Greetings Wonderful Tiger Team Parents!
I hope that you have begun the goal setting process with our Tigers
after the results of the first grading period of the school.  It has
been so wonderful seeing all of our parents, I look forward to future
opportunities to assist our students in becoming better than the best.
Please do not hesitate to call upon me at 488.8436 or email me at
[log in to unmask] if I can assist you in helping your hild
maiximize his/her learning expereinces at Griffin Middle School. Have a
positive week!

CANNED FOOD DRIVE BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 1, 2004
Join us and help our community by sending or bringing a canned food
and/or non-perishable food item for the needy!

Hurrican Day Make-Ups
Leon County Schools will make-up the time missed due to three hurricane
days earlier in the year.  The school board approved the change four of
our scheduled early release days to regular school days.  We are still
scheduled to have early release days on December 17th and May 27th.  The
early release days that are NOW scheduled to be regular school days are:
Wednesday, December 15, Thursday, December 16, Wednesday, May 25 and
Thursday, May 26. Please note that other surrounding counties are having to
make up days during November 11th Veteran's Day holiday and Teacher
Planning days. This plan allows us to maximize student learning time
without disrupting scheduled family time.

Stay Healthy During Flu Season
By now, most everyone is aware of the shortage of this year's flu
vaccine.  Only those people considered in high risk will be eligible to
receive the vaccine.  Check with your health care provider if you have
any questions about receiving the flu vaccine.  You can stay healthy
during flu season without getting a flu shot by following the guidelines
listed below.

These guidelines come from Ann Waltz, RN, the
Immunization Specialist for the Leon County Health Department.
        *Frequently wash your hands
        *Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue if you have a cold,
         then throw it away and wash your hands
        *Don't go to work or school if you are sick
        *Avoid contact with the ill if you are in a high risk group
        *Exercise, get 8 hours of sleep per night, stay hydrated, and
         don't smoke
In an attempt to decrease the spread of flu and other
communicable diseases in the school setting, please adhere to the
following guidelines
        *If your child complains of flu-like symptoms, such as body
        aches, headache, chronic cough, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, please
        keep your child out of school.  If your child does not feel
        well, he/she is not able to learn and other children may become sick
        *Children must be fever-free for minimum of 24 hours, and not
        taking anti-fever medicines such as Tylenol or Advil
        *Please update emergency contact numbers at your child's school
        if you have moved or changed phone numbers.  It is very important to
        reach a responsible adult in the event of an accident or illness
        *Do not send your child to school with medication.  Parents must
        bring any medication to school and complete a Medication Permission
        Form. This includes medicines such as cough drops and throat
       lozenges.

Veteran's Day Holiday
Thursday, November 11, 2004, is Veteran's Day Holiday.  There will be no
school that day!

Nutrition Tip of the Week
Calorie Conscious:  Did you know that an entire small cantloupe has
about the same numver of calories as a small (1oz) bag of potato chips?

Physical Activity Tip of the Week
Don't sweat it!  If you're pressed for time, divide your activity into
small sessions.  Take a 10-minute walk at lunch, another one after
dinner, and don't forget your abdominal work during commercials.