Pony Express
Connecting GMS In One Place
February 8th
GMS Families,
February is off to a great start! This past week, we had our basketball teams playing some great district games, our Social Studies Dept. hosted History Day, our 8th graders signed up for high school classes, we participated in the district Spelling Bee, our personalized programs participated in the district EXPO, and our 6th graders are going into their second week of Cotillion. Whew! That's quite a week!
Tell 5th graders that Tuesday, Feb. 20th is our GMS Program Showcase. We'll also have an opportunity for our 6th and 7th graders to come and ask about accelerated classes or check out special programs they may be interested in. Representatives will be available from every department.
We currently have a fun fundraiser going on and the kids and teachers are really enjoying it! It allows the kids who participate to earn color packs and prizes. It's like a Color Run without the running! Wait for the actual Color Battle pics that will be coming soon! We'll warn you of the day your kids will be doused in color - in a new t-shirt too! It's going to be a blast. See more fun facts in the Dual Language tab below.
As you know, there's always something great happening at GMS and it is THE middle school to attend! Please read through this newsletter so you don't miss out on anything. Here’s what you need to know for this week:
"Eye-opening event" Danielle D parent of sixth-grade student
"The evening was filled with actionable information for parents raising kids in a digital technology-driven era." Lisa D parent of ninth-grade student
Join us for our next FREE event February 20 at Bear Creek Elementary starting at 6 p.m.
Learn about the must know apps that parents need to be aware of on student phones and more! Learn best practices to balance usage at home as well as ways to help monitor usage. If you have ever wanted to know what that app is your child is using or If its safe to use a particular app, then this is the session for you. Join the over 200 parents already pre-registered to attend by signing up now!
Session topics will be repeated later in the year so stay and be informed! Parent Technology Academy
We are FAMILY! This is OUR HOUSE! Great students come from GREAT FAMILIES!
#OurHouseGMS
Monday, Feb. 12th - Girls 7th grade Basketball vs. CMS at CMS, 5:00-8:00
Tuesday, Feb. 13th - Girls 8th grade Basketball vs. CMS at CMS, 5:30-8:30
Friday, Feb. 16th - 6th grade Cotillion - Week 3, 6:30-8:30
Teacher Impact on Learning
History Day
Engaged Students
STEM at the Expo
STEM Ambassadors
Proud Students
ELA in the Maker Space
Collaborating on important work
Students Apply Knowledge
Maker Space
Band students in action
6th grade Ensemble
Unifying Sound
Applications for gifted and talented identification are being accepted until 2/26. Testing will take place on our campus in March. Qualified students will be eligible to enroll in GT courses beginning in 2018-19. Applications are available in the GMS Front Office.
Course Requests for current 8th graders
Window is open Jan 22nd- Feb 14th
Request 8 courses (4 core/ 4 electives)
If your student is continuing into high school STEM Academy, they will only need to request 4 electives. The HS counselors will enter the core courses.
8-10 alternate elective choices
Math Telescoping Information
See the link to telescoping information in Principal Koehler's section above.
Play It Safe:
Play It Safe is a multi-session curriculum about healthy relationships. It is presented by The Women’s Center.
Students at GMS will see the Play It Safe presentation on these dates:
6th grade-- March 22
7th grade-- Feb 28
Questions may be addressed to Mrs. Lemke at 817-251-5673. The opt out is here:
English--Play It Safe English
Spanish--Play It Safe Spanish
The GCISD Technology Department is offering a series of parent meetings about social media apps and internet safety. For information about topics and dates, please look here.
Click link for Week 1 Pictures!
https://gmscotillion2018.shutterfly.com
Graduating 2018 Seniors are invited to apply for PTA Scholarships
The PTA will be selling Candy Grams for Valentine’s Day. Candy Grams can be ordered by students during lunch on Feb. 8, 9, & 12. Delivery will be delivered on Feb. 14. Cost is $1.00 each and choice of Hershey’s chocolate bars or Skittles. Please see the attached form for full details.
To stay connected with all the latest PTA news be sure to like our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/grapevinemiddleschoolpta/
Cotillion Fun!
Group Fun!
Shared Experience
Join AVID Next year!
Know someone who would be perfect for the AVID class? AVID Applications are live! GMS is looking for incoming 6th, 7th and 8th graders to join the AVID elective class. CHHS and GHS are also taking applications for incoming freshman. You can apply by following this link
AVID Tutors
GMS is in need of AVID tutors. What does this mean? An AVID tutor supports students during their AVID class period to help them succeed in coursework in which they have struggles. There is a method to the type of tutoring they receive so becoming an AVID tutor comes with a 6 hour training. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. The program helps students develop study and organizational skills that will help them as they challenge themselves through rigorous coursework.
If you are interested, here are the criteria:
-Commit to 11 weeks of AVID tutoring during 3rd period on Tuesdays and Thursdays (9:50-10:36)
-Agree to be go to training (we'd tailor the training to the time all participants agree to)
-There is flexibility if you could only do one of the days instead of both.
-We are looking for 2 tutors.
If you think you'd might be interested, please contact Trelawny Shepherd at trelawny.shepherd@gcisd.net
8th Grade Field Trip
ALL AVID 8th graders are going to have the opportunity to shadow a GHS student for part of their school day! Students will be paired up with 9th graders and follow them to two academic classes and their AVID class. They will also get to eat lunch in the GHS cafeteria! We are excited to pair with them to help our 8th graders transition into high school smoothly! This is happening on February 13th and forms are due back to Mrs. Shepherd as soon as possible!
6th Grade Field Trip- SAVE THE DATE!
AVID 6th graders will be visiting the UTA campus on Tuesday, March 26th. We will need at least 5 parent chaperones, so please save the date! Forms and more information will be sent out in the upcoming weeks.
What’s happening in AVID?
Check out our Facebook page for class updates, pictures and more!
Community Service
February is flying by! We had 3 teams represent us at SMU’s Visioneering last weekend. All of our teams did an outstanding job. Our 6th grade team won an award for “Innovation”. Way to GO!! Thank you to all the parents and students that helped with the District Specialized Programs EXPO at Cross Timbers last night. Your help is vital to make the events successful and grow our program. We are looking forward to Engineering Week starting on the 20th. Be sure to ask your student about the special events when the time comes.
Reminders:
Please be sure that students have earbuds for school. These need to be accessible in backpacks for students to use with their devices.
We are in need of Biodegradable (compostable) materials for engineering week
Please help students remember to charge their devices each evening- bringing their cords helps solve this problem as well.
Important dates:
7th grade Movement in the City Showcase- any parent of a 7th grade STEM student
If you have an 5th grader that will be coming to GMS next year, our 5th grade Parent night is on February 20th from 6:00-7:30. There will be an opportunity to learn about course selections and special programs.
No school- Monday, February 19th
STEM Parent Survey: https://goo.gl/forms/suif0ZSt5KPHpdqv1
Schedule:
Feb. 12th-ABABC
Feb. 19- No school Monday- ABAB (Engineering Week)
The Pony Pride Dance Team is preparing for the Regional Competition later this month. More information on the competition will be coming so you can attend and support some of our most talented students.
Thank for you for a great first meeting, StuCo! Our next meeting will be Wednesday, March 7th, during corral in Mrs. Shepherd’s room, C106
It was a really tough week for our GMS girls basketball program, bringing home only one win against the CTMS Lady Wolves. The scores don't do the performance justice though, we had an incredible week of practice and made some major improvements in our games. Our win against CTMS was during the 8th grade C team game. The girls were tied most of the game and won with a buzzer beater shot in overtime.
There is only one more week of play for our girls basketball program. 7th and 8th grade both play at home on Monday and Tuesday against Colleyville Middle School. Come support these girls at their last regular season game.
7th grade A:
POG- DeNae Vasquez-Dickson
POW- April Augustus
7th grade B:
POG- Jaycee Martin
POW- Sarah Crispin
7th grade C:
POG- Laura See
POW- Madison Redwin
8th grade A:
POG- Danny Navarro
POW- Caelyn Gunn
8th grade B:
POG- Jackie Molina
POW- Lucia Ruiz
8th grade C:
POG- Emily Wilkinson
POW- Marisol Zapata
Way to go ladies!! Go Ponies!!
Boys Basketball
7th Grade
A Team - L, 31-22
The Pony A team dropped their final home game to CTMS 31-22. Victor Dela Cruz led the scoring with 6 points. Tate Scarborough was the defensive player of the game. Tyler Meers was the hustle player of the game.
B - L, 21-18
The B team lost a close game to CTMS 21-18. Offensive player of the game went to Vincent Heredia. Defensive player went to Christopher Price. Hustle player was Alex Holguin
C - W, 27-12
The C Dogs won an exciting game against CTMS 27-12. Elijah Canafax led all scorers with 7 points. Defensive player of the game was Keyvaughn Connor. Keller Shamburger was all over the court to win hustle player of the game.
8th Grade
Red:
Grapevine lost a tough game against the wolves 44-31. The offensive player of the game was Leo Covington who scored 14 points. The defensive player of the game was Roman Holguin. The hustle player of the game was Camron Graham
Gray:
The Ponies played hard and carried a lead into halftime, but ended up falling just short to CTMS with a final score of 14-21. Offensive player of the game goes to Jacob Wirick who lead the team with 5 points. Defensive player of the game goes to Wyatt Gidney. Hustle player of the game goes to Roosevelt Wells.
White:
The White team Ponies had a strong showing early, but ultimately fell short of against CTMS with a final score of 14-32. Offensive player of the game goes to Caleb Miles who had 9 points. Defensive player of the game goes to Saiviahn Shockley. Hustle player of the game goes to Brooks Jones.
Go Ponies!!
Dual Language is sponsoring our Campus-wide fundraiser and inviting students to participate in a fun-filled Color Battle. We've kicked off this week to great success!
We have been so excited to invite the whole campus to participate as well as to support of efforts in raising money to go to San Antonio Capstone Trip. Our 8th grade AP students will be taking a trip to further our knowledge, understanding, and experience of Hispanic culture. Thank you for being a part of making our Dual Language program here at GMS so rewarding and fun!
Here are fun facts about our Color Battle: https://tinyurl.com/ydg3ju42
GCISD Nutrition Services supports regional agriculture through our Farm Fresh Friday initiative. One Friday each month, we feature a regionally grown item from Texas or it's surrounding states. This February, we will feature Farm Fresh Broccoli on 2/23/2018 at all of our Elementary and Middle Schools. Through Farm Fresh Friday we provide students with Nutrition Education and exposure to new and healthy food items. Keep an eye out for our Farm Fresh Friday promotions this spring!
*Any time at VISTA
*2 or more times in ISS
*UIL academically eligible
*No more than 2 "N"s or "U"s on their citizenship grade for the 3rd 9 weeks
Remember, it they're not taking care of business in their classes, they are NOT attending this field trip privilege.
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