Hawk Highlights
October 24, 2022
October 24 , Volume 2, Issue 9
Dear GVMS Families,
We've had another great week at GVMS. Here's an update on what's good at Gainesville:
- Join GVMS staff and students in celebrating Red Ribbon Week. Our children have the right to grow up drug-free – and we have the responsibility to make that happen. Take the pledge: www.redribbon.org/pledge
- Our PTO no-sell fundraiser begins this week. You'll find information below!
- Marking Period 1 – A reminder that marking period 1 ends on October 28th. Parents/guardians can monitor student progress through Parent VUE. Please direct class specific questions about student progress to your student’s teachers. There is a teacher workday on October 31st; where there is no school for students.
- Monday, October 31 is our first Touch Base event. Look for the information below regarding the event. Join us to touch base with your students' teachers! We invite parents/guardians to attend the Touch Base event at Gainesville Middle School on Monday, October 31, 2022, from 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM. This a reminder that there is no school for students on this day.
As always, we thank you for your partnership in education and are looking forward to another great week at GVMS.
Best,
Mary Kate Graham
Proud Principal
GVMS Student Announcements will be shared over the PA system each morning and in the afternoon. Please click the link below to access the current announcements.
*The link will be updated as new announcements are added.
Impact Aid Forms - Due 10/31/22
Prince William County Schools (PWCS) is eligible for Federal Impact Aid grants due to the federal presence in our area from federally connected personnel, businesses, and agencies. The federal Impact Aid program is designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students. The funds secured from the program will become part of the PWCS general operating budget and help reduce the amount of local monies needed to provide a quality education for your children. PWCS uses the PWCS Electronic Impact Aid Form to identify federally connected students and to support our request for Impact Aid resources. Directions for completing the Aid forms can be found on the PWCS Impact Aid website.
If you need more information regarding the Federal Impact Aid Annual Parent-Student Survey, please call 703-791-8315 to speak with a staff member or email impactaid@pwcs.edu. Additional information about Impact Aid Programs and grants is available on the U.S. Department of Education's website.
GVMS Touch Base Event
We will host our Touch Base Conferences on Monday, October 31, from 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM. We welcome you to join us for this great opportunity to briefly meet with your child’s teacher and get a snapshot of your child’s progress and achievement. Touch Base is a free-flowing event: you can come any time during the allotted window. Conferences are capped at five minutes, and you can opt to meet with some or all of your child’s teachers.
Additionally, our Instructional Technology Coach, Mrs. Chrissy Richmond, will be available from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, in the library to provide support with Parent Vue and Canvas.
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Touch Base Conferences:
1. What is the purpose of a Touch Base Conference?
The purpose of a Touch Base Conference is to provide parents an opportunity to briefly meet with their child’s teachers to get an idea of the student’s progress, strengths, and areas for improvement as we move into the second quarter.
2. When are Touch Base Conferences occurring?
We will host our Touch Base conferences from 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM on October 31 at Gainesville Middle School. As mentioned above, the event will run for an hour and 45 minutes, and you can come any time during that window. You do not have to be here right at 12:00 PM and you do not need to remain here for the entire time.
3. Where do I meet the teachers?
Teachers will be set up in various locations for the Touch Base event. Maps will be provided to attendees to make it easier to locate teachers. School counselors will be available as well.
4. Do I have to sign up to attend?
No, this is a first come, first-serve event; you do not need to register. Due to the nature of the event, there may be lines to see teachers so please be patient as they try to meet with every parent.
5. Do I have to meet with all my student’s teachers?
No, please feel free to only meet with the teachers with whom you want to discuss your child’s progress. If you do not feel the need to speak to them, feel free to skip them altogether!
6. Can I meet with my student’s Encore teachers?
Yes, they will be available for you to meet with, too! Even though the first marking period has ended, Touch Base is a great time for you to meet with your student’s new Encore teacher for marking period 2 (6th and 7th-grade students).
7. What if five minutes isn’t enough time?
Due to the number of students that each teacher has and the resulting number of parents that will attend, please respect the five-minute time allotted for conferences. We recognize five minutes is not a lot of time, but the purpose of this event is to briefly meet with teachers to get a snapshot of your child’s progress. If you need to meet beyond the five-minute time, please email the teacher to set up a time to speak on the phone.
8. Will my student’s counselor be available?
Yes, school counselors will be available to meet with you.
9. Should my student attend the conference with me?
Students are not required to attend but are welcome. Please note, if you are bringing students, space in the meeting area is limited and students must always be supervised. Thank you in advance for your assistance with this request.
10. I can’t make it to the Touch Base event at school but would like to meet with my student’s teacher(s). What can I do?
If you would like to meet with your student’s teacher virtually, please reach out to the teacher by email to make the request by 5:00 PM on Thursday, October 28. Teachers will schedule parent requests from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM on October 31. Due to the time required to schedule these meetings, teachers may not be able to honor requests for a virtual meeting made after 5:00 PM on Thursday, October 28.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me. We look forward to seeing you on the 31st!
GVMS PTO Fundraiser - Fall 2022
It is time for the GVMS PTO Direct Donation Fundraiser! We are not asking you to sell anything, just consider donating to our cause which will in turn support our children's classrooms and encore needs! We are tax-deductible and 100% of donations stay with the school. Consider donating today!
GVMS ATHLETICS IN ACTION - GO HAWKS!
Tuesday, October 25 - Volleyball HOME vs. Reagan MS
Wednesday, October 26 - Football HOME vs. Marstellar MS
Volleyball AWAY at Marstellar MS
**Boys Basketball tryouts will begin the first week of November. Please make sure you have your physical up to date before that time!
Winter 1 Sports Tryouts - Nov 2 - 4
GVMS Winter 1 Sports Tryout Dates
Wednesday 11/2
Thursday 11/3
Friday 11/4
All try-out dates run from 3:00 PM - 5:15 PM. An activity bus will NOT be offered.
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.
All information can be found on the PWCS Student Athletics Website.
Winter 1 Sports - November: Boys' Basketball
Winter 2 Sports - January: Girls' Basketball and Wrestling
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.
- All documents/information need to be completed and turned in to Mr. Cadolino in the gym prior to November 2. If you already turned documents in for the 2022-2023 school year, then you do not need to turn any additional information in.
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. In-person GVMS Concussion Training dates are TBD and will be updated on the website.
You are eligible for Online Concussion Education Training if you are in grades 6, 7, and 8 and are currently enrolled in the Prince William County Public Schools. More information and the Online Concussion Education Training can be found by clicking the button below.
Any questions? Please reach out to Mr. Cadolino at cadolisx@pwcs.edu.
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.
GVMS Restroom Availability
For outdoor sporting events, there are portable restrooms located at the back of the school.
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.
Student Council Association Updates
Upcoming Events:
- Halloween Duckies -Thank you to all students who purchased Halloween duckies this past week. The duckies will be delivered during advisory on Friday, October 28.
- Operation Turkey Canned Food Drive - The GVMS Student Council Association (SCA) is working with Northern Virginia Family Service to collect items for Operation Turkey, which benefits over +1200 families yearly in Prince William County. In 2022, our school community donated 2,568 canned and nonperishable food items, and our goal for this year is to match or exceed that number! Donation collection will begin on Tuesday, November 1, and it ends on Monday, November 7. Students will bring their donation items to their advisory period for collection. The class from each grade level with the largest percentage of collected items will win a special breakfast.
Suggested Donation Items
- Stuffing Gravy Cornbread mix
- Muffin mix
- Bisquick mix
- Applesauce
- Rice
- Pancake mix and syrup
- Dry/canned beans,
- lentils
- Soup/broth
- Pasta and sauces
- Coffee/tea/cocoa
- Boxed dessert
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Cooking oil/spray
- Sugar
- Flour
- Cereal and oatmeal
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables (green beans, carrots, peas, corn)
- Canned sweet potatoes
- Canned/instant potatoes
- Shelf-stable milk
GVMS PTO UPDATES
Pre-order spirit wear from the GVMS PTO. Please complete the form below:
https://forms.gle/JidbjN6fCDB5gbCt5
Any questions? Interested in joining the GVMS PTO? Please reach out to the PTO directly at gvms.pto@gmail.com
PWCS Transitioning to High School Information
Below you will find the information that the GVMS counseling team presented to our 8th-grade students this past week. Please reach out to your student's counselor if you have any questions.
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.
Monday, October 24, 2022
No School - Diwali
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Red Ribbon Week - Pajama/Disney Day
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Red Ribbon Week - Pink Out Day!
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Red Ribbon Week - Wacky Day
Friday, October 28, 2022
Red Ribbon Week - Wear Red
Monday, October 31, 2022
No School for Students
Teacher Work Day
Touch Base Conferences - No Appointment Necessary
12:00 PM - 1:45 PM - In-Person Conferences
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Zoom Conferences
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
No School for Students - Professional Learning for Staff
Friday, November 11, 2022
No School - Veteran's Day
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Picture Retake Day
Pictures will be available approximately two weeks following our school's photo day. Save time and Pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000940634
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
No School - Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, November 24, 2022
No School - Thanksgiving Break
Friday, November 25, 2022
No School - Thanksgiving Break
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