2024-09-05 Weekly Update

Good day, CARDINALS!

We completed several drills for our Safety Week at Golf. Students and staff practiced procedures for conducting a safe fire drill ("On Campus Evacuation"), Severe Shelter in Place, and safe methods for evacuating a school bus in the event of an accident. In the near future, we will also work collaboratively with the Morton Grove Police Department and practice a Hard Lockdown drill. In advance of that drill, we will be certain to give notice of the approximate date for the drill and then follow up with a message after we complete this drill.

Most Clubs begin NEXT week! Did you forget to sign up for a club? It's NOT too late! Check out the GMS Music, Clubs and Sports 2024-2025 section for the available clubs, and call the office to add your student.

The 4:30 Late Bus service, starting on Tuesday, September 10, is designed to accommodate students in after-school activities. This service will run every week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, providing a convenient transportation option for any student involved in an after-school activity.

Just a reminder that all of our students are scheduled to take the MAP reading test on Tuesday, September 10 and the math test on Wednesday, September 11, both testing sessions occurring in the morning. These tests are an important part of our academic assessment and help us track your child's progress. Please do your best to ensure your student is in attendance these two days. While make-ups will be offered, we far prefer for students to complete the tests on the scheduled dates and not interfere with future classes. Of course, some circumstances are unavoidable—thank you for your attention to this detail! Also, please have your student fully charge their Chromebooks for Tuesday and Wednesday's test sessions.

Open House is quite literally right around the corner! Open House is taking place this Thursday, September 12, from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Please double-check the location of your student's grade level. A reminder that Open House is a very well-attended event for which we are all grateful for your attendance. As in the past, additional parking is available next door at the bank.

The annual D67 Foundation Dash is this Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 9 a.m. at Frank Hren Park in Morton Grove. While online registration is now closed, you can still sign up in person the evening of Friday, September 6, 2024, from 3:30-7 p.m. and 8-8:45 a.m. on Race Day. The foundation supports our district's schools with resources that benefit our students. Visit the Golf 67 Foundation webpage to learn more.

Go Cardinals!

Mr. Martin Hopkins and Dr. Nate Carter

Co-Interim Principal

Golf Middle School

• 4 p.m. | Varsity Boys Soccer: Golf at Parkview
• 4 p.m. | Junior Varsity Boys Soccer: McCracken at Golf
  

Tuesday, September 10

• MAP READING Test (in the morning)

• 4 p.m. | Junior Varsity Boys Soccer: Golf at Lincoln

Wednesday, September 11

• MAP MATH Test (in the morning)

• 4:15 p.m. | Varsity Boys Soccer: East Prairie at Golf

Thursday, September 12

• 4 p.m. | Junior Varsity Boys Soccer: Parkview at Golf

Friday, September 13

• 4:15 p.m. | Varsity Boys Soccer: Old Orchard at Golf

• 4 p.m. | Varsity Girls Volleyball: Golf at MacCracken

• 5 p.m. | J.V. Girls Volleyball: Golf at MacCracken

GOLF - A MIGHTY PLAYER IN THE LITTLE NINE! Go, Cardinals!!

Say Cheese! 😁 (Again) Picture retakes will occur on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

Important Details:

• This is a PREPAY EVENT. Online ordering is available up to 24 hours after Picture Day.
• To order online, use the GMS password: 0110693IN.
• Please note that shipping and handling charges may apply to orders placed after Picture Day.

With their "gray screen," your student can wear ANY COLOR they like for their photos!

For more information, visit www.pictureswithclass.com.

We look forward to seeing all families on Thursday, September 12, for the GMS Open House from 7-8 p.m. It's a perfect opportunity to explore the school, meet our teachers, and learn about the unique academic programs and activities that make Golf Middle School special.

7 p.m. – Welcome!

• Start your evening by heading directly to your student's grade-level presentation.

• Each grade will host a presentation in the following locations:
• 5th Grade: Gym
• 6th Grade: Multi-purpose Room
• 7th Grade: Media Center
• 8th Grade: Carro Commons (upstairs)

Note: The specials and PE team will make a brief visit to each presentation to introduce themselves and share a few words.

7:40 p.m. – Room Visits… Explore!

• After the presentations, families are encouraged to visit the classrooms, meet the teachers, and check in with the PTA in the lobby. This is a great time to see the learning environments and ask any questions you may have.
• The specials and PE teachers are excited to meet you, so be sure to stop by and say hello!

Open House is an excellent opportunity for families to connect with the school and prepare for upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences scheduled for Thursday, October 10, from 2 to 8 p.m., and Friday, October 11, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. These conferences are perfect for engaging in deeper conversations about your student's progress.

Registration for the GMS Orchestra will take place on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 5-7:30 p.m. at Niles North High School in Room 1635. During this event, students can try out various instruments, meet the teachers, and begin the instrument rental process. Representatives from Cassandra Strings, one of the program's recommended rental stores, will be on hand to size students for their instruments. Most middle school students will require a smaller-sized instrument, and renting is recommended at this stage.

Registration can be completed before or after the event via the Middle School Orchestra Registration 2024-2025 Google Form.

Returning orchestra members and families do not need to attend Registration Night. Families must only complete the Middle School Orchestra Registration 2024-2025 Registration form.

Families can rent instruments through Cassandra Strings during Registration Night or choose another rental store later. Other recommended local shops include Seman Violins and William Harris & Lee.

For players at this level, renting an instrument is advised rather than purchasing one. All payments for rentals are arranged directly with the selected music store.

Assistance is available if a student's family cannot afford the rental fees or book costs. Please get in touch with the program director if necessary.

For any questions, don't hesitate to contact Jennifer Page, Program Director, at jenpag@d219.org.

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Whether it's something you loved or an area where we can improve, we'd love to know.

Your input helps us make our communications better for everyone.

We want to remind you of some important information we’ve shared in previous newsletters. These notes are key to ensuring your family is up-to-date and ready for all the upcoming activities and events.

The season has begun! This coming week marks our first week of volleyball and soccer competitions! We expect that we will have several students attending the games and wanted to review the spectator expectations we share with our students attending a game.

Spectator Expectations:

• Use kind and appropriate language. Use of profanity, insults, or negative language will not be tolerated.
• Treat peers, athletes, parents, coaches, and officials with respect.
• Be present and watch the game.
• Eat any food behind the chairs and clean up after yourself.
• Remain on school grounds at all times (e.g., do not leave to go home or go to Walgreens and come back).
• Remain in your designated space before and during the event.
• Use of phones is prohibited unless you are calling or messaging your parent/guardian.
  • This includes general use, taking pictures, or recording videos
• Listen to and follow all directions from the supervisor.

If a student was sent to the office at any point in the day due to negative behavior or received consequences on a day when an event is scheduled, they are not able to attend the event. Students are also reminded that failure to follow these expectations may result in a student being issued a consequence. It's important to understand that these rules are in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. We hope that all students will make positive choices and cheer on our Cardinals!

We are pleased to offer a large variety of opportunities to participate in clubs, sports and music opportunities throughout the school year. In this section you will find answers to FAQs, schedules and fees.

After you review this information please contact the front office should you have additional questions.

Is your student excited about singing? We are thrilled to announce that registration is open for the 2024-2025 Golf Choirs! Students in 5th and 6th grades can join the Cadet Choir, while those in 7th and 8th grades can become part of the Concert Choir. If your student is interested, please fill out the Golf Choir Registration Form to sign them up.

Completing this form registers your student for choir. A choir fee of $65 will be assigned to the student's account and can be paid via Campus Portal. If you have any questions or concerns about the fee, please don't hesitate to reach out to Mr. Hopkins.

Rehearsals will be held before school, with an early bus available as part of the choir fee. Your student can ride the early bus even if they don’t typically use bus transportation. Please indicate on the registration form if your student will need to use the bus. At this time, there is a one week delay before the student is added to the early morning bus route.

Morning Rehearsal Schedule:

• Cadet Choir (5th and 6th grade): Monday and Wednesday, 7:30-8:15 a.m.
• Concert Choir (7th and 8th grade): Tuesday and Friday, 7:30-8:15 a.m.

If you have any questions about the choir program, please contact Mr. Kohring at ekohring@golf67.net. We look forward to a fantastic year of music!

All incoming 6th-grade students must provide proof they have received a health examination, including proof of the immunizations against and screenings for preventable communicable diseases, as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health unless an exemption or extension applies. For more details and to access the necessary forms, check out our Health Requirements webpage to learn more.

Numerous opportunities exist to get involved and support Golf 67 students and staff. We invite you to join the PTA and participate as much as you can. We will help find roles that match your availability and interests. To join, visit the Golf District 67 PTA website. For any questions, please email PTAGolf67@gmail.com.