8th Grade Family newsletter
Week of 8/19 - 8/23
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 create and solve multi-step linear equations with variables on both sides and use Properties of Equality to justify the steps to the solution
ENHANCED MATH / ALGEBRA CONNECTIONS
In Enhanced Math/Algebra this week, scholars will create and solve multi-step linear equations with variables on both sides and use Properties of Equality to justify the steps to the solution
LANGUAGE ARTS
In Language Arts this week, scholars will be exploring how characters' motivations influence plot.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
In Physical Science this week, scholars will be constructing explanations for energy transformations within a closed and open system.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In Social Studies this week, scholars will be exploring Georgia's geographic and economic foundations.
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, Comet Families!
Thank you for a great start to the school year. As we move into the second full week of school, I would like to address a few areas of inquiry, which have come to my attention, and are highlighted below. I look forward to working collaboratively with each of you to ensure that each and every one of our scholars reachers their maximum potential in 8th grade, and is well equipped for high school and beyond.
Should you have questions or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Schedule Changes
Schedule Changes
We are still in the process of enrolling students and balancing out our class sizes. As such, we are unable to accommodate schedule changes at this time, with the exception of students who desire to take Band, Chorus, or Orchestra for Connections. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
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
August 19 - 5:30 PM Volleyball Game @ Trickum MS
August 20 - 6 - 7 PM Band/Orchestra Parents Night Instrument Fitting
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.
Ms. S. Brown
Math
stefanie.brown@gcpsk12.org
Team Blaze
TBA
Enhanced Math/Algebra & Connections
Team Phoenix
Team I'So Elite
Team Trailblazers
Ms. Safford
Special Education
shauntel.safford@gcpsk12.org
Ms. Sanders
Special Education
kamilah.sanders@gcpsk12.org
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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