2014-2015 Course Request Forms

This week, Mr. Mills, Assistant Principal for Curriculum, has been visiting classes of this year’s 6^th and 7^th graders to hand out and explain Course Request Forms to each student.  Students are to take the forms home and have their parents read over the selections so that they are aware of their students courses for next year.  All forms must be returned to the office no later than Friday, April 11^th.  If you have questions, please contact Mr. Mills by emailing [log in to unmask] or by telephone 617-5353.

 

Saturday Event

 

The 3rd Annual Ronald McDonald House Red Shoe Run will be held on April 19, 2014 in Southwood. This year there is an award category for the school with the most participants.  The winning school will receive a trophy, recognition on the RMH website and bragging rights for the next year!  We encourage you to form a school team of employees, students and families to show your dedication towards improved wellness.  We also encourage your team to wear something in common to show your school pride and team spirit.  Get creative and stand out! 

Participants can register online at http://rmhctallahassee.org/ or use the attached application.  Make sure to indicate the school when registering.  If you have additional questions please call the Ronald McDonald House of Tallahassee at 850-222-0056.

 

Project Unify Initiative – Special Olympics – Go Tigers!

Griffin Middle School has been recognized and commended for being a leader in the State of Florida for aiding and assisting students with and without intellectual disabilities with the Project Unify initiative.   Griffin is now listed on the Special Olympics Florida website as 1 of 3 schools in Leon County with a Unified Sports Program!  Please see the link below as Griffin is now recognized on the Special Olympics Florida website:

http://specialolympicsflorida.org/what-we-do/project-unify/

 

 

FCAT TESTING SCHEDULE

Please take a minute to check your calendars with the FCAT testing schedule to make sure your child will not miss any days due to scheduled appointments.  Although we have make up testing days, it is best to adhere to the administration schedule so your child is aware of what they will be doing on each day.  As with any testing, plan to get adequate sleep, a good breakfast and a positive attitude.  We want our students to have every opportunity to do their very best!

4/14                    FCAT Math Grades 6, 7, 8

4/15                    FCAT Science Grade 8

4/17                    FCAT Reading Grade 7

4/18                    FCAT Reading Grade 7

4/23                    FCAT Reading Grade 6

4/24                    FCAT Reading Grade 6

4/29                    FCAT Reading Grade 8

4/30                    FCAT Reading Grade 8

 

End of Course Assessment Schedule

4/21                Civics

5/1                  Biology

5/5                  Algebra

5/7                  Geometry

 

Attention Rising 9^th Grade Parents and Students!!

 

Who:                           Rising 9^th Grade Parents and Students who are attending Rickards

 

When:                         April 10, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. Pizza, chips, and drink will be provided as available!

 

Where:                        James S. Rickards Cafeteria (Near the bus ramp, on the Paul Russell Road side)

 

What:                          Curriculum Fair to showcase Academic Departments, Academies, Clubs, and Athletics

 

Why:                           To have information to accurately choose classes for next year as well as get information on ways to get involved at James S. Rickards High School.

 

 

 

Testing  Policies

Please review the following policies with your student before testing:

■ Electronic Devices—If your student is found with ANY electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones and smart phones, at any time during testing OR during breaks, his or her test will be invalidated, which means it will not be scored. The best practice is for students to leave devices at home or in their lockers on the day of testing.

 

■ Leaving Campus—If your student leaves campus before completing the test (for an appointment, illness, etc.), he or she WILL NOT be allowed to complete the test. If your student does not feel well on the day of testing, it may be best for him or her to wait and be tested on the make-up day. 

 

If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Mr. James Mills, Assistant Principal for Curriculum at 850.617.5353. For more information about the statewide assessment program, visit the FDOE website at http://fcat.fldoe.org/. 

Thank you for supporting your student as he or she prepares for the test.

 

Grandparents Program

Did you know grandparents are offered a free luncheon every last Wednesday of the month at the public library at noon?  Guest speakers and partners including the health department, police department, furniture businesses representatives, etc., make themselves available to help the grandparents of our community.  So note your calendars and spread the word!

 

Take Your Child to Work Day

Due to FCAT testing, we will not hold the Take Your Child to Work Day on the national date of April 24^th.  Instead, Leon County Schools will hold the event on May 8^th, 2014.  This may still interfere with a few middle school students whose EOC exam falls on May 8^th and the principal has the authority to deny participation in this event if the date interferes with a statewide exam.  The participation form will be available as we get closer to the date of the event. 

 

Parent Liaison Notes

Hello Everyone!

Our first very busy week of April is coming to an end. Parents should have received report card(s), a survey, and an invitation to our grandparent’s breakfast. Everything was sent home on April 2nd. Please respond to the survey as soon as you can and the breakfast invitation by April 11.

 

Monday, April 7th is our PTO meeting. You will find out what the PTO is planning and participate in our goals. You will also experience an excellent light meal prepared by Chef Ross.

 

We hope to see you Monday, April 7 in the cafeteria at 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

 

On Saturday, April 12, iGrow will have a celebration of food, cultural expression, and live entertainment. Our own Chef Ross will be preparing food from the community garden. Attached is a flyer with more information and sponsorship information.

 

iGrow is one of our supporters for our raised garden. We should have the installation date soon! 

Warm Regards,

Katherine Herring

Parent Liaison

Griffin Middle Information Technology School

800 Alabama Street

Tallahassee, FL  32304

850-617- 5353

FAX 850-617-5354

[log in to unmask]

 

Chef Ross’ Wellness Blog:

Time is really flying by for the month of  April.    Let’s focus on eating breakfast!!  Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. There are many reasons why we should start our day off with breakfast….especially for kids. What better way to set a great example than you as parents eating breakfast with them?

Reason One...
There is a brand new day ahead of you each morning. Eating breakfast can help you to have a great day.  Our bodies cannot run on empty until lunch time. When our bodies do not have proper nutrition, they do not function to their fullest. We are not as productive when we don't feel well.  Eating breakfast will eliminate this!

Reason Two...
Our energy level. Breakfast gives our body’s nutrition and substance. This is where our energy comes from. People who do not eat breakfast have considerably less energy than people who do. We eat dinner, then sleep through the night. That's eight or more hours without eating. Our bodies need to be nourished in the morning. If we do not eat in the morning, our bodies will not be able to produce the energy we need for the day.

Reason  Three...
Concentration.  People who do not eat breakfast often have a hard time concentrating. They also have difficulty learning because they are scatterbrained. People who do eat breakfast tend to be much more focused on the task at hand. They do not have trouble concentrating nearly as much as those who do not eat breakfast!

Reason Four...
Your mood. Did you know that hunger can cause mood swings and irritability? So can running on empty. People who do eat breakfast tend to be much less irritable than those who do not.  DO yourself and those around you a favor each day, eat breakfast :)

Reason Five...
Breakfast is at the very beginning of the day. Families can sit down and enjoy this meal together, grasping a little bit of quality time each morning.  See, breakfast can help you to have a great day in more ways than one! What better way to start your day :)

S. Michelle Ross

WITS Cook, Ruediger Elementary & Griffin Middle School

Wellness in the Schools 455 West End Ave

New York, NY 10024

(850) 284-8653

www.wellnessintheschools.org

WITS on Facebook and Twitter

 

Dress Code Policy Implementation

As the weather changes, please be reminded that our dress code policy remains the same.  You are not permitted to wear house shoes, jeans with holes or rips above the knee (even if you have tights on underneath), see through shirts, camisoles or thin strapped tank tops cannot be worn as a shirt, anything worn underneath a vest or unzipped jacket must be within dress code (including camisoles), shorts, skirts, and dresses must be fingertip length, tank tops must not show cleavage and be 3 fingers in width.  Tights or leggings cannot be worn as pants, jeggings can be worn with pockets on the back.  Young men must have their jeans, pants or shirts on their waist at all times.  Hats are not permitted, and hoods from hoodies cannot be worn on your head.  Failure to adhere to the dress code will result in 1 day of ISD on your 1^st offense, 2 days on your 2^nd offense, 3 days on your 3^rd offense and OSS any time thereafter.  Please see Mrs. Montgomery if you have questions or concerns.

 

Spirit Wear Fundraiser

Visit http://mylocker.net to order spirit wear for your family.  This is a fundraiser for the Griffin band and chorus programs so any purchase you make will benefit the band and music department.

 

BoxTops For Education

Visit boxtops4education.com to find ways to support Griffin MS as well as discovering a selection of coupons to save money on food purchases. 

 

Pop-Tops For Ronald McDonald House

Don’t forget to pop the tops off your aluminum cans and send them in to Griffin.  We will donate all pop-tops to the Ronald McDonald House. 

  

The Pinpoint Parent/Student portal

By now, parents should have received letters containing sign-on information for the Parent Portal.  If you need sign on credentials, please email Mr. Mills at [log in to unmask]   For more information, see the Pinpoint Support page at http://www.leonschools.net/pinpoint/

       

 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 Wednesday    Faculty Meetings, 7:45 a.m.

Everyday                                         Morning Band Rehearsals 8-8:45 a.m., for students without band class

Spirit Wear Fundraiser              http://mylocker.net Proceeds will benefit band and chorus

  

2014                                          

April  

7                            8^th Graders meet with Godby representatives to do Course Registrations for 2014/2015

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

8                            8^th Graders – (make ups) Godby Course Registrations for 2014/2015

8                            Girls Softball, GMS vs Deerlake, 6:30 p.m. at Belle Vue Field #1

9                            Track Meet, 5:30 p.m. at Leon High School

10                          Girls Softball, GMS vs Montford, 6:30 p.m. at Belle Vue Field #1

14                          Beta Club/Magnet Program Meeting, media center, 9-9:25 a.m.

FCAT TESTING SCHEDULE

14                          FCAT Math Grades 6, 7, 8

15                          FCAT Science Grade 8

17                          FCAT Reading Grade 7

18                          FCAT Reading Grade 7

23                          FCAT Reading Grade 6

24                          FCAT Reading Grade 6

29                          FCAT Reading Grade 8

30                          FCAT Reading Grade 8

18                          Griffin Grandparent Appreciation Breakfast, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

21                          Civics EOC Assessment

23                          Interim Reports

30                          Grandparents Free Luncheon at Public Library, 12 noon

 

May 

1                            Biology EOC Assessment 

2                            Griffin PTO Carnival               

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

5/5                        Algebra EOC Assessment

5/7                        Geometry EOC Assessment

8                            Take Your Child To Work Day (Form available soon.)

9                            8^th Grade End of Year trip to Gradventures 10:00 a.m. – 5/10  4:00 a.m.

12                          Beta Club/Magnet Program Meeting, media center, 9-9:25 a.m.

15                          6^th & 7^th grade Field trip to Wild Adventures

23                          8^th Grade Accolades, Gym/Basketball courts, 9-3:50

26                          Memorial Day Holiday/No School

28                          Grandparents Free Luncheon at Public Library, 12 noon

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               

9                            21^st Century Summer Program Begins

11                          Secondary Report Cards Available

30-7/3                  21^st Century Summer Program Home Study Week – No Program at School

 

July               

24                          Last Day of 21^st Century Summer Program

 

August            

18                          Students Report

 

 

 

Griffin Middle Information Technology School

800 Alabama Street

Tallahassee, FL  32304

T: 850.617.5353

F: 850.617.5354

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