September 2023

354-5157 Karyn Holt – Counselor (A-K)

354-5122 John Schutz – Counselor (L-Z)

354-5170 Devony Audet – Family Engagement Coordinator

354-5164 Adam Phillips – School Nurse

354-5132 Miranda Adair – Communities in Schools Coordinator

354-5175 Bill Decaro – Campus Safety Specialist

354-5150 Jonathan Kawira – Mental Health Therapist

354-5203 Lisa Kaiser – Office Manager

354-5174 Alicia Aldendorf – Speech Language Pathologist

354-5143 Dayra Salcedo – School Psychologist

• September 5th - First Day of School
• September 13th - MAP Testing
• September 28th - Picture Day

MAP Testing

Measures of Academic Progress

Beginning on Wednesday, September 13, students will take the benchmark formative assessments in their English, math, and science classes called MAP. Students take these formative benchmark assessments in the fall and spring to measure ELA, math, and science standards growth. These are adaptive formative assessments where the more correct answers a student submits, the harder the questions get. And as students answer incorrectly, the questions get easier. This provides a score range and grade level equivalency for the student. Students and teachers use the data to set goals and tailor instruction and practice towards growth. 

SAY CHEESE!

Picture Day is September 28th.

Click here to order online.

Click the link above, search for Spokane Garry, click the Order button, and place your order. 

This option is available for up to 4 days after picture day.

Registration

To register for busing you will need:

• Student's Date of Birth
• Student's ID Number

(Both can be found on your student's PowerSchool)

Click here to register for busing.

For more information about busing click here.

Questions?

General Transportation Questions: 509-354-7778

Special Education Transportation Questions: 509-354-7777

Questions?

Contact SPS for questions about SPS School IDs

• spokaneschools.org/transportation
• (509) 354-5970

Contact STA for questions about STA bus service

• https://www.spokanetransit.com/spsconnect/
• 509-328-RIDE (7433)
• staquestions@spokanetransit.com

Students arrived and we are off and running to a great start. Some helpful information as you keep your student on track this year:

• Keep them organized and on top of homework. Check the planner nightly, cross off missing assignments, and encourage them to highlight the item when they turn them in. 

• Log into PowerSchool to review assignments and attendance.

• Balance work, school, and play. Students need downtime, creative opportunities, social engagement, breaks from technology, and time to keep up with their to-do's while still being a kid. Encourage afterschool activities, and reasonable chores with jobs around the house while balancing completing ALL work. 

• If they are struggling, attempt to help them get support and be self-advocates. Often students get anxious at this age and it may come out as attitude, shutting down, or other signs. Helping them express themselves safely with reasonable boundaries and empathy will help your student get through their challenges and build trust while reinforcing healthy communication.  

• Know that the growth spurt that middle school students go through from 6th through 8th grade is huge and their synapses are forming more than any other time. Brain growth is 15% during this period, so their brains are busy, creative, sensitive but flood at times...hence learning is epic and, yes, sometimes their attitudes. Think about them as an infant and then think of them at 3-the change is just as vast. Teach calmly and positively reinforce. If they push a boundary, set firm healthy limits with love. 

• If your student needs outside assistance, consult with your pediatrician, school counselor, or one of our amazing staff. We can help provide referrals to counseling, drug intervention support, or other programs within our community.  

Thank you for being a part of our Spokane Garry Community Counseling Program!! 

Miss Holt, Mr. Schutz, and the entire Counseling Department

Welcome new students and families to the 2023-2024 school year! For those of you who haven't met me, my name is Devony Audet and my role here at Garry is a Family Liaison. Any time you have any questions or concerns about anything regarding education, my job is to help answer them or help connect you with the person who can. I am the parent of 2 current Garry students and 1 Garry Alumni (current Rogers student). I have experience with our feeder pattern schools, having a student with a disability, having a highly capable student, and working closely with our district and state education system. 

One of my goals is to help your family feel connected to our Garry family. Each week I will send out a "Garry 5" video on an important topic happening around Spokane Garry. Throughout the year I will also call your family to check in as well as host various meetings and/or events where you can come and engage with Spokane Garry staff. 

If there is anything you ever need, please reach out. I look forward to a great year this year!

Devony Audet

Family Engagement Coordinator

DevonyA@SpokaneSchools.org

(509)354-5170

Hello! I am Miranda Adair Garry's CIS Coordinator. It is my job to build on student strengths and overcome barriers through advocacy, partnerships, and one-on-one social/emotional support. I’m here to work alongside all of you to help every student succeed in school and life. I believe greatness exists in every child and am committed to helping kids see it too.

My goals are to bring supports into the school, run successful small groups, find mentors for the students for additional academic/ social support, and provide our students with basic needs.

My number one priority is to be here for our students. I’ll strive to create trusting relationships which will help me be very intentional in finding the best resources for each student. Some of those resources could come from our clothing closet, our free food pantry, arranging weekend Bites to Go, and encouraging participation in after-school programs or groups.

This is my 3rd year at Spokane Garry Middle School, and I am so excited to be back working with the students, teachers, and parents.

While I’m not a counselor, I strongly believe that when a child has one more caring adult in their lives, we can show them that amazing things can happen. It is also important for you to know how to contact me and where to find me.

My office is in room 125W/Spokane Garry Community Center, my phone number is 354-5132, my office hours are Tuesday-Friday 8:45 am-4:00 pm, and my email is MirandaA@spokaneschools.org."

Please let me know if you have any questions, or if there is anything I can do to help!

Miss Miranda

Miranda Adair

CIS Community in Schools

MirandaA@spokaneschools.org

354-5132

Raven Circle is the before and after school academic program that runs from 8:00 AM to 8:55 AM Tuesday through Friday and Monday through Thursday from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. This year, Raven Circle will be centered around helping students stay on top of their homework load and teaching new, exciting knowledge and skills. Both the before and after-school program will have time for students to work with teachers to complete their homework, and the after-school program will have time for students to attend sessions taught by Garry teachers and other staff. Sessions may be STEM-based, arts-based, physical fitness-based, life skills-based, etc. Look for more information coming your way about Raven Circle enrollment and participation in the next couple of weeks! 

Tori Schauer 

21st CCLC Student Support Coordinator 

125W 

September: Commitment

Sticking to your choices. A willingness to practice and fulfill your obligations or goals even when it is challenging or you don't feel like it.

October: Respect

This year at Spokane Garry, students can use their SoaRRR tickets to purchase prizes out of the Edgar Store display case

(located in the hallway by the 125 wing).

Students can earn SoaRRR tickets when Garry Staff observes students practicing the 3 R's.

Ready. Responsible. Respectful.

Step 1: Go to Spokane Garry Website and click on Activities. 

Step 2: From the menu, click on “Registration” 

Step 3: Scroll down and click on “Parent Playbook” 

Step 4: Scroll to page 2 and click on the link

https://spokane-wa.finalforms.com/ 

Step 5: Click on the “Parent” icon. Then click “Never Logged In?” at the bottom of the page. 

Step 6: “Resend Confirmation Link?” will come up. Enter your email address and click “Send Secure Link” at the bottom. 

Step 7: An email will be sent to you. Click on the link that is in the email to confirm your account. 

Step 8: Click on the sport your student is interested in. (i.e. “Cross Country”)

Step 9: Locate and click the INCOMPLETE FORMS button for the student you wish to register. 

Step 10: Complete each form and sign your full name (i.e. ‘Jonathan Smith’) in the parent signature field on each page. After signing each, click SUBMIT FORM and move on to the next form. 

Step 11: When all forms are complete, you will see a "Forms Finished” message. (All forms must be completed to the best of your abilities.)

Your student will need to follow the same directions and complete the necessary student forms (On #5 they will need to click on the “Student” icon).

Sports Physicals  

Students participating in athletics are required to have a sports physical on file.  

You can get a Sports Physical from your own doctor and have it faxed to Spokane Garry Middle School

OR……..  

Sports physicals are available at: 

Rogers High School CHAS Clinic 

1622 E Wellesley 

509-435-4221 (Call for Appointment) 

7:30 am – 3:00 pm 

Cost is FREE or sliding fee scale 

Northeast Community Center  

4001 N Cook 

509-326-4343 (Call for Appointment) 

7:45 am – 7:00 pm 

Cost is $10.00 

Remember – Physicals must be on file at Garry in order to play. 

Fall Sports

Students, interested in working on the Yearbook?

Come to our first meeting on Tuesday, September 19th, after school.

Room 125E (across from the GCC)

You can still participate in sports and other clubs!

Come to the meeting for more information.

Ms. Corwine

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. AVID is an elective class that focuses on WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading). This class focuses on rigor and community building to teach students strategies that will help them in high school, college, and in life. It also targets students in the academic middle with the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. Here at Garry, the majority of our teachers are AVID trained and use AVID strategies in each class to provide the best learning experience possible for each student and their individual learning styles. Mrs. Sargent is our AVID Site Coordinator and prides herself on being a leader to the best AVID staff in Spokane Public Schools.

September 17th is Constitution Day and staff and students celebrate this day every year to help our students understand the importance of this document created by our wise forefathers. We have several activities for students. Students who choose to memorize the Preamble will earn a Pizza Party with game time! They will learn about the Constitution in social studies classes, especially regarding the Washington State law that requires teachers to teach patriotism (RCW.28A.405.005). In advisory, they will learn about the evolution of the US flag design. Some staff members will dress up as colonial characters with the assurance that George Washington and Abe Lincoln will attend school lunch for a photo op! And students may receive a free pocket Constitution and flag. Our freedoms are precious and it’s critical that our students understand how fortunate they are to live in the United States of America.

September is Hispanic Heritage Month acknowledged in our school with a 6-foot tall banner at the school entryway featuring Cesar Chavez, an American civil rights activist. Cesar Chavez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association to ensure fair working wages and safe working conditions for immigrants working on farms. He emphasized nonviolent tactics, like picketing and boycotting, to unite hard-working Hispanics and create change.

In addition, another banner is positioned at the front of the library featuring Frida Kahlo. Frida was a Mexican artist who created bold and colorful paintings that depicted Mexican and indigenous culture. She is also celebrated for her depiction of the female experience and form making her a pioneer feminist. 

Describe what you do at Spokane Garry Middle School and how long you’ve worked here.

I am one of the Assistant Principal. I work with students who need additional support so that we have a productive environment for teachers to do their awesome work. This is my 1st year here at Spokane Garry

How do you like to spend your time when you’re not at work?

When I am not at work, I love to be on the lake, hiking, camping, and trying new restaurants downtown. I am also working on my lifelong dream of flying.

What is one of your hidden talents?

I play a mean game of Chess! I have played Chess since 4th grade and love it.

Where is the coolest place you’ve traveled to?

Wow, hard questions! I loved my time in South Korea, so many interesting sites to see. Eastern Europe was also full of history. Then again, Peru was amazing! However, it is hard to top Venice Italy. I love to travel and have loved every place I have been.

Is there one thing you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time?

Flying! When I lived in Alaska, I flew around much of the state. My dad was a pilot as well. I am working on getting my pilot’s license now.

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Visit the Spokane Garry Facebook Page and the Spokane Garry YouTube Channel for more updates and information!