August 9 Picture Day 7:30-11:30 am August 13 Picture Day 3:00-7:00 pm August 28 ROCKS Kickoff Large Gym 5:15-6:00 August 28 Open House 6:00-7:00 September 3 First Day of School

Summer Edition 2019

Learning, Leadership and Laughter…The JRG Journey

Gator News

J.R. Gerritts Middle School • 545 S. John St. • Kimberly, WI • 920-788-7905

a Glance

Annual Update

Summer Hours

Important Picture

Info

Picture Day

Open House/ROCKS

Kickoff

School Fees

Student Schedules

School Pictures

8th Grade Planning

Conference

Lockers

Chromebooks

Fragrance Free

ACP Community

Connections

Supply List

Dear JRG families,

As I write this, it is mid-July, the height of summer (which for me means that it’s also the height of

the Tour de France. Bring on the mountain stages!). I hope you are enjoying a fun-filled summer

with many opportunities to make memories as a family. While there are still many weeks of

summer to come, this is the time of year to begin planning for the start of school on September 3.

And while your child may be hoping summer goes on forever, we can’t wait to see students and

families back in our school hallways and classrooms! This newsletter will provide you with updates

and reminders of important dates to help you get ready for the 2019-20 school year. Student

schedules will be available in Infinite Campus beginning August 1.

As always, there has been a lot of work happening at JRG this summer. Our cleaning crews are

finishing up in hallways and classrooms. We have a new elevator installed as well as a revamped

staff parking lot. Our teachers have been busy also, updating curriculum and planning for your

child's success. We’ve also added some new faces to our staff of educators. Joining us for 2019-

20 are:

Danna Scherer, 8th Grade Language Arts

Teddy Kortenhof, 8th Grade Science and Math

Bridgit Polit, Spanish

Christy Doering, Paraprofessional

Jessica Johnson, Paraprofessional

Will Simonar, 1st Semester Tech Ed Intern

Taylor Belmas, 1st Semester Special Ed/Math Intern

If you haven’t yet, please take a few moments to update your information in Infinite Campus

through our Annual Update process (see below), and be sure to add the important dates below to

your calendar. We can’t wait to see everyone at JRG soon!

Eric Brinkmann, Principal

Important Dates

August 9th 7:30 - 11:30 am - Picture Day

August 13th 3:00– 7:00 pm - Picture Day

August 28th 5:15-6:00 pm - ROCKS Kickoff (large gym)

August 28th 6:00-7:00 pm - Open House*

September 3rd - First Day of School

*Students and families are welcome to tour the school on August 9th and 13th. Lockers

may not be available on August 9th and 13th, but feel free to put items in lockers during

Open House on August 28. If you are unable to attend the open house, students may also

drop off supplies during normal office hours on August 19-23 from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm. Due

to meetings, students will not be able to access their lockers from August 26-29.

Gator News Summer Edition • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 2

Annual Update

Annual Update opens August 1st!

The new “Annual Update” process is now active for all families for the 2019-20 school year. Annual Update replaces the paperwork you have completed at each school in the past. The new process will guide you through updating and reviewing information for the upcoming school year and must be completed by the primary Parent/Guardian. Annual Update can be accessed through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you do not have an Infinite Campus Parent Portal account or have forgotten your username or password, please visit our Infinite Campus webpage. Annual Update will be open in the Parent Portal beginning August 1st, and can be accessed by clicking the “Annual Update” link in the Parent Portal located below the user account section. For instructions and more information regarding the Annual Update process, please visit our Infinite Campus webpage. If you do not have computer access and need assistance with the Annual Update, please contact the JRG office at 788-7905.

Summer Hours

The JRG office summer hours are as follows (hours subject to change due to cleaning and staff availability).

Feel free to call 788-7905 to check office availability:

July 18 - August 16

Monday-Thursday 7:00-3:45

Friday - Closed

August 19 - August 29

Monday-Friday 7:00-3:30

School Year Hours

Monday-Friday 7:00-3:45

If you need to register for school and our office is closed, you can register at the Administrative building at 425 S. Washington

St., Combined Locks. This building will be open:

Mon.-Thurs. from 7:30-3:30 & Fridays from 7:30-noon effective June 4-August 10. Effective August 13, the hours will

resume to 7:30-4:00, Monday-Friday.

Gator News Summer Edition • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 3

Gator News Summer Edition • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 4

Picture Day 2019-2020 School Year The picture days for this school year will be on Friday, August 9 from 7:30 - 11:30 am, and Tuesday, August 13 from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Picture order forms are available online on the Kimberly website (click HERE) and arrow down to JR Gerritts. To save time, bring your completed picture order form with you. Families can also walk through your child’s schedule, make lunch payments, sign up for fall athletics and more (see below). Please note that the classrooms are unavailable at this time. Please call the office if you have any questions, and watch for more on information in your email about Picture Day during the first week of August. Parking available in the South Parking Lot (stadium lot) Enter through the doors to the Commons (Door 20S)

Commons:

Network Photography for yearbook photos

Gator Galore School Store

Chartwells lunch payments

Smiles for Life (Dental Care Program)

Athletics Information and Fall Sports Signup

Main Office (Optional):

Assistance with Infinite Campus Annual Update

Pay fees if not paying online (Check & Cash only)

Health form updates, stock medicine forms

Fundraising/Unfundraiser information

Schedule questions

If you do not have access to a computer the office would be available to print student schedules as well.

Student Services:

ROCKS Club Sign up

Volunteer Sign Up

8th Grade Conference Sign Up (See page 5 for more information regarding 8th Grade Planning Conferences)

LMC:

Chromebook Pick Up

Open House and ROCKS Kickoff, August 28 Our Open House will be held on Wednesday, August 28, from 6:00-7:00. This is your child’s opportunity to locate their locker, meet JRG staff, and drop off their school supplies. If you have any questions regarding this night, please notify the office. Come early for the ROCKS kickoff event at 5:15 - you might win some great prizes!

Gator News Summer Edition • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 5

School Fees Pay 2019-20 SCHOOL FEES by September 13 School fees are due by September 13. You have several options to pay school fees:

Pay online on your Infinite Campus parent portal page, beginning, Thursday, August 1st.

Pay in person any time the office is open, starting Monday, August 9th (Cash and Check only)

Mail a check to the school office (545 S. John Street, Kimberly, WI 54136). Checks payable to KASD.

7th Grade Fees (Required) 8th Grade Fees (Required)

General School Fee - $30.00 General School Fee $30.00

Physical Education Shirt - $6.00 Physical Education Shirt $6.00 (If needed - shirts can be reused from previous years)

For Band Students, either:

Instrumental (required unless students own their instrument) - $120.00

Percussion (covers cost of maintaining percussion instruments) - $40.00

For Band Students, either:

Instrumental (required unless students own their instrument) - $120.00

Percussion (covers cost of maintaining percussion instruments) - $40.00

Camp Nan-A-Bo-Sho (two days, one night, includes meals & transportation) Students attend with their team in late September or early October - $67.00

7th Grade Fees (Optional) 8th Grade Fees (Optional)

Student Agenda - $3.00 (students may use online tools such as Google Calendar and Google Classroom or purchase their own planner)

Student Agenda - $3.00 (students may use online tools such as Google Calendar and Google Classroom or purchase their own planner)

Yearbook - $15.00 Only available to purchase through Jostens

Yearbook - $15.00 Only available to purchase through Jostens

Student Schedules Available August 1 Student schedules will be available to view and print in Infinite Campus beginning on August 1st. Schedules will not be mailed home, so please print a copy or bring a copy with you, or access the schedule via Portal, during our Picture Days and Open House. If you need a copy and are not able to print one, we would be happy to provide you with a copy in the office. The school will contact you if there are any changes to your child’s schedule after that date. Please note that student schedule changes can only be made in exceptional circumstances.

Gator News Summer Edition • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 6

Lockers The student schedule will include your child’s locker information, including locker number and combination. Locker sizes are: Lockers 1-876 are 12” wide / 11” deep. Lockers 2651-2954 are 14 ¾” wide / 11” deep. Supplies can be dropped off and put into lockers during the Open House on Wednesday, August 29 from 6:00-7:00 pm. If you are unable to attend the open house, students may also drop off supplies during normal office hours on August 19-23 from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm. Due to meetings, students will not be able to access their lockers from August 26-30.

Chromebooks All students at JRG have a district-assigned Chromebook. Chromebooks will be distributed to students in the LMC during Picture Days. The District provides cases for our 7th & 8th Graders to help protect the Chromebook. We encourage students not to remove the Chromebooks from these cases, including when charging the device. To charge the Chromebook, open the case so you are able to see the screen and plug it in. When you are done charging the Chromebook you should put the charger in the front pouch so you have it with you at all times. As a reminder, district owned Chromebooks are subject to the same Internet filtering and tracking at home as they are at school. Any site that is accessed on a District owned Chromebook will be subject to filtering and tracking.

School Pictures by Network Photography Our school photographer, Network Photography, will be at JRG during Picture Days. We ask that all students have their photo taken for the yearbook on either August 9 or August 13. Families are not required to purchase photos. If you wish to order pictures, you may prepay online or complete the order form (links also available on our website). Make a separate check out to Network Photography. Student ID cards will not be provided as they are not required for any JRG functions. If you are unable to attend a Picture Day, your child will have the opportunity to have a picture taken during out make-up day on September 20.

Please Help JRG Become Fragrance-Free JRG is attempting to limit fragrances in our school. One of our teachers was recently diagnosed with Mast Cell Disease, similar to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. This is a rare disorder but one that has significant consequences to the person with the diagnosis. Mast cells are necessary for life and play a major role in our body’s immune system. When mast cells function normally, they keep a person healthy. With Mast Cell Disease, the body has too many mast cells and they are very reactive, which in turn causes an autoimmune reaction (essentially, the body is attacked by its own immune system). The disease is often misdiagnosed, and comes with a long list of possible triggers and symptoms.

In the case of our teacher, we need your help with a specific trigger that causes significant and at times debilitating symptoms - fragrances such as cologne, after shave lotion, perfume, perfumed lotion, fragranced hair products, and/or similar products. By reducing exposure to these triggers, symptoms will also be reduced. We are asking our families for any and all help they can provide in reducing fragrances coming into JRG. Your assistance in minimizing or eliminating fragrances can help not only this teacher, but also other students who have sensitivities and allergies related to fragrances by improving indoor air quality (please see the American Lung Association for more information on indoor air quality).

If you have questions, please feel free to contact our District Nurse, Kathy Verstegen, or Principal Eric Brinkmann. We appreciate your support!

8th Grade Planning Conference An individual 8th Grade Conference is provided to 8th grade students and their parents between the months of October and January. At the individual conference, students will use their Career Cruising accounts to help discuss plans for their transition into high school. No final decisions will be made at the individual conference; however, information about post-secondary planning will be provided by the counselors and it will help parents/students think about potential high school pathways based on student interest. In order to schedule an individual conference with one of the counselors, parents/students must attend an 8th Grade Group Conference. The group conference will provide a basic background on the high school process which will allow for the counselor, parent, and student to get into more specific detail during the individual conferences. After attending a group conference, you will receive an email from Student Services with directions for signing up for the individual conference. More information can be provided at Picture Days. Please stop by the Student Services for more information or to talk with Shannon Steif (8th Grade Counselor) and Brad Demmin (Grade 7 Counselor).

Gator News Summer Edition • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 7

Gator News Summer Edition • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 8

J.R. Gerritts Supply List 2019-20 JRG will have agendas available for an optional fee. This is not a required purchase.

Grade 7 General Supplies Needed (all 7th graders)

Ear buds (with a headphone jack to fit chromebook)

Sturdy pencil case

#2 Pencils – 2 boxes and erasers

Pens

Colored pencils (also used for art)

2 Highlighters

1 – 5 subject notebook

10 pocket folders or accordion type organizer

1 package of 3X5 notecards

TLC 7 Students (all 7th graders)

3 boxes of facial tissue

Disinfectant Wipes

3-5 Expo Dry –Erase Markers

7th Grade Math

Scientific Calculator

*Chromebooks and phones are not allowed on assessments

1 small book cover or paper bag

2 notebooks - Graph ruled or quad ruled notebook

Spanish 7

3-ring binder (1 ½”)

1 Wide Tipped Dry Erase Markers (Any Color)

French 7 Students

Loose leaf paper for binder

3-ring binder (1 ½”)

Band 7 Students

“Essential Elements 2000 Book 2”

BLACK 3-ring binder (1/2”)

Pencil

Choir 7 Students

3-ring binder (1”)

Grade 8

General Supplies Needed (all 8th graders)

Ear buds (with a headphone jack to fit chromebook)

Sturdy pencil case

#2 Pencils – 2 boxes and erasers

Pens – Blue or Black & Red

Colored pencils

1 pack of markers

Ruler (standard & metric)

2 Highlighters

1 – 3 Subject notebook

1 package loose leaf paper

7 pocket folders or 1 accordion file folder

1 Jumbo book cover (or 1 paper grocery bag)

1 package of 3X5 notecards

TLC 8 Students (All 8th graders)

3 boxes of facial tissue

Disinfectant Wipes

3-5 Expo Dry –Erase Markers

8th Grade ELA

3-ring binder (2”)

Loose leaf paper for binder

1 package of post-it notes (5-10 per package)

1 package of glue sticks

White out

Safety scissors

8th Grade Math

Scientific Calculator

*Chromebooks and phones are not allowed on assessments

1 small book cover or paper bag

1 per semester - Graph ruled or quad ruled notebook

Spanish 8

3-ring binder (1 ½”)

1 Wide Tipped Dry Erase Markers (Any Color)

French 8 Students

Loose leaf paper for binder

3-ring binder (1 ½”)

Band 8 Students

BLACK 3-ring binder (1/2”)

Pencil

Choir 8 Students

3-ring binder (1”)

Note: Please feel free to recycle/reuse materials from year to year!

Ms Froze

Ms King

Ms Gibbons

Ms Holub

Ms Griesbach

JJ.. RR.. GGeerrrriittttss MMiiddddllee SScchhooooll

First Floor 2019/2020

PSL Officer Slotke

GR – Girls Restroom

BR – Boys Restroom

Math 8

129 LA 8

130 SS 8

131

Science 8

124

LA 8

132 Math 8

133

LA 8

127 Math/Sci 8

126

SS/LA 8

108 Science

7/8

109

Computer

111

Math 8

105 Math 8

104 LA 8

103 Resource

102 Training Room

101

#2.

LMC: Chromebook

Pick Up

Comp Lab

154

Reading Retreat

153

125

110

155

112

Resource

322

#3. Office:

Payments, Health Forms, Schedule

Questions

Resource

320-319

Resource

120 324 Choir

325

Band

352 Auditorium 309 Resource

309A

Large Gym

402

Stage

Custodian

442

Tech Ed

439

PACE

446

Tech Ed

448

Tech Ed

447

449

Art

436

402A

J.R. Gerritts Middle School 545 S. John St. - Kimberly, WI 54136 920-788-7905

Home of the Gators!

BR

GR

BR

GR

Fitness Center

Locker Room Doors

Athletic Dir

401

223

114

Tour the school while you get registered! Follow the red arrows to visit each station. The red highlighted

rooms are the places you will need to stop to complete the registration process.

Use the checklist on the back of the map to help you complete your registration journey.

ENTER HERE

#1. Commons:

Network Photography, Chartwells,

Gator Galore, Athletics, Smiles

for Life, Unfundraiser

South (Stadium) Parking

Lot

#4. Student Services:

8th Grade Conference Sign Up, Volunteer

Sign Up, ROCKS

JJ.. RR.. GGeerrrriittttss MMiiddddllee SScchhooooll

Second Floor 2019/20

Ms Bichler

Ms Utschig

Ms Eckerman-Ambas

Ms Wellnitz

GR – Girls Restroom

BR – Boys Restroom

GR

BR

Sci/Math 7

217

LA 7

216

French

215

Math 7

214

Math 7

2O7 LA 7

205 Math 7

204 206 SS 7

203 Health

202 Health

201

Spanish

229 Spanish

230 Math 7

231

LA 7

232 Resource

233

LA/SS 7

227 Computer Lab

220

Resource

226 SS7/8

224

Science 7

211 LA 7

209 Resource

208 Computer Lab

213 210

225

235

234

Picture Day Checklist:

� #1. Commons – Network Photography for school photo, Gator Galore school store table & Chartwells table for lunch account payments, Athletics Information, Smiles for Life, Unfundraiser

� #2. LMC – Chromebook Pick Up, optional Chromebook

Insurance payment

� #3. Office – Payments, Help with Annual Update, Health forms, Schedule questions, lock issues

� #4.Student Services – ROCKS, 8th Grade Conference Sign Up, Volunteer Sign Up

Thank you for coming!