We are focusing on what students and staff are thankful for during this Thanksgiving season. Over the past week, and continuing next week, our reporters have been busy gathering responses from across Martinsville Middle School.
Our SCA 6th grade homeroom reporters—Nevaeh Daniels, Adelaide Brent, Semaiya Craighead, and Mercy Moore—along with our 7th grade reporters—KaZairah Adkins, Alanna Gerlach, Shaurya Mahajan, Katie Wall, Miriam Carter, and Jade Holland-Dallas—have been hard at work interviewing students and staff about their gratitude during this holiday season.
Below are the responses they collected:
What Are You Thankful For This Thanksgiving?
Destinee: “My friends, teachers, just waking up early in the morning or late at night.”
Ally: “Jesus, my friends and family, the jobs that keep us safe, and the people closest to me.”
Winter: “My family all being together and being able to see everyone reunite. Being with those who love me.”
Mrs. Woody: “I am thankful for Jesus, my job at Martinsville Middle School, and being with awesome kids all day long.”
Ms. Clemons: “Being able to spend time with my friends, family, and my new puppy.”
Jade: “I am thankful for food, clothing, family, health, and money.”
Jessie Sanchez: “I am thankful for being able to spend time with my whole family.”
Cameron Foddrell: “I am thankful for celebrating with family, food, and with friends.”
Ms. Robinson: “I am thankful for my family and my health.”
Nurse Johnson: “I am thankful for my family.”
Alanna Gerlach: “I am thankful for my biological family and my step-family. They are all my family. I love them so much.”
Lily DeJesus: “I am thankful that my family is coming to see me for Thanksgiving.”
Margot Sharp: “I am thankful for friends, family, my cat, food, and for sleep.”
Sofia Marcial: “I am thankful that I get to spend Thanksgiving with my family and friends.”
Mr. Lynn: “I am thankful for being with my family.”
Mr. Dillard: “I am thankful for my family and my life.”
Jycere Moorman: “I am thankful for food and family.”
Mr. Pell: “I am thankful for my family.”
Trinity Hairston: “I am thankful for my family and friends.”
Gabby Murillo: “I am thankful for my family, love, support, and just being able to get all my family together again on that special day.”
Maireny: “I am thankful for family, friends, food, and also being in a warm house with my family.”
Daleyza: “I am thankful for life because living is one of the rarest things.”
Mrs. Scales: “I am thankful for my family and what they have done for me, and my relationship with God because He is a good God.”
Ms. Millner: “I am thankful for my relationship with the Lord.”
Adelyn McKenzie: “I am thankful for my friends and family because they are always there for me.”
Adelaide Brent: “I am thankful for food because it is yummy, friends because they are good, and family because I love them.”
Amirah Shareef: “I am thankful for having dinner with my family and eating delicious food.”
Ms. Anderson: “I am thankful for my family because it is like a safe haven and they are always caring.”
Weekly Learning Report
By Semaiya Craighead, 6th grade SCA homeroom reporter
“On Monday and Wednesday, we took our Math and Reading SGA, also known as a growth assessment. In Science, we are still working on watersheds and wetlands. In Math, we have started learning about the vertical form of equations. In Reading, we have been reading about Fear and Phobias in our HMH books. We recently read the biography of Edgar Allan Poe and have been answering the main idea and supporting details for each section of the biography. See you next week! Have a great Thanksgiving!”
Staff Spotlight Interview: School Bookkeeper, Mrs. Judy Gravely
Interview by Miriam Carter, 6th grade SCA homeroom reporter
- How long have you worked at Martinsville Middle School?
“Three and a half years.” - What inspired you to become a bookkeeper?
“I like to keep track of money.” - What does a typical day look like for you here at school?
“I record all the substitutes for the day, then the rest of the day is a whirlwind of ordering supplies, picking up supplies, filling out orders for supplies, and writing lots of checks.” - What is your favorite part of your job?
“Getting supplies that the teachers need to teach their students.” - What kinds of things do you help manage with school money?
“Student and teacher supplies, athletic supplies, concessions, and items for staff and student incentives.” - How do you help teachers and staff with their budgets or purchases?
“I look for and search for the best prices on items.” - What’s something about your job that most students might not know?
“I am in charge of payroll for substitutes and custodians.” - What is one of the most important skills you need to be a good bookkeeper?
“Being able to manage my own money, so I can do a good job managing the school’s money.” - What is the hardest part of your job?
“Last minute requests for supplies.” - What is something you’re most proud of doing for Martinsville Middle School?
“First, surprising the staff with little thank you incentives, and secondly, keeping the finances out of the red.” - What does being a Bulldog mean to you?
“Being proud of yourself and the school.” - How do you help support the fun activities and special events our school has?
“Making sure that all programs and activities have the needed supplies and assisting in the setup.” - What advice would you give to students who want to work in an office or handle money one day?
“You must have good math skills, be able to balance a checkbook, and have good documentation for audit purposes.”
That wraps up this week’s edition of the Bulldog Beat! We are so proud of our student reporters for capturing the voices of our MMS family. As we head into Thanksgiving, remember to take time to appreciate the people and moments that make your life meaningful. Wishing everyone a restful, joyful, and thankful holiday!
