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Garfield Gazette
October 2023 Newsletter
As the year moves forward we are working hard to ensure students have the best chance of succeeding this school year. This year we have continued with our After School Tutoring program with the goal to provide additional academic assistance to ensure our students are provided with ample opportunities to master content. In addition, our PBIS stores are stocked and students in 6th grade have already had the chance to turn in their Golden Tickets for some cool snacks and prizes.
We welcome and encourage parental involvement. Being an involved parent at Garfield Middle School takes on many forms, all of which can help improve your child’s social and academic growth. Keep up with your child’s academic progress by using ProgressBook. With this tool you can identify your child’s strengths and weakness to make plans for improvement. Please contact us if you need help setting up ProgressBook.
Join and become an active member of Garfield’s PTSA. The PTSA is always looking for volunteers to help out at school events and welcomes all parents to join this great organization. Look for more information in the 'PTSA Update' section on ways to support the Garfield PTSA.
Message from Mr. Smith
Greetings,
I am always amazed at how fast the school year moves once it begins. As of today, there are only 8 school days left in the first grading period. This marker in time is a good indicator of how students perform academically, socially, and emotionally in school. Setting students up for success daily is really important. Ensuring they have the basics to be ready and prepared daily is crucial and vital for student performance. Please take the time to discuss with your GMS students the keys they feel are necessary for them to function successfully daily. Make sure they have a trusted adult at the school they can comfortably talk with if an occasion arises. Our goal is to make sure they learn in a safe and comfortable environment. Do not hesitate to reach out to the staff if there are any concerns. We need to know in order to help.
Keep in mind, in twelve short weeks we will be at the mid-point of the school year.
Win The Day!
Mr. Ouimet Smith
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher conferences will take place 10/25/23, 10/26/23, and 10/27/23.
We are looking forward to the opportunity to share your student's growth thus far. Conferences are in person. However, if you would prefer a zoom option, please email your student’s teacher to request this option and obtain a link. Either option for your conference requires you to utilize the PTCFast system to secure the time slots for your parent-teacher conferences.
The link for parents to sign up for Parent-Teacher conferences is open:
https://ptcfast.com/schools/Garfield_Middle_School
Using the link above choose the teachers you would like a conference with and follow the directions providing the basic information requested. Once submitted you will receive an email with the subject header "Select Date/Time for Teacher Conference Now". Use the link included in this email to select open time slots for your conferences. PTCFast will send a confirmation email with your conference times.
Important Dates
Fall sports
👟 Cross County
10/7 Cross County Legends Meet @ Trumbull County Fair Grounds
10/14 GLC Championship @ Cahoon Park
🏐 Girls Volleyball
10/7 GLC Tournament
7th grade (Fairview) 9 am
8th Grade (N. Olmsted) 8 am - winners advance
Other Important Dates
10/6 Homecoming Parade 5:30 pm (from Lakewood Park neighborhood to LHS)
10/11 PSAT (8th grade students only)
10/13 NEOEA Day No School
10/18 End of the 1st Quarter
10/18 PTSA Meeting 7:00 pm in the LRC
10/19 and 10/20 Fall Play 7:00 pm
10/25 Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:30 pm
10/26 Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-4:00 pm/5:00-8:30 pm (No School for students K-8)
10/27 Parent Teacher Conferences 8:00 -11:00 am (No School for students K-8)
11/3 Halloween Dance 6:30-8:30 pm
Fall Play
The Garfield Drama Club Fall 8th grade play:
The Three Musketeers: All Swash and No Buckle
Performance dates are October 19 and October 20 at 7:00 pm
Presale tickets $5 - PaySchools link will be available soon
Email Mrs. Blasko with any questions (lisa.blasko@lakewoodcityschools.org)
8th Grade Updates
Lakewood Youth Council
Garfield 8th grade students are invited to apply for an open seat on the Lakewood Youth Council. Make your voice heard in our local government. Deadline to apply is October 14th.
Application: https://forms.gle/sZjR1v3T57D7P5W
Health Permission Form
All 8th grade students must have this form signed before beginning Health class. If your student has Health quarters 2-4, please complete this form as soon as possible.
PSAT
The PSAT 8/9 will be administered for all 8th grade students in attendance on October 11th. Additional information regarding the PSAT 8/9 was emailed home earlier this week.
Please remind your student to charge their school-issued device nightly and to ensure they have the device with them for the assessment on October 11th. Students arriving late to school may not be able to join the assessment in progress and may spend the remaining time of the assessment in a study hall setting. If your student will be picked up early on October 11th for an appointment, please notify the school attendance line as soon as possible.
H2O
To learn more about H2O visit their website: https://www.lakewoodoh.gov/h2o/
PTSA Update
Your Help is Needed
The Halloween Dance is right around the corner. Please consider donating or helping out to make this a great event for our students. The PTSA will also host Craft Nights on 10/23 and 11/1 from 6:30-8:30 in the Cafeteria to prepare for the dance.
To donate or volunteer, please sign up using the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A4EA5AB2AA4F49-44679684-garfield
Spirit Wear
Garfield Spirit Wear sale is happening now! This is your chance to grab a t-shirt or hoodie to show your school spirit! There are both Garfield and Lakewood designs available this year.
Orders will be accepted online through Oct 13 - NEXT FRIDAY!
Click HERE to order! https://www.discoverblacklabel.com/garfield-spirit-wear
Any questions, please feel free to reach out to garfieldmsptsa@gmail.com
It's not too late to join the PTSA! Your $7 membership will help us provide opportunities for students and staff at GMS. To join, please visit: MemberHub
Field Trip Fun!
8th Grade Field Trip to Nelson Ledge's
Thanks to the Lakewood Rangers Educational Foundation (LREF), Garfield 8th graders had the opportunity to explore Nelson Ledges. They bonded, used teamwork and conquered obstacles while at the same time they had hands-on learning experiences to support their Science curriculum. It was a very special day which created life long memories for our students!
7th Grade Art to Go
Students will have an opportunity to participate in an Art to Go program in collaboration with the Cleveland Museum of Art on October 10th and 11th during their social studies class.
The program encourages students to examine authentic artworks from ancient Greece and Rome. Through close observation and group discussions led by trained volunteers, students are prompted to think critically and act as archaeologists exploring primary sources. This program is made possible through a generous grant from the Lakewood Rangers Educational Foundation (LREF).
Nutrition Services Update
School Menu Access Change
Beginning Oct. 1, the Nutrition Services Department will use a new online/app-based interactive school meal menu program called My School Menus. Parents/caregivers can access My School Menus from the Nutrition Services Department page or at the link below. You can also download the mobile app from the iOS or Google Play store.
Features of My School Menus, include:
Build-a-Meal: Select specific menu items and My School Menus will calculate the combined nutritional values of the meal.
Allergen & dietary filters: Select specific allergens or dietary preferences and apply them to the school menus so that specific icons you select (i.e. peanut-free, vegetarian) are then indicated on the appropriate menu item.
PaySchools Central link: Deposit money into your PaySchools account directly from the My School Menus page
Lakewood City Schools My School Menus link: https://myschoolmenus.com/organizations/1543