PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE . . . . .

It’s hard to believe that November is here and the first trimester will be coming to a close on November 19. Students will soon receive their first report card for the year. For most students and parents there will be jubilation. For a few others, there will be some serious discussion around the dinner table and less X-Box being played. It is my goal that there are few surprises.

It is absolutely critical that students and parents know exactly how they are doing each day and each week. Twelve weeks into the school year is eleven weeks too late to find out that your child is not achieving at the level that we all feel they are capable of. That type of involvement comes from building a partnership between school and home, and letting each student know that their success in each class is important to all of us. We are now up to 50% parental involvement in Edline. That’s up from 42% last month. I will continue to push Edline on our parents because I find it to be a critical piece of the puzzle to fostering the school-parent partnership. Parental involvement is a crucial indicator to overall student achievement. I’ve said numerous times that when students are surrounded by positive peers, supportive teachers, and involved parents they will be successful. If you take one away, students typically struggle. We need to do whatever we can to not let that happen.

With that said, there is time for students to make a difference on this trimester’s report card. Homework Club is available on Tuesday and Thursday after school from 2:15-3:15 p.m. Teachers are there to assist them with their work. Most teachers accept late work, at least for partial credit. Trimester exam week is the week of November 15. Students have the opportunity to do well on the exams to bring up their grades. Students need to prepare now for their exams. These are successful habits they will need later in life.

If you need help activating your Edline account, please feel free to contact us and we will be glad to assist you.

Important Dates

November

2 Teacher In-service - NO SCHOOL
5 Mega Bash
11 Veteran’s Day - NO SCHOOL
17 PTO Meeting - 7:00 P.M.
19 End 1st Trimester
25-26 Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL

December

1 Early Release - 11:00 A.M.
1 Winter Sports Pictures
15 PTO Meeting - 7:00 P.M.
23 Winter Break Begins

January

4 School Re-opens

NO SCHOOL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2: TEACHER IN-SERVICE

NO SCHOOL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11: VETERAN’S DAY

Dear Parents,

I thank so many of you for your honest responses to our parent survey. Your input is vitally important to the success of GEMS. Please continue to complete these surveys. They can be obtained either on the GEMS website or from the school’s office.
In coming months, the survey committee (comprised of teachers, staff, parents and administrators) will be compiling the teacher’s survey responses, your responses and those of our students. This information will be used to create an action plan toward improving lessons, programs and school climate.

Sincerely,

Doug Alpiger
Assistant Principal

Students of the Month

Students of the Month are chosen for displaying determination and self-motivation. The following students have been selected by their teachers as “Students of the Month.” Congratulations on this fine honor!

September

October
 

6-1 Jake McMullen	7-1 Justin White	8-1 Brad Scholle
6-2 Michael Muse	7-2 Alyssa Sexton	8-2 Taylor Tully
6-3 Mac Losey	7-3 Jacob Wapinsky	8-3
Riel - Jillian Hahn	Riel - Josh Bowman	8-4 Tyler McCalla
		Riel - Paula Gerhardt

Spirit Wear Shop

Now Up and Running.  Be sure to check out the new Spirit Wear Shop link on the GEMS website. You can order directly from the web, plus view pictures of the latest items available. GEMS spirit wear makes GREAT Christmas gifts! Go to www.westcler.org/gm and click on “Spirit Wear Shop.”
 

Sports News

Football

The 8th grade football team ended their season with three wins, three losses and one tie. The 7th grade team ended with four wins, two losses and one tie. Great job to both teams! GEMS would like to thank the following coaches for their dedication and hard work: 8th grade - Ron Perry, Kevin Spitznagel, Mike Thompson and Tim Lynam; 7th grade - Don Jacobs, Chris Redmond, Zach Ziegler, Mike Ball and Dustin Amman.

Cross Country

Congratulations to the girls cross country team for placing second and the boys cross country team for placing third in the city championship meet! Thanks to Angie Carson and Jennie Schwalbach for coaching the team to a successful season.

Volleyball

The 7th and 8th grade teams have worked hard this season. Tournament day was October 23 and ____________________. Thank you to coaches Sam Phillips, Jen Petzke and Mel Snyder.

Cheerleaders

Again, the GEMS cheerleaders did a great job support our teams this fall. Thanks to coaches Jenny Phillips and Shannon McCune.

Mrs. Meredith would like to thank all who volunteered at the fall sporting events this year.  Without your support, we couldn’t run our programs!

Basketball

Basketball tryouts begin Monday, November 1. Athletes must have a current physical on file in order to participate. The basketball season begins Monday, November 29 for both the boys and the girls. For a schedule of games, go to www.westcler.org/gm and click on “Athletics.” For directions to other schools, go to www.favcsports.com.

Wrestling

Wrestling practice starts Friday, November 5. The first wrestling meet is Saturday, December 4 at Fairfield. Check schedules on the GEMS website. The GEMS Wrestling Invitational will be Saturday, December 11 at 9:00 a.m. Come out and support our wrestlers!
 

Teachers “Walk-As-One”

On Saturday, October 16, 8th grade teachers Mrs. Jenny Aiken (team 8-2), Ms. Barb Clark (team 8-3) and Mrs. Eileen Gorman (team 8-4) participated in the NCCJ Walk-As-One Walkathon. Despite the high winds and chilly weather conditions, the team completed the 10K course in under two hours. This team also plans on taking part in the Thanksgiving Day Race. GEMS wishes them the best of luck!
 

Science Club

The science club has recently announced that they will be meeting the first and third Monday of every month, starting November 1, from 2:15-3:15 p.m. Join advisors Ms. Demougin and Mrs. Meyer for Lego’s, inventions and competitions!
 

Flying Fingers

Students in Mrs. Hensley’s 6th grade computer literacy class are off to a great start. The following are really gaining speed on the keyboard: Taylor Davis, Jaclyn Wright, Shelby Luppert, Ryan Bowers, Mason Blackham, Brittany Dwyer, Shawn Spencer and Matt Jones with a high speed of 66 words per minute. Way to go!
 

2004-05 Yearbooks On Sale Now!

Yearbooks can be ordered now until November 19 for $20.00. The price will increase to $25.00 from November 20 through November 30. The yearbook will be packed with the students’ fall pictures and lots of collages from all grades and events! Look for an ordering flyer to come home soon! Yearbooks will be distributed the last week of school.
 

PTO NEWS

Next PTO Meeting: Wednesday, November 17, 7:00 P.M. GEMS Library

PTO Thanks Volunteers

Thanks for all the wonderful parents that have volunteered for the 6th grade skating party, the spirit wear sales at sports and PTO events, the fundraiser product pickup night, ticket sales, and the 7th and 8th grade dance! The PTO and GEMS staff would also like to thank the parents for sending in such delicious desserts donated for parent-teacher conference nights. Special thanks to Roy Sollberger for donating his time and music during the 7th and 8th grade dance. Without such willing volunteers these functions would not be possible. THANKS!

Fundraiser Update

PTO and GEMS would like to thank all the students and parents that sold Kathryn Beich fundraiser items. You raised over $26,000 for you and your school! WOW! The money will be used to fund many requests from teachers throughout the year. For more details on spending, plan to attend the upcoming PTO meetings. To celebrate the fundraiser’s great success, the Mega Bash is scheduled for the afternoon of November 5 for the students who sold 12 or more items. There will be games, dancing, food and other prizes awarded. The Hummer H2 limousine ride/luncheon is scheduled for November 10 for students who sold 50 or more items. Permission slips for the limousine ride will be coming home soon.

bigg’s Pay-Back Program

Please keep saving your bigg’s receipts for the bigg’s pay-back program. For every bigg’s receipt turned in to the school, bigg’s will pay back one-half of one percent of the total on that receipt. The money will be used to help defray the cost of our after school Homework Club.

Corn Hole, Anyone?

The physical education department is in search of a Corn Hole game. If anyone would like to donate one that they no longer use, please contact Marsha Turck or Chris Redmond at 947-7717.
 

“Loose Change” Drive Starts December 1

Glen Este Middle School will be collecting loose change for the Clermont County YWCA starting December 1. The money will be used for food and/or clothing for needy families in our community. There has been a severe shortage of donations this year so, please, let’s support our community during this holiday season as we have always done in the past!
 

Did You Know .. . . ?

Parents and teachers can support hyperactive or inattentive students by:

• incorporating high interest, new material into instruction and leisure activities;
• providing visual reminders of rules, such as posting classroom or house rules on the wall or on the student’s desk’;
• breaking down long directions into short, specific and direct steps;
• providing opportunities for the student to be appropriately active, such as allowing the student to pass out papers to the class or completing physical exercise at home;
• actively involving the student in tasks or activities, such as writing notes for students on the chalkboard or having the student help cook dinner at home;
• decreasing distractions and ensuring that attractive items are not placed near the student when he or she should not be using them;
• providing positive rewards when the student behaves appropriately;
• using a point or token system where the student earns points for positive behaviors and loses points for inappropriate behaviors.

For more information, look for books authored by Russell A. Barkley, or contact Carrie Urshel, School Psychologist, 947-7735.
 

Early Release Day

Wednesday, December 1: Glen Este Middle School will dismiss at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3 for staff development activities (Bus service will run but no lunch will be served on that day)

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