December 3, 2020
GMS Parents, Guardians, & Students:
As we begin December and our 6th week of hybrid learning, students and staff have settled into routines to help make in-person and remote learning a valuable learning experience for our students. Even though there is frustration at times due to technological issues, our school is having much greater success with this model than many of the schools in the surrounding area. We appreciate the efforts of our students, parents and staff in trying to maintain academic standards which continue to move our school forward. The GMS Administration has created a survey to help guide us in this work moving forward. Please take a few minutes to respond to the survey linked below. If you have more than one student at GMS, we ask that you take the survey for each student. Information gathered from this survey will be shared in next week’s newsletter.
Parent survey-Hybrid learning
Upcoming dates to be aware of:
Friday, December 18th- Quarter 2 Progress reports will be available in Plusportals
Wednesday, December 23rd is a half-day with a 10:30 am dismissal
Students will begin the new rotation of Unified Arts classes on Monday, December 7th. A Block teachers will let students know which classes they have for the next rotation.
Ms. Higgins will be starting a Virtual Art Club after winter break. Please see the flier linked below for more details
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vTqF3ghF2hAMtsxxE77uHsqsqtkYX9qeUUouNZwJPZQEbOcP8yQgJljrJUJgD6gvwiFCjqX2zPQV12R/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.p
This year, GMS is participating in the "Save Promise 14 Days of Action" in remembrance of Sandy Hook. Students will be reviewing the different opportunities we can take as a community to participate in the 14 Days of Action: Save Promise 14 Days of Action
Student Council is sponsoring 2 Ugly Sweater Days this month: Friday, December 18th: Cohorts B/C/D
Tuesday, December 22nd: Cohorts A/C/D
Prizes will be awarded for the ugliest sweater! Both remote and in person students, as well as staff, are strongly encouraged to participate!
Please see below for more information regarding the new partnership between GMS and Sora a free reading resource which provides access to digital copies of books.
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Gardner Middle School is committed to bringing unique learning opportunities to our students and we are pleased to introduce a new, free reading service providing digital books through Sora, the student reading app.
Why Sora?
Sora is an extension of our local physical library, only it’s in an app with 24/7 access to ebooks and audiobooks. It’s convenient for students to check out titles at home, on the weekends, or during school breaks without worrying about misplacing a book or running up late fees – these digital titles automatically return at the end of the lending period!
Sora can help students of all ages read more and improve comprehension. Struggling or reluctant readers, learning-challenged, second language learners, and gifted readers can all benefit from this service.
Enrich vocabulary and improve comprehension and pronunciation
Introduce students to books above their reading level
Teach critical listening
Help busy kids find time to read
Incentivize reading with fun avatars and achievements
Allow easy access to the CWMars library network’s collection, too!
How does it work?
Download the free Sora app from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or visit soraapp.com, borrow with your school email and password, and enjoy anytime, anywhere on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Whether a student’s interest lies in classics for required reading, or the latest popular juvenile or young adult fiction, they can find it all in Sora!
As with a physical library, students will have access to books that some parents may object to. Please be sure to talk to your children about what they are reading.
Sincerely,
Gardner Middle School
THE DIVISION OF ACCESS & TRANSITION, TRIO TALENT SEARCH AND TRIO UPWARD BOUND MATH & SCIENCE INVITE YOU TO
WEDNESDAY PARENT NIGHTS! VIA ZOOM!!!
December 2, 9, & 16
Information for NEW parents or those wishing to JOIN TRIO Please register
www.surveymonkey.com/r/jointrio
Food Services Under Hybrid Model - Begins Monday Oct. 26th
GMS
Virtual Learner’s Meal Service
Keep Smiling and Go Wildcats!
Arthur Murphy, Principal
Gardner Middle School