Mustang Minutes

Gemini Middle School - October 2022

Dear Gemini Families,

Student health and safety are always our top priorities. It is important that we plan for and practice a variety of safety drills each year so that the entire Gemini community is aware of our plans and procedures. This past week, Gemini students and staff participated in two very important safety drills - an evacuation (fire drill) and an enhanced lockdown drill. Next week, we will have a relocation drill. During the relocation, students and staff will walk to off-site locations where we will also practice our reunification process with district staff. Students will return to Gemini for the rest of the school day. If you have any questions about our policies or procedures, please contact your grade-level administrator.

Sincerely,

Lewis Roberts, Principal

Wendy Brutt, 6th-grade Assistant Principal

Erica Perelgut, 7th-grade Assistant Principal

Brian Gariti, 8th-grade Assistant Principal

Tim Mackin, Dean of Students

zoom_out_map

Athletics

Girls Volleyball, Co-ed Soccer, and Cross Country

Check out this month's home sporting events! Any student staying for a game must report to the cafeteria directly after dismissal. Students may not leave and return without an adult.

Winter Sports

Boys Basketball (Cut Sport)

All Grades
Informational Meeting - October 19th, 3:25 - 4:00 PM on the Learning Stairs
Tryouts - October 24-25

Girls Basketball (Cut Sport)

All Grades
Informational Meeting - October 20th, 3:25 - 4:00 PM on the Learning Stairs
Tryouts - October 26-27

Co-ed Wrestling (Non-Cut Sport)

All Grades
Informational Meeting - November 7th, 3:25 - 4:00 PM on the Learning Stairs
First Practice - November 14th

Co-ed Cheerleading (Cut Sport)

7th & 8th Grades
Informational Meeting - October 18th, 3:25 - 4:00 PM on the Learning Stairs

Cheer Clinic - October 24 - 25th, 3:25 - 5:00 PM

Sports Physicals

If your child is interested in playing sports, we encourage you to visit the Gemini Sports page to learn more about our program and participation requirements. As a reminder, all students must have a valid physical on file with the nurses prior to tryouts. Contact one of our nurses if you are unsure if your child has a current physical.

zoom_out_map

Cross Country Team

The Cross Country Team is off to a great start with several meets already run. In addition to the regular schedule, the team will be participating in the annual Notre Dame College Prep Cross-Country Invitational on Tuesday, October 4th, at 4:30. The meet will be hosted on ND's beautiful 28-acre campus! Prizes are awarded to top teams and individuals. It is a great event and runs smoothly each year! Come and cheer us on!

Furthermore, some of the team members will be participating in the annual Niles Harvest Run on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 8:00 a.m. The proceeds will benefit Niles Family Services Food Pantry. This is open for all ages and we encourage you to join us and help the families of our community.

We are proud of all of our Cross Country Team!

Coaches,

Achille, Diliberto,Toscano, and Quinlan

zoom_out_map

Fall Performing Arts Events

We are thrilled to be starting another year of Performing Arts events at Gemini Middle School. Check this section of the Mustang Minutes each month to find out what is on the horizon. Students and families are encouraged to attend these events. Thank you for supporting our performers.

Fall Play: Sally Cotter and the Censored Stone

Tickets: $1 for students; $6 for adults
Thursday, October 20 - 4:30 PM in the Gemini Auditorium
Friday, October 21 - 7 PM in the Gemini Auditorium
Saturday, October 22 - 2 PM in the Gemini Auditorium

6th-8th Grade Orchestra Fall Concert

Admission is free
Thursday, November 3 - 6 PM in the Gemini Auditorium

6th-8th Grade Band Fall Concert

Admission is free
Thursday, November 10 - 6 PM in the Gemini Auditorium

6th-8th Grade Choir Fall Concert

Admission is free
Tuesday, November 15 - 6 PM in the Gemini Auditorium

7th-8th Grade Dance Concert

Admission is free
Thursday, December 15 - 6 PM in the Gemini Auditorium

zoom_out_map

Picture Retake Day

Picture Retake Day is November 2nd. Students who did not already take a picture and those wanting to retake their school picture may participate on this day.

zoom_out_map

PTO

The next Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 11, 2022, at 6:30 PM. Join us in the Gemini Library or on Zoom to hear more about how you can support the students and staff at Gemini!

zoom_out_map

Maine East English Department Presentation

Gemini parents are invited to join members of the Maine East English department to learn about the changes being made to the MEHS English program on November 2nd, at 7 PM. Please enter at Door 12.

zoom_out_map

Maine East Art Workshops

Eighth graders are invited to learn about art classes, meet the teachers, and create art by attending three art workshops in October. Sign up by October 2nd. Check out this flyer for more information.

zoom_out_map

Notes from the Gemini Library

General Gemini Library Information

All students have visited the library at this point, and most have found some great books to read. Please note that Gemini library books can be borrowed for two weeks. We do not charge late fees for overdue books, but lost books will need to be paid for. Please contact Kris Buican or Jillian Wahlers if you have any questions.

Scholastic Book Order

If you would like to order books for your student or as a gift, check out our Scholastic class page, or search through Scholastic’s digital flyers. The code to order is Z3GW2. All orders submitted earn bonus points, which are used to purchase new books for the Gemini library and ELA classrooms.

Famished for Fiction

Regularly, we host a program called Famished for Fiction. Students come to the library during their lunch/Advisory period and receive book recommendations from the Gemini librarians and the teen librarians from Niles-Maine and Morton Grove libraries. Our topic for this past month was 2023 Caudill nominated books. Our next Famished, called Chillers and Thrillers, will be on October 25.

TeenTober

The start of October means that it is TeenTober! This annual library celebration draws attention to various teen services in libraries and encourages teenagers to visit and utilize their local libraries. Check out the teen pages of our local libraries:

Niles-Maine District Library

Morton Grove Public Library

Des Plaines Public Library

Glenview Public Library

Park Ridge Public Library

zoom_out_map

D63 Family Resource Center

The FRC has many family-friendly events and classes this fall. Click on this link to learn more!

Join us at the FRC Open House on November 2nd from 6 - 7:30 PM. For more information, click the following links.

zoom_out_map

Niles Teen Center

The Niles Teen Center is a department of the Village of Niles that provides a welcoming, structured, and safe environment for local teens in 6th through 12th grade. We seek to develop, connect, and invest in area teens through a variety of programming, special events, and service opportunities.

NTC Fall Dance Party

The Niles Teen Center is calling all Gemini students to represent the Mustangs and show off their dance moves at the NTC Fall Dance Party on Saturday, October 8th from 6:30- 9 PM at the Niles Family Fitness Center. Prizes will be given out for limbo and dance competitions. Admission is $10 and includes snacks! Watch the video and register at https://www.vniles.com/1424/NTC-Fall-Dance-Party-2022.

NTC Glow in the Dark Dodgeball Tournament

Saturday, November 4th is the Gemini Glow in the Dark Dodgeball Tourney in the Gold Gym from 6:30-9 PM. All Gemini students are welcome to participate. The Niles Teen Center will be hosting this event. Registration and more details at https://www.vniles.com/231/Teen-Center.

Breakfast & Lunch Menus