January 13, 2021
GMS Parents, Guardians, & Students:
This week GMS has been focused on meeting the social-emotional needs of our students and staff after experiencing a student death. Please be aware that our counseling staff is available to offer assistance to you and your families in dealing with issues that may arise due to this tragic event. The letter that was sent out by Mr. Murphy can also be found in this newsletter. In addition, many have asked about contributing something for the family. Those wishing to do so may use the link below to the GoFundMe page that has been set up. GoFundMe for the Metzger family
As a reminder, Remote learning has been extended through January 20th, 2021 due to the high rate of positivity for COVID cases in Gardner. The hybrid model and in-person learning will resume on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Quarter 2 grades will close on Friday, January 29th and Report cards will be available in Plusportals on Friday, February 5th. Please be sure that you are reviewing Plusportals grades with your child in order to see the progress that is being made towards grade level standards. If you need access to Plusportals please call Mrs. Cooper in the GMS Office and if you have questions or concerns about the progress your student is making, please reach out to our teaching staff.
Linked below is the grade scale being used at GMS this year. The grade you see on the report card is a mean of the Summative assessment data collected by the teacher. Please use the gradebook in Plusportals to access more detailed information about the progress your student is making towards reaching grade level standards. In Plusportals select the class you wish to view and then select “Performance.” This will allow you to see the scores given to individual assessments.
GMS Grading Scale
Upcoming dates to be aware of:
Monday, January 18th- No School-Martin Luther King, Jr. day
Thursday, January 21st- Hybrid learning resumes
Friday, January 29th- Term 2 ends
Principal Murphy’s letter to families regarding the passing of Aiden Metzger
Dear Parents/Guardians:
A very sad thing happened that I want to share with you. We had a student pass away this weekend after suffering a brain aneurysm earlier this week.
I shared this information with staff and will have a short script that teachers will read to their classes Monday morning. Counselors, teachers and other support personnel are available for students, teachers, and parents proactively, and to provide additional support or counseling as needed.
As parents, you may want to talk to your children too. The death of a student may affect a child in a variety of ways depending on the age of a child, how well the child knew them and the child's prior experience with grief.
When reacting to a death, a child may:
* appear not to be affected * be thinking about it privately
* ask a lot of questions * be sad and withdrawn
* be agitated and angry * try extra hard to be good
We suggest you listen to your children. If they seem to not want to talk, please just be present and supportive. They may at one point decide to open up. Please call the school if you need assistance in talking with your child or have any questions.
Please remember, we are here for you and your child during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Arthur Murphy
Principal
Gardner Middle School
Ms. Higgins has started a Virtual Art Club
The Art Club meets on Tuesdays from 2:45-3:30. The zoom link is posted in the Art club Google classroom.
Google classroom code: s5yvjdp
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84664234605
Anyone is welcome to pop in!
Last week there were many new books purchased and added to Overdrive. Students will have access to borrow electronic copies of these books using their school Google accounts and the Sora app. The process is similar to that of borrowing an electronic copy of a book from your local library. Students have been shown how to do this by their teachers. We are currently in discussions with Boston Public Library to allow our students and staff access to borrowing thousands of digital titles. More to come about this partnership in our next newsletter.
Caring for Mental Health
The GMS website has a new resource. The Mental Health Resource Library was developed so that caregivers and students can easily access reliable and helpful information about challenging, yet common issues that impact the lives of many middle schoolers. The Mental Health Resources Library is found in the “Counselor Corner” tab on the GMS main page. (https://sites.google.com/gardnerk12.org/gmsresourcelibrary/home)
After accessing the Resource Library, please complete the quick survey to tell us about your experience. (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2X827YlZ2_2JRFddtwiIPVLpOH7Z-HKXrc8kdE45WfkG1Uw/viewform)
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ALL
STUDENTS AND STAFF BEING REMOTE AT THIS TIME.
The PBIS Drive-thru Attendance Award Students on Team 6A who are in Cohort D may visit GMS ON Thursday, January 14th between 2:30-3:00 pm to pick up their reward for having the next attendance in the school.
Food Services
Curbside to Go Breakfast and Lunch (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday): * Rear of GHS 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. |
The Wildcat Wagon Neighborhood Delivery for All Virtual Learners (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday): * 1:10 - 1:20 pm Corner of Cross St. & Pine St. * 1:50 - 2 pm Manca Dr. Cul-de-Sac * 1:25 - 1:35 pm Monument Park * 2:05 - 2:15 pm South Gardner |
Keep Smiling and Go Wildcats!
Arthur Murphy, Principal
Gardner Middle School