8th Grade Newsletter
September 25 - 29, 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
Picture Day is coming up on October 16!
What's Happening in our Classrooms
What's Happening in our Classrooms
8TH GRADE MATH
In math this week, students will continue with our study of linear functions and begin exploring the concept of writing a linear equation in slope-intercept form. Then, students will practice deriving a mathematical function from many different scenarios, including graphs, tables, and points.
ENHANCED MATH / ALGEBRA CONNECTIONS
In enhanced math this week, students will continue working with the point-slope form of linear equations and then begin comparing the properties of different linear equations, including domain, range, and intervals of increase and decrease. They will end the week by beginning to examine graphical representations of linear inequalities.
LANGUAGE ARTS
In language arts this week, students will begin Unit 2: The Thrill of Horror. In this unit, students will encounter some scary stories and think about why so many people enjoy being frightened.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
In science this week, students will analyze and interpret data to explain how different media affect the speed of sound and light waves. Furthermore, learners will develop and use models that explain the changes in sound waves caused by the Doppler Effect.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In social studies this week, students will take our second common assessment, which covers Georgia's Trustee and Royal Colonial Periods. Then, scholars will begin Unit # 3 regarding the role of Georgia during the American Revolutionary Era.
CONNECTIONS
Monday: B
Tuesday: A
Wednesday: B
Thursday: A
Friday: B
important dates
important dates
October 5 - 9 - Fall Break for Students & Teachers
October 16 - School Picture Day
October 25 - Eighth grade students will take the
PSAT 8/9 on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
meet your 8th grade team
meet 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, Grace Snell Middle School families!
Can you believe that we are already almost half-way through the first semester? That's right! Mid-semester is in October, which means students will be taking Mid-Semester Exams!
Our goal is to have 100% of our scholars pass ALL of their classes. It all begins with BELIEVING that you are capable of being successful in all of your classes. What does academic success look like for you? Do you want to pass your classes making a C, B, or an A? Own it and write it down on paper. Next, make an action plan to achieve your goals. Take an honest inventory of where you are currently performing, in all of your classes. Ask your parents and teachers to help you map out an action plan to help you reach your goals. Your plan may include but not be limited to:
Possible Action Plans for
Academic Success
Finding a quiet, organized space at home to study
Creating a daily study schedule with specific times allocated to work on designated subjects. Post your schedule in your study location where you can see it.
Recording class assignments WITH DUE DATES in a calendar to stay organized
Identifying and completing missing assignments before mid-semester progress reports
Re-reading, highlighting notes, and actually reworking problems from class.
Keeping assignments and class handouts in separate folders/notebooks to help with organization
Listening carefully to the teacher and ask questions when you don’t understand
When taking notes, draw pictures or diagrams to help you visualize and remember information
Attend tutorial sessions with your teacher on Wednesday mornings, from 8:15 - 8:45 AM, when you need additional academic support
As always, parents, thank you for your partnership, and do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or our grade level office, should you have questions or concerns.
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed September 15th - October 15th, to recognize and honor the many contributions that Latinas and Latinos have made to American history and culture for centuries, since the Revolutionary War. The dates of celebration are important, because they span the timeframe in which many Central American countries celebrate their Independence Day; some of those countries include, but are not limited to: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize.
According to the US 2020 Census, 1 in every 4 children in the United States is Hispanic/Latino. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history, voices, achievements and experiences of the Hispanic/Latino community, which have significantly contributed to American culture through business, activism, politics, government, military, entertainment, sports and more.
We honor the sacrifices and the contributions of our Hispanic/Latino community, here at GSMS and all around the world!
Hispanic American Spotlight
Dr. Miguel Cardona
United States
Secretary of Education
Dr. Miguel Cardona is a Hispanic-American educator, who was born in July 1975, to Puerto Rican parents, who had migrated to the United States for better opportunities. As a child, young Miguel grew up in the projects with his siblings, and attended elementary school in Meriden, Connecticut, where English was his first language. Dr. Cardona began learning English in kindergarten.
Dr. Cardona took full advantage of his educational opportunities, finishing high school and college in Connecticut. Dr. Cardona began his career as a fourth-grade teacher at Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden, the same school he had attended as a child. In 2003, at the age of 27, Dr. Cardona was named principal of Meriden's Hanover School, making history as the youngest principal in the state of Connecticut.
Dr. Cardona was sworn in as the United States Secretary of Education on March 2, 2021, under President Joe Biden’s Administration.
Teaching Hispanic heritage in schools has been an important priority for Dr. Cardona, who worked to expand cultural diversity in Connecticut’s public school curriculum in 2020. Dr. Cardona has expressed concerns about the lack of information in schools, related to the contributions of Latinos and African Americans to the fabric of the history of the United States of America.
Educational equity continues to be a focus for Dr. Cardona, as he works to promote academic excellence and accelerate learning for all students; deliver comprehensive and rigorous education for every student; eliminate educator shortages in schools; invest in students’ mental health; provide students a pathway to multilingualism; and ensure students have pathways to college and a career.
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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