April 26, 2018

We know you are well aware of our upcoming SBAC/ CAASPP testing in Math and English that is coming up from April 30- May 18.  We will be on block schedule and we will be sending the schedule home with students via email.  In the meantime, we are getting our Vikings ready for this assessment!  

How can you help at home?  Check out THIS WEBSITE and the video above for more information and how you can support your Viking at home!

ALSO!  Please make sure that your Viking brings their own earbuds for the entire length of the test.  We will provide them, however, we know that most students prefer to use their own!  THANK YOU!

Have you heard of Fortnight yet?  It is a SUPER popular game that was released in 2017.  Did you know that there are 2 versions?  Check out THIS LINK for it spelled out on the differences between the two, the popularity of it, and why it can be very addicting for our students.  Just make yourself familiar with the game and what it involves!

We have a daily challenge with our students and their phones....We know that they can be a great resource for research and completing homework, however, it can come at a cost.

Have you heard of "Away For A Day"?  This is a newer movement about middle school students putting their phones away, being more "present" in the moment, and doing better overall (socially, emotionally, etc).  Take a look at THIS interesting read about putting phones away for a day.  

Challenge Day is COMING!! We are already planning for Challenge Day for 2018-2019 and NEED adult volunteers!  Have you already been a part of Challenge Day and want to do it again?  We'd LOVE it!  Interested in participating and want more information?  Check out their website HERE or cut and paste this: https://www.challengeday.org/our-programs/schools/#challengeday  

Please email Mrs. Bates at ElizabethBa@fsusd.org to sign up!  WE NEED YOU!

Please be courteous to our neighbors as you are coming and going from GVMS!  We have had reports of driveways being blocked, trash cans being knocked over, and people being rude to others in our neighborhood.  PLEASE be courteous to our neighbors when you are coming to GVMS!  We want everyone to work together!

We are already planning for and fielding phone calls for 8th grade promotion!  Please mark your calendars for Thursday, June 7 beginning at 10 am!  Here are a few things to note:

• All 8th graders get 4 tickets ONLY
• Tickets are available AFTER Memorial Day weekend and will be signed over to the students directly!  Lost tickets cannot be replaced!
• Rain or shine, we will be outside in the amphitheater
• We ask that all signs, balloons, or anything else blocking the view of other families be left outside or we will hold it in our front office
• If you want to bring your own chair, please do so
• Gates for families promotion will not be opened until 9:30 AM
• Any sibling that attends GVMS and wants to attend promotion, must be signed out by an adult on their emergency card and must also have a ticket!
• All 8th graders are dismissed immediately after promotion ends

More information will come out as we get closer to the date of promotion!

Please remember that we have DAILY morning announcements (HERE), where important information is shared with all Vikings!  While it is shared over the loud speaker, all teachers project it and hard copies are always available in the front office and the library.  Additionally, it is always updated on our website!  Please make sure that you (along with your Viking) stay up to date on all information from GVMS.  Thank you!

*CHECK OUT OUR PROJECTS!!*  THERE ARE MANY NEW ONES TOO!! 

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!  Check out THIS LINK to see ALL OF the different ideas that our VERY OWN GVMS teachers have come up with!  NEW PROJECTS HAVE BEEN ADDED!!