Hawk Highlights
November 22, 2022
November 22, Volume 2, Issue 13
Dear GVMS Families,
We have had another great week at GVMS. Here's an update on what's good at Gainesville:
A big congratulations to 7th grade student, Kaomi N. for placing top 3 in the regional Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Competition! Kaomi will represent GVMS in the final competition on January 16, 2023. Stay tuned for details on how you can support Kaomi and vote! Way to RISE up Kaomi! Go Hawks!
Our SCA threw a successful Glow-in-the-Dark dance this past Friday. Students showed up in a variety of fun glow outfits and cleaned us out of our candy! They danced, sang, and screamed to the music - "Sweet Caroline" was one of my favorites and I will not confirm or deny if I was jumping around singing with the kids (I'm sure somebody has proof!) A parent volunteer was overheard saying, "these kids are just so fun," and I could not agree more. A huge thank you to all of our parent and staff volunteers - we could not have done this without you! A very special thank you to Ms. Lauck and our SCA - they really know how to throw a party! We're looking forward to scheduling another event in the spring!
I've received a few questions about the upcoming concert dates. The GVMS performing arts department and I have reviewed the dates of the concerts and have shared the up-to-date event schedule with you (see below). If you have any questions, please reach out to your student's music teacher.
Also, when we return from our Thanksgiving Break, we will have a December to Remember Spirit Month. There will be 12 fun spirit days for our students to get into the holiday spirit and prepare for our winter break at the end of December. Details are below!
GVMS was selected for the Rhithm app pilot program! We are really excited for how the Rhithm app can support the social-emotional needs of our students. Look below for more information.
During this time of Thanksgiving, I want to share my gratitude and thank you for being such an important part of our GVMS community. This is a wonderful time of the year to get together with friends and family to celebrate and be thankful for all the wonderful people in our lives. On behalf of the Gainesville Middle School staff, I would like to thank you for your continued support and wish you all a safe and happy holiday.
This is a quick reminder that Monday, November 28, 2022, will be an A Day. I have scheduled a text message reminder to go out on Sunday just in case!
As always, we thank you for your education partnership and look forward to another great week at GVMS.
Best,
Mary Kate Graham
Proud Principal
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
- No School - Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, November 24, 2022
- No School - Thanksgiving Break
Friday, November 25, 2022
- No School - Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
- Boys Basketball HOME vs. Unity Braxton
Thursday, December 1, 2022
- 7th Grade Choir - Winter Concert, Gainesville High School @7:00 PM
Friday, December 2, 2022
- GVMS Five Star Book Review Contest Begins
Monday, December 5, 2022
- Boys Basketball HOME vs. Nokesville
- 7th and 8th Grade Band - Winter Concert, Gainesville High School @7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
- 8th Grade Choir - Winter Concert, Gainesville Middle School @7:00 PM
Monday, December 12, 2022
- Boys Basketball HOME vs. Marstellar MS
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
- 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra - Winter Concert, Gainesville Middle School @7:00 PM
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
- Boys Basketball HOME vs. Bull Run MS
Thursday, January 12, 2023
- 6th Grade Band Concert
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
- 6th Grade Orchestra Concert
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
- 6th Grade Chorus Concert
Thursday, January 19, 2023
- Boys Basketball HOME vs. Reagan MS
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 Packet in ParentVUE by December 16 (extended)
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.
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.
*Directions in languages other than English can be accessed by clicking this link.
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!
GVMS Code Orange Information
We are getting close to the start of the inclement weather season. In the case of a code orange, teachers will have information posted on their canvas page with a link to their zoom during their designated office hours. Office Hours will be shared in the next issue.
Student and Family Introduction to Rhithm
Our district is excited to announce the use of the Rhithm app as a part of our commitment to supporting whole child development. Rhithm will help is better understand each student's learning readiness and respond to social-emotional needs.
At Gainesville Middle School, we plan to utilize Rhithm to help meet our student and staff needs with our climate and culture, specifically in the areas of wellness and belonging. We plan to implement Rhithm during our AM Advisory periods (AM Hawk Time) three times a week to start, beginning the first week of December.
If you would like to opt your student out of the use of the Rhithm app, please complete the opt out form and submit to Mrs. Jessie Castles, director of school counseling, at castlejm@pwcs.edu.
What is the Rhithm app?
The Rhithm app is a daily check-in tool that provides responsive support for students in just 3 - 5 minutes. Students respond to five questions around Mental, Energy, Emotional, Physical, and Social wellness, then engage in brief well-being-related activities that are tailored to student needs, build social-emotional skills, and help students get ready to learn.
How can I access the Rhithm app?
Rhithm uses Clever for easy student access whether at school or at home. In addition to classroom use, students can access the Rhithm activities during evening and weekends.
Step 1: Open your Clever app
Step 2: Log in with student credentials or badge
Step 3: Once you are signed in, click on the Rhithm icon
What is the Rhithm privacy policy?
Rhithm does not share student data with anyone, including marketers. Rhithm has strict internal data governance policies and hosts data on private, HIPPA compliant dedicated servers with the highest security levels. The app, along with all Rhithm business policies, are structured to be FERPA compliant. View Privacy Policy
How can I learn more about Rhithm?
View this parent video for more information: English Spanish
Additional information and access to these activities can be found at: https://rhithm.app/parent-faq/
GVMS PTO UPDATE
Direct Donations: Our direct donations are still going on. Please consider giving no denomination is too small. Where does the money go? Last year we funded the 8th-grade dance, monthly staff appreciation events, and funding for the classrooms. We gave out money to buy art supplies, library games, books for kids, incentives for classroom rewards, incentives for writing contests, and much more.
If you can donate please do so at this time.
SCA Updates - Quarter 1
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.
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 Cafe Corner - November Local Harvest of the Month
November’s Local Harvest of the Month is Cabbage! The Food and Nutrition Department features local farmers who grow the produce we serve on our menu on their Twitter and Instagram accounts. Follow @PWCSNutrition to learn more about the local foods being served to students! Here is the recipe for the Stir Fried Cabbage served in all schools!
The PWCS Food and Nutrition Department is Hiring!
Are you tired of working evenings and weekends? Would you like to be off for your child’s school vacations? Are you looking for a job that truly has an impact on your community? Consider working for PWCS Nutrition!
The PWCS Food and Nutrition Department is seeking passionate, dedicated, fun-loving applicants for all areas of the county. We strive to provide wholesome, enjoyable, high-quality, nutritious meals to our students, so they can be ready to learn and take full advantage of the educational opportunities provided to them. The work we do is important, and the people who do it are inspiring. If these values are important to you too, come be part of our team! The number of hours needed varies by school. Most shifts fall between 9am and 3pm. Employees have weekends, evenings, school holidays, and snow days off. Most staff members work close to home in their own neighborhood schools. Starting pay is $14.34 an hour. Opportunities for growth and advancement are available. Ready to join us? Go to https://jobs.pwcs.edu/Jobs/, and choose “Classified – FOOD SERVICE” from the job type drop-down menu. Click the job link you are interested in applying for, and then click “log in to apply.” If you do not yet have an account, click “here” to set one up! For help with the online application, contact Human Resources at 703-791-8050. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department at 703-791-7314. We look forward to hearing from you!
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