8th Grade Newsletter
February 26 - March 1, 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
Parent-Teacher Conferences - March 6th
In-person Parent-Teacher Conferences will occur on Wednesday, March 6th, beginning at 2:00 PM. Your child's teacher will be sending out communication this week, on how parents can schedule conferences, as needed.
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. Please see the flyer below for a preview of our discussions. Students and parents are encouraged to attend the 8th Grade Town Hall meeting on Monday, March 11th from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM! Pre-Register for this meeting using the following link:
Virtual 8th Grade Week Activities Town Hall Registration Meeting Link
2nd Semester Interim - March 18th & 19th
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.
What's Happening in our Classrooms
What's Happening in our Classrooms
8TH GRADE MATH
In math this week, students will begin Unit 5B: Irrational Numbers, which has students examine square roots and cube roots and relationships they share with our studies of exponents in the previous unit.
ENHANCED MATH / ALGEBRA CONNECTIONS
In enhanced math this week, students will begin Unit 5: Analyzing Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities. Students will learn to solve systems of equations by using the elimination method, the substitution method, and by graphing.
LANGUAGE ARTS
In language arts this week, students will be taking a summative assessment on Unit 4: The Fight for Freedom. By the end of the week, we will begin Unit 5: Finding Your Path. This unit will include texts that explore the teenage years as a unique stage of life between childhood and adulthood.
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 begin Unit 9: Societal and Technological Growth and Modern Civil Rights. This unit covers major developments that occurred in Georgia after the end of World War II as well as Georgia's involvement in the modern Civil Rights Movement.
CONNECTIONS
Monday: A
Tuesday: B
Wednesday: A
Thursday: B
Friday: A
important dates
important dates
March 5 - Career Fair at GSMS in the Gym
March 5 - Students Dress as Your Future You
March 6 - Parent / Teacher Conferences 2:00 PM - 7:30 PM (Conference Link will be sent out to Parents)
March 6-7 - Early Release at 1:15 PM
March 8 - 8th Grade Orchestra LGPE @ Archer HS @ 2:00 PM
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 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 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 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
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 would like to congratulate the following scholars who participated in the GCPS district-wide Science Fair this past Friday, amongst hundreds of other scholars across our district. While we do not yet have our results, we would like to thank our parents, Mr. Massey, and science teachers for their commitment and dedication in getting our scholars to the district level. Whether we placed or not, our scholars have already won from the fact that they did an OUTSTANDING job representing Grace Snell Middle School.
~ Addison ~ Sebastian ~ Zaid ~ Jowayne ~ Tochukwu ~ Myles ~ Noah
~ Maya ~ London
2nd Semester Interim Exams: March 18th - 19th
Students will take their Interim (Mid-semester) Exams March 18 - 19. Students will be expected to show the extent to which they have mastered the GCPS Academic Knowledge and Skills, by taking core subject-area exams in English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies, which are provided by the district office.
9th Grade Promotion Requirements
As we begin the countdown to May promotion from 8th grade to 9th grade, 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. Our goal is to have 100% of our 8th grade scholars matriculate to 9th grade, as a result of their successful academic achievement in 8th grade. As a reminder, 8th graders MUST pass at least 5 of 6 classes BOTH semesters, with math and reading being two of the 6 classes, in addition to other criteria, to be promoted to the 9th grade. Click the link to see GCPS' detailed criteria for promotion to 9th grade: GCPS Middle School Promotion Requirements
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, 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:
Virtual 8th Grade Week Activities Town Hall Registration Meeting Link
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. The fees for our 8th grade activities are $78.00. Payments can be made via MyPaymentPlus. The deadline for payments is April 15th.
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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