The end of the first 9-weeks is Thursday. Also, don’t forget there is no school on Friday, October 18. This is a Teacher Planning/Work day.
The Griffin Middle School Chorus, Beginning & Symphonic bands, and Tigerettes present their
2013 Fall Dinner Concert fundraiser
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
6:30 p.m.
Griffin Middle School Cafeteria
Dinner will be served to guests with tickets at 6:00 pm.
Tickets are $7 in advance/$10 at the door. One child (age 12 and under) may eat free with purchase
of each adult ticket purchase. Any additional child ticket will cost $5 at the door. See Mr. Singleton, Mrs. Jefferson or any band, chorus or Tigerette student for a ticket.
Our online Yankee Candle Fundraiser has been extended!!!! You can order candles up until November 1st in order to get them in time
for the Holiday Season!!!
Just remember to go to www.yankeecandlefundraising.com and the seller ID is Tarran99 and the group number is 990055749. Browse through the exciting collection of America's Best Loved Candles™, candle accessories, flameless fragrance and assorted gift wrap. Shop online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – everything is shipped directly to you. You can continue to order all season – my group will receive credit.If you have any questions, email TarranJefferson at [log in to unmask] The Tiger Marching Band and Tigerettes truly appreciate it!!
October
Title 1 Newsletter
Attached is the Title
1 Newsletter for October.
Parent Liaison Notes
·
There
are several workshops that are being offered in October. There will be a Bullying Prevention Workshop offered at the Smith-Williams Center on Thursday, October 17th, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
A FREE Meal is included as well as FREE Child Care. Be sure to mark your calendar for this workshop!
·
Our
Griffin PTO will have a Dollar Drive November 1st at Parent Pick-up 8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Please support your Griffin PTO by making a donation as you deliver your child to school.
·
November
13th is National Parental Involvement Day. We would like to invite
Griffin Parents to attend this event which will be held at Pineview Elementary School, 2230 Lake Bradford Road, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Dinner will be provided for this event.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP with Mrs. Tanesia Porter @ [log in to unmask]
or 617.5353.
Parents
please encourage your student to be on time and prepared for school each day. It is essential that they are punctual and ready to learn. Let’s partner together to ensure that your child is successful in all academic areas
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 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! Newly 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]
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
October
14 Band parent meeting 6:30 p.m.
in Band room
14
Beta Club/Magnet Program Meeting, media center, 9-9:25 a.m.
14-18 Try-outs for Girls Basketball
& Boys Soccer
16 Picture Retake Day
17
Lights On After School, 4:00 p.m. – Visit our after school program to see the exciting things our students are doing.
17
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, Spanish class/club to
On the Border Restaurant, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
17 End of 1st 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
8th grade
22 Fall Concert & Fundraiser, Cafeteria, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Dinner Performance, Tickets $5-$7.00
23 GMS vs Swiftcreek Championship Football Game, Cox Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
24 SWAT Meeting, Ms. Hurd's room,
8:45-9:15
25
Blue Pop Fundraiser, students can pre-purchase Blue Pops during the week and enjoy on Friday.
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
1 SWAT Leaders Summit, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at FSU, field trip for students in the SWAT Club
1
PTO Dollar Drive, PTO members will collect money donations at the parent pick up area in front of Griffin MS, 8:15 – 9:15 a.m.
4 SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO
Meeting @ 7:00
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
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 Interim Reports
27-29 Thanksgiving Holiday/No School
December 2 SAC Meeting
@6:00 and PTO Meeting @ 7:00
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.
12 SWAT Meeting,
Ms. Hurd's 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 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 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
February FCAT Writing (Grades 4, 8, & 10)
3 SAC Meeting @6:00 and PTO Meeting
@ 7:00
5 Interim Reports
10
Beta Club/Magnet Program Meeting, media center, 9-9:25 a.m.
12-14 Griffin History Fair, Media Center
24-28 Girls Softball Try-outs
24-3/11 Track Practice dates
25 Black History Brain Bowl
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, 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