March 24, 2021
GMS Parents, Guardians, & Students:
Beginning on April 5th we will start a new phase of in-person learning. As of this date, students are either considered to be learning “in-person” or learning “remotely.” Those students who are learning “in-person” will be attending school 5 days a week from 7:30 am-1:30 pm. Those who are opting to learn “remotely” will also do so for all 5 days of the week. After April 5th, hybrid learning is no longer an option for students. The GMS staff has been hard at work preparing to welcome more students into our building on a daily basis. Please see the document linked below for more information regarding how this change will impact a student’s day. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the GMS Main office if you have further questions that are not addressed here.
April 5th Reopening Q & A
Women’s History Month Spotlight-
During the month of March women who have made a difference in history are highlighted. The link below from the National Women’s History Museum highlights some of these women and their contributions.
National Women's History Museum
This week the GMS Student Council is sponsoring a Spirit Week! Check out the slides linked below to learn more about each theme day for the week.
GMS Spirit Week 2021
Beginning on March 30, 2021, students in Grade 7 will be participating in the Signs of Suicide Program. Every 7th grader will have the opportunity to participate. This program will be delivered by Ms. Kane-Howse and Ms. Strus during a Unified Arts class. Please see the letter linked below for further information about the presentation.
Signs of Suicide
MCAS testing- GMS will be administering MCAS tests in grades 5-7 during the months of May and June. Students in grades 5, 6 & 7 will take these tests in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics. Students in grade 5 will also be taking the Science subject area test. This year, there will only be one test session for each subject area, not two as there has been in years past. As more information becomes available, it will be shared with you.
COVID Pooled testing-
In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have been working closely with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), and Project Beacon to implement a free COVID-19 pooled testing program for students and staff at our schools. Participation in pooled testing is highly encouraged, but not mandatory for staff or students. School nurse leader Becky McCaffrey has prepared a video to explain more about the process. You can view the video here.
Please access more information regarding this testing Gardner Middle School Pooled testing Information
Dates to be aware of:
March 31, 2021- Half-day, 10:30 am dismissal
Tuesdays & Thursdays- GMS Clubs offered from 2:00-2:30pm
GMS Club Information
Our Unified Arts teachers are offering clubs for students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00-2:30 pm. Students may join any club they would like by using the Zoom links below.
GMS Clubs
The Gardner Recreation Department is hosting a Floor Hockey Camp beginning on April 5th and a Field Hockey Camp beginning on May 6th. Please see the fliers linked below for more information.
Floor Hockey Camp
Field Hockey Camp
Please see below for an important message regarding this year's Summer Recreation program. Should you have any questions, please email Recreation@gardner-ma.gov.
See below for our pre-registration process for this year's Summer programming! We are beyond excited to announce expansions in several aspects of our programming including, but not limited to: full and half day options, options for Kindergarten and first grade, meals, extended pick up and drop off, and an expanded assortment of activity offerings.
The programming is available to Gardner residents, and GPS students who will be entering kindergarten through 7th grade next year. Please note that space for our youngest group (K-1) will be extremely limited as we grow the program, so don't wait to pre-register!
The weekly core pricing of $25 (half day) and $50 (full day) provides access to a daily schedule of activities ranging from sports, to gardening, to arts and crafts, and much more.
Every week, we will be adding minicamp style clinics that students (grades 2-7) can opt into for a small fee, and spend their time on a specific activity for the duration of the week (more aligned with our camp experience from 2019). These will become available as we progress towards our first day of camp, and available only to those who have pre-registered.
Some additional details:
The programming will run weekly from 7/5 through 8/13
Full day programming will run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Half day programming will be available for grades 2-4 from 9am to 12pm, and for grades 5-7 from 1-4pm.
Kindergarten and first grade will have the option of either half day block, or full day.
Extended pickup and dropoff will be available from 8-9am, and 4-6pm
Please click the link below for additional info, and the pre-registration questionnaire.
https://forms.gle/BQhY7G78Cj14AtpU6
See the attached link and flier for our latest minicamp offering from the recreation department! We will be hosting a 5 week football mini camp for students ages 5-12. This is a non-contact, co-ed clinic for anyone interested in learning more about the game. No equipment required
Contact Dan Forte at forted@gardnerk12.org with any questions.
Thanks!
https://forms.gle/NiFVAv8pu89pxNcH9
Please see the message below from Heywood Healthcare
A health needs survey has been sent out through a text message to our Heywood Medical Group patients. To date we have had 1,134 responses and 46% completed all of the questions, so not too bad. We will be sending it out through social media and newspapers Here is a link to the survey, if you haven't completed it yet and to share broadly!
English:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M77RNTK.
Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/SpanishHeywoodAtholHealthSurvey2021
Hmong: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HmongHeywoodAtholHealthSurvey2021
MRPC is facilitating several focus groups with community members and providers. One has been completed with youth serving providers this week and below is a list of upcoming focus groups. Please feel free to attend as many you would like and to share the registration link with others that may be interested. As more become scheduled I will send them to you.
Community Members Focus Group general healthcare challenges and opportunities:
Date: Thursday March 18 Time: 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/JmfmM8QD12ZwXeTz7
Registration Deadline: Tuesday March 16 at 5:00 PM
Community Members Focus Group general healthcare challenges and opportunities:
Date: Tuesday March 30 Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/PzgKsewhWTUpT3sv6
Registration Deadline: Sunday March 28 at 5:00 PM
Community Providers Focus social determinants of health (e.g. employment, economic mobility, housing, income)
Date: Thursday March 25 Time: 9:30-11:00 am
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/q5sfEXjyunkQw6NA6
Registration Deadline: Tuesday March 23 at 5:00 PM
Community Providers Focus general healthcare challenges and opportunities:
Date: Wednesday March 24 Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/fBYdScu8oWcgr7nm9
Registration Deadline: Monday March 22 at 5:00 PM
Hope to see you there! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mary Giannetti, Director of Resource Development
Email best at this time:: mary.giannetti@heywood.org
Trio Talent Search
Click the link below to learn more about the services offered through this program
Trio Talent Search
Healthy Minds is a youth conference scheduled for April 14, 2021 from 10AM-2PM. This is a virtual event sponsored by local agencies. Please see the flier linked below for further information.
Healthy Minds Youth Conference
Food Services
Curbside to Go Breakfast and Lunch (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday): * Rear of GHS 2:30 - 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