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March 31, 2017
Welcome
Welcome to
FRONTRUNNER, Groveport Madison Schools' monthly community
e-Newsletter. Our goal is to provide parents and community members with news, accomplishments and updates associated with our students, schools, staff and school district.
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Kindergarten Registration Taking Place Apr 4 - 28
If you have a child who will be five-years-old by Aug. 1, 2017, it's time to get him/her registered for kindergarten for the coming school year. Register now so that you will receive information throughout the summer, which will help to make your child's transition to kindergarten as smooth as possible.
We've made the registering as easy as 1, 2, 3, using our new online enrollment system (SpeedyStart). Click here to go to the enrollment page to learn about - or to begin the online enrollment process. We're looking forward to having your family become part of the Cruiser family!
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Wrestling Team Earns District Championship
At the start of the wrestling season, Coach Brian Brison told his players that if they all pulled together, they would have great success as a team.
Earlier this month, they won the OCC Capital Division Championship. It was the first time that a Cruiser wrestling team has won a league championship in 25 years!
The success was truly a team effort, said Brison. Several of the dual meets came down to one match. "Everybody worked hard," he said. "Nobody wanted to the let the rest of the team down."
He saw big improvements in everybody's skills from the start of the season to the end, he said. "Everybody stepped up," he said. "Everybody got better. It took everyone on the team to do this."
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New High School Construction Update
Only a year ago we were just about to begin construction of the new Groveport Madison High School. Now, more than 220,000 concrete blocks have been laid, 370 tons of steel have been installed and the first floor structural work is nearing completion. The gymnasium and athletic wing are already under roof and plumbers, HVAC installers and electricians are busy running pipe, ductwork and wiring in the northernmost portion of the building.
The academic wing (the southernmost portion of the building) is also progressing very nicely, with work having already begun on the second floor. Smoot Construction has done a great job in its planning to keep the project on schedule. An example of this effort is how the second floor of the building is being constructed. After the first floor load-bearing walls were built, steel workers installed large support posts and beams, which resembled an erector set. Onto those beams, a crane then lowered large precast concrete panels, which became the ceiling of the first level and the floor for the second. These panels are made off-site to exacting specifications. This construction method has many benefits, including being very efficient to fabricate, fairly quick to install, and making it easier to install mechanical systems between the concrete panels and the acoustic drop ceiling, underneath.
Thanks to the careful oversight of all parties associated with the project, the building remains on schedule and within budget.
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Board Member, Nancy Gillespie, Recognized by OSBA at Spring Conference
At their Central Region Spring Conference, the Ohio School Boards Association recognized Groveport Madison Schools Board of Education member, Nancy Gillespie, for ". . . going above and beyond the regular duties of a school board member."
Mrs. Gillespie was first elected to the Board of Education in November 2010, and is serving in her second, four-year term. The Administration of the school district also wishes to thank Mrs. Gillespie for her service and dedication to our students, staff, and the Groveport Madison community.
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District Art Show Kicks Off on April 6
Don't miss the opportunity to check out the incredible talent of Groveport Madison students when their artwork is exhibited at the District's annual art show.
This year's art show, entitled That's Art Folks!, captures the creativity and excitement of our students' works from all grade levels. The exhibition encompasses a variety of art forms, including photography, jewelry, paintings, sketches, ceramics, handicrafts, three-dimensional works, and even art made using fabrics!
The exhibition will take place from Apr. 3 - 16, at the Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., Groveport. A "Gallery Opening Night" will take place on Thurs., Apr. 6, from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
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Don't Miss the GMHS Spring Musical, "All Shook Up"
If you're an Elvis fan, you won't want to miss the GMHS spring musical, "All Shook Up - the Music of Elvis Presley," being held on Apr. 6-8, at 7:30 p.m. and Apr. 9, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 each for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens. To pre-order tickets, email [email protected] or purchase them at the door. Members of the Golden Cruiser Club can get in free when presenting their membership cards. For more information about the musical, call 614-836-4964, ext. 522.
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Area Service Club Donates Books about Local Hero
Thanks to the generosity of the Pilot Club of Columbus, Groveport Madison students can discover the story of a Columbus woman who made aviation history.
The club, which focuses on community service, donated several copies of "The Jerrie Mock Story: The First Woman to Fly Solo Around the World" to the District. Mock, a pilot from Bexley, set her aviation record in 1964. The trip, which she undertook in a single-engine Cessna named "The Spirit of Columbus," lasted 29 days.
The biography written by Nancy Roe Pimm is geared to middle-school readers. "The books are a nice addition to the District's book collection because the story highlights a local person doing something extraordinary," said Garilee Ogden, director of curriculum, instruction and professional development.
"It's always exciting when we can introduce our students to someone from the region who set a challenging goal for herself and achieved it," Ogden said. "It's a great reminder that hard work pays off."
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Parents of Incoming 6th Graders Interested in Band are Invited to Meeting
Your child has a wonderful opportunity to become a part of the Groveport Madison band program. The band offers your child a program in which he/she can become a musician, develop personal responsibility, participate as a team, and foster independence.
The band program begins in sixth grade where students have the opportunity to learn to play an instrument and to perform in the community. Later in the students' musical education, they will have the opportunity to participate in the high school marching band that is very visible in the community and throughout the state. Students who join the band program are also able to participate in all school programs, academically and athletically, from grades 6-12.
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Madison ES Drum Club Hits the Right Note for Fifth Graders
Calden Gutierrez tried out for the Drum Club at Madison Elementary School because he wanted to learn to play an instrument.
The club has taught him that and so much more, said the fifth grader. It has introduced him to new cultures, taught him the joy of performing and given him the opportunity to be a role model to younger students. "It's really fun," he said. "Even though we miss recess, it's a chance to learn new stuff."
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New Immunization Requirements
Attention parents of incoming seventh and twelfth graders. With spring break only a week away, now is a good time to set up an appointment with your doctor to schedule required immunizations that your child will need to have before he/she can start school next year.
For incoming seventh graders:
The State of Ohio requires a booster dose of the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) and the MCV4 (Meningococcal) vaccine. The Meningococcal vaccine is a new requirement for entry into the seventh grade.
For incoming twelfth graders:
The State of Ohio requires a second dose of the MCV4 (Meningococcal) vaccine for entry into twelfth grade.
Once your child has received the required vaccinations, please provide a copy of the vaccination (shot) record to your school's nurse. Feel free to contact the school nurse with any questions or concerns. A list of all of the nurses and their contact information can be found on the Health and Safety page of our website.
Incoming seventh and twelfth graders who do not have these immunizations will not be able to attend classes next year!
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Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Honored by Peers
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Ryan Grashel
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Congratulations to Coach Ryan Grashel for being named Coach of Year by the District 10 Basketball Coaches Association.
Coach Grashel received the award after being nominated by other coaches in District 10 and chosen by the association's board. The team's record was 18-4 this season. Grashel said he was "humbled" by the recognition because there are so many hard-working coaches in the district.
He also credited everyone involved with the program for their roles in the making the season a success.
"This award is recognition for our players and staff and the dedication they have shown over these past five years," he said. "It has been a process to get to this point, and it establishes the expectations for the next five years and beyond."
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Schools to Start on August 14 for 2017-2018 School Year
With the new Groveport Madison High School expected to open in the fall of 2018, it is critical that we start school earlier than usual next year, so that we can dismiss for summer break as early as possible (May 24, 2018). The extra few weeks we will gain during the summer of 2018 will be needed so that the current high school can be torn down, the debris cleared and the ground excavated, and driveways and parking lots constructed in time for the new school's opening. We understand this is not a typical school year calendar, but it's absolutely necessary so that we can ensure as smooth as possible opening of the new building. We appreciate your understanding and patience in making the adjustment with us.
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Important Dates to Remember
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DATE
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EVENT
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Apr. 3-16
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District Art Show - Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St.
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Apr. 6
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Art Show Gallery Opening Night 5-6:30 PM
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Apr. 6
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Cap & Gown Delivery Day at GMHS
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Apr. 6-9
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GMHS Spring Musical "All Shook Up"
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Apr. 13
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45-Minute Early Dismissal
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Apr. 14-21
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Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
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Newsletters Provide Useful Tips for Parents
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This month's issue of Early Years includes tips on improving self-reliance, backseat learning games, and talking about bullying.
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In this month's issue, parents will find valuable tips on teaching children to show kindness. Tips on online safety, sibling squabbles, and springtime studying can also be found.
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Sometimes parents forget that learning doesn't stop at school. The current issue of Home & School Connection offers parents tips on ways to bring learning home. In addition, parents will find useful information on teaching children good money sense, building observation skills, and practicing patience.
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Share Good News About Groveport Madison Schools!
We know that great news occurs every day. We invite you to share positive news items with us via our social media outlets as well. News and information can be shared via personal messaging on Facebook (Groveport Madison Schools). You can also email us at
[email protected], or call us at (614) 492-2520.
Thank you,
Office of Marketing, Communications & Community Relations
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Office of Marketing, Communications & Community Relations
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