Club News

If you are interested in starting a club or have any questions please see Mrs. Collins.  As new clubs are formed they will be added to this page. Please refer to the blog and listen to the announcements for any new additions.

3D Animation Club – Tuesdays K109 2:45 – 4:15 – Sponsor: Ms. Champagne

Learn the basics of the student edition of Maya. If you want to save your work bring a flash drive or your computer. Everyone is welcome.

Green Club – Thursday J203 2:45 – Sponsor: Ms. Rasha

Work on a school wide green project and develop the school garden. Everyone is welcome.

 Coexist Club – Wednesday A102 2:45 – Sponsor: Mr. Beckman

Reflect on mutual respect for all walks of life through discussions on religion, spirituality, and philosophy.

Music Club – Tuesday J203 2:45 – Sponsor: Ms. Rasha

If you love music, this year's G-Star Music Club is stepping it up!  Whether you play an instrument, sing, want to practice, perform or just get together and jam, join us for Music Club. 

Debate Club – Monday's J208 2:40-3:40 and Thursday's J208 during 1st half of lunch - Sponsors: Ms. Brown J105 and Mr. Tannen J208

This is a new club starting this year and your sponsors are looking for input on the club’s direction.

GSA – Wednesday J219 2:45 – Sponsor: Mr. Weiss

GSA provides a confidential forum for discussion and social interaction.

Walking Club – Wednesday Building I 2:45-3:30 – Sponsors: Ms. Collins, Coach Murphy, and Coach Teper

Bring your walking shoes and get ready to train for our first semester goal of a 3k walk and our second semester goal of a 5k. Other healthy living related materials will be presented throughout the year.     “Let’s Move”

National Honor Society – Wednesday J210 2:45-4:00 – Sponsor: Ms. Borden

This organization focuses on community service, leadership, and scholarship. Students are invited to join in April based National Honor Society criteria.

Dr. Jones’ Society – Thursday K104 2:45 – Sponsor: Mr. McClory

Dr. Jones’ Society critiques modern and older movies using film terminology. Come join the oldest running club at G-Star for an afternoon of fun and laughs.

Student Government - Listen to announcements for meetings J107 – Sponsor: Ms. O’Hara

Get involved in school activities. Selected positions are voted upon but everyone is welcome to attend the meetings.

Student Writers and Poets – Wednesday J200 11:05-11:30 – Sponsor: Ms. Marin

The mission of the club is to empower and strengthen student writers and poets and to showcase their work through events.

Same Difference Dance Crew – Monday TBA 3:00 – 4:15 – Sponsor: Ms. Marin

The purpose of the crew is to create a friendly environment where students can come together and dance all different forms of dance.

First Priority – Thursday J213 2:50-4:00 (No meetings on LTM) – Sponsor: Ms. Paro

This is a bible based club open to students of all faiths.

Blood Drive Club – Thursday Media Center 11:05-11:30 – Sponsor: Mrs. Collins

Help organize our four blood drives and save lives. Bring your ideas and help us expand the club.

Prom Committee - Listen to announcements for meetings in I Building – Sponsor: Ms. Teper

Help plan, organize, promote, and raise funds for one of the biggest events of the school year.

G-Star News – Friday K108 2:45 – Sponsor: Mr. Tonnessen

The purpose of the club will be to give students a chance to create and write a newscast. They will get experience in producing, writing, camera work, directing, reporting and anchoring.  The newscast would consist of stories about student events and school news as well as national and world news that affects students.   

Comic Club – Friday J111 11:05-11:30 – Sponsor: Mr. DeLuz and Coach Murphy

If you decided you’re about that Marvel/DC life, come join the Comic Club.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

- Attention X-Scream Team – There is a mandatory meeting Monday from 3-4pm in Studio B. This meeting is MANDATORY for any students wanting information regarding our Tampa Howl O-Scream trip on October 4^th. This meeting is open ONLY to students currently working on the haunt event. Eligibility for the trip will be based on hours accumulated, current grade status and participation history during the X-Scream Project. There will also be general work meetings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3-5.

- If you decided that you’re bout that Marvel/DC life, Comic club meetings will be held every Friday during the first half of lunch in room J111(Mr. DeLuz).

- On Monday, September 23, there will be a mandatory technical meeting in the H building Black Box during the 1^st half of lunch. All technical staff MUST ATTEND!

- Yearbooks are on sale now! Preorder your $50 yearbooks today at the lowest price yet. Prices go up after winter break, so hurry and order today. Memories fade, but yearbooks are forever.

- Makeups for Diagnostic Testing are under way -    9^th and 10^th Reading is Tuesday, September 17^th ,Algebra and Geometry is Wednesday, September 18^th  , US History and Biology is Friday, September 20^th at 9:15 in the Media Center. If you have any questions, please see Ms. Seifer in J202

- Attn: G-Short Participants! – Equipment forms are ready! Each group only needs one form. See directions by the equipment room. G Shorts shooting begins this Friday. Assigned production week is posted on Call Board. There will be a quick meeting in Mr. Dawson’s room for K building teachers to discuss G Shorts on Friday at the beginning of lunch.

- Attention Juniors! PSAT is coming. PSAT testing is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16^th. To qualify for the National Merit Scholarship you must register by Wednesday, September 25^th. The cost of the PSAT is $13.00. See Mrs. Seifer for more details.

 - Attention Seniors, please don’t forget to pick up your Senior quote forms from J219 (Mr. Weiss). Also don’t forget to take your Senior portraits. Deadline is November 2^nd.

- Want to get featured in the yearbook? Well upload your best G-Star pictures on Instagram and hashtag GStar Artifact. If you have any questions see Mr. Weiss or Luana Pacheco.

- Are you interested in animating? Then join the G-Star 3d animation club, this club will involve working with basic animation, modeling, etc. You must bring a flashdrive if you want to save your work. Anyone interested, please meet in K109 (Ms. Champagne) after school from 2:40-3:30 every Tuesday. If you have any further questions contact Jordan Pearl or Shane Hartley.

Monday, September 23^rd is an EVEN day.  We made it through some heavy, if not torrential, rain days this week.  We want to ask parents to make sure EVERY student carries a small umbrella in their backpack EVERY day.  We are now operating two school buses in continuous routes inside our school grounds to transport students to lunch and between classes when it rains. 

Progress Reports went out today, Friday, so please look for them.  If you need to contact your student’s teacher, you may do so only through EDLINE.  If you have not signed up for Edline, click on “Main Menu” on this home page.  Then click on “Edline Access”, and then follow the directions.  On Edline you can follow your student’s progress every week and communicate with their teachers through email.  One important fact about Edline: If you email a teacher their email response to you will only go to the email address you entered in the Edline Access.  Their email back to you will NOT appear on the Edline page!  This is important.  Please remember which email address you gave the teacher to contact you with.  This seems to be the biggest area of disconnect with communication between parents and teachers.

As required by State Statutes, each year all charter schools must have an Annual Audit performed with emphasis on financial procedures and governess compliance.  For the 10^th straight year, we passed with the highest marks in these areas.  This means your G-Star School of the Arts meets all accounting and governance standards.

Palm Beach County College and Career Fair 2013

Palm Beach County College and Career Fair 2013

Thursday, October 10^th

5:30pm-8:30pm

South Florida Fair Grounds and Expo Center

9067 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33411

  

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 17th is an EVEN day!  Don't forget it is PARENT NIGHT at G-Star tonight. It begins at 6 PM. Please come early because parking fills up quickly.  Parents, you will walking through your student's schedule from first teacher to the last teacher in 10 minute visits to each one.  The PTSA will be here and you'll learn lots about the school.  We look forward to seeing you!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

                                                  WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2013

- Are you interested in animating? The join the G-Star animation club, this club will involve working with basic animation, modeling, etc. You must bring a flashdrive if you want to save your work. Anyone interested meet in K109 (Ms. Champagne) after school from 2:40 to 3:30 every Tuesday. If you have further questions please contact Jordan Pearl or Shane Hartley.

- Yearbooks are on sale now! Preorder your $50 yearbooks today at the lowest price yet. Prices go up after winter break! Memories fade, but yearbooks are forever.

- Attention all interested G-Shorts filmmakers. The faculty in K Building would like to remind everyone that the deadline for G-Shorts in THIS Monday, September 16^th. Applications must be complete and include your premise and treatment. See Mrs. Tieche if you are looking for an enthusiastic freshman to join your group. She has the list of new filmmakers excited to join. On Wednesday, group assignments will be posted and the first groups will begin next Friday – that’s a week from today. Be ready! If you have any questions please see a K Building teacher.

- Hey Actors! Do you need help finding a monologue or scene for class? If you have trouble finding material, or you are just interested in readings plays in general, then join our weekly “Play Reading” group! First meeting is Tuesday the 17^th in the Blackbox during the first half of lunch, from 11:00-11:35. The first play we will be reading is Almost Maine by John Cariani. See you there!

- Seniors, Please don’t forget to pick up your Senior quote/best friends initials forms at room J219 (Mr. Weiss). Also, don’t forget to take your senior portraits! Deadline is November 2^nd!

- Want to get featured in the yearbook? Well upload your best G-Star pictures on instagram and hashtag G-Star Artifact. If you have any questions see Mr. Weiss or Luana Pacheco.

- Don’t forget there is a Debate team meeting, Monday after school in J208 (Mr. Tannen).

- Attention Juniors! PSAT are coming. PSAT testing is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16^th. To qualify for the National Merit Scholarship you must register by Wednesday, September 25^th. The cost of the PSAT is $13.00. See Mrs. Seifer for more details.

- Attention all students – a cell phone was lost on Thursday during X-Scream in the Sound Stage. If anyone happened to see it or pick it up, please return it to Mrs. Collins. The next X-Scream meeting will be Wednesday from 3 to 5 in the sound stage. X-Scream dance auditions will be held on Thursday. This audition is open to all students. A background in modern, jazz, or ballet is helpful – enthusiasm is a must!

- Attention all current NAHS members there is a mandatory meeting this Thursday, September 19^th during the first half of lunch in room K107(Mr. Dawson). Please be there by 11:05 so we may begin promptly.

- Please turn in all Yankee Candle fundraising money. Friday, September 13^th was the last day to enter the contest. We will accept late orders but they will not be entered in the contest.

Principal’s Newsletter

Welcome Back G-Star Parents and Guardians,

This year we will continue to provide you with The Parent Institute Newsletter.  You can find the newsletter on our homepage under Principal’s Newsletter. Each month I will give a little preview on our blog about some of the helpful hints that we have also found to be successful for our students.

In September’s issue the main focus is school success. Some important reminders would include planning and following through on a gamut of things from homework and tests to attendance.  If you want your student to be successful they must attend school. Making up work increases the pressure of the day to day assignments not to mention they missed the information that helps them understand the material.  We know students will miss occasionally but please pay attention to how many days they are missing. Ask your student to see their planner at least weekly. Even if your student earns straight A’s they will appreciate the fact that you are taking the time to go over the information with them. If they are not earning good grades they will know that you are checking in with them. This offers incentive to have their school work completed. Choose a specific study place in your home. G-Star provides the students with a planner so they already possess this tool.

Take the Parent Quiz “Are you planning a great year?” My favorite suggestions on the Daily Learning Planner are 4, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 28, 21, 29, and 30. Pick out one or two on the planner that you and your student can appreciate together. You can never go wrong when you are spending quality time with your child.

We are all very excited to start a new school year. Keep reading our blog as we add additions like Club News and use our school calendar for school information such as odd and even days. Stay in touch with your student’s teachers and come visit us on Parent Night September 17^th from 6-8PM. This evening gives the parents an opportunity to follow their student’s schedule and meet their teachers. A handout was given this week with more details. Your student’s registration forms and Parent/Student Contracts were due to their first block teachers on September 9^th.  PTSA is holding a Yankee Candle fundraiser. Students were sent home with a packet, if you still need one they are available in the front office.  Auditions are already in progress for One Acts but they are looking for some technicians, diagnostic testing has begun and the G-Shorts Film Competition is just getting underway.  G-Star is proud to work with the parents and guardians to help your student have a successful year.

Mrs. Collins

Principal

G-Star School of the Arts

Parent Teacher Night Tuesday September 17th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

This night is a great opportunity for parents to follow their student's schedule and meet their teachers. We hope to see you there! Ask your student for their handout that went home on September 9th.

9/10/13 - Good Morning!  It is Tuesday, an ODD day.  Don't forget tonight is the Parent-Teacher-Student- Association (PTSA) meeting at 6:00 PM in the school's cafeteria (Building F).  Please come tonight and join a wonderful group of parents who do great things for our school and our students!

Friday, September 6, 2013 – How to start a club at G-star.  Hello G-Star!  We have many after school clubs at G-Star.  We are asked constantly by our students for advice on how to start a club.  It is quite easy.  If a student wants to start a club they first have to have a minimum of 10 students signed up to be in the club.  They can have more, but they need 10 to start.  Next, they need to find a teacher who will be a sponsor.  The sponsor then takes the information to our Principal, Mrs. Collins, for approval.  She makes sure the sponsor understands their responsibilities and the rules for the students to abide by.  The club decides when to meet and where.  That is all there is to it.  As of today there are 18 clubs signed up for this year.  Unfortunately, since our students come from as far away as Miami to Stuart to Belle Glade, we don’t have an after school activity bus to bring them home.  Therefore, the students need to provide their own transportation.

JOIN THE PTSA TUESDAY EVENING!  This is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill PTA.  This is the G-Star Parent-Teacher-Student-Association!  If you wish to join an extraordinary group of parents who love this school and want to volunteer to make it even better, then mark your calendar for this coming Tuesday.

THE PTSA MEETING WILL BE SEPTEMBER 10 AT 6:30 IN THE COMMISSARY.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO CONTACT: CHRISTINE KRENZ, PRESIDENT @ 561-502-7677

Remember, today is an ODD day. 

9/4/13 – PBC Health Department says G-Star is HEALTHY!

Our latest Palm Beach County Health Department Inspection Report has been posted after an inspection by the Health Inspector yesterday.  Several times per year the Health Inspector visits our school to make sure we are up to the County and State health codes.  They have a rating system and the highest ranking is “Satisfactory”.  We are happy to report to you the Inspector’s report stated, “Results are Satisfactory.  No violations.” It’s nice to be in a healthy environment!

THANK YOU!  We received an email recently from Lind Coffin from the PBC Children’s Home Society.  She writes, “I wanted to tell the following students Thank You for helping at Children’s Home Society this weekend.  These students learned how to grout tile and became very skilled at it!  We so appreciated their hard work, we really needed them.  The work is almost complete.  I hope they will come by and see what their hard labor achieved.  SO A BIG THANK YOU TO: Shelly Martin, Shaun Besman, Ben Beeler, and Austin Litt.

Do you shop at TARGET?  Did you know they will give 1% of every dollar you spend to G-Star if you use their TARGET REDcard?  We just received a check for $221.35 from them.  The program at their stores is called “Take Charge of Education.”   You must tell them to donate your 1% to G-Star School of the Arts in Palm Springs, Florida.  If you use your REDcard you also receive 5% off on all your purchases.  It is a good program and we appreciate your donation!

Don’t forget there is no school Thursday, September 5^th.  Friday, September 6^th is an ODD day.  If you are not sure if it is an ODD or EVEN day, go to our web site (you are on it now), click on “Main Menu” and then click on “Calendar”.  You will find the school’s event calendar.  It lists the ODD and EVEN days. 

Have a Great Day!

G-Star Students Star in National TV Show Designing Spaces Today!

            This past summer the popular home improvement show on Lifetime Channel TV, Designing Spaces, called G-Star to shoot an entire show at the school.  They requested six on-air actors and one makeup artist crew member – all of whom would be our students.  Due to their hectic production schedule, they weren’t able to give us much lead time to tell you about it, since the show airs at 7:30 AM tomorrow, Wednesday, September 4^th.  The show will re-air on October 10^th at the same time.  In addition, you will be able to view the segment on their web site at www.designingspaces.tv .  The Producer and the Director complimented our students on their acting talent and their professionalism on set.  Our on-air talent for the show is: Austin Everard, Tatiana Medina, Madison Lillard, Caiti Marlowe, Megan Lillard, and G-Star graduates Travon Garner and Emily Serpico, who was our makeup artist.
            The production company’s press release titled, “HP Helps Students Calculate Success in Math on Designing Spaces™ airing on Lifetime TV,” states, “Laura Harich, Marketing Manager for the Calculator Division at Hewlett-Packard, shows kids how math can be fun on the HP Prime Graphing Calculator from HP.  During the segment Harich will meet with a group of students to practice some exercises on HP’s new touch-screen graphing calculator, and talk about how math, the cornerstone of many STEM-based careers, doesn’t have to be intimidating with the right tools.”
            About Designing Spaces™ on Lifetime Television
Entering its 10th year, Designing Spaces™ continues to be one of America’s favorite home improvement shows. The show inspires viewers on decorating ideas, do-it-yourself projects and step-by-step home improvements to help make every space count and provide solutions to help you enjoy the space you live, work and play in. Designing Spaces™ Family of Spaces includes Think Green Spaces, Kids Spaces and its widely popular Spaces of Hope which prides itself on assisting people and places in dire need of a makeover including children’s shelters, animal shelters, military families and more. Designing Spaces™ airs Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30am (ET/PT) on Lifetime Television.
              02 Media, Inc. is the company that owns Designing Spaces.  They also own and produce Mission Makeover, Incredible Discoveries, The Balancing Act, and Mixing it up (their new modern cooking show).  Located in Pompano Beach, Florida, the producers were very pleased with the G-Star Studios and agreed they will return to produce more programming here.

G-Star School of the Arts is the safest school in the nation!  Looking back as we enter our eleventh year, it is extremely gratifying to recognize that G-Star has earned an honor that is rarely, if ever, spoken about in schools today.  That honor is the high level of safety given by the school to our students.  In ten years of operation there are no drugs, no gangs, and no bullies at G-Star.  Imagine a school where there has never been a fight in its history!  That’s G-Star.  This extraordinary record is the result of following U.S. Supreme Court case law and a diligent commitment to making school a fun experience free of fear of harassment, threats, and physical assaults by fellow students.  Our Drug & Bullying Policy, developed by Mr. Hauptner when the school opened in 2003, is the toughest anywhere and can be found on our school web site by clicking on the “Main Menu”.  Parents, the safety of your student at our school is the number one most important duty we have.  Because of this, our students experience and learn a kinder, more caring view of the world around them; and we hope they carry that tradition on for the rest of their lives.  When your child is free from fear in school they excel academically to heights you may not have imagined. 

 

We offer the following G-Star school-wide statistics for thought:

In 2013 the Washington Post named G-Star academically in the top 1.4% of all 37,000 high schools in the nation; and the US News & World Report gave our school the “Silver High School Award”.  This past school year 41% of all G-Star students had a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above, and 21% of our students had a 4.0 GPA or above.  G-Star has been recognized by the State of Florida Department of Education as a “High Performing Charter School” signified by its multiple-year status as an “A” school that has 94% of its students going on to college, and an even higher graduation rate.   G-Star School of the Arts is the only charter school in Palm Beach County to earn its national Accreditation; and we became the only International Baccalaureate World School (IB) for Film and Acting.  We have created a world-class Digital Imaging, 3-D Animation, and Gaming Career Path second to none in any other high school.  G-Star School of the Arts was named “The Number One High School for Film in the World” by the Raindance Film Festival in London, Europe’s largest independent film festival.   Many of our students have attained some major achievements since they graduated.  These include: One graduate that is starring in the Asia tour of the Disney On Ice show traveling from Tokyo and China to Australia and New Zealand over the next 14 months.  She won her audition by filming and acting in a video she sent to the producers - skills she learned at G-Star.  Another received $780,000 in scholarship acceptances to 13 universities.  She chose NYU enrolling in their honors acting program.  Still another, who is in the 11th grade this school year, interned at the White House this past summer working with the President's Chief of Staff and the Press Secretary.  Another graduate is filming documentaries all over the world; and another is earning over $100,000 a year working in a top post production and animation house in New York City.  This week we have two returning alumni, who have been working for a production company that provides reality shows for the BET Network, filming their own pilot for the network.  The list goes on and on.  Please click on the "Main Menu" once again and read the "Parents and Students Comments" about their experience with G-Star.  We welcome your own comments.  In summary, G-Star is a safe, wonderful place where your children can begin to understand that they can reach any dream they may have. 

Tuesday, September 3rd - Good Morning G-Star!  Today is an ODD day, so bring the right books.  It is also a very short week.  We were off yesterday and there isn't any school this Thursday. 

We want to thank all Parents who have stopped dropping off and picking up your student on Prairie Rd.  It has had a remarkably positive effect on our traffic flow from Congress Ave. traveling through the school and exiting on Prairie Rd.  It all moves much faster and more efficiently.  Also, many more of you are arriving at the school between 7 AM and 7:10 AM.  This has made the lines go more quickly. 

Parents, please remember to check what your student is wearing BEFORE they leave your home in the morning.  We still have many students violating dress code.  Unfortunately, when they do this we have them sit in the office until you, the Parent, bring them suitable clothing.  Most common items to look for: no tank tops or spaghetti straps without a jacket to cover them up, anything too revealing, no bellies showing (no short shirts), skirts must be knee-length (no short skirts or shorts); and for the boys: no underwear showing, no tank tops.  No student may wear pants that have rips or tears in them.  Please read the Student Handbook for the full dress code.

Thanks so much!  Have a great day!