1. Welcome to GMMS Parent Meeting Mrs. Henneberry, Principal Mr
Welcome to GMMS Parent Meeting Mrs. Henneberry, Principal Mr. Cunningham, Mrs. Volikas, & Mrs. Neff School Counselors
2017 – 2018

2. Welcome to the middle years!
Relationships matter.
Routines are important.
Communication is critical.
Interests and talents are nurtured.

3. Relationships : Teaming
Grade level teams with four academic teachers per team: ELA, Social Studies, Math, Science & Counselor common team meeting time, collaborative planning
Approximately 90 – 100 students per team
Grade level teams will blend together for Unified Arts classes, chorus, band and lunch
Grade level wings

4. Routines: Daily Schedule
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
7:35 AM – 2:20 PM Homeroom/ Broadcast News Period 1: Academic Class (55 minutes) Period 2: Academic Class Period 3: Unified Arts Class (44 minutes) Period 4: Unified Arts Class Period 5: Academic Class Lunch 12:11 – 12:36 (25 minutes) Period 6: Academic Class X Block (44 minutes) Dismissal
Thursday Schedule Changes:
X Block at start of the day

5. Curriculum: Updates
World Language: French and Spanish offered grades 6, 7, 8
Math: Algebra for all 8th graders, individualized pacing (Alg., and Alg. A)
Science: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), inquiry based learning
Capstone: spans three years

6. Routines: Parent Drop Off
All students are encouraged to use the busses as primary transportation.
Alternate transportation procedures:
AM drop off along high school sidewalk (Salmon Brook Road) or the back of GMMS
PM pick up in back of GMMS only
PM carpooling

7. Communication: People and Technology
Homeroom teachers and school counselors are primary resources for questions.
PowerSchool – Parent Portal: access to teacher gradebook and student progress
Schoology/ Google Classroom : access to daily assignments
GMMS website & digital backpack
Weekly s from Mrs. Henneberry
Parent – Teacher – Student conferences in December & March
Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meets monthly, the second Wednesday 8:30 – 9:30 AM

8. Interests & Talents
Many opportunities for extra curricular activities.
Clubs: Newspaper, Student Council, Renaissance, Adventure, Yearbook, Fishkids, Science, Robotics, Math Counts, Lights & Sounds, Art, Drama, Select Choir, Jazz Band, Sharing to Learn, Homework, Literary Magazine, Angel Horses, History Day, Coding, Environmental.
Sports and Intramurals: X-country, field hockey, basketball, volleyball, fitness
CURRENT HEALTH FORMS AND SPORTS FORMS MUST BE ON FILE AT GMMS (Grade 7 updates)

9. Important Dates
Early Spring: Visits to Wells Road Late Spring: 5th grade tours GMMS September 5: First Day of School September 19: Open House October: HS Choice Fair February: HS Transition Planning

10. Fundraising Efforts
Individual student savings accounts help reduce cost of major trips
Grade 6 Nature’s Classroom
Grade 8 Washington DC
Ways to save:
30% savings from fundraisers
September Pie Fundraiser
January Cookies/Soup Fundraiser
$2.50 per $100 card at Stop and Shop, Geissler’ s

11. Questions