Weekly Updates
It was another busy September week at GMS. We kicked off our celebration of Hispanic-American Heritage month with student volunteers reciting quotes and facts from influential Hispanic Americans each morning during announcements. In the library, our staff set up a display of prominent Latino writers and artists, above a collection of books written by Hispanic American authors.
On Wednesday, students had an early dismissal, while staff had the afternoon to meet to do some in-depth planning for the year. Teacher teams looked at assessment data from last year to help establish new goals for the current year, and spent some time planning year-long outreach initiatives to students and families.
On Thursday afternoon, we welcomed the Easton Middle School cross country team to campus for our first meet of the season. It was a great day on campus as all of our runners gave a maximum effort. See below for more highlights!
The sign-up form for fall clubs was sent out on Friday afternoon. Please submit sign-ups by Wednesday, September 25th. Fall clubs officially start on Monday, September 30th.
Any parent or guardian who is interested in a deeper level of involvement at the school is welcome to apply to be a member of our School Council. Per Massachusetts law:
"Councils are to assist principals by reviewing the school building budget and developing the school improvement plan. Councils may also take on other responsibilities, including policymaking, as granted by the local school committee. Councils' school improvement plans are submitted to the local school committee for review and approval."We currently have four open seats for guardians on the GMS council. If you are interested in membership, please complete the form linked below by Friday, September 27th.
Math Warm-Ups
Students in Mr. Murphy's 6th grade math class warmed up for the day by finding quotients.
Interactive Notebooks
Ms. Ducat's social studies classes worked to set up their interactive notebooks
Marathon Monday!
We are excited to kick off year two of the GMS Marathon Reading Challenge! The Marathon Reading Challenge is a literacy initiative with two goals:
To create a school-wide culture of literacy.
To support students in increasing their reading stamina and fluency, while improving their comprehension.
The challenge encourages students to read twenty-six books in the school year. Specific details about the challenge can be found here. Just like last year, there will be prizes and events affiliated with this challenge, including a school-wide team competition.
Parents and guardians should be aware that, unlike classroom texts, independent reading books will NOT be vetted by English teachers. Please talk to your student(s) about the books they are reading to ensure their book selection aligns with your values and expectations. Thanks for your partnership on this fun new initiative!
Introducing the GMS Fact of the Week
I am happy to debut a new feature of the weekly newsletter, the GMS Fact of the Week. Our aim is to highlight an interesting fact related to the different subject areas we study here every day. I hope you'll end up being Wowed by the FOW.
This week's fact: "A student who reads 20 minutes per day will be exposed to 1.8 million words per year and is more likely to score in the 90th percentile on standardized tests" (Nagy, Anderson, & Herman, 1987).
Just one more reason to love Marathon Monday!
GMS Cross Country
We had a terrific first meet on Thursday, and it was great to see so many families and fellow students lining the course, cheering on our runners. We're looking forward to a great season!
Go Gold Day at GMS
GO GOLD DAY AT GMS - THURSDAY, 9/26
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month and to show our support, GMS will “Go Gold” on Thursday, September 26th to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer. Students and staff are encouraged to wear gold or yellow. Gold ribbons will be sold in the main lobby before school for $1. All proceeds will benefit families directly impacted by childhood cancer.
Unified Sports
"GMS has again been invited to participate in the Special Olympics Middle School Unified Sports League. The league will utilize Special Olympics MA and Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) rules and will be composed of students with and without intellectual disabilities. The
League strives to promote a climate of dignity, respect and inclusion for students beyond the classroom. The Unified League will involve winning and losing, but the primary focus is on gaining new skills, meeting personal goals and participating with a team. We will be participating in Unified Bocce this fall, Unified Basketball this winter, and Unified Cornhole in the spring. Keep an eye out for information on how to join!"
Coach Michelle Jackson, and Coach Julie Fogel
Bulldog Nurses' Blip
Hello from the health office! We are up and running and starting off the new year fresh. Here are some messages for the coming school year.
Emergence of West Nile and EEE
West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been confirmed in Massachusetts this summer. These are mosquito borne illnesses that have serious side effects. To prevent mosquito borne illnesses, make sure you’re wearing insect repellant anytime you go outside (especially during dusk to dawn), and remove any standing water at home where mosquitos like to hang out. You can receive mosquito alerts through the board of health by following the link
https://www.town.canton.ma.us/List.aspx (enter email, scroll down to Alert Center and select Board of Health). Most people do not show symptoms of either illness but if they do, they can experience a fever, body aches, or other neurological symptoms that may lead to hospitalization. Reach out to your child’s pediatrician or your physician if you are concerned about illness in your family.
Seasonal Boosters
The Board of Health in Canton is hosting a vaccine clinic for the flu shot! The fair is 10/19 from 10am-1pm in the high school cafeteria. If you cannot make it at that time you can contact them and set up an appointment at 781-821-2942. They also have updated covid vaccines by appointment. The covid and flu shot are widely available at most doctor’s offices and local pharmacies.
We are ready for the cold and flu season, let's all keep each other healthy! We have a diverse community of people in our school that have various health needs. A small cold for one person can be a major illness for another. Please stay home if you have a fever, new onset of flu like symptoms, vomiting or diarrhea.
FIT 4 FUND$
FIT-4-FUND$ is GMS CAPT’S ONLY fundraiser of the year! Fit4fund$ is a joint effort bringing together our school, community, parents, students and faculty in a fitness-based day of events.
FIT4FUND$ is held at the Galvin Middle School, and asks each student to choose a fitness-based event: WALKING - ROLLERBLADING - ZUMBA _ SKATEBOARDING - CAPTURE THE FLAG - BASKETBALL - DODGEBALL VOLLEYBALL, and more.
Students then collect donations and participate in a day of fitness based activities.
Our goal is to have every student participate!
GMS C.A.P.T. 's GOAL is 100% participation, with all students raising at least $75 through flat rate pledge donations students collect from family, friends and neighbors. Students can also raise funds through bake sales, yard sales, and change jars. All donations are greatly appreciated.
Please help us reach our goal!
Our FIT4FUND$ Kickoff Pep Rally will be Friday, September 27th. Each student will bring home an information packet on the 27th.
100% of funds raised as part of this campaign go to supporting special programming and activities that enrich the experience of our GMS students.
Examples of costs covered in prior years include: Agenda Books for each student, Special Presentations, Facing History, Amazing Hero Artist Rob Surette, Rhode Island Black Storytellers, The Fresh Ink Literary Magazine, Anne Frank Theatrical Performance, Field Trip Buses & expenses for trips to Maplewood, Gillette Stadium, and the Blue Hills; Teacher Classroom Requests; Technology for Students; and 8th Grade End-of-Year Events.
Important Dates:
9/27: Grade Level Fit4Fund$ Kick-Off/Pep Rally: Students get fundraising packets to take home.
10/10: Pledge sheet and donation envelope due back for Tug of War eligibility (X Block Room with highest participation will square off against teachers)
10/11: Fit4Fund$ Event Date - All donations submitted
10/16: Fit4Fund$ Rain Date (if needed)
Week of 10/21: Prize and Raffle Drawings announced during lunch!!
*******ONLINE PAYMENT IS AVAILABLE! ******
Via www.myschoolbucks.com Link will be included in the weekly GMS Principal's Corner emails.
NOTE FOR ONLINE PAYMENTS: If you pay online with a credit card number you will be charged a fee of 3.95% of the transaction amount. Whereas, if you pay online with an e-check (bank account info) you will be charged a flat fee of $0.25.
PRIZE LIST AND RAFFLE DRAWINGS:
Most money raised: PRIZES for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place
Top X Block room PARTICIPATION by team : Tug of War with teachers.
Each student who submits a donation receives a homework pass!!
Top Team Participation rate wins a Team Prize!
50% of funds raised by 8th grade will be put towards year-end 8th Grade activities.
*Students must confirm with the teacher which assignments are eligible for homework pass *
GMS CAPT Corner
The Canton Association of Parents and Teachers, CAPT, is a non-profit parent/teacher organization at the Galvin Middle School. Galvin CAPT strives to provide an enriched educational experience for Galvin students by supplementing their daily curriculum with related equipment, supplies, and programs/field trips not funded by the school district. This is accomplished through our yearly Fit4Fund$ wellness fundraiser.
This year we would love to add a Social Media Coordinator, Recording Secretary, and Fundraising chair to our board.
We welcome any and all help and look forward to another great year! If you would like to get involved, please complete this brief interest form.
Important dates to note
Thursday, September 26th: Go Gold Day at GMS
Friday, September 27th: School council application deadline
Monday, September 30th: Start of fall club season
Thursday, October 3rd: All CPS schools closed in observance of Rosh Hashanah
Monday, October 7th: First GMS School Council meeting, 5PM, GMS Library
Monday, October 7th: GMS CAPT meeting, 6:10PM, GMS Library
Wednesday, October 9th: School Picture Day
Friday, October 11th: Fit 4 Funds Day at GMS
Monday, October 14th: No school: Columbus Day
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