8th Grade Family newsletter
Week of 1/13 - 1/17
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
What's Happening in our Classrooms
What's Happening in our Classrooms
8TH GRADE MATH
In Math this week, scholars will begin our new unit.
ENHANCED MATH / ALGEBRA CONNECTIONS
In Enhanced Math/Algebra this week, scholars will continue with Algebraic Expressions.
LANGUAGE ARTS
In Language Arts this week our scholars will gear up to begin the new unit of study in Language Arts.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
In Physical Science this week, Students will learn AKS 1 Atom structure and the Periodic Table. Also, finalized Science Fair Project boards are due Monday, January 13, 2025.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In Social Studies this week, scholars will continue their study of the Civil War. Students will understand various issues that led to the Civil War.
CONNECTIONS CLASSES
Monday: B
Tuesday: A
Wednesday: B
Thursday: A
Friday: B
From the desk of
From the desk of
assistant principal
assistant principal
Dr. Brown
Dr. Brown
Greetings 8th Grade parents!!
Welcome back to another fantastic week. I want to remind everyone of the importance of staying focused, attending school regularly, and making the most of our opportunities for academic growth. Access and IReady testing will begin this week. These tests are valuable tools that help us understand each student’s strengths and areas where additional support may be needed. Also, regular attendance is vital to academic success, ensuring students stay on track and engaged in their learning. Remember, small steps of dedication lead to big results. As the famous quote by Henry Ford reminds us, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” Let’s keep believing in ourselves, stay committed, and make this semester our best one yet!
Should you have questions or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Also, just a few reminders:
Student Dress Code
Student Dress Code
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.
Cell Phones & Electronic Devices
Cell Phones & Electronic Devices
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:
Chromebooks
Chromebooks
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:
Dates & Events
Dates & Events
January 13 - iReady Math Screener
January 14 - iReady Language Arts Screener
January 16 - Access Testing Begins for ESOL Direct-Served and Waiver Students.
January 16 -5:30p Basketball 🏀Game v. Crews @ south
January 18 -Saturday- 9:00 am Basketball 🏀Game v. Moore @ Central Gwinnett
November 1- January 17-Gwinnett School of Math and Science (GSMST)
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
Gearing up for the
Gearing up for the
Class of 2029
Class of 2029
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
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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