Agenda Books Have Arrived!

Agenda books were issued to students on Wednesday, September 10, 2014. Only one agenda book will be provided for each student. Replacements are available for $10. These books have several uses.  They will be used for Hall Passes, to record homework assignments, to keep track of important due dates, teacher-parent checkpoint, and as a reference for school rules.

Inside each book is an Internet Permission form. Please complete this form and have your child return it to their Homeroom teacher or the Main Office on Monday. We must have a completed form on file before your child can use the Internet. If your child does not have an Internet Permission Form on file, they will not be able to access the internet during the school day.   

Progress Reports

Progress reports will be sent home on Wednesday, September 24, 2014.  This report will reflect you child’s academic performance for the first half of the first nine week grading period. It is our hope that your child is having a successful year thus far. If your child is in need of additional assistance to reach his/her full potential, we encourage you to schedule a conference with Ms. Harris in Guidance to schedule a parent teacher conference.   

JOIN OUR SWAT CLUB!

SWAT is Florida’s statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco. They are a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future. If you would like to join the GMS SWAT Club, stop by Ms. Hurd’s room from 8:45-9:15a.m, meetings are held daily. Help us make our community tobacco-free!

Open House

On Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 5:30pm, our annual Open House was held. We had an overwhelming response from our parents, guardians, and community members and would like to thank each of you for attending! We look forward to strengthening our relationship with you as we continue to P.U.S.H through the 2014-2015 school year.

Congratulations to Our Boys Cross Country Team!

On Thursday, September 11, 2014 our boys competed against 108 competitors throughout the district and our boys came ready to win! We would like to congratulate Tavaris King for his first place victory, Darryl Williams for his third place victory and Byron Douglas for his tenth place victory!

Please come out and support our boys at their next meet, we would love to see you there!!

Magnet Meeting

On Friday, September 05, 2014, we held our first magnet meeting. We discussed ways to become more involved in the community and service learning projects. Our first service-learning project will be We Care Kits. We will be collecting toiletry items (toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, lotion, combs, brushes, etc.) for the Homeless Shelter. We are asking all magnet students to donate five items, and we are soliciting participation from the faculty, staff, and the community. We will begin collecting items on Monday, September 8, 2014 and will deliver them on November 3, 2014. 

We are excited to announce that our partnership with Riley Elementary has continued. We have been reading buddies with Mrs. Carter-Hall’s kindergarten class for the past 3 years and it is something that all of the students enjoy! Our first trip will be Thursday, October 16, 2014. All participants must purchase a magnet t-shirt, the cost is $12. The first 20 students with a signed permission form and t-shirt fee submitted will be allowed to participate. 

All magnet students are invited to attend the monthly meetings. Meetings will be the first Friday of each month, from 9:00-9:20am in the Media Center. Our next meeting will be Friday, October 10, 2014.      

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Mrs. Montgomery @ [log in to unmask].

PTO Meeting

On Monday, September 8, 2014 at 5:30pm, we held our first PTO and SAC meeting of the 2014-2015 year! We would like to thank those individuals that were able to attend, for their support!  We are excited to announce that we were able to nominate and elect parents into leadership positions at our very first meeting! What an amazing start to an awesome year!

It’s never too late to join. We welcome each of you to attend the next meeting on October 6, 2014 @ 5:30pm.

   2014-2015 PTO Board   

Aysha Edwards- President

Beunita Lee- Vice President

Vaughn Wilson- Secretary

Thais Wilson- Treasurer

Parent Portal Access

The Parent Portal is now available! This great resource makes student grades and attendance accessible to you 24/7.  Parent Portal letters that include student’s username and passwords, have already been sent home. If you are in need of log in information, please ask your child to stop by the main office and we will be happy to assist them in retrieving this information.

If you are a new Leon County Schools parent and you are not familiar with Parent Portal, then please visit the Parent/Student User Guide link below:

Parent and Student User guides: http://parentportal.leonschools.net/PinpointPortal.html

Dress Code

Students have been reminded of the Dress Code since the first day of school. Student that are sent to the office, seen during transition, or warned by the classroom teacher will be issued warning on the first offense. If clothing is distraction to the learning environment, students will be asked to contact a parent for a change of clothing, or be assigned to ISD for the remainder of the day. A formal copy of the dress code guidelines will be listed in your child’s agenda book. Listed below is an abbreviated list of violations:

1. No tights or leggings.

2. No see through tops.

3. Skirts, shorts, or dresses should be fingertip length (index finger).

4. No obscene language on any clothing item (drugs, tobacco, alcohol or inappropriate language or pictures, etc).

5. No camisoles can be worn as a shirt.

6. Holes, rips, or tears in jeans must be below the knee.

7. Tank tops must be 3 fingers in width.

8. Tank tops worn by young men cannot expose chest.

9. No hats, bonnets, or head wraps.

10. Clothing worn underneath a jacket, vest, or sweatshirt must be within dress code guidelines.

11. Pants, jeans, shorts worn by young men must be on their waist at all times (no sagging).

What is Bullying?

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. Griffin Middle School will not tolerate bullying.

Your administrative team is available to assist you when you need us.  Best wishes for a very good school year. Please share this information with your neighbors who have children attending Griffin.  The Griffin List Serv is published every Friday with upcoming calendar events and other information the keep parents informed.

Fee-Based Before School Program 

Parents, Griffin continues to announce our fee-based Before Based Program. Students are not allowed on campus prior to 8:45 as supervision is not available before that time.  Parents who need to drop off their child prior to 8:45 may sign up for the before school program for $5.00 per day/ $25.00 per week, or $100.00 per month.  Please pick up an application in the front office to sign up. Thank you for your support as we work to ensure the safety of our students by providing the necessary supervision for a safe and orderly school environment.

  Griffin welcomes WGMS 1620 on your AM dial.  Tune in to Griffin’s information radio daily for news updates. Stay tuned for further information.               

Grandparents Program

The grandparents program is called “Grandparents as Parents” or GaP, for short.   It is a support group for grandparents and other relatives raising another person’s children.  They meet on the last Wednesday of every month at the main public library downtown for a free catered luncheon at noon with an educational presentation, exhibits from community agencies, health screenings and access to representatives from DCF and legal services.  But reservations are required so that they can have enough food for everyone!  If you are  interested in this program, call Karen Boebinger at 891-4027 or email [log in to unmask] to make a reservation.  They would LOVE to have anyone who is raising a relative’s child join us for these lunches, or for a GaP family picnic, outing or holiday party.

Dress Code Policy Implementation

Students are 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.

Box Tops 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. 

2014-2015 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 (5:30 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

2014

September

10                           Volleyball, Griffin vs Raa, 6:30 p.m., Griffin

10                           Cross Country @ Montford MS, 6:00 p.m.

11                           Open House @ 6:00 p.m

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

16                           Football, Griffin vs Raa, 5:30 p.m., Cox Stadium

17                           Volleyball, Deerlake vs Griffin, 6:30 p.m., Deerlake

18                           Cross Country @ Gretchen Everhart, 6:00 p.m.

19                           Blue Pop Friday, Order your Blue Pop for $2.00 from Mrs. Jefferson

22                           Volleyball, Fairview vs Griffin, 6:30 p.m., Fairview

23                           Football, Deerlake vs Griffin, 5:30 p.m., Chiles Stadium

23                           Band/Chorus Share Night @ Chick-fil-a on Monroe St., 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

24                           Cross Country @ Alford Greenways, 6:00 p.m.

24                           8^th Grade Parent Night, 5:30-6:15 p.m., Media Center

24                           Interim Report 1^st 9 weeks

25                           6^th Grade Health Screening, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., media center

26                           History Makers Guest Presentation, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Cafeteria

26                           Blue Pop Friday, Students receive pre-paid Blue Pops

29                           Volleyball, Griffin vs Ft. Braden, 6:30 p.m., Griffin

30                           Football, Fairview vs Griffin, 5:30 p.m., Cox Stadium

October

1                              Volleyball, Griffin vs Nims, 6:30 p.m., Griffin

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

3                             Fall Holiday – No School

6                              Volleyball, Griffin vs Swift Creek, 6:30 p.m., Griffin

6                              PTO (5:30 p.m.) & SAC (6:00 p.m.) Meetings, Media Center

7                             Football, Swift Creek vs Griffin, 5:30 p.m., Chiles Stadium

10                           Blue Pop Friday, Students receive pre-paid Blue Pops

14                           Football, Griffin vs Nims, 5:30 p.m., Cox Stadium

15                           8^th Grade Uncle Jerry’s T’s Fundraiser to pay for 8^th grade events

16                           Bruster’s Fundraiser @ Bruster’s, 6-8 p.m.

17                           Blue Pop Friday, Students receive pre-paid Blue Pops

17                           End of 1^st 9 weeks

20                           Teacher Planning/Inservice Day – No School

22                           Football, Championship Game Teams TBA, 5:30 & 7:30 p.m., Cox Stadium. Admission - $4.00

27                           Boys Soccer Cobb vs Griffin @ Belle Vue Field #2, 6:30 p.m

27                           Girls Basketball Cobb vs Griffin @ Cobb, 6:30 p.m.

28                           Band/Chorus Fall Fundraiser, Dinner tickets $10.00, Cafeteria @ 6:30-7:45 p.m.

29                           Girls Basketball Griffin vs Raa @ Griffin, 6:30 p.m.

29                           Report Cards 1^st 9 weeks

November

3                              Girls Basketball Montford vs Griffin @ Montford, 6:30 p.m.

3                              PTO (5:30 p.m.) & SAC (6:00 p.m.) Meetings, Media Center

4                              Boys Soccer Montford vs Griffin @ Belle Vue Field #2, 6:30 p.m.

5                              Girls Basketball Deerlake vs Griffin @ Deerlake, 6:30 p.m.

6                              Boys Soccer Deerlake vs Griffin @ Belle Vue Field #1, 6:30 p.m.

10                           Boys Soccer Fairview vs Griffin @ Belle Vue Field #1, 6:30 p.m

11                            Veterans Day Holiday – No School

12                           Girls Basketball Fairview vs Griffin @ Fairview, 6:30 p.m.

17                           Girls Basketball Griffin vs Ft. Braden @ Griffin, 6:30 p.m.

18                           Boys Soccer Griffin vs Swift Creek @ Belle Vue Field #2, 6:30 p.m.

19                           Girls Basketball Griffin vs Nims @ Griffin, 6:30 p.m.

19                           Interim Reports 2^nd  9 weeks

20                           Boys Soccer Griffin vs Ft. Braden @ Belle Vue Field #1, 6:30 p.m.

25                           Turkey Trot, 2:00 – 3:50, PE/Backfield

26- 28                    Thanksgiving Holiday – No School

December

2                              Boys Soccer Griffin vs Raa @ Belle Vue Field #2, 6:30 p.m.       

3                              Boys Soccer Griffin vs Nims @ Belle Vue Field #2, 6:30 p.m

3                              Girls Basketball Griffin vs Swift Creek @ Griffin, 6:30 p.m.

8                              PTO (5:30 p.m.) & SAC (6:00 p.m.) Meetings, Media Center

17-19                     Exam/Early Release days – Dismissal at 1:20 p.m.

19                           End of 2^nd 9 weeks

20                           Teacher Planning/Inservice Day – No School

22-31                     Winter Holidays – No School

2015

January

1-2                         Winter Holidays – No School

5                             Teacher Planning/Inservice Day – No School

6                             Students Return

14                           Report Cards 2^nd 9  weeks

16                           School Geography Bee, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Cafeteria, Mrs. Marshall sponsor

19                           Martin Luther King Holiday – No School

February               FCAT Writing (Grade 8) Date TBA

2                             PTO (5:30 p.m.) & SAC (6:00 p.m.) Meetings, Media Center

4                              Interim Reports 3^rd 9 weeks

5                             School History Fair Website and Documentary Judging, 9:30-4:00, Media Center

6                             School History Fair Performances and Exhibit, 9:30-4:00, Media Center

March                  

2                             PTO (5:30 p.m.) & SAC (6:00 p.m.) Meetings, Media Center

13                          End of 3^rd 9 weeks

16-20                    Spring Break – No School

23                          Teacher Planning/Inservice Day – No School

24                          Students Return

April                      FCAT Reading, Math, Science

1                             Report Cards 3^rd 9 weeks

6                             PTO (5:30 p.m.) & SAC (6:00 p.m.) Meetings, Media Center

22                           Interim Reports 4^th 9 weeks

May 

4                             PTO (5:30 p.m.) & SAC (6:00 p.m.) Meetings, Media Center

12                          Band/Chorus Spring Concert – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

20                          8^th Grade Accolades, 9:00-4:00, Awards Ceremony and cookout for 8^th graders                    

25                          Memorial Day Holiday

28-29                    Exam/Early Release Days – Dismissal at 1:20 p.m.

June

1                      Exam/Early Release Day – Dismissal at 1:20 p.m.

                        Last Day of School/End of 4^th 9 weeks

2-3                   Teacher Planning/Inservice Days

10                     Secondary Report Cards

Griffin Middle Information Technology School

800 Alabama Street

Tallahassee, Fl 32304

T:  850.617.5353

F:  850.617.5354