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Greetings Parents and Guardians,
We are one week away from the WINTER BREAK that officially starts on December 24th and ends on January 7th. Students will return on January 8th. Students also had the opportunity to pick up an Early Request for Semester Exams if they will not be present during 1st semester exams. Request copies are available in the front office even though time is limited.
EXAM WEEK SCHEDULE----See attachment for more details
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Promotion information for all grade levels can be found at:
https://www.leonschools.net/Page/1083
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Currently, we have a new Facebook page and the username is @GriffinMiddleSchool and our Instagram page is @GMSTallahassee. Feel free to share our pages and ENJOY!
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commpe.pictavo.com <----COPY & PASTE THE LINK IN A SEPARATE BROWSER FOR ORDERING
This year the process for ordering yearbooks is SIMPLE! The ordering process is best and beneficial when done online, however, there will be order forms in the front office. The money collection process will be initiated with the parent liaison or secretary in the front office. Funds will eventually be collected by the schools bookkeeper for further processing. There are three-price points for yearbook orders, which is included in attached documents.
Attached are three price point yearbook order flyers(using our recommended e-commerce price point dates)
1. The first price point of $30. Order by 12/31 and they can add a personalized name stamped cover for $5.50. (FYI: you’ll make a $1.40 to $1.50 profit on the name stamp orders)
2. The second price point of $35. Order on/after 1/1/ and by 2/14/19 and they can add a personalized name stamped cover for $5.50
3. The third price point of $40. Order on/after 2/15. No name stamp cover option is available after 2/14.
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PARENT UPDATE!!!
We strive to bring the best possible instruction to our Griffin students. With our diverse population, occasionally our teachers are required to add additional endorsements to their certification in order to meet the needs of our students, per the State of Florida. At this time the following teachers: Ms. Johnson, Ms. Carter, and Ms. Bates are working towards their English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESOL) endorsement. We are required by law to inform you that therefore mentioned teachers are currently considered “out of field for ESOL.” However, your child’s teacher has been approved to teach Language Arts to English Language Learners in accordance with State Board Rule. These teachers will continue to maintain the high academic standards required of all teachers in our school and in our district.
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Boys middle school Soccer 1A Championship Games will be MOVED from Monday 12/17/18 at Cox Stadium to Tuesday 12/18/18 @ Cox Stadium.
Future Soccer Games to be held at BellVue has been moved to the Messer Field Complex
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Sporting events to look forward to in the NEW YEAR (2019)...
Girls Soccer [cid:67dd15b9-064c-4ab7-a0c8-125c8d89bfec]
[cid:86a547a3-a3be-40c2-9fbd-cefd5d41612f]Boys Basketball
Track & Field [cid:d5298aad-566b-4853-a79f-826d1e5a6661]
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• Parents MUST register on a computer, tablet, smart phone, etc. to create an account.
• Parent/Guardian login – A parent must have an email address to create an account. If you do not have an email account, please use free email services such as: Gmail, Hotmail and many others providers.
• Parent/Guardian Password will be displayed once you have registered. The assigned account password CAN be changed in preferences after login.
• Parent/Guardian will be prompted to correct any discrepancies between student/parent/guardian addresses.
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FOR DIRECT REFERENCE OF DRESS CODE @ GRIFFIN MIDDLE SCHOOL PLEASE VIEW THE ATTACHED DRESS CODE GUIDELINES.
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Supervision begins at 8:45 AM. Students who need to arrive earlier than that must enroll in our before school program. Applications can be downloaded online and are available in our front office for completion.
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*21st Century Afterschool Applications are available online and in our front office.
www.leonschools.net/griffin<http://www.leonschools.net/griffin>
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AS IN PRIOR YEARS BACKPACKS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN CLASSES/CAMPUS. STUDENTS ARE RECOMMENDED TO CARRY THEIR BINDERS TO SCHOOL EACH AND EVERYDAY. STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO PURCHASE A LOCKER OR GENERAL LOCKER(FOR STUDENTS IN P.E.) FOR ACCESS TO OTHER BELONGINGS NECESSARY FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
Parents, Community Members and Griffin Staff,
I am proud to announce that the Florida Department of Education has calculated and awarded a school grade of “C” for Griffin Information Technology Middle School! This achievement is a direct result of the tireless work of our teachers, students, parents, and community members. It is a collective effort that helps to achieve these results. In understanding that effort, I want to give special recognition to the work of our faculty in upholding our mission to facilitate learning opportunities on a dual technology platform, teaching rigorous and relevant skills that will equip students to compete in a global society. Simply, thank you teachers and staff! I subsequently would like to thank the students for their work and sacrifice and their parents for helping to steer our achievements. I want to assure you that Griffin Information Technology Middle School staff with the help our students, parents, community members, and feeder schools will continue with due diligence of providing great service, while making improvements where necessary to make our school even better. I look forward to what the future brings as we embark on THE “NEXT” GENERATION GRIFFIN!
Thank you for allowing us to serve you!
Zelena Thomas O’Banner, Ed.S
Principal
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The Griffin Middle School List Serv will be published weekly, with information that reflects the present week and the upcoming week. We will also have a calendar of the year’s events, only adjusting and modifying as our schedule of activities are updated. We certainly welcome input from our families, community members and stakeholders on how Griffin Middle can be the best middle school in Leon County, FL.
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Dear Parent/Guardian(s):
In compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, you may request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teachers(s) and paraprofessional(s) and information about State academic assessments.
Right to Know Letter - The information regarding the professional qualifications will include:
___ Certification type
___ Subject area coverage and grade level of coverage
___ Degree(s) and defined major area of work
___ Qualifications of paraprofessionals providing services to students under the direction of a teacher
___ Information about a teacher that is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.
The information regarding State academic assessments will include:
___ A copy of the State’s assessments; dates and description.
___ Individual Student State Assessment Report to ensure specific information on the child’s level of achievement.
Federal law requires that schools receiving Title 1 funds hire highly qualified teachers. The School District of Leon County has always employed certificated personnel according to the Florida Department of Education requirements. Be assured that this will remain a priority in our school district.
If you would like to request any of the above information, please contact the principal at your child’s school (give phone number of the school and additional contact information).
What does it mean to be a Title One School?
Things you should know.
Griffin Middle School is a Title I School.
• This means we receive federal funds to provide extra help for all students.
Qualifications for a Title I School
• The funds we receive depend on the number of students who are economically disadvantaged
• We are a provision 1 school, therefore all student receive free breakfast, lunch and a dinner snack
• Our school receives $323,089.20
Advantages of being a Title I School
• The money goes to help all students in our school.
• It is used for teachers, tutors, after school programs, books, supplies, technology purchases, professional development and other materials.
• Also , these funds provide opportunities for parents to receive training to help their child in school and other parental involvement opportunities
Ways You Can Help
• Attend parent information sessions.
• Become involved in our PTO
• Sign up for list serv to receive weekly e-mails about events
• Volunteer in your child’s classroom regularly.
Opportunities for Parents
• PTO Meetings
• Parent Information Sessions
• Volunteer in School/Classrooms
• Quarterly Lunch and Learn Sessions
As a Title I School, we rely on the partnership between school and home to ensure that our students succeed. We hope you will feel welcome to be a part of your child’s school experience and a part of the success of Griffin Middle School.
What is a Highly Qualified Teacher?
All teachers who give instruction in the core academic subjects of Art-Visual Arts, Drama-Theatre, English, World Languages, Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Reading, Science, and Social Studies (History, Economics, Political Science and Geography) at any level must meet the following criteria in order for a "yes" response to be provided: hold an acceptable bachelor’s or higher degree, and hold a valid Florida Temporary or Professional Certificate.
All (elementary, middle, and secondary) "not new" teachers of core academic subjects must meet one of the following criteria in order for a "yes" response to be provided: -hold a valid infield Temporary or Professional Certificate and have passed the appropriate subject area test in the subject area assigned OR -have documented the 100 points for the High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE) plan for the core academic subject area assigned (transferable from out of state using the out of state SAE verification form) OR -for elementary teachers have a valid Florida Professional Certificate appropriate for the grade level(s) assigned and verification from another state of passing an appropriate subject area exam for the grade level(s) assigned (transferable from out of state using the out of state SAE verification form). -for middle and secondary teachers only have a major, equivalent courses, or a passing score on the subject area exam in the subject area assigned as evidenced by a valid infield certificate.
“New” middle and secondary teachers, teachers with no teaching experience, must meet the following in order for a “yes” response to be provided: -have a major, equivalent courses, or a passing score on the subject area exam in the subject area assigned as evidenced by a valid infield certificate.
HOW DOES GRIFFIN USE TITLE ONE FUNDS?
Supplemental Instructional Positions
Technology updates and repairs
Student Supplies
Technology supplies & computers
Parental Involvement
Meals and Mailing
Lunch and Learn Activities for parent workshops
Teacher Professional Development and Training Materials
Parent Liaison
21st Century Afterschool
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative is a key component of the No Child Left Behind Act. Authorized under Title IV, Part B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the specific purposes of the federal law are to:
- Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students, particularly students who attend low-performing schools, to meet state and local student academic achievement standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and mathematics.
- Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, such as youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, art, music, and recreation programs, technology education programs and character education programs, that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students.
- Offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for literacy and related educational development.
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*SUNSHINE LAW AND PUBLIC RECORDS CAUTION: Florida has a very broad Public Records Law. Virtually all written communications to or from School Board of Leon County, Florida Personnel are public records available to the public and media upon request. E-mail sent or received on the LCSB system will be considered public and will only be withheld from disclosure if deemed confidential pursuant to State Law. Individual student records are deemed confidential.