November 2023

November 10th - Veteran's Day (No School)

November 22nd thru 24th - Thanksgiving Break (No School)

Can you believe that Thanksgiving and Christmas are almost here? Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to spend as families focusing on all of the things we are thankful for as well as learning about the history that lead to Thanksgiving. We understand it can also be a stressful time for some families, so we wanted to provide you with a list of resources leading up to Thanksgiving. Here is a link to look at additional resources around Spokane. If you have any questions, please reach out! Other wise look next month and we will have a list of Christmas Resources. 

Thursday November 16th 3:30-5:00 – Garry is having their Winter Market. 

There will be coats and food resources for the whole family. 

Monday November 21st 1:00-6:00 PM - Valley Assembly 

5618 E. Broadway Ave., 509-924-0466  

Thanksgiving boxes will be provided for families in our local community. If there is a family who would like a box, they need to call and sign up for a box. Sign-ups are open while supplies last.  

Tuesday November 22nd 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or until meals run out - Tom’s Turkey Drive  Spokane County Fairgrounds, 404 N. Havana

Drive-thru, no walk-ups. 1 meal per family. 3 meals max per/car (families can pick up for a friend/family members); for more info 2-harvest.org/turkeydrive 

Tuesday November 22nd 10:00 am. – 2:00 p.m. or while supplies last - Tom’s Turkey Drive  1234 E. Front

Spokane Transit Authority Riders and walkers will be able to pick up turkey meal boxes at; for more info 2-harvest.org/turkeydrive

Wednesday November 23rd 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. - 

If You Could Save Just One     

Just One is offering gourmet dinners, with a side of entertainment to be dropped off at your home on the 23rd of November. Registrations close on the 21st of November. Meals are limited so register soon. Serving only Zip Codes 99207, 99201, 99204, 99202, some 99208 and 99217. To register: 509-703-7161

ifyoucouldsavejustone.org 

Thursday November 24th - 10:00 a.m. - Fresh Soul 

3029 E. 5th, 509-242-3377 (Michael Brown)

Fresh Soul will be giving away 100 free meals to the first 100 people.

Thursday November 24th 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. - Salvation Army 

222 E Indiana Ave., Office: 509-325-6821 x2212

The Salvation Army is hosting its Thanksgiving meal in our gym,

we plan to serve 200 people.

Devony Audet

Family Engagement Coordinator

DevonyA@SpokaneSchools.org

(509)354-5170

With the holidays quickly approaching, Communities in Schools has a few Holiday Supports Available at Garry. On 11/16/2023 we will have our Winter Market, after school from 3:30-5pm. At this Winter Market we will have winter coats, and extra food to take home. ALL families are welcome to check it out, and shop in the GCC. If you have any questions, please reach out to Miss Miranda.

Communities in Schools will also have 40 Turkey Dinners available for Thanksgiving. These dinners will be first come, first served. If your family needs a Turkey Dinner for Thanksgiving, please reach out to Miranda Adair at MirandaA@spokanschools.org, or reach out to your child’s Counselor.

Communities in Schools will also be partnering with NECC and Four Roots Farms to provide food boxes on 11/27/2023. Parents will need to pick up the boxes after school is out. The truck will be at Garry Middle School by the gym from 3:30-5pm, or until the boxes are gone.

Miranda Adair

CIS Community in Schools

MirandaA@spokaneschools.org

354-5132

There are a couple of updates to share regarding before and after-school Raven Circle! Most importantly, we have changed the schedule slightly to no longer hold the morning program on Friday’s. Now, morning Raven Circle will be held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00-8:55 every week. After-school RC will remain the same schedule, excluding holidays. So, for our upcoming Thanksgiving break, we will only have program on Monday and Tuesday, then we will be back to our regular schedule after break.

We’ve been doing some fun enrichment activities lately with our partner programs from Gonzaga! Connections brings in 6-8 student mentors every week to do activities and offer homework help to our students. This week we made candy corn catapults! The GAME program also comes weekly to participate in different physical activities with the students. It’s great for our students to see college athletes come and spend time with them every week.

If students want to sign up for Raven Circle or participate in either of the Gonzaga programs, they can come see me in the GCC for paperwork!

Tori Schauer 

21st CCLC Student Support Coordinator 

125W 

Planner, Organization and Motivating your Middle Schooler

Counselor Corner

By Mrs. Holt, Counseling Department

Here are some tips for keeping on track... Many students struggle with basic organization and time management in the transition from elementary to high school. You may need to work with your middle-schooler on these skills in a motivating manner when they would prefer to procrastinate.  ALWAYS have your student use their planner...we require it at Garry and it is a critical habit to help students remember the numerous requirements of 6 classes plus after school follow through on homework, rest, family and social time. Learning it now, will pay dividends their entire life.  

Remember, encourage, reinforce and teach again and again. Balance accountability, follow through with humor, love, and clear expectations. Encouraging Conversations that value both education AND social/family time help students feel like partners and can be the KEY to lifelong learning, persistence, and feeling fulfilled. 

November: Honesty

Being free from deception-not only saying true things, but living a life that is consistent with what you say.

December: Selflessness

Students who are putting full effort in passing all of their classes deserve a quarterly rewards party! Students who pass all classes are committed to listening in class, following the teachers’ directions, behaving in class, and completing homework assignments. What’s most important to know is that EVERY STUDENT AT GARRY CAN DO THIS! So for those students consistently making the right decisions, the staff sees you and thanks you for your honest efforts. On Tuesday, Nov. 28th, 6th graders will be treated to a Boardgames Reward Party in the GCC. For 7th graders, it will be on Wednesday, Nov. 29th, and for 8th graders it will be Thursday, Nov. 30th. Details will be coming soon.  Congratulations Scholars!

Spokane Chief Garry (1811?-1892), 1892 Photo by Sherman Blake, Courtesy UW Special Collections (Neg. L-93.68.10.10)

Our school is honored to be named after Spokane Garry. When you visit our school, be sure to stop by the display case in the main entry hallway dedicated to this man and his legacy. You can find more detailed information about Spokane Garry here: https://www.historylink.org/file/8713

In addition, take the opportunity to read about Native American Heritage Month here: 

https://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about.html

A huge thank you to the school psychologists across Spokane Public Schools who dedicate their time and expertise to assist students, families and staff. Thank you Dayra Salcedo for supporting the Garry neighborhood!

MESA students in both 7th and 8th grade were invited to WSU Spokane for an all day introduction to MESA field trip. Students practiced fly two different types of drones. They also started to learn about how to use Arduino equipment and the programming involved. Now they are ready to start developing their projects for the National MESA Competition.

LIBRARY CLUBS: We are having a great time after school in the library! Strategy Game Club is on Mondays and Wednesdays with Mr. Newbury. Anime & Crochet Club is on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Mr. Maysonet.

It's not too late to sign up!

See this page on the Garry website for help signing up on FinalForms: https://www.spokaneschools.org/Page/1559

Nov. 15 - 8th Volleyball Game @ Glover 4:15 pm

Nov. 16 - 7th Volleyball Game @ Peperzak 4:15 pm

Nov. 21 - 7th Volleyball Game @ Salk 4:15 pm

8th Volleyball Game @ Garry 4:15 pm

Nov. 28 - 7th Volleyball Game @ Peperzak 4:15 pm

8th Volleyball Game @ Garry 4:15 pm

Nov. 30 - 8th Volleyball Game @ Chase 4:15

6th Grade Volleyball

The 6th Grade Volleyball Team completed another successful season of learning competitive volleyball. Coaches Jon Suzukawa and Mersi Sargent were extremely pleased with the progress made for the future of Spokane Garry Volleyball!

7th/8th Grade Softball

The Garry Varsity Softball team finished the 53^rd year of Garry softball with a record of 6 wins and 2 losses. The Ravens only lost to Chase and Shaw. Gracie Butters, Eva Krebs, Liz Brumback, Abbie Epps and Belle Phillips earned their second-year letter in softball and were voted as most valuable players in the annual Garry vs. Shaw game by the coaching staff.

Back (From left to right): Harper Belcher, Tamara Roloff, Belle Phillips, Eva Krebs, Liz Brumback, Gracie Butters, Edgar the Raven, Nevaeh Bothwell, Kahlei Reiher, Lilley Blomquist. Front: Abbie Epps, Molly Kifer, Anna Glatzmaier.

Congratulations to the following 8th graders who successfully completed the EVERFI Financial Literacy course in CCLR. EVERFI Financial Literacy is a digital financial education program that teaches students how to make wise financial decisions to promote financial well-being over their lifetime:

Nathan Arroyo

Garret Busby

Rylea Castro

Monica Cing

Koletin Collins

Onyx Delight

Eliza Dragomir

Thomas Grossnickle

Rilee Hronek

Daniel Ialanji

Wyatt Kendrick

Dennis Krukovich

Mykenzi MacDonald

Jarek Sandstrom

Joey Shapoval

Howard Smiley

Romel Vazquez

Xzavier Zuniga

Click here to download November's prompt.

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

I am the Library Information Specialist. I help students and staff access the different resources available from the library such as books and technology. I’ve been at Spokane Garry Middle School for 5 years, and this is my second year in the library.

What do you love about your job?

I love that I get to work with all our staff and students. I love learning about the diverse interests our students have and showing them all the different ways that libraries can help them pursue their passions. I enjoy working in a room that is a community space because I always try to get involved in after-school activities and events.

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

I am 100% a dog person. My partner and I have two dogs. Our Boston Terrier is named Skye. We also have a mixed-breed puppy named Fezzik, named after a character from The Princess Bride, one of my favorite books. We love to take them on hikes and trips with us.

Where is the coolest place you’ve traveled to?

This last summer I went to Costa Rica and it was amazing. I loved everything about Costa Rica, but the coolest part of the trip was the wildlife. We saw too many kinds of birds to list, frogs, iguanas, monkeys, and sloths. The most memorable experience was when a puma ran across the trail right in front of us in the rain forest!

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

One dream I’ve had for a long time is to someday be on Jeopardy! I have watched it since I was a kid with my family and still watch it regularly. Win or lose, just the experience of getting to compete would be so exciting!

The Lost and Found is located in the Student Office.

During the last week of each month the lost and found items will be put on display in the cafeteria for to students to look through.

Any items not claimed by the end of the week will be donated.

InvestED provides middle and high schools with funds to assist promising young people. Plus, they provide schools with tools to boost fundraising in local communities. Join nearly 700 secondary schools across Washington and partner with InvestED!

To learn more about InvestED click here.

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