GMS NEWSLETTER

I hope everyone had a great summer and is ready to get the 2021-2022 school year rolling. I am excited to see our 8th grade students as well as welcome and get to know our incoming 7th grade students. We faced a litany of challenges last year and unfortunately are sure to deal with more this year. However, thanks to our parents, our students and our school community we made it through last year and plan to have a great upcoming year.

We are excited to have several new staff members at Gaylord Middle School. Our technology department has been busy upgrading our building this summer as well. In addition, each of our students will be getting a Chromebook this year.

We have a great staff at Gaylord Middle School who are committed to getting to know each and every student and preparing them for the next level. I truly look forward to getting to know your children as well. Please feel free to email anytime with questions or concerns at somervillej@gaylord.k12.mi.us.

Joe Somerville

Principal

A packet of information was mailed this week for each GMS student. Included in this packet were the following documents:

1. Welcome back letter from Mr. Somerville – includes the students first hour teacher and general information about GMS
2. Student Information Record - please review, make necessary changes, sign and return with your student on the first day
3. Covid Screener Agreement - please review and complete; return with your student on the first day
4. Directory Opt Out form - this form is optional; if you choose to complete this form, please return with your student
5. Chromebook Technology Use Agreement and Technology Protection Plan - please review and complete; return with your student on the first day
6. Network/Internet Access Agreement - please review and complete; return with your student on the first day

GMS will be having a virtual open house that will take the place of our in-person open house for the 2021-22 school year. The link will be available the afternoon of Wednesday, September 1st on the GCS website and the GCS Facebook Page. Each teacher will introduce themselves and provide valuable information about their classroom.

Please see the EOP posted on the Gaylord Schools website for information regarding masks, physical distancing and more for the 21-22 school year.

Please see attachment explaining the guidelines and mandatory mask wearing from the GCS Transportation Department.

All students will report to their 1st hour on the first day of school. Teachers and staff will be available in the foyer and halls, along with clearly posted signs around the building, to help direct students to the correct room. First hour teachers will be passing out student schedules and communicating important information to students.

Doors to the middle school will open at 7:40 a.m.. The first bell will ring at 8:02 a.m.; a second bell will ring at 8:12 a.m. signaling the beginning of class. School will end at 3:02 p.m.

Students will receive one breakfast and lunch per day for the 2021-2022 school year at no cost. All 7- 12 grade students may purchase an additional Ala carte item or entree. Gaylord Community Schools have mailed the free and reduced lunch applications. If your child qualifies, please fill out the application and return via mail, email, or applications may be done online by visiting www.gaylordschools.com. The applications will be saved and used to determine student eligibility for the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.

Students are highly encouraged to bring CLEAR reusable water bottles to school. The students are allowed to use them throughout the day with the ability to refill the bottles. GMS now has a total of 3 water filling stations that are available to the students to refill their bottle between classes or during lunch as needed.

We are excited to have the opportunity to provide every GMS student a Chromebook for use in their educational journey in relation to the 1 to 1 Chromebook initiative. This initiative is aimed at providing each child a modern learning tool and to enhance their learning opportunities. Information was sent home in the packet of information mailed out to each student this week.

Students will be responsible for bringing their Chromebook to school on a daily basis fully charged.

Parent Portal is a great way to keep up-to-date on your student's grades and attendance. To access parent portal use: Gaylord.powerschool.com. Login credentials will be sent home with students on the first day of school.

All students must have a physical on file in the GMS office in order to participate. It is okay to join a sport until the end of the first week of school.

Cross Country: First practice was August 25th from 5:30-6:15 p.m. at GMS. The practice schedule until school starts is:

Monday, August 30 NO PRACTICE

Tuesday, August 31 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday, September 1 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

Thursday, September 2 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Friday, September 3 NO PRACTICE

SCHOOL BEGINS SEPTEMBER 7 - This is the first mandatory practice. From this point forward, we will practice every school day. Practice ends and parent pick-up at 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: All 7th and 8th grade girls are invited to participate in six voluntary preseason volleyball open gyms: Aug. 24, 25, 26, 31 & Sept. 1, 2 at the GMS gym from 4-5:15 p.m. Parent consent forms must be completed and turned into the coaches to participate in open gyms. Physical forms & parental consent forms must be completed prior to tryouts. Forms are available at GCS website. Tryouts will begin on the first day of school 3:15 – 5:15 p.m. Questions, contact 8th grade coach, Dawn Deisig at deisigd@gaylord.k12.mi.us.

Football: The first official practice was Aug. 23rd at 5:00 p.m. behind GMS. The practice schedule until school starts is:

8/30, 8/31, 9/1 all from 5-6:30 p.m. at GIS. When school starts practice will go from after school until 5:00 p.m. at GIS.

Contact GMS Asst. Principal & Athletic Director, Dave Smith at smithd@gaylord.k12.mi.us if you have any questions.

The attached pesticide form is optional - it only needs to be filled out and returned if you are requesting notification.

Joe Somerville, Principal

Dave Smith, Assistant Principal

Location: 600 E Fifth Street, Gaylord, MI
Phone: 989-731-0848