September 2021 Message

From The Glen Meadow Middle School

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Welcome Back to School!

With September 7th right around the corner, we are beyond excited to welcome (back) our Glen Meadow Middle School students. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade are exciting times in the life of a middle school student! We hope that your child(ren) will find this school year one that is full of enriching activities and rewarding experiences. The 2021-2022 school year promises to be a positive, productive, and memorable one!


Many exciting events await us during the month of September! Students arrive on September 7th and will have the opportunity to meet their teachers, counselors, case managers, and the administrative team. On September 9th, The Moving Wall visits the Vernon Township School District (additional information below). School pictures are scheduled for Tuesday, September 21st, and Back to School Night for parents/guardians is on Wednesday, September 22nd. For a full list of all Glen Meadow happenings, please visit the GMMS/VTSD Calendar HERE.


Also, on Thursday, September 16th, the Vernon Township School District will be closed in observance of Yom Kippur. On Friday, September 24th, and Friday, October 1st, all sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students will be taking the Start Strong Assessment in Math and Language Arts during an extended homeroom. On Friday, October 8th, sixth grade students will be taking the Start Strong Science Assessment during periods one and two.


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 2021-2022 school year.


Jacquelyn M. Van Orden, Principal

Eric W. Kosek, Assistant Principal

Masks Required in Glen Meadow Middle School

Masks Required in Glen Meadow Middle School

Masks Required in Glen Meadow Middle School
Per Governor Murphy’s Executive Order #251, all faculty, staff, and students are required to wear a face covering while indoors. Students will not have to wear a face mask while eating, when participating in high intensity physical activity while maintaining physical distancing, and when they are outside. Hand sanitizers are available to all faculty, staff, and students and should be used by all upon entering classrooms and offices. Hand washing is encouraged and physical distancing will be implemented when practicable.

Additional Information

  1. Hand sanitizing and handwashing will be strongly encouraged and embedded into regular practice at GMMS.
  2. Physical distancing of 3 feet will be maintained when practicable.
  3. Cafeteria tables will be limited to ~4 students per table. Students are welcome to eat their lunch inside or outside during their scheduled lunch period.
  4. Cafeteria tables will be sanitized between use and placemats will be made available to students.

21st Century Community Learning Center Coming to GMMS!

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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 has 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 will officially begin on Monday, September 13, 2021, 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 or the district is closed, the program will not be in session. The 21st Century Community Learning Center is only available to Glen Meadow Middle School students and is at no cost to families.


There will be a Parent Information Night on Thursday, September 9, 2021, from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm at GMMS. If you are interested in attending and/or registering your child for this outstanding opportunity, please fill out the Google Form so that we may plan accordingly. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact 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.

Self-Care September 2021

Self-care isn't selfish, it's essential. This month we're encouraging everyone to be kinder to themselves (as well as others), especially when things don't go as we plan. Self-care increases our resilience and helps us get more out of life. It also helps us accept others as they are too. Please take a moment to peruse the calendar below and see how many actions you are able to take part in this month!


~obtained from: actionforhappiness.com

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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 Basic School Supply List

Please click on the button above for the Glen Meadow Middle School School Supply List for the 2021-2022 school year.

Glen Meadow Middle School Calendar

Please click on the button above for the GMMS Calendar for the 2021-2022 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 2021-2022 school year.

Arrival and Dismissal Times at GMMS

Students at GMMS will arrive at Glen Meadow at approximately 8:05 am daily and buses will depart the school at the end of the day at approximately 3:00 pm. Daily parent/guardian drop-off time will be at 8:05 am and pick-up time will be at 2:50 pm if your child does not take the bus. Please click HERE for Glen Meadow’s daily schedules.
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Counselor Assignments

Counselors at Glen Meadow Middle School are assigned according to each student's grade level. The counselor assignments for the 2021-2022 school year are as follows:


6th Grade:


7th Grade:

8th Grade:

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!

Hall Locker Assignments

Hall Locker Assignments

Hall Locker Assignments
Homeroom teachers will be assigning hall lockers to students on the first few days of school. Students are welcome to utilize a locker or carry their belongings with them in a backpack. Since gym lockers and locker rooms will not be utilized at this time, students will not be changing for Physical Education. Students will be encouraged to utilize their lockers during AM homeroom, before lunch, after lunch, and during PM homeroom.
One Way Hallways at GMMS

One Way Hallways at GMMS

One Way Hallways at GMMS
Please note that Glen Meadow Middle School continues to implement one-way hallways. Signs have been placed throughout the building informing students of the direction of the traffic flow in each hallway. As students acclimate to navigating the building, tardies to class (within reason) will be forgiven during the first week of school.
Sign-In and Sign-Out Kiosks

Sign-In and Sign-Out Kiosks

Sign-In and Sign-Out Kiosks
Students' picture IDs will now include a barcode with their Student ID number. Students are required to sign in (and out) when visiting the Nurse's Office, Counseling Office, Restrooms, and the Library/Media Center. Should students not have their ID, they may also sign in and out by manually typing their Student ID into the system. This assists our faculty and staff when locating a student as the student's location will appear within Genesis.
Water Filling Stations

Water Filling Stations

Water Filling Stations
Please note that while our water fountains are not being utilized at this time, our water bottle fillings stations are. Please be sure that your child comes to school with a water bottle, labeled with their first and last name, as they will use their own water bottle to refill throughout the day.
Thank You, GMMS SCA!

Thank You, GMMS SCA!

Thank You, GMMS SCA!

A very special thank you to the GMMS SCA for their very generous donation to purchase a Student Planner for every Glen Meadow Middle School student. Planners will be distributed within the first two weeks of school as we are expecting a delivery on/around September 9th or 10th. Please encourage your child(ren) to use their planners daily.


Please consider joining us at the first SCA meeting of the year, on Wednesday, September 15th at 9:45 am, which will be held virtually. To view the SCA Welcome Letter, please click HERE. In addition, please click HERE for all of the wonderful happenings and fundraisers on behalf of the GMMS SCA!

Mark Your Calendars...

Parents and Guardians are invited to attend the Glen Meadow Middle School Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 22nd at 6:30 pm. Join us for an informative evening with the GMMS faculty and staff. We look forward to seeing you!

8th GRADE PARENT/GUARDIAN/STUDENT ORIENTATION AT VERNON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL

On Thursday, October 7th, Vernon Township High School is hosting an 8th Grade Orientation for all 8th-grade parents/guardians and students from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Attendees will learn all about Freshman Academy, CTE Programs, Concurrent Courses and Advanced Placement Classes, Life Skills Classes, Clubs, Activities, Athletic Programs, and much more. This is an event that you do not want to miss!

Reminder: Change in Traffic Pattern in Main Parking Lot at GMMS

Please be advised that the Glen Meadow Main Parking Lot traffic direction has been reversed. What was once the entrance is now the exit, and what was once the exit is now the entrance. Painted arrows and signage have also been changed to delineate the new traffic pattern. The new direction will run essentially in a counter-clockwise direction as a means to improve traffic flow while maintaining the safety of our students. Please see Image 1 (the GMMS Parking Lot Entrance) and Image 2 (the GMMS Parking Lot Exit).

The Moving Wall is Coming to Vernon Schools

The Sussex Elks Lodge #2288 and the American Legion Riders of Branchville and Franklin will be sponsoring The Moving Wall in Sussex County. The Moving Wall is a half-size replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC which travels the country and has not yet visited Sussex County in its thirty-year history. This memorial will be escorted past Glen Meadow Middle School on Thursday, September 9, 2021. Glen Meadow faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue as we honor those whose names are listed on the memorial.

The New Jersey Prevention Network

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The Center for Prevention and Counseling

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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...

As September 7th is right around the corner, we want you to know that we look forward to the start of the 2021-2022 school year. We are honored and grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside you and your child(ren) this year. If there is anything we can do to assist in making this year a successful one, please do not hesitate to contact us. #TheGlenMeadowWay


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