Debra Ladensack, Principal and Mark Hanton, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

Office: 984-6544 Fax 810-275-1271 Website: www.phasd.us/fortgratiot

Facebook: Facebook/fgstrong Twitter@fgmsprincipal

February 2015

Calender of Events:

Feb 04 8th grade HS credit exam Guitar Club 2:20-3:00 Quiz Bowl practice 2:20-3:00 05 Math Counts 2:20-3:20 Writing Center 2:20-4:00 Tech Club/East Lab 2:15-3:15 7th gr. Band Fun night 2:20-6:00 PM 07 Math Counts at Central 8:00-12:00 Jail & Bail - Masonic Temple 8:00 AM 09 Quiz Bowl Match at Cros.Lex 3:30 Wrestling at Central 4:15 Girls Basketball Home Central 4:15 10 Rachel Challenge at 7:30 AM Parent Advisory 6:30-7:30 PM 11 8th gr NAEP testing 8:00 AM Wrestling - Bye Girls Basketball at Marine City Quiz Bowl practice 2:20-3:00 Guitar Club 2:20-3:00 12 Wear Red/Pink Day Minecraft in West lab 2:15-3:15 Writing Center 2:20-4:00 13—16 Mid-Winter Break No School

Table of Contents:

Quick News………………………..….....…..Page 2 District News...….. ……….…...……...Page 3 Student Recognition……………………….. Page 4 Student Council/Sports News...... Page 5 Parent Letter Rachel’s Challenge...Page 6 Poster for Parent Meeting……………..Page 7 Yearbook Order Form……………………..Page 8

RACHEL’S CHALLENGE ASSEMBLY

February 10, 2015 at 7:30 AM

Rachel's Challenge includes a series of student empower-

ing, educator motivating programs and strategies called the

Awaken the Learner Five-step School Improvement Pro-

cess that equips students and adults to create and sustain

safe, caring and supportive learning environments essential

for academic achievement. The programs are based on the

writings and life of 17 year-old Rachel Scott who was the

first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999.

Rachel left a legacy of reaching out to those who were

different, who were picked on by others, or who were new

at her school. Shortly before her death she wrote….

Please see page 6 for more detailed information about

Rachel’s Challenge. On page 7 is a flyer inviting the

community to learn more about Rachel’s Challenge on

February 10 at 6 p.m.

“I have this theory that if one person can go out of

their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain

reaction of the same. People will never know how far

A little kindness can go.”

Professional Staff

Development (PSD)

Half Day Schedule:

10:38 dismissal each date

April 2

May 22

Page 2 QUICK NEWS

WRITING CENTER:

Where: Media Center:

Hours: 2:30-4:00 every Thursday

A place for all students to receive writ-

ing tutoring which will improve their

writing skills and increase their ability

to complete successful assignments..

SCIENCE CLUB: Meets every Thursday, after school until 3:00 in room (101). Its purpose is to have students learn more about the scientific method and work on their science fair project. All students are welcome! Mrs. McCalmon

GUITAR CLUB: Meets every Wednesday, after school until 3:15, in the Media Center. All students are welcome!

BOX TOPS FGMS needs you to clip your box tops and send them in. Please trim each box top. There is a collection box in the office. Box tops can result in a lot of money for the school and we thank you for doing it.

STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS

Rec. Day/Dance: February 6

has been cancelled.

Next Student Council

meeting

February 19 at 2:15-3:15

YEARBOOK ORDERS

Starting February 2 – February 12 Yearbooks can be ordered. The cost will be $27. After February 12 the cost will be $32. Order form attached.

DRAMA CLUB

Theatre Workshop scheduled for February 20, 2015 in the Media Center at 2:20-4:00 PM. This is for all grades. Come and

learn about auditioning, backstage crew, and how to do props.

JAIL & BAIL

Saturday, Feb. 7 at 8:00 Masonic Temple Port Huron Ask a NJHS member for A form to donate or to participate.

TECH CLUB: 2:15-3:15 1st and 3rd Thursday of each Month. In the East computer lab.

MINECRAFT: 2:15-3:15 2nd and 4th Thursday of each Month. In the West computer lab.

Vision:

The Port Huron Area School District will provide a

personalized, world-class education for each student

today to shape tomorrow's community and global lead-

ers.

Mission:

We will advocate for our students and families in part-

nership with our community to assure their success

inside and outside of school; continuously innovate our

practices and programs to improve student achieve-

ment; and educate in ways that are relevant, relation-

ship driven, and rigorous.

PHASD AND BOARD OF

EDUCATION GOALS:

Increase student academic achievement through the

implementation of an aligned K-12 curriculum and

high quality focused instruction on a daily basis.

Personalize learning for all students through the use of

21st century technologies and differentiated instruc-

tion.

Create an organizational culture of excellence with

clear expectations, a focus on exemplary customer

service, and an urgency to meet the needs of all stu-

dents and families every day.

Prioritize financial resources with an

unwavering focus on student learning and

achievement.

BOARD OF

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Mr. Jeffrey A. Stout

Mrs. Rasha S. Demashkieh

Mr. Garth J. Kriewall

Ms. Ann E. Murphy

Mr. Brian Winters

Ms. Hayley Alderman

Mrs. Ronda J. Ryan

Mr. James Cain,

Superintendent of Schools

Page 3 Weather Watch and District News

The Port Huron Area

School District does not

discriminate on the basis of

race, color, national origin,

sex, age, disability, height,

weight, religion, or marital

status in its programs and

activities. The following

person has been designated

to handle inquiries

regarding the

non-discrimination

policies:

Mr. Ed Breslin

Director of

Administrative Services

2720 Riverside Dr

Port Huron, Mi 48060

810.984.3101

WEATHER WATCH

When severe weather strikes, please watch:

Cable television, Channel 6

Or listen to radio stations;

WHLS 1450 – WPHM 1380 – WSMA 1590 or visit the website: www.phasd.us

Do NOT phone the transportation department

or the school because their lines need to be kept

open for emergency situations.

Please discuss with your child an alternative

plan during an emergency school closing.

Children should know where they are to go

if you are not at home in the event we need

to close school.

PEACE Is not something you wish for; It’s something you make, Something you do, Something you are and something you give away. John Lennon

Page 4 Student Recognition/NJHS

Congratulations to all the students that participated in Solo and Ensemble Festival last Saturday. You did an

outstanding job!!

The following students earned a First Division Rating for playing a solo:

Chloe DeVooght Kiera Snyder

Sara Goheen Alexandra Allers

Carson Moore Elizabeth Dewey

Shaun Muzzarelli Megan Fleury

Anna Senkmajer Roxann McLane

Steven Smith Olivia Ramsey

Gary Rivera

These students earned a Second Division Rating for playing a solo:

Gabrielle Allers

Sophie Diller

Sara Goheen

Zoe Jakacki

Amelia Dell

Shaun Muzzarelli and Isabella Harrison earned a First Division Rating for their duet.

The following students earned a Second Division Rating for their ensembles:

Gabrielle Allers, Christina Howison, and Isabel Wallace Kim Matthews and Mitchell Packer

Carson Moore and Mason Thomas Steven Smith and Daniel Saunders

Alexandra Allers and Alysse Armstrong Amelia Dell and Taylor Matthews

Kristen Fleury and Khrystiana Dixon

FGMS Students Perform in Charlotte’s Web

The following students from Fort Gratiot Middle School appeared in the Civic Theater’s

production of Charlotte’s Web this past weekend. They did an amazing job! The 7th-8th grade team of Mr. Brandon, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Stein, and Mrs. Thornton were able to attend the matinee perfor-mance on Thursday, January 29. It was wonderful!

Ben Adair—Gander Matthew Cronce - Homer Zuckerman

Megan Cronce - Second Member Abbie Haskell - Third Member

Zoe Haynes - Sheep

Samantha Jex - Martha Arable

Lauren Poosch - Edith Zuckerman

Lilly Porrett - Judge 1

Daniel Saunders - Avery Arable

Kiera Snyder - Spectator 3

Kirsten Sparks—Lurvy/Lori Sylvia Stephens - Fern Arable

Tevin Woodley - Techie

Page 5 NJHS/Sports News

Chris Damon Named 8th Grade Head Football Coach

We would like to welcome Coach Chris Damon as the new 8th Grade Head Football Coach. Mr. Damon has coached for the Port Huron Northern Football program for 12 seasons at both the freshman and varsity level. He has attended many coaching clinics over the years to stay on top of his game and currently stays in contact with the defensive line coach at MSU for the latest coaching information.

Also the head coach of the PHN bowling team, Coach Damon has three state titles under his belt. We are excited to have the high energy and expertise that Coach Damon will bring to the Lumberjack football squad next season. GO Lumberjacks!

NJHS NEWS – JAIL & BAIL

Saturday, February 7 at 8:00 AM

Masonic Temple

967 6th Street

Port Huron

NJHS will be participating in Jail & Bail again this year.

Would greatly appreciate your support in helping us

defend our title.

Last year Fort Gratiot NJHS were the winners of

“The Golden Diaper Award!” We beat out PHN by

just a few dollars, so every penny counts. It is our hope

we can pull it off again.

All NJHS members and all Fort Gratiot students

are encouraged to be a part of this worthy event.

Please see Mrs. Leach or Mrs. Klaas for pledge forms.

Thank you,

NJHS

All students can learn and succeed, but not on the same day in the same way. -William G. Spady

Check out www.SportsattheFort.com

Page 6 Parent Letter on Rachel’s Challenge

Page 7 Poster for Rachel’s Challenge Meeting

Page 8 Yearbook Order Form