-for-parents/

Prior to winter break, all students in 7th and 8th grades participated in an online competition event called The Great History Challenge where students were asked to answer history questions trivia style. All questions came from the NCSS (National Council for the Social Studies) curriculum standards. We had quite a few students to score well enough to qualify for the Regional Championship Event which will be held at GSDS this Thursday, January 26th @ 5pm. Stay tuned to the newsletter next week for a list of our Gray Stone Finalists and highlights of the regional championship with students from all around the region. We are excited for this wonderful opportunity for our Middle School Knights!

Save the date for this extraordinary event to benefit the school. More details to follow.

Gray Stone began accepting applications for new students for the 2023-2024 school year on January 9th.

Please click here to apply. Please keep in mind all new students must apply.

All prospective students and families are invited to attend a Prospective Student Open House at Gray Stone Day School on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the high school. Guests will learn more about curriculum offerings, extra-curricular activities, clubs, and tour both the middle and high school.

**Minor update to the times for WIN Rotation 2 and Advisory on the new Wednesday schedule.**

**Download again for the updated schedule**

The middle school will continue using a new daily schedule on Wednesdays only. The start and end time of school will not be affected. We will have shortened classes every Wednesday through the end of the school year with "WIN Time" in the afternoon. WIN stands for "What I Need" and this time will be a time for students to choose an activity/session that supports what they need. Teachers will be organizing/supervising these sessions each week. Students will be able to sign up for which activities/sessions to attend. Some activities will change from week to week and some will remain constant. There will be a wide variety of sessions offered along with the option for study hall sessions for those who feel the need to get caught up on class assignments, homework, or make-up quizzes and/or tests. The goal is for students to be have the opportunity to experience club-like activities during the school day since many times, before and after school days are difficult to schedule. It also serves as a viable time for students to use if they are feeling behind and just need time to get caught up.

Please see the REVISED PDF below to see the new schedule.

Click below for a printable PDF

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Due to the changes in our Wednesday schedule, the A/B calendar has also been revised since Wednesdays are no longer in the A/B rotation. The way the days worked, the weeks prior to Spring Break, every Monday/Thursday will be B days and every Tuesday/Friday will be A days. This will flip after spring break and Monday/Thursday will be A days and Tuesday/Friday will be B days. Please download the attached A/B schedule calendar for reference as needed.

Click below for a printable PDF

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We will have our Extended Period Day Schedule this week on January 26th & 27th. This means this Friday, January 27th will be a half day for students. Middle School Students will dismiss at 12:00 on Friday, 1/27. Also, there will be no lunch served on the half-day Friday.

Looking Ahead... Our next Extended Period Day Schedule will be on February 23rd & 24th. This means Friday, Feb. 24th will be a half-day for students with a dismissal of 12:00.

Monday 🍝

• Pasta (Meat or Alfredo Sauce), Garlic Bread, Side Salad
  

Tuesday 🌭

• Hot Dogs, Mac & Cheese, Chips, Side Salad
  

Wednesday 🌮

• Beef or Chicken Tacos, Black Beans, Rice, Salad Bar
  

Thursday 🍚

• Chicken Fried Rice, Fruit, Side Salad
  

Friday 🚫

• Half-Day for students - No lunch served

Click the button below for the latest Winter Athletic Schedule from our Athletic Director, Mr. Wolfe.

Basketball DIGITAL Tickets ONLY: tickets.graystoneday.org OR GoFan.co

Swim - cash only - $5 at the door

Go Knights!

Knights & Families,

Here are a few helpful reminders about how athletics work for students/spectators at Gray Stone.

ADMISSION
Tickets or passes are needed for home events. Tickets or passes are DIGITAL only - no cash is accepted at the gate. They may be purchased on GoFan 5 ways:

tickets.graystoneday.org

graystoneday.org - under athletics

GoFan.co - search gray stone

GoFan App

scan QR code at the game & purchase on your device

*IF you can access your ticket or pass on your phone, that's all you need.

*Students (or fans) who do not have tech access to the ticket (no phone, etc)... purchase at home in advance, and print your ticket. If you purchase a pass (all sports for all year) send me your receipt and I'll get you a paper pass.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Students staying to attend events will be dismissed at 3:25 to the Commons. They must sit in the Commons until released to the event. They will not be permitted back into the MS building - so they must take their belongings with them. Students should be picked up from events at the conclusion of the event - this process is up to you.

Students staying must attend the event. Students may not roam in the building(s) (nor other random places - Pfeiffer, Richfield, etc.) when we have events.

Any students that do not follow these expectations could lose the privilege to attend future after school events.

We are excited for a fun fall sports season! Thanks for your cooperation!

Let us know if you have questions.

Go Knights!

The Spirit Shack is full of new GSDS wear! Check out our online store at https://gray-stone-store.square.site. Select your items and pay online. We will have your order ready for pickup the following Friday at the Shack. The Spirit Shack is also open during all lunches on Fridays.

Check out the Spirit Shack commercial created by the HS Broadcasting Class

Please email gsdsspiritshack@gmail.com with questions.

If your child was absent on photo day (Nov. 7th), Jostens will return on Wed., Nov. 30th for make-up photos.

Good news! JostensPIX was recently at your school to photograph picture day,
and your student's photos are now available for viewing and ordering!
Click on the button below to get started.

VIEW AND ORDER PHOTOS HERE
https://shop.jostenspix.com

PHOTOS NOT APPEARING IN YOUR GALLERY?
FIND YOUR STUDENT USING EVENT CODE: FE291622

DID YOU KNOW?

• You can personalize your photos with a variety of backgrounds and
  text
• Photos are shipped directly to your home
• High-res digital downloads are available
• If you have more than one child, you can order together and pay
  once

The yearbook staff invites students and parents to submit photos for the yearbook. If you’ve got great photos of school or sporting events of you and your friends, we’d like to see them. Our photographers can’t be everywhere. Help us get as many photos as possible to create a terrific book everyone will want to have.

The last day to submit your photo for consideration is February 14, 2023. The earlier the better.

To submit photos, click on the button link below

• Click on “Select My Images.”

• Browse to select the photo(s) you wish to upload.

• Enter information about the photo and provide contact information in case the staff needs additional information.

• Click “Upload Chosen Images.”

It’s that easy! Submit your photos today!

Purchase your yearbook now before it's too late!

Don't forget to reserve our spirit wall for upcoming special occasions. Renting the wall will allow you to display school spirit, celebrate your child’s birthday, or post staff/student appreciation. Please read the guidelines attached in the below PDF before contacting the front office to reserve.

Reservations will be available on a first come, first served basis.