GMS Weekly News and Notes

At the start of this Thanksgiving break, I want to express my gratitude to all the members of the GMS community for making this such a special place. Thank you, parents and guardians, for entrusting us with your young people and for working with us as partners in supporting them during this important stage in their lives. Thank you to the staff for planning, implementing, and supporting innovative classroom instruction, and a wide array of extracurricular activities each and every week. May you all enjoy a restful and joyous Thanksgiving holiday!

The Fall Caregiver Survey is open. Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback on the year so far. The more families we hear from, the better our data is for planning purposes.

The tradition continues! Every year, Mrs. Gunning’s grade 6 ELA class students learn about the traditional Presidential Turkey Pardon and the requirements for selecting and pardoning one very lucky turkey from ending up on our dinner plates. In addition to the winner, there is a runner-up who receives a pardon to live out the rest of its days in peace with its pardoned buddy. After learning about selection requirements such as the turkey’s pretty plumage, perfect poise, and a portly figure, the Galaxy students are tasked with putting their creativity to use to write a brief but convincing letter to persuade the Galvin Pardoning Committee (GMS staff) to select their turkey to be spared from its fate this holiday season.

Congratulations to this year’s WINNER Portia Villanueva for pardoning her turkey Tom Gravy!

Congratulations to this year’s Runner-Up Daniela Espinoza for pardoning her turkey

Galvin!

Additionally, congratulations to the following students for being finalists in this year’s Turkey Pardon:

Dylan Maurer for Agatha

Scarlett Heward for Brenda

Gwen Lebowitz for Cotton Candy

Keira Dittler for Phoenix

Bob Camryn McDonald for Bob

Claire Northon for Cranberry

Caroline Persson for Apple

Emma Cawley for Tom

Gavin Coates for Stuwert Little

Congratulations to our November Stars of the Month. Students were recognized for academic excellence, strong work ethic, having a positive attitude, and being supportive of others. Well done by all!

The GMS Step Team was invited to participate in the CHS Pep Rally earlier today, and they rocked the house! Awesome job everyone!

This week, GMS theater students took a trip to Robsham Theater at Boston College (aka the world's greatest university) to see a production of the musical Pippin. It was an inspirational experience for our young actors and producers!

Student Solve is a virtual student centered design challenge where teams work with an industry professional to create a solution to a real world problem. This year's company partner is Meditech. Students can see me for more info and to pick up a permission slip. Please note that participation is limited to 25 students, so spots will be granted on a first come, first served basis.

Click here , or contact Ms. Murphy for more information

The GMS Drama Club's Fall Play will take place on Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th in the CHS auditorium. Both shows start at 7PM. Click on the link below to get your tickets. We hope to see you there!

https://gmsdramaclub.ludus.com/200452352

Between December 3 and December 10th, Student Leadership will be taking pre-orders for candy canes. Students can buy a candy cane for a friend, a teacher, or themselves. All candy canes are $1 each and all proceeds will go directly to the Animal Protection Center of SouthEastern Massachusetts. Candy Canes will be delivered to students at the end of the day on Friday, 12/20.

Attention, Students and Families!

Get your yearbook now for the lowest price of the season! Order your

copy for only $36! But hurry, because prices will increase after December!

Don't miss out on capturing your memories! All grade levels are featured in the book.

Order your yearbook today!

Yearbooks can be purchased by using our direct link of Galvin Middle School 2024-2025 Yearbook

Thank you to all of the attendees from the Special Town Meeting on November 18th. The project will now be brought to the ballot on Tuesday, December 10th. Please be sure to make your voice heard in the process!

This week's fact comes to us from the ELA department:

"The more students read or are read to for fun on their own time and at home, the higher their reading scores, generally" (U.S. Department of Education).

Welcome to full blown cold, flu, and everything else season.

You may have noticed in the news more information about “walking pneumonia”. Walking pneumonia is a kind of respiratory infection that causes milder symptoms than the typical pneumonia we would see in people who are immunocompromised or the elderly. Symptoms can be different based on the kind of pathogen that causes the illness. The predominant bacteria that is causing this season’s wave is called Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

With the predominant strain of bacteria, we may even see more strep-like symptoms like voice hoarseness and sore throat. So when you get the dreaded call in the middle of the day from the school nurse for a sore throat and headache, we also consider pneumonia as a possible infection.

Common ways to treat pneumonia

Your doctor may order a chest xray or diagnose your child based on symptoms alone. (side note, even if you don’t have a stethoscope or are trained in listening to lung sounds, put your ear up to your child’s lungs - if you hear something that doesn’t sound like your own breathing when you plug your ears, then there is probably something going on!).

People with pneumonia are usually given antibiotics and supportive therapies that help relieve discomfort like humidified air, medications that reduce swelling and pain, or cough drops.

What to do if your child has any of these symptoms!

Anytime your child has a fever, they should stay home from school. Sometimes their symptoms can start with mild presentation (vague headache, fatigue, stuffy nose), and turn into something else. Be in touch with your pediatrician to determine if your child needs more than rest to recover. We want to protect our vulnerable families and appreciate when kids can keep most of their germs at home!

May the odds be ever in your favor!

Lindsey Coppola, RN
(508) 584-1070 x3110

Tara Medeiros, RN

(508) 584-1070 x316

During the month of November, the GMS community recognizs and celebrates National Native American Heritage Month. National Native American Heritage Month is intended to recognize the history, culture, and achievements of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island communities.

The next GMS CAPT meeting will take place on Monday, December 2nd at 6:10PM in the GMS Library. We invite all interested parents and guardians to attend!

November 28th and 29th: All CPS schools closed for Thanksgiving

Monday, December 2nd: GMS School Council Meeting, 5PM in the GMS Library

Monday, December 2nd: GMS CAPT Meeting, 6:10PM in the GM Library

Tuesday, December 3rd: SEPAC Coffee Connection, 10AM at the Rodman Administration Building

Wednesday, December 11th: Early dismissal day for students

Friday, December 20th: Early dismissal day

December 23rd- January 1st, 2025: Winter Holiday Break

Check out the latest events from around town!

At a Glance - New Event(s)

• Girl Scouts Food Drive

Jonathan Mulhern, Principal

Courtney Gaboury, Administrative Assistant

Jim Spillane, Assistant Principal

Karim Gibson, Dean of Students

Ginny Martin, Student Services Team Chair

Email: mulhernj@cantonma.org
Website: https://www.cantonma.org/gms/index
Location: 55 Pecunit Street, Canton, MA, USA
Phone: 781-821-5070