The Viking Weekly Newsletter

Hello Gaithersburg Middle School Family,

This is a 5-day week. 🍂🦃 We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a relaxing break! 🎉 Now it’s time to dive back in—just three full weeks until winter break. Let’s make every day count and finish 2024 strong, Vikings! 💪✨ #VikingPride

This week:

• Monday, December 2 from 5-9 PM - Join us at Chipotle, 564 N. Frederick Ave for a GMS PTA fundraiser. Order online with code DRTHM7Q or show the flyer below in-store to support GMS! 🏫
• From, December 2 to December 13 - Help support our community by donating canned goods, jackets, and hoodies for the cluster-wide clothing drive! All items will benefit the community and be distributed at Gaithersburg High School on Saturday, December 14. 🧥🥫💙

Reminders:

• 🎓 Are you an 8th-grade parent or caregiver with a knack for planning? Join our 8th Grade Promotion Committee and help make this milestone unforgettable! Reach out to our PTA President, Ms. Moses, for more info. 🎉✨You may email her at president@gmspta.org.
• 📷 Order your pictures 📷 Students may pick up an order form in the Welcome Center or parents may order online from MYLIFETOUCH using the code EVTQCNVFR. To save 10% use the discount CODE: F202410OFF at checkout.
• 🔔 2025-2026 Bell Schedule: Only 148 students, staff, caregivers and community members have voted. GET YOUR VOTE IN TODAY! We are gathering feedback to potentially alter our current bell schedule to better meet the needs of our school community. Your input is invaluable to us! Please review the proposed bell schedule options and select the one you believe will best support our students' learning and overall experience at GMS, starting with the 2025-2026 School Year. VOTE HERE!

Sincerely,

Dr. Sofía Grant-Dewitt (she/her/ella)

Principal/Directora

Email: Sofia_M_Grant-Dewitt@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/gaithersburgms/
Location: 2 Teachers Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Phone: (240) 740-4950
Instagram: @GMSVikings

Twitter: @GMSVikings

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• Tuesday, December 10 - GMS Winter Band and Orchestra Concert @ GMS Gym 7PM
  
• Wednesday, December 11 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30 PM
• Wednesday, December 11 - Thursday, December 12 - Basketball Tryouts
• Friday, December 13 - Dance (Rescheduled for February)
• Monday, December 16 - Friday, December 20 - MAP Testing
• Monday, December 23 - Wednesday, January 1 - No School
• Monday, January 6 - Friday, January 10 - MAP-R Testing
• Thursday, January 9 - Girls Basketball - Redland at GMS @ 3:30 PM 🏀
• Thursday, January 9 - Boys Basketball - GMS at Redland @ 3:30 PM 🏀
• Tuesday, January 7 - Gaithersburg String Orchestra Cluster Concert (ES/MS/HS) at Gaithersburg High School, 7PM
• Wednesday, January 8 - Gaithersburg BAND Cluster Concert (ES/MS/HS) at Gaithersburg High School 7PM
• Monday, January 13 - Friday, January 17th - MAP-M Testing
• Tuesday, January 14 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30 PM
  
• Wednesday January 15 - Gaithersburg CHORUS Cluster Concert (ES/MS/HS) at Gaithersburg High School Times TBD.
• Thursday, January 16 - Girls Basketball - GMS at Shady Grove @ 3:30 PM 🏀
• Thursday, January 16 - Boys Basketball - Shady Grove at GMS @ 3:30 PM 🏀
• Monday, January 20 - No School
• Tuesday, January 21 - Friday, February 14 - WIDA Testing
• Wednesday, January 29 - No School
• Thursday, January 30 - Girls Basketball - GMS vs Forest Park at GHS @ 5 PM 🏀
• Thursday, January 30 - Boys Basketball - GMS vs Forest Park at GHS @ 7 PM 🏀
• Wednesday, February 5 - Girls Basketball - Montgomery Village at GMS @ 3:30 PM 🏀
• Wednesday, February 5 - Boys Basketball - GMS at Montgomery Village @ 3:30 PM 🏀
• Tuesday, February 11 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30 PM
• Thursday, February 13 - Girls Basketball - Loiderman at GMS @ 3:30 PM 🏀
• Thursday, February 13 - Boys Basketball - GMS at Loiderman @ 3:30 PM 🏀
• Monday, February 17 - No School
• Wednesday, February 19 - Girls Basketball - GMS at Farquhar @ 3:30 PM 🏀
• Wednesday, February 19 - Boys Basketball - Farquhar at GMS @ 3:30 PM 🏀
• Friday, February 28 - Early Release
• Monday, March 10 - Friday, March 14 - MISA Testing
• Tuesday, March 11 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30 PM
• Wednesday, March 26 - Maryland School Survey
• Monday, March 31 - No School
• Monday, April 7 - Friday, April 11 - MCAP - ELA/Math Testing
• Monday, April 14 - Monday, April 21 - No School (Spring Break)
• Monday, May 5 - Friday, May 9 - MAP-R Testing
• Monday, May 12 - Friday, May 16 - MAP-M Testing
• Monday, May 19 - Friday, May 23 - Social Studies MCAP Testing (8th Grade)
• Tuesday, May 20 - GMS Spring Band and Orchestra Concert @ GMS Gym 7PM
• Monday, May 26 - No School
• Friday, June 6 - No School
• Friday, June 13 - Last Day of School

Planning ahead?

Click here to see the 2024-2025 MCPS Calendar for this school year.

Help spread kindness and support GMS by joining our Fall Fundraiser! Every act of kindness counts, and you’ll be helping raise funds for our school. 🎉

Register here: https://my.raisecraze.com/app2/join/AXRWMC9

Prizes include: 🍿 Snacks, 💙 GMS spirit wear, 🎁 Gift cards, 🍕 Lunch delivered to school!

Let’s make a difference together, Vikings! 🌟

Our National Junior Honor Society students are raising funds to attend the NJHS Conference in Chicago! Help them make this dream a reality by contributing towards travel, lodging, and conference fees.

📅 Donation Period: Nov 14 - Jan 3

📍 Drop-off Location: Gaithersburg Middle School, 2 Teachers Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

How You Can Contribute:

• Check: Make checks payable to Gaithersburg MS with “NJHS Conference Donation” in the memo line

• Cash

• Online Donations: [Link to be provided]

Your support means the world to our students and gives them the opportunity to participate in an inspiring and educational experience! Every bit helps. Thank you for being part of their journey!

Mark your calendar for December 2nd and join us at Chipotle, 564 N. Frederick Ave!

Order online with code DRTHM7Q or show the flyer in-store to support GMS! 🏫

Let’s enjoy a tasty meal while giving back to our school! 😋💙

Our GMS Model UN students have a unique opportunity to attend the Model United Nations Conference in New York City! This experience will help them develop leadership, public speaking, and problem-solving skills as they represent our school on a global stage.

Your support can make this dream a reality! Simply scan the QR code to donate and help fund our students’ journey. Every contribution counts, and we’re so grateful for your support. Thank you for helping our young leaders make their mark in the world!

Attention GMS Super-Spellers!! It's time to start studying for the 1st Annual GMS Spelling Bee! That's right, in English/ELD class, students will be competing to become classroom winners who will compete in the school bee in February! They will get study lists and more details from their teacher this week! In the meantime, here are some study tools to get started!

• Word Club App (Official National Spelling Bee Practice App)
• Spelling Bee Game for English Learners
• Albert AI Spelling Bee Practice
• Merriam Webster Spell It Game
• Official BookList of the 2025 Bee (contains all of the words!)

Please contact Ms. O'Neal with any questions!

Winter is near and MCPS has you covered! Visit our Stay Connected website for tools to stay in touch and how to get real-time information on weather delays and closures. Stay safe this winter!

Don’t Miss the Superintendent’s Video

Watch the video!

MCPS continues to develop the 2025–2026 Traditional School Year Calendar. The district is seeking additional feedback from staff, families, students and the community. Take a moment to give us your feedback on Round 2 of the survey. The survey will close on Sunday, Dec. 1.

Click here to access the survey.

Join the Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center for a day of service from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23. Families of all skill levels are invited to work on environmental-friendly projects to improve and beautify the center. Students who participate with their parents can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. Sign up in advance to participate and make a difference!

The Maryland STEM Festival is featuring events across the state. Discover events close to you by visiting the website, which includes a calendar and locations for STEM activities available for students of all ages.

The National C-SPAN Documentary Competition provides students in 6th through 12th grades an opportunity to think critically about important societal issues. Students are asked to create a short video documentary on a topic related to the theme, "Your Message to the President."

Details:

• Video Requirements: Students must create a 5–6 minute video documentary.

• Format: Students may compete individually or in groups of 2-3. Grades 6-8 compete in the Middle School category, and grades 9-12 compete in the High School category.

• Submission Deadline: Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

• Prizes: Cash prizes are awarded to the top 150 student documentaries.

What's Next:

• Submit your entry by the end of day on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

Where to Learn More:

For more information, including how to enter and the competition rules, you can visit the official C-SPAN StudentCam website.

Families and students can stay engaged throughout the school year with Parent Academy TO GO, a series of free virtual webinars for families. October, November and December webinars are now available on the Parent Academy website. Topics include managing bedtime battles, learning skills for better communication and tools to diffuse power struggles, and handling disappointing grades. Registration is available here.

Attention all middle and high school students across MCPS!

Here’s your chance to make a difference in your school community while earning 1 SSL hour per meeting! Learn about restorative approaches, engage in meaningful discussions with peers and specialists, and discover how you can lead in building community, wellness, and resolving conflicts at your school.

📅 2024–2025 Meeting Dates (3:20 PM–4:15 PM on Zoom):

• October 23rd
• December 18th
• February 19th
• April 23rd

Let your voice be heard and take part in creating a positive impact! Students can click here to join the conversation.

All meetings are virtual—see you there! ✨

You are invited to attend the upcoming NAACP-MC Parents’ Council meetings! These events are a fantastic opportunity for new and returning Parents’ Council representatives to connect, engage, and learn more about our shared mission.

Event Details:

Date: December 18, 2024

Time: 6:30 PM Via Zoom

Focus: Anti-Racist School District Plan; Student Well-Being

Please Register in advance for the meeting. Registration is required for each meeting, and you can save and use this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qdeGoqD4pE9aLT2sFRTAFIwGguj02g0q1. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Don’t miss this chance to get involved and make a positive impact in our community. Here are the foci of future meetings:

1. January 15, 2025: The MSDE Blueprint and How it Impacts Students and Families; Planning for Summer
   
2. February 19, 2025: Conversation with the Superintendent
3. March 19, 2025: Special Education Advocacy and Support; Mid-Year EOL Data Update
4. April 16, 2025: Meet the Board of Education
5. May 14, 2025: Recognition of Exemplary Leaders, Teachers, and Staff : Best and Brightest Celebration
6. June 11, 2025 : Progress Assessment & Planning for the Upcoming School Year

The Social Studies team is hosting a series of Curriculum Night webinars for families to learn more about how social studies is taught in MCPS and how its curricula in kindergarten through 11th grade incorporate the history of various ethnic and cultural groups. The webinars will be held from 6:30–7:30 p.m. on the following dates:

• Thursday, Dec. 5–LGBTQ+ History (Middle and High School Only)
  
• Thursday, Dec. 12–Jewish History

To attend, families must register at the above links and a link to attend the webinar will be sent to them.

L'Chaim ("to life") Intergenerational Chorale (Secular Program through JCA Interages)

Come join the L'Chaim ("to life") Chorale and make joyful music across the generations! Students are invited to join members of the JCA's Kensington Clubs, a social day program for older adults diagnosed with early-stage memory loss, to learn songs from a variety of genres including musical theater, spirituals and Jewish music and perform.

* Singers from all backgrounds welcome

* No experience or audition necessary

* SSL hours granted

Rehearsals: Tuesdays, January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18 from 4:15 - 5:30 PM

Location: Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA), 12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 20852

Performance: February 23rd at 3 PM

Permission slip please have parent or guardian fill out. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9UFTxQMNIo95Ll-A5rbtncSMl_jU2zOqVD6gxDvdRSnwMjw/viewform?usp=sf_link

• The Choose Respect Video Contest (Deadline: February 16, 2025) is now open! Students may earn 10 SSL hours for quality video submissions about healthy teen dating and the impact of teen dating violence. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this website.
  
  
• Students Teaching Students Video Series - VIRTUAL/REMOTE (Ongoing) – MCPS is seeking students interested in creating a video presentation that teaches a skill or process that would be inspiring or useful for MCPS students in middle or high school. Students may earn 10 SSL hours for successful submission of all items identified in the submission form.
  
  
• Additional November 2024 SSL Opportunities

Are you a musician interested in spreading your talents throughout your community? Want to earn SSL hours too? Join The Melodic Minors!

We are a group of musicians who aim to play musical concerts at senior homes and centers, especially to those who need it most. We also volunteer and play music at elementary schools to introduce kids to the world of music. We have played in Bethesda, Kensington, Baltimore, Silver Spring, and Rockville! Our locations will be located at venues such as the YMCA, and anybody who wants to perform will be able to! Performances will be directly supervised by organizations that have met the MCPS SSL guidelines, and students’ SSL hours will be verified by the supervising MCPS SSL organization.

If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please fill out this following form: Mailing List . You can also check out our flyer, attached below for more information.

Please note that filling out the form does not obligate you to any performances, but rather adds you to our mailing list and means you want more detailed information about opportunities!

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to melodicminors2022@gmail.com and Brian.Hauer@ymcadc.org

Thank you again to those of you who were able to attend our informational meeting. HERE are the slides in case you missed it! To the travelers who have already taken advantage of the $100 discount and enrolled on the trip … welcome aboard!! We are so excited to have you 😊

For those not yet enrolled, the sooner you are able to enroll ($95 Enrollment Fee on the Automatic Payment Plan), the higher the chance there will still be room on the trip. With EF’s risk-free enrollment period – you will also have the chance to cancel with a full refund, should your plans change!

You can enroll now at www.eftours.com/2663008EV or by calling EF’s Traveler Support Line at 800-665-5364.

The official deadline for enrollment to receive the discount is coming up September 20th, and we cannot guarantee there will still be space should you wait to enroll. We want you there!

Have a great day!

Ms. O'Neal

Please note this is a non-school sponsored trip.

During the school year, if your question is about your child's class, the first person to contact is always your child's teacher. Use Synergy to quickly email your child's teachers or see our Staff Directory.

Email: Sofia_M_Grant-Dewitt@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/gaithersburgms/
Location: 2 Teachers Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Phone: (240) 740-4950
Instagram: @GMSVikings

Twitter: @GMSVikings