8th Grade Family newsletter
Week of 3/3 - 3/7
Week of 3/3 - 3/7
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 will continue learning continue to talk about perfect squares and cubes and locating on a number line.
ENHANCED MATH / ALGEBRA CONNECTIONS
In Enhanced Math/Algebra this week, scholars will continue with Algebraic Expressions.
LANGUAGE ARTS
In Language Arts this week in ELA, scholars will continue Unit 5: Finding Your Path. In this unit, students will read and analyze texts that explore the teenage years as a unique stage of life between childhood and adulthood.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
In Physical Science this week, our scholars will review AKS: 2b. Develop and use models to predict formulas for stable, binary ionic compounds based on balance of charges. Then they will investigate AKS 2c. Use the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature for translating between binary ionic and binary covalent chemical names and chemical formulas
SOCIAL STUDIES
In Social Studies this week, scholars will continue their study of the New South. Scholars will examine the Leo Frank case and prepare for Unit 9 Common Assessment.
CONNECTIONS CLASSES
Monday: B
Tuesday: A
Wednesday: B
Thursday: A
Friday: B
Greetings 8th Grade parents!!
Welcome to the month of March at Grace Snell Middle! As we start a new week, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible hard work and dedication our students have shown. Our students did a phenomenal job at the Black History Program last Friday. Kudos to our staff and students for a job well done. Just a reminder, this week, we will have two early release days. Please plan accordingly to ensure a smooth transition for your children. As we continue to strive for excellence, let's encourage our children to study effectively, manage their time wisely, and seek help when needed. In honor of the new month, I would like to share a quote from the esteemed educator Nelson Mandela: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Let us remember the power of education and the doors it can open for our children.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education.
Should you have questions or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Brown
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:
March 5-6 - Early Release days
March 8 - Soccer Game-Grace Snell vs Couch @ Grayson High School.
Please see valuable information about Dual Enrollment for your upcoming High School Student. >>
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
Mr. Coger
Math
antonio.coger@gcpsk12.org
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.