From the Principal's Desk
Staff Appreciation Week is here! I'd like to take a moment to recognize all the amazing staff at Greely Middle School who care for and educate our students each and every day! They are our most valuable resource; and I am grateful for their dedication to our school community. (See information from our Greely PTO later in this newsletter for how you can recognize staff who make a difference in your child's life!)
Now that the weather is getting a wee bit warmer, it is great to see more students riding their bikes to and from school. Please help us reinforce the importance of following the rules of the road, wearing a helmet, and being fully alert to the surroundings while riding. For those of you who drop off and pick up your children at school, please keep a close eye out for children who are riding their bikes on school grounds and be mindful of the reduced speed zone on campus.
Students will take the Maine Through Year Reading and Math Assessment this coming week. 5th grade students will take the MEA Science Assessment next week. Reading and Math i-Ready testing will take place the first week of June. There is no special preparation for any of these assessments; however, we do encourage students to be well-rested and arrive on time to school having eaten a good breakfast. While we believe attendance matters at all times of year, we thank you in advance for your attention to this testing window.
Dates to Remember:
- Monday, May 25 - No School, Memorial Day
- Wednesday, May 27 - Full School Day
Sincerely, Carol MacArthur
Principal, Grade 4-5
Office Reminders
- Student arrival begins at 8:20 AM.
- School begins at 8:50 AM. If your child arrives after that time, they are tardy and need to check-in at the office before going to the classroom.
- You can report absences, communicate transportation plans or make general inquiries by calling the main office at 829-4815 or emailing [email protected]
We greatly appreciate your attention to these procedures, as they help to ensure that our routines run smoothly and efficiently.
Community Corner
Managing Stress
Katie Campbell, School Social Worker
Ali Waterhouse, School Counselor
Amy Vincent-Cross, School Social Worker
A Look Into Literacy
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, our 4th and 5th graders are diving into some engaging topics in CKLA! This month, we will be transitioning between Units 5 and 6 in our literacy curriculum.
In Grade 4, students have been working hard as scientists and explorers this past month. Unit 5, "Our Planet: Geology," has been all about investigating the powerful forces that shape our Earth—from the slow crawl of tectonic plates to the sudden impact of volcanoes and earthquakes. In the Grade 5 unit, "The Deep Blue World: Oceans," students have been exploring the vast mysteries of marine biology and ocean ecosystems, learning about the complex food webs and unique adaptations of life under the sea.
In the next Grade 4 unit, students will study narrative texts through the close reading of E.L. Konigsburg’s novel, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. They will use text-based discussions and short, informal writing tasks to practice identifying and analyzing narrative elements. They will explore and apply elements such as point of view, dialogue, and key plot stages (for example, exposition and climax) in their own stories. The unit also teaches students to evaluate fiction thoughtfully and to take part in structured discussions to reflect on their learning.
In the next Grade 5 unit, "Cultures and Histories: Native Americans," students will focus on the diverse and vibrant indigenous cultures across North America. They will study the history, sovereignty, and enduring legacies of various tribes before and after European contact. Their writing focus will be opinion essays.
Janet Giguere, Literacy Specialist
Library News
The new MSBA list is out & students are encouraged to start reading now! We have many of the titles already, PML will have them for summer reading (official info coming soon), and they're also available digitally through Sora & CloudLibrary.
We're approaching the final weeks of library book checkouts! Please encourage your student to bring items back that are no longer needed (especially if they're overdue).
Dorothy Hall-Riddle, 4-8 Librarian
Check This Out!
The Late Bus
In addition to regular, daily dismissal, a late bus is also available on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for students who stay for co-curricular activities or after-school academic support. Buses pick up students from GMS at 4:15pm and transport them home. Please be aware that depending on the number of students riding the late bus on a given day, your child's arrival time at home may vary. If you have specific questions about the late bus, please feel free to call the Transportation Garage at 829-4820.
Co-Curricular Activities
Monday:
5th grade Band Mr. Barry Saunders [email protected]
Tuesday:
Chorus - Mrs. Jennifer Caton [email protected]
Thursday:
Newspaper Club - Ms. Melissa Fiess [email protected]
5th grade Ukulele Club - Mr. Barry Saunders [email protected]
5th grade Math Team - Mrs. Laurie Poissonnier [email protected]
During the School Day:
Green Team - Mrs. Monica Moore [email protected]
Civil Rights Team - Mrs. Katie Cassessee [email protected], Mrs. Jane Kilbride-Dupuis [email protected], Ms. Molly Russell [email protected]
Stay Connected
