WFSU-TV

Griffin Middle School will be featured on Dimensions -WFSU-TV September 18, 7:30 p.m., and September 22, 10:00 a.m.   We're proud to serve as a Leon County School!  Don't forget to watch!

Notes from the Parent Liaison – Tanesia Porter

Did you know that muting your television and selecting the close caption feature, can serve as a tool that can be used to assist your child in strengthening his/her reading comprehension?  Today, our children enjoy watching TV as a pastime.   This is one way that we can utilize something that they enjoy by using it as a teaching tool.  My challenge to all parents is to try this helpful tip at least twice a week to assist your child in reaching his or her reading goal.

On Saturday, September 28th, 8:30-4:00, the Parents of the Panhandle Information Network (POPIN) will be having a conference called Literacy Lift Off:  Reading Strategies for the Common Core.  This conference is free to all.  You may register for the conference at http://www.eventbrite.com/event6263144233 or by contacting Kathy Powell at (850) 570-3190.  This event will take place at The Howell Center located at 3955 W. Pensacola Street.

Parents, if you would like to join the Griffin PTO, the next meeting will be held on October 7^th at 7pm in the GMS Media Center.  We look forward to seeing you there.  You may also email the GMS PTO at [log in to unmask] to become a member of the PTO email notification group.

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 Griffin PTO is off to a great start. The first official meeting was held on Tuesday, September 10^th in the Media Center.  New Officers were elected and they are very eager to get the ball rolling! The next meeting will take place on October 7^th at 7pm in the Media Center following the SAC Meeting. We encourage all parents to come and get involved with the PTO!   A special thanks to the PTO Executive Board for their exceptional work at the Open House last night, by recruiting members and assisting with serving the meal.  Newly Elected Officers:

President:                   LaToya Spivey

Vice President:           Stephanie Coleman-Solomon

Secretary:                  Danielle Liversidge

Treasurer:                  Niya Hubbard

Parliamentarian:          Sylvia Hubbard

Health Screenings

Griffin will participate in health screenings for 6^th grade students on October 1^st.  The pink Emergency Medical card was sent home with all students the first week of school.  There is a section on this card asking if parents want to opt out of this health screening.  If that is your desire, please make sure you have returned your child’s card.   It is important that we have Emergency Medical cards on all students.  The clinic is in the process of sending home cards to students who have not returned one.  If you do not remember completing a pink Emergency Medical card, please let us know and we will get one to you as soon as possible.

Title 1 September Newsletter

Attached is the September newsletter from Leon County Schools, Title 1, that students received earlier this week.  Please take a few minutes to look over this informative newsletter which is one of the many services for our parents and students we receive as a Title 1 school.  For more information visit the Title 1 webpage at http://www.tandl.leon.k12.fl.us/title1/index.html 

2013-2014 Parent Survey Winner

We would like to congratulate Jamila W., the mother of  Christopher M.   She completed our 2013-2014 Parent Survey and was one of 139 names entered into a drawing to win a free gift basket! We greatly appreciate the huge parent and student participation and because of you, we exceeded our goal of 57 completed surveys and had a whopping 139! Students that turned in surveys were given a spin on our Positive Behavior Support wheel and were awarded prizes during lunch. Everyone was a winner! We would like to thank our PTO for sponsoring this event. If you would like to become a member of Griffin Parent Teacher Organization, please plan to attend the next meeting on October 7, 2013 at 7:00pm in the Media Center.  For additional information, please contact Mrs. Montgomery at 617-5353 or [log in to unmask].

Science Fair & Science Projects

Every child should have received a copy of this letter to take home to their parents this week.  Although, 6^th 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 7^th and 8^th grade students are required to complete a science fair project. The 6^th grade science teachers will be teaching their classes how to successfully complete a science fair project, therefore, 6^th 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

Jazz Band

Students interested in jazz band should see Mr. Singleton to sign up.  Piano, guitar, bass, and drums are especially needed.  Auditions will be in October.

SWAT Club

The GMS SWAT Club is working to make our community tobacco-free.  Students who would like to be a part of this group should see Mrs. Hurd, building 4, room 1, for more information.  Meetings take place 8:45-9:15 a.m.

2013-2014 Yearbooks

Students can order their yearbooks now until December 20^th.   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] 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.

1^st Monday of the Month         SAC (6:00 p.m.) & PTO Meeting (7:00 p.m.)

Friday after 3^rd Thursday        Faculty Meetings, 7:45 a.m.

2013           

September        21-11/8            8^th Grade Uncle Jerry T’s Fundraiser

                        23-25               Bruester’s Blue Pop Fundraiser, order your Blue Pop $2.00 from Mrs. Jefferson

                        23                    Griffin vs Fairview Volleyball, 6:30 p.m. @ Griffin

                        23-27               Freedom Week - Students celebrate freedoms they have as citizens through special activities.

                        24                    Deerlake vs Griffin Football, 7:30 p.m. @ Chiles

                        25                    Cross Country City Championship @ Apalachee Park, 6:00 p.m.

                        25                    Griffin vs Deerlake Volleyball, 6:30 p.m. @ Griffin

                        25                    Picture Day

                        25                    Interim Reports

                        26                    SWAT Meeting, Ms. Hurds room, 8:45-9:15

                        27                    Blue Pop Friday, students receive pre-paid Blue Pops in homeroom

                        27                    History Makers Guest Presentation, 9:45-10:30, Media Center

                        30                    Griffin vs Montford Volleyball, 6:30 p.m. @ Griffin

                        30                    Writes Upon Request

October           1                      Health Screening for Students

                        1-2                   SGA Candidate Videos shown in homeroom

                        4                      SGA Elections

                        7                      SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00

                        10                    SWAT Meeting, Ms. Hurds room, 8:45-9:15

14                    Band parent meeting 6:30 p.m. in Band room.

14-18               Try-outs for MS Girls Basketball & Boys Soccer

                        16                    Picture Retake Day

17                    End of 1^st 9 Weeks

                        18                    Teacher Planning Day/No School

                        19                    Griffin Band participates in FAMU Homecoming Parade

21                    Chorus parent meeting 6:30 p.m. in Band room.

21-11/8           Uncle Jerry T’s Fundraiser for 8^th grade

22                    Fall Concert & Fundraiser, Cafeteria, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Dinner Performance, Tickets $5-$7.00

24                    SWAT Meeting, Ms. Hurds room, 8:45-9:15

                        28-12/5           Boys Soccer Season

                        29-12/5           Girls Basketball Season

                        29                    Jazz Band Rehearsals – every Tuesday beginning today, 3:50-6:00 p.m.

                        30                    Report Cards Go Home

November        4                      SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00

11                    Veterans Day Holiday

                        14                    SWAT Meeting, Ms. Hurds room, 8:45-9:15

                        18                    Chorus parent meeting 6:30 p.m. in Band room.

                        20                    Interim Reports

                        27-29               Thanksgiving Holiday/No School

December         2                       SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00

9                      Band Parent meeting 6:30 p.m. in Band room

                        10                    Band & Chorus Concerts, 6:30-7:45 p.m.

                        12                    SWAT Meeting, Ms. Hurds room, 8:45-9:15

                        12                    Music Winter Celebration, 4-6:00 p.m. Band room & 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 2^nd 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

                        15                    Report Cards

                        17                    Griffin Geography Bee

                        20                    Martin Luther King Holiday/No School

                        21-2/21            Boys Basketball Season & Girls Soccer Season

                        28-30               Civics Field Trip to Leon County Courthouse, 9:30-1:30

February                                  FCAT Writing (Grades 4, 8, & 10)

                        3                      SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00

5                      Interim Reports

                        12-14               Griffin History Fair, Media Center

                        24-28               Girls Softball Try-outs

                        24-3/11            Track Practice dates

March              3                       SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00

                       12, 26 & 4/2, 9  Track Season

14                    End of 3^rd 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

                        23                    Interim Reports

May                  5                      SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00

23                    8^th 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 4^th 9 Weeks & Last Day of School

June                11                    Secondary Report Cards Available

August             18                    Students Report