September 16, 2020
GMS Parents, Guardians, & Students:
Remote learning at GMS is underway. Thank you to all for helping to make this unique start to the school year successful. We are here to help you and your student thrive in this environment. If you have questions about a schedule or technology, please reach out to the Main Office.
Attendance: Teachers are taking attendance in each class, every day. It is now a state requirement for all schools that are using a remote learning model to code students as “Remote Present” or “Remote Absent.”
Starting Thursday, a “One call” will be made to the primary contact at 1:00 each day to alert parents to students who have not logged into their classes and are considered “Remote Absent.”
If your child is sick, and is unable to participate in remote learning on a particular day, you should call into the GMS Main Office at (978)632-1603 and leave a message alerting us to the fact that your child is sick for the day.
If your child has an appointment during the school day and will be absent from class, please call the Main Office to let us know this so we can document the absence appropriately.
Unified Arts classes: The UA classes at GMS this year include: Gym, Fitness, Art, Music, STEM and Robotics. Students are assigned to these classes for 2 week cycles. Due to limitations with our scheduling software, we are unable to accurately depict this in Plusportals. Students will need to check their school email for information on accessing these new classes every two weeks. Our staff will also be reminding students of which class they need to go to when it is time for a UA class.
Grading- This year we are moving to a Standards-based grading system which will be consistent across all grade levels and classes. This system will give parents and students a clear picture of where a student is in relation to grade level standards in each academic area. Please look for more detailed information to be sent out next week.
Enrollment & Health forms- You will be receiving the enrollment verification form via email this week. Please check to see that the information is correct. You will either need to accept the information as is, or update it. We are also including the mandatory health forms and the acceptable use of technology. These forms will need to be filled out, saved and then uploaded. We appreciate your cooperation with updating our information systems.
Plusportals- If you did not receive this newsletter via an email from Plusportals, we do not have a valid email for you. Please call the Main Office at GMS to rectify this ASAP. (978)632-1603. Plusportals allows you to check grades, look for missing assignments, is how Progress reports and Report cards are shared and also provides an easy way to contact your student’s teachers.
Having trouble finding time to check Plus portals?
Sign-up using the directions below and a weekly email will be sent to your inbox with graded assignments and current averages for each class.
After you log in to the Plus Portals page, click on your name at the top right corner. A drop down menu will appear:
Click On - E-Mail Notifications and follow instructions.
Be sure to check off YES to receive automatic notifications, how often you would like them, and the information you’d like to receive.
You can provide one or two email addresses to have the notifications sent to.
Be sure to click on SAVE at the bottom of the page
Food services
Curbside To Go Breakfast & Lunch Meals for All Virtual Learners (M-F):
Rear of GHS 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Front of Waterford 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Wildcat Wagon Neighborhood Delivery for All Virtual Learners (M-F):
10:30 a.m. Manca Dr. Cul-de-sac
10:50 a.m. Corner of W. Broadway & Prospect st.
11:10 a.m. Corner of Cross St. & Pine st.
11:30 a.m. Monument Park
The Wildcat Wagon School Delivery for On Campus Learners (M,T,Th,F):
Morning Session Students will receive meals delivered to their classrooms, with Breakfast to eat on-site and a Lunch to take home:
GHS 9:00 a.m. (7 students)
GMS 9:30 a.m. (13 students)
Elm 9:50 a.m. (8 students)
Waterford 10:10 a.m. (27 students)
Afternoon Session Students will receive meals delivered to their classrooms, with Lunch to eat on-site and a Breakfast to take home:
GHS 12:15 p.m. (8 students)
GMS 12:55 p.m. (4 students)
Elm 1:15 p.m. (3 students)
Waterford 1:35 p.m. (32 students)
Curbside to Go Dinner for All Gardner Students (Virtual & On Campus) (M-F):
Rear of GHS 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Farmers to Families Produce Boxes (M-F):
GMS 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
May Begin on Thursday 9/10
Some Side Notes....
Breakfast & Lunch is Free for All students until, at least, Jan. 1, 2021 (Due to a waiver from USDA announced on Mon. 8/31). However, families should still continue to complete and submit their annual Free & Reduced Lunch Benefit Form (to Jenn Vickrey).
All Menus for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, can be found at: https://www.fdmealplanner.com/#Gardner
Keep Smiling and Go Wildcats!
Arthur Murphy, Principal
Gardner Middle School