Hawk Highlights
January 30, 2023
January 30, Volume 2, Issue 18
Dear GVMS Families,
We have had another great week at GVMS. Here's an update on what's good at Gainesville:
The end of the second marking period was on Friday, January 27, 2023. All of our 6th and 7th-grade students and some of our 8th-grade students will start their new quarter/semester class on Tuesday, January 31.
This past week at GVMS has included an increased amount of destruction of property in our school restrooms. We know students are frustrated when they need to search for a bathroom that is open. When a restroom is destroyed, we are required to lock the bathrooms until we are able to tend to them. Please speak with your students and discuss their behavior in the restrooms and the consequences of vandalism and destruction of school property.
The PTO will be hosting Valentine's for Teachers, if you are able or interested in donating please sign-up, thank you: Valentine's Day Sign-Up.
A few reminders for our 8th-grade students and families (with more information below):
- Specialty program applications are due on February 1.
- 8th-grade baby pictures are due on Friday, February 3.
Congratulations are in order for several of our GVMS Hawks this week.
- Please congratulate the following Robotics teams on their recent awards.
- Team 1481E for winning the Design Award and advancing to the Virginia State VEX Robotics Championship in March 2023 (Christian C., Dylan K., Gordon T., Maxwell T., Miles P., Zuri J., and Clay R.).
- Team 1481H for winning Tournament Champions and advancing to the Virginia State VEX Robotics Championship in March 2023 (Aarav D., Alexander B., Henry G., Mason L., Muhammad I., Raadin H., and Nate D.).
- Team 1481A (The Insomniacs) for winning the Excellence Award this past weekend at Marstellar MS beating out 54 other middle school teams (Abby C., LJ J., Mary M., Parick A., Sam O., Sydney C.)
- Congratulations to the GVMS Battle of the Books Club. The team reigned victorious capturing the highest score and beating 17 other teams from PWCS and FCPS.
- Please congratulate the following students on auditioning for and making the All-District Band. Congratulations to William R., Aaron H., Lilly R., Violet R., Caleb T., and Addy W! They will be participating in the All-District Band event on Friday, 2/3.
- Congratulations to Coach Logan and the Boys' Varsity Basketball team as they are the undefeated regional champs for the 2022-2023 season. Go Hawks!
As always, we thank you for your educational partnership and look forward to another great week at GVMS.
Best,
Mary Kate Graham
Proud Principal
Battle of the Books Competition
Monday, January 30, 2023
- Teacher Work Day - No School for Students
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
- Winter Sports #2 Tryouts - Girls Basketball - 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
- HS Specialty Program Applications Due
- Winter Sports #2 Tryouts - Girls Basketball - 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Thursday, February 2, 2023
- Winter Sports #2 Tryouts - Girls Basketball - 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Friday, February 3, 2023
- 8th Grade Baby Pictures Due to Mrs. Albright (See Flyer below!)
GVMS Valentine's Duckies for sale beginning 2/1/23
Beginning on February 1, Valentine's Day duckies will be on sale in the cafeteria before announcements and during AM Hawk Time. Please make sure that you know your friend’s advisory teacher’s name. If you do not include that information, your ducky will not be delivered. The duckies are $2 each, and they will be delivered next Friday during AM Hawk Time.
Art Club Application
The 3rd and final art club application is here! Turn in to Mrs. Albright by 2/10!
Girls on the Run/ Heart & Sole at GVMS!
Girls on the Run/ Heart & Sole is coming to Gainesville Middle School! GOTR/ H & S is a physical activity-based positive youth development program for middle school students. The program teaches life skills through dynamic interactive lessons and running games. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.
Starting the week of March 6th, the team will meet every Monday and Thursday from 3-4:30 pm. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K at the end of the season! The standard program fee is $185 and includes 20 lessons/practices, a t-shirt, a water bottle, entry into the 5K, a 5K medal, and more. Financial assistance is available for anyone who needs it, with the lowest program registration cost being $22 for the season. Registration begins on February 6th at www.gotrnova.org.
Did you know that all PWCS students can get free help from Paper tutors?
- If you have an important assessment coming up, reach out for free tutor support.
- Do you need to catch up on your assignments or need extra help remembering how to do something you had in class a few weeks ago? Paper tutors can help.
- Do you need to see an example of how to work through a problem? Reach out to your own personal tutor.
- It's fast, easy, free, safe, and encouraged by PWCS.
- There is no limit to the amount of help you can get, and there is absolutely no charge to you for using the service.
- The tutors will meet you in less than 30 seconds from the time you contact them.
- Tutors are available to you anytime, day or night, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
- To contact your free tutor, visit Paper - Online Tutoring - Prince William County Public Schools (pwcs.edu).
*Note: Teachers can see the names of the students who use Paper in their classes. You'll grow in your confidence as you get help with the areas you might be having difficulty learning.
Why wait until it is too late? Start using a tutor today. Paper can be found in Clever as well.
GVMS Yearbooks 22-23
YEARBOOKS! Last year we sold out of yearbooks, please don't delay - order yours today. Jostens has sent multiple communications, but they may be going to your SPAM. Please click the link below to order your yearbook.
Student Behavior Reminders:
In our return from winter break, we want to provide some reminders about student behavior at GVMS:
- It seems as if the trend of bathroom destruction has returned to GVMS. When we receive reports during the school day, we have to lock the bathrooms until our custodial team is able to attend to them. We know this is frustrating for students, however, they pose a safety risk and can be gross. Parents - please talk to your students about their behavior in the bathroom and encourage them to do the right thing. Students - please make sure you are keeping the bathrooms clean and encourage your friends to do the same.
- AirPods and headphones are not to be worn at GVMS in the hallways and during instruction. They pose a safety risk and should be kept off and away.
- We also want to provide a reminder to students about the dress code. Shirts that bare the midriff (stomach) are not allowed to be worn at school. We will ask students to wear a sweatshirt/t-shirt over the top of their shirt. Repeated reminders will result in discipline referrals.
Five Below Book Review Contest: Winners week of 1/29/23
to this week's winners of the Five Below Book Review Contest: Nadeen S. (7th) and Renee O. (7th).
Come get your prize in the office. The contest is still accepting entries.
Attention Hawk readers: Here are a few reviews of books that you might like to read:
The first book recommendation is for a realistic fiction book titled Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright."You can relate to things that happen in the story. There is also a lot of drama in there for the drama lovers! It's a graphic novel, so if you get overwhelmed when you see a lot of words, then this book is for you. Twins is about friendship. There are two sisters (won't spoil their names) who get into fights a lot. Even though being in school together and competitions put them head-to-head, they never stop loving each other for who they are. In the end, they always have each other's backs (even though they got into a lot of arguments)."
Another book that was highly recommended is Matched by Ally Condie. "This book is a poignant, dystopian love story that will keep the reader never wanting to put down the book. The other books in this series are Crossed (second book) and a jarring yet thrilling finale to the series, Reached. You should read this book because of all of the surprising twists and turns in the story. It causes readers to be on the edge of their seats, just waiting to see what will happen next."
GVMS Winter Sports #2 Tryouts: 1/31 - 2/2
All information can be found on the PWCS Student Athletics Website.
Available Sports
Girls JV Basketball
Girls Varsity Basketball
Wrestling
Girls Basketball Tryout Dates
Tuesday 1/31
Wednesday 2/1
Thursday 2/2
All try-out dates run from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
*An activity bus will not be offered on tryout days. It is important to note that students are NOT allowed to walk home from tryouts or athletics events at any time. Please arrange for a ride for your student.
In order to try out for an athletics team, all students must:
- Take concussion training;
- Meet participation requirements; and
- Have a current physical dated after May 1, 2022.
Important Forms
Middle School Physical Exam Form (PDF)
Middle School Activities Participation Guide (PDF)
Concussion Training Information
All student-athletes and their parent/guardian are required to complete an annual Concussion Training according to PWCS Policy 759. Concussion training information can be found on the PWCS Student Athletics Website.
The GVMS Five Star Book Review Contest - Begins 12/2
The Five Below Five Star Review Contest is starting December 2nd! We need book recs! Have you read a great book that others at GVMS might like to read, too? Fill out a "Five Stars or Below" recommendation form; the link can be found on the library's Canvas page. If your recommendation is selected, the book will be advertised on the morning announcements, and you'll receive a prize. The Five Star Review Contest will be open December through February; and winners will be selected every week, so enter now! Rate your book five stars or below to win a Five Below gift card. Dec. 2 will be Stars Day to kick off the contest. Wear stars this Friday to show support for the Five Stars Review Contest. Rise up and read, Hawks!
GVMS Athletics Events Reminders
Student Behavior at GVMS Events
It is important to remember that the Code of Behavior still applies at all PWCS and GVMS athletics and extra-curricular events. If students are not following the Code of Behavior, they will be sent home, and may lose privileges to come to future events.
PWCS Bag Policy at Athletic Events
Please notice the safety rule for bags that was implemented last school year (21-22) in PWCS. Please plan ahead before attending any school event across the county and possibly out of county.
BAGS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE ATHLETIC FACILITY
(Includes Backpacks, Purses, Fanny Packs, Etc.)
Clear bags are allowed for use as a diaper or medical bag and are subject to search.
Parent Pick-Up
Please note the start time of sporting events and time accordingly to arrange for quick pick-up of students after sporting events. Administrators supervising the events provide reminders to students as to when to contact parents to arrange for pick-up and will send out a text to families with about 10 minutes left in the game.
IvyMath Tutoring
Is Your Child On Track in Math?
IvyMath is providing all Gainesville Middle families with a free online math tutoring session and an in-depth parent conference to discuss your child's strengths and weaknesses and how they compare to grade level. IvyMath is an online math tutoring program for students grades 2-12. We help your child catch up, get ahead, and stay ahead in math! Sessions are 100% online via Zoom and are fun, convenient, and highly effective!
IvyMath will also create a custom learning plan that maps out the exact areas your child should be focusing on in math. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions and understand what your child needs to feel confident and stay on track in math this year.
Signup for a comprehensive math assessment session, where we'll work 1-on-1 with your child. Afterward, there will be an opportunity for a parent conference, where we'll discuss your child's math strengths/weaknesses and how they compare to grade level. The IvyMath tutoring session, parent conference, and learning plan are free for all Gainesville Middle families. Popular times fill up, so please register quickly! Signup now at: IvyMath.com/Boost
Please note: the IvyMath assessment, parent conference, and learning plan are free. If you do decide to continue doing weekly IvyMath tutoring, there is a regular monthly membership cost - $355/month (middle school) and $625/month (high school).
*IvyMath is not affiliated with GVMS or PWCS.
Ways to Report Absences...
1. ParentVUE:
GVMS ParentVue and Canvas Cheat Sheets
Our fabulous Instructional Technology Coach, Mrs. Chrissy Richmond, put together some "cheat sheets" for Parent Vue and Canvas. Both documents can be accessed by clicking on the links below.
Paper Online Tutoring
Raise your hand if you could use some help with class assignments! The Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to announce that Prince William County Schools has partnered with Paper, a 24/7 academic support tutoring platform. Through Paper, our students can safely and securely chat with an expert tutor anytime, anywhere, for free.
Whether they need help clarifying homework questions or feedback on a written assignment, they can get on-demand and unlimited help when they need it! Teachers can also have students access this service during the school day for small group or individual support while in class!
To get started:
- Log into Paper via Clever or visit app.paper.co to connect with a tutor.
- Use this link to learn more: https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/ Instructional_technology/paper
PWCS Transportation Information
Wondering where the bus is? Check out Here Comes the Bus
Wondering if the bus is delayed? Check out the PWCS Bus Delay Website
Questions or concerns about your bus route? Contact Transportation Services
PWCS uses the “Say Something” Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) designed specifically for students in grades 6-12 and staff to report any type of serious or potentially violent concerns of unsafe behavior or threats of harm to self or others. Say Something is a youth violence prevention program from the national nonprofit organization Sandy Hook Promise and is provided and sustained at no cost to PWCS.
“Tipsters” can send reports on anything from school threats they’ve seen or overheard to personal crises including sexual harassment, self-harm, and depression. The system enables school administrators and those in law enforcement to create effective interventions and intervene upon at-risk individuals to help prevent violence, suicide, bullying, self-harm, and other forms of threatening behavior.
All tips submitted receive an immediate response by one of the highly skilled crisis counselors at the Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center; this person then determines the necessary support steps. When credible tips are received that are life-threatening and require immediate attention, the crisis center will notify school-based representatives, even after hours. And, in cases of imminent threat, the crisis center will contact local 911 dispatch and involve law enforcement. Users can submit a tip by calling 1-844-5-SAYNOW or by visiting www.saysomething.net. The free app is available for download from the App Store and Google Play Store, where students can submit tips instantly.
Administation Team
Mrs. Mary Kate Graham - Principal - grahammk@pwcs.edu
Ms. Michelle Praul - 6th Grade Assistant Principal - praulmh@pwcs.edu
Mr. Ed Schultz - 7th Grade Assistant Principal - schultej@pwcs.edu
Mr. Steve Williams - 8th Grade Assistant Principal - williasp@pwcs.edu
Safety and Security Team
Mr. Antione Jeter - jeterad@pwcs.edu
Mr. Jeffrey Barnes - barnesja@pwcs.edu
Counseling Team
Mrs. Jessie Castles - Director of School Counseling - castlejm@pwcs.edu
Ms. Janaelle Robles - Last Names A - Cou - roblesj@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Erin Abbott - Last Names Cr - Hin - abbotte@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Sarah Ware - Last Names Hl - Mik - waresm@pwcs.edu
Ms. Alexis Hawkins - Last Names Mil - Rut - hawkinam@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Autumn Brown - Last Names Ruu - Z - brownal2@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Patricia Lopez - Registrar - lopezpa@pwcs.edu
Technology Team
Mrs. Christine Richmond, Instructional Technology Coach: richmocm@pwcs.edu
- Canvas
- Parent Vue/Student Vue
Mr. Joseph Evans, Technology Specialist: evansj1@pwcs.edu
- Device Information and support