Hawk Highlights
January 22, 2023
January 22, Volume 2, Issue 17
Dear GVMS Families,
We have had another great week at GVMS. Here's an update on what's good at Gainesville:
This past week we had our 6th-grade orchestra and chorus concerts where our students had the chance to show off what they've learned this year. We also had our first organized student section at our last home boys' basketball game of the season. The "Hawks Nest" was out in full force in all black - an attempt to have a competitive fan advantage against Reagan MS (wearing very dark navy!) We're excited about the first event and are looking forward to another "Hawks Nest" showing during the second winter athletics season.
We also held the 16th annual GVMS Spelling Bee on Thursday, January 19. Congratulations to the champion of the GVMS Spelling Bee: Dhanvika R.! Great job to all the participants of our 16th annual bee, with 18 rounds completed. Muhammad I. came in second place as our runner-up, and Makayla P. took third place. Dhanvika R., our champion, will represent us at the Regional Spelling Bee at Garfield High School in March. Well done!
The information for the second winter sports season (Girls' basketball and wrestling) tryouts is included below. If you are interested in Girls JV or Varsity Basketball or Wrestling, please ensure that your completed sports physical and concussion training completion certificate is turned in to Mr. Cadolino before 1/25. Detailed information is included below.
This upcoming week we also hope to wrap up our winter VGA sessions, with makeups taking place on Monday and Tuesday. We are also working through quarterly benchmark assessments, which will provide our teachers with valuable information on where our students are making progress and where they may need additional support.
As a reminder, the end of Marking Period 2 is on Friday, January 27. Please make sure you are checking Parent Vue, Student Vue, and Canvas and are reaching out to teachers about any concerns.
As the end of the second marking period approaches, I want to stress the importance of good attendance at school. Missing multiple days a month, over the course of the school year, can affect a student's academic success. There is an abundance of research on the importance of good attendance and the connection between student success in school. Please avoid scheduling vacations and trips during the school year, as students are missing important instruction in their classes. Additionally, we want to provide a reminder that the school day begins at 8:10 and that students are expected to be on time each day. We appreciate your assistance in ensuring your student makes it to school each day.
As always, we thank you for your educational partnership and look forward to another great week at GVMS.
Best,
Mary Kate Graham
Proud Principal
Monday, January 23, 2023
- Chess Club @3:00 PM in Room 1320
- SCA Meeting 3:00 - 4:30 in Hawk Hall
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
- Understanding Mental Health provided by the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)
7 p.m. Live Virtual Session Registration
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
- Winter Sports #2 Tryouts - Wrestling - 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Thursday, January 26, 2023
- Winter Sports #2 Tryouts - Wrestling - 3:00 - 5:00 PM
- NJHS Meeting in Hawk Hall 3:00 - 4:30
Friday, January 27, 2023
- Last day of Marking Period 2
- Winter Sports #2 Tryouts - Wrestling - 3:00 - 5:00 PM
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!)
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 1/20/23
Congratulations to this week's winners of the Five Below Book Review Contest: Jackson M. (6th) and Ria S. (8th)
Come get your prize in the office. The contest is still accepting entries.
Attn Hawk readers: Here are a few book reviews of novels that you might like to read:
The first book recommendation is for a book titled Maze Runner by James Dashner. "It's about a boy named Thomas who wakes up in the middle of a maze where more boys are waiting for him! Those boys have lived there for 2 years but haven't found a way out! "Why?" you may ask, because horrible monsters are waiting for them on the other side of the maze doors. Some boys are suspicious of Thomas because once he came there, the entire place started falling apart. It is a fun and interesting book; it never ever will get boring because you will want to know what happens next! It's a 10 out of 10 you would read again!"
Another book that was highly recommended is The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. "This book is not like any other book! It does a good job of making the protagonist, Lakshmi, a truly relatable and engaging character that everyone is able to connect to. Lakshmi's path to freedom is full of obstacles that complicate her story but overall make her a stronger individual. It's a compelling story about her struggles to gain back her voice and freedom in an ever-changing 1950s Indian society. It truly opens a gateway to transport you to a different culture!"
GVMS Winter Sports #2 Tryouts: 1/25 - 1/27 and 1/31 - 2/2
All information can be found on the PWCS Student Athletics Website.
Available Sports
Girls JV Basketball
Girls Varsity Basketball
Wrestling
Wrestling Tryout Dates
Wednesday 1/25
Thursday 1/26
Friday 1/27
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.
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!
PWCS Teacher of the Year
We are excited to announce nominations for the PWCS Teacher of the year are now open. The PWCS Teacher of the Year award is an opportunity to recognize the hard work and commitment of our teachers. To nominate a teacher who goes above and beyond and excels in their profession, please complete the Microsoft Form linked below.
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