Promoting Respect During School Dismissal and Dismissal Reminders

Dear Parents,

As we strive to create a positive and respectful environment for our students, we want to highlight the importance of modeling respectful behavior during school dismissal.

Dismissal can be a busy time, and we appreciate your cooperation in setting a positive example. When students observe respectful interactions—whether it’s between parents, staff, or each other—they learn the value of kindness and consideration.

If at any point you need to communicate with another parent, we encourage you to:

Communicate Calmly: Use a respectful tone when speaking with staff or other parents.

Show Patience: Understand that dismissal can be hectic. A calm demeanor helps set a positive tone.

Encourage Kindness: Remind your child to greet peers and staff with kindness as they leave school.

As a reminder, Parent Pickup is on the east side of the building. Main entry pickup is designated for scholars who need extra assistance/ time to get to their bus or car. Moving forward all students will exit on the east side of the building for Parent Pickup.

Also, handicap spaces are for cars who have handicap stickers or tags. Please do not park in the handicap spaces if you do not have the proper identifying tags.

Thank you for your continued support in fostering a respectful and caring school community. Together, we can make dismissal a safe and positive experience for everyone.

In partnership with you,

Willie Williams Jr. and Leon Williams

Directions For Parent Portal Set Up For Infinite Campus

Link Here For The School Calendar

8th Grade

Written by: Everett H. (8th Grade Student)

On Friday, September 20th, the 8th-grade class went on a canoeing field trip at Lakeshore State Park. Students split up into groups of ten to participate in three on-land activities with the DNR, Bureau of Land Management, and another organization.

DNR Station

At the DNR station, there was a scavenger hunt-style activity where students were given a clipboard with various animals native to Wisconsin. We had to match fur and pelts, scat, tracks, and skulls to the animals listed on the clipboard. I personally enjoyed this activity because it gave me a chance to see what different animal skulls and tracks look like. Since I don’t know everything about these animals, it was also a great opportunity to learn more about Wisconsin’s wildlife, including species not listed on the clipboard.

Bureau of Land Management Station

The Bureau of Land Management's station focused on the struggles bees face in Wisconsin. We learned about the bees and even got to sample honey from one of their hives. Additionally, the station featured replicas of spearheads and arrowheads from thousands of years ago, offering a glimpse into Wisconsin's history. I believe this station was the most important because it raised awareness about the declining rate of pollination, which has been threatening entire ecosystems in Wisconsin. Bees are far more important than most people realize, so the Bureau of Land Management highlighting their importance to the next generation is a big deal.

Ecosystem Dice Game Station

The activity at a third station was a really fun one—it was a dice game. Each table had a piece of paper and a plastic box filled with beads, along with two dice. The paper listed different parts of an ecosystem, numbered one through six. Depending on the number you rolled, you would follow the instructions and move to a new spot. At each stop, you grabbed a bead from the box and added it to a pipe cleaner. By the end of the game, you’d have a bracelet. I thought this station was quite enjoyable because you could get stuck at one spot for a while, which changed how your bracelet turned out. It also meant everyone’s bracelet was unique, which made it even more interesting.

Canoeing with Wilderness Inquiry

The canoeing portion of the field trip was organized by Wilderness Inquiry. Before getting into the canoes, we played a game called Beastmaster. In this game, the leader says "Beastmaster," and you have to choose one of four actions: an eagle, a bunny, a bear, or a duck. If you choose the same action as the leader, you're out. After Beastmaster, we split into groups, learned how to row, and put on our life jackets. We then loaded into the canoes and rowed around the lagoon at the park for about 20 minutes. This was easily my favorite part of the trip because I love rowing in those types of boats, and doing it with my friends made it even better. I really enjoyed this field trip and would definitely do it again if I had the chance.

Important Reminders:

The deadline to sign up for the Washington, DC trip and receive a $75 discount is October 1, 2024. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Michelle Young at michelle.young@gdrh.org.

We are seeking donations to fund snacks for 8th graders. Interested? Please get in touch with Mr. Kevin Johnikin at kevin.johnikin@gdrh.org.

ELA: Students are reading for their book clubs and will read about 25 to 32 pages a day. Please check in and support this reading at home as well.

Act now! Submit your StEP-UP Middle School applications by Monday, September 30! This is a great after-school opportunity with the Milwaukee Medical College. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Michelle Young ASAP.

8th Grade Transition to High School

Written by: Ms. Gleba (7th-8th Counselor)

Milwaukee 8th graders—it’s time to choose a high school for next fall! MPS High School Enrollment opens September 28, 2024.

Pick your program — apply to your school!

HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT FAIR

Saturday, September 28, 9:00 a.m. – Noon

South Division High School

1515 W. Lapham Blvd

Milwaukee, WI 53204

Auditions for Milwaukee High School of the Arts will be held on-site at the fair.

High School Enrollment will run from Saturday, September 28, 2024 through November 4, 2024.

The high school admissions window will open on September 28, 2024, at 7:00 a.m.

Important Reminders:

Please be sure to read through the Transition Newsletter for more details about the transition to High School for all our 8th Grade Scholars

7th grade students completing an elephant toothpaste lab investigation on Fun Friday!

7th Grade

Written by: B-day Hour 9/10 Science Students

We had a wonderful week of learning! In ELA, scholars are working on their Narrative Writing Unit with a focus on character development. We began thinking of stories and characters that we wanted to see more in the world, through literature then we drafted the personalities of these characters. We wanted to create characters who were fictional but had experience similarities to our own. In social studies, we are learning the 7 themes of geography and finding the absolute location of places using the GCS coordinates. In science, it is the home of lab investigations. We are working hard to figure out where gas comes from in a bath bomb chemical reaction and naming the gas. In math, we are learning about the rigid transformation of shapes.

Important Reminders:

Students are allowed to use their lockers:

1. During student entry.
2. Before and after lunch/recess.
3. During student dismissal.
Social Studies: Every Friday, students will complete a notebook check.
Math: Accelerated math quiz next week. This will be graded as a summative assignment.
ELA: Please make sure your scholar is reading for at least 30 minutes per night.
Science: Lab Safety Contracts are due ASAP.

6th grade students completing an elephant toothpaste lab investigation on Fun Friday!

6th Grade

Written by: Mrs. Kroeger (6th Grade ELA Teacher) and Alanna W. (6th Grade Student)

In ELA, we are continuing our Deep Study of Character reading unit. Students are diving into character traits and practicing providing evidence to support their ideas. We are creating an ABC Book Slideshow (in Google Classroom) about our chosen book from this unit. Our teachers are so excited to see what we create!

In Science, we are learning about the CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) Writing process and figuring out how to find evidence to prove a claim also!

In Social Studies, we are making our own Mental Maps about our school and our houses. It’s really fun!

In Math, we have been learning new math vocabulary terms, and we had a test today (Thursday).

So far, I like transitioning to different classes and being able to take chromebooks home to complete work. I’m really enjoying the new classes, like science labs!

Important Reminders:

October 2nd-Field Trip to Kletzsch Park

5th Grade

Written by: Ms. O'Connor (5th Grade Teacher)

In 5th grade we started reading Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate about an immigrant's journey from hardship to hope. Students are identifying character development, themes, and story elements.

Writing- Students will be writing a series of personal narratives.

Math-Students have been working on the volume of rectangular prisms.

Science-Students are working on states of matter and properties of matter.

Important Reminder:

Team building activities to practice leadership skills, good communication, and sportsmanship.

4th Grade

Written by: Ms. Betka (4th Grade ELA Teacher)

In 4th grade, students are reading The Tiger Rising and focusing on describing characters by identifying their traits and summarizing the text. ELA classes have also started weekly book checkouts at the Glen Hills Library. Check your child’s backpack for their books & try to read nightly! In writing, students are creating realistic fiction stories. In math, our 4th graders are working on using various strategies to solve multiplication problems. Please continue to have your child practice their math facts. Keep up the great work 4th grade!

Important Reminders:

Please keep a sweatshirt in your locker, bring a water bottle; water only, and pack a healthy snack everyday!

World Language

Written by: Maestra Wege (Spanish Teacher)

¡Feliz otoño! Happy fall!

First projects and quizzes have been assigned, collected, and graded. If you haven’t yet, it’s a great week to start checking out Infinite Campus. It’s been so wonderful to see so many students working beyond the bare minimum completion requirements! The creativity that many students have shown early on is very exciting! Students lacking a charged Chromebook for class continues to be a prominent issue, particularly in the 7th and 8th grade Spanish classes. Checking to see that your child has plugged in their Chromebook each night would be greatly appreciated!

Important Reminder:

All Spanish students should have turned in a folder that will be kept in the Spanish classroom.

Chamber Orchestra performing at Bayshore Mall

Jazz Ensemble performing at Prairie School Jazz Festival

Music

Written by: The Music Department

Our Music Department Extra Curricular program offerings will be beginning in a few weeks.

Chamber Strings will meet on Tuesday mornings from 7:45-8:45 AM starting on 10/8. This premier string ensemble plays a wide range of genres including classical and pop favorites. Please reach out to Mrs. Elizabeth Day for more details.

Jazz Lab will meet on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00-5:00 PM starting on 10/8. This non-auditioned jazz group lays down the basics of jazz style and plays accessible combo and big band standards. All instruments are welcome. Please connect with Ms. Cheryl Miracle if you have questions.

Jazz Ensemble will meet on Thursday mornings from 7:45-8:45 AM and includes standard big band instrumentation (Saxes, trumpets, trombones, piano, guitar, bass, vibes, and drum set). Auditions will take place during the school day on Tuesday 10/1 and Wednesday 10/2. See Ms. Cheryl Miracle for our audition piece (Poco Loco) and to schedule an audition time. Members will be announced on 10/3 and our first rehearsal will take place on 10/10.

Performance Dates:

October 22 North Shore String Festival 7:00 PM @ GHMS

December 10 North Shore Band Festival, Grades 7-8 Band 1:00-8:30 PM @ Nicolet HS

January 10 Admirals Game Anthem Performance, Grades 7-8 Band & Orchestra 7:00 PM @ UWM Panther Arena

January 22 Winter Concert #1, Grades 7-8 Band, Choir & Orchestra 6:30 PM @ GHMS

January 23 Winter Concert #2, Grades 5-6 Band, Choir & Orchestra 6:30 PM @ GHMS

February 27 Black History Month Program, Grades 7-8 Band, Choir & Orchestra 6:00 PM @ GHMS

March 15 WSMA Solo & Ensemble 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM @ Homestead HS

April 2 North Shore Vocal Arts Festival @ Nicolet HS

May 19 Spring Concert, Choir 5-8 6:30 PM @ GHMS

May 20 Spring Concert, Orchestra 5-8 6:30 PM @ GHMS

May 21 Spring Concert, Band 5-8 6:30 PM @ GHMS

Physical Education

Written by: Mr. Kauffman, Mr. Higgins, & Ms. Sanders (PE Teachers)

Awesome start to the year in Physical Education!

Mr. Higgins group is just wrapping up swim (4th-6th) and Flag Football (7th and 8th). Those classes will be transitioning to Soccer and Speedball starting September 30th.

Ms. Sanders groups will be starting swim (4th-6th) and flag football (7th and 8th) on Monday, September 30th. Please be sure to have your swim gear ready to go on Monday!!

Mr. Kaufmann’s classes just finished our soccer and speedball units with pickleball/tennis starting next week. The 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in Mr. Kaufmann’s classes will start swimming on October 14th.

Thank you very much to all those students that have been bringing and wearing their clothing for physical education.

Important Reminders:

It is a requirement for students to change into the proper clothing including shoes that fit securely to the foot (crocs, flip-flops, slides and slippers are not acceptable)

Allied Arts

Written by: Mr. Savagian (Tech Ed Teacher) and Mrs. Zunker, Mrs. Turnch, and Ms. Weisman (ARC Teachers)

4th and 5th Grade students have completed their woodshop safety training and will be in the shop starting next week. Many are excited to start using the scroll saw and hand tools.

The 6th grade students completed their suspension bridge project with great success. They have started their wooden name plates, and I am excited to see how they turn out.

The 7th grade finished their blueprint home design and began creating their scale 3D model home.

8th graders are beginning their safety training for their final year in our Glen Hills woodshop. I am excited to get them in the shop.

ARC Update

Greetings, from ARC! Your students have not only survived week 3 of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, they are thriving! In 6th grade, students are settling into the school and classroom expectations, and are becoming professionals at goal-setting, organizing, and reflecting on their learning. In 7th and 8th grade, students have jumped right into Word Gen learning vocabulary and background to debate issues.

We have had so many compliments on our organized binders--keep it up!

We will continue with our weekly journaling, goal-setting, organizing, writing learning logs, and comprehension checks. Students in 7th and 8th are also beginning to practice note-taking and reading strategies.

Important Reminder:

Keep checking the Week at a Glance (found on the Google Classroom) and students’ assignment notebooks for upcoming homework and tests in each class.

Student Services Team Update

Written by: Ms. Gleba (7th - 8th Grade Counselor)

Wellness Wednesday At Glen Hills

We want your child to be successful in school, and that means supporting and encouraging their whole development. While excelling in academic classes is important, students also need skills for learning, making good decisions, handling strong emotions, and getting along with others.

Beginning on October 2nd, and each Wednesday after, we will focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) with our scholars through lessons from Second Step. Second Step is a research-based social-emotional learning program designed to improve student’s social-emotional skills, such as emotion management, impulse control, problem solving, and empathy. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to help students both in and out of school.

In the first unit, all students will focus on Mindsets and Goals. Students will learn how to develop a growth mindset and apply research-based goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives. If you have any questions about Second Step, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Student Services Team for more information. Thank you for your support as we work to build a respectful, responsible and inclusive school community.

More information on Home Practice of the SEL skills for 4th and 5th can be found at the following links:

4th Grade Home Link

5th Grade Home Link

Expanding your Horizons Conference- is a day of STEM career exploration for girls, female-identifying, and non-binary youth in Middle School. Participants will come to UW-Madison campus on Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 10:00-4:30 pm to learn about the wide range of career options for women in science, engineering and math. There are hands-on workshops and visits to workplaces; students find out what it’s like to work in different STEM careers.

To register or learn more, go to eyh.wisc.edu

Registration closes on October 17.

For any additional questions, contact Heather Daniels at heather.daniels@wisc.edu

Talent Development

Written by: Mrs. Murali (Talent Development Teacher)

We are starting our after-school chess club on Thursday, October 10, 2024. We will meet every Thursday for our chess club in the Genius Lab.

We are starting our NASA STEM Club on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. We will meet every Wednesday for our STEM Club in Mrs. Murali’s room.

All 7th/8th grade scholars are eligible to join our National Junior Honor Society Program. Interested students should click the link below to join the program. Students who maintain good grades and positive behavior throughout the school and complete 20 hours of service by the 29th of May, 2025 will be recognized at our NJHS Ceremony at the end of the school year. Volunteer opportunities will be provided throughout the year for the students.

Link to join the NJHS Program:

https://forms.gle/TLH3kNdRJ2eQhwBU9

Volunteering opportunity:

Saturday, October 19th - Fall Festival at Parkway

Saturday, December 14, 2024- STEAM Fair from 9 am-1pm