GMS Family Newsletter

Dear Greene Devil Family,

At Greeneville Middle School, our students are continually challenged to think deeply, ask meaningful questions, and support their ideas with evidence. In classrooms across the building, students are analyzing complex texts, solving multi-step math problems, engaging in thoughtful discussions, and applying their learning to real-world situations. Being a critical thinker means looking beyond the surface, evaluating information carefully, considering multiple perspectives, and making thoughtful decisions grounded in reasoning.

This week, our Greeneville City Schools Portrait of a Graduate pillar is Critical Thinker, and we are proud of how intentionally this skill is being developed at GMS. Through STEM design challenges, collaborative projects, reflective goal setting, and problem-based learning, students are strengthening the habits of mind that will serve them well beyond middle school. We are excited for the week ahead and encourage our students to visit the Book Fair to discover new stories, explore new ideas, and continue growing as thoughtful, curious learners.

Learning, Leading, Lifting... #RISEasONE,

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

Monday, 2/23

• GMS Book Fair - 7:30am to 3:00pm - GMS Library
• GMS Book Fair Dress up Day: SCORE with Books

Tuesday, 2/24

• GMS Book Fair - 7:30am to 3:00pm - GMS Library
• GMS Book Fair Dress up Day: Reading ROCKS!

Wednesday, 2/25

• GMS Book Fair - 7:30am to 3:00pm - GMS Library
• GMS Book Fair Dress up Day: Dive into reading!

Thursday, 2/26

• GMS Book Fair - 7:30am to 3:00pm - GMS Library
• GMS Book Fair Dress up Day: Hats off to Books
• GHS Rising Freshmen Grade Level Meeting - 5:00pm to 5:25pm - GHS Lecture Hall

Friday, 2/27

• GMS Book Fair - 7:30am to 3:00pm & 4:00pm to 6:00pm - GMS Library
• GMS Book Fair Dress up Day: Iconic Characters
• Semi-Formal Winter Athletic Boosters Dance - 5:30pm to 7:30pm - GMS Gym

Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school!

It will be held in the library from 2/23 - 2/27, from 7:30 AM - 3 PM. We will also be open from 4-6 pm on that Friday before the dance. Parents and Guardians are welcome then!

The easiest way to let your child shop the Fair independently is by creating an eWallet. Visit our Book Fair website for more information:

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/greenevillemiddleschool

Questions? Please contact Ms. Bond

We will have Spirit Days to celebrate the book fair. Anyone who participates in dress up days can enter a raffle for a grand prize! There will be a Book Fair prize for students and teachers. Visit the library each day to enter the raffle.

We are required by state law to do a gun safety informational session with all students. GCS collaborated with Greeneville Police Department to create a video that covers all required content. We will be facilitating this required training during Devil Time March 2-4 (see schedule below). Please reach out to Dr. Adams with any questions.

Devil Time Sessions

Monday, 3/2: 6th Grade

Tuesday, 3/3: 7th Grade

Wednesday, 3/4: 8th Grade

As part of our ongoing commitment to student safety and in accordance with a new Tennessee state law, all GCS students will receive age-appropriate instruction in gun safety each year. Students will watch a short video featuring members of the Greeneville Police Department sharing important gun safety messages. Schools will share when gun safety is scheduled.

State law requires that all students participate in this instruction and does not allow families to opt out. Our School Resource Officers (SROs) will be present during the video to help ensure a supportive environment and to answer any questions students may have.

Instructional Outcomes:

Grades K-2

At the end of instruction, students should be able to:

1. Define the terms firearm, safety, and responsible.

2. Identify the difference between toy guns and real firearms.

3. List, in order, the firearm safety rules for children.

4. Demonstrate a responsible attitude regarding firearms.

Grades 3-5

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define the terms firearm, safety, and responsible.

2. Describe the differences and similarities between toy guns, air guns, BB guns, and modern firearms.

3. List, in order, the firearm safety rules for children.

4. Demonstrate a mature attitude regarding firearms.

Grades 6-12

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define the terms firearm, safety, and responsible.

2. Demonstrate a mature attitude regarding firearms.

3. Know the proper storage of firearms and ammunition in the home.

Greeneville Middle School Athletic Boosters are hosting a Semi-Formal Winter Dance on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 5:30–7:30 PM. This event is for GMS students only. The cost to attend is $5 per student, and concessions will be available for purchase throughout the evening. Tickets will be on sale during lunches on Thursday and Friday of this week.

Semi-formal attire means students are encouraged to dress up for this special event. Attire should be suitable for a middle school setting, provide appropriate coverage, and reflect the respectful tone of the evening. Administration will use professional judgment to address any attire that is not appropriate for a school-sponsored event.

We look forward to welcoming our students for an exciting night of music, fun, and school spirit!

Each week, we will shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals who make Greeneville Middle School such a special place. Our "GMS Staff Highlight" section will feature staff members who go above and beyond in supporting our students, school community, and each other. Stay tuned to learn more about the passionate and dedicated team that helps make GMS thrive!

Learning is taking place in every corner of Greeneville Middle School. Students are working independently to strengthen their understanding, using maps to build geography and critical thinking skills, and participating in learning extensions that deepen their knowledge beyond the standard lesson. Classrooms are focused and purposeful, with students engaged in meaningful tasks that support academic growth. We are proud of the effort our students show each day as they continue to learn and grow at GMS.

Leading at Greeneville Middle School is not limited to our students. During our recent professional development day, our teachers stepped into leadership roles by facilitating sessions and sharing strategies with one another. Staff members listened, collaborated, and learned together as they worked to build capacity within our own team. We are proud of the leadership shown by our educators as they continue growing professionally to better serve our students and school community.

Lifting at Greeneville Middle School is about supporting one another and building a positive school culture. Throughout the week, students and staff have demonstrated kindness, encouragement, and accountability in their classrooms and common areas. Whether it is helping a classmate, showing respect to adults, or taking pride in our building, these everyday actions strengthen our school community. We are grateful for the many ways our students and staff continue to lift one another up at GMS.

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. Parents are also invited to join an informational Zoom meeting on March 5th at 6:00 PM. Please use the link below to join the Zoom meeting.

Link to Zoom meeting: https://tinyurl.com/4xznssbw

Jeremy Simerly, Being Proactive, Mr. Simerly has taken great pride in ensuring our spring sports tryouts have remained effective and timely despite challenging weather conditions, and GMS truly appreciates his dedication and efforts.

Mrs. Bond & Mrs. Foster, Dedicated, Mrs. Bond and Mrs. Foster have worked diligently to prepare for next week’s Book Fair, and GMS greatly appreciates their time, organization, and commitment to making it a success for our students.

Janis Young, Compassionate, Mrs. Young is intentional about being a listening ear for her students and demonstrates a deep commitment to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment.

Anna Burge, Cecilia Hamilton, Christine Vissichelli, Kimberly Foulks, Nancy Philbeck, Ricky Witt, Megan Wilson, Logan Taylor, Wendy Hansard, Morgan Dillion, Rachel Adams, Michael Bowman, Jasmyn Herrell, Empowering, Shoutout to this outstanding team of educators for leading and facilitating engaging sessions during our PD day and investing in the growth of our staff!

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!

Access documents, news updates, and even emergency notifications right from your pocket.

Download for Android https://bit.ly/4bnsixk�

Download for iPhone https://apple.co/49k1WdO

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.