December 14, 2015

Happy Last Week of December at GVMS!

CHALLENGE DAY IS HERE!  Don’t forget that Challenge Day is coming THIS Monday, December 14^th and Tuesday, December 15^th!  We are THRILLED to have our students participate in this event!  They MUST wear their shirts and lunch will be provided! Thank you Mrs. Bates for organizing and all of the families/companies for donating!!  Please be sure to check out what this means and what it’s all about HERE ON THEIR WEBSITE!  There is still time to donate!  Check it out HERE!

SNEAKY CAMERA APPS PARENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT!!

Check out this article for more detailed information and here is a piece of the article:

Apps such as Stealth Cam, Private Ninja Cam, and Top Secret Camera can be used to spy on people. Here are some of the methods they use to deceive the unsuspecting:

·         blanking the screen so no one knows you're taking a picture;

·         muting the phone so the shutter doesn't sound;

·         disguising the preview window so it looks like a Web browser; and

·         activating the camera to record via motion sensor.

Hidden-photo vaults, such as Calculator%, Keep Safe Private Photo Vault, and Best Secret Folder, are places to keep photos out of view from a prying parent or friend. They share key features, including: 

·         requiring a password for access; 

·         hiding their true purpose (fake calculator apps actually do function as calculators but double as a way to input a secret code and stash secret pictures); and

·         sounding an alarm or snapping a picture when accessed to catch anyone trying to break in.

We NEED volunteers!  Please check out THIS LINK to see if you can help us with our upcoming book fair! 

Still looking to help a GVMS teacher?  We would LOVE it!  Check out these links:

Ms. Kinder- http://www.donorschoose.org/project/chromebook-needed-please/1699382/
Mrs. Nitto-  https://secure.donorschoose.org/teacher/teacher.html?projects=true
Mr. Baptist- http://www.donorschoose.org/project/sailing-into-compare-and-contrast-essa/1715045/
Ms. Toll- http://www.donorschoose.org/project/journalism-junkies-macbook-air-and-page/1697326/
Mr. Diaz- http://www.donorschoose.org/project/3d-model-competition-and-presentations/1699386/
Mr. Diaz- http://www.donorschoose.org/project/ipad-mini-for-giant-ideas/1699431/

Holiday Greetings!

The entire staff at Green Valley Middle School joins me in extending well wishes to you and your family for the holidays and the New Year. During this special time we take time to remember and share goodwill, joy and happiness with others. We hope that each moment of the holidays and the New Year will be filled with a deep appreciation for just how special those moments are. May we be able to: CELEBRATE LIFE . . Think freely. . .Practice patience. . .Smile often . . . Make new friends . . Rediscover old ones. . . Tell those we love that we do . . . Feel deeply . . . Observe miracles . . . Take time for people . . . Reach out . . . Let someone in . . . Trust life . . . Comfort a friend . . . Laugh heartily . . . Make time for ourselves . . . Enjoy wonder . . . Have good ideas . . . Make some mistakes...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR GVMS FAMILY TO YOURS!

December 7, 2015

Student of the Month for December- Trustworthy!

Did you know that engagement starts with respect? Either way you look at it, EVERYONE is more engaged when they respect the person giving them information. Take a look at THIS ARTICLE on ways to earn teens respect and keep them engaged!

SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY If you must take your child out of school for 5 or more days, you may complete a Short Term Independent Study Contract.  We will NO LONGER be accepting IS contracts without 5 days notice unless there is a major family emergency. INDEPENDENT STUDY PROCEDURES:  Five days prior to starting Short Term Independent Study, parents must complete the Short Term Independent Study packet, indicating the dates the student will not be in school and the reason for the absence.  The teacher(s) will supply assignments. All assignments are due upon the student’s return to school. In order to receive full academic AND attendance credit, all work must be turned in.  Incomplete days will be considered truant, e.g. 3/5 work completed will result in two days.

CHALLENGE DAY IS COMING!  Don’t forget that Challenge Day is coming December 14^th and 15^th!  We are THRILLED to have our students participate in this event!  Please be sure to check out what this means and what it’s all about HERE ON THEIR WEBSITE!  There is still time to donate!  Check it out HERE!

Holiday Greetings!

The entire staff at Green Valley Middle School joins me in extending well wishes to you and your family for the holidays and the New Year. During this special time we take time to remember and share goodwill, joy and happiness with others. We hope that each moment of the holidays and the New Year will be filled with a deep appreciation for just how special those moments are. May we be able to: CELEBRATE LIFE . . Think freely. . .Practice patience. . .Smile often . . . Make new friends . . Rediscover old ones. . . Tell those we love that we do . . . Feel deeply . . . Observe miracles . . . Take time for people . . . Reach out . . . Let someone in . . . Trust life . . . Comfort a friend . . . Laugh heartily . . . Make time for ourselves . . . Enjoy wonder . . . Have good ideas . . . Make some mistakes

Rachel's Challenge is a national non-profit organization dedicated to creating safe, connected school environments where learning and teaching are maximized. Based on the life and writing of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine tragedy in 1999, Rachel's Challenge provides a continual improvement process for schools designed to awaken the learner in every child. We motivate and equip students to start and sustain a chain reaction of kindness and compassion that transforms schools and communities. Rachel’s Challenge 1. Look for the best in people 2. Dream big, write goals 3. Choose positive influences 4. Speak with kindness 5. Start your own chain reaction Strategies you can teach your child if they see unkind behavior: Pep talk, run interference, intercept, off the bench, out of bounds, blow the whistle!