Principal's Message . . .
Dear Parents,
As most of you know, November 7 is an important day at the polls for West Clermont citizens and students. On the ballot is a 2.5 mill bond issue. The money raised will replace Amelia, Brantner, Summerside and Withamsville Elementary. By now, you should have received a lot of information about the bond issue. There will be more information coming, I’m sure, about this important issue. Please gain the necessary facts to make an informed decision.
I’m happy to report that Glen Este Middle School is wrapping up a successful first quarter. Seventh and eighth grade students will have quarterly exams October 23-27. Students need to begin studying at least a week before the exams. It’s important for them to learn how to manage their time so that they don’t have to cram for exams. As the quarter ends, we will be examining data and your child’s overall performance to see if we need to intervene in some way.
Currently, 52% of our parents have activated their edline accounts. Included in this mailing are activation codes for families who have not yet activated their edline accounts. Please make the effort to set up your account. I would like to see 90% of our parents using
edline.
If you haven’t done so yet, please make sure that you and your child have a plan in place in case school has to release early for any reason this school year. Make sure they know what to do and where to go in case of an emergency and you don’t happen to be home.
If you need anything, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Kevin S. Thacker
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Thurs., Nov. 9 and Tues., Nov. 14
4:30 - 8:00 p.m. (Scheduling forms enclosed)
Important Dates
October
20 7th/8th Grade Dance, 7-9 P.M.
25 Fundraiser Pick-Up, 2:15-8:00 P.M.
26 Picture Re-takes
27 1st Grading Period Ends
November
2 PTO Meeting, 6:30 P.M.
3 Reports Cards Mailed Home
7 NO SCHOOL - Teacher Inservice
9 Evening Conferences, 4:30-8:00 P.M.
14 Evening Conferences, 4:30-8:00 P.M.
23-24 NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
27 Book Fair Begins
29 Early Release Day, 11:00 A.M.
Important Reminder
Mandatory Washington, D.C. Trip Meeting
Student and Parent Must Attend
Wednesday, November 1, 7:00 P.M.
In the Gymnasium
Attendance
Please refrain from late arrivals or early dismissals unless they are unavoidable circumstances or emergencies. For an “excused” tardy, students must bring a note, signed by the parent, stating an appropriate reason for the tardy. (See page 121 in the student handbook for a complete listing of valid excused absences set by the board of education.) A student who arrives at school tardy without an excuse note is charged with an “unexcused tardy”. The same will apply if a student leaves school before 2:15.
Homework Requests
Homework requests may be made when students have missed two or more days. Parents can request homework on the 24-hour Attendance Line (947-7704). Please allow 24 hours notice for teachers to prepare assignments. Students will be allowed two days for each day missed to complete assignments.
Picture Retakes Coming October 26
Lifetouch will return to GEMS the morning of Thursday, October 26 for picture retakes. Remember to bring your original picture packet with you! Picture retake order forms are available in the school office.
Sports News
Football
Come out and support the football teams as they play their last two games of the season: October 19 at home against Harrison and October 24 at Loveland. Games begin at 4:30 P.M.
Cross Country
Congratulations to the GEMS boys and girls cross country team. The girls team received four trophies this season! Michelle Thomas lead the girls’ team to victory by taking first and second place in the challenging races! The boys team was strong, also. Jon Piatt and Steven Stoffel lead the team to their success. Each athlete improved their time throughout the season, which is a great accomplishment!
Volleyball
The Volleyball teams will play their tournaments on October 21. The 7th grade team will play at Kings and the 8th grade team will play at Loveland. Good luck!
Fall Awards Program
Information about the Fall Sports Awards Program will be posted on the website
(www.westcler.org/gm) as soon as dates and times are set.
** Winter Sports Update **
Girls basketball tryouts begin October 30. Boys basketball tryouts begin November 6. Wrestling begins November 10. Times and schedules to be announced.
Athletes must have a physical form on file in the Athletic Director’s office in order to try out. Physical exams and emergency medical information are matters of state law. The coaches and athletic director are not free to make exceptions. Physical forms are available in the school office. First quarter grade point averages must be 1.51 or higher to participate in a school sport.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is an after-school club that gives athletes and non-athletes alike the opportunity to do service projects throughout the school and community. Their goal is to impact our school through integrity, teamwork, and excellence. FCA meets on Fridays until 3:30 in room 302. FCA is open to students in all grades. Contact Ms. Erin Kurtz, club advisor, at 947-7775 or
kurtz_e@westcler.org for additional information.
Sign Language Club
Sign Language Club will begin Wednesday, October 25 after school until 3:30 P.M. in room 346. All students are welcome to come and learn to “let your hands do the talking.” Contact Ms. Jennie Schwalbach, club advisor, for more information.
Stock Market Club
Stock Market Club meets every Tuesday from 2:15-3:15 in room 339. Students compete in an on-line computer simulation of buying, selling, and trading stocks. Mrs. Walls is the advisor. All students are welcome!
School Fees Due Now!
Please don’t forget to pay your school fees as soon as possible. School fees are $32.00 per child. Checks should be made payable to Glen Este Middle School (or GEMS). Note: school fees must be paid before students can attend skating parties, dances, etc. If you need to make arrangements to pay the fees in installments, contact Mrs. Terris at 947-7708.
PTO News
Next PTO Meeting:
Thursday, November 3, 6:30 P.M. GEMS Library
Membership Drive
The PTO membership drive is still underway! Please join us by being active in our school through the PTO. Membership is only $5.00 for a family. You can pick up a membership form in the office. PTO meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 6:30 P.M. in the library.
Fundraiser Update
Fall fundraiser orders will be available for pick-up on Wednesday, October 25 from 2:15 until 8:00 P.M. in the
MPR.
6th Grade Skating Party
The 6th grade skating party, held on September 21, was a big success! PTO would like to thank all volunteers who sold tickets, chaperoned, and sold spirit wear.
7th-8th Grade Dance
The 7th/8th grade dance will be held on Friday, October 20 from 7:00-9:00 P.M. Tickets will be pre-sold at lunch times October 16-20 for $3.00; $5.00 for dance ticket, pizza slice and a drink. Pizza will be available by pre-sale only. Students will be able to buy tickets at the door for $4.00. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase at the dance. School fees must be paid in order to attend. Please note: the dress code for the dance will be casual. The school dress code will apply. Students dressed inappropriately will be sent home.
Donations Wanted
Parent/teacher conferences are November 9 and 14. Donations are needed for a staff meal that PTO provides for the staff on those evenings. Soups, stews, salads, and breads are requested. If you can help, contact Kelly Stahl at
kstahl@cinci.rr.com.
Spirit Wear
PTO sells GEMS spirit wear every Friday during lunch times in the cafeteria lobby. This is a great opportunity for students and parents to view spirit wear in person and see the latest and most popular items for sale!
Email PTO!
Contact PTO with any questions or concerns by going to www.westcler.org/gm
and clicking on the PTO link!
West Clermont Magnet Distribution:
“BUILDING EXCELLENCE”
West Clermont has adopted a new slogan, Building Excellence. West Clermont is the largest school district in Clermont County, yet it struggles with its identity. Unlike Milford or New Richmond, West Clermont does not have an easily recognizable city attached to its name. There is no “West Clermont” village or city. The district is rated “Effective” by the Ohio Department of Education. Work is being done every day, by every single staff member, to raise the level of achievement of our students. We are striving for an “Excellent” rating as a district. In an effort to bring about awareness of West Clermont Local School District and to share with the community its goals and mission, the district has provided car magnets to families in the district. Your child should be bringing one home on or before October 20. Please consider placing a magnet on your car. Proudly display our commitment to building an excellent education for each and every child!
Yearbooks Now On Sale
2006-07 yearbooks are now on sale for $25.00.
After December 1, the price goes up to $30.00.
Students should turn in payment to their 1st core teacher.
Yearbooks will be delivered at the end of the school year.
Pictures Wanted for the Yearbook!
If you have pictures of GEMS athletes competing in fall sports, you may submit them for possible publication in the 2006-07 yearbook. Please submit photos to Mrs. Walls in room 339. Baby pictures of GEMS students are also being accepted until December 1 for the 2006-07 yearbook. The picture must be wallet size or smaller and the child should be younger than 5 years old. Please enclose the photo in an envelope labeled with your grade and your first and last name. Unfortunately, photos cannot be returned.
|
