The 2020-2021 school year at GBMS is encompassed by our commitment in preparing students for lifelong success and by our ability to keep our core values of innovation, integrity, investment and community in focus through an ongoing pandemic. GBMS is so proud of our students for all of their accomplishments this school year. With the support of a dedicated faculty & staff, parents, community and stakeholders, we were able to see our students achieve in both face-to-face and virtual classrooms. With this kind of support in place, GBMS was able to provide our students valuable educational experiences along with vital academic knowledge and technical skills.
This year started with GBMS LEAP (Learn, Evaluate, Analyze, and Prepare) WEEK held in August 2020. This opportunity provided information to our students about preparing for COVID procedures during the year. Students also participated in Math and ELA enrichment activities.
The GBMS Jr. National Beta Club inducted thirty-four students who exemplified academic achievement, positive character, leadership and service. Our Jr. National BETA Club was identified as a School of Distinction. The GBMS National Jr. Honor Society inducted nineteen students who demonstrated scholarship, service, leadership, and character during the 20-21 school year. Two 8th Grade students were recognized as 20-21 S.C. Jr. Scholars for their outstanding performance on the PSAT. Four GBMS students were recognized by American Zinc Recycling (Snelling, SC.) for the excellent essays they submitted for the 2020 STEM Fest Essay Contest. Due to COVID -19, students, virtual and face-to-face, were recognized this school year with Monthly Awards for their academic achievement and character as identified by their various subject teachers within their classrooms. These students were also identified on the school website throughout the 20-21 school year.
GBMS students also participated in The Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina’s Virtual Career Fair. The online platform allows companies to design their virtual booth, hand out digital flyers, and allows for tons of videos to deliver critical information to students. The Pro-Teams program at GBMS currently has sixteen students enrolled in the program. The mission of this program is to introduce students to the education profession along with giving students an opportunity to participate in service learning, career exploration and teaching-like experiences among other activities. GBMS continued to provide STEM opportunities throughout the school year through PITSCO program resources. These STEM resources and labs provide students the opportunity to solve real world problems and also explore careers options as they complete STEM-based modules.
The GBMS Social Studies Department partnered with the GBMS ELA Department for training as part of the Clemson University Upstate Writing Project. The teachers have been working together to incorporate writing skills into their curriculums. All GBMS students are currently using Chromebooks and utilizing the Google classroom platform to access instructional content and assignments. Google classrooms have been in place for face-to-face and virtual students during the 20-21 school year. GBMS also offered three high school level courses during the 20-21 school year for identified students in Algebra I, English I, and Spanish I, which allowed these students to earn high school credit. Twenty-Four students participated in the 7th Grade Talented and Gifted program @ GBMS during the 20-21 schools year. GT courses were offered to students face-to-face and virtually.
GBMS continued its partnership with DIG, whose mission is to develop STEM opportunities to further rural growth and development through education, mentorship, recreation, and community engagement. DIG students were able to participate in a face-to-face format and also in a virtual format this school year. GBMS continues to partner with the AXIS 1 Center of Barnwell to offer students an enhanced health learning component within their physical education course. GBMS participated in community service projects such as, a can food drive and toy drive for needy families during the winter holiday season.
Thirty-seven GBMS students were able to continue their participation in Band activities through face-to-face instruction and virtual instruction throughout the school year. Several GBMS students participated in athletics this school year. Ten GBMS student-athletes participated in a Varsity sport. GBMS was honored to participate in the BHS 2021 Grad Drive. Seeing so many current high school graduates is certainly encouraging to our students as they look forward to high school and beyond.
This year GBMS strived to communicate with the public through it's SIC meetings, online website, parental contacts, mailed letters, emails, Remind 101, the local newspaper and via PowerSchool Parent Portal.
As GBMS looks forward to the future, we also look forward to continuing our collaborative partnerships with all stakeholders as we strive to also enhance the educational experience our students deserve.
Mrs. Brandi Robinson, SIC Chair
Mr. H. Jon Burdge, Principal
