Grizzly Gazette
February 3rd, 2022
Dear PGMS Family,
As you may already be aware, I have made the extraordinarily difficult decision to retire at the end of this school year. This is not a decision that was made in haste or without a great deal of reflection, as it is very difficult to step away from a school that I have grown to love greatly. Serving as the principal at Piney Grove has been such a tremendous honor. Our teachers and staff are second to none and, in my opinion, are the best educators you can find in any school anywhere. Our talented and kind students are the heart of our school and continue to amaze me daily with their dedication to learning, academic drive, and their personal character. Thank you, Piney Grove families, for sending us such terrific young people!
Joining the team at Piney Grove has been a true highlight of my thirty-three-year career. My very first visit to Piney revealed that this school was already a place of learning, a place of high achievement, and place where everyone took care of each other. A theme that has continued for many years at our school is that of service to others. Our entire school community has continued to find ways to serve others, which teaches all of us to see the world beyond our own experiences.
Thank you for supporting our school through the challenges we have all faced together. This school community is one that has never backed away from doing what is best for students. For that, I am truly grateful! I will always deeply cherish my time as a school principal and will carry my experiences at Piney Grove with me for a lifetime.
My very best always,
Pam Pajerski
Grade Level Goodies
Linked below are our first editions of Grade Level Goodies. This is a new form of communication that we will be sending out monthly to highlight information specific to your child’s grade level, including overviews of what is happening in academic and connections classrooms. These will be sent each month through a messenger, and they will also be posted on our school website. We hope you will find this information helpful, and we look forward to communicating more about what we are doing here at The Grove!
January Grade Level Goodies – 6th Grade
GRIT at The Grove Survey
We have been implementing PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) at our school for six months. As critical stakeholders, we would like to hear your feedback about how things are going! Please take a moment to complete a very brief survey that will give us incredibly valuable information about our practices.
Click HERE to access the GRIT at The Grove feedback survey.
GRIT at The Grove
- 300 GRIT Coin = Chill & Chat during Thrive
- 500 GRIT Coin = Walk & Talk during Thrive
- 700 GRIT Coin = Music Requests in the Cafeteria
- 1000 GRIT Coin = Free Seating at Lunch (still adhering to current protocols)
Please continue to encourage your child to display GRIT, and don't forget about our at-home matrix that you can try out if you would like to reinforce these expectations in your household!
TWO'S DAY: 2 - 2 - 22
On Wednesday, February 2nd, we celebrated TWO'S Day with a spirit day and encouraged students and staff to dress up in tie-dye and tutus! We also turned it into a competition to see which 3rd period class could show the most TEAMWORK by having the most participants, earning them a popcorn party.
We ended up with a TIE, giving us TWO winners: Mrs. Fisher's class and Mrs. McCaskill's class (pictured below). They will celebrate with a popcorn party on Wednesday, February 9th! We were so excited to see our students and staff enjoying the day by dressing up!
Optimist Club Oratorical Contest
All ELA teachers will be hosting Grade-Level Oratorical Contests the week of February 7th-11th. The 2022 Optimist International Oratorical Contest topic for 2022 is "Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times". Participation is voluntary, and specific dates and times will be communicated to students in ELA classes as they will differ between grades. Two students from each grade level will advance to the School-Wide Competition on February 17th during Thrive. The School Winner will advance to the Semi-Finals Competition on March 9th for further opportunities to earn scholarship money and hone their speaking skills. Virtual students of any grade level wishing to participate may email video files or links to cmastrangelo@forsyth.k12.ga.us. Further information, including sign-up, can be found in the PGMS Student Group on itslearning under "Resources".
2021-2022 Social Studies Fair Registration Deadline Approaching
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Check out the website linked below for more details and information:
https://sites.google.com/forsythk12.org/fcs-ss-fair/home
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Lakeside Middle School
Time: 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Track and Field
Tryouts for the 2022 Track and Field season will take place February 16th, 23rd and 24th. Athletes must try out for at least 2 events to be considered for the team. Please reach out to Coach Thomas at kethomas@forsyth.k12.ga.us for more information. Conditioning prior to the season is open to all students and will take place after school on February 9th, 10th, 14th and 15th until 5:45 PM.
Hoops for Heart
Hoops for Heart is on Friday, Feb 11th during connections classes. Students wanting to participate should make teams of 3-4 people. The cost to enter a team is $20 per team. All teams are guaranteed at least 2 games. See Coach Zilske or Coach Buzeta in the gym to sign up. Concessions will also be sold on this day. All money raised benefits the American Heart Association!
Morning Football Workouts
Football morning workouts for any 6th and 7th grade students wanting to tryout for next year’s football team begin on Tuesday, Feb. 15th. Workouts are every Tuesday and Thursday morning beginning promptly at 7:30am. Students attending should be dropped off at the back of the school and enter through the doors near the boy’s locker room.
Badminton Intramurals
Badminton Intramurals will begin on Friday, Feb. 25th. Intramurals will be on Friday mornings beginning at 7:45am. Intramurals are open to all students. Students who plan to attend should be dropped off at the back of the school and enter through the doors near the boy’s locker room.
February Teacher of The Month / Staff Member of The Month
Teacher of the Month & Staff Member of the Month Program!!!
Rosati's Pizza and Sports Pub will once again be honoring each monthly designee. We are extremely excited to be partnering with a business that is so dedicated to giving back to the community. Please take the opportunity to nominate one of our amazing teachers or staff members for this honor.
February Teacher of the Month Nomination Form
February Staff Member of the Month Nomination Form
If you have someone in mind to nominate and you are not sure which form to use please don't hesitate to reach out. jwiles@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Please submit all February nominations by the end of the day on February 23rd
Forsyth County Total Wellness Collaborative
Rainbows for All Children
If your child would benefit from extra support for grief and loss from death, divorce, deployment or other trauma, please see the attached flier and website link:
https://cfumcga.churchcenter.com/groups/support-groups/rainbows-for-all-children
The Rainbows for all Children Grief Support Program begins on February 24th. The 6-week program will meet on Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30pm.
Yearbooks are Almost Gone!
There are less than 40 yearbooks left to buy! You do not want to miss out! Go to Balfour.com and search Piney Grove Middle School.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Kimberly Zimmerman at kzimmerman@forsyth.k12.ga.us
2022 Grizzly Great Day of Giving (G3)
WHAT: G3 is a 12-year strong tradition where Piney Grove staff and students spend a day serving our neighbors, our country, and our world through hands-on service experiences.
WHEN: This year G3 is on Friday, May 20, 2022.
WHERE: 6th and 7th grade will participate in service projects on the Piney Grove campus, while 8th grade will head into the community to serve, if restrictions allow.
WHY: The goal of G3 is to EDUCATE students on why service is important, ENGAGE students in hands-on service projects, and EMPOWER students to identify service opportunities in their own lives, both now and in the future. We want students to develop a love of service that will last a lifetime!
HOW CAN YOU HELP WITH G3?
- Pay the $20 G3 fee on MyPaymentsPlus (covers student t-shirt, lunch, and all service project supplies)
- Become a G3 Family Partner - visit MyPaymentsPlus
- $50 Family Partners: Receive car magnet and letter of thanks
- $125 Family Partners: All items above PLUS your family’s name listed on the G3 shirt and one adult size shirt
- $200+ Family Partners: All items above PLUS breakfast for one adult parent/guardian with Mrs. Pajerski and staff
Would your business like to support G3 with a Corporate Sponsorship?
- Contact Katie Spring for more information at teamspring1999@gmail.com
Would you like to serve on the G3 Committee or volunteer for G3 day?
- Email Katie Spring at teamspring1999@gmail.com
G3: EDUCATE, ENGAGE, EMPOWER
Have You Joined PTSO?
Did you know that PTSO member dues directly impact your child's education? In previous years, PTSO funds have provided grants for various educational materials such as iPads, calculators, software, and media center materials that are utilized in the classroom. PTSO has provided items for the Art, Drama, and Music Departments. We have also supported the Outdoor Classroom and speakers for Parent Information Nights.
Volunteering to help PTSO is greatly appreciated by other members, students, teachers and staff.
We thank you for your support!
Piney Grove PTSO Membership 2021-2022:
$25 Basic Membership
$50 Basic Membership + Magnet + Raffle for free Yearbook
$100 Basic Membership + Magnet + Raffle for free Yearbook
$250 Basic Membership + Magnet + Raffle for free Yearbook + Sponsor a Letter and special recognition on a Plaque inside the school commemorating 15 Years of Excellence + “Vintage” Spirit Wear Item
Piney Grove Updates on Daily Procedures:
Students will be allowed in the building beginning at 8:00 A.M. They will proceed to the cafeteria where we will follow social distancing guidelines. Students will be dismissed to classrooms starting at 8:30 A.M.
Please consider dropping your students off between 8:30 A.M.- 8:55 A.M. Students arriving by bus or car-rider line at 8:30 A.M or later, will report directly to their classrooms. Students arriving by bus prior to 8:30 A.M. will be reporting to the gym where we will follow social distancing guidelines.
We have reinstated our Covid mitigation procedures from the start of the year such as:
We have resumed a lunchroom rotation that will allow for half of our students to eat in the lunchroom at one time to ensure social distancing.
Parent Meetings:
All parent meetings will be scheduled online as virtual meetings, unless a face to face meeting is needed. This includes IEP meetings, 504 meetings, etc.
Families and Visitors:
Nonessential guests to the school building will be limited. Parents will not be able to drop off items for students with the exception of medications that are housed in our clinic. Please make sure your child has funds on his/her lunch account. Our reception area is small, making distancing difficult. Please understand that you may have to wait outdoors if the area becomes congested.