A Message from Rick Benoit

Dear GNGMS Families:

It is hard to believe we celebrated “Half-Way Day” on Wednesday! We now have fewer school days remaining in the year than we have attended.

Next week we will have the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine coming in to do a presentation and workshops with all of our students. The work will center on recognizing and confronting bias. We are excited to do this work so we can all better interact with others.

Social media is at the center of many peer conflicts in middle school. While the minimum age for children to hold accounts is generally at least 13 years of age (Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, for example), the Mayo Clinic recommends the following in order for you to prevent social media issues for your child:

  • Set reasonable limits. Talk to your teen about how to avoid letting social media interfere with his or her activities, sleep, meals or homework. Encourage a bedtime routine that avoids electronic media use, and keep cell phones and tablets out of teens’ bedrooms. Set an example by following these rules yourself.
  • Monitor your teen’s accounts. Let your teen know that you’ll be regularly checking his or her social media accounts. You might aim to do so once a week or more. Make sure you follow through.
  • Explain what’s not OK. Discourage your teen from gossiping, spreading rumors, bullying or damaging someone’s reputation — online or otherwise. Talk to your teen about what is appropriate and safe to share on social media.
  • Encourage face-to-face contact with friends. This is particularly important for teens vulnerable to social anxiety disorder.
  • Talk about social media. Talk about your own social media habits. Ask your teen how he or she is using social media and how it makes him or her feel. Remind your teen that social media is full of unrealistic images.

 Thank you for your continued support of our school, programs and students.

Chorus

On January 27 and 28, 6 students from GNGMS will represent our school at the District 2 Honors Vocal Festival at Windham High School.  The performance is open to the public on Saturday, January 28, at 2:30 in Windham High School’s Performing Arts Center.  

Sports                      

Registration is now open for our Wrestling Team in conjunction with Windham Middle School as well as Unified Basketball.  Registration is available on our district website under the athletics tab.  The season runs from after February Vacation to the end of March

Please consider registering and reach out to Mr. Welch  at dwelch@sad15.org with any questions.

 Dance

A reminder that our Winter Wonderland Dance for grades 7 & 8 is this Friday, January 27, from 7-9pm. Come support your school and have a great time.  Dress up if you want or just come and have fun!

This dance is hosted by our Student Council Leadership Team and grade 7. All school policies and dress codes apply to students while at the social and dance including cell phone use. This dance is semi-formal optional.

    • The cost of admission is $5. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
    • A yearly dance contract must be signed and submitted to the office to attend.
    • If you are willing to donate any individually wrapped food items or drinks, all of the proceeds will benefit the hosting teams.
    • We also need parent volunteers to help chaperone the dance! If you are interested, please complete the volunteer application in the main office or on the MSAD 15 website and the district will run a background check. Approved applications are good for the 2022/23 school year.

 Yearbook Club

Middle School Yearbooks are on sale.  The cost is $20. Here is the link to order a yearbook: Jostens yearbooks. 

Any questions please reach out to Ms.Babbin at ebabbin@sad15.org.

Updated  January 27, 2023