Greenwood Middle School
2016 Summer Newsletter 2017
Schedule Pick Up
Please enter at door 9E (cafeteria door)
July 25th 5 pm - 8 pm (6th Grade)
July 26th 11:00 am - 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm (7th & 8th Grade)
Book Fees for all grades will be approximately $165.00 - $175.00
A minimum payment of $40 will be requested at the time of schedule pick-up.
Gym Suits cost $12.00 (Payment will need to be separate from
textbook fees)
Click here to go online and file for textbook assistance.
Student school pictures will be taken in the LGI room during
schedule pick
Book rental fees may be paid at the bookstore beginning Tuesday, July 5th. Schedules will only be distributed
as listed above, however.
Please pay for gym suits with a separate check.
Have your picture taken for ID
Charge cards will not be accepted when paying textbook rental
Non-Discrimination Statements
In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C.
20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA
through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and
employer.
It is the policy of the Indiana Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age, or disability, in its programs, activities, or employment policies as required by the Indiana Civil Rights Laws
(I.C. 22-9-1), Title VI and VII (Civil Rights Act of 1964), the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (Educational Amendments),
Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USCS 12101,et.seq.).
Inquiries regarding compliance by the Indiana Department of Education with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be
directed to the Human Resources Director, Indiana Department of Education, 151 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN
46204, or by telephone to 317-232-6610, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 111
North Canal Street, Suite 1053, Chicago, IL 60606-7204
WELCOME TO GREENWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL
The GMS PTO welcomes you to the 2016-2017 school year! We all know that parent involvement can make a difference in the
success of our children’s education and the more we are involved, the better it is for our students and school. PTO is an avenue
for parents to get to know both the staff and student body at GMS. We encourage you to become involved whether it is simply by
donating your $8 membership fee to the organization or by volunteering to donate money, food items or time for different
activities that we coordinate for the students and staff throughout the year. Please look for the PTO table in the cafeteria to join
at schedule pick-up. You may also come by the GMS office during school hours to sign up at any time or print the application
from the PTO page on the GMS website.
If you don’t feel that you have the time to volunteer, you can also simply sign up with the donation of $8 to help out with
expenses and we will not expect anything further of you.
You can join PTO for only $8 per family for the 2016-2017 school year. The annual membership fee covers an entire family, no
matter how many children attend GMS. Your membership goes a long way towards enabling the PTO to financially support
school events such as
•the annual author visit
•Academic Competitions
•Reality Store
•Robotics Club
•Etc. Etc. Etc.
The money that GMS PTO uses to sponsor these events comes from several different sources
•Member Registration Fees
•A fall fundraiser
•Monthly Dining for Dollars events throughout the year
Please do what you can to help support these fundraising efforts!
PTO MEETINGS are held the first Thursday of the month during the school year at 7 p.m. in room 108
Our first meeting is September 1st, 2016
We will need parent volunteers the first week of school to help our 6th graders adjust to the middle school environment. Please
look for a sign-up sheet during registration if you would be able to help out or contact one of our 6th grade reps and let them
know! We also ask for parent help for the Read ‘n’ Feed, Reality Store, specific class activities and other events that come up
during the year.
If you are unable to help during the day, there are still many ways that you can volunteer. We will need donations of food for
different staff and student events.
Understand that your membership alone is very important to the events PTO supports throughout the year, even if you are not
personally able to get involved.
To see what the PTO is doing during the year, find a contact name or read the PTO newsletter online by visiting gws.k12.in.us
and click on Greenwood Middle School then select the GMS PTO link under GMS information to see the latest PTO news.
GREENWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL
PTO MEMBERSHIP & VOLUNTEER FORM
GMS PTO Mission Statement
GMS PTO desires to provide financial support and a volunteer base of parents to assist in
academic programs and events that celebrate the staff and students at Greenwood Middle School.
Names of Children attending GMS
_____________________________Grade ________
_____________________________Grade ________
_____________________________Grade ________
Parent or Guardian’s Name ____________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________
Phone Number ______________________________________________________________
E-mail Address ______________________________________________________________
(The above information will be used for PTO purposes only)
_____ I would like to join PTO for the $8.00 annual membership fee. I realize that,
through PTO, I can participate in a variety of ways, but that membership does not
obligate me to do so.
Check the events below that you may be able to help with during the school year.
PTO needs individuals who are willing to donate food AND individuals who can volunteer their time!
(Dates and times given are estimates and subject to change)
____
I am available to help by volunteering my time (we’ll be calling you!)
____
I am available to help by donating food and/or miscellaneous donations
____
Volunteers are needed to assist with fundraising activities
____
Help 6th graders with lockers, lunch, and directions the first week of school - parents of 6th graders
____ Bookstore helpers the first week of school - July/August
____ Book Fair volunteers – September/February
____
ISTEP drink donations
____
Parent/Teacher Conference – October, dinner or snacks for teachers
____
Holiday brunch for staff - December
____
Read ‘n’ Feed (author visit & related activities)
____
Reality Store volunteers and food donations - March
____
Teacher Appreciation – various times during the year
____
8th Grade Dance – May- parents of 8th graders
____
8th Grade Exit Celebration – the last day of school, various times during the day, parents of 8th graders
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING GMS PTO!
For PTO Use Only
________ Cash
________ Check # __________
OFFICERS
Principal
Chris Sutton
President
Malinda Hart
Vice President
Kelly Rose
Secretary
Missy Jacobs
Treasurer
Kristi Owens
6th Grade Reps
Adi Lunsford
Crystal Reynolds
7th Grade Reps
Donna Jones
Christi Mull
8th Grade Reps
Charlotte Burtt
Lisa Ellington
Faculty Rep
Cassie Hockersmith
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
COMMITTEES
Courtesy
Amy Gray
[email protected]
Kim Rothaar
[email protected]
Michelle Ader
[email protected]
Fundraising
Jennifer Estrada
Heather Bonser
Membership
Megan Zaborowsky
Publicity
Katy Brawley
Staff B’day Cards
Melissa Miscik
[email protected]
ahbonsercomcast.net
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Helpful Hints for Students and
Parents
1. The first day of school is Thursday, July 28, 2016. It will be a full day of
school. Middle School hours are from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., except for
Wednesdays. Wednesday dismissal will be at 2:30.
2. Parents/students may pick up class schedules in the cafeteria (enter door 9E) on
July 25 (6th Grade) 5 pm-8 pm
July 26 (7th & 8th Grades) 11 am until 1 pm AND 5 pm until 7 pm.
A minimum payment of $40 will be requested from all parents for textbook
rental
3. If your student rides the bus, you may view pick times and locations through the
online registration process. Final times and locations will not be official until midJuly.
4. If students arrive at school by car, they should be dropped off at the front door.
Students may enter the building starting at 7:30 and proceed to the cafeteria.
Please observe the parameters of the drop-off procedure in that students can only
be dropped off along the white curb in the circle drive. At the end of the day,
students must be picked up in the same area and the center lane of traffic must be
kept open. Following these procedures will help to make this process safer and
more efficient.
5. If your child walks to school, please remind him/her of pedestrian safety rules.
Since GMS is located between two busy city streets, it is important that students
use good judgment when walking to/from school. If you are a student who walks
to school or rides to school in a car, please time your arrival accordingly.
6. Unless students are in supervised activities, they will not be allowed in the
building prior to 7:30 a.m. (Students will be allowed to report to the cafeteria if
preferred, but must go directly to the cafeteria as they enter the school.)
7. This year, textbook fees will vary from student to student depending on the classes
s/he is taking. For planning purposes, a rental fee average of $170 can be
expected.
8. If parents would like to pay book rental prior to this time, they may do so starting
July 1st from 9am—2pm Mondays – Thursdays. Offices will be closed on
Fridays during July. Please come to the GMS bookstore to make payment.
Schedules will not be distributed until the times listed in #6, however. If book
rental is paid prior to this time, students should bring their rental receipts to
schedule pick-up in order to claim their class schedules.
9. If you do not already own one, gym suits may be purchased during schedule pickup. The cost of a gym suit is $12. Please pay for gym suits separately from your
textbook rental fees. (Students may continue to wear gym suits that they already
own.)
10. Please make sure that your child is up-to-date on their inoculations. Please check
the GMS webpage for a list of required vaccinations. IF STUDENTS DO NOT
RECEIVE VACCINATIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER, THEY WILL BE
EXCLUDED FROM SCHOOL.
11. Free and reduced meals/textbook assistance applications should be completed
online by visiting this site. Please make sure that you follow instructions and fill
out the application completely. Incomplete applications cannot be processed.
(Include name, address, social security number, and signature and make sure all
sections are filled in.)
12. If you are applying for textbook assistance and HAVE NOT COMPLETED
AN ONLINE APPLICATION, please make sure that you make the
application center YOUR FIRST STOP WHEN COMING TO SCHEDULE
PICK-UP. You can complete these applications in the GMS Teacher’s Lounge.
13. ATTENTION SMOKERS: In compliance with city ordinance, there is to be NO
Smoking in or around the school premises. This pertains to visitors and
employees.
14. Please visit our PTO Booth during schedule pick-up. We have a wonderful and
very active PTO at GMS. This year’s president is Malinda Hart. Please take the
opportunity to join for the 2016-17 school year. Membership dues are $8 and can
be paid at the time on schedule pick-up. (Please pay dues with a separately from
book rental fees). Also included in this correspondence is a PTO volunteer form
that can be completed and turned in at the schedule pick-up sessions.
15. When parents and students come in to pick up their schedules, there will be three
forms attached to the schedules. If you have filled these forms out on-line you do
not to complete the attached forms. Included in these forms will be a health
record and a demographic record that will need to be verified and any changes
recorded in red ink. Also attached will be a combined Internet Use / Anti-bully
Pledge / Media Release form that will need to be signed. All forms will need to
Be turned in before leaving schedule pick-up.
16. DON’T FORGET!!! Students will have their pictures
taken during schedule pick-up. Please plan ahead to get
this accomplished during those designated times and days.
17. Please remember to call the GMS Guidance Office Attendance Hotline (8894043) to report all absences. Please call before 9 a.m. If absences are
unreported, they will be recorded as unexcused. An accumulation of unexcused
absences could result in grade reductions, a report to the Johnson County Probation
Office for truancy and/or a report to the Division of Child Services for an
investigation of Educational Neglect. Also, please remember to get a physician’s
statement if your student visits the doctor because of illness. Please refer to the
attendance policy published in the student agenda book for additional information.
18. Any student who arrives late to school should report to the Guidance Office and
receive a “late to school” pass before reporting to class. Students should make
every effort to arrive on time to school.
19. Every student receives an Agenda Book (student handbook) at the beginning of
school. This handbook contains hall passes, a date book and a homeworkrecording sheet. The handbook also includes a copy of all school rules and other
pertinent school information. Please impress upon your student that the
handbook is as important as any textbook and should not be lost or damaged.
Please also help students to remember that we usually do not replace misplaced
agenda books. In an attempt to help students “hang on to” their agenda books, all
agenda books will be bar coded... It is important that parents read the
handbook. It will be a useful tool for both you and your student.
20. Please remember to review behavioral expectations when looking at your agenda
book. GMS operates with a school-wide discipline plan. The details of the
discipline plan are included in your book.
21. All teachers have voice mail extensions and email addresses. Please feel free to
contact us at any time. GMS also has a webpage and various social media sites
that provide school-wide, as well as individual classroom/teacher, information. In
addition, regular School Messenger calls are made to all GMS families. These
messages will reference upcoming activities and events.
22. Parents also will be able to access information about their child’s grades,
attendance and discipline via the school’s data system, Power School. Please
contact the school if you do not have parent Power School login information.
23. Please note that the 2016-17 calendar is included in this mailing. This should
prove to be a good planning tool for the upcoming school year. Please note that
vacation dates are included on this calendar. Please try to limit student vacations
to those designated on the calendar.
24. If you have provided your email to the school, you will receive a weekly email
that highlights that week’s activities. This information also is listed on the
school website under “announcements”.
25. Students are allowed to carry backpacks to class IF the backpacks are an
appropriate size to fit under the classroom desks. We are hoping that this
arrangement will help students to be prepared for every class.
26. Don’t forget that each student has a student i.d. number. It is important that
students remember these numbers as they are used for Internet log-in, the cafeteria
pre-pay system, AR, etc.
27. Because cell phones, iPads, iPods, etc. are such common communication tools,
GMS DOES allow students to bring these tools with them to school. However,
this equipment must not be visible during the school day without permission from
school personnel. Our policy is that as long as we do not see or hear these tools,
we will not confiscate these items. If devices are confiscated, students will be
required to surrender these devices for THREE DAYS. If there are additional
confiscations, additional consequences will be provided. GMS will not be
responsible for repairing or replacing cell phones or other electronic equipment,
so please remind your student of the responsible use of these items.
28. We also are asking that parents supervise their children’s
Facebook/Twitter/etc. pages/accounts. We have noticed that many of the social
issues and disagreements that come to GMS originate on social networking pages.
Middle School students are very concerned about the opinions of their peers.
Often, when they access a social network, they feel less responsible for comments
that are made than if they were making the comments in person. When students
DO come face to face during the school day, trouble erupts. Please help your
child to understand the responsibility that comes with the use of these
programs.
29. Please make sure that you read the GMS dress code before purchasing school
clothes. The dress code can be found online in the Student Handbook at the GMS
home webpage. Please help your child to make good clothing choices. If a
pattern of disregard for the dress code is established, disciplinary
consequences will be applied.
30. There are many opportunities for participation in extra-curricular activities at
GMS. However, based on School Board policy, all participants must have a
signed “parental consent for random drug-testing” form on file before they can
participate. Students participating in athletics must also have a completed physical
form, a signed statement from the athletic handbook and proof of insurance
coverage on file. The GCSC does offer reasonably priced insurance. Check the
link on our website for more information.
31. All athletes are provided an athletic handbook. In addition to the school
handbook, it is important that those participating in athletics are also familiar with
these guidelines.
32. GMS has a “2-‘F’” extra-curricular policy. If students have two or more “F’s”
on their NINE-WEEK report card grades, they will not be allowed to attend extracurricular activities for the duration of the following nine-week grading period. If
the next report card posts better grades, the exclusion will be lifted
33. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES LISTED IN THIS ITEM!!! Students have the
option of paying for lunch daily at GMS or participating in the My School Bucks
(note that this is a software program change) program, which allows money to
be put on account. Lunch is $2.45. The cost of milk is $.50 and breakfast costs
$1.35. Students are not allowed to charge lunches or carry a negative balance
in their accounts. Online applications for the free/reduced lunch program are
also available. GMS also participates in the school breakfast program. Breakfast
is $1.35. Breakfast will be served starting Monday, Aug. 1. The federal
free/reduced program also applies to breakfast.
34. A reminder goes to students that it will take a few days for the cafeteria procedure
to become a smooth routine. Please have your lunch money/i.d. number ready
and pay close attention to the supervisor’s instructions so that you can get through
the lines quickly.
35. We invite all of our parents to visit GMS whenever convenient. However,
security procedures require that all doors are locked during school hours and
visitors are “buzzed in” by office personnel. Visitors will need to present a
valid I.D. and to wear proper identification at all times during the school visit.
Please do not be offended if you are stopped if you are not wearing one of these
identification badges. Remember that we are trying our best to keep your children
safe.
36. Although ISTEP is given in the spring, we begin preparation for success on
the test on the first day of school. ISTEP measures student mastery of math,
language arts, social studies and science grade-level standards. Since the test
gauges yearly progress, it is critical that students come to school each and every
day ready to learn.
37. Daily homework can be expected of your middle school child. Some students
will have an ELT (study hall) and will be able to use that time for study. However, if
your child consistently comes home with no homework assignments, especially if
his/hers grades are not ‘up to par’, please follow-up to make sure that homework is
being completed.
38. GMS will be providing a daily 38-minute remediation/enrichment program for
all students. This program is called our PRIDE program and takes place from 8:008:38 each morning. Students focus on essential math and language arts skills during
this time. IT IS CRITICAL THAT STUDENTS ARE AT SCHOOL ON TIME IN
ORDER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PROGRAM.
39. GMS will continue to offer an “alternative classroom” and a social skills
program this year. These programs will provide additional opportunities to meet
the needs of all leaners.
Online Meal Payment System Available
mySchoolBucks®is your online payment portal; giving you a quick and easy way to manage
and add funds to your student’s meal account. You can review recent purchases along with
seeing the current balance, plus receive low balance alerts… all for FREE! You can also add
money to your student’s account using Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, or debit cards for
a small fee. In some schools you can pay directly from your checking account with
mySchoolBucks.
mySchoolBucks provides…
• Safety. Eliminates the need for your child to take money to school.
• Convenience. Makepayments*whenit’sconvenientforyou,24hoursa day,7daysa week!
• Control. Set low balance alerts, view account activity, recurring payments& more!
•Efficiency. Make payments for all your children in one easy step-even if they
attend different schools with in the district.
• Flexibility. Make payments using VISA, Master Card, Discover credit/debit cards or
electronic check.
Enrollment is easy!
Go to www.mySchoolBucks.com and register for a free account .A confirmation email will be sent to the address
you provide; click on link included in the email to activate your account.
Activate your account and begin adding your students. You will need their school name and student ID.
Add funds* to your students’ accounts with your Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, debit card, or electronic
check.
*A convenience fee may apply for payments to your student account (s).
Security is a priority at mySchoolBucks. Our system is secure; providing the highest level of protection for all
of your information .All connections to mySchoolBucks are encrypted with a 256-bit encryption.
If you have any questions, you can email [email protected] or call
1-855-832-5226
8th Grade Supply list:
o
Folders, one for each class. These get torn up easily, so while they are on sale, please
pick up enough for the whole year. They need to have pockets and three prongs and be
blue, green, yellow and red. Each core teacher has a specific color.
o Spiral notebooks with perforated pages that can be torn out neatly to hand in. One per
class.
o Calculator – not one on the cell phone.
o A pencil case– one large enough to fit and hold your calculator
o Pens, blue or black ink for assignments- (Buy extras so you are always supplied.)
o Red pens at least 5 to get through the year.
o #2 pencils. (Please buy a large quantity while they are on sale)
o A 12 pack of colored pencils (You’ll need these for social studies.)
o One box of tissues to be given to the Language Arts teacher so that we will have a year’s
supply. (We run through lots of tissues when cold and flu season sets in.)
o Two four-packs of Dry Erase markers for use with white boards in math and social studies.
o A set of earbuds – for use with computers.
o A USB Drive to save work and take it from school to home and back.
o Two large glue sticks
Field Trip/Special Event fee of $15. (Separate check, please.) The field trip is “Follow the North Star” at
Conner Prairie.
7th Grade Supply list:
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Supply of loose-leaf notebook paper
Blue or Black Pens
Several packages of Pencils
5 Spiral Notebooks
Colored Pencils
2 Pocket/ 3 Prong Folder for each class
A pack of Blue or Black Dry Erase Markers (To be given to the math teacher.)
Basic Calculator (No graphing capabilities required)
1 flash drive
1 pair of head phones or ear buds
2-3 boxes of Kleenex to be donated to the team
1 bottle of hand sanitizer
Field Trip: We have one field trip planned for this year. In May (specific dates to follow) we will be taking students to
an Indianapolis Indians baseball game. Before and during our trip, students will complete a wide variety of
educational activities related to baseball and its history. The cost for the game is $8.00 per student. Students may
also purchase lunch at the game, which includes a hot dog, fruit, chips, dessert, and drink, for $5.50. If you do not
wish to purchase this lunch, students may bring a sack lunch on the day of the game. Finally, any student who has a
long discipline or tardy/unprepared record WILL NOT be allowed to come on the field trip. If this happens, we WILL
NOT refund the student’s money! Please be aware of this policy in advance and remind your students this trip is a
privilege, not a right
6th Grade Supply list:
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Individual teachers may ask for additional supplies at a later time.
A Supply Bag / Pouch (to carry supplies to class)
A LARGE Supply of PENCILS with erasers
A supply of Blue/Black PENS
9 SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS
9 TWO POCKET FOLDERS WITH PRONGS
2 boxes of COLORED PENCILS
4 or 5 LARGE sized BLACK DRY ERASE MARKERS
4 GLUE STICKS
CALCULATOR (inexpensive type)
EAR BUDS
Pocket PENCIL SHARPENER
Package of 3x5 INDEX CARDS
Supply of POST IT NOTES
2-3 BOXES OF TISSUE
2016-17 School Calendar
July 27 Teacher work day (school not in session)
July 28 Students’ first day of first semester
September 5 Labor Day (school not in session)
September 30 End of first grading period
October 10 - October 14 Fall Break (school not in session)
November 21 - November 25 Thanksgiving Break (school not in session)
December 16 End of second grading period End of first semester
December 19 - January 2 Winter Break (school not in session)
January 2 Teacher work day (school not in session)
January 3 Students’ first day of second semester
January 16 Martin Luther King Day (school not in session, snow make-up day if
needed)
February 17 (School not in session, snow make-up day if needed)
February 20 Presidents’ Day (school not in session, snow make-up day if needed)
March 10 End of third grading period
March 20 - March 31 Spring Break (school not in session)
May 24 Students’ last day of second semester End of fourth grading period End of
second semester
May 25 Teacher work day (school not in session, snow make-up day if needed)
May 26 High School Graduation