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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GMS?l?I

33 days until the first day of school! Woo-hoo! And by the time this newsletter gets to you, the number will have notably decreased. That’s deserving of a double

Quite likely, the only folks more excited about the first day of school than me are 1) our rising 6th graders and 2) the parents/guardians of our

rising 8th graders. Ha! Our 7th grade families, on the other hand, are still trying to figure out what happened to their formerly sweet, soft-spoken 6th graders who have since transformed into such, ahem, animated preteens.

In all seriousness, I do hope each and every member of the GMS family is enjoying a wonderful summer season. Time spent away from school is valuable in that it offers the chance to recharge, pursue other interests, rekindle familial bonds, and foster new friendships. Make the most of it!

Rest assured we are busily preparing for the upcoming school year and striving to plan for a set of school experiences that positively surpass those of recent memory. We have been reviewing data, studying best practices, thinking deeply about the needs of our school community, collaborating with stakeholders, and developing next steps. Just a few items capturing our attention to the benefit of students include, but are not limited to: 1. Writing within the academic area as well as

across curricula 2. MATH workshop strategies 3. Deeper learning, and 4. Trauma-informed practices

Needless to say, there is much left to do. We WILL be ready!

I look forward to seeing you very soon whether it be during Business Day, 6th Grade Orientation, and/or our Back-to-School Open House. Do not hesitate to contact us should you have questions or needs. Most importantly and always remember…

“ALL HIGHLANDERS

MATTER and in

everything you do

today, LEAVE NO

DOUBT!” Josh Whitlow, Principal

We use several ways to communicate with our families and encourage you to take advantage of

them all!

• Daily Announcements are shared via intercom with our students each day and can be found on our webpage.

• Emails are regularly sent to those who have signed up to receive school emails. See PowerSchool Enrollment/Registration (formely InfoSnap) in this newsletter to get set up.

• Our social media accounts include highlights of activities and events throughout the school year. Follow us on:

Click each image above to go to each site

WELCOME TO THE GMS FAMILYI

Shawn Duff - Math

Carly Lee – Science

Jackie Collins – World Languages

Laura Green – World Languages

Katie Benson – Business

Amanda Wade – Health and PE

Ben Munsey – Health and PE

Jackie Smyth – Special Education

TDAP/IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION!

Effective July 1, 2019, a booster dose of Tdap vaccine is required for all children entering the 7th grade. Proof of immunization must be submitted to GMS prior to the first day of school (August 12th). We will be available during Business Day to collect verification of immunization. Please email the GMS school nurse, Mary Jane Witter, at mwitter@rcps.us if you have questions regarding Tdap requirements.

POWERSCHOOL ENROLLMENT/REGISTRATION (formerly InfoSnap)

PowerSchool Enrollment/Registration replaces the seemingly endless paper packet families once completed before the annual start to the new school year. By digitally submitting this information, schools receive important details faster and without the need to decipher handwriting. Not only is the process simpler to complete on your end, it is especially helpful for families with multiple students enrolled in Roanoke County Public Schools.

PowerSchool Enrollment/Registration should be completed for every student each year. Otherwise, the aforementioned paper packet must be completed. Completing the paper packet will delay your ability to receive regular emails from the school as PowerSchool Registration is used to create our school email list for families.

Roanoke County Public Schools will mail your 2019-20 access code for PowerSchool Enrollment/Registration sometime mid-July. Once you receive your 2019-20 access code, but not before the website goes live on July 12th, you will be able to access PowerSchool registration here. To reiterate, the website will not go live until July 12th and you will need your 2019-20 access code to complete your child’s PowerSchool Registration.

SCHOOL-ISSUED LAPTOPS

ALL middle school students will receive laptops as a continued and integral part of the RCPS one-to-one initiative. School-issued laptops are intended ONLY for school-related instructional purposes both in and outside of school and are to be returned at the end of the school year. All students will complete several days of training at the beginning of the school year to better ensure appropriate and productive use. Additionally, Mrs. Booth will provide key information during our 6th grade orientation on Thursday, August 8th . A parent/guardian must attend Mrs. Booth’s presentation, pay the laptop fee, and sign the appropriate documentation (parent/guardian and student). This documentation will be available via PowerSchool Registration; parents who have previously signed do not need to sign again. The laptop fee for the 2019-20 school year is $50.00. The laptop fee is $25.00 for students who receive free or reduced lunch. Finally, it is important to note parents/guardians may use their child’s MySchoolBucks account to pay the laptop fee.

BUSINESS DAVI BACK-TO-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

TUESDAY, JULY 30th from 1PM to 7PM

Families may pay laptop fees, pick up

schedules, purchase gym suits

(optional: shirts = $4; shorts = $9),

submit Tdap verifications, tour the

building, and check locker

combinations!

BOOKBAGS/BACKPACKS

All students must store their bookbags and unused supplies in their lockers at all times. Students are welcome to visit their lockers between classes to drop off materials from one class and pick up materials for the next class. Our students do not travel with their bookbags to 1) minimize heavy loads carried by our students and 2) to maximize the available space in each classroom. Students may carry laptops to and from class, but must ALWAYS use their laptop bags.

STUDENTS WITH ASTHMA

Students with asthma who also carry an inhaler must have the following in place:

1. Written physician and parent/guardian consent

2. Emergency plan 3. Individual health plan

Parents/guardians of students with asthma must contact the school nurse to better ensure the appropriate steps have been completed. PowerSchool Registration will include information regarding the law and students carrying inhalers.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8th from 5PM to 7PM

Meet your child’s teachers!

STUDENT PLANNERS

All students will receive a planner at the beginning of the school year. The planner is intended to help students remain organized, keep parents “in the know”, and serve as a communicative tool between the school and family. Students will find it contains many, helpful components such as: our student handbook, space for jotting down priorities, calendars for recording upcoming activities, our Highlander Code, hall passes, and much more! Students should write their names within their planners and keep up with it throughout the year. The planner is a truly helpful tool!

BUS SCHEDULES

Bus schedule times and route information will be available on the Roanoke County Public Schools website in early August.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

Refer to your child’s planner as well as the Roanoke County School Board policy manual (found here) for policies and procedures concerning prescription and nonprescription

medication at school. NOTE: ALL PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION must have a doctor’s written signature along with the parent’s written permission. Forms are available in the main office.

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ROANOKE COUNTY STUDENT DRESS CODE

Roanoke County Public Schools respects students’ rights to express themselves in the way they dress. All students who attend Roanoke County Public Schools are also expected to respect the school community by dressing appropriately for a K-12 educational environment. Student attire should facilitate participation in learning as well as the health and safety of students and the adults that supervise them. This policy is intended to provide guidance for students, staff, and parents.

Minimum Requirements: 1. Clothing must cover areas from one armpit

across to the other armpit, down to approximately 3 to 4 inches in length on the upper thighs (see images below). Tops must have shoulder straps. Rips or tears in clothing should be lower than the 3 to 4 inches in length.

2. Shoes must be worn at all times and should be safe for the school environment (pajamas, bedroom shoes or slippers shall not be worn, except for school activities approved by the principal).

3. See-through or mesh garments must not be worn without appropriate coverage underneath that meet the minimum requirements of the dress code.

4. Headgear including hats, hoodies, and caps are not allowed unless permitted for religious, medical, or other reason by school administration.

5. Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.

Additional Requirements: 1. Clothing may not depict, imply, advertise, or

advocate illegal, violent, or lewd conduct, weapons, or the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances.

2. Clothing may not depict or imply pornography, nudity, or sexual acts.

3. Clothing may not display or imply vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene language or images.

4. Clothing may not state, imply, or depict hate speech/imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected classification.

5. Sunglasses may not be worn inside the building.

6. Clothing and accessories that endanger student or staff safety may not be worn.

7. Apparel, jewelry, accessories, tattoos, or manner of grooming that, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark or any other attribute, denotes membership in a gang that advocates illegal or disruptive behavior is prohibited.

The administration at each school reserves the right to determine what constitutes appropriate dress. Students who do not adhere to these guidelines will not be allowed to attend class. Parents will be called if appropriate clothing is not available or the student refuses dress-code appropriate clothing.

6th GRADE/NEW STUDENT

ORIENTATION

FALL PICTURE DAY

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8th from 9 to 11AM

Parents and students are invited to

come and learn more about GMS!

COUNSELING NEWS

The GMS Counseling department’s mission is to facilitate the healthy development of all students in their personal/social, academic, and career development through intentional efforts of quality and supportive services. As student advocates, it is our mission to work with administration, parents, students, and the community to collaborate and ensure a safe and effective learning environment. We also strive to promote responsible citizenship, productivity, and lifelong learning. This is accomplished through classroom guidance, small groups, and individual counseling. We believe student success is related to a strong partnership between parents and the school. Communication between students, parents, teachers, and the counselor can lead the student to reach his/her full potential. Please contact us if we can help in any way!

Dottie Forrest, Counseling Coordinator

Lifetouch will be here October 3rd

for school pictures.

Make-up pictures are scheduled for

November 7th.

7th AND 8th GRADE VOLLEYBALL

The team volleyball camp, through Roanoke County Parks & Rec, is set for July 22nd through 25th from 9am-12pm. You can register through Parks and Rec at: https://www.roanokecountyparks.com/calendar.aspx?eid=6286

Team tryouts will be August 5th and August 6th

from 6PM-7:30PM. Remember, you must have a valid physical on file, dated after May 1, 2019. Please contact the school at 387-6322, for questions.

2019 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

DATE TEAM LOCATION TIME

Sat. 8/18/18 CSMS Jamboree CSMS TBD

Thurs. 9/5/19 CSMS Away 5:00 PM

Tues. 9/10/19 Carroll Co. Away 4:30 PM

Thurs. 9/12/19 Christiansburg Home 4:30 PM

Tues. 9/17/19 CAMS Away 5:00PM

Thurs. 9/19/19 Carroll. Co. Home 4:30PM

Tues. 9/24/19 Ben Franklin Away 5:00PM

Thurs. 9/26/19 Floyd Away 4:30 PM

Mon. 9/30/19 Christiansburg Away 5:00 PM

Tues. 10/1/19 Radford Home 4:30 PM

Wed. 10/3/19 Giles Away 4:30PM

Tues. 10/8/19 CSMS Home 5:00 PM

Thurs. 10/10/18 CAMS Home 4:30 PM

Tues. 10/15/19 Carroll Co. Away 4:30 PM

Wed. 10/16/19 Giles Home 4:30 PM

Thurs. 10/17/19 Clifton Middle Home 5:00PM

Tues. 10/22/19 Floyd Home 4:30PM

Thurs. 10/24/19 Radford Away 4:30 PM

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7th AND 8th GRADE FOOTBALL

Summer workout/weightlifting will continue Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays from 6:00-7:45 PM throughout July, at the fieldhouse, behind the stadium. These are not mandatory, but it is good to get out and work on conditioning. Equipment will be handed out on Thursday, July 18th at 6:00 PM. Please contact me if you have a conflict with that date. The schedule for the first week of practice, which begins on August 5th, is as follows:

Monday-Friday; 4-7 PM* *Arrive at middle school fieldhouse no later than 3:30 PM

Missed practices will need to be made up and will result in a loss of playing time. If you must miss a practice for any reason, please call or email me. Any player who misses three or more unexcused absences will be dismissed from the team. You must bring your completed VHSL physical form (dated after 5/1/20) no later than August 5th, the first day of practice. If you do not have your physical, you still need to attend practice and will make up the conditioning.

A mandatory parent meeting will be held on Sunday, August 4th, at 6PM, in the GMS cafeteria to go over rules, expectations, and fundraisers. Feel free to contact me should you have any questions!

Neil Swanson, Head Football Coach (540) 312-7335; (540) 387-6536

nswanson@rcps.us

2019 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE*

DATE TEAM LOCATION TIME

Thurs. 8/1/19 Practice Begins

Thurs. 8/ 15/19 RMMS B Team Scrimmage

Away 6:45 PM

Sat. 8/17/19 RMMS A Team Scrimmage

Away 10:00 AM

Thurs. 8/29/19 ALMS Away 5:00 PM

Tues. 9/3/19 Clifton Middle B Team

Home TBD

Thurs. 9/12/19 HVMS Home 5:00 PM

Thurs. 9/21/19 Pulaski (tentative) Home TBD

Thurs. 9/26/19 CAMS Home 5:00 PM

Thurs. 10/3/19 Carroll Co. Away 5:30 PM

Thurs. 10/10/19 CSMS Away TBD

Thurs. 10/17/19 Floyd Home TBD

*Multiple schools we have played in the past no longer have enough students to field a middle school team. Consequently,

we are working with additional schools to fill our schedule. Coaches will provide updated information as soon as it is

available. The GMS website will also be updated accordingly.

GYM CLOTHES?!?!

Students are required to wear athletic shorts/sweats, a t-shirt, athletic shoes, and athletic socks for gym class. Students are NOT required to purchase school-issued gym suits. For cases where religious constraints prevent a student from wearing the required attire, a suitable substitute shall be agreed upon by the family and teacher.

SCHOOL FEES

Here are the fees, to include lunch pricing, for the 2019-20 school year:

Lunch $2.80 (grades 6-12) $0.40 (reduced price)

Breakfast $1.35 $0.30 (reduced price)

PE Uniform** $4.00 (shirt) $9.00 (shorts) $13.00 (shirt & shorts)

Take-home laptop fee (grades 6-12)

$50.00 $25.00 (free & reduced)

**Purchase of a gym uniform is not required if comparable shirt and shorts are provided

Fees may be paid online using your MySchoolBucks account and entering the School Store.

WHAT IS MEANT BY OUR SCHOOL MOTTO?

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FALL FUNDRAISER

September 10th will be the kick off for our annual school fundraiser! We will be selling a wide array of neat items, from tumblers to holiday items. The fundraiser will end on October 1st . Money earned through this fundraiser will be used to support instructional and student needs.

STUDENT ABSENCES

Please call GMS at (540) 387-6322 if your child needs to be absent from school. We ask that calls be made prior to 9AM; you are welcome to leave a message on the school voicemail as well. Upon return to school, students should submit, in writing, a reason for the absence. A student absence will automatically be marked as “unexcused” if a written note detailing the reason for absence is not provided.

MAKE-UP WORK

Students are expected to make up work missed due to an absence from school. Make up work should be completed within 10 school days upon the student’s return to school. Assignments made prior to an absence are due upon the return to school. Please see the RCPS policies and administrative regulations for additional information.

RCPS attendance and make-up work regulations

FINAL ASSESSMENTS

Instruction is highly valued at GMS. Consequently, students can expect learning experiences all year long as well as opportunities for other enriching activities (like field trips). We conduct final assessments for our credit-bearing courses (Keyboarding, Spanish 1, French 1, Latin 1, Algebra 1, and Geometry). Teachers of noncredit-bearing courses may choose whether to conduct final assessments. Exemptions from final assessments only occur for the credit-bearing courses listed above and only when students have met all exemption requirements set forth in RCPS policy (see below).

RCPS final assessment policy

“ALL HIGHLANDERS

MATTER and in everything

you do today, LEAVE NO

DOUBT!”

Consistently demonstrating kindness. Regularly displaying respect. Genuinely

empathizing for those with whom you come into contact. Offering support and expecting

nothing in return. Relentlessly pushing oneself to reach new goals. Fully and

proactively preparing for the next objectives required of those goals. Embracing failure as

an opportunity for positive growth. These are but a few examples of our school motto in action. We must challenge ourselves to

give maximum effort each day. We must do so while remembering to treat all with kindness, respect, and empathy. A lofty

proposition, to be sure. But, we Highlanders pursue this level of excellence while

supporting one another along the way.

Roanoke County Public Schools does not discriminate with regard to race, color, national origin, sex, or handicapping condition in an educational and/or employment policy or practice. Questions and/or complaints should be addressed to the Assistant Superintendent of Administration/Title IX Coordinator at (540) 562-3900 extension 10121 or the Director of Pupil Personnel

Services/504 Coordinator at (540) 562-3900 ext. 10181.