8th Grade Family newsletter
Week of 10/14 - 10/18
Week of 10/14 - 10/18
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
8TH GRADE MATH
In Math this week, scholars Review Unit 2a Linear Functions and Relations
ENHANCED MATH / ALGEBRA CONNECTIONS
In Enhanced Math/Algebra this week, scholars will continue to engage in various algebraic activities.
LANGUAGE ARTS
In Language Arts this week our scholars will continue Unit 2: The Thrill of Horror.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
In Physical Science this week, Students will continue to experiment with constructing series and parallel electrical circuits. Students will develop and use graphical models of circuits.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In Social Studies this week, scholars will analyze how local governments in Georgia are funded.
CONNECTIONS CLASSES
Monday: B
Tuesday: A
Wednesday: B
Thursday: A
Friday: B
Welcome back 8th Grade parents!!
I hope you are doing well and are ready to finish the week after a much-needed break. As the famous educator, Eleanor Roosevelt, once said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” This timeless advice is particularly relevant for our students as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of adolescence. By stepping outside of their comfort zones and embracing new experiences, our students can develop resilience, confidence, and a growth mindset. Let's encourage our young people to take on new challenges, try new things, and discover their full potential.”
Also this week we will begin our Interim assessments beginning with Language Arts.
Should you have questions or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Also, just a few reminders:
Grace Snell dress code is designed to reduce the likelihood of distraction or disruption and to maintain an academic focus in the classroom and on campus. Instruction is interrupted when a student has to be seen by an administrator because of inappropriate dress. If dressed inappropriately, the student will be required to change clothing. Missed instructional time while waiting for a change of clothing will be regarded as unexcused. Parents may be called to bring a change of clothing for the student. Our GSMS Student Dress Code policy includes but is not limited to the following:
All shorts lengths will be NO SHORTER THAN 5” above the knee.
The highest point of any slit in a dress, skirt, or shorts must be NO MORE THAN 3” above the knee. This rule applies to shorts, skirts and even worn with any type of tights or leggings.
Student pants/shorts: No holes, slits, rips, or tears that show skin above the knee.
For additional information on GSMS Student Dress Code, please reference the GSMS Student Handbook.
Students’ cell phones should be silenced and placed in their bookbags. Cell phone use is not permitted at any time during the school day (including the lunch period), for any reason, inclusive of, but not limited to: contacting parents/guardians, family members, other students, or engaging in online or social media activities, or any entertainment purposes.
If staff observes students with cell phones, the following steps will be taken:
All school issued materials (instruments, chromebooks, and textbooks) to students should be treated as borrowed property. In the event of loss or abuse of school issued materials, whether accidental or purposeful, students must pay for the loss in accordance with the scale fixed by the Board of Education. See the fees chart below:
October 15-16 Girls Basketball tryouts (afterschool)
October 17-18 Boys Basketball Tryouts (afterschool)
October 17 Language Arts Interim Assessment
October 18 Step Team Tryouts (Before School 7 am)
October 18 Math Interim Assessment
October 18-25 Book Fair in Media Center
Upcoming
October 21 Science Interim Assessment
October 22 Social Studies Interim Assessment
Picture Day Make-Up
October 23-24 Early Release
School Calendar Approved for 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:
Portrait of a Comet
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
School Hours
8:55 AM - 4:00 PM
No drop-offs before 8:50 AM
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.