June 2022

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A Note from Dr. Wendy Watson, Principal

Moving On

This is a time of transition that brings celebrations and good will wishes to those moving on from our school while also welcoming those who are arriving in the fall. In the last few weeks, 5th and 6th grade students from surrounding elementary schools have visited our hallways with excited faces as they anticipate taking 6 different classes in the fall. Their energy and excitement reminds us that “moving on” is a beautiful part of life that always brings new challenges but can be difficult when letting go of elementary school. Moving on is also a time to reflect on what has been wonderful about time spent at Garry which is always about relationships with people who will be missed. To the 8th graders moving on to high school, this staff wishes you the greatest luck in the world as you continue to carve a path towards a big, beautiful future. To the staff leaving Garry for any number of reasons, thank you for taking care of our students in what is one of the most important and hard jobs in the world. May your pathway ahead be full of new adventures with fantastic people!

Character Trait of the Month:

Responsibility

April’s character trait is Respect. Students who display this trait are recognize, consider, and properly honor the worth of one's self and others.

April Students

of the Month

Respect

Meliah Williams

Brayden Stewart

Syann Benzie

Daisy Bui

Isabella Perez

Neveah Galliher

Robert Carson

Ethan Bales

Connor Matson

Itxa Hernandez

Madysen Gerstung

Elizabeth Keju

Lauren Widner

May’s character trait is Responsibility. Students who display this trait are accountable, pursue excellence, and exercise self-control.

May Students

of the Month

Responsibility


Natalie Ha

DeMarcus Angel

Shyla Jacoby Stone

Brayden Stewart

Marley Flanigan

Zavier Killough

Zytavious Silva

Last Day of School!

Thursday, June 16th

Periods 1, 2, 3

Field Day 1-3:30


Friday, June 17th

Periods 4, 5, 6

Talent Show 10:20am-12pm



The last day of the 2021-2022 school year is 

June 17th


Students will be released at

12:00pm

Upcoming Spirit Days

June 15th - Squad Day

Community Summer Programs and Activities

There is no lack of great activities and programs for youth to take part in over the summer! Here is a list below… 

  

SPS Summer Connect 

This link will take you to a district page with a list of local summer programs. Some we have already featured, but they are adding others that might be a good fit for your student/s. 

Enrichment & Activities / Summer 2022 (spokaneschools.org)


If You Could Save Just One...  

Field Days in Glass Park with games and prizes. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays from July 6th to August 26th, 10am-1pm. Bussing will be available with pickup starting at 9am and drop-off starting at 1pm. Lunch will be provided every day from 12pm-1pm. Registration will be open on their website in a few weeks. 

 

If You Could Save Just One also has daily programming Monday-Friday from 3pm-6pm at their location at 4421 N. Nevada  

 

PAL (Spokane Police Activities League) 

Athletic and academic programs as well as opportunities to build positive relationships with local police officers. Wednesdays from July 13th – August 10th, 12pm-3pm at Friendship Park. Lunch provided. Register at SPDCommunityOutreach@spokanepolice.org  

 

Spokane Public Library 

Libraries in Spokane offer a variety of programs each week for kids of all ages. Check to see what is available here  

 

They are also having a FANTASTIC program where you can check out FREE passes to Mobius Discovery Center or Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. You can look into the opportunity here 

 

Spokane Parks and Recreation 

Spokane Parks and Rec has a wide range of summer programs from arts and crafts, athletic programs, and summer camps. Some have a price associated and others are free. 

Link here for programs that have already been announced. 

Link here for the website where the summer guide will be posted when it is released.  

 

You can sign up for the FREE Splash Pass here . Aquatic centers will open June 20th 

  

NEWTech Summer Academy 

This program is limited to students who have completed the 8th grade or are in high school. Students will have the opportunity to explore a CTE class. Offerings include classes such as baking, automotive, cosmetology and so many more. Learn more here .  

 

The ZoNE   

The ZoNE is located at the Northeast Community Center – 4001 N. Cook. There are multiple summer programs offered every summer for youth of all ages. Check out their website here 

 

Camp Spokane Garry Summer Experience  

Come join us for a summer experience full of fun and learning. Learn more here 

 

Free Youth Bus Passes  

Follow the link to learn more STA Summer Pass – Free STA pass for youth. 

  

Spokane Garry Summer School

Spokane Garry Middle School has a unique summer school program that focuses on building relationships and connecting students with the Spokane Garry school community.



Our summer sessions will run from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. from June 21-July 1 and July 11 – 22, 2022 (July 4-8 will be a holiday week).

 

Students will receive individualized instruction in Language Arts and mathematics, as well as team building opportunities to increase their leadership capacity. Daily enrichment activities led by staff, members of the community and college-student groups will provide students with the opportunity explore their interests and learn new skills. At the end of each week, students and staff will participate in a half-day field trip in the local Spokane area. Breakfast and lunch are provided by Spokane Public Schools.

 

The Spokane Garry Summer Experience is free for current 7th graders moving into 8th grade and incoming 6th and 7th graders wanting to get acquainted with the middle school environment. 


Click here to view a short video about our Summer School Program!


To enroll your child in the Spokane Garry Summer Experience, please contact Sandrakr@spokaneschools.org or call 509.354.5127. Space is limited for each grade level. Please enroll early to ensure a spot in our summer program. 

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Spokane Indians Nights

The Spokane Indians Baseball team has reserved 25 seats in the lower left field section for 25 students and family members on Wednesday, August 17th (Teacher Appreciation & Back to School Night)


Click here to buy $5 tickets for the August 17th game!


Contact Ms. Krause-Ayers for more information! SandraKr@spokaneschools.org

AVID Updates

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Pennies for Pets


Our Pennies for Pets fundraiser that benefited SpokAnimal and Kitty Cantina raised a total of $1,640.94!

Congratulations to everyone who participated. We far exceeded our goal of raising $1000.00.

The winning advisory to receive a class breakfast is Mrs. Sargent’s class. They raised over $400 themselves!

Thank you to everyone who participated and represented Garry Middle School!


AVID College Visit


AVID Elective students will be visiting Eastern Washington University for a campus tour on Wednesday, June 8th.

Students will have the opportunity to see the campus through the eyes of current college students, interact with a student panel, visit the library and multicultural center, and participate in a photo op on the legendary Roos Field.

Asian American Pacific Islander Month Banners

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In honor of Asian American & Pacific Islander Month last May, students in social studies classes last learned about 10 notable women and men and voted for four of them to be placed on new equity banners to be placed around the school for next year. The following banner honorees who will join King Kamehameha and Kamala Harris are:

 

Athlete and Entertainer: Bruce Lee


Scientist: Kalpana Chawla


Comic-book Artist & Writer: Jimmy Lee


Entertainer: Dwayne Johnson

Supporting Families - Supporting Students

Hello Garry families! This year has been a challenge none of us anticipated. Your resiliency to continue through the tough times has paid off as we have made it to the end of the school year. For our outgoing 8th grade families, we will miss you and wish you the best in your journey through high school. For our 7th grade families, we are excited to see you back next year! We look forward to welcoming a school full of new faces. For any families who have questions or concerns about next year, don’t hesitate to reach out. I would be happy to help you get the answers you need. One of the questions I usually have as a parent is, what day does school start next year? School will start September 1st. Here is a link to next year's draft calendar you can check out.

In this newsletter there are a list of opportunities available in Spokane this summer. There are many options available for academic support or just fun times to have as a family. Take a look to see what interests you. 

Lastly, we will have a food market in the Garry Community Center June 15th and 16th after school. We will have fresh produce as well as pantry stable items. All families are welcome, and we would love to see you drop by. 

If you have any questions or ways that I can help support your family, please reach out. Otherwise, finish the year strong and have a GREAT summer! 


As always, if I can help support you or your family in any way, please reach out. My phone number is (509)354-5170 and my email is Devonya@spokaneschools.org  

Lexia Update

Although the school year is coming to an end, students have continued to rock their Lexia units. The average units completed by students have gone from 7 units a month in January to 45 units this month. We have thirteen amazing students who have completed the entire Lexia program and will be presented with completion awards. Students have really worked hard and we are proud of their progress.


Lexia Finishers

Itxa Hernandez

Elizabeth Hoffman

Natalie Ha

Kamielle Washington

Vincent Moon

Lorna Scott

Melissa Pirie

Alejandro Nunez

Wyatt McPhee

Jayden Christensen

Erianna Beckley

Logan Hoffmann

Peyton Swank

Raven Circle

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Raven Circle Students toured Spokane Falls Community College. Students learned the difference between attending a 2-year college and 4-year university. Students saw and learned how the pendulum that was designed by SFCC students works. This was the last field trip of the year for Raven Circle. We are excited for all of the adventures Raven Circle will experience next year!

 

Days and Times: 

Monday-Thursday 3:30-5:30 PM 

Tuesday-Friday 8:00-9:00 AM 



If you have questions email: juandiegol1@spokaneschools.org 

Sports Updates

Baseball - The Garry varsity baseball team finished the 52nd year of Garry Baseball on a high note by winning the final game of the season over Glover. Alex Christensen struck out the last batter of the game on three pitches to give the Ravens a 9 to 6 victory over the Falcons. Earlier in the season, the Ravens swept the Shaw Vikings to bring home the Hills Hammer. The Hills Hammer will now rest in the Garry trophy case until next fall when the Ravens work defend the trophy over Shaw in football. Cameron Kifer, Axel Michel, Cayden Summa, Bokerok Hilai, Kolton Reed, Aiden Wimmer, Nickolas Phillips Jr., Alex Peabody, Meliah Williams and Kester Albert earned their first-year letter in baseball. Alex Christensen, Adin Rouse, Wessley Skrehot, Noah Weese-Carlsen, and Graham Nesbitt earned their second-year letter and baseball pin. Congratulations Ravens on a great 2022 season! 


Track - The Garry track team put on an exceptional showing this year. Throughout the season they demonstrated resolve and effort as they competed to their best abilities and exceeded expectations. While all students excelled, a few student athletes dominated day in and day out. These students received the inaugural “Dominator Award.” The Garry Dominators were: Octavian Jennings, Alijah Rhoades, Tulan Tran and Ashley Richards. Following up their success was a group of athletes who worked hard day in and day out, gaining the Garry Grit Award. This included Travis Toombs, Payton Carson, Emma Olsen and Akiah Foye. The leadership award, given to students who consistently demonstrated improvement and encouraged the same in others, was awarded to two eighth graders who exemplified what it means to be a leader: Nariah Henry and Tony Orozco. Finally, our most distinguished award, the Spirit of Garry award, was given to Genta Akiyama, Jessica Wilborne, and Shay Crawford. These three were continuously positive and helped show Garry’s core values to other schools, and their own peers. A huge shoutout goes to those athletes who participated in track for both years, helping to develop a successful program: Ethan Sweeney, Aubrie Lowman, Jessica Wilborne, Travis Toombs, and Kaylee Romero. We thank you for your leadership, and look forward to what we know will be a successful future! Great job Garry Ravens Track Team!



If you have questions, please contact Kim MacPherson at 509-354-5138


Sign up for Family ID here!

FREE Sports Physicals!

Would you like to play sports next school year? If so, you can get a free sports physical at Logan Elementary School Health Center on Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. The sports physicals take approximately 30 minutes and there are two interns on site. The Health Center is open until June 14th for this school year and will reopen once school resumes. You may call them directly to schedule an appointment. You do not need any insurance for the sports physical however; you will need insurance to play sports after school. 

Staff Spotlight!

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Edgar the Raven

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

I have worked at this school for 9 months. I visit with students sometimes during lunch or in the hallways. I like to show school spirit. Sometimes I have coffee with Dr. Watson in her office and we talk about students and their capacity to have a big, beautiful future. She believes I bring humor and hope towards that mission. That’s what I’m trying hard to do.

 

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

I generally enjoy gronking at people and crows around town. It’s super fun to startle them too! I like to swoop in close and then, “GRONK!” “GRONK!” “GRONK!” Scares the heck out of them! I once gronked at Mr. Martin and Mr. Hurley and they gronked back! So cool!

 

What's something that people don't know about you?

People think I fly around all day. Boring. I like to cuddle up in my nest with a good book and that surprises people. My favorite novels include: “Mockingjay,” “I Heard the Owl Call My Name,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Snacking on some lizards and insects makes the whole experience relaxing and tasty.

 

Is there a quote or saying that you live your life by?

My favorite quote: “Bird is the word.”  In 1963, a group called The Trashmen wrote a song called, “Surfin’ Bird,” with some of the most compelling lyrics in music history that include “bird is the word,” over and over and over again. If you don’t know the song, have your teacher play it in class. You’ll be transformed.

 

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

I’ve always wanted to appear at a school assembly in high demand with students chanting my name loudly in hopes that I will appear. I think running around the gym with students and staff while gronking loudly while showing school spirit would be the greatest job in the world.