GMS Family Newsletter

Dear Greene Devil Family,

Our students will continue participating in the CASE assessments this week. We encourage all students to continue putting forth their best effort as these assessments provide valuable insight into their learning and growth. We are proud of the focus and perseverance our students have shown so far and appreciate the support from families in helping ensure students are rested, prepared, and ready to do their best each day.

This week we are also highlighting the Portrait of a Graduate pillar of being a personally responsible citizen. At GMS, this means demonstrating accountability, making thoughtful choices, and contributing positively to our school community. Students show this through their effort in the classroom, their respect for others, and their commitment to doing the right thing each day. As Spring Break approaches, we encourage our students to continue working hard and finishing strong before enjoying the opportunity to rest and recharge!

Learning, Leading, Lifting... #RISEasONE,

Dr. Rachel Adams, Principal
Mr. Bryan Everhart, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Nancy Philbeck, Assistant Principal

Monday, 3/9

• CASE ELA Writing

• Devil Med interest meeting during lunch in the GMS library

• CASE ELA

Wednesday, 3/11

• CASE Social Studies

Thursday, 3/12

• CASE Make Ups
• Greene Team Meeting
• GMS Career Field Trip

Friday, 3/13

• GSIA Fun Day!
• GMS Spring Sports Pep Rally

March 16th - March 20th: Spring Break - No School

We encourage students to restart their school devices each day to help keep them running smoothly. Restarting clears the system and allows the computer to start fresh, which can help prevent common issues such as slow performance, glitches, or updates not completing properly.

While it may seem similar, simply clicking “Shut Down” or holding the power button does not have the same effect as restarting. Using the restart option ensures updates install correctly, memory is cleared, and the system resets properly. Holding the power button should only be used if a device is completely frozen, as it forces the computer to power off without properly closing programs or saving system processes. Restarting the device is the best way to keep it functioning at its best for learning each day.

Our lost and found area is beginning to overflow with items. We encourage families to remind their students to check the lost and found this week if they are missing any jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, or other personal items. Any items that remain unclaimed after this week will be donated locally.

Problem solving, predicting, and experimenting met social studies as GMS 7th grade students explored the Scientific Revolution. Through engaging activities and discussions, students were able to think critically about how new ideas and discoveries changed the way people understood the world. Learning becomes even more meaningful when students are actively involved, and it was exciting to see our 7th graders curious, engaged, and eager to explore this important period in history.

Members of the GMS Greene Team attended Book Fair Family Night to share how they are helping conserve energy at GMS. Thank you to our Greene Team students for leading the way in promoting conservation and environmental responsibility within our school and community.

Our GMS students had a wonderful time supporting Read Across America events at our local elementary schools! They enjoyed reading books with younger students, coloring together, and helping make the evening extra special. It was great to see the connections they built and the positive example they set for our younger learners.

Our NJHS students recently raised over $100 to donate to the Isaiah 117 House as part of their Spread the Love event. We are proud of their generosity and willingness to support such an important cause in our community!

During Read Across America activities, our students did a wonderful job reading books with younger students and coloring alongside them. It was great to see them connecting with the children and helping make the evening special. Moments like these truly reflect the lifting pillar as our students give their time and care to others!

During our Week of Kindness, GMS students participated in the “Make It Stick – Kindness” Challenge by sharing one kind thing they could do for someone this week. Each sticky note added to our growing Heart of Kindness outside the counseling office, reminding us that small acts of kindness can create a big impact. We loved seeing our students reflect on ways they can lift others up and show what it means to care for our school community!

Eighth Grade Parents and Students:
If your student is interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, he or she is encouraged to apply for the Devil Med program at Greeneville High School. Please note that enrollment in Devil Med is limited and based on an application process. Students accepted into the Devil Med program may have the opportunity to enroll in medical courses at GHS, attend camps and other related activities, graduate with LPN certification, and work at a Ballad Health facility while still in high school. In addition, students may be offered special opportunities to observe and volunteer at the local hospital and participate in the program as part of a cohort. The Devil Med program is funded through a grant from the Bloomberg Foundation.

A lunch meeting for interested students will be held on March 9th at Greeneville Middle School in the library.

GHS and Ballad Health Staff members will be available with information and to answer questions about the program and application process during lunch this Monday!

Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about Devil Med!

Mrs. Kerr, Being Proactive, She has been really helpful and extremely nice, and when you need something she will be there when you need her

Mrs. Burge, Putting First Things First, She doesn't put herself in front of students. She puts students first and supports other teachers. She is extremely kind

Mrs. Kerr, Putting First Things First, Because she does not give up on helping others and never stops supporting others in reaching their dreams no matter the day

Abbey Townsend, Synergizing, I would like to praise Mrs. Townsend for her amazing ability to synergize our students. She takes many different voices and helps them work together to create something meaningful. She makes every student feel like an important part of the team. Thank you Mrs. Townsend.

RISE gives students additional time with teachers in a positive, encouraging environment that blends academic support with creativity, movement, and real world learning. Students may participate in Morning RISE, Afternoon RISE, or both programs, depending on their needs and schedule. Each option is designed to help students grow in confidence, build skills, and experience success. Best of all, the program is completely free for families.

Morning RISE begins at 6:45 am and supports students in building daily habits that lead to academic success. Students receive help with homework, missing assignments, organization, and checking PowerSchool so they can begin the school day focused and prepared.

Students may eat breakfast while working alongside teachers, making Morning RISE a calm, productive way to start the day. Students arriving between 6:45 and 7:00 am should be dropped off at the front of the building. Students arriving after 7:00 am should use the normal car line at the back of the building. To ensure students have time to get settled and begin working, they should plan to arrive before 7:10 am.

Afternoon RISE runs Monday through Thursday until 4:30 pm and offers much more than traditional tutoring. Students receive targeted support in ELA and Math, while also participating in hands on, creative lessons that make learning meaningful and fun.

This week, students measured ingredients to make playdough while learning about fractions and equivalent measures, worked together to solve a STEM engineering challenge using spaghetti and a marshmallow, and practiced personalized ELA and Math skills based on their individual needs. Students also exercised and stayed active through structured PE time, giving them opportunities to move, reset, and build healthy habits alongside their academic learning. These activities help students strengthen academic skills while also building teamwork, problem solving, and critical thinking in a relaxed and supportive setting.

Afternoon RISE is a place where students feel encouraged, supported, and proud of their learning. Students stay active, engaged, and connected while building skills that transfer directly back into the classroom. The program runs Monday through Thursday until 4:30 pm, includes a daily snack, and provides bus transportation for students living in the GCS zone.

Camp NPAC Kids is a summer theatrical day camp for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Throughout the week, participants will sing, act, dance, design costumes, and help create set and prop pieces for a full week of fun!

GMS Families,

We want to keep our dismissal process safe and efficient for everyone. Local law enforcement has asked us to remind families that blocking the roadway during afternoon pickup is not permitted.

Officers have issued and will continue to issue tickets to motorists who stop in the road, especially before carline begins moving.

To help us keep dismissal running smoothly, please keep these reminders in mind:

• CarRider Pro will not start reading until 2:00 PM, and parents/guardians cannot begin lining up until 2:00 PM.

• Dismissal begins at 2:40 PM. Arriving too early causes traffic backups.

• Always have your car tag visible.

• Follow staff directions at all times during dismissal.

• Pull all the way forward when directed.

• If your student is delayed, please use the designated waiting area so traffic can continue to flow.

• Carline remains open until 3:10 PM, and there is often little to no wait toward the end of carline.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in making dismissal safe and efficient for everyone.

For the safety of all students and to ensure a smooth dismissal, student checkouts are not permitted between 2:00–3:00 p.m. During this time, students are engaged in their final classes of the day, and our office staff is focused on preparing for afternoon dismissal. Please plan all afterschool appointments at a time that allows for checkout before 2:00 or after 3:00. If you do not have a car rider tag, please park and come into the office after 3pm to sign-out your student. Thank you for you help as this helps us maintain a safe and efficient process so that all students get home safely.

Bus Transportation- Want to know exactly when the bus will pick-up or drop-off your child? It's easy using the My Ride k-12 App! Additional information on the My Ride k-12 app can be found here: https://www4.gcschools.net/page/transportation . If your student will be riding the bus please verify transportation questions with our transportation department (423-525-4793).

Please note, unexcused morning tardies count toward GCS truancy and GMS discipline and are cumulative for the entire school year. As outlined in the student handbook each combination of 3 unexcused morning tardies = 1 infraction on the progressive discipline policy (beginning at level 1). In addition, any combination of 5 unexcused morning tardies/early check-outs will result in one-full day unexcused absence toward truancy.

Please remember to notify the school anytime your student is absent. Parents may submit a parent note to excuse up to three days per semester. The easiest way to submit notes, whether parent or doctor, is through the online absentee reporting form found on our school website or the email/text link you receive when an absence is recorded as unexcused. Students may also turn in physical notes to the office; however, they often forget and fail to do so within the required two-day window (resulting in unexcused absence toward truancy).

All notes, parent or physician, must be submitted within two days of returning to school.

There has been a lot of discussion on social media regarding school attendance and notes. Good school attendance is essential for student success, as missing more than eight days in a semester, including illness or doctor-excused absences, is considered chronic absenteeism. Regular attendance helps students stay on track with their learning and is directly linked to higher achievement and an increased likelihood of graduation. Please reach out to GMS admin if you have any questions or need support.

Greeneville City Schools only offers free breakfast and lunch for elementary school students. Greeneville Middle School and Greeneville High School students are charged for breakfast and lunch daily. Many families are eligible for Free & Reduced meals by competing the Free & Reduced Lunch Application. Also, families must submit an application yearly. Apply now!

The Free & Reduced-Price Lunch Application for the 2025–2026 school year is now open!

We encourage all families to apply — even if you believe you may not qualify. Completing the application helps ensure access to important funding and opportunities for:

✅ Student Education
✅ Technology & Internet Access
✅ College Application Fee Discounts
✅ Scholarships

You can apply quickly and easily by scanning the QR code below or clicking this link:
🔗 https://frapps.horizonsolana.com/GREC01

If you have questions, please email Brianna Holt at holtb@gcschools.net.

Thank you for taking a moment to complete this important application and helping us better support all students!

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Technology is incorporated into the curriculum and is for student use under teacher supervision. Any destruction of the technology equipment or misuse of software or internet capabilities will result in strict disciplinary action. All families must sign and agree to the Responsible Use Policy before students will be permitted access to the internet at school. This policy is updated every year and includes detailed information about proper internet use and the care of student computers. This document is posted on the GMS website.