Oct. 2022

October's Character Trait of the month is Respect. Being respectful means treating other people as if they are important - because they are. It also means valuing people for their humanity, even though they are different from you.

"When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us"

— Arapaho Proverb

Arapaho Native American Tribe

Softball

Monday 10/5/2022-The Ravens Varsity Softball Team earned their 3rd victory of the year to improve to 3 and 1. The Ravens winning the game 14 to 8 over the Glover Falcons. Eva Krebs went the distance in the pitcher’s circle (to gain her first victory of the year). Eva Krebs also led the way with 2 hits. Aireyona Wilkes and Taylor Hoffman each hit two RBI doubles. Monday 10/10/2022, the Ravens take on the Shaw Vikings here at Garry at 4:15 pm. Come support the Ravens!  

Front: From left to right-Shay Crawford, Rae Culver, Graciana Butters, Taylor Hoffman, Abbie Epps, Elizabeth Brumback. Back: From left to right-Coach Ferris, Lyriq Villa, Olivia Goettsche, Aireyona Wilkes, Madysen Gerstung.

Flag Football

The Football team had an amazing football season. The Ravens saw the highest turnout ever with over 40 athletes. The coaches worked on defensive schemes and offensive plays that would ensure that everyone got to contribute, and we would be able to compete from day one. In addition to learning plays, we had a need for extra cleats for the team. Through generous donations from friends, family, and our very own CIS coordinator Miranda Adair reaching out to a local flag football team, we were able to get everyone in cleats for the first game. My favorite part of coaching this group is their team spirit, hustle, and positive attitude. That combination lead to some very fun football to watch and success on the football field against Salk and Chase thus far. The Ravens look to finish the season better than we started as we take on Sacajawea and Salk.

Cross- Country

The Ravens Boys Cross Country team culminated their season last week by competing in the All-City Finals meet at Franklin Park. We had some standout performances by some of our boys.

Steven Murphy – Finished 29th in the 7th-grade race with a time of 7:23 for the one-mile run. That’s 20 seconds faster than his previous time at the Franklin Park course.  Congrats Steven!

Lyam Washington – Finished 20th in the 6th-grade race with a time of 8:15 for the one-mile run. That’s 1 minute and 23 seconds faster than his previous time at the Franklin Park course!! Way to go Lyam!!

Trenten Kurle – Finished 13th in the 7th-grade race with a time of 6:09 for the one-mile run. That’s also a personal best for Trenten. Trenten also earned a ribbon for finishing in the top 15 in the 7th-grade boys' race. Awesome job Trenten!!!

And congratulations to all of our runners throughout the season, including Spencer Madlin 8th- grade, and Hunter Trujillo 6th-grade. As a team, each boy ran at least a total of 50 miles during the season, and they also ran more on their own time. Great job team!

Coach Schutz

Over the last two weeks in Advisory, our students have been busy learning about empathy, disability awareness, harassment, bullying, intimidation, and the difference between being an active and passive bystander. Advisory teachers have gone over the definition of bullying as being Intentional, an Imbalance of Power, and Repeated (IIR).

Students are made aware that a bully: intends to target a person or group, uses the imbalance of power that they have over the student they are bullying, and repeats the behavior. Throughout the week students have learned that active bystanders step up for the person being bullied in such ways as telling the bully to stop, confiding in a trusted adult, and/or reporting to an adult at home who can contact the school. While a passive bystander stands back and watches it happen. Advisory teachers have sent home a letter for you and your students to sign saying that they have talked to you about the “Double IR” associated with bullying and that they commit to helping end bullying here at Garry Middle School. We have a zero tolerance for bullying and encourage students to report any and all incidents of bullying that they experience or witness.

On Wednesday, October 5th, 8th-graders had the opportunity to visit the Americans and the Holocaust Exhibit from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum hosted by Gonzaga University at the Foley Library. Students learned about the United States’ response to the Holocaust at the interactive exhibit. Students also participated in a campus tour of Gonzaga University. 

A huge thank you for Mr. Ledeboer, Mr. Martin, Mrs. Adair, Mrs. Audet, Ms. Scrima, and Mr. Newbury for chaperoning and countless Spokane Garry Middle School staff who contributed to make this experience and opportunity work. Special thank you to Gonzaga University Community Engagement Director Bailley Wooton and Dean Molly Ayers for helping set up this experience and opportunity for our 8th grade students.

Also, a special thank you to Gonzaga University Foley Library Dean Paul Bracke, Foley Library Associate Dean Brad Mathies, and Foley Library Program Assistant Dustin Gomez specifically for the educational experience with the Americans & The Holocaust exhibit. 

On Wednesday, October 12, 8th graders took the PSAT8, part of the SAT suite of assessments taken by 8th and 9th graders across the country. Spokane Garry Middle School students did a tremendous job and we are all proud of them! We make a big deal about PSAT8 Day because it connects so well with talking to our students about their big, beautiful futures. The test had 4 sections, took most of the morning to complete, and gave students an experience of what the PSAT/SAT exam is like. We will get results from the PSAT8 mid-winter and plan to have students' goals set around them as they begin planning for their high school classes. Stay tuned.

Can you believe we have finished our first full month of school already? Our GCC (Garry Community Center) team has been busy helping support families and students in many ways. One of the ways is through the Clothing Closet in the GCC run by Communities in Schools. Much to our excitement, we have been able to partner with an organization to provide many new/gently used shoes – this is a great resource for walkers when they end up walking through rain and snow as the weather changes. In addition, our Bite2Go program has started for the year where students can receive food items to bring home on Thursdays. Any families interested can have students sign up in the GCC. The way I am most excited about engaging families is through our once-a-month morning Coffee Talk and our once-a-month evening Family Meeting. We look forward to continuing to support you through this avenue!

Our upcoming meetings and topics are… 

• October 20th 6:00-7:00 PM – School Safety and Anti-bullying and Harassment 
• November 3rd 8:00-9:00 AM – Lexia and Mathia 

At these meetings we not only cover the topic but would love to hear feedback about your experiences. 

One other thing I wanted to touch on briefly because of the importance to me is that October is Disability History Month. As the parent of a child with disabilities I wanted to take the time to acknowledge and celebrate our students who live the life of a differently abled person. I also want to challenge those of us who are typically abled to learn about different abilities and become an ally for those around us who are living with one or more disabilities.

If you have questions, I would love to help answer them. You can always reach me by phone or email. 

Devony Audet

Family Engagement Coordinator 

devonya@spokaneschools.org

509-354-5170

The Clothing Closet and Bite2Go programs are located in the GCC -

Garry Community Center Room #125W.



Miranda Adair

CIS Community in Schools

MirandaA1@spokaneschools.org

509-354-5132

Raven Circle is now afterschool on Monday through Thursday at 3:30PM-5:15PM and before school Tuesday through Friday from 8:00AM-8:55AM.

This month, we have guest speakers from Holy Family coming in on October 24th to speak about what it is like to work in a hospital! We also have the Garry “Pumpkin Patch” on October 27ththat students can participate in fun pumpkin-related activities! Have your student join the fun by picking up a registration packet from Ashley Bartels (office 117) or at one of the Raven Circle sessions.

Ashley Bartels

21^st CCLC Site Coordinator

509-354-5133

Landen and Odin attending Raven Circle. They both won a prize during the activities we played in the gym those days. They make sure to work hard during our Raven Circle club by completing homework while eating healthy free snacks and ending our club time with a fun activity in the gym or with our Gonzaga friends or even with special guests. 

Ms. Conklin-Davis' 7th-grade class has been enjoying our warm October weather by playing kickball outside.  In the first picture, there is Juliam as a pitcher, Graciana running from home base, Luis guarding 1st base, Romel running past 1st base, and Kahlei running from 3rd base back to home base to score a point for the team.

October 2nd was National Custodian Day. To celebrate our amazing custodians, the Social Committee put together gift bags for the custodians that included a variety of drinks, Dutch ros. gift cards, homemade cookies, some snacks, and a note thanking them for all of their hard work. Morning announcements on Monday and Tuesday of that week let people know about the appreciation day.

Thank you to our amazing custodial staff!



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

I am a counselor at Spokane Garry. This is my 31st year here (34th if you count the 3 years I attended Garry Junior high school 7th, 8th and 9th grades). 

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

Throughout my life, I have enjoyed all kinds of competitive sports. I have played football, baseball, softball, basketball, and hockey, all at a highly competitive level. Now that I am a bit older, I can’t play all of those sports, so I have shifted my competitive sports playing to golf. It’s a little bit easier on the body, as I don’t get hit as much by the people I play with. My wife and I also like to travel, and play with our 3 cats.  

What’s something people don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that I am a Dallas Cowboys fan (just kidding, it’s splashed all over my office, and I often wear Dallas Cowboys shirts). How ‘Bout Them Cowboys!!! 

What are some pets you’ve had or would like to own?

Over the past 22 years we have had numerous cats. There names include Leo, Rocky, Lucy, Mr. T, Einstein, Suzy, Angus, and Norweigia. 

What is one of your hidden talents?

I am an excellent juggler! I played college baseball, and on the days I wasn’t pitching I would be in the bull pen and practice juggling. It took me about a year to become pretty good at it. 

What's happening next month:

• Week of November 6 - National School Psychology Week
• November 11 - Veteran's Day (No School)
• November 16 - First Quarter Report Cards
• November 23 - 25 - Thanksgiving Break