April 22, 2016

After the CSTs, ALL students in 6th-8th grade will be taking the SBAC in Math and English from April 25th- May 13th!  PLEASE check the attached schedule included in the weekly email!  They are ALL currently practicing on these tests (thank you English, Math and 6th grade teachers for getting them prepared so well!) so that they are familiar with the format and the questioning style.

Our staff voted last week and we will NOT be having short Wednesdays for the 2016-2017 for collaboration.  We will be posting the final bell schedule once it's approved. We are tentatively looking at 8:36 AM for the first bell and dismissal at 2:45 PM. Again, we will let you all know when it's official but please start planning now.  We only have three minimum days a year: September 30th, February 24, 2017 and June 8, 2017. 

I found THE BEST app over the weekend!  Take a moment to download it from the App Store and then follow the instructions to load Fairfield-Suisun and connect DIRECTLY to Aeries!  No more logging in, no more password to remember and it's FANTASTIC and so easy!!

Tired of drama with social media at home?  Well, we are at school!  Check out THIS article on the THREE Apps that CONTINUE to Stir Up DRAMA at GVMS.  Help us put an END to it all!  Dowload the Common Sense Media App today!  Also, please check out THIS LINK for WebMD Newsletter tips in regards to teen stress, homework, and social emotional learning!

Our GVMS PTC is working with the American Chinese Cultural Exchange Service to find accommodations for 64 middle school students from China who will be attending summer camp in Fairfield this summer!!!  Half of the students will be here from July 10-July 20 and the other half will be here from July 28-August 13.  Students have a minimum of 2 years of English traning and can communicate effectively.  They attend class at Solano CC from 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM and are free on weekends to spend with their host families.  Hosting an international student can expand horizons and develop life long friendships!!  For additional information on YOUR family hosting, please contact Gary Bacon at gary.bacon@accexs.org  of click HERE!

Please help us remind students that pulling the fire alarm is not only against school rules, it is against the law and students will be cited by FFPD.  Bringing poppers, fire crackers, or any other sort of firework is illegal on school grounds.  
Also, SHORT shorts and spaghetti strap tans tops are NOT allowed and students will be asked to change into PE shorts, call home for other shorts, or sent home.  Please encourage ALL of our students to keep their hands to themselves.  We have an awful lot of "touchy feely" stuff going on and it's NOT okay.  Please help us keep our students safe and follow the rules!

Want another way to support our school?  Check out DonorsChoose.org and Gofundme for ways to support various teachers at GVMS!  In fact, check out this project from Mrs. Nitto HERE , Ms. Toll's HERE , Mrs. DeVries HERE, and Mr. McNamara's HERE!

8th Grade Promotion is scheduled for Thursday, June 2nd from 11-12.  Each 8th grade student that is being promoted to 9th grade will receive FOUR PROMOTION TICKETS ONLY.  Due to space, parking and crowds, this is all that we can accommodate.  All balloons, posters, and such MUST remain at home as it cannot block the view for other families and will be checked at the front door when tickets are collected.  Again, we don't have the space for these items and they can be given outside the gates.  Parking will be a mess and gates will not open until 10:30 so please plan accordingly.  We appreciate your support in making this successful for our students before moving to high school!