From the Principal's Desk
The final stretch is upon us! Here are a few important whole school updates:
Step Up Day - Wednesday, June 10th:
Incoming 4th graders will join me in the gym for a brief introduction to GMS 4-5 before heading off to their new homeroom. Incoming 5th graders will reshuffle and meet their new class and teachers. Incoming 6th graders will meet Dr. Selby and Mr. Lariviere in the cafeteria before heading off to their teaching team meeting area.
Last Day of Late Bus - Thursday, June 11th:
The late bus will no longer run after this week. Please plan accordingly for regular 3:20 dismissal.
Project ACES Field Day - Monday, June 15th:
Huge shout out to our Greely PTO for continuing to fund this annual event where All Children Exercise Simultaneously! We had some incredibly helpful volunteers prepping our tie dye shirts, and many more who are dying and laundering at home. We can't wait to see the completed t-shirts! Ms. Dodge has been busy organizing fun, cooperative activities. Thank you in advance to those who are joining us to run this event.
i-Ready Growth Reports - Monday, June 15th:
Students worked hard this week to complete their Spring i-Ready Assessments in math & reading. Keep an eye on your email for your child's Growth Reports which will be emailed home to families - one for each subject area.
Last Day of School - Thursday, June 18th:
Please help your child ensure that all borrowed materials are brought to school before the last day, including classroom and library books, etc. We are looking forward to our 5th grade Variety Show. Dismissal is at 12:35pm.
Progress Reports - Thursday, June 18th:
You will receive an email that your child’s digital progress report is available for viewing in the Parent Portal of Powerschool (K-5). Paper copies will only be sent home upon request. If you need to update your contact information, follow this link for instructions on how to do so. Our teachers spend a considerable amount of time gathering and analyzing information to ensure accurate reporting about your child’s progress to date. If you have questions about your child’s progress after reviewing this report, please contact your child’s teacher directly.
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.
Lost & Found
If you are missing something, encourage your child to take a look at the racks & bins just outside the cafeteria. All items will be donated after the last day of school.
A Look Into Literacy
What an incredible year of reading, writing, and deep thinking it has been! This year, our fourth and fifth graders didn't just practice reading skills—they gained knowledge in history, science, literature, and culture through our CKLA curriculum.
Our fourth graders explored many topics and genres this year, covering units on personal narratives, empires of the Middle Ages, poetry, inventions (Eureka!), geology (Our Planet), and their novel study, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Some ideas for summer related to the 4th grade units:
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Look for interesting rocks at the beach or park, or visit a local science museum.
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Discussion Starter: "How do you think this landscape was formed over millions of years?"
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Challenge your child to build an invention out of recycled household items.
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Discussion Starter:"What is a problem in our house we could invent a tool to solve?"
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Grab a notebook and write "pocket poems" about summer—the taste of ice cream, the heat of the sun, or the sound of fireworks. Have them write a short personal narrative about their favorite summer memory.
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Check out historical fiction or biography books from the library about knights, castles, or the diverse voices of early America.
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READ! 20 minutes a day keeps vocabulary and comprehension sharp! Have your child talk about what they read.
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Have your child keep a journal of their summer activities.
Our fifth graders tackled some sophisticated topics this year! They grew as analytical thinkers through units on personal narratives, Early American Civilizations (Maya, Aztec, Inca), poetry, Don Quixote (A Knight's Tale), oceans (The Deep Blue World), and Native American Cultures.
Some ideas for summer related to the 5th grade units:
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If you visit a pool, lake, or beach, talk about marine ecosystems. Watch a nature documentary about the deep ocean together.
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Discussion Starter: "What kinds of unique adaptations do animals need to survive in the midnight zone of the ocean?"
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Read or watch indigenous folktales. If you travel this summer, look up whose ancestral lands you are visiting and learn about their specific traditions, geography, and history.
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Introduce your child to classic adventures or satirical stories. Ask them to find examples of "metaphors" and "similes" in the music they listen to or the movies they watch.
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READ! 20 minutes a day keeps vocabulary and comprehension sharp! Have your child talk about what they read.
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Have your child keep a journal of their summer activities.
Check out the Summer Shindag going on at PML!
Janet Giguere, Literacy Specialist
Library News
Dorothy Hall-Riddle, 4-8 Librarian
Check This Out!
The Voice of Inclusion
Greely Middle School 4-5 students recently completed a special inclusion video project in partnership with The Cromwell Center, showcasing the power of kindness, acceptance, and belonging.
Over the course of more than three weeks, a dedicated group of students volunteered their lunch and recess times to rehearse, collaborate, and bring an important message of inclusion to life. Through their hard work, they not only created a meaningful video but also built new friendships, strengthened teamwork skills, and demonstrated outstanding leadership within our school community.
A special thank you goes to Jane Kilbride-Dupuis, MS-SLP and Civil Rights Team Advisor, for leading the project, and to Functional Life Skills teacher Siobhan Bogle, whose creativity and technical expertise brought the students’ vision to the screen.
The completed video premiered for participating students before being shared with families and the entire Greely Middle School 4-5 student body. The project will also be featured at The Cromwell Center’s 2026 Celebrating Inclusion Dinner & Auction on June 18, helping to further promote understanding and appreciation of inclusive communities.
We are incredibly proud of these students for using their voices to make a positive impact and for helping create a more welcoming and inclusive school for all.
Check out the short presentation given at the GMS assembly followed by the video: Cromwell Center Video
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
