community newsletter

Grizzlies, we have finally reached Spring Break! It feels like just yesterday I was introducing myself to our Piney Grove community and we were preparing for the start of the school year. We have had a wonderful third quarter, highlighted by the HUGE success of our G3 Grizzlies Great Day of Giving. Once again, our students showed the power of service and generosity, and I could not be more proud of how they gave back to our community.

When we return from Spring Break, we will quickly move into the heart of Milestones testing and final exam preparation. Please be sure to review the information below regarding testing dates, procedures, and attendance expectations so we can support our students in doing their very best.

Please also note that our campus will be under construction during Spring Break. The school will close at 5:00 PM on Friday, April 3, and no one will be permitted on campus or inside the building during the break except authorized personnel. Thank you for your understanding and continued partnership. We look forward to welcoming our Grizzlies back refreshed and ready to finish the year strong!

With #pineypride,

Lori

April 6-10 - SPRING BREAK

APril 27-May 1 - MILESTONE TESTING

Finals will be May 18-20

Quick reminder for our families: students must be picked up in the car rider line by 4:35 PM. We do not have staff on contract to supervise students after this time. Please plan accordingly to ensure timely pickup. Thank you for your support in helping us keep all students safe.

You may recall from our common midterms earlier this year that Forsyth County Schools is in the process of aligning assessment and grading practices across all middle schools. This work is part of our Strategic Plan and is designed to create a more consistent and balanced experience for all students.

As part of this effort, the district has developed common final exams for middle school students in English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Spanish I. These assessments help:

• Support student learning by identifying what students have mastered and where additional support may be needed

• Strengthen instruction by providing teachers with meaningful data to adjust and plan lessons for the future

Final exams will begin the week of May 18. Schools will share specific exam schedules and details directly with families. We strongly encourage families to prioritize student attendance during the exam window, as these assessments are an important part of each student's learning experience and course grade.

• Final exam grades will be available in Parent Portal the week of May 25

• Report cards will be posted on Wednesday, May 27

In the event of an unforeseen absence, the following makeup opportunities will be available. Schools will provide specific times and locations for makeup testing:

• May 20 (afternoon), May 21, and May 22

• July 20 and July 21

After July 21, final exam makeup opportunities will no longer be available. Any exam marked as missing will remain a zero.

Georgia Milestone Testing will begin on Monday, April 27th. Please see the schedule below.

Students WILL be using the following off of our supply list:

• Earbuds

• Calculator

Please make sure to speak with your child to make sure they have these items.

More information will be communicated throughout the month of March and beginning of April.

We are excited to celebrate your 8th grader and their time at Piney Grove Middle School! The month of May is filled with meaningful and fun experiences as we honor our students and the journey they’ve had with us. We kick things off with the 8th Grade Dance on May 1. On May 15, students will enjoy Field Day, followed by our special Grove Goodbye celebration that evening on the football field. Families are invited to join us from 5:30–7:00 PM as we celebrate together with students and teachers.

To help make these signature experiences memorable for every student, we are asking each family to pay the $25 8th Grade Dues. These funds directly support the activities and celebrations planned throughout the month. If you are unsure whether your dues have already been paid, please reach out to your child’s Thrive teacher. The link to pay is included below. Thank you for partnering with us as we celebrate your student and send them off in true Grizzly style!

Get ready to show your professional style!

All Quarter 4 CTAE students are invited to participate in Dress for Success Day on Wednesday, April 22nd. This is your chance to dress in professional or business attire and represent your future career goals with confidence.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please connect with your teacher during class or through Canvas.

We can’t wait to see everyone looking sharp and successful!

We are excited to begin building something special at Piney Grove, and we would love for your student to be a part of it. Our football program is about more than just the game! This will be a truly special season as we develop the athletes physically and mentally.

Spring workouts will begin on the 13th at 7:00 AM in the gym, and spring practice will officially start on the 27th at 7:00 AM. These sessions are a great opportunity for students to grow, stay active, and be part of a positive, structured environment. There will be 2 equipment fittings during the week before spring practice starts. These will be April 23rd and April 24th during thrive as well as after school those days.

We believe in creating a program that parents can be proud of and players can grow in. We hope you will encourage your student to take advantage of this opportunity and be part of something bigger than themselves.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Coach Hill @f43542@forsyth.k12.ga.us. You can also fill out the form below for more information. We look forward to a great season! Football Form 26-27

Parents, we need YOU!

Please consider signing up for Duty Free Lunch! Our teachers very much appreciate having a few minutes to connect during their lunch and your partnership is important to us!

We can’t do any of this without YOU! We have a few open positions on our PTSO board including Co-President, Vice President, VP of Fundraising, and VP of Programs. We also welcome parents who want to get involved in any capacity, big or small. If you have any questions, please email us at pineygroveptso@gmail.com.

To join the PTSO, click HERE.

Want to celebrate one of our AMAZING Piney Grove Staff Members? Please use THIS FORM to shout out our staff and celebrate the incredible ways they support our students!

Frolific is a research-driven leadership academy for teens.

Piney Grove families can enroll risk-free, receiving a full refund after the first class if the program is not the right fit.

We are excited to launch Partner Connect, a special opportunity for parents, families, and community members to get involved and support our students. Whether it’s volunteering at events, sharing your expertise, or lending a helping hand, your partnership makes a difference in the success of Piney Grove Middle School.