Middle School Back to School Information
- Summer Work
- Supply List
- Summer Drop In Sessions
- Health Forms/Magnus
- Forms (Non-Health)
- Orientation
- Ordering Textbooks
- Handbook and Curriculum Guide
- UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
Summer Work
Supply List
Summer Drop In Sessions
DROP IN SESSIONS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26 and WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 10:00 AM
The Middle School will host an optional drop in session in the Middle School lobby at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 26 and Wednesday, August 16. Please join Shannon Schmidt (Head of the Middle School) & Lauren Anderson (Assistant Head of Middle School) for lemonade and conversation and an opportunity to tour the Middle School.
MIDDLE SCHOOL POPSICLE SOCIAL
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 5:30 PM
Health Forms/Magnus
Health forms are due no later than Monday, July 24. Please click here to review more details and download all necessary forms.
Returning families: Please be sure to carefully review all sections of the health profile; if anything has changed regarding your student’s health in the past year, please update that section, as you may need to provide additional information. Thank you!
Forms (Non-Health)
REQUIRED FOR ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS:
2023-24 Middle School Permission Form
REQUIRED FOR SOME MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS:
- Transportation Form (for bus riders; please submit by June 23)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/RESOURCES:
Boarding Forms
Please send all Boarding Student forms to the Director of Residential Life, RachelWaller@gfs.org.
Boarding Student Permission Form (required for all new and returning boarding students)
Boarding Student Roommate Questionnaire (required for all new and returning boarding students)
Boarding Student Guardian Form (Required for international students only; Boarding students must have a guardian in order to be on campus. If you are having trouble securing a guardian, we recommend working with Student Health Advocates (SHA), a concierge service that helps link international boarding families with guardians in the US. Please visit this page for more details about Boarding Student Guardians)
Orientation
MIDDLE SCHOOL ORIENTATION
Middle School Orientation will take place in person on Monday, August 28. This event is mandatory for all Middle School students and parents. Students do not need to be in uniform.
- Optional Locker Move-In, 8:00-9:00 AM: It is recommended that students take advantage of the optional locker move-in time before the Orientation program begins. The popular locker shelves may be purchased at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target, Walmart, or Home Depot; here is a link to the shelving unit on Amazon <https://www.amazon.com/ClosetMaid-8987-Stackable-3-Shelf-Organizer/dp/B002IT6E5Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471017186&sr=8-1&keywords=3+cube+shelf>. To make the process easier, please build your shelf at home prior to Orientation. Please pay careful attention to the dimensions (11.7x12.2x31.5) and note that our lockers are not magnetic.
- Orientation for all Students and Parents, 9:00 AM-10:30 AM: Orientation for all new and returning students and parents is Monday, August 28. During this time, students and families will have a chance to meet advisors, teachers, administrators and classmates. Students and parents will meet with the student’s advisor, receive class schedules and discuss class events for the year. Students are not in uniform on this day. Having at least one parent/guardian attend the Orientation is mandatory.
- Special Program for All 6th Grade and New 7th & 8th Grade Students, 10:30 AM-12:15 PM: A special program for all 6th Grade students and new 7th and 8th Grade students will provide the chance to meet more teachers, learn additional routines and expectations of the Middle School, tour the building, participate in a question/answer session and begin to bond with fellow classmates and receive their computers. Any 7th and 8th Grade student who already received their laptop should bring it to Orientation.
- All families are invited to join us for refreshments on the Dining Hall patio immediately following Orientation and can take advantage of optional campus tours.
- Dismissal for Returning 7th & 8th Graders, 10:30 AM
- Dismissal for All 6th Grade and New 7th & 8th Grade, 12:15 PM
Ordering Textbooks
BOOK ORDERING: The Garrison Forest Virtual Bookstore is now open for business! Orders of $99.00 or more placed between July 31 and August 13 will receive free shipping. This year, we have streamlined the ordering process with "Shop by Schedule," which allows families to enter their child’s student ID and immediately view and order the materials for their enrolled courses. Please follow the steps below to obtain your student’s GFS ID number and order books:
STEP 1: FINDING YOUR CHILD’S STUDENT ID IN THE GFS PARENT PORTAL
Existing users/If you are ready to log-on:
- Go to https://www.gfs.org/parent, then choose "My Student(s)".
- At the Login prompt, enter your email address (under Username) and password.
- You are now logged into the Parent Portal page and you can select the links for Magnus Health, report cards and course schedules.
- Select “Click here for Report Cards, Conference Sign-up and Student Schedules;”
Your child’s Student ID will be the five digit number next to their name.
Trouble-shooting:
If you have trouble logging in please contact the GFS Tech Support Office at 410-559-3456 or email techsupport@gfs.org.
STEP 2: ORDERING COURSE MATERIALS IN THE GFS VIRTUAL BOOKSTORE
- Please click here to be directed to the GFS Bookstore at BNC/MBS Direct.
- Click “Let’s Get Started” to be taken to the Getting Started page below:
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- You may log in if you are a returning user or create an account if you are a new user; Click “Menu” and then “Order Your Materials” to reach the Getting Started page.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure you see "Shop By Schedule" before proceeding. If you do not see the Shop by Schedule option, please clear the cookies on your computer.
- Under Shop by Schedule, enter your child’s Student ID and click “View Your Materials”
- Follow the prompts to purchase your course materials
- Please note:
- All Middle School Math classes require purchase of the textbook and the online access.
- Returning students to Spanish or French 7 or 8 do not need to purchase a new book, as they will continue to use the one from last year. New students should purchase a book.
- For Latin 8, all returning students should only purchase the Unit 2 book and use their Unit 1 book from 7th Grade. All new students should purchase both Unit 1 and Unit 2 books. Please purchase the Cambridge Latin text with 1-Year Elevate access. If you choose to purchase elsewhere, be sure that the 1-Year Elevate access is included. If a student's book is without an access code, the student/family will be responsible for purchasing the access code independently.
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Questions?
- For questions about online ordering please contact MBS Direct at 800-325-3252 or directinfo@mbsdirect.net.
- For questions about your student's schedule as it relates to her book order, contact Stephanie Boteler, Middle School Administrative Assistant at stephanieboteler@gfs.org.
- If you have shipped books for a boarding student to school, Rachel Ayers Waller, Director of Residential Life, will hold the books until your daughter arrives on campus.
Handbook and Curriculum Guide
UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
GRIZZLY GEAR
Located in the O'Zone, Grizzly Gear offers a selection of gently used uniforms and spirit wear for purchase. Cash, check, and credit card accepted. All proceeds benefit the Parent Association.
August Dates
- Saturday, August 12; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 16; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Grizzly Gear donations are being collected in the lobby of Manor House throughout the summer.
If you would like to volunteer for Grizzly Gear or have questions please email Grizzly Gear Parent Liaison Danielle Brown.
Middle School Summer Checklist!