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Caught being good this week … Hannah Nguyen .. stop by the office to pick up your prize!
HEALTH NEWS from your school nurse, Nancy Sheets, RN, PHN
I am sure you have read information in the newspaper, online or the district website regarding the H1N1 flu. As of this date, we are only seeing a small number of students in our district affected by the flu. During this time of heightened awareness, please monitor your child for signs of illness. The H1N1 is known as a feverish, respiratory illness with some people acquiring other flu symptoms as well. Consult your doctor regarding preventative care as vaccines are now available. If your child does become ill with flu like symptoms, consult your medical provider early on for possible treatment with a prescription of Tamiflu. Seek medical care especially if complications arise.
Other illnesses or the seasonal flu may have a low-grade fever, complaints of sore throat or cough. An MD can rule out if it is bacterial or viral. Most of these illnesses are viral in nature, but are still contagious. Sending your child to school when ill, increases the risk of spreading the infection to other students and staff. If a child becomes sick at school, a child with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be sent home. If your child has been out ill with a fever, please adhere to the following guidelines when deciding if your child is well enough to return to school:
- No one should return to school until he/she has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, even if the child feels better. A fever is lowest in the morning hours, increases in the afternoon, and is highest in the evening. When a child begins to recover, the temperature could be normal in the morning, but may still be present in the afternoon/evening.
- The presence of other symptoms warrants keeping your child home an additional day. These include: coughing, nasal congestion, vomiting, diarrhea and/or stomachache.
Keeping in mind some basic concepts can help lessen your fears. Ponder prevention. Eat right and get adequate sleep. At the first sign of a cold or the flu, take action before the infection takes hold. Get extra sleep, drinking more water, make sure your food intake includes good sources of vitamins or consider taking vitamins or immunity-boosting agents and minerals. Remember the #1 way to stay healthy is to wash your hands! Remind your children that the #1 way to stop illness and fight germs is washing their hands, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. Be aware of keeping hands away from touching your eyes, nose and mouth. And of course, cover their coughs and sneezes to stop the spread of germs in the air.
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Other Health News:
Many of our students have asthma/allergies and experience symptoms in the fall and winter months.
If your child needs medicine during school hours, you must fill out a district Medication Form and have it signed by your doctor. There are no exceptions. This applies to both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Thanks for your help.
If you want to contact me, email is nsheets@srvusd.net. I will make time to speak with you about your child’s health needs.
PE Sweat Clothes and Spirit Wear Orders: For those who pre-ordered, sweatshirts, pants and zip up hoodies, we expect them to be delivered sometime next week. Once received, we will sort, process and distribute to students by the end of next week, during the lunch period. The long sleeve T is on back order. It will be distributed once it is ready. At this time, there is not a plan to place another order. We will however, take a show of interest at this time to see if it is economically feasible to place another order this year. If you are interested in being placed on a pre-order waiting list, either drop by the office to sign up, or reply to this email with your desire.
PE Clothes (shirts and shorts): Additional clothes are available for sale. 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. Please have your student pay in the office. Clothing items are distributed by the PE department to your students.
Afterschool Activities
Science Fair News
Calling all scientists! Are you curious about the world around you? Do you have a good idea that you want to test? Then, you need to do an experiment for the Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair! You may enter a project by yourself or with two or three other people. You are eligible to participate if you are in 7th or 8th grade. If you are a 6th grader and want to work with a team of 7th or 8th graders, you, too, can participate. If you want to learn more, come to a meeting in Room B202 after school on Tuesday, October 20. Mrs. Weisbrod will be sponsoring students from Gale Ranch Middle School this year and she will answer your questions about the science fair.
GIA Volunteer Opportunity
Math Counts Club – Continues – Wednesday – afterschool in the MPR
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
Chorus Has begun – Monday – afterschool in MPR – There is still time to join the first ever Gale Ranch Chorus. Join the fun .. If you love to sing, or just want to try it out, stop by next Monday. Remember, EVERY BODY HAS A SONG TO SING.
8th Grade News
Health Challenge Exam
What is the Health Challenge Test? The Health Challenge Exam is a test which is available to 8th grade students only. The exam consists of 106 questions. The exam questions come directly from the New Glencoe Health textbook. Those students who pass the Exam will automatically have their passing grade entered on their official high school transcript. The students can then choose another elective in l
ieu of “Health”, a mandatory class for freshmen. This exam is offered only once. The 8th grade students, who are interested in taking the Health Challenge Exam, can pick up the Petition in the Counseling office from Mrs. Cliff - October 15th through Dec 4th. Exam will be Wednesday, December 9, 3:00 PM., at Dougherty Valley High School.
8th Grade Yearbook Ads - Deadline is next Friday – October 23rd.
Attention 8th grade parents!!!!
There is only 1 week left to submit a dedication for your 8 th grader to be printed in the yearbook. Each ad will be 1/8 of a page and includes a photo of your child with a special message by you. This will be a special memory for your student as they are part of the very first promoting class from Gale Ranch Middle School! The cost is $40 cash or check (payable to Gale Ranch Middle School Yearbook) and can be dropped off to the box in the main office. The photo and message can be submitted online at www.hjeshare.com using the school’s code 2009786. The deadline to submit is Friday, October 23. Make a special memory for your 8 th grade student by creating a dedication for them in the yearbook! If you have any questions, please email Amy Hill at ahill@srvusd.net
Promotion Activities
Watch your email and information to be sent home with your 8th grader the week of November 2nd. We will be sending home information about promotion activities, party, end of year trip and our need to plan for these activities now. Your prompt attention and RSVP’s to the events will help all the wonderful volunteers determine how great these activities will be!
Leadership News
Thanks to all that participated (running, walking, volunteering) in Primos Run! Gale Ranch had a great turn out! Our own Ms Murphy came in second place in the ½ marathon. Way to Go!!
Red Ribbon Week
· Monday- “Turn your Back to Drugs Day” Wear Clothes Backwards
· Tuesday- “Put a Cap on Drugs Day” Wear a Hat
· Wednesday- “Shade Out Drugs Day” Wear sunglasses
· Thursday- “Flip Out Drugs Day” Wear Flip-flops
· Friday- “Put a Red Light on Drugs Day” Wear Red Clothing
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
Other Event 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.
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. |
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Gale Ranch Middle School
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
· Peer Tutoring
An interactive tutoring program that provides student with an opportunity to be tutored by a 7th or 8th grade student. Tutors are supervised and rules of confidentiality and mutual respect are followed at all times. Tutors model good study habits while helping their tutees with basic skills, test preparation, homework review, and study skills. Tuesdays and Fridays, 7:30-8:00AM in C101
· Math Lab
This course is designed as an intervention to provide support and remediation of math concepts and skills. This course is taken in place of an elective course. Students have an opportunity to review lessons from their current academic math class, complete assignments, and receive extra help from the teacher.
· Advisory
15-20 minute period at the end of the school day, which allows students the opportunity to begin working on homework and get extra help from teachers. Students can be scheduled into a specific teacher’s Advisory class for everyday support or can meet with a teacher on a pull-out basis, as needed.
· Library After-School
The library provides a quiet place for students to work independently. Typically 30-40 students use the library after-school and are supervised by staff.
Mondays-Thursdays, 2:45-3:30PM
· After-School Homework Support
Students meet after-school for extra support on homework. Team-taught by two teachers, who are available to answer questions and provide extra help reviewing lessons. Mondays-Thursdays, 2:25-3:15PM in C106. (Beginning October 19, 2009)
Attendance is by counselor recommendation only. Parental permission is required. Please contact Mrs. Ehle jehle@srvusd.net if you would like to discuss..
· Math Tutorial
GRMS math teachers providing extra help for students who are struggling with homework, concepts, or test preparation. Mondays (B204), Tuesdays (B206), Thursdays (B207), & Fridays (B205), 7:30-8:00AM. (Beginning October 12, 2009) |
