Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Classy Moments

Rain! Rain! We are anxious for the play area to be nice and dry again. For some reason, and I realize that it is difficult to believe, it seems as though at least one, and sometime more, of our students fall, slip or "jump" into the muddy puddle on our campus. That, of course, means that mom, aunts, gramdma, or neighbor will be bringing dry and clean clothes for a quick change. This just seems to go with a day of school. We are ready for a "dry" spell.

The COE Committee Chairpersons gave an update to the school board concerning what is being done to follow through with our school improvement plan. We have seen improvements in action and the students are enjoying the attention.

A "Birthday Month Calendar" is posted and each student having a birthday in the current month will find their name on the calendar one day during the month, they will be served a piece of birthday cake. It is surprising how many birthdays we celebrate each month. This is the idea from the High Expectations Committee, chairperson Shelia Butler, and it makes a Special Day extra special. A great idea High Expectations Committee Members.

To avoid so much congestion in the hall during class change, the 7th and 8th graders go to their lockers every other class change instead of every class change. Yes, some do not like it, but it is helping to keep the noise down, as the 6th graders are having class during the change of classes for the 7th and 8th graders. The teachers are really enjoying the difference it is making. It has shortened the tardy lists and D-Hall slips. Of course, it has also cut down on the visits in the hall and the sharing of "important news."

We were saddened to hear about the loss of Ebonee Crow's home. Ebonee is an eighth grade student and a member of the Jr. High Cheerleader Squad. We are just thankful that no one was hurt in the fire.

Annie Otwell, an eighth grader, will be serving as a page for Senator Mike Ross Tuesday, January 28. We are so proud of her and for her to have this wonderful opportunity. She will have so much to share witht he Social Studies classes.

Dave Sargent, an Arkansas author of children's books, visited with us January 21. He simply makes a story seem as though it is true. He sure had a student, Emily Thomas, and a staff member, Mrs. McBride, believing that he had a "Skunk" that was going to kiss them right on the lips. We were beginning to think that we were going to have to use CPR on Mrs. McBride. Several students suddenly became athletic, as Mr. Sargent carried a box with the "Skunk" inside and was going to let a student hold the box. It was strange, as no one wanted the box. One 8th grader found out that she could go over a row of seats very quickly. It was a fun time for all. The skunk was just a stuffed hand puppet, but we didn't know that until the time was right.

The 7th and 8th graders watched the inauguration. They probably had better seats than many thousands that attended the ceremony. It was really nice to be able to provide this for the students.

We will keep you informed of what we are doing, as we do seem to stay busy making those Classy Moments at GMS.