GTA6 Update~July 30, 2027

Students met other sixth graders from around the district and had a BLAST participating in an Amazing Race through the building, practicing moving on a bell schedule, and adventuring on a scavenger hunt! And the PARENT MEETING was a packed house and [hopefully] informative. 🙂

If you missed the meeting or would like to access the information again, you will find a PDF of the presentation below. It includes information about school procedures, drop off and pick up, the bell schedule, student laptops, GTA policies, and more.

Managing Daily Movement

• In middle school, students must be mentally prepared to move ON THEIR OWN from class to class. There are 5 minutes between classes in which students must take care of personal business (restroom) and get to their next class. All while WALKING, not running. And there are 7 or more such transitions EACH day. During the first weeks of school, staff will be in the halls to help and support our 6th graders as they learn ins and outs and ups and downs of the building. Eventually, however, students will be marked tardy if they arrive late to class.

• In middle school, students NO LONGER have a daily folder. It is up to THEM to keep track of their assignments, homework, projects, etc. It is important to help your child develop a system (such as a physical planner) to manage his/her schoolwork. Student laptops, which will be issued early in the school year, have a planner that is easily accessible and easy to use. See video linked below. It is also important that you help your child have a system for organizing and keeping track of physical papers and assignments. Too many students simply shove everything in their backpack. Consider a Trapper Keeper binder, accordion folder, different folders for each subject area, etc. Don't assume your child will naturally be organized--help ensure that he/she is!

• Student laptops will be issued to every student. GTA6 students will be using their computers EVERY day for lessons and learning. GTA6 teachers use Schoology to house resources, rubrics, assignments, and class materials. The laptops are a POWERFUL learning tool. HOWEVER, students must MANAGE their use of their computers. NOW is the time to talk to your child about responsibly using his/her computer. Far too many children use their computers to play video games (or for other distractions) whenever they can and whenever they think no one is watching what they're doing! This will NEGATIVELY AFFECT their school performance. Help your child's teacher by speaking to your child today. NO PLAYING GAMES! Let them know your expectations now. GTA6 teachers will do the same.

Learn About the EquippedED 1:1Student Laptop Initiative at the Link Below.

Purchasing the Affordable Laptop Insurance in Highly Encouraged.

Mr. Bernhart is currently setting up an order of GTA6 t-shirts featuring this wonderful design. As top vote-getter, SREEMIDHINESH will receive a free t-shirt in addition to the one included with the annual dues!

NOTE: You will select the t-shirt size for your child when you pay the annual dues. Shirts will be available ONLY in adult sizes: S, M, L, XL or XXL/XXXL. Choose BIG with room to grow! When you pay dues on RevTrak (see info below), there will also be an option for Parent/Supporter T-shirts if adults in the family want a shirt too.

Note: Be careful if you go to the QVMS RevTrak page on your own. YOU MUST CHOOSE THE "GT Academy" button in the middle of the page and THEN select Grade 6. If you just click the Grade 6 button on the top row, you will mistakenly be paying the wrong dues! THE SAFEST WAY TO PAY IS USING THE LINK ON THE BUTTON BELOW.

Payment is due on or before Friday, September 11, 2026.

Scholarships are available if needed.

You will find an option to make a DONATION when you are in RevTrak.

These DONATIONS help support students and families who need assistance paying the dues.

We are forever thankful for those donations!

Do everything you can to be sure your child is present to attend these off-campus learning experiences.

• Wednesday, September 9: Cultural Anthropology Trip 1 - BAPS Shri Mandir + Chung Mei Temple
• Tuesday, September 22: Islamic Da'wah Center
• Tuesday, October 6: Chapel of St. Basil + Beth Israel Congregation
• Wednesday + Thursday, January 27 + 28: Houston Food Bank, UH Public Arts Tour, and Artist-led "Perspectives" Painting Class
• Tuesday + Wednesday, February 23 + 24: Casa Vaqueros Lunch - La Comida/El Restaurante (1/2 of GTA6 each day)
• Monday, April 26 through Thursday, April 29 : Artist Boat Galveston (1/4 of GTA6 each day)

In addition to our amazing GTA6 teaching team, parent chaperones are needed for every one of the field experiences listed above and with 200 incoming GTA6 students that means approximately 20 parents on every trip. WE NEED YOU! 😃 Please complete the FBISD volunteer background check linked below and, remember, this has to be done EVERY SCHOOL YEAR, so if you did it last year, you have to do it again this year. THANK YOU!

Sign Ups to Chaperone Upcoming Field Experiences Will Be Shared in Future Newsletters.

Complete the Volunteer Background Check NOW so You Can Volunteer THEN.

THANKS A MILLION!

At the links below, you can learn about the GTABC (GTA Booster Club) and the QVMS PTO, and you will find links to join. On behalf of the GTA and QVMS, we thank you!

Each year, the GTA brings our seventh graders to the Bryan Museum in Galveston. That's how we learned about this incredible opportunity open to ANY student who would like to participate. Need something positive for your child to do in the final days of summer? Or during first semester? THIS COULD BE IT!

Learn Details at the Link Below! Good Luck!

Joseph Bernhart

Academy Coordinator

Gifted & Talented Academy

Quail Valley Middle School

joseph.bernhart@fortbenidsd.gov

(281) 634-6687