the latest edition. - Greenville County School District
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Volume 28, Issue 2<br />
Contact Us:<br />
<strong>Greenville</strong> Middle Academy<br />
339 Lowndes Avenue<br />
<strong>Greenville</strong>, SC 29607-1435<br />
P: 864.355.5600<br />
F: 864.355.5682<br />
www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gvillem/<br />
index.asp<br />
Dr. Robert Palmer, Principal<br />
bpalmer@greenville.k12.sc.us<br />
Gidge Marchant, PTA Co-President<br />
<strong>the</strong>marchants@bellsouth.net<br />
Lynn Norwood, PTA Co-President<br />
<strong>the</strong>norwoods@charter.net<br />
Shane Hawk, Newsletter Editor<br />
shanehawk@charter.net<br />
Inside this issue:<br />
Career Development 2<br />
Spirit Week 2012 2<br />
PTA Presidents‘ Letter 3<br />
Beta Club 3<br />
Media Center 4<br />
Reflections 4<br />
New Lunch Requirements 5<br />
International Connections 5<br />
Friend of <strong>the</strong> Ram 6<br />
Dear Parents & Students,<br />
I would like to thank <strong>the</strong> PTA and all of our volunteers for helping with <strong>the</strong> back<br />
to school event this year. It was a great event and started our school year off on<br />
a positive note. I was impressed at <strong>the</strong> attendance for <strong>the</strong> event. I would now<br />
encourage each parent to join <strong>the</strong> PTA and support <strong>the</strong> organization as it strives<br />
to help all children at <strong>Greenville</strong> Middle.<br />
The beginning of <strong>the</strong> school year is always a stressful time for students, parents,<br />
and teachers. I certainly appreciate <strong>the</strong> positive attitude displayed by our staff in<br />
getting <strong>the</strong> school year underway. I want to ask each parent to help us give all<br />
children <strong>the</strong> best possible education by being involved and staying in touch. Our<br />
school web site lists current events and provides you access to each teacher via<br />
e-mail. Each teacher will have a web page on our school web site which lists<br />
homework for <strong>the</strong> week. Take advantage of this by checking your child‘s planner<br />
and comparing homework assignments with those listed on <strong>the</strong> web page. If you<br />
have concerns about how well your child is performing, please request a conference<br />
with <strong>the</strong> team of teachers who work with your child.<br />
Again, let me say thank you to each of you for supporting our school. I am most<br />
appreciative that your child attends <strong>Greenville</strong> Middle and that you are here<br />
supporting us as we educate each child. Feel free to tell all your neighbors what<br />
a great school we have. If I can be of assistance to you, please contact me at<br />
355-5610 or email me at bpalmer@greenville.k12.sc.us.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Robert L. Palmer<br />
October 2012<br />
Don‘t forget to clip and send in Box Tops for Education<br />
labels. The turn in date for this collection period is<br />
October 12th. The top collecting advisory in each grade<br />
will win a donut party!<br />
Place your box tops in a Ziploc bag with your child‘s<br />
name and advisory teacher‘s name on <strong>the</strong> bag. Please<br />
make sure your box tops have not expired and that <strong>the</strong><br />
date is visible. Students receive one ―lunch in <strong>the</strong><br />
courtyard‖ voucher for every 25 Box Tops!<br />
We are not participating in <strong>the</strong> Labels for Education<br />
program this year. However, many elementary and<br />
preschools would love your contribution!
<strong>Greenville</strong> Middle Academy<br />
Spirit Week 2012<br />
Get ready for an exciting 2012<br />
Spirit Week! The fun begins Monday,<br />
October 29th and continues<br />
all week.<br />
Monday – Wear RED for drug<br />
awareness week and decorate<br />
your locker during advisory period<br />
with <strong>the</strong> ―Say ‗BOO‘ to Drugs‖<br />
<strong>the</strong>me or Ram Pride <strong>the</strong>me.<br />
Prizes will be given for <strong>the</strong> best<br />
Career Development<br />
On October 11, 8th grade students<br />
will have <strong>the</strong> opportunity to explore<br />
education and career options available<br />
to <strong>the</strong>m during a visit to <strong>the</strong><br />
Donaldson Career Center. Occupations<br />
within many different career<br />
clusters will be explored.<br />
Career Day will be held <strong>the</strong> morning<br />
of November 9th. During this<br />
event, presenters will share about<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir occupations in <strong>the</strong> classrooms.<br />
Students will have <strong>the</strong> opportunity<br />
to learn about job opportunities<br />
within a variety of career<br />
clusters. Parents, please let Ms.<br />
Gallego (our Career Development<br />
Facilitator) know by Friday Oct. 12<br />
if you would like to participate as a<br />
classroom speaker that day. You<br />
can reach her by email at :<br />
lagallego@greenville.k12.sc.us.<br />
The 47th annual Poetry & Poster<br />
Contest of <strong>the</strong> National Career<br />
Development Association will highlight<br />
NCDA's 100th birthday with<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>me "Inspiring Careers:<br />
Locker! Enjoy an ICE CREAM<br />
SOCIAL and lunch time.<br />
Tuesday – Dress in Duct<br />
Tape! Bring $1 bills for games at<br />
lunch! Chick-fil-A Spirit night 5-8pm<br />
on Pelham Road,. Come see your<br />
teachers hard at work!<br />
Wednesday – Wear your WACKY<br />
clo<strong>the</strong>s! Bring $1 bills for games at<br />
lunch!<br />
Thursday – Wear your RETRO<br />
―Through <strong>the</strong> Years‖ clo<strong>the</strong>s! Bring<br />
$1 bills for games at lunch! GMA<br />
Dance 5-7 in <strong>the</strong> cafeteria (wear your<br />
Halloween Clo<strong>the</strong>s!)<br />
Honoring History." All students are<br />
eligible to participate. Entries should<br />
celebrate and inspire career development<br />
while emphasizing this<br />
year's <strong>the</strong>me. If you did not receive<br />
a contest brochure during <strong>the</strong> PTA<br />
Open House on Sept. 17, contest<br />
details and entry forms can be<br />
downloaded here. Ms. Gallego must<br />
receive all entries by Wednesday,<br />
November 7.<br />
Carolina Academy for Educational<br />
Excellence is offering a Middle<br />
<strong>School</strong> Study Skills Boot Camp.<br />
This is a four session program<br />
where students can choose to take<br />
one or all of <strong>the</strong> available sessions.<br />
Each session is devoted to study,<br />
organizational, and time management<br />
skills. Sessions are held on<br />
<strong>the</strong> following Saturdays from<br />
10:00am -12:00pm and are $55.00<br />
per session. For more information,<br />
visit www.carolinaacademy.net or<br />
call 864-234-7984.<br />
Page 2<br />
Friday – Dress as a Famous<br />
Figure….celebrity, historical, sports,<br />
whoever you admire. Bring $1 bills<br />
for games at lunch!<br />
Each day at lunch, prizes will be<br />
given for <strong>the</strong> best female and male<br />
dressed in <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>me. Help is<br />
needed for ice cream social toppings,<br />
awards/prizes for contests<br />
and volunteering at school.<br />
Please email Jeannette Schell at<br />
schellthree@bellsouth.net or Krista<br />
Bannister at kristaebannister@gmail.com<br />
for more information.<br />
Sept. 29: Learning Styles, Brain,<br />
Goal Setting, General Calendar,<br />
Agenda, Setting Priorities<br />
Nov. 10: Questioning/Clarifying,<br />
Taking Notes, Active Listening,<br />
Using Notes, and Studying Important<br />
information<br />
Dec. 15: Memorization Strategies<br />
Jan. 26: Summarizing, Nonfiction<br />
and Textbooks/Reading<br />
Comprehension Strategies
Page 3<br />
PTA Presidents’ Letter<br />
Dear GMA Families,<br />
Welcome to our second <strong>edition</strong> of <strong>the</strong> newsletter for <strong>the</strong> 2012-13 school year. Please<br />
read it thoroughly as we have many things to cover. We are off to a fabulous start!<br />
We have wrapped up our annual magazine sale fundraiser. Many, many thanks to those who supported our fundraising<br />
efforts, allowing us to EXCEED our goal of $26,000. Final numbers will be published soon along with an announcement<br />
of our grade winners.<br />
A huge thank you also goes out to our ―Friends of <strong>the</strong> Ram‖. To date, we have collected over $3,500. Last year, in a combined<br />
effort by our Student Council and ―Friends of <strong>the</strong> Ram‖ donors, we were able to purchase <strong>the</strong> awesome sign on <strong>the</strong><br />
front of our building bearing our name. This year, our ―Friends of <strong>the</strong> Ram‖ money will be used to continue our effort of<br />
improving <strong>the</strong> signs throughout <strong>the</strong> school (inside and out). Surely, we can all agree that we would like to be able to find<br />
<strong>the</strong> gym or media center or anywhere else in <strong>the</strong> building a little easier! It is not too late to become a ―Friend of <strong>the</strong> Ram‖.<br />
We take donations in any amount throughout <strong>the</strong> year.<br />
Our first General Membership meeting and Open House was a great night with a packed house. We announced our new<br />
RAM RUN event that will be held in March. Currently, we are in need of committee chair leaders to help in this effort and<br />
corporate sponsors. Please contact Pam Driggers, our RAM RUN Chair, at mauldinmania@aol.com if you have any<br />
interest in assisting. Our next General Membership Meeting is on November 19th at 7:00. It is Parent Education Night,<br />
featuring a talk by Rick Floyd (formerly with <strong>the</strong> Police Department and now with <strong>the</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong>) discussing cyberbullying<br />
and internet safety. As an incentive to promote attendance, each parent that attends will be entered in a drawing<br />
for a free surprise from our GMA apparel line.<br />
We are continuing to collect PTA Memberships. Please consider joining if you have not already done so. The first class in<br />
each grade level to achieve 100% membership will receive a Chick-fil-A biscuit during advisory one day. We are still in<br />
need of a 7th grade representative for Outdoor Beautification. Finally, please remember to use <strong>the</strong> Parent Portal. It is<br />
such a valuable resource to keep you informed of your child‘s progress in each class. Check with <strong>the</strong> office if you do not<br />
know your access code. Thanks again for your support and as always, do not hesitate to contact ei<strong>the</strong>r of us with questions<br />
or concerns.<br />
Gidge Marchant Lynn Norwood<br />
<strong>the</strong>marchants@bellsouth.net <strong>the</strong>norwoods@charter.net<br />
2012 – 2013 PTA Co - Presidents<br />
Beta Club<br />
Character Counts Week<br />
Celebration: October 22—<br />
26. More information to follow.<br />
Chick-fil-A calendar sale:<br />
We are selling calendars for<br />
$6 each. It is a new format<br />
this year, but still great savings.<br />
See a Jr. Beta Club<br />
member if you would like to<br />
buy one.<br />
It's almost Christmas Tree<br />
time! Beta Club is selling<br />
Granddaddy's Christmas<br />
trees again this year! This<br />
is a great way to support<br />
your local Beta Club member,<br />
and you get to pick out<br />
your own, fresh Christmas<br />
tree. Again, see a Beta<br />
<strong>Greenville</strong> Middle Academy<br />
member if you are interested<br />
in buying a tree<br />
because "REAL TREES<br />
MAKE SCENTS."<br />
Jr. Beta Club will be<br />
going to New York/<br />
Philadelphia from<br />
November 13 to<br />
November 16, 2012.
<strong>Greenville</strong> Middle Academy Page 4<br />
Media Center<br />
Hunger Games Tribute Training Camp<br />
Almost eighty students were able to<br />
take part in <strong>the</strong> summer reader<br />
reward party, <strong>the</strong> Hunger Games<br />
Tribute Training Camp. Thanks to<br />
<strong>the</strong> parents and staff who volunteered<br />
to help students make donor<br />
parachutes, decorate cupcakes and<br />
man <strong>the</strong> launching stations. Russell<br />
Cooper with Saluda River Archer<br />
Club brought his equipment and set<br />
up an archery station. Bi-lo bakery<br />
donated cupcakes for <strong>the</strong> Mellark<br />
Bakery and students sipped on<br />
Nightlock Berry juice. The media<br />
center can only sponsor <strong>the</strong>se<br />
events with <strong>the</strong> support of our community<br />
partners and our PTA.<br />
Thank you!<br />
Reflections<br />
Due to <strong>the</strong> global studies focus of<br />
our curriculum at <strong>Greenville</strong> Middle,<br />
we provide opportunities for international<br />
travel. Take a look at our<br />
planned itinerary for next June to<br />
Costa Rica at eftours.com, enter<br />
tour ID # 1184151. The tour will include<br />
kayaking in Lake Arenal at <strong>the</strong><br />
base of a volcano, zip-lining in <strong>the</strong><br />
Santa Elena rainforest, whitewater<br />
rafting down <strong>the</strong> Sarapiqui River, in<br />
addition to visiting a local school<br />
and planting trees in Monteverde<br />
reserve. We‘ll be immersed in <strong>the</strong><br />
Spanish language for ten days, and<br />
enjoy <strong>the</strong> food, music and folkdancing<br />
of ano<strong>the</strong>r culture. Consider<br />
giving your student an<br />
awesome Christmas/birthday gift<br />
that will be remembered for a lifetime.<br />
Contact Kathleen Carey at<br />
355-5605 or email her at<br />
kcarey@greenville.k12.sc.us<br />
for more information.<br />
Mark you calendar for October 25!<br />
Chad Crews will present, Authors of<br />
Mystery and Horror to our students<br />
as part of our Teen Read Week<br />
celebration. The program highlights<br />
<strong>the</strong> life and works of Edgar Allan<br />
Poe along with several o<strong>the</strong>r classic<br />
authors and encourages our students<br />
to READ! Chad will also have<br />
his book, Magic of Mystery and<br />
Horror for $10 and a couple of CDs,<br />
each $15, for sale. Look for <strong>the</strong><br />
flyers and <strong>the</strong> posting on our school<br />
website. Some students will also be<br />
selected to have lunch with <strong>the</strong><br />
author on October 25. Names will<br />
be selected as part of our Teen<br />
Read Week and Character Counts<br />
celebration. Thanks to our PTA for<br />
funding for our guest speaker.<br />
Author Chad Crews<br />
The 2012—2013 Reflections <strong>the</strong>me is The Magic of a Moment. All GMA<br />
students are invited to reflect on that <strong>the</strong>me and create an original piece of<br />
work. Categories include dance choreography, photography, film production,<br />
musical composition, literature and visual arts. Students may submit<br />
entries in more than one category.<br />
Each child that enters will receive a participation gift. Grand prize and runner<br />
up prizes will be awarded in each category. Individual category rules<br />
and entry form can be found on <strong>the</strong> GMA website.<br />
The deadline for entries is Thursday, October 4, 2012. For more informa-<br />
tion email Virginia Crews at vcrews@bellsouth.net or call her at 675-0055.<br />
Congratulations to all GMA students for achieving a score of Exemplary on <strong>the</strong> PASS testing that was<br />
administered last spring. This is <strong>the</strong> highest score a school and its students can receive. GMA has some<br />
of THE BEST writers in South Carolina!
Page 5<br />
New lunch requirements<br />
International Connections<br />
Important GMA Website Links<br />
GMA <strong>School</strong> Website<br />
The Mirror (school newspaper)<br />
Homework Links<br />
<strong>Greenville</strong> Middle Academy<br />
<strong>School</strong> lunches across America are based on new United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements to<br />
improve students‘ nutrition by reducing calories, providing more fruit and vegetables, and decreasing protein, bread and<br />
sodium. Previously, school lunches could exceed USDA minimum requirements. That is no longer allowed. Posters will<br />
be displayed in serving lines advising students of <strong>the</strong> food items that must be chosen. Please see <strong>the</strong> image below which<br />
explains <strong>the</strong> new guidelines in more detail.<br />
Do you have international experience or expertise? Global Studies is alive and well at<br />
GMA! Our fantastic teachers are eager to bring Global Awareness and interaction to life<br />
in <strong>the</strong>ir classrooms, so we are putting toge<strong>the</strong>r a resource list which will allow <strong>the</strong>m to identify<br />
people in our school community who have international experience. Can you help?<br />
Is your employer internationally connected? Have you traveled abroad? Do you have special<br />
knowledge or experience with ano<strong>the</strong>r country or culture?<br />
If so, please email Becky Duckett at becky.duckett@furman.edu. We would love to include<br />
your name, country(ies) or regions you know about, and your email for teacher contacts.<br />
Sports Physical Form<br />
Parent/Student Calendar (English)<br />
Parent/Student Calendar (Spanish)<br />
8th Grade Trip Information<br />
Beta Club Trip Information
<strong>Greenville</strong> Middle Academy Page 6<br />
Friend Of The Ram<br />
Black Rams ($50 and under)<br />
Tracy & Karen Stuttles<br />
Karl& Tammy Menches<br />
Martha & Lewis Mims<br />
Michael & Ashley Douglas<br />
D. Shepherd<br />
Savita Nair<br />
Jeff & Leisa Potter<br />
Christa Guicherit<br />
Dane & Stephanie Pierce<br />
Andrew J. Small<br />
The Trakas Family<br />
Kendall & Gaines Huguley<br />
Scott & Elizabeth Hartge<br />
Joe & Ada Cain<br />
Morris & Alicia Hardigree<br />
Brenda and Jerry Leach<br />
Anonymous<br />
The PTA and staff of <strong>Greenville</strong> Middle would like to thank<br />
<strong>the</strong> following individuals and companies for <strong>the</strong>ir support in<br />
improving our children‘s educational environment.<br />
Grand Ram ($501 and above)<br />
<strong>Greenville</strong> Pharmaceutical Research<br />
Will & Sydney Sykes<br />
Wedgy's Pizza<br />
Red Rams ($51 - $100)<br />
Paul & Susan Grier<br />
Susan Williams & Neil Rabon<br />
Anne Bishop<br />
Paul & Theresa Sparks<br />
Robert Judd & Alison Jones<br />
Alisa & Jim McMahon<br />
Denise & Michael Hoppenhauer<br />
Robin & Anna Foster<br />
Holly & Chad Bolling<br />
Dan Kirkpatrick<br />
Ram Partners ($101 - $250)<br />
Jim & Betsy Baumgardner<br />
Tom & Gidge Marchant<br />
John & Seal Wilson<br />
Jim & Betsy Bloodworth<br />
Emelyn & Neil Jones<br />
Thank you for your generous support of <strong>Greenville</strong> Middle Academy!<br />
Dr. Robert Palmer Gidge Marchant and Lynn Norwood Tammy Menches Helen Graben<br />
GMA Principal PTA Co-Presidents PTA Pres-Elect Treasurer
Page 7<br />
OCTOBER 2012<br />
<strong>Greenville</strong> Middle Academy<br />
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday<br />
1<br />
7 8<br />
Volleyball game<br />
@ home vs.<br />
Greer<br />
Volleyball game<br />
@ home vs.<br />
Beck<br />
2 3 4<br />
9<br />
Magnet <strong>School</strong><br />
Open House<br />
5:30pm<br />
14 15 16 17<br />
10<br />
Volleyball game<br />
@ Blue Ridge<br />
8th Grade<br />
PSAT<br />
PTA Board<br />
Meeting 9am<br />
21 22 23 24 25<br />
28 29<br />
Strings Concert<br />
7pm<br />
30 31 1<br />
Volleyball game<br />
@ home vs.<br />
Riverside<br />
11<br />
8th grade field<br />
trip to<br />
Donaldson<br />
Career Center<br />
18<br />
Ram Pride Spirit Week<br />
No <strong>School</strong><br />
for Students<br />
Chad Crews<br />
Author Visit<br />
Spirit Week<br />
Dance 5-7pm<br />
5<br />
Student Council<br />
Elections<br />
12<br />
Magazine Sales<br />
Dance<br />
19<br />
No <strong>School</strong><br />
for Students<br />
6<br />
13<br />
20<br />
26 27<br />
2
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