East Middle School Newsletter

October 2nd....................Student Count Day

October 3rd.....................Michigan State Police Presentations, 1st - 3rd hours; 6 p.m. for community

October 4th.....................Half Day; 11:29 a.m. dismissal (no lunch); Staff PD in afternoon

October 8th.....................PTO Meeting 6:30 - EMS Library

October 16th...................Picture Retakes

October 17th...................Orchestra Concert 7th-12th grade; 6:30 p.m. - WMS Cafetorium

October 18th...................Halloween Dance/Lock-In, 4:30-6:30

October 21st...................Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - Perry Board Room

October 24th...................Half Day; 11:29 a.m. dismissal (no lunch); Staff PD in afternoon

October 25th...................No School

October 29th...................Fall 7th/8th grade Choir Concert (EMS & WMS), 7 p.m. WMS Cafetorium

The school year is well underway. The students continue to settle into their middle school lives and we are all striving for a successful year.

Even as middle school students, it is important for children of this age to continue to maintain the homework structure used as they progressed through their elementary years. An emphasis still needs to be placed on a homework routine, such as having a quiet place to study, reviewing their work, and establishing a time when they get home that is devoted to homework. As parents/guardians, ask your students questions about what they learned in school and inquire about their homework. Take a look at their homework and see if they have completed and understood what was expected of them. Email or call their teachers if you have a concern. Please schedule a parent-teacher conference in November. This lets your student know you are interested in what he or she is doing.

Middle school students’ lives become busier during this time and even though they are trying to establish their independence, they still need structure and guidance. This is a wonderful time in your child’s life but it can also be very challenging. With these things in mind, let’s continue to work together to have a great year!

Mrs. Melissa Titsworth

Principal, GBEMS

Please adhere to the following safety rules when dropping off or picking up your students.

• If you are near the back of a line and drop off your child, do not cut across the gravel median in order to exit the parking lot faster. You are allowed to pull out of the drop off line but you must travel the same direction as traffic.
• If the line is backed up, and a security team member asks you to park, you must find a parking spot.
• Students should not exit vehicles before 7:40 a.m. when the Athletic Entrance opens. Staff are not present to monitor them while outside prior to this time.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students and families safe!

On Thursday, October 3rd, troopers from the Michigan State Police will be at East Middle School to speak to our students. The presentation will include:

6th grade assembly:

-Information regarding cyberbullying and “sexting” - what it is, what to avoid, how to report it, and the legal consequences of sending inappropriate photos.

7th grade Assembly:

-Human Trafficking and awareness

8th grade assembly:

-Vaping and consequences

If you do not want your child to attend this presentation, you may opt out by calling the counseling office at 810-591-3583 or email amcneice@gbcs.org.

Parent/Guardian/Family Presentation:

Also on Thursday, October 3rd, all are invited for the evening session. Troopers from the Michigan State Police will be at East Middle School to speak to our families about all of the topics listed above. This hour-long session will begin at 6pm and there will be time after for questions and discussion.

Sometime after October 8th, your students should bring home copies of their M-Step & NWEA test scores. Please ask to see these and review them with your student!

***Note: If your student was new to the district this year we may not have received their test scores. We will send those home if their previous school forwards them to us.

Picture Re-take Day will be Wednesday, October 16th. Please bring the package you are replacing with you when you come for your retake. Forms are available in the Main office.

Our goal is your child’s safety and your help is needed to achieve this goal! Students are not to carry medication without orders per district policy. This includes over the counter medicines, which require a separate form.

All prescription medication authorizations must be renewed at the beginning of each school year. The order is good for one school year unless a shorter time frame is ordered by a physician. Authorization forms must be completed for both prescription and non-prescription medications.

• Each medication needs its own authorization
• Refill of the medication is the responsibility of the parent/guardian
• Expired medication will not be administered
• Action plans for health conditions such as Diabetes, Seizures, and Allergies must be completed every school year
• Unused medication will be discarded unless picked up by the parent/guardian on or before the last day of school
• FOOD ALLERGIES: Dietary restriction form is available on the Food Services department webpage, foods can be substituted with a form on file, including gluten free options!

Additional information and forms can be found on the Grand Blanc Community Schools website under the heading of Health Resources.

With the last few weeks of fall sports wrapping up, we are starting to think about the Winter 1 season, which includes Volleyball for 7th and 8th Grade Girls, and Wrestling for 6-8th Boys and Girls. The sign ups are below. Please have your student sign up with their school email address. Parents CANNOT sign up their children. The form will not work if the student email is not used.

Volleyball

Wrestling

Prior to the first practice, the following items MUST be turned into the East Middle School Athletic Secretary. You can drop these forms off in the office any weekday between 7:30am and 4:00pm.

• All athletes must have a completed 2 page MHSAA Physical Form form (dated April 15, 2024 or after)

• All athletes and parents must read the Grand Blanc Middle Schools Athletic Handbook and must have a signed Athletic Handbook Cover Page (parent & student signatures required)

Message from Athletic Director Youngs

Information for our students attending athletic events at East Middle School:
EMS student spectators may stay after school to attend EMS athletic events. If they choose to attend, here are the need to know items.

• All school rules apply.

• You may NOT leave the building after school.

• All students watching the sporting event will report to the gym bleachers to be supervised.

• EMS is NOT responsible for any student leaving the premises after dismissal.

• An EMS student that has left the premises may be readmitted ONLY with parent or guardian supervision.

• The cost for attending a school athletic event is $3 for students. This will be collected from students staying after school once the event is set up.

Message from Athletic Director Dohm (GBHS)

Information for our students attending Middle School athletic events at Grand Blanc High School:
EMS student spectators are invited and encouraged to attend both high school and middle school athletic events at Grand Blanc High School. If they choose to attend, here are the need to know items.

• All school rules apply.

• Middle school students will attend the event with a parent or guardian. Middle school students will not be admitted without an adult.

• The adult is responsible for their student.

• Cost to attend the event is $5

Registration for the 8th grade Washington DC trip is currently taking place. Registration has been extended until November 1st, 2024.

Trip Date: March 7th – 10th, 2024

Registration link can be found at https://studentadventures.org/mytrip/GB2524/

Registration ID number: GB2524

Please contact Mr. Jerry Todd jtodd@gbcs.org with questions.

Earn a chance to win a $500.00 scholarship to go towards the cost of the spring Washington DC trip this March 2025. The scholarship is made possible by a generous donation from the family and friends of Dean Haney, a former GB Middle School teacher. (Please see the attached Link for detail)

Write a one-page essay of no more than 500 words.

The winning student should be registered for the trip and responsible for the balance and other expenses.

Return your Essay to Mrs. LaSage or Mr. Todd along with Form (see the attached Link) form by Oct 31, 2024

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Iot3wKEp5HGuHpJUAsBt5iqdOyS6SJ_nZ4weFP9-yQs/edit?usp=sharing

The Halloween Lock-In will be held Friday, October 18th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. There will be a DJ, a game room, an open gym, concessions, and a costume contest.

Doors are only open to enter from 4:30 to 4:45 and pick-up is at 6:30.

Students are encouraged to wear costumes that they will need to change into at home. However, costumes are not required. There will be prizes for the most creative costumes. No weapons or masks are allowed, please follow the dress code policy.

Tickets are $5 and will be sold during lunch Thursday, October 17th & Friday, October 18th, and at the door. Concessions including pizza, candy, chips, pop, and water will be available for $2 each.

**A sign-up genius link will be sent out later for volunteers/donations

This is a great opportunity for students to show off their fun costumes and socialize with friends. We hope to see your middle schooler there.

The Genesee County Broadband Task Force believes that quality, high-speed internet is essential to growth in our community. The County is partnering with Merit Network to conduct a countywide survey to gather resident input on the current state of internet access and to identify the barriers that are preventing residents from participating in online education, telehealth and economic opportunities. The goal of this survey is to gather resident input on the priority of internet access and barriers that hinder Genesee County residents from full participation in the online economy. The results of this survey will provide a strategic advantage when the county pursues funding opportunities to build and improve broadband infrastructure. Please consider filling out the survey now:

https://www.merit.edu/nextgenesee/

Harry Potter Club's first meeting is Tuesday, October 1st in Mrs. White's room (room 131). Please meet after school and have a ride waiting at 4:10. Students of all grades are welcome and students do not need to have read the Harry Potter books or seen any of the movies.

Harry Potter Club is a great way for students to connect with others who share similar interests. We will be playing games, doing trivia, watching movie clips, doing crafts, and more. A $5 donation for supplies is requested but NOT mandatory. Harry Potter Club is a drop-in club; there's no commitment and students are welcome to attend as many or as few meetings as they'd like.