Principal's Message - 11.03.2024

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Hello Gilbert H. Hood Families,

What a festive week we had this past week, including great costumes, fun activities, and delicious treats. Our staff and students definitely got in the Halloween spirit. A special lift up to Ms. Owens and the Student Council for leading the festivities by sponsoring our costume contests! Congratulations to the winners, and a special thank you to all who participated.

Here’s just a couple items to share with you this week:

Family-Teacher Conferences - 11.12.2024

Family-Teacher conferences will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. 12:15-7:00 p.m. Please refer to recent ParentSquare messages that explain how to request a conference. Appointments are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Conference requests must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8. We encourage students to attend this meeting with their families if possible. We believe that a student’s participation in conferencing feedback is an important part of the learning process.

(Reminder: To allow time for Family-Teacher conferences, there is no school on Tuesday, November 12.)

One School One Book - begins 11.04.2024

Over the next six weeks, GHH will be participating in One School One Book (OSOB). Beginning on Monday, November 4, our entire school will be reading the same book together. Every student and every staff member at GHH will be reading Harbor Me, by Jacqueline Woodson. Twice a week, during Intervention block, students and staff will read a few chapters of the book. Additional classroom activities, as well as school-wide trivia events, are being planned as well.

The goals for participating in the OSOB program are to (1) promote reading literacy, (2) build a sense of community, and (3) share a common experience. OSOB can spark meaningful literary discussions, provide shared experiences across the school, and help students develop a love of reading. In addition, we believe that this school-wide event connects to our ongoing C.A.R.E.S. competencies. Reading this novel together will provide students with opportunities to share ideas, listen to the ideas of others, and help foster a positive learning community.

Over the next several weeks, please find moments at home to ask your child about what they are reading. Perhaps ask them what the book is about and how they connect to the story. Your support from home is essential and greatly appreciated. Together we can do amazing things.

Food Drive - November

Attached is a flyer for our district’s annual food drive for “End 68 Hours of Hunger”. Snacks are needed, as well as peanut butter, jelly, mayo, pop tarts, ramen noodle soup, and multigrain bars. (Please no glass containers.) Donations are being collected in each team area through November 22.

Messages for Families of Eighth Grades

Upcoming Dates**

  • November 1-22: Food Drive

  • November 4: One School One Book begins

  • November 6: Fall Sports Awards, 6:00 pm

  • November 11: Veterans Day - No School

  • November 12: Family-Teacher Conferences - No School

  • November 12: Family-Teacher Conferences

  • November 13: PTSA Meeting, 6:30 pm

  • November 14: School Board Meeting, 6:30 pm

  • November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break - No School

  • November 30: Derry Holiday Parade, 11:30 am

**To keep up to date on the daily happenings at GHH, be sure to check our daily announcements that are posted on our school website under the “Resources” tab. The Morning Meeting Notices spreadsheet is constantly updated and available for reference.