September Newsletter
GBEMS
Grand Blanc East Middle School Chromebook Expectations & Consequences
2026–2027 School Year
Bring Your Chromebook Charged Every Day
Students must bring a fully charged Chromebook to school daily.
Offense------ Potential Consequence
1st ----------------Warning & Reteach Expectations
2nd----------------Parent Contact (Email or Call)
3rd-----------------Responsibility Room & Behavior Reflection
4th-----------------Lunch Detention
5th+ --------------Administrative Referral & Loss of Take-Home Privileges
(admin discretion on length of time)
Charging During Class
Teachers may allow charging in designated seats.
Collateral (e.g., shoe, pencil case) may be required to borrow a charger—returned only when the charger is returned.
Intentional Damage to School Equipment
This may include examples such as slamming the lid on a pencil, removing keyboard keys, cracking screens, or damaging another student's Chromebook. Intentional damage is NOT covered by insurance.
Type of Damage-----------------Consequence
1st Offense--------------------------------Admin referral, parent contact, restitution, one day lunch detention
2nd Offense-------------------------------Admin referral, parent contact, restitution, one week lunch detention
3rd Offense/Gross Disrespect---1–5 day(s) of in school suspension, restitution,
parent meeting to implement a technology plan
Repair & Damage Fee Schedule
Damage Type-------------------------------------Approximate Cost to Family
Cracked screen--------------------------------------------------$25-50
Lost charger-------------------------------------------------------$20
Damaged keyboard--------------------------------------------$15
Damaged ports (may need new motherboard)--$50-100
Total loss/unrepairable---------------------------------------Up to $250 (replacement)
Repair Process & Loaner Devices
Report issues within 24 hours to a teacher or the media center.
Damaged Chromebooks must be turned in for repair.
Loaner devices may be issued temporarily and must be returned daily unless otherwise approved.
Repeated damage or negligence may result in loss of take-home privileges.
User Account & Software Guidelines
Students may not share their login credentials.
Only school-approved extensions and apps may be installed.
Students may not use personal Google accounts on school Chromebooks.
Use of VPNs, proxies, or hacking tools is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate administrative action.
Do not use your school email account to sign up for non-school related websites, newsletters or accounts.
REMEMBER
Treat your Chromebook with care.
Do not put stickers on the Chromebook.
Don’t leave it unattended in classrooms, hallways, or lunchrooms.
If you break another student's device, you are responsible.
Activity on your Chromebook is monitored and subject to review.
Do not put any items in the Chromebook case.
Starting September 1st, ELA teachers will be taking students to the library to go over library/Chromebook expectations. Once the students have been through library orientation, they may begin checking out books!
From the Athletic departments at EMS & Grand Blanc High School
Message from AD Youngs…..
Information for Middle School students attending athletic events at East Middle School
EMS student spectators may stay after school to attend EMS athletic events. If they choose to attend, here are the need to know items:
- All school rules apply.
- You may NOT leave the building after school.
- All students watching the sporting event will report to the gym bleachers to be supervised.
- EMS is NOT responsible for any student leaving the premises after dismissal.
- An EMS student that has left the premises may be readmitted ONLY with parent or guardian supervision.
- The cost for attending a school athletic event is $5. This will be collected from students staying after school once the event is set up.
Message from AD Dohm (GBHS)...
Information for Middle School students attending Middle School athletic events at Grand Blanc High School
EMS student spectators are invited and encouraged to attend both high school and middle school athletic events at Grand Blanc High School. If they choose to attend, here are the need to know items:
- All school rules apply.
- Middle school students will attend the event with a parent or guardian. Middle school students will not be admitted without an adult.
- The adult is responsible for their student.
- Cost to attend the event is $5.
If you have any questions, please email Mr. Youngs at EMS: jyoungs@gbcs.org or Mr. Dohm at GBHS: jdohm@gbcs.org.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Important School Phone Numbers
ATTENDANCE HOTLINE - ALL ABSENCES.....591-4697
Attendance Desk...............................................591-3598
Athletics.............................................................591-4696
Counseling Office..............................................591-3583
Counselor (A-K).................................................591-3589
Counselor (L-Z)..................................................591-3582
Cafeteria.............................................................591-4722
Library.................................................................591-3547
Building Policies
LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY DISMISSAL: If your student has an appointment during the school day and will be arriving late, please be sure to either call and report this or sign them in upon arrival. They may also bring a doctor's note for a medical excuse. If your student needs to leave early, you will come into the office and sign them out (ID required). Parents may contact the office to have their student called down & ready to leave school for an appointment. To minimize the amount of instructional time missed, we encourage you to call with an accurate pick-up time. Parents will still need to enter the office & sign the student out to verify ID.
***Anyone who is not a parent/guardian and is picking up a student from school MUST be listed as an emergency contact. You can add these people using ParentVue.
ITEMS BROUGHT TO SCHOOL: If your child has forgotten something for school and calls you to bring it to school, the item will be dropped with the security staff in the Main Entrance vestibule. The student will be called during the last 10 minutes of a class to collect the item. The exception to this process will be during the lunch periods (4th-hour class session). During the lunch periods, the student will be called out of class to pick up the item. The best time to drop off needed items during the school day is from 8:30 am - 11:15 am or 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm.
NO OUTSIDE FOOD DELIVERIES ALLOWED: Food deliveries are not allowed during school hours. All students are eligible for FREE breakfast and lunch, so there is no need for food to be delivered to them. Students are always welcome to bring their own packed lunches as an alternative. This includes drinks - water is the only drink allowed in the classrooms.
SPECIAL DAYS:
While we understand that special days like birthdays are cause for celebration, the following items are not allowed due to safety/allergy precautions:
- Flowers/Candy bouquets
- Glass containers
- Balloons of any type
- Nuts in the classroom
Class birthday parties are not allowed, per district policy. The best plan would be to celebrate your student's special day with them at home after school.
We thank you for your understanding and appreciate your cooperation!
CARE CENTER: This is an area in the office where students can go when injured or ill. A secretary will tend to the student by either caring for him/her or calling an emergency contact to pick the child up. Any student that is found to have a fever over 100.4° must be picked up to go home.
****IF YOUR STUDENT HAS A FEVER, DIARRHEA OR IS VOMITING, THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RETURN TO SCHOOL UNTIL SYMPTOM-FREE FOR 24 HOURS.
Yearbooks are on sale now for $40. After September 12, the price of a yearbook will increase to $45 and the longer you wait, the higher the price will go—eventually reaching $50. Don’t wait until the last minute—buy your yearbook early to save money and guarantee your copy!
Yearbook Club will begin on August 31st and is open to all 6th–8th grade students!
We will meet every Monday that school is in session after school until 4:10 p.m.
Please remember:
- Students must bring their Chromebooks to Yearbook Club.
- Students must have a ride arranged for pickup at 4:10 p.m.
If you are unable to attend Yearbook Club right now because of a sport or another commitment, but would like to join once your commitment is finished, please let Mrs. Pallay or Mrs. McNeice know. We would love to have you join us!
Questions or interested in joining later?
Mrs. Pallay — tpallay@gbcs.org
Mrs. McNeice — amcneice@gbcs.org
When To Keep Your Child Home From School
Lethargic, difficulty breathing, or rapidly spreading rash
If temp 100.4 or greater AND signs of illness or behavior change
Student should not return until 24 hours of no fever without the use of medication
2 loose or watery stools
Student should not return until no diarrhea for 24 hours
Vomited 2 or more times
Student should not return until no vomiting for 24 hours
- Stomach pain continues for more than 2 hours or intermittent pain associated with fever or other symptoms
- Rash AND fever or change in behavior
- Exclude until rash subsides or a healthcare provider has determined it is not infectious
Skin Sores:
- Weeping sore on an exposed area that cannot be covered with a waterproof dressing
Make-up Day for Pictures
Photographers will be here on Tuesday, September 22, to take school pictures for students who didn't already have a photo taken for this school year.
8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip
Registration is currently taking place for the 2027 8th grade Washington DC Trip. This trip will take place March 12 through March 15th. Please see the attached registration link below.
There will be an informational meeting taking place at East Middle School on Tuesday, September 22rd at 5:30 PM in the school gymnasium.
Please see your Social Studies teacher for more information.
