This Week at GMS: December 2

Hello Greendale Middle School families,

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving holiday break. We are now in the three-week sprint to winter break. This is a very busy time of the year with a new set of activities beginning, field trips and winter music concert performances. The picture above is from one of our art displays and contains eighth grade art inspired by a contemporary artist. We are fortunate to have such talented students to brighten our hallways.

Thank you to all of the families that attended the conferences last week. Remember that communication with the teachers should not be limited to just the parent teacher conferences. Please keep an eye on your child’s progress through PowerSchool and if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact your child’s teachers. I would like to again thank the GMS-PTO for generously hosting a staff supper prior to the conferences. I know that many were involved in making this happen. Please know that it is much appreciated.

Enjoy the weekend with your families. Stay warm!

Important Information and Upcoming Events…

Guidance
Please, click here to view the December Counselor’s Corner Newsletter.

Holiday Gift Jars
The Buddy Club is once again selling their popular gift jars to raise money to buy gifts for the Angel Tree children. Jars are only $5 each and are available in many varieties including M&M Cookies, Reese’s Pieces Cookies, Cowboy Cookies, Brownies and Hot Cocoa. Orders are due by December 10. For an order form, please click here.

Winter Weather Information
Please encourage your child to dress appropriately for the cold weather. Students do have to wait outside before entering the building at 7:44 a.m. and students do go outside after eating their lunch. Students will remain in the building if weather conditions warrant this.

If it is necessary to close school due to poor weather conditions, the school will send out a SchoolMessenger notifying you of the closing. Closing information can also be found by checking the District webpage at www.greendale.k12.wi.us.

Student Council Dance
Our first Student Council dance of the year will be held on Friday, December 16 from 3:15 – 5:15 p.m. This dance is open to all sixth, seventh and eighth grade students and is chaperoned by volunteer staff members. All students are expected to follow basic school rules and dress code. We are fortunate to have two staff advisors and student leaders to organize these dances. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the dances, please contact our Student Council Advisors – Ms. Deau or Ms. Olson.

Winter Music Concerts
The sixth grade winter concert will be held on Tuesday, December 20 at 1:45 p.m. in the Greendale Middle School gymnasium. This program involves our sixth grade choir, band and orchestra and adds a special touch to the holiday season. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m.

The seventh grade concert will be held on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the gymnasium and includes our three music groups.

The eighth grade concert will be held on Monday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the gymnasium. We separate our concert nights to keep the performances to approximately one hour. Please respect and support all of our performing groups by staying for the entire concert.

Student Drop Off and Pick Up
Parents choosing to use the circle drive in the front of the middle school as a drop off location should proceed around the circle, staying only in the right lane in a single file line and pulling ahead as far as possible. Students should be dropped off on the sidewalk adjacent to school property using the right lane only. No drop off from the left lane. The left lane is an exit lane for moving traffic only. Thank you for helping us to keep the circle drive safe for our students.

Community Cookbook
As part of the Greendale School District’s wellness goal and integrated into the Health curriculum, we are compiling a “Nourish – Mind, Body, Community” cookbook. We are looking for submissions of healthy recipes from students, families and community members. For a recipe template form, please click here. Send your completed recipe form to cookbook@greendale.k12.wi.us. The deadline is February 1. Inclusion is dependent upon the number of entries.

TONIGHT – A Dickens of a Christmas
Presented by the Historic Village of Greendale, A Dickens of a Christmas will take place Friday, December 2 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come see Downtown Greendale transformed into a scene from a Dickens novel, complete with holiday entertainers, strolling carolers, bell and chamber choirs and much more. Enjoy roasted chestnuts, carriage rides, story telling, writing letters to Santa and photos with Santa. For more information, please click here.

TONIGHT - Special Reading of “The Polar Express”
On Friday, December 2 the Greendale Public Library will host a reading of the classic children's tale "The Polar Express" as performed by local actress Debra Babich. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Greendale Public Library. To learn more, please click here.

TONIGHT - HiTech Holiday Technology Fair
The Greendale Public Library and the Greendale Park & Recreation Department will host a "HiTech Holiday Technology Fair" on Friday, December 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Greendale Public Library. You will get a chance to "test drive" the latest technology gadgets and Library staff will be available to answer your technology questions. To learn more, please click here.

This Week’s Links and Downloads:

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