Hey, Hey, ISAT is Here!!!

"Hooray for ISAT!" Is this the cry of a principal gone mad? Perhaps. But, that is the topic for a different entry.

ISAT testing is the week of March 1-5, and there are plenty of negatives to stew about:

"The measure of a school is not one test."
"Filling in the circles doesn't REALLY measure what kids know."
"One bad morning labels a kid inaccurately."
"Why would anyone expect students with learning disabilities to perform at grade level on written tests?"
"Why would anyone expect English language learners to perform at grade level on written tests?"
"A whole school shouldn't fail because one subgroup does poorly."
And on and on...

Those objections and others are certainly valid to a degree. However, as a member of the GKMS learning community, they are meaningless to our goal. Helping students excel and contribute to their community is not about making excuses or finding reason why we can't do something.

Our students are performing at a high level in their classes every day accomplishing higher order thinking projects, collaborative assignments, solving difficult problems, using real world technology, and finding personal success outside the classroom. Data identifies areas for improvement on an individual basis, and interventions are put in place for that specific student. More and more instruction is differentiated challenging students to achieve at their highest level. Our kids, staff, and learning community are moving in a positive direction, and our students are benefiting from a quality education every day.

Parents can help by ensuring that students get a good night sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and know you would like them to do their best.

So, yes, hooray for ISAT! While not the whole measure for our school, it is an excellent opportunity for our kids to do their their best and show what they know. I am looking forward to it.

Great Happenings at GKMS

Second quarter honor roll numbers are in. We are happy to see so many students reach their goals.

45 - 6th grade high honors
74 - 6th grade honors
119 - 6th grade total (77.8%)

54 - 7th grade high honors
65 - 7th grade honors
119 - 7th grade total (78.8%)

47 - 8th grade high honors
74 - 8th grade honors
121 - 8th grade total (70.3%)


GKMS remains a vibrant school community affording opportunities to students in all areas of the educational process. Students continue their participation in Drama, Girls Basketball, Garden Club, Tech Club, Student Council and Community Impact Club.

Students will be participating in the 5th annual Mini Career Fair on Thursday, February 11. Many thanks go out to all the community professionals giving their time to help our students. Also, a special thank you to Ms. Chronopoulos for her efforts in making our Career Fair possible.

ISAT
GKMS Families, I would like to remind everyone that ISAT state testing will be taking place March 1-5 with makeup testing the following week. Students perform best when well rested and after a healthy breakfast. As attendance is also a key to success, it is best not to schedule routine appointments during these days if at all possible. Please encourage your child to do their best and show what they know.


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Happy New Year

Over the next few months, GKMS students will have great learning opportunities as our staff continues to incorporate best practice instruction and instructional activities in the classroom.

Here is what parents can do to help:
- Establish a set schoolwork time and place at home
- Encourage a full night sleep and breakfast for your student
- Use Powerschool to review the Assignment Connection frequently with your student to discuss curriculum in each class
- Use Powerschool to review grades with your student
- Call or email teachers with ANY questions

Feel free to contribute any additional tips to the list. We look forward to a positive and productive January at GKMS.

Happy and Safe Holiday Season

We wish all our families a happy and safe holiday season. GKMS students are contributing to their community in many ways for the holidays.

Community Impact Club is sponsoring our Toys for Tots drive. Over 300 toys have been donated to help brighten the season for area kids.

Student Council continues its Hat, Scarf, Mitten, and Glove Drive. Hundreds of items have been collected for local families.

Student council is also helping GK families through food and gift cards.

Our students continue to show respect, positive behaviors, and contribute to their community.

GKMS Parent Survey - Until December 4

I have posted a parent survey on Survey Monkey that will be open until December 4th. Please take a few minutes to answer the 9 questions and leave any comments you would like.

All responses can be kept confidential and will be shared with staff and our parent council to help shape school procedures and practices. Thank you for you time.

"Click Here to take survey"



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Contributing to our Community

GKMS is always seeking ways for students to contribute to our community.

Our annual food drive raised hundreds of food items for the Genoa Food Bank that will help our families through the Thanksgiving holiday.

Community Impact Club is beginning their Toys for Tots gift drive. Information can be found in our office. The are also ample ways for students to help if their families are not in a position to donate a gift.

Of course, we are continuing our annual Student Council Hat, Scarf, and Mitten drive this year. All donations help GK families.

Whether it is donations or time, our students and families continue to contribute to our community through giving. Please contact me for any information or opportunity. We have a wonderful community here through good times and more difficult ones.

It is a priveledge working with these great kids and families. Thank you.

Learning and Grades

I have been a "professional educator" for 18 years. The 16 years prior, I was on the student side of things. Besides showing that I'm just plain old, those years have caused me to view many staples of the "educational process" differently than I used to.

I have had many discussions with parents, neighbors, and kids about grades over the years. While I still don't feel I have the "right" answer, I know my views on this subject have changed. My sons are now 15, 13, and 9 years old. As they travel through the education system, I continue to change my views on grades.

As an example:
A doctor, carpenter, and teacher all work hard and rightfully expect to be compensated for their time in pay. They need it to survive, and their families count on it. But, do I want my surgeon to be in it just for the check? Or do I want someone whose life mission is to save lives and improve quality of life? Do I want the carpenter building my house to only be interested in a check or to also take pride in doing a quality, long lasting job? Do I want my son's teacher to focus solely on fulfilling requirements, or to get to know and care about my child?

Are grades necessary? They certainly do give a running record of students meeting the requirements of school. In later years, they will allow our students options for which colleges they can attend and which fields they can study -- choices.

What we need to do, though, is continue to look for ways that grades can also measure student learning besides quizzes and tests. Sure the paycheck... er grade matters, but I want my kids to also learn, understand the processes for learning, and to be participants in their education. I am confident almost all parents want the same.

At GKMS we will continue to strive towards improvement in engaging students in the learning process and measure their "grades" by using additional methods that will reflect more than simply mastering the "process" of school. Not a small task, but we are getting better. Below are the honor roll numbers for the first quarter. Many students are taking a part in their education, and it is beginning to show that we are measuring more than the simple, basic requirements of school.

Whole School High and Regular Honors - 76%
Whole School High Honors - 29%

6th Grade High and Regular Honors - 74%
6th Grade High Honors - 24%

7th Grade High and Regular Honors - 80%
7th Grade High Honors - 34%

8th Grade High and Regular Honors - 73%
8th Grade High Honors - 29%