8th Grade Newsletter
November 13 - November 17, 2023
Embedded Files
Our Mission
Grace Snell Middle School provides a culture of excellence that prepares all students to reach their maximum potential today, tomorrow and beyond.
Our Week at a Glance
Important Notes from your 8th Grade Team
Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology Lottery
It's time to start thinking about high school plans! Are you interested in math, science or technology? The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology lottery registration process begins Monday, November 6th and runs through December 1, 2023.
An informational meeting will be held at GSMST on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 7:00 PM.
Detailed information about Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, and the application link are available on the school’s website: http://www.gsmst.org/ 💻Click on Admissions
Georgia Parent Survey
The Georgia Parent Survey is designed to give parents an opportunity to share input with the Georgia Department of Education. It contains 24 questions. Parents may complete the survey using a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet. Parents that do not have access to the Internet can come to the Parent Center at GSMS between the hours of 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, to complete the survey. The Parent Survey will be open to parents through December 15th.
Canned Food Drive
Grace Snell Middle School is participating in a canned food drive until Monday, November 13. Please send any canned goods you can donate with your child to deliver to their homeroom teacher. Thank you!
First Semester Final Exams
The end of the semester is quickly approaching!
Final Exams will be administered the week of December 11th.
Please work with your scholars to be sure they have all outstanding work submitted prior to December 11th, and that they are as prepared as they can be for their final exams.
Reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions.
What's Happening in our Classrooms
What's Happening in our Classrooms
8TH GRADE MATH
In math this week, students will wrap up their studies on linear relationships and functions and then take their Unit 2 summative assessment. We will then begin Unit 3: Investigating Data and Statistical Reasoning by constructing and interpreting scatter plots.
ENHANCED MATH / ALGEBRA CONNECTIONS
In enhanced math this week, students will continue Unit 3, which covers Quadratic Functions. We will finish solving quadratic equations using the Zero Product Property and factoring. We will then transition into writing, graphing, and solving our own quadratic equations based on real-world situations.
LANGUAGE ARTS
In language arts this week, students will begin Unit 3: Places We Call Home. In this unit, students will read and analyze a variety of texts that explore how places can shape the way people are.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
In science this week, students will continue their studies through AKS 8 by analyzing distance-time graphs as well as velocity-time graphs. Students will also use evidence to make claims about Newton's Laws of Motion.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In social studies this week, students will continue their studies of Georgia in the Civil War. Specifically, we will examine the reasons for Georgia's secession from the United States and the major battles that took place in Georgia, such as General Sherman's campaign through the state.
CONNECTIONS
Monday: B
Tuesday: A
Wednesday: B
Thursday: A
Friday: B
important dates
important dates
November 13 - Virtual Snack & Chat with Principal Vaughn
November 14 - Multi-Lingual Learners (ESOL) Parent Workshop in GSMS Cafeteria at 6:00 PM
November 20-24 - Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)
Week of December 11th - Final Exams
December 18 - January 4 - Winter Break
your 8th grade team
your 8th grade team
Dr. Brown
Dr. Brown
From the desk of our assistant principal
From the desk of our assistant principal
Dr. Brown
Dr. Brown
Greetings, Comet Nation!
As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my scholars and families. I am so thankful to serve as your 8th grade administrator, and I am even more grateful for the partnerships we have forged together to prepare our scholars for a successful transition to high school, college, career and beyond.
If your scholar has a natural curiosity for math, science, engineering, or technology, then he/she may be interested in learning more about what The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) has to offer students interested in STEM fields.
GSMST is a unique high school that focuses on advanced and challenging studies in the fields of engineering, biosciences, and emerging technologies. Enrollment for the 9th grade class is open to all 8th grade students who are residents of the Gwinnett County school district attendance zone, and meet the following criterion:
Successfully promoted to 9th grade by the end of spring semester, 2024
Successfully complete an 8th grade math curriculum that is a full unit of Carnegie-eligible Enhanced Algebra: Concepts & Connections or higher with a 1st semester final grade of 90% or higher
–AND–
1) Earn a Milestones (EOC) score in the Distinguished category (minimum scaled score of 92) OR
2) Earn a score of 550 or higher on the math portion of the PSAT 8/9 or SAT (test must be taken no later than January 19, 2024).
GSMST is now accepting registration applications for the 2024-2025 freshman class. The registration deadline is January 19, 2024.
Detailed information about GSMST and the application link are available on the school’s website: http://www.gsmst.org/ Click on Admissions.
GSMST Informational Session
An informational meeting will be held at GSMST on Wednesday, November 15th at 7:00 PM.
If you are unable to attend the November informational session, a Make-up session will be held at GSMST on Thursday, January 11, 2024
Georgia Parent Survey
The Georgia Parent Survey is designed to give parents an opportunity to share input with the Georgia Department of Education, and is accessible until December 15, 2023; The survey contains 24 questions.
Parents may complete the survey using a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet. Parents that do not have access to the Internet, should contact us here at GSMS to arrange to complete the survey at the school. The data parents provide by completing this survey will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis.
Individual data results from the Georgia Parent Survey will NOT be available to system or school personnel or the public and will NOT be posted online. Please provide your voice for Gwinnett County
Public Schools by clicking the link below to complete the survey:
Georgia Parent Survey (UPDATED LINK)
Wednesday Morning Tutorials
Does your scholar need extra support in learning a standard? Does your scholar need to retake an assessment, or make-up an assignment? Your scholar’s teachers host tutorial sessions each Wednesday morning from 8:15 AM - 8:45 AM. Please encourage your scholar to take advantage of this opportunity to get ahead or get back on track with learning!
portrait of a graduate
portrait of a graduate
Gearing up for
Gearing up for
Class of 2028
Class of 2028
Watch this video to get a snapshot of the competencies our scholars are developing at Grace Snell Middle School now, to prepare them to reach their maximum potential today, tomorrow and beyond!
Our 8th Grade Teams
Team G.O.A.T.
Team Blaze
Team Phoenix
Team I'So Elite
Team Trailblazers
State law requires that children between the ages of 7 - 16 attend school DAILY.
Students will be excused from school for the following legal absences:
Personal illness
Death in the immediate family
Recognized religious holidays observed by your faith
Absences mandated by governmental agencies
Service as Page in the Georgia General Assembly
Visit with parent or legal guardian prior to deployment or while parent is on leave (up to 5 days)
Instances where attendance would be hazardous
Students absent from school for legal reasons stated above, will be excused IF they bring a written excuse from a parent, guardian, or medical provider, stating the reason for the absence.
The written excuse must be given to the desk clerk in the front lobby on the day the student returns to school.
8th Grade Office
Dr. A. Brown, Assistant Principal
Ms. E. Davis, Counselor
School Hours
8:55 AM - 4:00 PM
No drop-offs before 8:50 AM
Early Dismissal
Early Dismissal
Missed instructional time is detrimental to a student’s performance.
Parents are urged to make dental, medical, and other appointments before or after school hours.
If it becomes necessary for a student to check out during the day, parents must report to the desk in the front lobby to sign out the student.
Parents will be required to show picture identification in order to check out their children.
No check-outs or transportation changes shall be made after 3:30 PM.
It is the expectation that students make up missed assignments whenever they are absent from school, or check-out early.
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