Gator Bytes
Gator Bytes
March 23 2016
Learning, Leadership and Laughter...The JRG Journey J.R. Gerritts Middle School * 545 S. John St. * Kimberly, WI * 920-788-7905
Congratulations To The Cast And Crew Of The Lion King Jr. We would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the cast and crew of this year’s performance of The Lion King Jr. JRG is lucky to have such amazing talent within its walls. We would also like to thank the directors and support staff, as well as the friends and family members of the performers. The hard work and support was evident in each performance. Our JRG family never ceases to amaze!
March 24 End Quarter 3 March 25-30 No School March 31 Coding Club—3:00-4:00 April 1 Dance Team Meeting— 7:30 AM in the auditorium April 4 Student Tech Team— 12:10 Coding Club—3:0-4:00 April 5-8 Scholastic Book Fair April 7 Early Release—2:00 Spring Parent-Teacher Conference—5:00-7:00 PM April 11 Art Club—3:00-4:15 April 12 Student Council—7:00 AM April 15 Early Release—11:20 April 18 Art Club—3:00-4:15 April 25 Art Club—3:00-4:15 Arpil 26 Student Council—7:00 AM April 28 Gator Tales—During lunch
Gator Bytes • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 2 Spring Conference Night - April 7 from 5-8 p.m. As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, all JRG students are in the process of reflecting on their work and setting goals, using a format we call the Q3 Collect & Reflect. Parents will review this with their student before our Spring Conference Night on April 7. Your child’s TLC teacher will email you to let you know when it is ready to review. We have several goals for this Q3 Collect and Reflect Process: Pausing to review and reflect their work helps students take ownership of their learning and stay focused as we enter the fourth quarter. Reflecting on their strengths, challenges and interests as learners helps students begin to plan for their future academic path and career. Having your child share their learning gives you a powerful window into their successes and challenges at school, and allows you to develop a better understanding of what they need, and how you and the school can support them. Shortly after you have the opportunity to review the Q3 Collect & Reflect with your child, we will be holding our Spring Conference Night on April 7 from 5-8 p.m. Parents can enter the building from the South (football field) parking lot. Conferences will be held in the large and small gyms and the commons. Because our spring conferences are only one night, you can expect them to be busy. If you have reviewed your child’s grades on Infinite Campus, and their reflections on their work and goals in their Q3 Collect & Reflect, and you don’t have major questions or concerns, consider connecting with your child’s teachers via email or over the phone and don’t feel obligated to attend our Spring conferences. You are welcome to attend conferences for any reason, and as always if you have more significant concerns that will take more time than conferences allow, please contact the teacher and set up a time for a more thorough conversation.
Forward Exam Coming in April This year, the State of Wisconsin is using a new statewide standardized assessment called the Forward Exam. At JRG, seventh grade students will be assessed in English, Language Arts and Math, and eighth grade students in those same areas, plus Science and Social Studies. While this is a new assessment, there will be some similarities to the Badger Exam that students took last year. The tests are computer-based, and our students will take them on their Chromebooks. The tests will also be broken into sections, and we plan to have students take them during their regular class schedule (for example, students will take the math sections of the test during their math classes, and the English Language Arts section during their Language Arts classes). Most student schedules will not change during testing, but some student’s schedules may be impacted (for example, students who take a longer time to complete the test, or who are absent for a portion of the test and need to make up that portion, will miss other class time to complete the test). Our Forward Exam schedule is provided below. We ask that, whenever possible, parents avoid taking their child out of school during times when they will be testing: 8th Grade Forward Exam Schedule: April 5-6 - Math - during students’ Math classes April 12-14 - English Language Arts - during students’ Language Arts classes April 19-21 - Science and Social Studies - during students’ Science or Social Studies class 7th Grade Forward Exam Schedule: April 19-20 - Math - during students’ Math classes April 26-28 - English Language Arts- during students’ Language Arts classes Please note that make-up testing for students who have not completed the exam may extend into May. The results of the Forward Exam, along with local measures such as report cards, classroom assessments, MAP testing and teacher feedback, provide meaningful information about students’ academic achievement to parents, students, teachers and the school district. We anticipate being able to share this information with parents before the end of the school year. We are including a Forward Exam Information Brochure on pages 5 and 6 of this newsletter for your review, which you can also access online here (including Spanish and Hmong translations). If you have questions about the Forward Exam, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for supporting your child at JRG! Mr. Brinkmann, Principal
Gator Bytes • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 3 Where’s The Sign? You may have noticed that our marquee sign in front of JRG is missing. It has been temporarily removed because a combination of frost heaving and rain-saturated soil had made the base unstable. We will have a temporary sign in place until a permanent replacement can be installed.
2016-17 KHS Dance Team Tryouts Are you an 8th grade girl interested in trying out for the 2016-2017 KGS Dance team? Please attend the following practices: Tuesday, April 12—6-8 pm in the JRG Small Gym Thursday, April 14—6-8 pm in the JRG Commons Friday, April 15—4-6:30 pm in the KHS Wrestling Room Dance Team Auditions will be held on Saturday, April 16 beginning at 9:00 am in the JRG Large Gym. An informational meeting will be held for interested 8th graders on Friday, April 1st in the auditorium during TLC.
Emergency Medications Please be aware that emergency medications that are provided for use during the school day will not be accessible before or after school hours. Parents and students must plan ahead to have emergency medication available during school activities such as clubs and sports. If an emergency arises and a student does not have their emergency medication available, 911 will be called.
The Kimberly Area School District does not discriminate against pupils on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability or handicap in its educational programs or activities. Federal law prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion or handicap.
J. R. Gerritts Middle School 545 S. John Street s Kimberly, WI 54136 (P) 920-788-7905
(F) 920-788-7914
(E) [email protected]
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Wed. April 6-Fri. April 8 (during school)
Thurs. April 7 5-8 p.m. Gym Hallway
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March 23 2016
Learning, Leadership and Laughter...The JRG Journey J.R. Gerritts Middle School * 545 S. John St. * Kimberly, WI * 920-788-7905
Congratulations To The Cast And Crew Of The Lion King Jr. We would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the cast and crew of this year’s performance of The Lion King Jr. JRG is lucky to have such amazing talent within its walls. We would also like to thank the directors and support staff, as well as the friends and family members of the performers. The hard work and support was evident in each performance. Our JRG family never ceases to amaze!
March 24 End Quarter 3 March 25-30 No School March 31 Coding Club—3:00-4:00 April 1 Dance Team Meeting— 7:30 AM in the auditorium April 4 Student Tech Team— 12:10 Coding Club—3:0-4:00 April 5-8 Scholastic Book Fair April 7 Early Release—2:00 Spring Parent-Teacher Conference—5:00-7:00 PM April 11 Art Club—3:00-4:15 April 12 Student Council—7:00 AM April 15 Early Release—11:20 April 18 Art Club—3:00-4:15 April 25 Art Club—3:00-4:15 Arpil 26 Student Council—7:00 AM April 28 Gator Tales—During lunch
Gator Bytes • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 2 Spring Conference Night - April 7 from 5-8 p.m. As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, all JRG students are in the process of reflecting on their work and setting goals, using a format we call the Q3 Collect & Reflect. Parents will review this with their student before our Spring Conference Night on April 7. Your child’s TLC teacher will email you to let you know when it is ready to review. We have several goals for this Q3 Collect and Reflect Process: Pausing to review and reflect their work helps students take ownership of their learning and stay focused as we enter the fourth quarter. Reflecting on their strengths, challenges and interests as learners helps students begin to plan for their future academic path and career. Having your child share their learning gives you a powerful window into their successes and challenges at school, and allows you to develop a better understanding of what they need, and how you and the school can support them. Shortly after you have the opportunity to review the Q3 Collect & Reflect with your child, we will be holding our Spring Conference Night on April 7 from 5-8 p.m. Parents can enter the building from the South (football field) parking lot. Conferences will be held in the large and small gyms and the commons. Because our spring conferences are only one night, you can expect them to be busy. If you have reviewed your child’s grades on Infinite Campus, and their reflections on their work and goals in their Q3 Collect & Reflect, and you don’t have major questions or concerns, consider connecting with your child’s teachers via email or over the phone and don’t feel obligated to attend our Spring conferences. You are welcome to attend conferences for any reason, and as always if you have more significant concerns that will take more time than conferences allow, please contact the teacher and set up a time for a more thorough conversation.
Forward Exam Coming in April This year, the State of Wisconsin is using a new statewide standardized assessment called the Forward Exam. At JRG, seventh grade students will be assessed in English, Language Arts and Math, and eighth grade students in those same areas, plus Science and Social Studies. While this is a new assessment, there will be some similarities to the Badger Exam that students took last year. The tests are computer-based, and our students will take them on their Chromebooks. The tests will also be broken into sections, and we plan to have students take them during their regular class schedule (for example, students will take the math sections of the test during their math classes, and the English Language Arts section during their Language Arts classes). Most student schedules will not change during testing, but some student’s schedules may be impacted (for example, students who take a longer time to complete the test, or who are absent for a portion of the test and need to make up that portion, will miss other class time to complete the test). Our Forward Exam schedule is provided below. We ask that, whenever possible, parents avoid taking their child out of school during times when they will be testing: 8th Grade Forward Exam Schedule: April 5-6 - Math - during students’ Math classes April 12-14 - English Language Arts - during students’ Language Arts classes April 19-21 - Science and Social Studies - during students’ Science or Social Studies class 7th Grade Forward Exam Schedule: April 19-20 - Math - during students’ Math classes April 26-28 - English Language Arts- during students’ Language Arts classes Please note that make-up testing for students who have not completed the exam may extend into May. The results of the Forward Exam, along with local measures such as report cards, classroom assessments, MAP testing and teacher feedback, provide meaningful information about students’ academic achievement to parents, students, teachers and the school district. We anticipate being able to share this information with parents before the end of the school year. We are including a Forward Exam Information Brochure on pages 5 and 6 of this newsletter for your review, which you can also access online here (including Spanish and Hmong translations). If you have questions about the Forward Exam, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for supporting your child at JRG! Mr. Brinkmann, Principal
Gator Bytes • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 3 Where’s The Sign? You may have noticed that our marquee sign in front of JRG is missing. It has been temporarily removed because a combination of frost heaving and rain-saturated soil had made the base unstable. We will have a temporary sign in place until a permanent replacement can be installed.
2016-17 KHS Dance Team Tryouts Are you an 8th grade girl interested in trying out for the 2016-2017 KGS Dance team? Please attend the following practices: Tuesday, April 12—6-8 pm in the JRG Small Gym Thursday, April 14—6-8 pm in the JRG Commons Friday, April 15—4-6:30 pm in the KHS Wrestling Room Dance Team Auditions will be held on Saturday, April 16 beginning at 9:00 am in the JRG Large Gym. An informational meeting will be held for interested 8th graders on Friday, April 1st in the auditorium during TLC.
Emergency Medications Please be aware that emergency medications that are provided for use during the school day will not be accessible before or after school hours. Parents and students must plan ahead to have emergency medication available during school activities such as clubs and sports. If an emergency arises and a student does not have their emergency medication available, 911 will be called.
The Kimberly Area School District does not discriminate against pupils on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability or handicap in its educational programs or activities. Federal law prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion or handicap.
J. R. Gerritts Middle School 545 S. John Street s Kimberly, WI 54136 (P) 920-788-7905
(F) 920-788-7914
(E) [email protected]
Gator Bytes • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 4
Wed. April 6-Fri. April 8 (during school)
Thurs. April 7 5-8 p.m. Gym Hallway
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