Turkey Trot 1 mile race - Tuesday, November 26
Participation forms for the inaugural Griffin Turkey Trot will go home Monday, November 4th! A $1.00 entry fee is due with a complete registration form by Friday, November 15. Registration proceeds benefit the Griffin Physical Education Department. The registration form MUST include parent and ALL teacher signatures. Teachers can give or withhold signatures based on above average academic and behavior performance. The one mile race will be run entirely on Griffin fields with each grade level racing separately. Prizes will be frozen turkeys! They will be awarded to the top 3 fastest boys and girls in each grade level and the fastest teacher. We will have a GRAND PRIZE for the boy and girl with the fastest overall time. Questions, see Coach Yale. See the attached flyer for more information.
Collection for the Homeless Coalition
Beginning on Tuesday, October 15th, Magnet Program and Junior Beta Club participants started collecting toiletry items (lotions, soaps, toothpastes, toothbrushes, hair combs, brushes, etc.) for the Homeless Coalition. Please drop off all items to Mrs. Montgomery in Guidance. Thank you in advance for supporting our efforts and helping us bring a little bit of sunshine to someone else’s life!
Big Brother, Big Sister Mentors Available
Does your child need a positive role model? Big Brother, Big Sister of the Big Bend may be the program for you! They are accepting applications for the 2013-2014 school year and have mentors waiting to make a difference in the life of your child! If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Montgomery at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or have your child stop by the Guidance office.
Order a Griffin T-Shirt
We’ve Got Spirit, Yes We Do
We’ve Got Spirit, How ‘Bout You!!!
Order Your Griffin Spirit T-shirt and participate in our School Spirit Fridays.
Shirts are on sale for $10.00 in the school store (open daily before and after school)
Student’s Name (Please print): ____________________________________
Homeroom teacher___________ Grade_______ Total amount enclosed: __________________
Size: Small____ Med._____ Lg.______ XL_____ 2XL______($1.00 more)
Make checks payable to Griffin Middle School. All proceeds will go to the Griffin PTO to support school, team, department activities, trips, and supplies.
Parent Liaison Notes
· November is National Parental Involvement Month. There are many programs that are being offered in recognition of this month. On Monday, November 4th the Griffin PTO will have a workshop on Parental Involvement. I encourage you all to come out and partake in this information session.
· On Wednesday, November 13th, the District will celebrate National Parental Involvement Day at Pineview Elementary beginning at 6pm. This event will feature a community conversation with Superintendent Jackie Pons and the signing of the Parental Involvement Pledge. Please come out to this event in support of Griffin Middle but most of your entire student. A meal will be provided at this event.
· On November 21st, GMS will have a Lunch and Learn for parents. This Lunch and Learn will take place in the GMS Media Center beginning at 11am. Parents will be able to have Thanksgiving Lunch free of charge with their student at this event. If you are able to attend, please RSVP with Mrs. Tanesia Porter via email [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or via telephone at 850-617-5353 by Monday November 18th @ 4:00pm.
· If you would like to join the Griffin Middle PTO , Please feel free to come out to our next meeting on November 4th at 7pm in the GMS Media Center.
FAMU Athletics will be hosting a Community Day, November 16, 2013. For this game, discounted tickets are offered for groups and community organizations. Tickets are $10.00. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please send your name, number of tickets and payment to Mrs. Tarran Jefferson by Thursday, November 14.
Toys For Tots
Registration will begin October 21st, 2013 and end on November 8th, 2013. Hours of registration will be from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. The location will be at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center at 2910 Roberts Ave. Tallahassee FL 32310. Attached is a flyer with registration information.
BoxTops for Education- Don’t Forget to Send Labels to School
Visit www.boxtopsforeducation.com<http://www.boxtopsforeducation.com/> for information on snacks you can prepare that will earn Griffin Box Top Rewards! Send your BoxTop labels to the office when you use up the products.
The Pinpoint Parent/Student portal
By now, parents should have received letters containing sign-on information for the Parent Portal. For more information, see the Pinpoint Support page at http://www.leonschools.net/pinpoint/
Griffin Parent Opportunity - PTO
The next meeting will take place on November 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center following the SAC Meeting at 6:00 p.m. We encourage all parents to come and get involved with the PTO! 2013-2014 Elected Officers:
President: LaToya Spivey
Vice President: Stephanie Coleman-Solomon
Secretary: Danielle Liversidge
Treasurer: Niya Hubbard
Parliamentarian: Sylvia Hubbard
Science Fair & Science Projects
Every child should have received a copy of this letter. Although, 6th grade students are not required to complete a science fair project, they will be taught the process of how to complete one and will have the option to complete a science fair project as extra credit.
Dear Students and Parents: It is time to start work on our school’s Science Fair! Ample time has been scheduled and work has been spread out, so students can complete the work at a comfortable pace. All 7th and 8th grade students are required to complete a science fair project. The 6th grade science teachers will be teaching their classes how to successfully complete a science fair project, therefore, 6th grade students are not required to complete a science fair project, but can elect to complete one as extra credit. The initial project will be due in class on November 18, 2013. At that time teachers will provide feedback and allow students to modify their projects based on this feedback. Final submission of the science fair project will be Friday, December 13, 2013.
This is a major project and will represent (2 test grades) and the test category is 70% of your child’s grade for the next grading period(s). The primary objective of this project is to have students approach a problem scientifically. This includes: (1) asking questions and forming hypotheses, (2) creating experiments to test those hypotheses, (3) organizing data and drawing conclusions, and (4) communicating their scientific research both written and orally.
The project must be scientific in nature as opposed to research oriented. In other words, students must choose one of the following options: (1) scientific investigation, (2) scientific model, or (3) scientific experiment to determine the answer to their question instead of just looking it up in a book or internet. We encourage students to pick topics that they are genuinely interested in from a list of required science fair topics provided by the teacher. Over the next 8-week period, your child will design, test, analyze, and present a project that uses scientific methods to solve a problem. Students are encouraged to work independently but have the option of working with one other student in his/her same class period with parental permission. Project boards ($5.00) and labels ($1.00) are available for sale in the GMS School Store.
Please note that this project will be a collaborative effort that will be done partially at home and partially at school during class time. The science department will offer after-school sessions to further assist any students who may need additional help. Students will be given project guidelines and timelines, and teachers will monitor timelines periodically. Parents are encouraged to offer emotional support and reminders, but to allow children to do the projects themselves
2013-2014 Yearbooks
Students can order their yearbooks now until December 20th. No orders will be taken after that date and yearbooks are expected to be delivered in May. See Mrs. Sanders with your $40.
Parent Survey
In an effort to improve system practices, Leon County School District is conducting a Parent Survey. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey. In order to complete the survey, please go to: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/2032475 . Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous. Your honest opinion is appreciated. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. If you have any questions about this survey, please contact James Mills at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or (850) 617-5353.
Dress Code Policy Reminder! This year our theme is “Digging deeper to soar higher” and our primary focus is providing a quality education to the students that we serve. So far, the number of referrals and dress code violations have decreased tremendously and we would like to thank you for matching our efforts. We have had a few minor offenses and to ensure that this is not something that is reoccurring and taking away from classroom instruction, I want to remind you of this year’s dress code policy. No camisoles or tank tops are permitted to be worn as shirts, they can be worn as undergarments but not underneath a see through dress or blouse. See through tops, blouses, or dresses are not permitted, even if a shirt is worn underneath. Jeans with holes can be worn, as long as the holes are below the child’s fingertips. All shorts, skirts, and dresses must be fingertip length (middle finger) with no adjusting required. If your child is in violation of our dress code, you will be contacted and an alternative top or bottom will be provided on their first offense; thereafter, we ask that a change of clothes be provided by the parent and if it is reoccurring, In School Detention or Out of School Suspension will be assigned.
We take pride in maintaining and establishing relationships with our parents. We welcome you, your thoughts and opinions, and ask that you attend our monthly School Advisory Council and Parent Teacher Organization meetings on the first Monday of each month so that you can be heard. Let’s all work together to soar higher, and dig deeper and provide an environment that is conducive to learning and meeting the needs of your child! ….Mrs. Montgomery, Dean of Discipline
2013-2014 Calendar
(Dates may change and events will be added throughout the school year.)
Ongoing throughout the school year
Everyday Waste Free Lunch, cafeteria, 11:30-1:00
Every Friday Recycle Curbside Pick Up, 9:25-9:50 a.m.
1st Monday of the Month SAC (6:00 p.m.) & PTO Meeting (7:00 p.m.)
Friday after 3rd Thursday Faculty Meetings, 7:45 a.m.
Everyday Morning Band Rehearsals 8-8:45 a.m., for students without band class
2013
November
4-14 Wellness/PBS Fundraiser, Brax Cups-NFL, MLB, top colleges and US Military: Spirit cups 4 for $18.00, Spirit travel cups 2 for $18.00
4 SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting/Parent Workshop with a light meal @ 7:00 in media center
6 SGA Meeting, 8:45-9:15 a.m., Guidance Conference Room
9 Permission slip and money due for LA trip to FSU Ruby Diamond Auditorium, for presentation of “Encore” and lunch at Stevie B’s Pizza, cost $30
11 Veterans Day Holiday – No School
12 Blue Pop Sampling, Cafeteria, 11:22-12:50
13 SGA Meeting, 8:45-9:15 a.m., Guidance Conference Room
13 National Parent Involvement Day Event with dinner, Pineview ES, 6-7:00 p.m.
14 SWAT Meeting, Ms. Hurd's room, 8:45-9:15
15 Blue Pop Fundraiser, students can pre-purchase Blue Pops during the week and enjoy on Friday.
18 Chorus parent meeting 6:30 p.m. in Band room.
20 SGA Meeting, 8:45-9:15 a.m., Guidance Conference Room
20 Interim Reports
21 Big Bend Hospice Children’s Grief Awareness Day, Leon County Public Library in Program Room A, 3-6:00 p.m. (flyer attached)
22 Blue Pop Fundraiser, purchase a Blue Pop by Wednesday and enjoy the Blue Pop Friday
25 SGA Meeting, 8:45-9:15 a.m., Guidance Conference Room
26 Griffin Turkey Trot, 2:00-3:50 p.m., GMS athletic fields, 1 mile race by grade level with awards ceremony following races. Entry fee is $1. Prizes will be frozen turkeys.
27-29 Thanksgiving Holiday/No School
December 2 SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00
4 SGA Meeting, 8:45-9:15 a.m., Guidance Conference Room
5 Griffin Spelling Bee, cafeteria, 2:00-3:55 p.m.
9 Band Parent meeting 6:30 p.m. in Band room
9 Beta Club/Magnet Program Meeting, media center, 9-9:25 a.m.
10 Band & Chorus Concerts, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
11 SGA Meeting, 8:45-9:15 a.m., Guidance Conference Room
12 SWAT Meeting, Ms. Hurd's room, 8:45-9:15
12 Music Winter Celebration, 4-6:00 p.m. Band room & Cafeteria
13 SGA Dance, 5-8:00 p.m.
13 Griffin Tropicanna Speech Contest, 9:30-10:22 a.m., Cafeteria
16-1/10 Geography Classroom Bees in classrooms
16 Chorus parent meeting 6:30 p.m. in Band room
17 School Geography Bee, 10-11:00 a.m., Cafeteria
18-20 Middle & High School Exam Days/Early Release Days Griffin Early
Release Time is 1:20 p.m.
20 End of 2nd 9 Weeks
23-31 Winter Holidays/No School
2014
January 1-3 Winter Holidays/No School
6 Teacher Planning Day/No School
6 SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00
6-10 Try-outs for Boys Basketball and Girls Soccer
7 Students Return
11 Magnet School Choice Showcase, Leon HS, 10:00 a.m.-12 noon
13 Beta Club/Magnet Program Meeting, media center, 9-9:25 a.m.
13 Magnet School Choice Showcase, Leon HS, 6-8:00 p.m.
15 SGA Meeting, 8:45-9:15 a.m., Guidance Conference Room
15 Report Cards
17 Griffin Geography Bee
20 Martin Luther King Holiday/No School
21 Magnet School Choice Showcase, Leon HS, 6-8:00 p.m.
21-2/21 Boys Basketball Season & Girls Soccer Season
28-30 Civics Field Trip to Leon County Courthouse, 9:30-1:30
29 SGA Meeting, 8:45-9:15 a.m., Guidance Conference Room
February FCAT Writing (Grades 4, 8, & 10)
3 SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00
4 Opera Outreach, Cafeteria, 1:00-2:00, Mr. Singleton
5 Interim Reports
10 Beta Club/Magnet Program Meeting, media center, 9-9:25 a.m.
12SGAMeeting, 8:45-9:15 a.m., Guidance Conference Room
12-14 Griffin History Fair, Media Center
24-28 Girls Softball Try-outs
24-3/11 Track Practice dates
25 Black History Brain Bowl
26 SGA Meeting, 8:45-9:15 a.m., Guidance Conference Room
March 3 SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00
10 Beta Club/Magnet Program Meeting, media center, 9-9:25 a.m.
12 SGA Meeting, 8:45-9:15 a.m., Guidance Conference Room
12, 26 & 4/2, 9 Track Season
14 End of 3rd 9 Weeks
17-21 Spring Break/No School
17-4/25 Girls Softball Season
24 Teacher Planning/No School
April FCAT Reading & Math Grades 3-10
FCAT Science Grades 5, 8 & 11
2 Report Cards Go Home
7 SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00
14 Beta Club/Magnet Program Meeting, media center, 9-9:25 a.m.
23 Interim Reports
May 5 SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00
12 Beta Club/Magnet Program Meeting, media center, 9-9:25 a.m.
23 8th Grade Accolades, Gym/Basketball courts, 9-3:50
26 Memorial Day Holiday/No School
28-30 Middle & High School Exam Days/Early Release Days
Griffin Early Release Time is 1:20 p.m.
30 End of 4th 9 Weeks & Last Day of School
June 11 Secondary Report Cards Available
August 18 Students Report
|
