NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL
We had another great start to the school year here at Gretna Middle School. Once again, our 6th grade students participated in their own orientation activity the day before the official start to the school year. This helps immensely to the smooth start to the year. We continue to evaluate the program and we welcome feedback from our 6th grade parents so that we can make this experience even better next year.
Your child’s safety is our mutual top priority; therefore, we want to introduce you to a couple of safety features here at Gretna Middle School.
1. Controlled Access -- All visitors will have to be “buzzed in.” Be prepared to identify yourself at the mounted video intercom with your name and the purpose of your visit. Once inside, all visitors will still need to check in/out with the front office and wear a visitor badge while in the building. If you are coming to school to join your child for lunch, to participate in a classroom activity or to pick him/her up for an appointment, please notify the office beforehand if at all possible, in order for us to be prepared for this entry request.
2. Bus Passes -- All bus riders are required to SCAN their bus card as they load and unload the bus. If a child does not have a card, he/she will be unable to ride. Replacement cards are $20. You will want to work out a system at home to make sure that your child brings his/her card with him to school every day.
The morning drop-off and afternoon student pick up has gone very smoothly. It works great when parents enter and stay in the left lane to get to the parking lot, leaving the right lane for the busses so they have a clear shot to the front of the building. When you are picking up your student after school, please pull into a parking space while waiting. This helps keep traffic flowing through the parking lot. As always, please watch for students as they walk to their cars.
Looking ahead, October is the Month of the Young Adolescent (MOYA). This month is set aside to remind the general public about the special physical, intellectual, emotional, moral, and social needs of the ten to fourteen-year-old learner. Here at Gretna Middle School, our program and philosophy are centered on meeting these needs. Between now and the next newsletter there will be a number of events that are designed specifically to meet the unique needs of our students.
-Apple Jack Parade, involving the 8th grade band members, is a transitional activity to high school band. Our students will travel to Nebraska City on September 21 to march in the parade.
-Numerous volleyball and football events for seventh and eighth grade boys and girls place emphasis on participation and skill development. All seventh and eighth grade students have the opportunity to sign up for Running Club in September. While this is not yet a sanctioned sport through our conference affiliation, our students have the opportunity to participate in several competitions with other schools.
-Mid-Quarter Progress Reports will be available to parents on-line. You can access current grades throughout the semester through the parent web access. Our first Mid-quarter day is Tuesday, September 24th. The high school and the middle school have gone to semester grading. You will still receive a grade update at the end of each quarter, but it will be a progress report. The grading period for all core classes will continue until the end of each semester.
Clubs are beginning to organize for the new school year. Students have an opportunity to explore a variety of activities after school. They should listen during the daily announcements to learn what clubs are being offered, what times they will meet, and the location of each club. Examples of the clubs offered at GMS include, H.O.P.E. Club, Art Club, Golden Sower Book Club, Chess Club, Sewing Club, Lego Robotics, Drama Club, Makers Space, Fire Fighters Club and Scrapbook Club. With the addition of new staff this year, additional clubs may be organized. Students can also explore their musical interests by joining Show Choir, Choir, or Jazz Band.
As you can see, the list is diverse and does not mention the hundreds of daily lessons that our students will receive in the core content areas of reading, English, social studies, math, and science. Students are also introduced to a variety of subjects during our exploratory programs in art, industrial technology, foreign language, instrumental and vocal music, physical education, health, keyboarding, computer applications, business, speech and drama, and family and consumer science. Please take time to discuss both the special and daily events with your child. Many of our school activities are springboards to family dialogue on a multitude of topics.
Check your Lunch Account Balance On-line!
Have you ever wondered exactly what the balance is of your family's lunch account? You can check your account balance on-line. The lunch program will still use the calling machine. The machine, with a prerecorded message, will call families when their account balance falls below $10.00 per child. If you receive such a call, please send a deposit with your child the next day. Remember that the lunch program is set up as a family account and deposits can be made at any school. If you have any questions about your account, please contact Sharon Kerr at 402-332-3265.
One final reminder regarding the Gretna Public Schools’ Parent Web Access -- At any time, you can see your student’s grades on-line. If you do not know your log-in information, or have misplaced your log-in or password, you may stop by the office or call during any school day and we can get that information to you. If you have any questions, please call the GMS office.
Your child’s safety is our mutual top priority; therefore, we want to introduce you to a couple of safety features here at Gretna Middle School.
1. Controlled Access -- All visitors will have to be “buzzed in.” Be prepared to identify yourself at the mounted video intercom with your name and the purpose of your visit. Once inside, all visitors will still need to check in/out with the front office and wear a visitor badge while in the building. If you are coming to school to join your child for lunch, to participate in a classroom activity or to pick him/her up for an appointment, please notify the office beforehand if at all possible, in order for us to be prepared for this entry request.
2. Bus Passes -- All bus riders are required to SCAN their bus card as they load and unload the bus. If a child does not have a card, he/she will be unable to ride. Replacement cards are $20. You will want to work out a system at home to make sure that your child brings his/her card with him to school every day.
The morning drop-off and afternoon student pick up has gone very smoothly. It works great when parents enter and stay in the left lane to get to the parking lot, leaving the right lane for the busses so they have a clear shot to the front of the building. When you are picking up your student after school, please pull into a parking space while waiting. This helps keep traffic flowing through the parking lot. As always, please watch for students as they walk to their cars.
Looking ahead, October is the Month of the Young Adolescent (MOYA). This month is set aside to remind the general public about the special physical, intellectual, emotional, moral, and social needs of the ten to fourteen-year-old learner. Here at Gretna Middle School, our program and philosophy are centered on meeting these needs. Between now and the next newsletter there will be a number of events that are designed specifically to meet the unique needs of our students.
-Apple Jack Parade, involving the 8th grade band members, is a transitional activity to high school band. Our students will travel to Nebraska City on September 21 to march in the parade.
-Numerous volleyball and football events for seventh and eighth grade boys and girls place emphasis on participation and skill development. All seventh and eighth grade students have the opportunity to sign up for Running Club in September. While this is not yet a sanctioned sport through our conference affiliation, our students have the opportunity to participate in several competitions with other schools.
-Mid-Quarter Progress Reports will be available to parents on-line. You can access current grades throughout the semester through the parent web access. Our first Mid-quarter day is Tuesday, September 24th. The high school and the middle school have gone to semester grading. You will still receive a grade update at the end of each quarter, but it will be a progress report. The grading period for all core classes will continue until the end of each semester.
Clubs are beginning to organize for the new school year. Students have an opportunity to explore a variety of activities after school. They should listen during the daily announcements to learn what clubs are being offered, what times they will meet, and the location of each club. Examples of the clubs offered at GMS include, H.O.P.E. Club, Art Club, Golden Sower Book Club, Chess Club, Sewing Club, Lego Robotics, Drama Club, Makers Space, Fire Fighters Club and Scrapbook Club. With the addition of new staff this year, additional clubs may be organized. Students can also explore their musical interests by joining Show Choir, Choir, or Jazz Band.
As you can see, the list is diverse and does not mention the hundreds of daily lessons that our students will receive in the core content areas of reading, English, social studies, math, and science. Students are also introduced to a variety of subjects during our exploratory programs in art, industrial technology, foreign language, instrumental and vocal music, physical education, health, keyboarding, computer applications, business, speech and drama, and family and consumer science. Please take time to discuss both the special and daily events with your child. Many of our school activities are springboards to family dialogue on a multitude of topics.
Check your Lunch Account Balance On-line!
Have you ever wondered exactly what the balance is of your family's lunch account? You can check your account balance on-line. The lunch program will still use the calling machine. The machine, with a prerecorded message, will call families when their account balance falls below $10.00 per child. If you receive such a call, please send a deposit with your child the next day. Remember that the lunch program is set up as a family account and deposits can be made at any school. If you have any questions about your account, please contact Sharon Kerr at 402-332-3265.
One final reminder regarding the Gretna Public Schools’ Parent Web Access -- At any time, you can see your student’s grades on-line. If you do not know your log-in information, or have misplaced your log-in or password, you may stop by the office or call during any school day and we can get that information to you. If you have any questions, please call the GMS office.
