November 2022 Message

From The Glen Meadow Middle School

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Welcome to November 2022

As the month of November is upon us, we wanted to thank you for all of your support during the first marking period of school. We hope that your child's 2022-2023 school year has started off as a positive, enriching, and rewarding experience.


While we are not wishing time away, the month of November always seems to go by so quickly. We have a lot going on at Glen Meadow!


  • November 3 - 8th Grade Hangout Night at GMMS (5:30 - 7:30 pm) - PERMISSION SLIP
  • November 8 - Beauty and the Beast Auditions
  • November 9 - Marking Period 1 ends
  • November 10 - Schools Closed - NJEA Convention
  • November 11 - District Closed - NJEA Convention
  • November 14 - LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) Program begins for 7th-grade Students in 2nd Marking Period Health Classes
  • November 16 - "We're Not Buying It" Program begins for 6th-grade Students in 2nd Marking Period Health Classes
  • November 16 - GMMS SCA Meeting (9:45 am - 10:45 am)
  • November 16 - Genesis Parent Portal Opens (4:00 pm)
  • November 16 - Virtual Johns Hopkins Meeting
  • November 22 - GMMS Variety Show (6:30 pm)
  • November 23 - Wear Animal Print and Donate $1.00 to The Giving Tree
  • November 23 - VTHS Marching Band Performance for 8th-grade students at GMMS
  • November 23 - Early Dismissal Day (12:30 pm)
  • November 24 - District Closed - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
  • November 25 - District Closed
  • November 29 - TREP$ Marketplace at GMMS (5:30 - 7:30 pm)


  • More information can be found in the information that follows. For a complete list of Glen Meadow happenings as they become available, please visit the GMMS/VTSD Calendar HERE.


As always, we are here to work alongside you and your child(ren) throughout the school year. If you should ever have any questions or concerns about your child's education, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we are stronger! When the school and home collaborate and communicate, we are all working towards one common goal - a successful school year for your child. Thank you for partnering with us throughout the 2022-2023 school year.


Jacquelyn M. Van Orden, Principal

Eric W. Kosek, Assistant Principal

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Join The 21st Century Community Learning Center!

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21st Century Community Learning Center Website

To learn more about the GMMS 21st CCLC Program, please click this button to visit our website.

The 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) is an after-school program that provides students with academic enrichment opportunities that will offer support beyond the classroom curriculum. Students will receive homework support and a nutritional snack each day. The 21st CCLC allows students to explore STEM, Physical Fitness, and Visual and Performing Arts activities, including but not limited to Theatre, Robotics, Engineering, and Culinary Arts. Students will also have the opportunity to attend field trips within the community to work with key stakeholders of this initiative. The Farm at Glenwood Mountain and The Painted Grape have partnered with Glen Meadow Middle School’s 21st CCLC. In addition, there will be a Parent University component which will provide workshops for parents/guardians and will also allow students to showcase their learning activities.


The program officially began on Monday, September 19, 2022, and will run Monday through Friday, immediately after school from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm with parent/guardian pick up. Please note that on days that the school is closed or if we have called for an early dismissal, the program will not be in session. The 21st Century Community Learning Center is only available to 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students residing in Vernon Township and is at no cost to families.


Should you have any questions about the program, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Kait Ramirez at Glen Meadow Middle School at (973) 764-4534. We are excited to provide this engaging and enriching learning experience for your child and are looking forward to all of the incredible adventures that await.

Helping Students Strive For Academic Success

A very special thank you to Mrs. Ramirez for sharing this presentation. Mrs. Ramirez, Mr. Joseph, and the 21st CCLC faculty and staff presented this information at the 21st CCLC Parent/Guardian Night last week, but we wanted to share with all GMMS families!
Helping your kids succeed in school

Glen Meadow Happenings

Wearing Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Wearing Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Glen Meadow Middle School Staff and Students wore pink and raised funds for Living Beyond Breast Cancer.
Wearing Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
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Middle School Summit

Always Be Kind - Everyday - Every Time - Everyone! What a spectacular day at the Sussex County Middle School Summit on October 13th! Twenty of our students represented GMMS, along with Mrs. Van Orden, Mrs. Gonzalez and Mrs. McAloney. Way to go, Glen Meadow!
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Order a GMMS Inspire Kindness T-Shirt

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New Ways November 2022

This month, we're encouraging you to try something new! Learning something new or getting involved in an activity that really interests us is great for our well-being. Keeping our brains active is not only good for us physically but it can help us feel that we are flourishing as we see ourselves making progress with a new skill. Trying new things is important, as is remembering that it's OK if things don't go right the first time - change "I can't do it", into "I can't do it...yet!" This month's calendar is full of ideas to help you decide what to try next.


~obtained from: https://actionforhappiness.org/

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Nominate a Governor Educator and Educational Services Professional

Please submit the GEOY/ESP form to nominate a Glen Meadow Middle School Educator and/or Educational Services Professional for the 2022-2023 Governor’s Educator of the Year Recognition Program! Nomination letters are due to Mrs. Van Orden (either in hard copy or digital form) no later than Wednesday, November 2, 2022.


As per NJDOE, Educational Service Professionals include: Associate School Library Media Specialist • Behavior Specialist • Bullying Specialist • Cooperative Education Coordinator • Cooperative Education Coordinator / Hazardous Occupations • Director of School Counseling Services / Child Study Team • Educational Interpreter • Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant • Mathematics Specialist / Mathematics Coach • Paraprofessional (Instructional) • Reading Specialist / Reading Coach • School Athletic Trainer • School Counselor • School Library Media Specialist • School Nurse • School Occupational Therapist • School Physical Therapist • School Psychologist • School Social Worker • Speech-Language Specialist • Student Assistance Coordinator
NJHS Gives Back to Their Community

NJHS Gives Back to Their Community

On Saturday, October 22nd, Mrs. Amato and the National Junior Honor Society members met to clean up roadside litter as a way to give back to their community. We are so proud of their efforts! Way to go, NJHS!
NJHS Gives Back to Their Community
Restorative Practices at GMMS

Restorative Practices at GMMS

What are Restorative Practices? Restorative Practices strengthen relationships between individuals as well as one's connections within their learning community.


What are some examples of Restorative Practices?


  • Using Affective Statements - Affective statements, referred to as “I” statements tell the listener how the person feels and why it makes them feel that way. They are an effective way to teach students how to express their emotions appropriately.
  • Community Circles - A Community Circle is a discussion space in which students and the teacher sit in a circle so that everyone is visible. What distinguishes a Community Circle from an everyday group discussion is that Community Circles are used as an opportunity for students to build community.
  • Small Impromptu Conferencing - Bringing students together to resolve a problem/disagreement by discussing the situation and how to resolve it.
  • Setting Classroom Agreements/Norms - Some examples of general class norms are: Come prepared to class, respect others and yourself, and be kind.
Restorative Practices at GMMS
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Counselor Assignments

During the month of November, we continue to focus on respecting ourselves and others by being kind and making positive choices.


Counselors at Glen Meadow Middle School are assigned according to each student's grade level. The counselor assignments for the 2022-2023 school year are as follows:


6th Grade:


7th Grade:


8th Grade:
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LEAD Program Begins November 14th

LEAD Program Begins November 14th

Beginning in the second marking period, 7th-grade Health students will be partaking in the LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) Program at Glen Meadow Middle School. Seventh-grade students that have Health in subsequent marking periods will also participate in their health classes at that time.


Led by Vernon Township Police Department's Cpl. Rovetto, 7th-grade students will receive one weekly lesson that coincides with the current curriculum. Topics include Goal Setting, Decision Making, Identifying and Managing Emotions, Effective Communication, Building Relationships, Understanding Addiction, Effects of Nicotine Use, Effects of Alcohol Use, Effects of THC and Marijuana Use, and Street, Rx, and OTC Drugs. We look forward to the partnership with the Vernon Township Police Department.

LEAD Program Begins November 14th
We're Not Buying It Program Begins November 16th

We're Not Buying It Program Begins November 16th

We’re Not Buying It! is a media literacy program targeting middle school-aged youth that aims to prevent the onset of alcohol, marijuana, and non-medical prescription drug use. Youth learn how to deconstruct media messages that promote or glamorize substance use. With a deeper understanding of the marketing directed toward them, students are better able to resist messages and make healthy decisions.
We're Not Buying It Program Begins November 16th
Art Contest: Acceptance Grows Here

Art Contest: Acceptance Grows Here

The Sussex County Prosecutor's Office has announced an art contest opportunity for students in grades 6-8. It has been designed to encourage students to understand, respect, and embrace differences and to act against bias and unfairness. Students are invited to create a poster highlighting their best message that tells friends and classmates "Acceptance Grows Here, Kindness and Respect for All". CLICK HERE for more information. Entries must be received by the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office no later than November 10, 2022.
Art Contest: Acceptance Grows Here
The Glen Meadow Way

The Glen Meadow Way

The Glen Meadow Way
#TheGlenMeadowWay is built on three core principles:


  • Respect Yourself and Others
  • Take Responsibility for Your Actions
  • Reach Your 100%


Here at Glen Meadow, we focus on respect, responsibility, and reaching our goals. We accomplish this by following the 5 Ps. We are Prompt, Prepared, Polite, Positive, and Productive!

Plant the Promise!

Plant the Promise!

A very special thank you to Mrs. Reilly-McKeon and Mrs. Sisto's classes for being chosen to Plant the Promise at Glen Meadow Middle School. Their classes were given all of the necessary supplies to plant 100 red tulip bulbs along the front of the building as a reminder of all that was learned during Red Ribbon Week. We look forward to the beautiful sea of red tulips in the spring!
Plant the Promise!
Vernon Coalition Meeting

Vernon Coalition Meeting

The next Vernon Coalition meeting will be on Wednesday, 11/9 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm in the ​Upper Library at VTHS.​ The Vernon Coalition has some exciting information and activities planned, so they hope to see you there! All parents/guardians, students, and community members are welcome!
Vernon Coalition Meeting
TREP$ - November 29th

TREP$ - November 29th

TREP$ Marketplace is run by 6th-grade entrepreneurs and this is an event that you do not want to miss! TREP$ Marketplace will be held on 11/29/2022 in the Glen Meadow Middle School Gym from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. We hope to see you there supporting our students!
TREP$ - November 29th
2022-2023 National Bus Safety Poster Contest

2022-2023 National Bus Safety Poster Contest

The New Jersey and American School Bus Council Safety Poster Contest is underway! This year's theme is "Safely Rolling to My Destination" All entries must be postmarked before March 15, 2023. For full details and information, please click HERE.
2022-2023 National Bus Safety Poster Contest
Pre-Order a Yearbook

Pre-Order a Yearbook

Don't miss out! You can now pre-order your child's Glen Meadow Middle School 2022-2023 Yearbook through Josten's website. Please CLICK HERE for further information.

Pre-Order a Yearbook
GMMS SCA

GMMS SCA

Please consider joining us at the third SCA meeting of the year, on Wednesday, November 16th at 9:45 am. Please click HERE for all of the wonderful happenings and fundraisers on behalf of the GMMS SCA!
GMMS SCA
Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser

Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser

Please help support the VTSD SCAs by participating in our district-wide fundraiser. Gertrude Hawk order forms were distributed last month. Orders are due to your child's homeroom teacher by Monday, November 7th. Orders will be delivered on/around the first week of December. Additional information will be forthcoming regarding pick-up.
Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser
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Glen Meadow Middle School Schedules

This document includes schedules for a Regular Day, an Early Dismissal Day, a Delayed Opening Day, and the A Week/B Week Schedule for Glen Meadow Middle School.

Glen Meadow Middle School Clubs and Activities

Clubs and Activities are a great way for students to get involved! Please review the after-school offerings at GMMS. If you have any specific questions, please email the club advisor by clicking on their name within this document.

Glen Meadow Middle School Calendar

Please click on the button above for the GMMS Calendar for the 2022-2023 school year.

Glen Meadow Middle School SCA

Please click on the button above to access the GMMS SCA website to learn about all of the amazing things the GMMS SCA does for our faculty, staff, and students!

Follow Glen Meadow Middle School on Twitter

Please click on the button above to follow the official Twitter page for GMMS (@GMMSVikings).

Vernon Township School District Calendar

Please click on the button above to access the VTSD Calendar for the 2022-2023 school year.

Random Drug Testing in Grades 7 and 8

This information is being shared with our families, should you wish to opt your 7th or 8th-grade child in for voluntary random drug testing. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Scott Waleck, RDT Coordinator, at (973) 764-6106.

In closing...

Thank you, GMMS families, for an amazing first marking period of the 2022-2023 school year. We are honored and grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside you and your child(ren). If there is anything we can do to assist in making this year a successful one, please do not hesitate to contact us. #TheGlenMeadowWay #GMMSinspirekindness


All our best,


The Faculty and Staff of Glen Meadow Middle School

Mrs. Jacquelyn M. Van Orden, Principal

Mrs. Jacquelyn M. Van Orden, Principal

Mrs. Jacquelyn M. Van Orden, Principal

Glen Meadow Middle School, Sammis Road, Vernon Township, NJ, USA jvanorden@vtsd.com 973-764-4532 vtsd.com
Dr. Eric W. Kosek, Asst. Principal

Dr. Eric W. Kosek, Asst. Principal

Dr. Eric W. Kosek, Asst. Principal

Glen Meadow Middle School, Sammis Road, Vernon Township, NJ, USA ekosek@vtsd.com 973-764-4697 vtsd.com