Mustang Minutes
Gemini Middle School - September 2023
To translate this newsletter, click the "Translate" link.
Para traducir este boletín, haga clic en el enlace "Translate".
Dear Gemini Families,
Thank you to all the parents, students, and staff for a strong start to the school year! Yes, there were some longer than usual car lines in the mornings/afternoons, buses arriving late or missing a stop here or there, super hot days, and some tech glitches that prevented students from testing, but we all pulled together and made it all work. It is a testament to everyone's patience, flexibility, and teamwork.
As the school year kicks into full gear, please take advantage of all the news and updates found in this newsletter. We look forward to partnering with you to make this the best year yet.
Your Admin team,
Lewis, Erica, Wendy, David, & Tim
Open House - September 7
Open House
At Open House, families will be able to:
- visit your child's classrooms
- meet their teachers
- tour the school
- meet other Gemini families
We hope to see you there!
Get to Know Gemini
(hmm...they're too busy reading to look at the camera)
Sports Updates
Student Spectators
Fall sports are in full swing and we encourage students to come and support their friends from the sidelines.
Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind for our student spectators:
- If a Gemini student is staying to watch an after school sporting event, they must report to the school cafeteria by 3:35 PM.
- If a Gemini student leaves the school grounds and they want to return for a sporting event, they MUST be accompanied by a parent (and the parent must stay the entire time).
- If a student is absent from school on the day of the sporting event (or had an early dismissal), they are not permitted to attend the Gemini sporting event.
Game information
- Volleyball games normally end by 5:45pm. The student must be picked up by 6:00 PM.
- Soccer matches last an hour each.
- Cross country meets are finished by 5:30 PM.
- Check out the FULL SEPT. CALENDAR here.
Gemini Gear
In need of some Gemini gear? Look no further!
VOLLEYBALL: https://parrotwear.com/gemini_volleyball
CROSS COUNTRY: https://parrotwear.com/gemini_cross_country
Fall Performing Arts Events
We are thrilled to be starting another year of Performing Arts events at Gemini Middle School. Check this section of the Mustang Minutes each month to find out what is on the horizon. For all events in the Gemini Auditorium (Mustang Gym), please enter through Door 12. Thank you for supporting our performers.
Fall Play
The Epic Quest of the Damsels in Distress
Tickets: $1 for students; $6 for adults
Thursday, October 19 - 4:30 PM in the Gemini Auditorium
Friday, October 20 - 7:00 PM in the Gemini Auditorium
Saturday, October 21 - 2:00 PM in the Gemini Auditorium
Orchestra Fall Concert
Admission is free
Wednesday, November 1 - 6:00 PM in the Gemini Auditorium
Band Fall Concert
Admission is free
Thursday, November 9 - 6:00 PM in the Gemini Auditorium
Choir Fall Concert
Admission is free
Tuesday, November 14 - 6:00 PM in the Gemini Auditorium
Dance Concert
Admission is free
Thursday, December 14 - 6:00 PM in the Gemini Auditorium
Fall Clubs
Registration opens September 11th
We are excited to offer after-school Fall clubs that will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from October 2 - November 15th.
Registration opens September 11th! An activity bus will be available for all students who register before September 21st.
Library Updates
General Gemini Library Information
Welcome to the Gemini Library for the 2023-2024 school year! Students may check out up to five books at a time for two weeks. One book can be renewed for an additional two weeks. If students have overdue books, they may not check out anything else unless it is required by a class. We are excited to share our joy of reading with the students of Gemini, and have many new books available for checkout! Please contact Kris Buican or Jillian Wahlers if you have any questions.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
This celebration of the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic Americans is recognized from September 15 - October 15. We are proud to carry a multitude of books that feature Hispanic characters and their experiences. For more information, please visit the National Hispanic Heritage Month website.
Community Libraries
Our community libraries continue to provide wonderful programs for students. Please check out your local library’s teen page to see what is new!
Gemini Travel Club
The Gemini Travel Club will be holding an enrollment meeting for our 2024, 2025, and 2026 spring break trips to Washington, D.C. and New York City. Enrollment is open to all current 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, but space is limited! Enroll now and travel during your 7th or 8th grade year.
Meeting details:
Open to all current 6th, 7th, and 8th grade families
When - Tuesday, September 5th, 7:00 PM
Where - Gemini Middle School, Learning Stairs - Enter through Door 13, signs will be posted
Highlights of the DC/NYC trip include:
Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Tour the Smithsonian campus
Catch a Broadway show
and so much more!
Click here to reserve your seats for the meeting and come learn about this amazing student travel opportunity!
For more information contact Mr. Thayer (athayer@emsd63.org) with any questions.
Niles Teen Center
NTC Fall Dance Party
Come join your friends at the NTC Fall Dance Party! Middle school students from all the surrounding schools will gather at the Niles Family Fitness Center on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 6:30 - 9:00 PM. Come represent your school in the individual and group dance competitions. Participants do not have to be a Teen Center member.
Check out their webpage.
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures - Please Review
Bus Riders: Please log into the Parent Portal to check your bus number, bus stop, and the morning and afternoon pick-up and drop-off times. Learn more about bus transportation.
There's an App!
East Maine School District 63 is very excited to share two bus tracking apps that are available this school year. They are offered by our bus companies, Safeway (providing regular K-8 student transportation) and First Student (providing special education transportation - including those in preschool.)
- If your child takes regular transportation you will use the Safeway app: Here Comes The Bus. Please follow the instructions on our website to download the app and set up your child’s route.
- If your child is riding a special ed bus you will use the First Student app: ParentView. You can also find instructions on our website.
Questions? Please contact your school or email us at transportation@emsd63.org.
Student Grades
Grades
Did you know you can use the Parent Portal to check your child's grades or assignments for each class? Parents can also elect to be notified when changes are made in the grade book; this can be set up in the parent portal.
If you have forgotten your username and password, please get in touch with our main office via email or phone for support.
Breakfast and Lunch Information
Breakfast
- Breakfast is available from 8:00 - 8:20 AM each morning in our school cafeteria. Bus riders will enter Door 6 once they arrive. Car riders and walkers will enter at Door 2 or Door 13.
- Students entering the school for breakfast must purchase a breakfast. If they do not purchase a breakfast, they will be escorted back outside and will wait with everybody else.
Lunch
- We do NOT accept student lunches from food delivery services such as Uber Eats, Grubhub, etc. If food is delivered from a delivery service, we will send them away with the order. A parent or family member is the only person from whom we will accept a lunch delivery for a student.
Cell Phone/Personal Electronic Device Policy - Please Review
Personal electronic devices must be powered off and stored in the student’s locker during school hours. If you need to get in contact with your child, please call the school office directly.
We have two types of violations regarding cell phones and other electronic devices: unintentional and intentional.
Unintentional
The student was found in possession of a personal electronic device and/or has the device on his or her body but was not using it.
- First violation: The item is taken from the student and placed in the office. The student can pick up the item in the office at the end of the day.
- Second violation: The item is taken from the student and placed in the office and the adult who confiscated the item will contact a parent.
- Third violation: The item is taken from the student and placed in the office. A parent will be contacted and must pick up the item from the office.
- Fourth violation: The item is taken from the student and placed in the office. A parent will be contacted and must pick up the item from the office. Upon entering school each day the student will need to take the item directly to the office and check it in. They will then check it back out at the end of the school day.
The student was found in possession of a personal electronic device and/or has the device on his or her body and was actively using the device. Examples of intentional use may include but are not limited to the following: calling, texting, social media use, listening to music, camera, etc.
- First violation: The item is taken from the student and placed in the office. A parent will be contacted and must pick up the item from the office.
- Second violation: The item is taken from the student and placed in the office. A parent will be contacted and must pick up the item from the office. Upon entering school each day, the student must take the item directly to the office and check it in. They will then check it back out at the end of the school day.
Gemini Social Media
- We encourage you to follow us on our website and social media, this is a great way to stay informed.
- Gemini Website
- Gemini Twitter @D63Gemini
- Gemini Instagram @geminid63
D63 Family Resource Center
Upcoming Events
September
4: Labor Day - no school
5: Spring Break Trip Information ('24, '25, '26)
7: Open House from 6-7:30 p.m.
7: District 63 Board of Education Meeting 7 p.m. at D63 Education Service Center
8: School Improvement Day - early dismissal
25: Yom Kippur
October
9: Indigenous Peoples Day
13: School Improvement Day - early dismissal
19-21: Fall Play: "The Epic Quest of the Damsels in Distress"
Upcoming Sporting Events
- Check out the September sports calendar
#hereatgemini
Email: gemini411@emsd63.org
Website: https://gemini.emsd63.org/
Location: 8955 North Greenwood Avenue, Niles, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 827-1181
Twitter: @D63Gemini
Office Hours: Monday- Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on days when students are in the building.