Hawk Highlights
September 9, 2022
September 9, Volume 2, Issue 5
Dear GVMS Families,
We've had another great week at GVMS. Our students are adjusting to their new routines and are learning so much in their classes. Here's an update of what has happened this week:
On September 7, we held our Code of Behavior assemblies with all students in the gym. We shared information about RISE and discussed expectations for students.
On September 8, our new cafeteria tables arrived! We retired our rectangular tables for a fresh design that provides our students with more space at the table. It was really exciting to watch our students' faces light up when they walked in and discovered the tables had arrived. (It was either that or the fact that they got to choose their lunch seats today!) Take a look at the photos below (taken with our new camera system!)
As a reminder from GVMS teachers and staff members, students should have a pair of headphones with them each day when they come to school. We will have extras available for purchase in the library in a few weeks.
Additionally, there is traffic information towards the end of the newsletter. If you are picking students up at the end of the day, please be patient and understanding with our staff directing traffic. We have routines set in place to help ensure that cars move quickly through the pick-up line and that our staff and students remain safe. Please encourage your student to exit the building quickly and safely so that they are ready for you when you arrive. As a side note, there was some chatter the first week of school about the amount of traffic and the location of our administrators who were directing traffic. PWCS staff members are not allowed to direct traffic off school property per the PWC Police.
Next week will be a busy week for all, with Back-to-School nights on Tuesday and Wednesday and the start of the Virginia Growth Assessments for all students. I'm looking forward to seeing/meeting you at BTSN. Have a great weekend!
Best,
Mary Kate Graham
Proud Principal
Old Cafeteria Tables - See Below:
New GVMS Cafeteria Tables - See Below:
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.
Back-to-School Night 2022
Join us for Back-to-School Night! Come meet the GVMS teachers and staff, join the PTO, purchase Spirit Wear, and receive information about upcoming events.
Back to School Nights at Gainesville Middle School will take place as follows:
September 13th – 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM (Grade 6)
September 14th – 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM (Grade 7)
September 22nd – 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM (Grade 8)
Your child should be bringing a copy of their Back to School Night schedule home for you to follow. However, please know that student schedules will be available on Parent Vue.
Please note that overflow parking will be available at Holy Trinity Catholic Church if needed.
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.
Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) Begin on 9/13/22
Beginning on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, GVMS students will participate in the Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) test sessions. The Growth Assessments are computer adaptive tests, shorter than the Standards of Learning tests, that were developed in grades 3-8 reading and mathematics as a result of legislation passed in the 2021 Virginia General Assembly. The growth assessments consist of test items that measure the Standards of Learning, have been reviewed by Virginia teachers, tried out with Virginia students, and accepted for use on the growth assessments.
Beginning with the second year of implementation (2022-2023) and beyond, the legislation requires that the grades 3-8 reading and mathematics growth assessments be administered to students once in the fall and once in the winter (mid-year) during the school year. In addition to the growth assessments, the SOL tests for grade 3-8 reading and mathematics will continue to be administered.
Gainesville Middle School VGA Schedule
Tuesday 9/13/22: 6th Grade Math
Wednesday 9/14/22: 7th Grade Math
Thursday 9/15/22: 8th Grade Math
Tuesday 9/20/22: 6th Grade Reading
Wednesday 9/21/22: 7th Grade Reading
Thursday 9/22/22: 8th Grade Reading
For more information regarding the Virginia Growth Assessment, please check out the VDOE website.
GVMS Athletics Events Reminders
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.
GVMS Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair will be at GVMS from September 19 - September 23, 2022. The Book Fair can be accessed online from September 19 - October 2. GVMS will host a family night on September 19 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM in the library.
Thank you for your support of the Book Fair. Our goals are to promote literacy and purchase more books for the GVMS Library!
PTO: The Book Fair will be September 16th - 23rd. We need some help! If you can help please sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4ba5aa2aa02-gvms3
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.
- View the attached 90-second welcome video.
- Bookmark the Educator's Guide for Implementing Paper to learn about the platform and how to maximize its time-saving benefits for you in support of your students in and out of the classroom.
- Share information the information below with your families about three upcoming parent webinars* or advertise the service in your announcements or newsletters to our families: Title I schools: September 7 at 7 p.m. (Click to register) All middle and high school families: September 12 at 7 p.m. (Click to register) All elementary families: September 13 at 7 p.m. (Click to register) Use this link to help our families learn more: https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/ Instructional_technology/paper
GVMS PTO UPDATES
PTO Spirit Wear
Pre-order spirit wear from the GVMS PTO. Orders can be picked up at Back to School night.
Please complete the form below:
https://forms.gle/JidbjN6fCDB5gbCt5
Book Fair Help
The Book Fair will be September 16th - 23rd. We need some help! If you can help please sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4ba5aa2aa02-gvms3
BACK TO SCHOOL PACKET 22-23
We are excited to welcome all students to the new school year. The Back to School Packet, where parents/guardians can review emergency cards, update contact information, and complete annual policy reviews and acknowledgments, is now available in ParentVUE.
All families should complete the Back to School Packet as soon as possible, but no later
than Friday, September 16, 2022. The information you provide will allow school staff to
ensure the safety of your student this school year.
To access the Back to School Packet:
- Login to your ParentVUE account and go to “Online Records” in the top right corner.
- Written Instructions for completing the Back to School Packet
- Video Tutorial for completing the Back to School Packet
- If a parent/guardian needs to make changes to information once they submit the Back to School Packet, they can resubmit anytime by following the same instructions provided above.
- If you need assistance or do not have an active ParentVUE account, please contact your child’s school.
For your convenience, we have created a Back to School webpage with information and
resources you and your student need to start the school year off right.
PWCS Device Information and Insurance
Parents/guardians have the option to purchase low-cost student device insurance through the PWCS-approved third-party vendor, Securranty. Students at Gainesville Middle School will receive the HP Pro Book x360 G5 & G7. If purchased, the insurance covers unlimited repairs or replacements for everything from broken screens, lost chargers, and accidental damage, with a zero deductible for one year on a school-issued HP device. The insurance cost is $32.95, which may be significantly less than repair or replacement costs without insurance. (A replacement laptop costs around $450 and repairs range from $150 - $400 depending on the damage).
Parents/guardians will sign up on their own with the following information:
- School name
- Student last name, first name
- Student ID number
- Debit/credit card information
GVMS PE WORKOUT GEAR
Thank you to all who used the online credit card system to purchase your students' PE gear!
https://www.studentquickpay.com/pwcs/
If your student has not received their items and you paid by credit card, please have your student bring the printed receipt to PE class to get their gear.
If you are wanting winter gear (sweatshirts/pants), I must have the order form by September 16th. We do have some sizes readily available to hand out, but some will need to be ordered.
If you have any questions, please email me at HarrisLL@pwcs.edu
Thank you!
Laura Harris
GVMS DRESS CODE (FROM THE PWCS CODE OF BEHAVIOR)
The following clothing items are prohibited:
- reveal bare skin to the extent that they distract or may foreseeably distract other students or staff;
- reveal or expose undergarments;
- fit in a manner as to reveal or expose undergarments;
- contain vulgar, discriminatory, lewd patently offensive, or obscene language or images;
- contain threats or gang symbols;
- promotes the use of weapons and violence, or the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs, and/or associated paraphernalia;
- cause or may foreseeably cause a disruption to the learning environment; and
- accessories that could be regarded as or used as a weapon
- bandanas
- crop tops
- hoods
- excessively tight/revealing clothing
GVMS CELL PHONE POLICY
While cell phones remain an important aspect of communication between students and parents, they can also limit our students' ability to focus and stay on task during instructional time. Because of this, our school policy is that cell phones are "Away for the Day". Students should have their cell phones turned off and placed in their backpacks or lockers. We believe this is the best policy to support our students' instructional and social needs during the school day and will also help decrease negative exchanges via social media during the school day.
GVMS Lockers and Backpacks
During the 22 - 23 school year, GVMS will bring back the optional use of student lockers. Students will also be able to carry their backpacks throughout the school day for easy access to their supplies.
- Any issues with lockers will be directed to the front office to fill out a form. Our security team will work to fix locker issues.
LOCKER TIMES WILL BE ENFORCED FOR ALL STUDENTS.
GVMS 2022 - 2023 TRAFFIC REMINDERS
As we begin the 22-23 school year, I want to provide some reminders for our traffic patterns to help keep all of the GVMS community safe. We understand that the pick-up/drop-off traffic lines can be long, however, the safety of our students and staff is critical.
If you drive your child to/from school or pick them up from a club/activity after school, we ask you to adhere to the following expectations:
- Please do not drop your student off on Limestone Drive.
- Please follow the flow of traffic around the parking lot and only pick up/drop off students from the designated area.
- Use a single file traffic pattern to loop around in front of the school.
- Refrain from entering visitor parking lots/spaces to drop students off or exit the student drop-off line. This is crucial to the safety of our students.
- Remain in line and follow traffic flow back to Limestone to exit school grounds.
- Please make sure you are using crosswalks when necessary.
As a reminder, it is illegal for PWCS employees to direct traffic off of school grounds, including Limestone Drive. These directions are intended to retain an orderly, predictable traffic environment for the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. Thank you for your assistance in keeping our students safe in and around our parking lots each morning and afternoon.
Gainesville High School Dance & Cheer Clinic - 10/9/22
Gainesville High School is holding a Combo Dance and Cheer clinic on Oct 9th. Join us to learn dance and cheer techniques and for the opportunity to perform at the 10/14/22 GHS Varsity Football Game. Registration information can be found on the attached flier.
Contact Coach Kilmer (kilmercd@pwcs.edu) or Coach Hackman (hackmand@pwcs.edu) with any questions.
Optional Health Insurance Through Medicaid and FAMIS
The effects of COVID continue to impact Virginia’s 1.3 million public school students. Families are still facing many challenges. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is sponsoring a Back-to-School campaign to let families know how they can receive low-cost or no-cost health insurance through Medicaid and FAMIS. Find out who qualifies for coverage and learn about Medicaid and FAMIS benefits at FAMIS. To see if your child may qualify, use the Eligibility Screening Tool and answer five easy questions, and then apply online.
Visit the FAMIS Back to School webpage on the Cover Virginia website for more information.
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.
School Meal Payments 2022 - 2023
The USDA waiver that allowed us to serve breakfast and lunch free of charge to all students since March 2020 is no longer in place for this school year. Families of students attending Gainesville Middle School are encouraged to complete a Free Meal Benefits Application. Free meals are available to students whose households qualify under federal standards. The Meal Benefits Application is available in English and Spanish on the PWCS Food and Nutrition website. After your 2022-23 Meal Benefits Application is processed, you will be notified by e-mail or US mail of your child's status. Until you are notified, you must provide your child with meals or money for meals. If your child was eligible for free or reduced-price meals in the 2019-20 or 2020-21 school year, they will receive free breakfast and lunch until October 6, 2022.
Meal prices for the 2022-23 school year are listed below. You can pay for meals online via www.MySchoolBucks.com. Students can also bring cash or check on the first day of school and deliver them to the cafeteria staff when paying for lunch. Checks should be made out to Gainesville Middle School (please include your student's ID number in the memo).
Our breakfast and lunch menus are available online at www.pwcsnutrition.com. You can sign up to have the menu emailed to you monthly and download our free menu app for your smartphone! Contact the Food and Nutrition Department at 703-791-7314 with questions, or visit our website, www.pwcsnutrition.com, for more information. We are looking forward to serving your students again this year!
**Students are strongly encouraged to practice and know their student ID numbers for Monday. They will need to punch their numbers in to purchase breakfast or lunch.
Monday, September 12, 2022
Social Emotional Needs Survey - Done in Advisory/AM Hawk Time
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Back to School Night - 6th Grade: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
VGA - Math 6
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Back to School Night - 7th Grade 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
VGA - Math 7
Thursday, September 15, 2022
VGA - Math 8
Monday, September 19, 2022
GVMS Book Fair Begins
Family Night from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday, September 19 - Friday, September 23, 2022
GVMS Scholastic Book Fair (During the school day)
Monday, September 19 - Sunday, October 2, 2022
GVMS Scholastic Book Fair (ONLINE - LINK will be shared soon)
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
VGA - Reading 6
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
VGA - Reading 7
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Back to School Night - 8th Grade 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
VGA - Reading 8
Friday, September 23, 2022
Lockdown Drill at GVMS
Monday, September 26, 2022
NO SCHOOL
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