GMS Parent Portal

GCS is excited to offer all parents/guardians participation in our new communications app, ParentSquare. Many parents have signed up and are using this excellent tool.

If you have not yet joined Parent Square, we encourage you to do so as soon as you can. If you do not have an email listed in Skyward, you will need to contact your child's school to have your email address added. You may also download the ParentSquare app on your mobile device at any time, but the app is not required to receive notifications.

Going forward, ParentSquare will be the portal through which you will receive information from Goshen Schools, including Emergency information, school closings, school newsletters, teacher communications, announcements, and more.

ParentSquare offers you the opportunity to get communication in the way that works best for you, either by phone, email, or text. ParentSquare also offers immediate translation services so that everyone gets information in their preferred language. For example, ParentSquare will let you send messages in your preferred language, and the receiver will get the message in his or her preferred language, even if those languages are not the same.

Mrs. Naert is new to GMS this year, teaching Life Skills in Room 170. She grew up in both WA State and The Netherlands. Mrs. Naert went to school in WA state at the University of Washington Seattle University, and she is currently going to Purdue for my master's degree in Special Education. Mrs. Naert’s husband, Ed, is a homegrown Hoosier.

Mrs. Naert is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and Detroit Tigers. In her spare time, she loves to travel with her husband and explore the world. In March, they travelled to Vietnam – arriving home on the last flight out of Vietnam before it was closed to do the Coronavirus!

The Indiana Department of Education has released the following guidance for tracking student attendance during virtual learning: Utilize course progress, student engagement, participation in synchronous and asynchronous instruction, student/teacher interaction, system activity and login time, student logs, and completion of daily work and long-term projects as evidence of student engagement and attendance for off-site learning.

What does this mean for your child?

1. Students need to be present for the entire class period on Zoom.
2. Whenever possible, students should turn their cameras on during Zoom classes. This helps students stay more engaged and allows teachers to gauge student understanding. Face-to-face interaction is important!
3. Students need to participate in class by:

- contributing verbally to class discussion
- responding to questions in the chat
- completing assignments
- meeting individually with the teacher as requested

All of these actions provide the teacher with evidence that the student is in attendance and engaged.

The Indiana Department of Education has released information for parents regarding state testing of students during remote learning. Please click on the file below to read more about the state's requirements for testing all students in person this Spring.

The City of Goshen CDBG-CV Short-Term Rent & Utility Program is a program to expend federal CARES Act funds to benefit low to moderate income renters in the City of Goshen who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assistance is first-come, first-served, subject to eligibility, the provision of required documentation, and availability of funds. Households can receive a maximum of 3 months’ worth of assistance. Maximum limits apply. Only past-due rent and gas/electric bills (NIPSCO/AEP) are eligible for payment.

Please call or email Meaghan Bylsma, Community Development Specialist, at (574) 533-9370 or meaghanbylsma@goshencity.com if you’re interested in applying or getting more information.

Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in our area, City buildings are closed the public except by appointment. It is strongly preferred that appointments be virtual or by phone at this time. Masks are REQUIRED for any in-person appointments.

*Please note, renters residing in income-based housing or mobile homes are not eligible for this program. If you are a homeowner struggling to pay your mortgage, please contact (877) 438-4673 or visit http://www.877gethope.org

See goshenindiana.org/covid19help for links to printable program forms and more information about eligibility and required documentation.

The Celebrate America organization is again providing scholarships for five students attending the 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. It's not too late to sign up for the trip and enter the scholarship contest! Click on this link to read more information about scholarships: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A-AMd0A3OWrvtbQlaQkZwKb9JZdvlq2M5FblLRTqd0Q/edit

Questions? Contact Kaylee Shepherd (kshepherd@goshenschools.org) or Shanna Wiese (swiese@goshenschools.org).

If you missed out on last year's yearbook, now is your chance to get one! There are a few yearbooks from 2019-2020 still available. See Mrs. Gingerich, GMS Bookkeeper, in the main office to make your purchase. The cost of a yearbook is $30.

Do you know of a GMS staff member who has "gone the extra mile" to make a difference in the life of a child? Take a moment to recognize and thank someone who has shown the Heart of a Redhawk! Click on the link below to fill out a nomination form. This is a simple, meaningful way to thank someone for a job well done.

www.goshenschools.org/heartofaRedHawk

Course 5 (virtual classes only) has been extended until Winter Break for grades 7-12.

Winter Break, No School: December 23 - January 5th

Email: lherschberger@goshenschools.org
Website: https://gms.goshenschools.org
Location: 1216 S. Indiana Avenue, Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: (574)533-0391
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goshen.middle.school/
Twitter: @GoshenMiddleSch