GMS Family Newsletter

Dear Greene Devil Family,

As we return from Spring Break, we are excited to welcome our students back to Greeneville Middle School and begin the final quarter of the school year. This last stretch is an important time for learning, growth, and finishing strong. We encourage all students to start this quarter with focus and purpose, as strong starts often determine what the finish line will look like. When students return ready to engage, stay organized, and give their best effort from day one, it sets the tone for continued success both academically and socially. Our teachers are ready to support, challenge, and celebrate our students as they build on the progress they have made this year.

This final quarter is also a time to reflect on goals, maintain positive habits, and demonstrate Greene Devil Pride in all that we do. We ask for your continued partnership in supporting attendance, encouraging strong effort, and reinforcing expectations at home. A strong start now will help our students finish the year with confidence and pride in their accomplishments. Together, we can ensure a successful and rewarding end to the school year for every student. Thank you for your ongoing support of GMS!

Learning, Leading, Lifting... #RISEasONE,

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

Monday, 3/23

Wednesday, 3/25

• GMS Golf Team picture make-ups after school

Thursday, 3/26

Friday, 3/27

• Science Alliance at Hal Henard

We have recently seen an increase in NeeDoh toys being brought to school and becoming a distraction during instructional time. We want to ensure that our classrooms remain focused learning environments for all students. As outlined in the student handbook, each teacher has the authority to establish rules and procedures for their classroom. If a teacher has not authorized a toy, it may be treated as a violation of classroom expectations.

Additionally, the handbook defines classroom disturbances and explains that items causing disruptions to the learning environment may be addressed accordingly. If a NeeDoh toy causes a classroom disturbance or is considered an inappropriate activity that interferes with the orderly operation of the school, it is classified as a Level I infraction (Codes 1.1 or 1.11). Students will be issued a Level I consequence, which will include a lunch detention. We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a focused and positive learning environment at GMS.

Learning continues to take shape in meaningful and engaging ways across GMS classrooms. In Mrs. Myers’ 6th grade math class, students are actively working through problem-solving tasks and building a strong foundation in critical thinking and collaboration. We also see students utilizing Microsoft applications to create, explore, and demonstrate their learning through digital tools that prepare them for success beyond the classroom. Additionally, our students had the opportunity to learn about future career pathways through a presentation from GHS and Ballad Health’s Devil Med program, connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences in the healthcare field.

Our students continue to demonstrate what it means to lead through both their academic growth and their actions around our school. We are proud to celebrate students who leveled up on their CASE assessments and earned the opportunity to spin the Level Up prize wheel, recognizing their hard work, persistence, and commitment to improvement. Leadership is also shown through service, as students took initiative to help wipe down and prepare the cafeteria, ensuring a clean and welcoming space for everyone. These moments highlight how our students are leading by taking pride in their growth and their school community.

We continue to see our school community lifting one another up in meaningful ways. Our spring sports pep rally brought great energy and excitement as students came together to support and celebrate our student athletes, showing pride in being Greene Devils. We are also incredibly thankful for our cafeteria staff, who went above and beyond to provide students with a special treat before break at no cost. Their generosity and care are a great example of how small acts can make a big impact and help create a positive and supportive school environment.

Mrs. Woolsey, Putting First Things First, she is always there and when I need something it is like yes I am here, I love her so much.

Abbey Townsend, Thinking Win-Win, Ms. Townsend is consistently kind and encouraging to my daughter. She has made her time in choir enjoyable and filled with fun activities.

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.