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Caught being good this week … Daniel Kim .. stop by the office to pick up your prize!
Safety – Traffic Update: We hope you’ve noticed the new signage around the school. Please obey the 5mph speed limit and the NO CELL PHONE ZONE. Two students were involved in a vehicle vs student accident in Pleasant Hill just yesterday. We don’t want to join this group and become a statistic too. You can prevent this by driving slowing, being aware, and courteous while driving in around Gale Ranch. We are awaiting approval and designs for additional assistance in bringing safety to the forefront of every individual traversing our campus.
Congratulations to our August/September Students of the Month recipients. The character trait of Enthusiasm was recognized. The entire list of SOMs is posted to our website. Click here to view it directly. Certificates and awards will be distributed by the awarding teacher next week.
Progress Reports Grades are posted on School Loop. Please review the grades with your student. You can also review completed or missing assignments on School Loop.
Conference Week: October 5th through 9th has been set aside for parent, student, teacher conferences. At the middle school level, conferences are NOT held for all students. Conferences are based on Teacher requests. Our office staff has been placing calls this week to schedule the requested conferences. If you have received a call or message, please respond to the request. Our minimum day schedule is in effect all week, with an 11:40am dismissal time. Please be sure to make arrangements to have your student(s) be off campus no later than 12:00noon. Click here to see the minimum day schedule. NO ADJUSTED WEDNESDAY START. 8:15A – 11:40A EVERYDAY!
PE Sweat Clothes and Spirit Wear Orders: For those that pre-ordered Sweat Shirts, Pants or Spirit Wear, the order has been placed with the vendor. (pre-orders were due September 14th). We expect to receive the order before the cold weather kicks in. Once the order is received, it will be processed, sorted and distributed to the students.
PE Clothes (shirts and shorts): The order has been received. If you would like to purchase additional shirts and/or shorts, they will be available. The prices are the same: $10 shirt $15 shorts, $25 for the set.
Picture Retakes: October 14th – PE Classes .. Lifetouch will be out on this date to take pictures of any students who missed the September Fall Picture Day or to Retake Pictures to replace original packages, if you desire. The process for this day is as follows:
1. First time picture – pre-paid package orders only. Student brings order form and payment to photographer when picture is taken on picture day. (Order forms and flyers will be sent home at least 1 week prior to picture day).
2. Return of original packet and picture retake: Student brings original packet and presents to photographer at time of re-take. New packet will be make from the new picture.
Magazine/Gift Sales Status: Congratulations Gryphons! The total sales has risen to almost $20,000 in sales. The Gale Ranch Student Body will receive almost 50% of this to help fund extra-curricular activities. Prizes were distributed on Wednesday during the lunch hours. Our Magazine Representative will be back on site again week after next (no lunches next week) to bring prizes for the late orders and any that she was unable to distribute this week. Thank you for your support in this great effort.
Attendance Reminders: If your child is going to miss school (all day or partial day) please call the attendance line; 479-1598. Please leave the student's name, date of absence, reason for absence and person calling. Check schoolloop for homework assignments and on the third day of absence you may request homework on the attendance line , if the information on schoolloop is incomplete. Please do not call or email the teachers. All absences are cleared through the attendance office. If you would need to pick up your student before the end of the school day, for an appointment, please follow this procedure:
· Student comes into the office before school with a note from parent. The note includes the time student will be picked up and the reason for the early pick up.
· Student will be given a pass to give to their teacher at the appropriate time to be dismissed from class.
· Student will come to the office to meet parent who will officially sign them out.
Students are not allowed to leave class without permission from the office (pass from the office). This process eliminates the need to call a classroom which disrupts the learning experience for the entire class. Thank you for your cooperation.
Attention all 7th and 8th graders interested in the Spring Break trip to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Deadline to register has been extended. Register today!
Famous people, places and events come to life. Walk through Civil War battlefields, experience the workings of our national government, visit famous landmarks of the American Revolution and enjoy our nation's finest museums.
It is time to register for the Gale Ranch trip to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Please go online to www.usastudenttravel.com to register, or for more information please contact Ms. Smith at lsmith@srvusd.net.
Afterschool Activities
Math Counts Club – Has begun
The Math Counts group has grown close to 90! Wow .. What a testimony to our students’ desire to learn and have fun while doing it! This year the group will have the opportunity to compete. Please address any questions to Mrs. Bergen .. bbergen@srvusd.net
Drama Club – Sign Ups
Sign ups have begun. Forms are available in the MPR at lunch time. The Drama Club, again under the direction of Mrs. Buschini will hold its first on Wednesday, October 14th . (8:15am in the MPR) Drama Club will meet on Wednesday mornings at 8:15a (before school) on the dates listed on the flyer. (The Club does NOT meet every Wednesday.) Be sure to pick up a flyer and return the Policy Acknowledgment no later than October 2nd to the box in the MPR.
Chorus Sign Ups – Forms are available in the MPR at lunch time. Our first year chorus will be under the direction of Ms McReynolds. If you love to sing, or just want to try it out, sign up. Remember, EVERY BODY HAS A SONG TO SING.
GIA – Gryphons in Action – The action is tremendous
Attention All Students!
If you are interested in the GIA volunteer program starting on our campus, please visit our school website and click on the link "GIA" for more information about how to become a member. If you decide you are interested after reading the requirements, email Ms. Haws at ahaws@srvusd.net so that I can put you on our group email list for further news and updates. You will have until October 30th to turn in your 240 points= 30 volunteer hours which are required to become "an active member" of GIA. Please see the GIA info and read over the brochure on our school's website for clarification on all your questions. Click here to download the flyer. Click here to download an activity form. All volunteer hours must be turned into the office, where a clearly marked bin has been added to the wall that says "GIA" by October 30th. Many students have begun their volunteer work and the forms are being turned in. Go GIAs! Our first meeting of “active members” will be held Wednesday, November 4th @ 8:30 a.m., in room C102. At this meeting we will proceed then with the next steps. So for now, make sure you complete your 30 volunteer hours and have filled out the proper volunteer form (click here) by Oct. 30th and I will see you November 4th for our first meeting!
Any questions may be directed to Ms Haws at ahaws@srvusd.net
Thank You to our wonderful Sponsors .. They help to make GRMS Great!
We would like to thank our PTSA and Baskin-Robbins for supporting several of our programs. They have and will continue to provide coupons/discount cards for Student of the Month, Caught Being Good and Honor Roll celebrations. In addition, the PTSA secures volunteers, refreshments and other valuable resources as needed.
8th Grade News
With the first promoting 8th Grade Class this year, many exciting events will be coming their way. Watch the Gazette for announcements, opportunities and deadlines.
8th Grade Yearbook Ads
The Yearbook Staff would like to invite the families of 8th grade students to honor and celebrate your student’s promotion to high school with a personalized ad in the yearbook. Each ad includes one photo of your student and a personalized message (up to 150 words). All ads are 1/8 of a page and cost $40. They must be submitted no later than Friday, October 23 to be included in the yearbook. For questions and instructions on submitting your ad, please contact Amy Hill at ahill@srvusd.net Please download the form on our website www.grms.srvusd.net. Follow the directions for submission of the pictures either electronically or manually turn in to the bin provided in the office.
Promotion Party Planning Meeting
Thanks to all who showed up and the first planning meeting. Many ideas and some committee responsibilities were accepted. This is a great opportunity to help out and have fun. Renate Price has agreed to coordinate the event with the help of a great many others volunteering to chair committees and volunteer to help in a variety of ways. If you would like to join the fun, please contact Renate at winekid@yahoo.com. 6 th & 7 th Grade parents are urged to participate.
Leadership News
Primos Run October 11, 2009
Go to www.primosrun.com and sign up before October 8th. Everyone can (parents, students, staff, everyone) help out by signing up .. There are multiple cash prizes in several categories based on registrants.
In addition to the cash prizes to the school, individual students have a couple of other reasons to participate.
Students participating in the 5k or 1/2 marathon should bring in your bib number or confirmation from the computer and you will either get 5 extra credit points for PE or get a free day of not dressing on the Monday following the race.
If 40% of your PE class participates, your PE teacher will run the mile the next fitness day and you get to watch.
If the Gale Ranch as the MOST participates for Middle Schools then there will be a chance to throw a pie at your PE teacher.
Student Store/Balloons The student store is open before school (8:00am) Tuesdays through Fridays. Balloons, pencils and other Gryphon items are available for sale each day. The only balloons allowed on campus must come from the student store. A maximum of 6 balloons per student may be transported on campus. Any balloons brought from off campus, or more than 6 balloons per person will be held in the office until the end of school.
GRMS Website
Our website contains loads of information that we hope will be informative and relevant to you. Please check it often. It contains, among other things, upcoming event, school, district and sports calendars, PTSA and Ed Fund information, links to pertinent sites and so much more. www.grms.srvusd.net
Opportunities
Our front office has a literature rack containing informational flyers about school and outside activities. These could include sports, support groups, scholastic and other school groups. Please stop by periodically to peruse the rack. Your students should be checking it often too! Currently there is information about Lacrosse, Softball, CJSF, GIA, PTSA, ED Fund, La Asia, Office Depot and more!
In an effort to keep the Gazette to a reasonable and readable length, we will post a link in this area to community offerings you might be interested in viewing. Click here to see the latest.
No lunches next week due to conference week. Have a great week!
STREET SMARTS "BE REEL!" VIDEO CONTEST
The contest kicks off this week with this fall's topic of "Bike Safety: Dangerous Distractions." Sponsored in part by the District, the contest encourages middle school students to create 60-second public service announcement (PSA) videos about a traffic safety topic. Students can look at the Street Smarts web site for contest rules, information and an entry form. http://streetsmarts-srv.com/programs/video_contest.htm Entries are due November 2nd. Please contact Nat Rojanasathira, Street Smarts Coordinator at streetsmarts@ci.danville.ca.us if you have any questions. |
