This Week at GMS: October 7

Hello Greendale Middle School families,

I hope everyone enjoyed this fantastic Wisconsin fall week. The colors surrounding the middle school are beginning to change, adding to the beauty of our grounds. This week ends with our first Student Activity Night of the year. Sponsored by the GMS-PTO, this event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the middle school. Students planning to attend need to bring their signed permission slip along with the $5 admission fee. If students do not remember to bring their permission slip, a parent will need to accompany them into the school to fill one out at the door. For safety reasons, once admitted to the event, students are not allowed to leave until it ends. Parents must come in to the building to pick their child up at 8:30 p.m. - students are not allowed to meet their parent in the parking lot.

The students received their 1st quarter progress reports today during Homebase. The progress report provides a snapshot of where your child stands at this point of the school year. If you have any concerns, please contact your child’s teacher. The first quarter ends on November 4.

Our annual GMS-PTO Magazine Drive is also under way. On Monday, students were given materials to take home. Above is a photo from one of the lunch presentations. This all-school fundraiser helps support student programs, special activities and projects in our classrooms. A first prize event will take place on Wednesday, October 12 during all three lunches. This fundraiser is voluntary, but if you are interested in participating, visit QSP.com and enter the code 1115701.

Enjoy the weekend with your families.

Important Information and Upcoming Events…

The 411 at GMS
At Greendale Middle School, we feel that timely and open communication is important. In addition to this weekly update, morning parent coffees are offered throughout the year to provide information about what is happening at the middle school, answer questions and give you a chance to provide some feedback. This year, we are also offering an after school opportunity to meet with parents called the 411 at GMS. The first two meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, October 18 and Thursday, November 17 from 3:15-4:00 p.m. in the Main Office Conference Room. The 4:00 p.m. ending time coincides with our Study Club ending time. This gives you an opportunity to encourage your child to attend our Study Club on these days. My famous PTO brownies will be provided.

Guidance Department News
To view the October Counselor’s Corner Newsletter, please click here.

District Parent Information Night
All Greendale parents are encouraged to attend the first of 3 District Parent Information Nights (PIN) to be held on October 12 at GMS. The district-level information portion of the evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the MPR. All 5 schools will also be holding a school-level meeting on the same night at the middle school, either directly preceding or following the district presentation. The evening’s schedule is as follows:

• 5:45-6:30 p.m. GMS PTO - Library
• 6:30-7:10 p.m. District Presentation - Rethinking Education in Greendale, Dr. William Hughes
• 7:15-8:00 p.m. CA Parent Engagement Meeting - RM 174
• CP PTO Meeting- RM 175
• HV PTO Meeting - RM 177
• 7:15-8:15 p.m. GHS Financial Aid Workshop - Multi Purpose Room
  

The collaborative format of these nights allows parents to learn about important district initiatives as well as keep informed about ways to be involved in their child’s educational experience at the school level. Childcare will be provided for children who are potty trained. Dates for future district PIN are January 11 and April 18.

Clean & Green
Seventh graders from Team Integrity at Greendale Middle School have organized a service-learning project in the community called Clean & Green. On Thursday, October 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., students will provide services such as the following to Greendale senior citizens or those in need: lawn raking, garage cleaning, furniture moving, window screen removal, and sidewalk sweeping. To request services, please call middle school teacher Lee Burish or Clint Weishaar at (414) 423-2800 ext. 3278 or ext. 3277.

Leap Into Learning
Leap Into Learning, a child development series for parents of two- and three-year-olds, will be presented by staff members of the Greendale School District's 4-year-old Kindergarten and Early Childhood programs. The classes will provide parents with information on important topics in early childhood education that will help to prepare their children for school.

October 20, 2011, 6-7:00 p.m.
Highland View School, 5900 S. 51st Street
Topic: Teaching Early Learning Skills to your Child

January 19, 2012, 6-7:00 p.m.
Canterbury School, 7000 Enfield Avenue
Topic: The Importance of Play

April 26, 2012, 6-7:00 p.m.
College Park School, 5701 W. College Avenue
Topic: Making Motor Skills Fun

Leap into Learning is free to Greendale residents. Childcare will be provided. To register for the series or any of the individual sessions, please call Highland View School at (414) 423-2750. Thank you to Partners for Community Action for supporting this program.

Greendale Open Market
The Greendale Park and Recreation Department will host the last Greendale Open Market of the season on Saturday, October 15 from 8:00 a.m. – noon in the Greendale Municipal Parking Lot. Vendors will be offering homegrown produce, flowers, ethnic food and more.

Scholarship Pumpkins
Pumpkins are on sale for $5.00 at the Greendale Park and Recreation Department, located at the District Office/Highland View building. Proceeds will benefit the Greendale Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund. Earlier this year, the Greendale Chamber of Commerce established a scholarship program with the intent of annually awarding a $500 scholarship to a Greendale resident who is a senior in high school and who will be pursuing a degree in business at a four-year college.

This Week’s Links and Downloads:

• Upcoming GMS Events (PDF)
• Counselor’s Corner (PDF)