Good evening Githens.  This is Dr. Lanier with important reminders for the week.  

Important Dates:

• Monday, November 6 - Fall Sports Awards Banquet - Githens Cafeteria at 6:00.
• Tuesday, November 7, is a teacher workday.  There is no school for scholars.
• Thursday, November 9 - Fall Picture Day
• Friday, November 10, is a holiday.  There is no school for scholars.
• Monday, November 13 - Winter sports tryouts begin.
• Wednesday, November 22 through Friday November 24, is Thanksgiving break.  There is no school for scholars.

Picture Day:

Picture day will be held on Thursday, November 9.

Report Cards:

Report cards will be distributed on Thursday, November 9.  They will also be available to view in PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Writing and Art Competition: 

The Bull City Reading Council and NC Reading Association is holding a writing and art competition.  The theme is Reflections:  Celebrating the Me I See.  All scholars are invited to submit original writing and artwork related to the theme.  All entries must be submitted by November 15.  Please see your scholar’s ELA teacher, Ms. Mallory, ELA Instructional Coach, or Ms. Turco, Art Teacher, for all the details.

Multicultural Night:

Multicultural Night has been postponed.  We will announce the new date when it has been determined.

Winter Dance:

The Winter Dance will be held on December 8, from 4:30 to 6:30.  There will be no entry allowed after 5:00 so, all attendees must be on time.  Parents must be in the bus parking lot to pick up scholars by 6:00.  Any student that receives a major office referral from November 2 to December 8 will be ineligible to attend the dance.

Growing Together - DPS Student Assignment Plan:

This information is for parents with elementary students in DPS.  By now, you should have received your letter in the mail from DPS regarding your child’s school assignment for next school year.  The letter was mailed in an official Durham Public Schools envelope.  DPS understands that you may have questions about what this could mean for your child and your family.  The DPS team has answered a list of frequently asked questions and provided a timeline of important upcoming dates.  You can find that information and more on dpsnc.net/possibilities.  You will also find a form and contact information for the district office point person on the 2024-25 Elementary Student Assignment Plan.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to them with any further questions you may have.  Click this link for more information by elementary school: https://www.dpsnc.net/Page/7041

Power School Parent Portal:

PowerSchool Parent Portal is the official source of student grade information and a convenient way for you to update your most current contact information.  DPS has created step by step instructions, as well as video instructions, on how to access the PowerSchool Parent Portal.  Use the link (https://www.dpsnc.net/Page/383) provided in the email that accompanies this voice message to navigate the setup process.  

Student Incentives:

Scholars have the opportunity to earn raider bucks through exhibiting behaviors aligned with the Raider Way.  Raider bucks can be used to purchase items at the Raiders Store on Fridays during lunch.  Today we had another very successful Raider store opening. The success of the store continues to be attributed to the generous donations of items by our PTA and Raider families.  We encourage families to continue to send in donations as they are truly the backbone of this student incentive plan.  Thank you to all the families who have provided donations thus far.  We hope to have your continued support.  The link to purchase items for the Raider store is located in the weekly Pride Blast sent out by our PTA.  Please drop off any donations at the front office. 

Raider Sports:

Monday, November 6, 2023

Fall Sports Awards Ceremony

6:00pm

Githens Cafeteria

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Ticket to Play - 4:00 to 5:00

Monday, November 13, 2023

Winter sports tryouts begin after school. 

A document has been added to the Parent Resource folder that contains the sports schedules for the 2023-2024 school year.  Click on the link provided in the email that accompanies this phone message to access the document and plan accordingly.  All sports ticket sales are virtual through “GoFan” and are required for entry.  Please use the link provided in this email to follow the steps necessary to purchase tickets.  For further information regarding athletics or specific teams, please email either Ms. Stackhouse, Athletic Director, or the coaches.

Durham Public Schools wants to ensure safety at all our athletic events.  To achieve this, there must be effective collaboration with our schools, athletics, security, and school communities.  Please be advised of the following:

• Clear One Bag Limit: Guests (spectators and students) will be limited to one bag that is clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and less than 12" x 12"x 6" — exceptions will be made for medical and baby needs. However, if the bag is not clear, the contents of the bag must be displayed. 
• No Re-entry: Spectators that voluntarily leave an athletic contest may not be allowed reentry into that contest. 
• Elementary & Middle School Students: All elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult when attending athletic competitions.

A reminder that we ask all scholars and families to pay close attention and adhere to the following guidelines:

• Scholars are not allowed to be dropped off prior to 8:00 am.
• Scholars must be on time daily. 
• Scholars are required to bring laptops and chargers everyday and must ensure their laptop is fully charged every morning before entering the building.
• Cell phone use is not allowed at any time during the school day for any reason and scholars will need to power off their cell phones and place them in their book bags prior to entering the building.  Scholars are not permitted to use cell phones on the bus.
• Scholars who carpool in the afternoon need to be picked up no later than 3:45.  The school day ends at 3:20.

That’s all for now!  

 

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Parent Resource Folder

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1b99yzhijM3WM0QzydyrFUa2tjDJ1Lv4U?usp=sharing

DPS School Safety, Security, and Emergency Information Guide for Parents/Families:

 DPS School Safety, Security, and Emergency Information for Parents and Families and DPS School Safety, Security, and Emergency Information for Parents and Families (SPANISH VERSION).

Athletics: https://www.dpsathletics.com/githens

GoFan:

https://gofan.co/app/school/NC13663

One-to-One Student Device Handbook (English/Spanish)

Parent/Student Technology Agreement (English/Spanish)

Githens Middle School 2023 - 2024 Supply List 

Bus Transportation

“Here Comes the Bus” Bus Tracking App

School Nutrition Services

Cell Phone Policy

Traditional Calendar (English/Spanish)

PowerSchool Parent Portal: PowerSchool Parent Portal is the official source of student grade information and a convenient way for you to update your most current contact information.  DPS has created step by step instructions, as well as video instructions, on how to access the PowerSchool Parent Portal.  Use the link above to navigate the setup process.

Canvas LMS

Parent Canvas Observer Access: Parents are highly encouraged to sign up to be an observer in Canvas.  Teachers will post homework assignments for scholars in Canvas and will be responsible for keeping these pages updated.

2023 - 2024 Student/Family Handbook (English/Spanish)

Discovery: Every scholar at GMS is scheduled to take an intervention class from 9:22 to 10:12.  Click the link to access a description of the learning scholars will engage in.

Durham Public Schools Dress Code Policy

Immunization Requirements 

Good evening Githens.  Please see the following message from our PTA:  

Biggest fundraiser of the year begins (with challenge matches!)

It's time for the annual Give to Githens fundraiser and we need your help! Your tax deductible donations go towards supporting important initiatives and events for our school community, including teacher stipends and grants, school events, and so much more. You can donate online through MemberHub or Paypal. Cash and Checks (made out to Githens Middle School PTA) are also accepted. Donations can also be dropped off at the Githens front office during school business hours (8:15am to 3:00pm) or mailed to 4800 Old Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27707. No amount is too small, every dollar counts and is appreciated!

Our goal this year is to raise $35,000 over the next 2 weeks, but need your help to get there. Several generous donors have provided matching gifts at various fundraising milestones. If we can raise $15,000 in general donations, we will receive $20,000 in matching funds for a total of $35,000 towards our campaign!

Be sure to share with grandparents, neighbors, and friends and ask them to support our school. You can reach out to givetogithens@gmail.com with any questions about giving. 

Thank you for supporting our Githens community!