As the month of December is upon us, we wanted to thank you for all of your support thus far this school year. We hope that your child's 2022-2023 school year continues to be an enriching and rewarding experience.

A few important reminders for the month of December:

• December 2nd: Don't Get Vaped In Presentation for 7th Grade Health Classes
• December 6th: GM Winter Band Concert at VTHS (6:30 - 7:30 pm)
• December 8th: Family STEM Night at VTHS (5:00 - 7:00 pm) (INFO)
  
• December 8th: BOE Work Session at Lounsberry Hollow (7:00 pm)
• December 9th: GM Winter Orchestra/Choir Concert at GMMS (6:30 - 7:30 pm)
• December 12th: Book Fair (8:00 am - 3:00 pm)
• December 13th: Book Fair (8:00 am - 3:00 pm)
• December 14th: Wednesday White Out (Wear white and donate a canned good)
• December 14th: Book Fair (8:00 am - 3:00 pm)
• December 14th: Evening Book Fair for Parents/Guardians/Students (5:30 - 7:30 pm)
• December 14th: Vernon Coalition Meeting at VTHS Library (6:00 - 7:00 pm)
• December 15th: Book Fair (8:00 am - 3:00 pm)
• December 15th: BOE Public Meeting at Lounsberry Hollow (7:00 pm)
• December 16th: Book Fair (8:00 am - 3:00 pm)
• December 16th: GMMS Band/Orchestra/Chorus performs for CMPS
• December 19th: Spirit Week! Sweater Weather - Wear a Holiday/Fun Sweater!
• December 20th: Spirit Week! Favorite Character - Dress as a Holiday Character or Wear Red!

• December 21st: Spirit Week! Holiday Hat - Wear a Holiday-themed Hat or Hair!

• December 21st: GM SCA Meeting in Faculty Room (9:45 am)

• December 21st: VTHS Meistersingers & Brass Choir Visit GMMS

• December 22nd: Spirit Week! Toasty Thursday - Wear Warm, Cozy Clothes or Pajama Pants!

• December 22nd: Early Dismissal Day (12:30 pm)

• December 23rd through January 2nd: Winter Recess

• January 3rd: School Resumes

As we bring in the month of December, we extend our congratulations to one of our main office administrative assistant, Ms. Cheddy Bogdewicz, who is now the Administrative Assistant to the VTSD Athletic Director, Mr. William Foley, at Vernon Township High School. A very special welcome to Mrs. Lisa Ingrasselino, our new main office administrative assistant. Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Mrs. Ingrasselino in her new role!

In addition, we offer our heartfelt well wishes to CST case manager, Mrs. Lauren Peachey, who has accepted a new position in a district closer to her home. Please join me in excitedly welcoming back Mrs. Amanda Saxton as the GMMS CST case manager at Glen Meadow Middle School! Congratulations to all!

As always, we thank you for sharing your children with us. 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

STAR (Students Taking Academic Responsibility) Students exemplify #TheGlenMeadowWay. STAR Students are nominated each marking period by their teacher(s) based on one or more of the following areas. Most Improved/Best Effort; Most Passionate/Engaged/Dedicated; Most Improved Attendance; Positive Character Traits (Demonstrates Compassion, Honesty, Trustworthiness, Optimism, and Responsibility); Positive Attitude towards Learning; Demonstrates Leadership and Integrity; Respectful to Teachers and Peers and/or Other Noteworthy Reasons Shared by the Teacher.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 1st MARKING PERIOD STAR STUDENTS!

• The student befriends someone in need of a friend
• The student stands up on behalf of a peer and offers support to their peer
• The student speaks out and asks an adult for intervention and/or support for their peer

The Student Citizenship Award: This student exemplifies good citizenship towards their school community and is nominated by their teacher(s) based on one or more of the following:

• The student performs voluntary service (before, during, and/or after school)

• The student participates in school activities that benefit the school community

• The student goes above and beyond to make Glen Meadow the great school that it is!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 1st MARKING PERIOD STUDENT UPSTANDER and STUDENT CITIZENSHIP RECIPIENTS!

This month, we're encouraging you to carry out small acts of kindness. Kindness is contagious, and helping others has been proven to make us feel better too! Let's try to focus on being generous with our time and attention - it's free and better for everyone, as well as our planet! This month's calendar is full of ideas to help you show kindness towards yourself and others.

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

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.

• Volunteer to be a Peer Tutor at Glen Meadow. Click HERE for more information.
• Volunteer at Sussex County Libraries. Click HERE for more information.

1. Take care of yourself first. Get plenty of rest, eat a well-balanced diet, do some form of activity, carve out time for self-care, and remember to breathe. When we are stressed, we do not breathe deeply, which can amplify anxiety.
2. Plan ahead, and do things in chunks.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
4. Focus on experiences rather than things.
5. Remember to laugh.

• Laughter boosts the immune system. It decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving our resistance to disease.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins. These are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Laughter protects the heart. It improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect against heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.
• Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective and allow us to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment.
• Laughter may even help us live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who do not laugh as much.

Thank you, GMMS families, for your partnership throughout the first three months 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

Have a safe and restful holiday season,

The Faculty and Staff of Glen Meadow Middle School