January News for GMS Families

The second semester began January 4th and our staff is offering multiple support options for students to make sure they are doing their very best academically and have opportunities for extra help and support:

• Our new after school program for academic assistance in Math and English is now offered every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:05-4:30 for registered students with bus transportation available following their tutoring session. This support is our "Tutoring for ME program."
• Our daily after school program, Gettys U, continues to be offered daily from 3:05 to 5:00 pm for students that can attend daily. GettysU also has bus transportation.
• Academic teachers are meeting with students every Wednesday during the student's exploratory classes as part of our Skills Recovery Program for additional support if needed.
• Administrators volunteer every other Saturday to meet with students from 8:00-11:00 am and coordinate work between teachers and students. This Saturday School option has been helpful for many students.

Students are reminded to complete work and upload to teachers for each class on SDPC remote days like our recent Digital E-Learning Days. Please be sure your child turns in this work within five days for credit in the class and for their attendance in each period on every remote day. February 7 is the Third Quarter Interim Grades Report Date. Encourage your child to do their very best in our Second Semester and let us know if they need extra support!

We received 258 individual student nominations, and 61 different teachers were nominated including sixteen 6th grade teachers, nine 7th Grade teachers, thirteen 8th Grade teachers, sixteen Exploratory teachers, five Support Services staff or teachers, and two Special Education teachers. These 258 student nominations recognized our teachers for their outstanding work. The Teacher of the Month Program is coordinated by Mrs. Roach.

Our December Teacher of the Month was Ms. Huff, 6th grade Science teacher. Many students talked about the fun experiments and labs that they do in Ms. Huff’s class. Robert Thompson said that Ms. Huff is never not nice, and Zachary Kajdi said that she is the best teacher he has ever had! Congratulations, Ms. Huff on being recognized by our students as our December Teacher of the Month!

Our basketball teams have a few games left in our season. Come on out and cheer on our student athletes!

Boys Basketball

Date Home Away Start Time Location

1/24/22 McCants Gettys 5:30 McCants

1/27/22 Gettys Pickens 5:30 Gettys *8th Grade Honor

1/31/11 Pickens Gettys 5:30 Pickens

2/3/22 R. Anderson Gettys 5:30 R. Anderson

Girls Basketball

Date Home Away Start Time Location

1/24/22 Gettys McCants 5:30 Gettys *8th Grade Honor

1/27/22 Pickens Gettys 5:30 Pickens

2/3/22 Gettys R. Anderson 5:30 Gettys

Students showing the monthly character trait of integrity were recognized in December for their outstanding character. Math and Science teachers were able to recognize 36 sixth graders, 28 seventh graders and 27 eighth graders. Our collaborative efforts with Mrs. Pat Snider, our PTO and staff has recognized over the past four-months: 200 sixth graders, 175 seventh graders and 160 eighth graders giving us a total of 535 students. December's Students of the Month received their display item, a Dodge's certificate, and a candy cane treat from our PTO before leaving for the winter break. Student names were displayed in the cafeteria, grade level hallways and in on our school's tv displays. List of award-winning students December Character Students of the Month!

PCVA Winter MAP scheduling will now be rescheduled for the following dates:

Jan 28, Friday from 8:45-10:45 Reading

Jan 31, Monday from 8:45-10:45 Math

Location GMS Library

Students should arrive and depart via GMS car line not main office. Arrive at 8:30 am and Pickup depart 10:45 am. Device should be fully charged and you should bring your charger for backup. Report to our library. Students are encouraged to wear masks and are required to stay more than 3 ft from others during all processes. For Math day, students should bring their own pencil and scratch paper if needed. Testing will begin at 8:45 am so all families should have their student dropped off in our car line at 8:30 am.

Our 6th grade English teacher, Mr. Brown, was recognized as being the state recipient of the Scholarship for Diversity in Librarianship Award. This scholarship was presented at the South Carolina Library Association (SCLA) Annual Conference. Mr. Brown is a strong supporter of literacy and this will allow him to continue his studies in librarianship. Congratulations, Mr. Brown!

Gettys Middle congratulates another outstanding teacher, Dr. Melanie Callahan that received WYFF’s Golden Apple Teaching Award. Students and parents alike have always commented on Dr. Callahan’s caring approach to her students and families. Even one of her former students, Ada Bates, commented that her former teacher’s incorporation of a pop song helped her remember some historical events that was needed on one of her AP Exams. Dr. Callahan volunteers her time after school with her leadership in our school’s History Club that has provided engaging Social Studies topics beyond the school day like our recent Veteran’s Day and a discussion on the events of 9/11. Dr. Callahan is “Making Gettys Great” so please join me in showing our appreciation and thanks to another outstanding Gettys Middle School teacher!

• 1/24/2022 Girls Basketball (H) vs McCants with 8th grade Recognition
• 1/24/2022 Boys Basketball (A) at McCants
• 1/25/2022 Digital Learning Day #1 Jan 18 assignments due for "A" day classes
• 1/25/2022 STEM Club meets with Dr. Yemothy 3:30-4:30 pm
• 1/25/2022 Miss GMS Pageant Parent Meeting for interested students 7 pm GMS auditorium
• 1/26/2022 Digital Learning Day #2 Jan 19 assignments due for "B" day classes
• 1/27/2022 Boys Basketball (H) vs Pickens with 8th grade Recognition & Rising 6th grade
• 1/27/2022 Girls Basketball (A) at Pickens
• 1/28/2022 Digital Learning Day #3 Jan 21 assignments due for "B" day classes
• 1/31/2022 Boys Basketball (A) at Pickens
• 2/3/2022 Girls Basketball (H) vs Robert Anderson
• 2/3/2022 Boys Basketball (A) vs Robert Anderson
• 2/4/2022 No school for students holiday SDPC calendar
• 2/7/2022 Third Quarter Interim Reports
• 2/16/2022 NAEP Testing for Selected 8th Graders
• 2/16/2022 History Club Meets 3:30-4:30 pm
• 2/17/2022 Game Club Meets 3:30-4:30 pm
• 2/18/2022 No school for students holiday SDPC calendar
• 2/21/2022 No school for students holiday SDPC calendar

Community rates of COVID-19 have been increasing following the winter holidays and we need everyone's help in reducing the spread. On our high volume days we have estimated 20-25% of students absent (about 10-15% due to having to quarantine for household/close contacts or being positive cases themselves). Our staff is also covering for an increasing number of staff that have to be quarantined which has been approximately 15% of staff during this high volume time. If your child is experiencing any covid symptoms please make sure to keep them isolated and contact our school for additional information. Remind your child to practice good hygiene of washing hands, using hand sanitizer, remain 3 ft from others and other protective measures.

Free Local testing:

Parking Lot of J.B. Red Owens Complex: Free COVID-19 testing is being administered by DHEC in the parking lot of the J.B. Red Owens Complex each weekday from 9am-4pm until further notice. Address is 111 Walkers Way in Easley. Testing is free and no insurance is required. No appointment necessary, but preregistering will make your testing process speedier. You can preregister.

Sessions will feature ways to listen actively, prevent behavior problems, improve parent-child relationships, strengthen family cohesion, resolve conflict, manage stress, develop positive interactions and have fun as a family unit. Session information is available HERE.

Start Date: January 31, 2022

End Date: March 16, 2022

Monday & Wednesday Evenings Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm (while Virtual)

For additional information please contact Mrs. Anastasia Kilburn, Greenville & Pickens County Program Coordinator at (864) 270-4257

Our school website: gms.pickens.k12.sc.us/

Facebook: facebook.com/gettysmiddleschool/

Twitter: twitter.com/Gettys_Middle

Website: http://gms.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 510 South Pendleton Street, Easley, SC, United States
Phone: 864-397-3900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gettysmiddleschool
Twitter: @Gettys_Middle