Greetings GMS Families -
We had LOTS of fun with spirit week last week. It was great to see SO many students and staff participate. Plaid day was Wednesday and many were flannel - the temp was 90, and then Thursday for tropical day the temp was 60 (crazy!). A big reminder that the 8th gr c-tec trip is NEXT Monday, 10/3. Click here for a paper permission slip if needed or use the digital link in the counselor corner (the link was acting up recently so we added a paper version too).
Another important update I want to make you aware of as it started last year. We had issues last year with students using AirDrop inappropriately during lunch. It has resurfaced recently, and in light of this situation, I believe it’s important to understand AirDrop. It is a file-sharing feature on Apple devices that allows users to quickly send photos, videos, links, etc. via a combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Phones with AirDrop enabled can exchange files to others in close proximity, whether or not they’re in each other’s contact lists. According to an article in The Atlantic, “Teens say that sending things out via AirDrop is superior to social media or text messaging because you don’t need to have a person’s username or phone number to share something. It’s far less time-consuming than sending a text or a DM, and you don’t need to create a giant group chat to send things out en masse. You can also stay anonymous” (Lorenz).
Here is how to change your AirDrop settings to avoid receiving unsolicited photos: Under the "General" tab in your iPhone's Settings app, "AirDrop" is near the top. From there, you can choose between making your Apple device discoverable to "Everyone" or to "Contacts only," or even turn receiving off completely.
Android devices have something similar called Nearby Share.
Having used AirDrop personally, I recognize its positive features. Unfortunately, as with many great tech tools, there are ways to use it inappropriately and harmfully while having the potential to remain anonymous. Since the items are sent directly phone-to-phone, the school has NO control over this, nor can we check our system to see who sent the AirDrop. Please take the time to read this very informative article on AirDrop by Common Sense Media
As always, please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or positive thoughts to share.
Respectfully,
Lisa Sealover-Ormond
Principal, GMS
Follow GMS:
Instagram @gms_aces
Twitter @GranvilleMS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BOYS BASKETBALL OPEN GYM
Coach Powell and staff will host middle school open gym for all 7th and 8th grade males in the MS gym from 3-5 pm on Tuesday 10/18 and Thursday 10/20. This will be a great opportunity to get in the gym and play prior to tryouts starting the following week.
WELL NOTE
Enabling is the destroyer of their hope. Preventing and eliminating obstacles for students does not allow them to learn problem-solving, resiliency, adaptability or other essential competencies. Coach and guide your student through difficult times and the consequences of choices. Live well
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD TEAM
Attention 6th through 9th grade students: There will be a parent/student meeting for anyone interested in joining the GMS Science Olympiad team. Meetings are in GMS Room 19 (Mr. Grischow’s room) on Tuesday 9/27 at 7:00 PM OR Wednesday 9/28 at 3:00 PM-choose which meeting you want to attend. There are information sheets outside Mr. Grischow’s room-see him for more details or email him at [email protected].
FISHING TOURNEY and CLUB
The Granville Fishing Club is once again running a fall fishing tournament to help support service projects on a local, public pond in Granville (Mirror Lake at Infirmary Mound Park). It will follow the same format as tournaments in the past: (See attached flier for more details)
Pay the entry fee
Fish during the month of October (Saturday, Oct 1st – Sunday, Oct 30th)
Fish any body of water in Ohio, at which you have access.
Submit a picture of your largest catch in any of three categories.
Big fish in each category wins a portion of the “tournament pot”.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Parents of 8th grade girls, you should have received an email with a ROX permission slip. If you did not, please contact Miss McClenathan. The deadline to register is 9/30.
8th graders have the opportunity to visit C-TEC on October 3rd, please complete this permission slip! If the link isn’t working, you can print and return this copy to Miss McClenathan (attached).
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns!
Molly McClenathan
(740) 587-8141
SCHOOL SPORTS & CLUBS
FOOTBALL TEAMS WIN
Both teams won last week against Zanesville Blue Devils. The 7th gr team won 32-0, and the 8th gr team won 16-0. Way to go!
XC RESULTS
It was a clean sweep for the XC Aces in a field of large schools at the Pickerington Central Tiger Invitational.
Our varsity boys started us off right with their first place finish out of 13 teams. Logan Miller led his teammates, finishing 7th out of 92 racers. He was followed by Griffin Dunbar (11th), Ben Rose (13th), Tripp Miller (19th) and Oliver Rodgers (20th) to complete our top five.
Next up was our varsity girls, beating second place Big Walnut with a score of 62 to 85 in the 14-team field. Our top five finishers were Elsa Tonnessen (5th), Blake Witter (6th) - or vice versa, being .1 second apart- Mackenzie Hadley (9th), Claire Weaver (18th), and Eliana White (24th).
The Open/JV boys really brought the heat, taking first out of 14 teams with a point total of 25, 10 points off of a perfect score. Olentangy Liberty was second with their 86 points. Our top five finished in places 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. They were Dean Long, Jude Long, Luke Mahl, Alex Bukala and Carter Speakmon.
Last but not least, our Open/JV girls were the clean-up crew, first out of 13 teams with their low score of 37. Leading the group was June Landry (3rd), Clara Dandurand (4th), Julia Sanchez (5th), Cali Aqualina (15th), and Sammie Painvin (20th).
REMINDERS
CLUB FEES
Club fees will be displayed in Pay-For-It for all students as an optional fee, regardless of whether the student has joined the club. If you would like to join the club, you may select from the optional fee list and make your payment accordingly.
SOS (Signs of Suicide)
What are the differences between normal teenage ups and downs and a mental health concern? What are the warning signs for depression and suicide? What are the risk factors that can affect teens? What are the steps to take if you have a concern about your child’s emotional needs? Then join us and Nationwide Children's Hospital for a virtual presentation of education and discussion about these topics and more. Because we are partners with Nationwide Children's Hospital we can offer these sessions to families. They have various times and dates throughout the school year - many options to chose from!