8th Grade Newsletter
February 19 - 23, 2024
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
Scoliosis Screening - February 22nd
Our 8th grade scholars will be screened for scoliosis on February 22nd. A letter was sent home with your child 2 weeks ago explaining the screening process.
Please watch this video for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nBluLxbPyxdY05O6tm_M2Hmdx8BoiGyt/view?usp=sharing
Celebrating Black History - February 23rd from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
GSMS BHM Committee would like to invite all family and friends to come out to support our Comets on Black History Night! Enjoy a night of fun and friends as our comets honor the past and inspire the future.
2nd Semester Interim - March 18 & 19
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 - March 11th at 5:30 PM
Join us for a very important VIRTUAL meeting, where we will discuss 8th Grade Week student activities and expectations. Students and parents are encouraged to attend!
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. This week will resume our studies of scientific notation as students learn to multiply, divide, add, and subtract numbers written in scientific notation.
ENHANCED MATH / ALGEBRA CONNECTIONS
In enhanced math this week, students will review Unit 4: Modeling and Analyzing Exponential Expressions, Equations, and Functions. We will take our summative assessment for this unit on Wednesday, February 21st. Then, we will begin Unit 5, which covers systems of linear equations and linear inequalities.
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 analyze and interpret data to determine trends such as reactivity, boiling points and melting points, malleability and conductivity of matter / elements on the Periodic Table.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In social studies this week, students will conclude their studies of Georgia's involvement in World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. We will take our unit test on Wednesday, February 21st.
CONNECTIONS
Monday: No School
Tuesday: A
Wednesday: B
Thursday: A
Friday: B
important dates
important dates
February 22 - Scoliosis Screening for All 8th Grade Students
February 23 - GCPS Regional Science and Engineering Fair
February 23 - Black History Program at GSMS 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
March 5 - Career Fair at GSMS in the Gym
March 5 - Students Dress as Your Future You
March 8 - 8th Grade Orchestra LGPE @ Archer HS @ 2:00 PM
March 9 - Wear College Gear, 8th Grade Students will work on Resume or Interview Skills
March 11 - 8th Grade Band LGPE at Mill Creek HS @ 2:30 PM
March 18 - Interim Exams: Academic I & III
March 18 - Principal Advisory Council Meeting in Rm 1.228 @ 9:20 AM
March 19 - Interim Exams: Academic II & IV
March 19 - Life of an Upcoming Teenager and Temptations, Title I Parent Workshop @ 6:00 PM
March 6-7 - Early Release at 1:15 PM
March 6 - Parent / Teacher Conferences 2:00 PM - 7:30 PM (Conference Link will be sent out to Parents)
March 8 - Virtual Success Symposium for Parents of Students in Jeopardy of Failing 8th Grade 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM (Parents will be Notified in writing by March 1)
March 11 - 8th Grade Week VIRTUAL Town Hall Meeting for Parents. Students and Teachers 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
March 15 - Digital Learning Day: Students learn from home, completing assignments at their own pace
March 18 - Interim Exams: Academic I & III
March 19 - Interim Exams: Academic II & IV
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!
We are almost at the half-way mark of the second semester! This means that our Interim Exams in Math, ELA, Science and Social Studies are just around the corner! Thank you parents, for your partnerships in supporting our scholars all year. They will be expected to show the extent to which they have mastered the GCPS Academic Knowledge and Skills, by taking core subject-area exams, provided by the district office.
As the countdown to the end of the school year approaches, please be reminded of the significance of having our scholars present in school each day, so that they are able to engage with their teachers and peers in the learning process.
Early Release Days - March 6 - 7
If you have not already done so, please mark your calendars for March 6th and 7th, which are both Early Release Days for our middle school scholars. On both days, school will dismiss at 1:15 PM. Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on March 6th, beginning at 2:00 PM, with the last conference ending at 8:00 PM. Be on the lookout for a link from your scholar's teacher, which will be provided for you to sign up for a conference time.
Success Symposium for Parents of Students in Jeopardy of Failing 8th Grade - March 8th
Parents of students who are in jeopardy of failing 8th grade, are requested to attend GSMS Success Symposium, which will be held virtually on Friday, March 8th, from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM. Impacted parents will receive written notification by March 1st, and will be provided with information to register and access the Zoom link for the Symposium.
8th Grade Week Activities Parent Meeting - March 11th
On Monday, March 11th, from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, our 8th grade team will host a Virtual 8th Grade Parent Night to discuss the logistics and expectations of 8th Grade Week Activities. Please mark your calendars to be there! About 15 minutes prior to the meeting start time, click on the link below to register and receive the Zoom link to access the meeting:
8th Grade Week Activities Parent Meeting
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.
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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