GMS PTA

Monday Message for May 5, 2008

1. Student Council at GMS- Storm Relief Drive

The Student Council at GMS is collecting money donations to help the families affected by last week's tornadoes. Money will be collected during the lunch periods on Monday May 5th and Tuesday May 6th. The money we collect will be sent to relief agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Please encourage your children to give and help out the families devastated by this storm.

2. GMS PTA:

Teacher Appreciation Week:

This week (May 4-10) schools all over the United States will be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. This is our chance to thank our teachers and staff for being a vital part of our children's educations. Please take time to join in the celebration and say “Thank You” to your child’s teachers. You can do this by sending in a thank you card or letter, or by joining in the events that the GMS PTA has planned.

THE HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE NEEDS YOUR HELP:

Our big event is a luncheon which will be on Wednesday, the 7th. A menu has been planned and we are still in need of many food items. If you would like to make a donation of food toward the luncheon, contact Lisa Angwin-In addition, throughout the week, we will be placing small tokens of appreciation in the teachers' mailboxes and having a daily gift drawing. The PTA is still in need of donations for these gifts. If you own a business or have a working relationship with a business that would be interested in donating material goods or gift certificates for the event or if you would like to send in a monetary gift to offset the cost of the event, again, please contact Lisa Angwin - Thank you for your support!

Boxtops, Campbell's labels, Tyson A+ labels, Farm Fresh ABC's, computer inkjet empty cartridges and Nestle Go Play labels

Thanks to all of you who have sent in Boxtops, Campbell's labels, Tyson A+ labels, Farm Fresh ABC's, computer inkjet empty cartridges and Nestle Go Play labels. We had a fantastic year. Please don't stop saving these items, the collection barrel will be in the front hall outside the guidance office until the last day of school.

Dances:

Our last GMS (all grades are welcome) dance will be on Friday May 16^th 7-9pm with a Summer time theme (dress code per GMS). WE will have snow cones, pizza, hotdogs, and a lot of candy to sell from the PTA. If you can help volunteer that evening to chaperone and help us out, please contact Michele Dixon chele_1L@cox.net or 874-6611. We need over 32 people to help the dance run smoothly! We’ll see you on the 16^th!

Remember the admission for the dance is $5, and all food items are .50- $1.00. (Also, parents you could win free dance tickets for your child by attending the Clipper Sipper on the 16^th at GMS at 9am).

Thanks for a great successful year! Jane and Michele

8^th Grade Celebration update

DECORATIONS

Decorations for the celebration are coming along great. I have a group of students staying after school to help. If your child would like to stay after to help I could use more hands! ANY 8th grade student can help.

I have a few crazy requests. I am looking for 2 mannequins. Now, I don't think anyone has these in their garage but ya never know! I want to create life size Oscars. Maybe someone has a connection with a department store?!? I am also looking for red christmas garland. I will need to borrow ficus trees to decorate the entry. I am still looking for movie posters, movie memorabilia, film reels, etc.

DOOR PRIZES

I am asking everyone on this list to help with door prizes. I have a few working on this BUT it is a big job and if we all pitch in to get prizes it will not be so overwhelming. Even some purchased items, lava lamps, beach towels, sport items, gift certificates etc would all be a big hit! Any suggestions for gifts? Something that does not end up in a box in the attic....

FOOD

I have several people willing to provide food. I will be forwarding your emails to the appropriate folks. They will get back with you as the date approaches.

VOLUNTEERS

We will need all hands to help set-up Friday evening at 6pm May 30 and at 10 am May 31. I tend to be very organized with my plans... (some don't use the word organized ...) When you arrive to help decorate and set-up you will be asked to pick a job. All jobs have directions. By doing this we can be in and out quickly. We will need volunteers the night of the dance to chaperon, set-up, clean up, serve food, check-in, coat check, games, and I need PAPARAZZI I am looking for several parents to come and snap pictures as the kids arrive and through out the night. The more the better!

GAMES

We are looking to rent a few carnival type games as well as borrow some. If anyone has some ideas for this let me know. Small candy prizes will be awarded to all that play.

Thanks for helping!

May 14 May 22

Students must provide their own transportation home or take the activity bus.

Parent /student evening workshops starting at 7pm:

May 15 May 28 May 30

All hands needed 10am May31

Please direct questions to:

Kathy Dershem, 8^th grade celebration chair

GMS.celebrates@yahoo.com

Indoor Beautification

Upcoming meeting dates for the GMS PTA Indoor Beautification Committee are:

May 6 May 21 Jun 9

The Indoor Beautification Committee meets twice a month and helps the teachers by displaying GMS students work in the halls. We meet at 9:00 in the office and are usually done by 10:30 or 11:00. Anyone is welcome to join us if you have a free morning. If you have any questions, contact Gala Damato at 872-6823 or galalou@mail.com.

3. GMS SOFTBALL & BASEBALL SCHEDULE 2008

Remember, baseball and softball games are played on the same day, at the same time.

Day Date Opponent Location Time

@GMS

Mon. May 5 Peasley Grafton 4:30

Thurs. May 8 District Quarterfinals - TBA 4:30

Mon. May 12 District Semifinals - TBA 4:30

Thurs. May 15 District Finals - TBA 4:30

4. GMS Clubs and Activities:

The Scrapbook Club – Do you have pictures beginning to pile up and you don’t know what to do with them? Scrapbookers of all skill levels can join the fun at the Scrapbook Club. Members will have time to work on their latest projects. Basic supplies will be provided. If you are interested in joining us at the Scrapbook Club, we will see you on April 16, April 17, April 23, May 14, May 15, May 21, and May 22 in D100. See Mrs. Jurgens or Mrs. Martin for more information.

Art Club- On alternate Wednesdays students may stay after school for The Art Club. This gives them a chance to explore new media or to work on projects in a relaxed atmosphere with their peers who are also creative individuals. Student interest, and energy gives this club its' direction. Room 308

GMS Chorus – More dates for GMS chorus: If you have any questions contact Mrs. Higginbotham at ehigginbotham@ycsd.york.va.us or 898-0525.

Sat May 17 - King's Dominion field trip

Wed June 4 - Spring Concert

GMS Spectators - GMS Spectators Club is a way to stay after school for the sports games and be a part of our GMS great sports tradition. If you want to be a GMS unofficial cheerleader, fill out an application and return to Mrs. Moss. Sign up for games at least a day in advance. We’ll go to the games with “bells and whistles” to support our teams. Be a GMS SPECTATOR!!

GNN, Grafton News Network - GNN, Grafton News Network, is a news show that airs school wide every Friday morning. We get the new of happenings around the school to the student body. We inform them of any sports events, clubs, dances, and so on. The GNN student staff is responsible for collecting the news and creating the show.

The Mentorship Club -On alternate Thursdays, the Mentorship Club meets in room 308. Students have an opportunity to work on skills, organization, and to develop lasting relationships with our trained mentors. Contact Barbara DellaValle, CVMP grant coordinator, for more information about this club bdellavalle@ycsd.york.va.us

Spanish Club- Spanish Club is going to Cinco de Mayo restaurant on May, 22nd. Anyone in the club who wants to come along should see Mrs. Sharadin for a permission slip. The total cost of the lunch buffet is $10.00. i Vamos a comer!

5. News from the Grafton Athletic Booster Club

Grafton Middle School Sports Recognition Night is on Wednesday, May 21^st 6:30. See attachment.

Welcome! - The next GABC Board Meeting will be held Monday, May 12 at 6:30 pm at the GHS Cafeteria or Conference Room. You can come see the Booster Club in action.

Spirit Wear: We are in the midst of springtime sports. Show that you are supporting Grafton by wearing our school colors! Short-sleeved T-shirts, polo shirts, caps, seat cushion, magnets, and flags are available for purchase. Contact Kelly Harrah tkharrah@msn.com or Kathleen Ward #874-5355. (See attachment)

Please donate a basket of goods for the Spring GABC Basket Raffle!!! - We will be holding a Basket Raffle as our last GABC fundraiser of the year. Tickets will be sold at the GMS sports reception on May 21 at 6:30 and at the GHS sport banquet on June 7 at 6pm. The drawing will take place on June 7. You do not have to be present to win! Please think about donating a basket - of one theme or another to our raffle. If you are a team mom or dad, try to get the team to pull together to provide a basket. Get your creative thoughts going. (See attachment.) Contact Roseanne Tyndall rgtyndall@cox.net for more information. This should be a fun way to help out our athletic programs!

Send action pictures of your Grafton athletes to Kathleen Ward at reward1@verizon.net. We are proud of our athletes and have already sent several photos to local newspapers this year.

6. Important dates to remember:

May 8 Early Dismissal

May 9 Cultural Arts - “Spirit of Taikoza” 8:30 and 9:30

May 14 Interim reports Issued

May 16 School Dance - Clipper Sipper- GMS PTA board election

May 26 Memorial Day Holiday – No school

June 10-12 Early Dismissal- Exams

June 12 Last Day of School

June 13 Grafton High School Graduation

June 18 Report Cards Issued

7. GMS Middle School Moment …

…..Last week I read a story in a popular magazine about a research professor at Stanford University. He was commenting on the amount of information he needs in order to remain an “expert” in his field. He also spoke about graduate students in his department and commented on how much of their time must be devoted to reading, just so they could keep up. It was amazing to learn how important he thought it was to remain on top of his profession.

In order to keep up, this professor had developed a way to increase his ability to absorb information. He talked about books on tape, and how one can read with more retention when following along with a reader. So, the professor used books on tape for a couple of years, having assigned graduate students to read important articles aloud and tape them. The professor was getting three to four hours of taped research / technical writing every day so he could listen as he read. What happened next, well, now it gets a little crazy.

While playing with his tape machine, the professor though that if he added a little device, called an amperage regulator, to the machine, he could adjust the speed at which the tape played. Now he could turn the tape up and proceed through the articles much faster, eventually at double speed after a little practice. I did not learn if the professor then required twice as much from his graduate students, or if he spent only half as much time reading, but either way, the need to achieve drove this man to extraordinary measures.

Now what on Earth does this have to do with early adolescents? Really, it doesn’t have much to do with them, but it made me think of how we sometimes use a speed button with our kids. I think that his activity might help him to solve a problem and increase his ability to gain information and keep up to speed in a very competitive environment. I also think that we sometimes inadvertently press that speed button on our kids wanting more from them than they are capable of providing at times.

Over the years, I have heard parents make demands on their kids for performance in school, the athletic field, or with their musical instrument, or with chores for which the kids are just not ready. Childhood is a precious time and one that has to be experienced at normal speed to be valuable. People have fewer problems in life when they grow up in an environment where responsibility comes at an even pace based on the maturity of the child, stability is present, specific goals are consistently stated in terms related to the development of the child, and caring adults are present in all facets of the life of the child.

Kids are often forced to grow up too quickly due to economic, social or even physical reasons. Things can happen that cause a speed button to get activated and life tumbles at them much more quickly than is healthy. It is our job to be sure that we respect childhood by having proper expectations and by placing our concerns on appropriate targets. I hope that none of us want our child to be 14 for only six months.

8. Helpful Web Sites:

Guidance: http://yorkcountyschools.org/gms/guidance/index.html

Clinic: http://yorkcountyschools.org/gms/parents/clinic.htm

Band: http://yorkcountyschools.org/gms/band/index2005.html

Athletics: http://yorkcountyschools.org/gms/athletics/athletics.htm

Clubs & Activities: http://yorkcountyschools.org/gms/students/clubs.htm

Fall Supply Lists: http://www.yorkcountyschools.org/gms/

YCSD Calendar: http://yorkcountyschools.org/calendar/quickView.htm

School Hours: http://yorkcountyschools.org/students/schoolHours.html
Attendance Requirements: http://yorkcountyschools.org/students/attendanceRequirements.html

Registration Information: http://yorkcountyschools.org/students/registration.html

School Board Meetings & dates: http://yorkcountyschools.org/schoolBoard/Meetings/index.htm

Lunch Prices: http://yorkcountyschools.org/lunch/index.htm

Curriculum Info: http://yorkcountyschools.org/pos05/index.htm

Student Handbook: http://yorkcountyschools.org/students/StuHandbook.pdf

GraftonSwap: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graftonswap

Yearbook Photo uploads: http://images.jostens.com

ID#: 1144761

Password: gms2008

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GMS website: http://www.yorkcountyschools.org/gms/

GMS PTA website: http://yorkcountyschools.org/gms/pta/index.html

Your GMS PTA

GMS PTA Board 2007-2008

President – Nancy Lazarus- snlazarus@cox.net

Vice President – Michele Dixon- chele_1l@cox.net

2^nd Vice President - Pat Marcolini- pmarcolini84@verizon.net

Treasurer - Mary Catherine Fralich-billandmc@peoplepc.com

Recording Secretary –Michelle Wind- gizzollie@alumni.webster.edu

Corresponding Secretary – Heba Elkobaitry- UR2fast@aol.com

GMS PTA Committee Chairs 2007-2008

Awards & Recognition - Pam Hyatt - Phhyatt@cox.net