Dear Garfield Middle School Families:
This has been and continues to be a challenging time for all of you. Over the last months, we have worked diligently to study the guidance from national, state, and local officials, as well as seeking input from parents and stakeholders. Attached is our reopening plan for the Garfield School District. During this trying time, a couple of constants have been the fluidity of this situation and the fact that with every answer comes more questions. With this in mind, we know that in presenting this plan, it may change and as you read it, you will likely have more questions.
This is a complicated issue, but we have done our best to use a common sense approach to the development of our plan. Keeping our students and staff as safe as possible is our top priority.
Families have the option to start school in person or virtually. Within the in-person option, we know that there is a strong possibility that there will be intermittent periods of virtual learning based on guidance from the health department if there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff or students.
Thank you for your patience. Even if you do not agree with every point in our plan, I hope you will know that we care deeply about our students and that we will continue to work hard to do what is best for them.
Many of you have reached out to me over the last few months, and I have attempted to email all of you back. If I missed any emails, please forgive me, and follow-up with me. My intent is to always reply, but I admit that my inbox is pretty full. I care about each of you and this community and want to be responsive.
We are asking that you read the plan planning – we understand that things can change, so it is important that you read the plan. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out
Our students and families make the Garfield Middle School community a great place to learn! We will get through this together.
Most Sincere
Richard "Riggs" Rigoglioso
GARFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL 2020 VIRTUAL GRADUATION
8th Grade Parents. We are still having virtual graduation on June 18th.
However, we get the privilege of having two in-person graduation ceremonies. July 6th at 1:00 pm and July 6th at 5 PM. Go to GMS website and click on GMS 8th Grade Graduation link to RSVP.
Further information is included, please read carefully. We apologize for the short notice, but We must have an RSVP to stay in the safety guidelines. No RSVP, No Attendance. RSVP must be done by June 23rd. No RSVP will be accepted after June 23rd.
Click Link to RSVP to 8th Grade 2020 Graduation here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=wl8OuA5oGEikD3pgzCJj28wqEEAGRFRNofOuJZc_xs5UNDNaTzZVSEtLVTVLWjFPUjlKOUtOSldMVy4u
GMS Grading Changes Explained:
Due to unprecedented circumstances we have worked our grading system a little differently for this year. We went straight to remote learning without much notice for students, parents and teachers. Considering there was no classroom instruction and with compassion and empathy toward students and families during this pandemic, it was that understanding that GMS changed the grading for 2020
- Marking Periods 1-3 are being averaged together to come up with Final Grade. This year only the passing score was moved to 55 and above.
- Marking Period 4 Grading has been changed since it was fully done via remote learning. Students will receive MS (meeting standards) or NS (needs support). MS=55 and above & NS=54 and below.
- If your child was not doing well for MP 1-3 the MS helped them receive credit towards their grades. NS will not impact your child's final grade.
- ESL Students will still be graded through benchmarks 1-4 as they always have.
Thank you for working with us during this unprecedented situation.
Cap and gowns are $15.00 …please bring exact change if possible…no checks…
Students who owe lunch money, are required to pay off the balance before receiving their cap and gowns and yearbooks
All yearbooks are free
5.4.20 Hello this is Garfield Middle School Principal Richard Rigolioso to all Parents and Guardians
I am sure at this time we have all heard about the school closing for the year. I am almost positive no one is surprised by this.…This year has become a challenging time for everyone! You and your child have faced the biggest challenge ever by completing their education via remote learning. Now that the school year is coming to an end, students are now being told that there will be no graduation commencement! Rest assure this is NOT TRUE. GMS students have worked hard to get here, and the Garfield Middle School Administration/Advisors and Staff will make sure that their Virtual Graduation is history-in-the-making. As the principal of Garfield Middle School, the advisors and our virtual graduation team will assure your Garfield Middle School Virtual Graduation is unique and memorable.
We are also looking into personalizing GMS Graduation on June 18th… By scheduling a graduation parade through the town ending with a drive-in movie appeal that will be in an organized format that would meet social distancing requirements.
We will also create a graduation commencement that is ready to stream at our scheduled graduation date and time or whenever the families wish to watch. Our students can experience graduation virtually and a personally touch with their family, friends & classmates. .
The Pomp and Circumstance will play... Speeches will be given, students will be recognized for their achievements, all students will have their names announced for the graduate recognition. We even offer families an option to have banners pictures and posters and shout-outs for recognition for your child, prior to our graduation ceremony. We are still working out details that will accommodate a 8th grade class of 330 students, but it will be …History-in-the-making.
3.19.20 Hello this is Garfield Middle School Principal Richard Rigolioso to all Parents and Guardians
Just a reminder to all middle school students - Please check in with your teacher’s in the morning. Many teacher's in the middle school use teams or email for communication and are available from 8:30-12:30 daily. You will have all day to complete the assignments, but you must check in for attendance …So, Please remind your child to check their school email account daily.
If your child has not logged on to their school email account please have them do the following Go to the GMS Website , Under the "Important Announcements" section on the GMS web page, watch the video of how to login to your email account. And Check your email daily.
If you or your child needs to communicate with their counselor, go to the GMS website, Important Contacts tab, select Guidance Counseling for additional information.
Thank you and please be safe.