MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

Dear Middle School Families,

As we move into October, there is a lot happening at Garden City Middle School. Below are several timely updates and resources for families, along with information about lunch service and the many clubs and activities available to students this year.

IMPORTANT SCHOOL UPDATES
Student iPads Distributed
Students received their iPads on Wed., Sept. 23, 2026. View the Middle School Technology Presentation.

School Photo Retake Day — Fri., Nov. 13
Middle School retake photo day is Fri., Nov. 13, 2026. Please mark your calendar if your child will need a retake.

Middle School Transition Q&A Resource
Garden City Public Schools maintains a Middle School Transition Q&A page for families. View the District resource.

COMING UP: PTA MEETINGS
PTA meetings are a great way to hear school updates, connect with other parents, and stay informed about what is happening at the Middle School and across the district.

• Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m.: All Schools PTA Meeting (GCMS Cafeteria and on Zoom - registration link shared in email
• Nov. 19, 7:00 p.m.: GCMS PTA Meeting (Zoom only - registration link shared in email)

For those who joined us virtually at the Sept. 16 PTA meeting, we know some presentations were difficult to follow due to technical limitations during the meeting. You can review the technology presentation online here, and the food services presentation online here.

GCMS LUNCH PROGRAM: WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW
The 2026-2027 Middle School Lunch Program offers students both in-person service and an optional preorder option. Here are the key details families should know.

One Free Breakfast + One Free Lunch Each School Day

Each student may receive one complete breakfast and one complete lunch at no charge each school day. Extra meals and à la carte items are charged to the student's account.

Two Ways to Get Lunch: 

• IN-PERSON SERVICE No preorder needed. Students choose from the available stations during their lunch period and use their six-digit student ID or PIN at checkout.
• OPTIONAL PREORDER Faster pickup. Preordered meals are labeled with the student's name. Pickup is to the right of the serving area; deli preorders remain at the deli bar. Preorders follow the seven-day rolling cutoff.

Meal Stations and Options

• Hot entrée — World Market: daily featured hot meal.
• Pizza — La Cucina: available at the pizza station.
• Deli Bar — Great American Sandwich: sandwiches, sauces, toppings, breads, and fillings.
• Grab-and-Go Grill — Miss Ruby's: burgers, chicken sandwiches, daily grill specials, mozzarella sticks and fries, and popcorn chicken baskets.
• Cold Grab-and-Go — Real Meals Express: premade sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, salads, and more.
• Pre-order pickup: to the right of the serving area; signs mark the pre-order area. (The pre-order list is not the full menu; the PDF menu shows all in-person options.)

Lunch Accounts and Payment
Students enter their six-digit student ID/PIN at checkout (the same six-digit ID previously used for their Chromebook). Families can add funds and review purchases in PaySchools Central. Apple Cash cannot be used.

Pre-Order Reminder
If a meal is preordered, please tell your child that a meal was ordered and what was selected. Preordered meals are prepared and rung up in advance. If a student leaves the preorder behind and chooses another meal, the second meal will be charged to the student’s account and the unclaimed preorder must be discarded.

Allergies and Dietary Considerations
Before your child buys lunch, notify the school nurse, contact Food Services, and keep medical information current. Allergen information is available through the district Food Services page and FD Meal Planner. The Food Services webpage also includes help and tutorials.

Questions: Diana Intintoli • (516) 478-2780 • intintolis@gcufsd.net

GCMS CLUBS & ACTIVITIES
GCMS offers a wide range of clubs and activities for students. The schedule is now posted online here. Please watch school communications for any schedule changes. 

6th GRADE DANCE
The PTA is excited to announce that, for the first time ever, GCMS will be hosting a 6th Grade Dance on Oct. 23 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the school (please note this is an updated time!). This year’s theme, “Club Six,” promises to be a fun and memorable evening as we celebrate our newest middle schoolers!

To help bring "Club Six" to life, we are asking our 6th grade families to consider making a donation towards the event, bolstering the PTA's existing program budget providing decorations, food, refreshments, and entertainment. If you'd like to contribute, details can be found here. Together we can make "Club Six" an unforgettable experience for our students.

CONNECT WITH US
The GC PTA keeps our school community connected and informed through our monthly newsletter. Visit www.gardencitypta.org for PTA programming, events, and updates. Follow the GC PTA on Facebook, Instagram and X at @GardenCityPTA. Turn on notifications for real-time updates.

A NOTE FROM YOUR PTA DIRECTOR
Thank you for your continued support as the school year gets underway. I hope the information in this update helps your family stay connected to the many resources, activities, and opportunities available at the Middle School. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas.

Warmly,

Lamina Bowen

Middle School PTA Director

middleschool@gardencitypta.org