This Week at GMS: February 10

Hello Greendale Middle School families,

I hope everyone enjoyed the week. I had the opportunity to see many of you this week at one of the many events that took place at the middle school. I would like to thank all those that were able to attend the Parents as Partners Conference on Tuesday, or the Outdoor Education parent meeting on Wednesday, or the Fifth Grade Transition Night on Thursday. I would also like to congratulate the sixth grade teachers on a successful Math and Science Technology Night held at the middle school last week. Above is a photo from what was a well-attended event. It is events like these that give families an opportunity to see what their children are doing in the classroom.

I invite all of you to attend the third annual Benefit Concert tonight at Greendale High School starting at 7:00 p.m. on February 10. Proceeds from this student-driven event benefit Sophia’s Heart – a charity to help improve the lives of children. There will be performances by musicians from the Greendale Schools, as well as the local community. Admission to the concert is $2.00 at the door, but additional donations are appreciated.

On Saturday, student members from the GMS Service Art Club will be involved in the Village of Greendale’s “I Left My Heart on Broad Street” ice sculpting contest. Please, come to watch and offer your support while they chip away! For a complete list of activities visit http://www.discovergreendale.com/events.aspx.

Important Information and Upcoming Events…

Youth Risk Behavior Survey
During the week of February 20, Greendale Middle School will be conducting a Health and Wellness survey for all seventh and eighth grade students. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey created by the Department of Public Instruction is one of several surveys given throughout the state and the nation to assess the strengths and needs of our children. In assessing these assets and at-risk behavior areas, we will obtain information that will enable us to move forward as a district and help us meet the needs of our young people and our community. To ensure complete confidentiality, no student will be asked to identify him/herself in any way (name, address, phone number, etc.). The survey will take approximately 25 minutes to complete and is taken online. Included with this Weekly is a Passive Permission Slip. The permission slip only needs to be returned to the GMS office if you do not want your child participating in the survey. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call John Weiss, Greendale Assistance Program Administrator, at (414) 423-2800.

Parent/Teacher Conferences
The second round of parent/teacher conferences will take place on Thursday, February 23 from 3:00-8:30 p.m. and Friday, February 24 from 7:15–9:45 a.m. The core teachers at all three-grade levels are using an online program to schedule their conferences and information is being sent by each grade level explaining how you can sign-up for a conference. The Encore/Elective teachers will be using the cafeteria-style conferencing and I will be sending out an email via SchoolMessenger with additional conference details including their availability during those two days. We don’t believe that conferences should be the only contact that you have with your child’s teachers. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our teachers anytime to discuss.

Parent Coffee
A GMS parent coffee will be held in the Principal’s Conference Room on February 15 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. These informal meetings are intended to provide you information about what is happening at the middle school, answer questions and give you an opportunity to provide some feedback.

Scheduling/Planning for 2012-13 School Year
Although we are only through the first half of the 2011-12 school year, the scheduling process for next year is underway. With the variety of academic programs offered at the middle school, the process of scheduling over six hundred students takes some time to complete. Information went home with the sixth and seventh grade students on Friday, February 3 and the high school counselors were here on February 7 to meet with the eighth grade students. SchoolMessenger emails will be sent to provide you with information as we go through the process. The middle school will continue with the two, four teacher teams at the sixth, seventh and eighth grade next year. Including the elective teachers, this means that your child will have as many as eight different teachers during the course of the day. While we do not take requests for specific teachers, if for some reason serious consideration needs to be given to your child’s placement, a letter must be submitted and include a rationale for the request. Due to other scheduling considerations, balancing class sizes, etc., these must be submitted to the middle school office (attention Mr. Weiss) by March 23.

Progress Reports
The third quarter progress reports will be distributed to your child on Friday, February 17 in HomeBase. An updated copy will also be available at the February Parent Teacher Conferences.

Mid-Winter Break
There will be no school for students on Friday, February 24 and Monday, February 27.

Splash Into Science
Another fundraising opportunity to raise money to apply towards the Splash into Science trip will begin Friday, February 10. The students received a fundraiser packet today. They will be able to sell Yankee Candles (40% profit) and/or Alterra coffee ($5 per bag profit). Order forms will be collected Thursday, February 23 and pickup is scheduled for Friday, March 30.

Also, remember to mark your calendars for Monday, March 19 and plan to attend the benefit night at Noodles on 76th St. Volunteers are needed for one-hour shifts to sit in the restaurant starting at 5:00 p.m. A second benefit night is planned at Quaker Steak & Lube in New Berlin (Hwy 43 & Mooreland Rd.) on Monday, April 30. Volunteers will again be needed. Contact Ms. Burish at leora.buish@greendale.k12.wi.us if you are available to help staff a shift.

It’s never too late to register to join us on the Splash into Science trip to Florida. The GMS trip id # is 71375. For more information on this exciting trip opportunity and/or to sign up, visit the World Strides website at http://www.worldstrides.org/.

Nourish - Mind, Body and Environment Expo
The Greendale Schools Nourish - Mind, Body and Environment Expo will take place on Saturday, March 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Greendale High School. This family friendly event will feature vendors, resource booths, exhibits, demonstrations and other activities related to living a healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyle. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. The keynote speaker will be author and registered nurse Dr. John D. Shier RN, Ph.D. For more information, please click here.

Greendale Winter Market
Due to the “I Left My Heart of Broad Street” festivities, the Greendale Park and Recreation Department will extend the Greendale Winter Market hours on Saturday, February 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Greendale Village Education Center, 5680 Board Street. Vendors will be offering homegrown produce, artesian cheese, flowers, ethnic food and more. For additional information, please click here.

This Week’s Links and Downloads:

• Upcoming GMS Events (PDF)
• YRBS Passive Permission Form (PDF)