Greetings Glen Hills Students & Caregivers!

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome our ALL STAR student's back to the 2023-24 school year. The smiles and excitement from staff and students speaks to the power of relationships, which are at the core of learning. This past week teachers engaged in classroom activities to build community and to allow students and staff to get to know one another. As we continue into the school year, please feel free to reach out to your student's teachers with any questions or concerns. We truly look forward to working in partnership with our students and caregivers.

Take care and GO ALL STARS!

Anna M. Young, Principal and Willie Williams, Associate Principal

Link Here For The School Calendar

Directions For Parent Portal Set Up For Infinite Campus

Student Dress & Attire Reminders For Caregivers

Fall is approaching and the weather is beginning to change. Please be sure to send your students with a jacket or sweatshirt to keep them warm outside at recess and during Physical Education class. Also, please review Glen Hill's expectations for Dress and Attire as stated in our Student and Caregiver Handbook below:

DRESS & ATTIRE FOR STUDENTS

Student attire is expected to be respectful of others and appropriate for the educational environment. Articles of dress or manner of expression that interfere with maintaining a safe learning environment are prohibited. For health or safety reasons specific dress may be required for some courses or activities.

Caregivers are responsible to ensure their students are properly dressed when arriving for school. All faculty, staff, and administrators are responsible to consistently enforce the specified dress code. Student dress or attire must conform to the following minimum standards or students will be subject to school consequences.

SCHOOL ATTIRE EXPECTATIONS

All shirts and tops must cover the upper body area. Sheer or mesh clothing that does not have an appropriate shirt underneath is prohibited.
Clothing must cover undergarments when sitting, standing, or bending.
Coats, gloves, and sunglasses should only be worn during recess and should remain stowed in a student’s locker while they are in the building.
Closed-toe shoes are recommended. Slippers should not be worn as footwear at school. Sandals, including flip flops are discouraged, but allowed. Physical Education class requires athletic footwear for safety.

PROHIBITED ATTIRE

● Items that include any attire which displays, promotes, or endorses:

■ unlawful activities (any and all that apply to adults, minors, and activities prohibited on school grounds)

■ gang-related affiliation or activity (including jewelry)

■ violence (physical, verbal, emotional)

■ profanity or insults (including “put down” words like stupid, idiot, etc.)

■ harassment or discrimination

■ activities contrary to the adopted school curriculum

■ tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drug use

■ sexual activity or innuendo, including explicit or suggestive images or words/phases

● Attire or accessory which by its design, use or intended use, could cause bodily harm, property damage or intimidation to other persons, may not be worn (e.g. leather straps, pet collars, spikes).

● Wallet chains larger than small-link jewelry

Students in violation of the dress code will be expected to change into appropriate clothing. Prohibited attire may be held for pick-up by a caregiver.

News From Student Services

Written by: Marian Guillen, School Counselor Grades 4-6

The Student Services team is excited to be back on their second year at Glen Hills. This year we will continue to use Second Step as our SEL curriculum. Every month we will send updates on what your student is learning in the classroom.

We know getting your child back into a school routine can be hard. Here are some tips to help with the transition:

Start adjusting their schedule gradually.
Create a daily routine
Prepare backpacks in advance and try to have everything ready to reduce morning chaos and stress
Set goals and expectations. This can motivate your child to stay on track
Create a quiet area for studying and homework.
Provide nutritious meals and snacks to support their energy and concentration.
Gradually reduce screen time, especially before bed time.
Encourage physical activity
Promote reading
Understand that the transition may be challenging at times. Be patient and flexible, set realistic expectations
Stay informed and involved with your child’s school activities.
Be Supportive. Validate their feelings and help them cope with their concerns

8th Grade

Written by: London Underwood, 8th Grade Student

Our 7th-grade year is one we will never forget. The fun memories with friends and strong relationships we built with previous teachers stayed close to us as we recently transitioned to 8th grade. Initially, we thought things would be different because people say 8th grade means business. This is why we were nervous. But, on the first day, our doubts faded. Teachers were helpful with lockers, pointing us in the right direction for classes and getting us our school supplies. By the end of the day, we felt what 8th grade would be like—the first week consisted of games that encouraged us to come out of our shells and get to know each other. We did things like Two Truths and a Lie, a scavenger hunt to better learn the classroom layout and where things go, and lots of team-building activities. For example, we played a game where we received a slip of paper, and whoever did the activity on the paper had to sign it. An example of the question was, "Find a person who has been to a football game." Another exercise was a bingo sheet about things you can do. You had to find somebody who could whistle or has a little sibling.

With this being our last year of middle school, we look forward to trips like Washington D.C. in May 2024, plus Six Flags. Aside from all the excitement, we look forward to making memories and having a great year! Of course, completing and transitioning to high school is on everybody's mind, and we think the 8th-grade team will have us more than prepared.

7th Grade

Written by: Niasya Timolien, 6th/7th Grade Teacher

The 7th grade year is off to a great start! Students felt comfortable getting to know one another and building relationships as they stepped out of their comfort zones. They were willing to try new things, ideas, and give feedback on one another's ideas as we build a class community. In science, students participated in two lab experiments to show how well they worked as a group. Students made slime and lava lamps. In social studies, students are participating in a shoe design challenge that will help them learn how to walk in each other’s shoes and avoid biases.

6th Grade

Written by: Grace Kroeger, 6th/7th Grade Teacher

The 6th Grade teachers are so proud of how well our students are adjusting to a new structure. We have been working on routines and procedures within each of their classes, and they are adjusting more and more each day. In addition, we’ve been working hard to build relationships with your child(ren) and create a culture of inclusion and kindness. We can already tell that this is going to be an awesome year. Please continue to reach out with any questions. You are your child’s first teacher, and the greatest success comes when we work as a team. Let’s go, Team 6!

5th Grade

Written by: Julie Brown, 5th Grade Teacher

Fifth grade is off to a great start! Building strong relationships in our classroom has been the focus these last couple of weeks. We also have been working on establishing routines and following expectations and procedures that are laid out in the students handbook/planner.

4th GRADE

Written by: Kally Kibitlewski, 4th Grade Teacher

We made it through a week of many new things here in 4th grade! Students have worked extremely hard to learn new procedures, open lockers, learn how to navigate a new building, follow a new schedule, learn from 4-5 different teachers every day, and learn all about how to be a Glen Hills All Star! In our classrooms, we have also been working on building relationships, discussing and showing expected behavior, and how to keep a growth mindset during difficult times. Students have also been practicing showing responsibility by taking home their assignment notebooks and take home folder each night and bringing them back and into the classroom each morning. 4th grade is off to an amazing start and we can’t wait to start our first units next week!

News From Talent Development

Written by: Lalitha Murali

Our talent development team is excited to provide various opportunities to ALL of our scholars this year. Here are some of the programs that we are offering for this trimester:

D.A.R. Essay Contest (Grades 5-8)

Students will Imagine it is 1897 and they are a newspaper reporter for “The Philadelphia Times” writing an article about the sone being performed for the first time. The article needs to tell about Sousa’s life and the story behind the song.

5th grade: 300-600 words

6,7,8th grade: 600-1,000 words

Deadline: November 15, 2023

Students should include a title page and also a bibliography page with MLA format. Students should type their essays/articles/journal entries in google docs and share them with Mrs. Murali at lalitha.murali@gdrh.org

Future City STEM Competition (grades 6-8)

Students in Mrs. Murali’s resource class are working on this project during resource time. Other students who are not in resource class can join our STEM club on Fridays to work on this project. The competition will be held at MSOE Kern Center on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

Battle of the Books Competition

Grades 7th-8th

Students will read one book a month and take an online quiz as a team by the end of January 2024. Below are the links for the 7th and 8th grade reading lists. Students will form a team of four and each one of them will read five books (one book a month). If students have read two books by the end of October, they will be invited to participate in an ice-cream social. To register your teams, email Mrs. Murali at lalitha.murali@gdrh.org

8th Grade link for the Battle of the Books list:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q0z_cFDX_JKu_Rrsvs3rYb0DBRaZOZjo/view?usp=sharing

7th Grade link for the Battle of the Books list:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUPKfX2wXyyiE6Gb9WVkcbf8Rwj1OceV/view?usp=sharing

Grades 4th, 5th, and 6th

Students will form a team of 3 and read 15 books each. Those who read 300 pages from any of the BOB books from the list are eligible to participate in the ice-cream social that will be held during the last week of October. To register your teams, email Mrs. Murali at lalitha.murali@gdrh.org

Grade 4th, 5th, and 6th link for Battle of the Books List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gdu-JiOBqE9fnbdy5v5u_MbTiY-rUQod/view?usp=sharing

Science Fair (Grades 6-8)

Students will have an opportunity to design a science fair experiment and participate in the school science fair, regional science fair at the Nicolet High School, and state science fair at the UW-Milwaukee. Students in 7th and 8th grade will be learning the scientific and engineering process skills, and working on their science projects on Fridays during their science classes. The Science Fair will be held at the beginning of February. If you have a 6th Grade student interested in Science Fair, email Mrs. Murali at lalitha.murali@gdrh.org

Glen Hills Spelling Bee (Grades 4-8)

Our school bee will be held in January, 2024. The study list will be shared with students by end of this month.

What's Happening in Physical Education?

Written by: Laura Sanders, PE Teacher

The PE department is so excited to start the new school year! We look forward to working with all of your students. So far this school year, your students have learned the Glen Hills Way for PE, received their gym lockers, met each of the PE teachers, and enjoyed some fun movement games.

Students need to remember to bring gym shoes and gym clothes to class to change for PE. It is recommended that students bring a t- shirt, shorts, jacket or hoodie, long pants, and an extra pair of socks just in case to prepare for the Wisconsin fall weather. September 18th, we kick off our falls units with swimming, flag football, soccer, speedball, tennis, and outdoor pickleball. Your Glen Hills PE staff are all very excited to work with your students this upcoming school year. It’s going to be a great year!

PE Reminders for Students and Families:

September 18th fall units start and students must bring gym clothes for PE.
Special reminder to Mr. Higgins’ 4th - 6th grade classes that they will need swim gear (swimsuit, towel, and goggles if desired) on September 18th when they start their swim unit.

Updates From The Music Department

Written by: Cheryl Miracle, Band Teacher

The start of the year is a busy time for our scholars and the music department is no different. We have set up our classrooms and are pleased to all be together on the same floor on the lowest level of Glen Hills Middle School. 4th grade scholars are starting our new offering for 4th grade music where each scholar takes 9 weeks of each music class - Band, Choir, General Music & Orchestra to help determine which class best suits them for 5th-8th grade. Our 5th-8th grade classes have been reviewing our classroom procedures, working to create a positive classroom climate, and starting to make music together.

Extra Curricular Opportunities beginning in October:

Drum Line, Mr. Torrence - Mondays and Tuesdays 4:00-5:00 PM

Jazz Combos/Open Band, Ms. Miracle - Mondays 4:00-5:00 PM

Jazz Lab, Ms. Miracle - Tuesdays 4:00-5:00 PM

Chamber Orchestra, Mrs. Day - Tuesdays 7:45-8:45 AM

Jazz Ensemble, Ms. Miracle - Thursdays 7:45-8:45 AM

Upcoming Performances:

North Shore String Festival (Orchestra 7 & 8) is at Glen Hills MS on Tuesday, October 17th at 7 PM.

North Shore Band Festival (Band 7 & 8) is at Nicolet HS on Monday, December 11th at 6:30 PM.

GHMS Winter Concert (Band, Choir & Orchestra in Grades 5-6 ) is at Glen Hills MS on Tuesday, January 17th at 6:30 PM.

GHMS Winter Concert (Band, Choir & Orchestra in Grades 7-8) is at Glen HIlls MS on Wednesday, January 18th at 6:30 PM.

Link Here For Upcoming Fall Clubs & Activities

Cross Country Schedule

Week of Sept. 11th to Sept. 15th

(Rosh Hashanah: Friday, Sept. 15 to Sunday Sept. 17)

Wednesday, September 13th: Bayside XC Meet at Doctor’s Park - 4:00 PM Teams: Bayside, Glen Hills, MJDS, Shorewood

Week of Sept. 18th to Sept. 22nd

Tuesday, September 19th: USM Meet #2 Teams:USM,Bayside, Glen Hills, MJDS,Shorewood

Week of Sept. 25th to Sept. 29th

(Yom Kippur: Sunday, Sept. 24 to Monday, Sept. 25)

Wednesday, September 27: Glen Hills Meet at Kletzsch Park at 4:30 PM Teams: Glen Hills, Maple Dale, Bayside, Shorewood 5/6, MJDS, St. Monica’s

Week of Oct. 2nd to Oct. 6th

Tuesday, October 3rd: Lake Shore Meet at Rotary Park - Time 4:00 Teams: Lake Shore, Maple Dale,Steffen, MJDS, Bayside, Glen Hills

Week of Oct. 9th to Oct. 13th

Conference Meet - Date, Place and Host TBD Teams: Bayside, Brown Deer, Eastbrook Academy, Glen Hills, Lake Shore, Maple Dale, MJDS, Shorewood, Steffen, USM

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