Weekly Updates
It was a week full of activity in and outside of the classroom at GMS. On Thursday, GMS "went gold", with students and staff wearing their best gold apparel in an effort to raise money to support families who are managing pediatric cancer. Our student leadership council raised more than $200 for this wonderful cause. We're very proud of our student leaders!
On Friday, students at all grade levels attended Fit 4 Fund$ kick-off assemblies. There was a ton of positive energy in the gym as we celebrated student wellness, and representatives from each team participated in some friendly competitions. See below for highlights!
IXL reports for Math and ELA were sent home with students this week. IXL is an online platform that helps us to track individual student progress toward meeting grade-level benchmarks. If you have any question about the reports themselves or your student's current scores, please feel free to reach out to your student's teacher.
Fall clubs officially start this week! We received over 250 sign-ups for club participation, which is incredibly exciting. Please note that if you signed your student up for a club and you did not receive an email from the club director, it means that the club is running and your student will be part of it.
GMS Picture Day
GMS Picture Day is on Wednesday, October 9th
Chestnut Hill Studios will be at GMS on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Photographs will be taken in the morning. Paper order forms will be distributed to students on Monday October 7th during X block. Linked here is an electronic copy of the order form. Students should bring their order form and payment along with them on picture day. Additionally, if families wish to pre-order photographs, they may do so by visiting the Chestnut Hill Studios website at https://chestnuthillstudios.com/.
If families have additional questions, they can contact the photography studio directly at 800-380-7089 or email support@chestnuthillstudios.com.
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!
GMS Fact of the Week
This week's fact comes to us from the Science department:
Most of the colors we see in fall foliage are present in leaves throughout the year. We don't see them because they are outnumbered by all of the greens from the pigment chlorophyll. (US Forestry Service)
The lesson is that we should be grateful to chlorophyll for making like a tree and leaving.
Informational X Block Meeting
From Mr. Gibson:
Would you like to learn more about and participate in the Black and Brilliant STEM Inventors, Engineers and Scientists Museum Exhibit. You have the opportunity to celebrate Black History Month by discovering many inventions and contributions to the world. You are welcome to join the informational meeting on Wednesday, October 2nd during X Block in the cafeteria. Lots more information to be provided at the interest meeting.
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
In October, the school nurses will start chipping away at annual health screenings. We will start with vision and hearing during X block. Screening for scoliosis, height, and weight will be completed the cycle after holiday break during gym classes. Our 7th graders do all of these screenings, while 6th and 8th graders only do scoliosis.
According to Massachusetts general laws, all students are required to complete these screenings unless otherwise noted (opt-out) by their parent or guardian. If you would like to opt-out your student from any or all of their health screenings, please email Nurse Tara or Nurse Lindsey.
coppolal@cantonma.org
medeirost@cantonma.org
The purpose of this program is to identify any previously unidentified health concerns. The school nurses, along with other nursing support staff, will screen your child and keep the results confidential. If screening results indicate the need for follow-up care by a physician, parents/guardians will be notified in writing.
Please reach out with any questions!
Lindsey Coppola, RN
(508) 584-1070 x3110
Tara Medeiros, RN
(508) 584-1070 x316
FIT 4 FUND$ Information
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:
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 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
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
Wednesday, October 23rd: Early dismissal day for students
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