Good Afternoon 8th Grade Families,
Today, your student brought home important information outlining expectations and details for our upcoming 8th grade trip, formal, and additional end-of-year festivities. These events are designed to celebrate this wonderful group of students and their time at GMS.
https://aptg.co/g0K5xv(link provided)
Please take a few moments to review the information with your student to ensure everyone is aware of expectations and important dates. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
We are excited to celebrate our 8th graders and finish the year strong!
Thank you for your continued support,
GMS Administration
We're excited to celebrate our GMS students who achieved Proficient or Distinguished on last year's KSA state test! 🎉
These students have earned a spot at our Pizza in the Park event:
📅 6th Grade: April 21
📅 7th Grade: April 22
📅 8th Grade: April 23
Students who qualify will be bringing home permission slips, you will only need to return the permission slip if you DO NOT want your child to participate.
We're proud of their hard work and can't wait to celebrate with them! 🍕👏
These students have earned a spot at our Pizza in the Park event:
📅 6th Grade: April 21
📅 7th Grade: April 22
📅 8th Grade: April 23
Students who qualify will be bringing home permission slips, you will only need to return the permission slip if you DO NOT want your child to participate.
We're proud of their hard work and can't wait to celebrate with them! 🍕👏
This week at GMS! We were excited to welcome our GMS Cougars back this morning!
Congratulations to GMS students Sophia Purcell and Leighton Russell for being selected to participate in the Rogers Explorers program! 🎉
Rogers Explorers is an intensive three-day, two-night summer program for rising ninth-grade students in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, focusing on leadership, technology, math, science (STEAM), and community service. Hosted by The Center for Rural Development on college campuses, it offers hands-on STEM education and career path exploration at no cost to students.
We are proud of Sophia and Leighton for this outstanding achievement! Sophia will be studying at Union College and Leighton will be studying at Lindsey Wilson University.
Rogers Explorers is an intensive three-day, two-night summer program for rising ninth-grade students in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, focusing on leadership, technology, math, science (STEAM), and community service. Hosted by The Center for Rural Development on college campuses, it offers hands-on STEM education and career path exploration at no cost to students.
We are proud of Sophia and Leighton for this outstanding achievement! Sophia will be studying at Union College and Leighton will be studying at Lindsey Wilson University.
Congratulations to our Students of the Week for March 30th-April 3rd: Illia Shvorak, Riley Shell, Brenna Roberts, Savannah Abassi, Milana Stepaniuk, Heaven Hamilton.👏👏
This week at GMS(3.30.26)!
PSAT 8/9 Testing – Access to Algebra Grant
Our 7th and 8th grade students will be taking the PSAT 8/9 (Reading and Math) on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026 as part of our participation in Advance Kentucky’s Access to Algebra Grant.
This is Year 1 of a 3-year grant program designed to prepare students for advanced mathematics courses in high school and beyond. Through this grant, Access to Algebra provides professional development for math teachers, funding for classroom supplies and student incentives, and ongoing on-site and virtual instructional support.
Why are students taking the PSAT 8/9?
7th Grade: Students take the assessment without preparation or review sessions to establish a baseline score.
8th Grade: Students take the PSAT 8/9 again and are offered review sessions prior to testing.
8th grade students who meet either:
A benchmark score of 430
OR
A growth goal of 70 points will earn a $50 incentive through the grant program.
📅 Attendance: Students need to make plans to be present on test day. Testing should be MOSTLY completed by afternoon.
💻 Testing Day Requirements
Students must bring:
CHARGED school-issued Chromebook & Chromebook charger
🧠 Preparation & Mindset Tips for Families
Help your student do their best by:
Ensuring they get a good night’s sleep the night before
Providing or encouraging a healthy breakfast
Helping them arrive at school on time and relaxed
Encouraging them to take their time and try their best
Reminding them this assessment helps us understand their growth—it’s not something to stress over
If you have any questions, please contact our Testing Coordinators: Jessica Atallah and Audrey Nichols
Our 7th and 8th grade students will be taking the PSAT 8/9 (Reading and Math) on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026 as part of our participation in Advance Kentucky’s Access to Algebra Grant.
This is Year 1 of a 3-year grant program designed to prepare students for advanced mathematics courses in high school and beyond. Through this grant, Access to Algebra provides professional development for math teachers, funding for classroom supplies and student incentives, and ongoing on-site and virtual instructional support.
Why are students taking the PSAT 8/9?
7th Grade: Students take the assessment without preparation or review sessions to establish a baseline score.
8th Grade: Students take the PSAT 8/9 again and are offered review sessions prior to testing.
8th grade students who meet either:
A benchmark score of 430
OR
A growth goal of 70 points will earn a $50 incentive through the grant program.
📅 Attendance: Students need to make plans to be present on test day. Testing should be MOSTLY completed by afternoon.
💻 Testing Day Requirements
Students must bring:
CHARGED school-issued Chromebook & Chromebook charger
🧠 Preparation & Mindset Tips for Families
Help your student do their best by:
Ensuring they get a good night’s sleep the night before
Providing or encouraging a healthy breakfast
Helping them arrive at school on time and relaxed
Encouraging them to take their time and try their best
Reminding them this assessment helps us understand their growth—it’s not something to stress over
If you have any questions, please contact our Testing Coordinators: Jessica Atallah and Audrey Nichols
Get ready, GMS—Inclusion Week is coming! ✨
Next week, we’re celebrating what makes each of us unique with fun dress-up days all week long! Every day is a chance to show your spirit and support a school where EVERYONE belongs.
Dress up, stand out, and help us spread kindness, acceptance, and inclusion throughout GMS! 💫
Don’t forget—everything leads up to our Special Olympics on Friday. Let’s make it a week to remember!
Next week, we’re celebrating what makes each of us unique with fun dress-up days all week long! Every day is a chance to show your spirit and support a school where EVERYONE belongs.
Dress up, stand out, and help us spread kindness, acceptance, and inclusion throughout GMS! 💫
Don’t forget—everything leads up to our Special Olympics on Friday. Let’s make it a week to remember!
Paws up for these amazing Cougars! 🐾🙌
Your hard work is paying off—Honor Roll looks good on you!
Your hard work is paying off—Honor Roll looks good on you!
GMS Families: We are currently UNABLE to receive transportation notes via TEXT MESSAGE.
If your child has a transportation change, until further notice, please send an email to:
gmsparentnotes@garrard.kyschools.us
If your child has a transportation change, until further notice, please send an email to:
gmsparentnotes@garrard.kyschools.us
Congratulations to our Students of the Week for March 16th-20th: Bentley Wolfe, CJ Walker, Logan Davenport, Faith Caldwell, Avery Burger. Not pictured Zoe Black. Congratulations to our hardworking students!👏
This week at GMS!
GMS Artists At Work! 🎨🖼🎨
This week at GMS! 3.16.26
🐾 Cougars, don’t miss out! 🐾
GMS Yearbooks are on sale now through April 20th!
Yearbooks are $33
Scan the QR code or order online today:
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/
Yearbook ID: 14072526
GMS Yearbooks are on sale now through April 20th!
Yearbooks are $33
Scan the QR code or order online today:
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/
Yearbook ID: 14072526
🐾 Cougars, don’t miss out! 🐾
GMS Yearbooks are on sale now through April 20th!
Yearbooks are $33
Scan the QR code or order online today:
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/
Yearbook ID: 14072526
“Stay gold Ponyboy.” Our 8th Grade ELA students wrapped up their study of The Outsiders by comparing the novel to the film adaptation. Students analyzed how the movie stayed faithful to the original story and where it departed—bringing RL.8.7 to life through discussion and analysis.
Teamwork in action at GMS! JAG students strengthened leadership and communication through the Cups Challenge, while PE students worked together to design collages promoting healthy habits for themselves and their families. Proud of the great things happening at GMS!
Join us for a fun night supporting our Academic Team as they prepare to head to State! On March 13 from 6:00–9:00 PM, come out to Xtreme Sports Center in Stanford for an exciting evening of laser tag. Kids can play for just $10, and 40% of all profits will go toward helping our classmates compete at State. Wear your neon! Gatorade, water, and snacks will also be available for purchase.
Congratulations to our Students of the Week (3/9-3/13): Lily Akers, Addison Araiza, Parker Barrett, Grayson Houp, Brantley Rollins, and Isaiah Long! Proud of our students' hard work and dedication!👏
