Summerour Blue Devil Blast

• October 18 - 8th Grade Band Night @ Norcross HS Football
  
• October 19 - JLC Raider Competition @ Sweetwater MS
• October 21 - Semester 1 Interim Exams
• October 22 - PSAT Digital Check (8th Grade)
• October 23-24 - Early Release (1:20pm)
• October 23 - Parent Teacher Conferences
  
• October 29 - PSAT (8th grade only)
  
• October 30 - PTA Fall Dance
• November 2 - JLC Raider Competition @ Grace Snell MS
• November 3 - Daylight Savings Time Ends
• November 5 - Digital Learning Day #2
• November 5 - Election Day
• November 7 - Paul Duke Rising 9th Grade Night
• November 14 - Math Night
• November 14 - Local School Council Meeting
• November 21 - Science Night & Parent Involvement Day
• November 21 - GCPS Board Meeting
• November 25-29 - Thanksgiving Break

GCPS FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO JOIN US

OCTOBER 22, 2024

5:30 - 6:30 PM

During this session, GPS families will learn how you can engage with GCPS as a mentor with the Community-Based Mentoring Program that pairs caring adults with students in grades 4 through 12 to provide guidance, encouragement, and support to help our students become successful young adults. Families will also learn about The Office of Community Schools and the process for community

organizations to partner in providing wraparound extension educational and recreational programs and services for our students to be successful.

SCAN CODE TO REGISTER

Interpretation provided in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese

Another week of Intramurals. Here are a few photos:

OUR incredible parents had a hands-on experience with science last night! They engaged in activities such as exploring sediments and rock formations, dissecting a frog, examining various species in jars, viewing cross-sections of animals and plants, and even building simple circuits. Additionally, they learned how to navigate Parent View and Parent Square. It was truly an enjoyable evening!

Thank you to Mrs. Gray, Dr. Looney, Mr. Bradshaw, Mrs. Carlson, Mr. Stanfield, Mrs. Awasthi, Mrs. George, Ms. Foster, and Ms. Fey. Your support and dedication made it possible to create such a memorable event for our parents.

Mark your calendars for our first-ever Science Night on Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. This promises to be an unforgettable evening of learning and discovery, and we encourage everyone to join us as we welcome our wonderful parents and students to Summerour Middle School.

Bus Driver Appreciation Day was this week, and Summerour thanked OUR drivers with breakfast and a small gift. If you and your child did not know about it, it's not too late to write a note of thanks, or even just offer your verbal appreciation to your child's bus driver!

Is your student ready for college? We are excited to announce that Tuesday, October 29, all GCPS

students in 8th grade will take the PSAT 8/9 at no cost.

The PSAT 8/9 is a test that helps determine what students need to work on most so that they are

ready for college when they graduate from high school.

The PSAT 8/9 is part of the College Board family of assessments that includes the SAT college-

admission assessment and the PSAT/NMSQT, a preview of the SAT. The PSAT 8/9 tests the same

skills and knowledge as the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT, but in a way that makes sense for 8th graders.

The test focuses on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education- what students have been

learning in school and what they'll need to succeed in college.

The PSAT 8/9 isn't about how well students memorize facts and definitions, so there is no need for

flashcards or all-night cramming. It's about the everyday...

• The Reading section asks students questions like ones they might experience in a lively, thoughtful, evidence-based discussion. It's about how students take in, think about, and use information.
• In the Writing and Language section, the test-taker will be an editor, improving passages written especially for the test. Students will use the same skills they use to proofread their own schoolwork.
• The Mathematics section covers a range of math practices, with an emphasis on problem solving, modeling, using tools strategically, and using algebraic structure... the type of math that students will rely on most in all sorts of real-world situations.

The PSAT 8/9 establishes a baseline measurement of college and career readiness as students

enter high school. It also gives students a chance to preview the SAT and the PSAT/NMSOT.

Questions about this test? Reach out to Stacy James, GCPS' PSAT Testing Coordinator

More information about this and other tests is available on GCPS' Testing page.

"Life's a Movie: Film Bully & Drug Free"

October 28 - November 1

Monday: Wear Red

Tuesday: Pajama Day

Wednesday: Sport & Jersey Day

Thursday: Costume Day

Friday: Wear Black and/or Red

Ms. Belinda Terry

6th Grade Assistant Principal

Belinda.Terry@gcpsk12.org

Ms. Tannia Wood

6th Grade Counselor

Tannia.Wood@gcpsk12.org

770.417.2491

https://jointotem.com/ga/norcross/summerour-ms-pta

Mr. Al Sadler

7th Grade Assistant Principal

Al.Sadler@gcpsk12.org

Ms. Angelica Rosas

7th Grade Counselor

Angelica.Rosas@gcpsk12.org

770.417.2480

The Career Day Committee is in the process of planning our Career Day Event!

We are seeking speakers to talk to OUR 7th graders about various careers on Friday, November 22 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:40 p.m.

• Speakers do not have to be available for the entire time frame to participate in this event
• We are a middle school and they will be addressing 7th graders

Do you know of someone who is a suitable speaker and is willing to take the time to talk to our students? Encourage them to contact Mrs. Sims, Mrs. Blackwell, Ms. Morgan, or Mrs. Rosas.

https://jointotem.com/ga/norcross/summerour-ms-pta

Ms. Christy Gray

8th Grade Assistant Principal

Christian.Gray@gcpsk12.org

Ms. Robin Blackwell

8th Grade Counselor

Robin.Blackwell@gcpsk12.org

770.417.2487

https://jointotem.com/ga/norcross/summerour-ms-pta

Dr. Toni Weir

Gear Up Assistant Principal

Toni.Weir@gcpsk12.org

Ms. Allegra Morgan

Gear Up Counselor

Allegra.Morgan@gcpsk12.org

770.797.2960

https://jointotem.com/ga/norcross/summerour-ms-pta

November 13: Away - Osborne MS (@ Mill Creek HS)

November 21: Away - Duluth MS (@ Duluth HS)

December 5: Home - Coleman MS (Elementary Night)

December 7: Home - Dacula MS

December 12: Home - Lanier MS

December 16: Away - Northbrook MS (@ Peachtree Ridge HS)

December 19: Away - Pinckneyville MS (@ Norcross HS)

January 9: Home - Creekland MS

January 11: Home - Radloff MS

January 16: Home - Jones MS (Teacher Appreciation)

January 22: Away - Twin Rivers MS (@ Mountain View HS)

January 23: Home - North Gwinnett MS (8th Grade Night)

January 25: Away - Hull MS (@ Peachtree Ridge HS)

January 30: Away - Lilburn MS (@ Meadowcreek HS)

Tryouts October 15 - 17:

See OUR website for documents needed to participate.

OUR Honors Chorus in Athens!

Summerour Middle School PTA is selling Krispy Kreme Doughnuts to raise money. $15 per dozen. Order at:

https://grouprai.se/krispykreme49755sa

(or use the QR code)

Sale Runs Now through November 20

When you order, you will receive a virtual card, with which you can pick up your dozen at Krispy Kreme.

Title I documents regarding Summerour Family Engagement have been uploaded on the school website. We greatly appreciate families who have already signed these documents on Parent Square.

If you have not downloaded the app yet, please do so to access documents and acknowledge the receipt of "The Plan... The Promise" by signing electronically. Once you download the app, click on the tab "More," then click "Forms/Permission," open the "Complete Back to School Forms'' tab, scroll down to select each document, click on "Review and Sign," then sign your full name electronically, and submit.

Another option could be to access "The Plan... The Promise" on the school website, print copies, and return a signed cover page to the Parent Center before October 18. The Parent Instructional Coordinator is available for parents who might need additional help downloading the app and signing documents.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Click this link to let Rosanna Carlson know that you'd like to volunteer to help out at Summerour. You can choose specific days and times to come in weekly OR go through the list of events and groups that could use you. Check it out! Come and be a part of your child's school.

IB learners are Balanced. They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

IB students are active participants in a wide range of aspects of campus life, as well as focusing on their academic development.

You can receive ParentSquare message notifications 3 ways: email, text, or in the phone app. The GCPS website has a page that explains how to setup or change your notifications. We encourage you to go in to your ParentSquare account and make sure that you are getting the notifications in a way that makes the most sense for you!

Click the link and make sure you are getting notified.