Goodrich Middle School

Despite numerous reminders, there are still a number of vehicles who are not following GMS drop off protocol, causing unsafe conditions for our students. Therefore, Genesee County Law Enforcement has been notified and has asked that licence plate numbers of the violator(s) and a description of the offense(s) be reported to the school office so that law enforcement can contact the offenders directly.

Morning Drop-Off

• Drop off is to be done ONLY in the circle drive by the flagpole.
  
• Drop off is to be done ONLY between the “Drop Off Zone” signs.
  
• Drivers MUST PULL ALL THE WAY FORWARD so that 6-8 cars can let students out at the same time, which will help shorten wait times.
  
• Your child MUST exit your vehicle as soon as your car is within the “Drop Off Zone” signs.

• Do NOT wait to let your child out until you are in front of the entrance doors, as this only prolongs the line wait-time for EVERY parent!
  
• Please ensure that your child has everything they need PRIOR to pulling up to the Drop Off Zone!
  

The Drop Off Zone is NOT a parking area; therefore, you should only be in the zone long enough for your child to exit your vehicle.

***Once your student has exited the vehicle, please REMAIN IN LINE and EXIT SINGLE FILE IN THE SAME ORDER YOU PULLED IN!! DO NOT pull out to pass the other cars in front of you, as this is a safety hazard for both students on foot who may be crossing from the parking lot AND the other cars in line.***

Beginning in mid-April, Goodrich Middle School will once again administer the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP). This test is developed by the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Standards and Assessment. M-STEP will include online summative assessments designed to measure current student knowledge. English Language Arts and Mathematics will be assessed in grades 6–8, Science in grade 8, and Social Studies in grade 8. Testing windows during April and May are established by the Michigan Department of Education. All testing, including make-up tests, must be completed during the four-week testing window established for each grade level.

Please note the testing dates below for your child:

Grade 8: Math, ELA, Social Studies and Science

April 17, 19, 24, 26

Grade 7: Math and ELA

May 1, 3

Grade 6: Math and ELA

May 15, 17

It is important that students be in school on their testing dates. Missing any day will require a make-up session. Please refrain from making dentist and doctor appointments on testing days.

The M-Step tests are important to parents, teachers, students, and the school district. The results of these tests are analyzed to see if adjustments need to be made with curriculum objectives and alignment to the state standards. The results are used for the Michigan School Accountability ratings. Most importantly, individual student achievement is examined. The staff will be working with students to familiarize them with online tools that will be available during the tests, in addition to working through sample test items.

Please encourage your child to:

• Get plenty of sleep for the tests.
• Eat a good, nutritious breakfast on the mornings of the tests.
• Be at school on testing days, and be prompt.
• Bring a pencil and fiction pleasure book to the testing.
• Wear glasses, if needed.
• Ask the test administrator if the testing directions are not clear.
• Focus on one question at a time.
• Put forth his/her best effort on the tests.

In partnership with ELGA Credit Union, we will be opening a student-led credit union at GMS. Students will have the opportunity to open a savings account with ELGA and then make deposits at school. Students will also have the opportunity to apply for various positions to work at the GMS Credit Union, although ELGA representatives will always be present during "deposit days."

Students are only able to make deposits at GMS and will have to visit a ELGA Credit Union branch to make withdrawals. Savings account applications and job applications were given to students in their 6th hour classes on Monday, March 26th. Extra copies are available in the office. Please contact Ms. von Keltz or Mr. Salter if you have any questions.

The deadline for completed account and job applications

is Tuesday, April 10th.

Goodrich Middle School had its own version of “March Madness!” To celebrate “March Is Reading Month,” a school-wide theme of “Battle of the Books” was adopted. Students in grades 6-8 began the competition by completing a survey of the top three books they had read over the past year. From the survey, a list of the top eight books was generated. Students first voted on their favorites among the “Elite 8” books. Voting narrowed the number of books down to the “Final 4.” These books included the Harry Potter series, the book Gym Candy, the Percy Jackson series and the book Wonder. Another round of voting by the students narrowed their favorite books down to Gym Candy vs. Wonder. A championship round of voting took place, and the winner of the “Battle of the Books” competition was………..? Check with a middle school student to find out the results, but take you own guess first!

March Madness was a fun way to promote reading, and to share the importance that reading plays in our lives. Other “March Is Reading Month” activities included a Scholastic Book Fair, which was run by our librarian, Mrs. Andre, and a lunch-time book swap, which was run by Kathy Mulholland from the Cottage Used Book Store in Goodrich. Thank you to all! Happy reading, everyone!

The English Department

Congratulations to the following students who were nominated by their teachers to be our GMS Students of the Month for March! Students are nominated based on many factors, including but not limited to: work ethic, grades, positive attitude, helpfulness and other PRIDE qualities. Congratulations to: Lila Buchler- 6th (left), Austin Eckstein- 7th (middle) and Coral Velez - 8th (right).

Pictured Above - Historic Preservation Specialist Mr. Kyle Stottmeister taught Mrs. Stack’s 7th grade social studies classes about ancient history, including weaponry and war tactics, used in ancient times. Front Row: Isaiah Dunn, Connor Rhodes, Logan Durant, Isaiah Moore; Back Row: Jacob Villalpando, Connor McGuffin, Caeden Rossell

Pictured Above - Ms. Hein's 7th grade math students explored the idea of surface area. They worked together to use actual 3D figures to understand what surface area means.

Our school, lead by the GMS Student Council Team, successfully raised over $2,300.00 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through our Pennies for Patients campaign! Congratulations to Mrs. D’Alessandro’s 1st hour Spanish I class who won an Olive Garden lunch for having the most classroom donations with an astounding $641.78 in donations!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who donated toward this worthy cause!

Goodrich Middle School's LAST monthly book swap of the year will be on Friday, May 4th!

Students are allowed to bring in up to five gently used books to turn in to their ELA teacher the day before the event in exchange for tickets to pick out new books during the swap. Kathy Mulholland from Cottage Used Books in Goodrich supplies “new” books for the kids to choose from. This is a great way to clear out the books your middle-school student has already read in exchange for new reading material to use over the summer months.

Goodrich Area School District is now eligible for member discounts for students and employees.

Member Benefits:
* Up to 30% off Dell PCs, Electronics and Accessories.
* Dell Advantage: 5% back + free 2nd business day shipping (Register at Checkout).
* Member Exclusive Deals
* Insider access to Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals

To access the online catalogue, go to www.Dell.com/goodrichschools

This information is also available on the district website.

Dates and times are subject to change.

Please check our school calendar at http://www.goodrichschools.org/GMS/Events/

for the most up-to-date information!

March:

3/29: Last Day of 3rd Marking Period/ PRIDE PARTY

3/30: NO SCHOOL

April:

4/2-4/6: SPRING BREAK

4/11: PTO Meeting - 9:15am - Oaktree Elementary

4/13:

• 8th Grade Field Trip to Holocaust Museum
  
• Report Cards Made Available on ParentVue/StudentVue

4/18: LATE START

4/19: 8th Grade Washington D.C. Chaperone Meeting - 6:30pm - Room 103

4/23: Board Meeting - 6:30pm - Central Office Community Room

May:

5/4: LAST Cottage Used Book Swap - during lunches

5/5 - 5/9: 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip

5/9: PTO Meeting - 9:15am - Oaktree Elementary

5/16: LATE START

5/18: Band Field Trip - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - Cleveland, OH

5/21: Board Meeting - 6:30pm

5/24: GMS Band Concert (5th - 8th) - 6:30pm - HS Auditorium

5/28: NO SCHOOL

Goodrich Middle School's complete Attendance & Tardy policies can be found in our handbook on the GMS website at www.goodrichschools.org/GMS under "Student Handbook and Policies."

Rachel’s Closet, located in the office at GMS, is a closet full of clothes, supplies and personal care items that middle school age students may need, but maybe cannot afford. Students are able to visit the closet for items they need confidentially. Please talk to your child about Rachel's Closet and encourage them to see Mrs. Durant, Mrs. Lauinger, Ms. von Keltz, Mr. Salter or Ms. Batterbee if they need anything.

For daily updates on GMS events and announcements, please be sure to check www.goodrichschools.org/GMS/! Just click on "News and Announcements" on the left side of the page. You can also check the online calendar to see upcoming events and activities!

The Martian PTO is always looking for people that would like to get involved and volunteer their time. The next meeting is Wednesday, April 11th at 9:15am. All meetings take place at Oaktree. Please email the Martian PTO at Martianptoinc@gmail.com or visit the Martian PTO webpage and Facebook page for more information.

Exceptional Education, Extraordinary People – We Are Goodrich!

Proud to be a Systems Accredited District.

The mission of Goodrich Area Schools is:

“Achievement for Every Learner”

Email: mdurant@goodrichschools.org
Website: http://www.goodrichschools.org/GMS/
Location: 7480 Gale Road, Goodrich, MI 48438, United States
Phone: 810-591-4210
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Goodrich-Area-Schools-750600228283708/?fref=ts