Good afternoon Grizzell Families.

It was another beautiful week in central Ohio and at Grizzell Middle School. With each day, students are becoming more comfortable with their environment, learning expectations, their classmates, and their teachers. I've seen a lot of smiling faces and positive attitudes all week! As we start the full hybrid schedule next week, know that there will be some interruptions early on as we have MAP testing, the Panorama Survey, and picture day taking place within the next two weeks. Individual teachers will be sharing their expectations with students and they will understand what needs to be done when. There is a lot of information within this week's newsletter, so please take some time to understand what is coming up this week.

To share a story from the homefront...

This week my daughters' volleyball coach complimented them about their effort on the court. They are getting to play over other players due to their attitude and effort. This is their first year playing volleyball and they are not the most talented players on the team and that is out of their control, for now. Effort is something that we can all control. As you talk with your students about their classes, try not to focus on that letter grade that shows up at the end. Instead, have that conversation about how hard are they working, are they improving, are they doing the things that they need to in order to do better. Thank you for another great week! Your kids are amazing and we love working with them each day!

Enjoy the weekend.

Andy - principal

On Sept. 14, the Board of Education voted to fully implement the Hybrid Learning Model starting on Sept. 21. You can view a Q&A regarding the Hybrid model at this link.

Hybrid Schedule - This week we will be in full hybrid. This means that 50% of our students will come in the morning and 50% of our students will come in the afternoon. PLEASE WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO ABOUT STUDENT WORK EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS FORMAT. Please remember that with MAP testing taking place within the school day this week, asynchronous (at home) work/schedule may not follow this exact schedule. Our teachers will be communicating with their students their work expectations for the week.

Last Names (A - K) - AM session - 8 - 10:55 am

Last Names (L - Z) - PM session - 12:30 - 3:25 pm

Monday, Wednesday, Friday - Periods 1-4

Tuesday, Thursday - Periods 5-8

100% Remote Learning Academy Schedule

We will be completing MAP testing for all students over the next 2 weeks. MAP, or the Measure of Academic Progress, is a computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child’s academic growth. Both RLA and Hybrid students will take the MAP in both Reading and Math. Please take a look at the following testing schedule for this week and next. Please make sure that your student gets a good breakfast/lunch, a good night’s sleep, has their chromebook charged, and if completing remotely, has a quiet place to work.

RLA Grade 6

Math September 17th & 18th 2-3 pm

Reading September 22nd, 23rd, & 24th 2-3 pm

* Students will go to their independent reading teacher’s Google Meet for testing.

RLA Grade 7

Math September 17th & 18th 2-3 pm

Reading September 22nd, 23rd, & 24th 2-3 pm

* Students will go to their independent reading teacher’s Google Meet for testing.

RLA Grade 8

Math September 21st 12:30 - 2:30 pm

Reading September 22nd 8 - 11 am

Please click HERE for additional information related to (RLA) MAP testing.

ALL (AM) Session Hybrid Students

Reading September 23rd 8 - 10:30 am

Math September 25th 8 - 10:30 am

ALL (PM) Session Hybrid Students

Reading September 23rd 12:30 - 3 pm

Math September 25th 12:30 - 3 pm

Please click HERE for additional information related to Hybrid MAP testing.

* When a student finishes testing, they can do any asynchronous work in schoology for their classes. If a student doesn’t take or finish their MAP test during the allotted time, individual arrangements will be made for them to take/finish the MAP test.

In attempt to set all RLA students up for continued success this school year, we have some tips to offer families. Please Click HERE to view recommendations from our team leaders.

The information in this LINK was emailed to all students this morning. If your student is interested in running for student council, make sure that they complete the appropriate forms.

Our student clubs at Grizzell provide a great way for students to get involved and meet new people. Students are able to access these groups through schoology and the respective schoology groups. At this time, as groups form and are organized, opportunities will be virtually led by the respective advisors. After this initial phase, we will look to explore small groups meeting within the school. Please take a look at all the great clubs that we have to offer at Grizzell by using this LINK. Your students should have received this same information in an email this afternoon.

Specific Club Updates...

1. Ski Club is making plans to hit the slopes in January. Nothing is finalized yet but plans for bussing to Mad River are ready to go once the go-ahead is given. Stay tuned!

2. Investment Club is open to new members for this year's 2021 Trophy Contest. Congratulations to Ishan Ghosh who won last year's trophy with a return of 124% on his portfolio

3. The Drama Club is working on options for virtual performances this year. More news is coming soon.

4. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes moved its meeting times to Sundays from 4 to 5 pm.

5. Math Counts begins in school coaching in October, so more details are coming soon.

By measuring student perceptions, the Panorama Student Survey gathers feedback from students about their classroom experience. Decades of research have shown that student perceptions strongly correlate with learning outcomes and can be an important improvement tool for school systems. This survey will be given to all students sometime between 9/28 and 10/9.

RLA Parents - Please take a minute to look at this resource to help support your student(s) in completion of this survey. Look for Information from your RLA team leaders regarding Panorama.

You should have received an email blast from HR Imaging about school pictures. This may have gone into your junk mail if you have not seen it. This week students received an order form in their ELA classes. However, if this envelope doesn't make it into your hands, you can go online and complete your order from the HR Imaging Website. Parents will also be able to order pictures after picture day through the website.

AM: students A - K will be photographed

PM: students L - Z will be photographed

4:00 - 6:00: RLA students will be invited into the building to be photographed. Please come anytime within this timeframe that works for your schedule.

* There will be a makeup day later in the year for those who cannot make the September 24th date.

We are also in need of volunteers to help organize and pass out the mums to Grizzell families. Please click the link below if you would like to volunteer. You do not have to sign up to just pick up your mums. This is if you want to volunteer.

Click here to volunteer for mum pick up day

Thank you again for your continued support of Grizzell Middle School!

• Absence notifications are prefered in writing to gmsattendance@dublinschools.net
• Attendance hotline phone number is 614-718-8600
• Parents should notify attendance and it would be great if students could email their teachers to get any assignments.

While trying to limit the number of visitors in the building, the parent "sign out" of student procedures has changed. If you need to pick up your student during the school day, please follow these guidelines.

1) If possible, send a note with your student. The office staff will then write them a pass to get out of class and your student will be waiting in the main office when you arrive.

2) If you can't or didn't write a note, come to the main door and let the secretaries know who you are here to pick up. They will then notify the classroom teacher to send the student down to the office. The student will then exit the building through the main office doors.

We appreciate your help in this process throughout the year.

Please use this LINK to access the ARES online store for Celtic gear for yourself and your student. The online store will be open for the next 8 days.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library is offering many resources to students and parents at https://www.columbuslibrary.org/school-help.

Resources include:

• Library staff availability to answer homework questions and help with reading practice via text, chat and phone, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Video tutorials with step-by-step instructions on how to use key homework tools

• HelpNow, a resource that offers 24-hour access to study tools and test preparation, plus online tutors available every day from 2 p.m.-11 p.m.

• Links to school district online classrooms and other library resources.

Here is the LINK to the website that parents can use to access information for their student's bus information. Please be sure to recheck this information again over the weekend in case any changes have been made.

* There will be no bus passes at this time. Your student will need to ride their assigned bus and will not be able to go home with another student.

Parents dropping off and/or picking up their students should use the teacher parking lot on east side of the building. Please do not arrive prior to 7:45 for the am group and 12:15 for the pm group. Dependent upon the day, students should go to either their 1st or 5th period class. Please take a moment to watch this quick video of the procedure by clicking on the picture.

All students enrolled in Dublin City Schools are able to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch on each school day. This includes all students, whether learning at school or at home. This opportunity is temporary, as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended waivers which allows Dublin City Schools to offer meals at no charge to families. It is not known how long these temporary waivers will be available, but we will communicate in advance when free meals for all students will be discontinued.

Breakfasts and lunches can also be picked up at six locations around the District. A schedule for the District’s grab n go breakfast and lunch schedule is posted here.

*PLEASE NOTE: Students may pick up breakfasts and lunches for the weekend on Fridays, beginning Sept. 18.

Our food service is asking that both Remote Learning Academy (all grade levels) students reserve their meals using this form RLA form (All grade levels)

* Due to concerns related to student food allergies, students will not be allowed to bring food from home to eat in the classroom.

Thirty-five (35) Dublin City Schools students have been named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Details are available at this link.

Free flu shots will be available to students this school year. You can view the schedule and required forms at this link.

You can find the latest local COVID-19 data and other resources at this link.

Here are the Grizzell Team Google Sites from each grade level. I recommend that you bookmark these sites for quick access throughout the year. Teachers will be updating these sites, so look for information from each teacher on the week ahead. These sites can also be found on the Grizzell Website under Parent Resources.

6th Grade Hybrid Google Site ---- 6th Grade RLA Google Site ---- Main Office/Guidance

7th Grade Hybrid Google Site ---- 7th Grade RLA Google Site

8th Grade Hybrid Google Site ---- 8th Grade RLA Google Site ----Specialized Learning Center

Ally Casale (Students with last names beginning with A-G) 614-718-8623

Jackie Zody (Students with last names beginning with H-O) 614-718-8620
Lisa Sperry (Students with last names beginning with P-Z). 614-718-8622

Katie Pack (Guidance Secretary) 614-718-8613

Mr. Andy Wilkinson - Principal

Ms. Shana Murray - Assistant Principal

Email: Grizzell_info@dublinschools.net
Website: https://www.dublinschools.net/Domain/12
Location: 8705 Avery Rd, Dublin, OH 43017
Phone: (614) 798-3569
Twitter: @gmsDCSD