September 2004

Principal's Letter...

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2004-05 school year at Glen Este Middle School. The opening of this school year is going smoothly. Students, teachers and parents need to be congratulated for their efforts and cooperation.

Along with the Spartan Spotlight, you are receiving your Edline account activation code. I strongly encourage you to activate your account so that you can see your child's grades, homework assignments, and receive email from the school. It is my goal to have every parent, who has Internet access from either home or work, activate their code. Edline provides parents the opportunity to become increasingly more familiar with their child's curriculum and present levels of performance in each of their classes. It also offers parents the ability to directly email teachers. Please take advantage of this program.

I recommend that you take time to read through the school rules listed in the back of your child's purple student handbook organizer.  You will also want to look at your child's organizer because all students are given time in each class every Monday to write down their assignments for the week.

Our annual Open House is set for Tuesday, September 14 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.  I hope you will take this opportunity to meet all your child's teachers and see all the classrooms and programs.  You can drop in any time between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m.  The PTO will also be selling spirit wear during Open House.

Spartan Spotlight newsletters will be mailed home monthly throughout the school year.  These publications will inform you of new developments as well as special events taking place during the year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call GEMS at 947-7700 during office hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Early Release Day Wednesday, September 29

Glen Este Middle School will dismiss at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 29 for staff development activities.  Bus service will run but no lunch will be served on that day.

Mark your calendar!  Upcoming Early Release Dates:
December 1, January 26, March 23, April 27

Glen Este Middle School Open House Tuesday, September 14, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Dear Parents:

Research tells us that the three most influential factors in your child's academic achievement are: 1) quality teaching, 2) school climate and 3) parent involvement.  The teachers, staff and administration at Glen Este Middle School are committed to providing your child with the best educators in the Greater Cincinnati area.  We support this commitment by providing rigorous in-service opportunities, encouraging teachers to be life-long learners, presenting staff with meaningful feedback on and direction in their teaching pedagogy, and hiring quality child-centered new teachers.

Also, we dedicate our efforts to providing your children with a school environment that is safe, clean, inviting, rewarding and challenging.  Although these efforts are focused with good intentions, inevitably we cannot be the best school we can be without the input and assistance from a variety of others.  In order to hear more from stakeholders of Glen Este Middle School we will be surveying our parents, students and teachers.  Upon the reception of the upcoming surveys I ask that you and your children honestly complete and return them as soon as possible.

The importance of parent involvement is beyond dispute.  When schools work together with families to support learning, children tend to succeed not just in school, but throughout life.  When parents are involved in their children's education at home, their children go farther in school, and the schools they go to are better.

The benefits of parental involvement for students include:

1. Higher grades and test scores
2. Better attendance and more homework completed
3. More positive attitudes and behavior
4. High graduation rates
5. Greater enrollment in postsecondary education
6. Observing a closer relationship between family and school

Your children need you!  Your school needs you!  Contact me to volunteer at GEMS!

Doug Alpiger

Important Dates

August

11  PTO Fundraiser Begins

September

2  Fall Pictures
6  No School - Labor Day
8  PTO Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
13  PTO Fundraiser Ends
14  Open House, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
17  School Fees Due
29  Early Release Day, 11:00 a.m.
30  6th Grade Skating Party, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

October

7-8  8th Grade Students Visit Live Oaks
18  Fundraiser Orders Arrive
20  PTO Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
22  7th & 8th Grade Dance 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Fall Sports News

Football begins Thursday, September 9 with a home game against Mason.  The first Volleyball home game will be Monday, September 13.  Cross Country will host an invitational meet on Saturday, October 2.  Sports pictures for volleyball and cross country will be on Monday, September 13.  Team schedules will lbe listed on the school website next week (www.westcler.org/gm).  Team schedules are also printed in your child's planner.  Directions to schools can be found by going to www.favcsports.com.  Good luck to all teams for the upcoming school year!

Welcome New Staff Members

Glen Este Middle School would like to welcome the following new teachers for the 2004-05 school year:

• Shannon McCune - 8th Grade Science

• Chris Redmond - Physical Education

• Karen Grob - Computer Literacy

• Nick Schoening - Art

• Jacob Dawson - 6th Grade Math

• Renee Bowman - 7th Grade Language Arts

We are also fortunate to have one student teacher, two teaching associates and seven interns with us, as follows:

• Trent Davis - Team 8-3 student teacher

• Elizabeth Potee - Team 6-1 teaching associate

• Amy Fine - Team 8-1 teaching associate

• Rachna Choksi - Team 8-1 intern

• Sara Collins - Team 6-3 intern

• Ashley Oehler - Team 8-4 intern

• Kenneth Falhaber - Team 7-3 intern

• Jeff Jones - Team 7-2 intern

• Alison Stewart - Team 7-1 intern

• Chris Thomsen - Team 6-2 intern

Reporting Student Absences

Parents are asked to call our attendance line at 947-7704 before 9:30 a.m. to report a student's absence for any reason.  This is a 24-hour number, available day or night.  Please use this number to report absences ONLY.  For all other requests and information concerning attendance, late arrivals or early dismissals call Mrs. Holland at 947-7705.

8th Grade Career Exploration

Many activities are planned this year to start 8th grade students thinking about their future career paths.  Students will complete an assessment to help identify their interests.  These results will help students select a career field to explore on the Ohio Career Information System which will be available on our website.  This system provides detailed career and college information, including financial aid.  On October 7 and 8, eighth grade students will tour the Live Oaks campus, giving them an opportunity to explore additional high school alternatives.  Students will tour the school and individual labs will be organized so students see the range of vocations offered at the Great Oaks schools.  This helps them make informed choices as they begin high school scheduling in February.  Parent volunteers will be needed for the tour.  If you wish to volunteer, please call Mrs. Llamas, 8th grade guidance counselor, at 947-7711.

School Lunches

Glen Este Middle School lunches cost $1.90.  Lunch charges are not permitted in middle school.  A computerized Point-of-Sale (POS) system has been implemented to pre-pay for student lunches for any length of time.  If you are interested in the POS system, please send the following to the school office:  student name, ID#, and money (checks made payable to GEMS Cafeteria).  Lunch times are as follows:

• 10:45 - 11:15 (8th Grade)

• 11:25 - 11:55 (6th Grade)

• 12:15 - 12:45 (7th Grade)

Need Help With Homework?

Homework Club will begin Tuesday, September 14 and meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:15 until 3:15 p.m.  Teachers will be present to assist students.  This service is free to students and sponsored by Eastgate bigg's.  Students must bring a permission note with them signed by a parent plus a desire to work!  Studens are not required to come to every session.  Just show up as needed!

School Fees Due September 17

Please don't forget to pay your school fees as soon as possible.  School fees are $30.00 per child.  Checks should be made payable to Glen Este Middle School (or GEMS).  Fees are due September 17.  If you need to make arrangements to pay in installments, call Mrs. Terris at 947-7708.

PTO News

Next PTO Meeting:  Wednesday, September 8, 7:00 p.m. in the GEMS Library
(Starting in October, PTO meetings will be held the third Wednesday of each month)

2004-05 PTO Board Officers

• President - Jenny Kleinwachter

• Vice-President - Jennifer Petzke

• Treasurer - Kim Prewitt

• Recording Secretary - Norma Macke

• Corresponding Secretary - Dawn McNees

Membership Drive

Our PTO membership drive has begun.  Parental support and involvement is essential for the success of our programs at school.  Please join us by being active participants in our school through single membership.  Call Jenny Kleinwachter, PTO President, for more information at 752-9060.

PTO Thanks

PTO would like to thank Eastgate bigg's, Donna Hoffman, Renee Wheeler and Holly Chileski for helping with the 6th grade cookout on August 18.  THANK YOU!!

Fall Fundraiser

Our fall fundraiser officially began August 30 and will run through Sebtember 13.  This year we are selling items such as wrapping paper, candy and other gift items.  We strongly encourage our families to be involved with this fundraiser!  In the past, PTO has purchased classroom computer, software, and conference room furniture for the school.

6th Grade Student/Parent Lunch

Parents/guardians of 6th grade students are encouraged to come and have lunch with their children during the week of September 20.  Sixth grade students eat lunch at 11:25 a.m.

• Team 6-1:  Monday, September 20

• Team 6-2:  Wednesday, September 22

• Team 6-3:  Friday, September 24

6th Grade Skating Party

There will be a skating party for 6th grade students ONLY on Thursday, September 30 at Beechmont Rollerena from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  Tickets will be sold during the student/parent lunches on the dates above and also during lunch time on September 28 and 30.  Tickets cost $3.00.  Students will not be able to purchase tickets at the door.  School fees must be paid in order to attend.

7th & 8th Grade Dance

There will be a 7th and 8th grade dance on Friday, October 22 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.  Tickets will go on sale during lunch time for $3.00 the week of the dance.  Tickets will not be sold at the door.  School fees must be paid in order to attend.
** Please note:  the dress code for the dance will be casual.  Students dressed inappropriately will be sent home.

New This Year!!

The National Junior Honor Society will be collecting Campbell Soup Labels and Box Tops for Education.  Students can turn them in to the office or to their first period teacher.

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