Pony Express
Connecting GMS in one place!
May 4th
GMS Families,
Let the count down begin. We've got a big month ahead of us and still so much do!
Next week we will have our Algebra I STAAR test, Biology STAAR test, and our AP Spanish IV test. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever say that on a middle school campus. My, have times changed. Well, we don't want the students stressed over the test. They just need good rest, a great breakfast, and parents and staff that support them. We are proud of them.
Today, we had a chance to celebrate our Fine Arts programs at our Celebration Rally - what talented students we have! See our pictures below.
As you know, there's always something great happening at GMS and it is THE middle school to attend! Please read through this newsletter so you don't miss out on anything. Here’s what you need to know for this week:
On Slide 8, you will find the actual bell schedule. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
5. Results for April Grades 5 and 8 Reading and Math STAAR will be posted at www.texasassessment.com in the FOR FAMILIES section in the STUDENT PORTAL on May 1, 2018. Parents will need their student's unique access code to retrieve the scores. This code is located in SKYWARD or on any previous STAAR Report Card at the bottom of the page. Parents can also go to www.texasassessment.com and retrieve the unique access code with their student's first name, social security number, and date of birth.
6. With the new TEXRail coming to the area, please view these safety videos with your student(s)
On Thursday, May 3, at 9:00 a.m. registration for the June 20th administration of math telescoping tests opened. The registration window will remain open through midnight on May 23, 2018. Parents must complete a two-step registration process by going online from this webpage to register their child and then printing their online confirmation to attach to their fee payment. Payment is due by 4:00 p.m. on May 24, 2018. Payments may be mailed or hand-delivered to the Administration Building but MUST arrive by the deadline in order to be accepted. No exceptions.
- Parent meeting: Thursday, May 24th / CHHS Lecture Hall /6:30 pm
- Coach's Overview
- Order Team Apparel, Summer practice & August information
- chhscxc@gmail.com
- Facebook parent group
We are FAMILY! This is OUR HOUSE! Great students come from GREAT FAMILIES!
#OurHouseGMS
Monday, May 7th - Algebra I STAAR EOC (Closed Campus)
Tuesday, May 8th - Spanish IV AP Exam
Wednesday, May 9th- Biology EOC (Closed Campus), GMS Beginner Band Instrument Drive 4:30-7:30
Thursday, May 10th - 6th graders receive Chrome Books, GMS Soccer vs. CTMS (Girls @ CTMS and Boys @ GHS), 5-7, 8th graders - ARENA Scheduling for high school classes.
Friday, May 11th - US History for 8th graders STAAR Review 4-6:30, Spring Band Concert, 7:00-8:15 in GMS Cafeteria
Save the dates for End of Year Awards:
May 22nd at 8:30am - 6th grade awards
May 24th at 8:30am - 7th grade awards
May 29th at 9:30am - 8th grade awards
Celebration Rally!
Theater
Music to the Ears
Playbill Class
Teacher Appreciation
New Ponies
Choir
Lots to Celebrate
Reading Practice
Sub Appreciation
Signing In and Treats
Snacks and a Note
In order to make the process of schedule pick-up SUPER easy, all upcoming 7th graders (current 6th graders) will need to provide proof of immunization. Please make sure you take care of this before schedule pick up in August - you will have to show proof of immunizations. If you do it before the school year ends, please send a copy of your child's immunization record to Nurse Jansen.
Attention parents of 8th graders attending CHHS & GHS For the 2018-19 school year:
Arena Scheduling is a registration system through Skyward that allows students to create their own schedules similar to the scheduling systems used in college. Arena allows students greater control to build their schedules, and students know their unofficial schedules by the end of the current school year. Below is the timeline for the process.
Arena Scheduling- Students will schedule their courses for the 2018-2019 school year using their Skyward Student Log-in.
The online scheduling window opens at 7:00 a.m. on May 10th and closes at 11:59pm on May 12th. GMS, CHHS & GHS counselors will be available at GMS in or near the GMS Lecture Hall starting @ 6:45am on May 10th to assist students and/or parents with this process. Our 8th graders have on-line access to helpful information in the GMS Counseling Google page and the GMS Counselor webpage.
As we’ve told the students many times, the key to success in this process is being prepared before May 10th. If you or your student have questions or concerns, please let Mrs. Gardner or Mrs. Johnson know.
Adjustment Windows- Students with schedule errors or concerns may submit one change request form online during each adjustment window.
Window #1: May 21-23
Window #2: August 1-3
The 2018 Summer School Registration is now open for students to sign up.
The link below will take you or your students to the Summer Programs page. Simply scroll down to locate the link to register.
http://www.gcisd.net/cms/one.aspx?portalId=96313&pageId=195746
The window to sign up for Credit by Exam is now open. The deadline to sign up for the May 19th test administration @ GHS is April 19th. Classes commonly taken by middle school students are Spanish I A & Spanish I B (1st year of Spanish for high school credit.)
Here’s a link to the GCISD website containing more information:
- Staff Appreciation Breakfast Cart: After testing next week, PTA will be showing our appreciation with the annual “Staff Appreciation Breakfast Cart” on Friday, May 11th. We roll through the halls with smiles, serve coffee and all kinds of breakfast treats. We love our GMS teachers & staff!
- The 8th Grade Dance is happening tonight! Thank you to Mindy Matlock for organizing the dance & all the volunteers who are helping to make the night a huge success! Pictures will be posted in the next newsletter.
- Save the Date for GMS Pony Fest 2018 on May 18th: This will be a fun filled afternoon with Gatorball, Nuke’em, karaoke, games, and the concession stand. Go by the front office to pick up a tournament form to enter your team for Gatorball or Nuke’em. Teams can consist of up to seven players from the same grade level & cost is $3 per player. Team forms need to be turned in by May 16th. This is our biggest PTA fundraiser for the year. We appreciate your support!
- EPI School Supply Packs: School supply packs are now on sale for 2018-19. Orders can be placed online through June 24th at https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/. Our school id is GRA176. Packs are $21 plus tax.
- 2018-19 GMS PTA Officer Nominations: Are you interested in serving on the 2018-19 GMS PTA Executive Board? Plans are underway for an outstanding 2018-19 school year at GMS PTA! Our PTA is only as strong as our volunteers and together, we can make big things happen for our school. The Nominating Committee is currently accepting nominations to fill the Executive Board for next year. Our 1st need is for volunteers to fill officer positions. Nominations for other positions will also be accepted. We are using a Google form to make it super easy to respond and find the position that best fits you! https://goo.gl/forms/4VXkSuR3OCPqNQZ62
- For questions, please contact Jo Kruzel at jobclayton@yahoo.com. Thank you for your interest!
- Nominating Committee Update: Time is running out to accept PTA officer nominations. The committee is looking for a President and a President-Elect. The new position of President-Elect serves as an aide to the president and would automatically become president the following year. This makes it so nice to learn the role before becoming president. Training & resources are provided. To learn more about the role of president, click here: https://www.txpta.org/president
- World Wear Project: Time for Spring Cleaning to begin! Please donate your gently used shoes, clothing, purses, belts, wallets, hats, caps, backpacks, hard toys, stuffed animals, & pots/pans into the World Wear Project bin, located in the circle drive near the gym entrance. For every pound collected, we receive $0.12. Help do your part to Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle!
Keep bringing those Box Tops!
To stay connected with all the latest PTA news be sure to like our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/grapevinemiddleschoolpta/
End of Year
The year is winding down! With big tests and tired brains we’re starting to see more and more missing work. Cornell Notes and Tutorials will continue through May 11th! Any support you can give in reminding students of their AVID assignments would be greatly appreciated!
What’s happening in AVID?
Check out our Facebook page for class updates, pictures and more!
Community Service
Classroom Visits
Debate, anyone?
In Action
Engagement
AVID Tutorial
AVID Panel
***For all campus!!!
The Spring clean up has been cancelled due to the rain. We'll update you when we know more!
8th Grade-
US History STAAR Review for 8th graders will be held on:
Friday May 4th 4:00-6:30 **Canceled because of dance**
Friday May 11th 4:00-6:30
Saturday May 12th 8:00-12:00
*More SS dates will be added before and after school as we get closer to the date.
Biology and Algebra EOC Review sessions will be held on April 21st and May 5th from 8:00-12:00. To sign up, please use the following link:
**Supplies for the end of the year: We are short on Tissues and pencils. If you are able to donate, we would appreciate it. THANK YOU!!
Schedule:
April 30-May 4 ABABC
May 7th- May 31st- All C
Band:
Congratulations to our FINE ARTS students - what a great year you've had!!
Standing Ovation
The After Show
Cast and Crew
Nice Hardware
Just Chillin'
Hard at Work
The National Junior Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the ares of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1929.
The induction ceremony into this prestigious group occurred the evening of April 18, 2018 here at GMS at 6:30 in the cafeteria.
Holocaust Museum
NJHS
Big D
NJHS Induction
Outstanding Students
Celebration
Cheer coaches will be offering information on our new 6th grade Pep Squad, The Wranglers! We are SO excited to offer this opportunity!
Monday, May 7th at 6 pm – Commitment Night – A Night of Pony Pride –
o Independent Fundraiser with Century Resources – Turn in orders and funds.
o Resale of Pony Pride Costumes
o Booster Club Dues
o Team Commitment Forms Due with a cookie cake, and new team picture with team banner.
Wednesday, May 16th at 6 pm in the Lecture Hall – New Costume Fitting with Leapin' Leotard- Half of your entire order is due up front. Funds from the Century Fundraiser will be available to help cover costume costs that were independently raised.
Next Meeting
We will be meeting next week, Tuesday, May 8th during Corral to discuss our next order of business!
Girls Soccer
Coaching Advice
On the Move
We are so proud of all our student athletes and coaches! This has been an amazing year, with school and district records being achieved, and the year is not over yet!
We know how busy everyone’s schedule is this time of year and we want to make our spring fundraiser as simple as possible. No selling products, no sending out emails, no physical activity required! You can simply donate online to our Go Fund Me page www.gofundme.com/gms-athletic-booster-club , share this link with your friends and family, or you can send in cash or check to your coaches (make checks out to GMS Athletic Booster Club).
The fundraiser will run from April 18-May 2nd. Our goal is to raise $4K.
Thank you in advance for your help. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Hill eric.hill@gcisd.net , Coach Hudnall leah.hudnall@gcisd.net or Melissa Pavlicin, Booster Club President, mrpavlicin@verizon.net214-335-2767.
Our Dual Language 8th grade students are preparing for their AP exam on Tuesday. They have been practicing and bubbling their AP documents this week. They will be ready! We are so proud of these students and they're really getting into advanced work (junior and senior high school level). Good luck!! We believe in you and know you'll do your BEST!
Alamo
A little fun
Great Memories
Child Nutrition Appreciation Week is May 7-11. Have you thanked a lunch lady today? Let them know how much they mean to the students and the school day!
To kick off Child Nutrition Appreciation Week, Grapevine-Colleyville schools will celebrate School Lunch Hero Day on May 4. School Lunch Hero Day provides an opportunity for parents, students, school staff and communities to thank those who provide healthy meals to 30 million of America’s students each school day. PLEASE encourage your child to send a note!
6th grade - Tuesday, May 22nd at 8:30am
7th grade - Thursday, May 24th at 8:30am
8th grade - Tuesday, May 29th at 9:30am
*Any time at VISTA
*2 or more times in ISS
*UIL academically eligible
*No more than 2 "N"s or "U"s on their citizenship grade for the 3rd 9 weeks
Remember, it they're not taking care of business in their classes, they are NOT attending this field trip privilege.
Grapevine Middle School
Email: laura.koehler@gcisd.net
Website: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/gms
Location: 301 Pony Parkway, Grapevine, TX, United States
Phone: 817-251-5660
Facebook: facebook.com/GrapevineMiddleSchool
Twitter: @GrapevineMiddle