GMS Weekly News and Notes
Weekly Updates
We were pleased to host two very important events on campus this week. On Tuesday, we welcomed Ms. Merenda and Ms. McCourt from the Canton School Committee. Along with Superintendent Folan, they met with a group of student representatives to discuss things that are going well, and things that could possibly be improved at the school. Our student reps (who were chosen by their teacher teams), did a great job!
On Friday, we at GMS were proud to host the annual Unity Day event. 5th graders from the Hansen, JFK, and Luce enjoyed a full day of team-building activities as well as their first lunch together as a whole class. Many thanks go out to the members of the CPS Wellness Department, and our many student leadership volunteers from both GMS and CHS for making it an awesome day on campus!
Term 4 Progress Reports were posted to PlusPortals on Friday May 17, 2024. The Progress Report is a snapshot of the academic average and grade of each class at the halfway point within the term. The Progress Report will show you the Subject (class), Staff (teacher), numerical average, and current grade.
To access the Progress Report:
Log on to the PlusPortals.
Next to the student's name and picture click MORE.
In the green menu bar below select CLASSROOM.
Select PROGRESS REPORTS and click on COMBINED REPORTS.
Congratulations to all of our students for successfully completing their required MCAS tests for the year! Our 8th graders will participate in a field test in Civics later this month, which will close out our standardized testing calendar for the year.
Memorial Day
This weekend, we join the entire Canton Community in remembering all the men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to our nation. We also hold in our thoughts the families, friends, and fellow soldiers who mourn their loss every day.
Stars of the Month
Congratulations to our most recent Stars of the Month. Students from each team were recognized for Academic Excellence, Work Ethic, Having a Positive Attitude, and being Supportive of Others. Well done everyone!
Music Spotlight: GMS/CHS Orchestra Performs at the State House
On Friday, the combined GMS/CHS Orchestra performed at the State House. It was another amazing performance from our young musicians!
Unity Day Highlights
Student leaders from both GMS and CHS did a great job making the 5th grade feel welcome on Friday!
Warm Greetings from the Student Leaders
Let the Games Begin!
Beanbag Toss is Fun for All Ages!
Student Leadership Council Applications
Calling All Leaders! Any student interested in applying for GMS Student Leadership for next year should visit Ms. Dineen in room 216, or Mr. Fuller in room 305 for more information. Students will need to complete an application, as well as ask a teacher for a recommendation. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, May 29th. All applicants will be notified of acceptance prior to the last day of school. If you are currently a 7th grade member of Student Leadership, please look for an email with specific information on how to reapply for next year. Please reach out directly to Ms. Dineen or Mr. Fuller with any questions.
Please reach out directly to Ms. Dineen (dineenj@cantonma.org) or Mr. Fuller (fullerj@cantonma.org) with any questions.
Civic Action Projects
From Mr. Natale
Our 8th graders students will begin working on their Civic Action projects soon. The overall objective for these projects is to have students take part in a process-driven inquiry into a problem in our community. Students will be developing ideas and goals, engaging in lots of research and data gathering, and will present their information at an end of the year showcase. The showcase will take place on Thursday, June 6th from 8:00 am through 10:30 am on the 3rd floor. We will be opening the presentations up to 8th grade families and community members. Please look out for an email invitation. We hope to see you there.
Bulldog Nurses' Blip
Happy May!
Ways to Alleviate Seasonal Allergy Symptoms (without medications)
Springtime environmental allergies are among us in full force. Common symptoms are itchy eyes, itchy throat, sneezing, coughing, or swelling of the sinuses. They can appear mild or confused with cold symptoms and the dreaded conjunctivitis.
Even with daily antihistamines there are gaps in symptom relief! Here are some things we can do to help alleviate these symptoms.
1 . Take a shower before bed to rinse off and pollen that may be in your clothes and hair. Bringing allergens into the bed can make symptoms worse and can cause sleep disturbance
2 . Cold compress and irrigation to eyes help alleviate swelling and rinse pollen out of the mucosa. Non-medicated nasal spray and blowing your nose will help clear swelling and irritation
3. Bring a water bottle to school! Some antihistamines can be dehydrating. Ensuring adequate water intake will help prevent “drying out*.
4. Applying a moisturizing agent like Aquaphor to the inside of the nares to prevent nose bleeds.
We understand allergy symptoms can feel miserable and can impact your child’s mood and academic performance. These symptoms are very treatable! We practice these interventions in the health office and encourage it at home.
Have a great spring!
Best,
Lindsey Coppola RN BSN
Tara Medeiros RN BSN MSN
Better Speech and Hearing Month
From Ms. Fogel:
May is "Better Speech and Hearing Month"! We invite you to learn a little about the role of a School Based Speech Pathologist, as well as the importance of Vocal Hygiene (some tips being: Rest your Voice and Drink Plenty of water! This year we have plenty more information ready to share!
Haitian Heritage Month
Asian-American and Pacific Islander Month
GMS Math Intervention during X Block
My name is Phoenix Harris and I am the math interventionist here at the Galvin. Every week I am hosting a grade specific math extra help session during X-Block. The sessions will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Tuesday's will be dedicated to 8th grade, Wednesday's to 7th grade, and Thursdays to 6th grade. Students or their parents are able to fill out the google form to sign-up weekly on an as-needed basis. For example, students may sign up every week or if a student was absent for a few days, although they typically would not need extra assistance, it may be beneficial for them to attend a session to help them get caught up. The Google Form for sign-ups will close the morning of the session and open back up the day after. Students will receive a reminder email to attend the morning of the session. Please be sure to sign up in advance as space is very limited.
6th Grade X-Block Math Intervention
Pay and Ride Applications
Please check your emails for the 2024-25 Pay and Ride Forms. An electronic form was emailed for each student, to one household member. Please check with other household members and your spam inbox if you do not see this email.
The Pay and Ride form must be completed every year whether your student will require transportation or not. The cut-off date for the 2024-25 Pay and Ride form is June 7th. Please complete the electronic form as soon as possible.
Incoming Kindergarten Pay and Ride forms were completed at the time of registration. You will not receive an email for your incoming 2024-25 Kindergarten student.
More information regarding the Pay and Ride Program, including fees and payments can be found HERE. Payment is not due at this time. Applicable invoices will be sent by MySchoolBucks by the end of June.
If you have questions or did not receive the 2024-25 Pay and Ride email, please email transportation@cantonma.org with your student’s name and school of attendance.
For 8th graders heading to CHS next year:
GMS CAPT Corner
Please join us for our next CAPT meeting on Monday, June 3rd at 6PM in the GMS library.
Please check out the GMS CAPT website for all updates!
Important dates to note
Monday, May 27th: All CPS schools closed in observance of Memorial Day
Monday, June 3rd: School Council meeting, 5PM in the GMS Library
Monday, June 3rd: GMS CAPT meeting, 6:10PM in the GMS Library
Thursday, June 6th: 8th Grade Civic Action Project Showcase, 8-10:30AM
Friday, June 7th: Early dismissal day for students. Students dismissed at 11:05AM
Events Around Town
William H. Galvin Middle School
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