8th Grade Newsletter
February 12 - 16, 2024
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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
Mid-Winter Break
This will be a very short school week, as we begin our Mid-Winter Break from Thursday, February 15 - Monday, February 19th. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 20th.
South Gwinnett HS Elective Course Selection - Now thru February 14th
Students will have the opportunity to select their elective courses for next year during Comet Time this week. Students will be presented with their options and then fill out a form online with their preferences.
2nd Semester Interim - Coming in March
We are almost at the mid-semester for second semester. This means that our scholars will be taking their Interim assessments soon. Now is the time to complete and submit missing assignments, and begin studying for Interim Exams, which will be administered across GCPS between March 4 - 19th. The specific dates of Interim Exams at GSMS will be announced soon.
8th Grade Week Virtual Town Hall Meeting for Parents, Students and Teachers - Coming on March 11th
Mark your calendars now to attend our 8th Grade Week Virtual Town Hall Meeting, which will be held on Monday, March 11th. Additional information will be provided in the next newsletter.
Scoliosis Screening - Coming on February 22nd
Our 8th grade scholars will be screened for scoliosis on February 22nd. A letter was sent home with your child a week ago explaining the screening process. Students will view a scoliosis video on Wednesday. If you DO NOT want your child to participate in the scoliosis screening please sign and return the letter that was sent home.
Please watch this video for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nBluLxbPyxdY05O6tm_M2Hmdx8BoiGyt/view?usp=sharing
What's Happening in our Classrooms
What's Happening in our Classrooms
8TH GRADE MATH
In math this week, students will continue Unit 5A: Integer Exponents & Scientific Notation. We will continue our dive into how different mathematical rules affect operations with exponents.
ENHANCED MATH / ALGEBRA CONNECTIONS
In enhanced math this week, students will wrap up their studies of exponential equations by understanding the differences between arithmetic sequences, with a common difference added each term, and geometric sequences, with a common ratio multiplied each term.
LANGUAGE ARTS
In language arts this week, students will continue with their studies in Unit 4: The Fight for Freedom. Students will continue to read about people who sacrificed for freedom. This week's learning will focus on word choice and figurative language.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
In science this week, students will engage in constructing arguments based on evidence about the applications, benefits, and problems of nuclear energy as an alternative energy source.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In social studies this week, students will continue learning about the effects of the Great Depression on Georgia and how Georgia's economy recovered through New Deal Programs and as the United States entered World War II.
CONNECTIONS
Monday: B
Tuesday: A
Wednesday: B
Thursday: No School
Friday: No School
important dates
important dates
February 15-19 - Winter Break (no school)
February 22 - Scoliosis Screening
February 23 - GCPS Regional Science and Engineering Fair
March - Interim Exams (Dates TBA)
March 6-7 - Early Release and Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 11 - 8th Grade Week VIRTUAL Town Hall Meeting for Parents. Students and Teachers (Time TBA)
March 15 - Digital Learning Day: Students learn from home, completing assignments at their own pace
April 1-5 - Spring Break (No School)
April 22 - May 3 - Milestones Testing (Tentative)
School Calendars Approved for 2024-25 and 2025-26
Parents, as you make various personal plans for your family for the next two years, we wanted to make you aware that Gwinnett County Schools has released approved calendars for the next two academic school years. You may access the links to each calendar below:
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 Families!
The countdown is on, with just 3 1/2 months left before our 8th grade scholars matriculate from middle school.
8th Grade Week Activities - May 10th thru May 17th
Mark your calendars and save the date for our 8th grade week of festivities, which will commence on Friday, May 10th, and adjourn on Friday, May 17th. Activities include but are not limited to: Semi-Formal Dance, Connections Showcase, Awards Night and Cookout. Details on 8th grade fees and specific activity dates are forthcoming, and will be posted to our school website.
GSMS School Yearbook
We are now accepting orders for our 2023-24 GSMS Yearbook, through ybpay.com. We know that our 8th grade scholars are filled with anticipation about their final year in middle school, and are excited about capturing the various memories they have created and shared with their peers in and around school, at athletic events, and other school events, over the past several months.
If you have not already done so, log in to MyPayments Plus today, to reserve your 2023-24 GSMS Yearbook before they sell out!
South Gwinnett High School Core Courses Recommendations
Our 8th grade teachers have been collaborating with South Gwinnett High School to coordinate 9th grade core course recommendations for your scholars. Please click the link below to review an important letter from South Gwinnett High School Assistant Principal, Mr. Spates, in reference to 9th grade course recommendations. SGHS Course Recommendation Parent Letter
South Gwinnett High School Elective Course Selections
Now through February 14th, students have the opportunity to select their elective courses with their teachers and parents' guidance. To review the listing of available elective courses from which your scholar can select, you may access the SGHS Course Catalog by clicking the link: SGHS Course Catalog Link. Scholars will be able to sign up for their elective courses at school, using a link provided by their teachers.
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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