Issue #1
  Gamble Rogers Middle School
  www-grms.k12.fl.us 
Stingray
 Chronicle

Greg Bergamasco, Principal                                                                  Debra Donlan, Assistant Principal
         Phone: 904-547-8700                                                                            Fax: 904-547-8705                                                                                                                   
                                 

         
Welcome to the 2016/2017 school year. In this newsletter you will see general information about upcoming events, lots of parent information, dates to remember, sports news, etc. There is a lot  happening at GRMS in the coming days, weeks, and months ahead.
Principal's Message
I would like to Thank You for a great start to this school year! I truly believe that without all of your support, we would not be as prepared to start the year. I am looking forward to what the year brings. I am available for your questions and concerns at 904-547-8700.


Thanks,

Greg Bergamasco
School Advisory Committee

               (SAC) Needs Your Help!

Do you want to...grms

Contribute to the well-being of Gamble Rogers Middle School

* Learn more about Gamble Rogers Middle School

* Be "In the Know" about GRMS

* Be responsible for guiding the school toward continuous improvement

* Be involved in your child's education

*You ONLY need to commit EIGHT hours of your time for the 2016-2017 school year.

*Most meetings are scheduled every 4th Tuesday from 3:30pm - 4:30pm

*All meetings will be in the Media Center unless otherwise stated

ATTENDANCE:
You MUST be able to commit to attend all meetings. Voting members are allowed two "excused" absences but attendance is VERY important for SAC voting members. If you cannot commit, you are also welcome to attend any SAC meeting, you will just not be a voting member of SAC. ANYONE can come to SAC at ANY TIME!!!

INTERESTED?????
Please contact Tracy Melgard Chairman, SAC Committee, Gamble Rogers Middle School Tracy.Melgard@stjohns.k12.fl.us

PTO NEW
PTO Needs Your Help!!!
 
We are in need of a secretary, fundraising coordinator, PTOvolunteer coordinator, spirit wear coordinator and business partnership liaison.
Please contact PTO President Annmarie Darcy if you're available to help.

First Meeting: Tuesday, August 30th @ 4:30pm. Meetings will be held on the last Tuesday of each month in the Media Center..


 
Become a Community/Business Partner with Gamble Rogers

For more information contact PTO President, Annmarie Darcy at PTO.GRMS@aol.com 
  
This is an opportunity to let your business shine!!!

Picture Day!!!

 
Friday, September 2nd
         Dress to Impress & Put on Your Best Smile!


Reminder: Only students who get their picture taken will receive a "School I.D. Badge" !

When: Thursday, September 13th
Time: 6:00pm
We hope to see you there...
  
Library News - eBooks Have Arrived!
The GRMS Library is introducing an ebook collection for the first time.  We are using MackinVIA as our ebook portal.  It is a free app on iPads, iPhones, Android devices, Kindle Fire and Nooks.  You can download this app and your student can begin reading ebooks on their own devices. It is also possible to access MackinVIA by using your computer and typing www.mackinvia.com.  Students must use their student number without the "s" and the password is "stingrays". We have 89 ebooks at this time and will be adding many more this year.  There are eight Sunshine State Young Reader Award ebooks also available via MackinVIA.  Please let Mr. Greco know if you experience any difficulty accessing MackinVIA.  I look forward to hearing how many students and teachers will be using this new resource.
 
 
MackinVIA is a complete eResource management system providing easy access to eBooks and educational databases. With just one login, users can view, utilize, and ...more.
 
 
 
 Sunshine State Young Readers Brag Tags

2016-2017 SSYRA BOOKS
 
Students can earn "Brag Tags" for each of the Sunshine State Young Reader Award books they read this year. The "Brag Tags" have a picture of the book cover on them.  When you see your student wearing a brag tag, make sure to ask them to tell you about the book they read. We already have many students who have begun reading these titles. Students who read at least three books this year will be eligible to vote in the statewide election in March. The Supervisor of Elections office will bring the county voting machines to our library for our students to vote.   Students who have read at least five books by November will be eligible to participate in our new Battle of the Books Club. The highest scoring students in the club will represent Gamble Rogers Middle School at the district wide Battle of the Books competition.

District College & Career Night

 

News from the Nurse...

ATTENTION 6TH GRADE PARENTS!!!

Health screenings will be in September.

Screenings include height, weight, vision, hearing, and scoliosis.

All students will be screened unless I have the Health Screening Waiver signed by September 9th.
Information Changes
It is imperative that parents call the school to change home phone numbers, cell numbers, work numbers and email addresses as soon as they are changed. In an emergency situation, it is difficult to contact parents when the information provided is not correct. Please contact Martha Fulford at  Martha.fulford@stjohns.k12.fl.us  with changes.


September 2nd
Picture Day

September  5th
Labor Day
(No School)
 
September 12th
Interims Issued

September 16th-23rd
Scholastic Book Fair
 
September 13th
Open House @ 6:00PM

September  20th
 D.C. Trip Parent Meeting

October 164h 
First Quarter Ends

October 17th
Teacher Planning Day
(No School for Students)

October 24th
Report Cards Issued

November 11th
Veteran's Day
(No School) 

November 16th
Interims Issued

November 23rd-25th
Thanksgiving Break
(No School) 
  After School Clubs

Best Buddies
(See Mrs. Banks)

Student Government
(See Mrs. Banks)

Guitar
(See Mr. Greco)

Robotics
(See Mr. Radaker)

Drama Club
(See Mrs. Stone)
 
Running Club
(See Mr. Gamble)

Winter Guard Auditions

Monday September 19th, 20th & 22nd

2:00pm-5:30pm

 

*Please wear gym/work-out clothes*
 


If you have any questions contact Kalie Norman @ kaliechambers@gmail.com

 

 **********************
 

Garden News:  Gamble Rogers is in its 4th year of creating the edible campus.  There are currently 6 raised garden beds, 20 large containers, 3 hydroponic towers and a hydroponic foam/stack systems that has a capacity of 200 plants.  We are hoping to build a new greenhouse next year.  Currently we are asking for donations of fruit trees, such as blueberries or tangerines.  Also, if you have innovative ideas for gardening or would like to donate time and/or plants, please contact Kevin Gamble at  Kevin.Gamble@stjohns.k12.fl.us

Attention 8th Grade Parents !!!

Washington, D.C. Trip Parent Meeting
Tuesday, September 20th @ 6:30pm

 D.C. Parent Letter

D.C. Permission Form

Below are payment options:

Link for $258.33 Payment       https://www.schoolpay.com/link/dc2017 

Link for Full Payment 775.00   
https://www.schoolpay.com/link/dc2017full



If you have any questions please contact trip sponsor, Mrs. Wynn 904.547.8695 or Dawn.Wynn@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
Stingray Sports...
GRMS Varsity 2016 Season
 
Are You Ready For Some Football?

8/25 - Home vs Pacetti Bay 
9/1- Home vs Murray @ Pedro Menendez
9/8 - Home vs Sebastian
9/15 - Home vs Liberty Pines
9/22 - Away vs Swiss Point @ 6:30pm
9/29- Home vs Fruit Cove  
10/6 - Away vs Patriot Oaks
10/13 - Home vs Landrum
10/20 - Week 1 Playoffs
10/29 - Semifinals
11/5 Championship
 *Games @ 5:00PM unless noted*

All Home Games @ GRMS

********************
 
Volleyball Team Tryouts 
Girls': August 24th 
Boys': August 27th
 

*******************  

2016 GRMS GIRLS / BOYS VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE 

Girls' games: 5:30 pm 
Boys' games: 6:30 pm 
 

Monday Sept 12   MMS vs GRMS   - Away 
Wednesday Sept 14 GRMS vs SMS -Home
Monday Sept 16 PBMS vs GRMS - Away 
Wednesday Sept 21 GRMS vs VRA - Home
Monday Sept 26 FCMS vs GRMS - Away
Wednesday Sept 28 GRMS vs LMS - Home 
Monday Oct 3 GRMS vs SPMS - Home
Monday Oct 5 POA vs GRMS - Away
Wednesday Oct 10 LPA vs GRMS - Away

Playoffs begin Wednesday Oct 12
 
      *******************
Running Club News...

Running Club/Cross Country will start on Tuesday, September 13 at 2pm. Students must have a signed permission form and a current physical on file here at the school in order to participated. Practices will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-3pm. Students may change in the PE locker room at dismissal and are to bring all their items to the pavilion by the PE fields.  Students must have a ride a home from practice. Most meets will be held on Wednesdays. Students may return permission forms to Mr. Gamble, Coach Heffner, or Ms. Ziecheck.

Permission Slip 
********************
Soccer

Go to www.sjmsaa.com to register.
Soccer is pay-to-play and runs through the St Johns Middle School Athletic Association (SJMSAA), supporting middle school athletics in St Johns County.
SJMSAA middle school sports program is not operated or sponsored by the St Johns County School District. You must register online to participate.
See Coach Hall for more information.

Tryout Dates and Times

Boys
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - August 29th, 30th and September 1st.
2:00-4:00 on the soccer field.

(You must have cleats and shin guards and make at least 2 out of the 3 tryouts.)
 
Girls
Tuesday and Thursday - August 30th and September 1st
2:00-3:300 on the soccer field.

(Bring your cleats and shin guards.)

*Practices begin: October 17

*Games begin: November 3