Dear Glen Meadow Parents and Guardians:

Some reminders now that school has begun…

All-Virtual Wednesdays: On Wednesday, September 16, and Wednesday, September 23, all VTSD students will be virtual learners, as our schools will be deep cleaned on both of these days. All students should log on to Schoology and attend all classes. School will be in session online on these two days for all BLUE, GOLD, and VIRTUAL learners. While your classes may or may not be live, your teachers will be available to assist you with your work. Your classes will be very short because we will be giving all students the LinkIt! Benchmark A  Test for Language Arts and Math for the first 75 minutes of each Wednesday.

The results from the benchmark assessment are for instructional purposes only. Results will provide important information to your child’s teacher about strengths and areas needed for growth and development for upcoming lessons. Please note, this assessment is only one of the multiple measures we use to make instructional decisions.

We appreciate your assistance in helping to create a secure and comfortable testing environment by:

  • Providing a quiet, comfortable space with limited interruptions where your child can work independently for about 60 minutes (typical testing time is between 45-55 minutes). Once your child starts the benchmark, it will remain available for 75 minutes. This allows for additional time and breaks as needed, although the session cannot be paused once started.
  • Reminding your child that he/she is not permitted to search the internet or use other offline resources to help answer questions. Additionally, refrain from coaching and providing assistance of any kind.
  • Preventing access to a calculator for math, except on the Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II assessments, or as indicated in a student’s IEP/504.
  • Charging the school Chromebook the evening prior to the benchmark and having the cord readily available.

 

Logistical information related to your child’s taking the LinkIt Benchmark Assessment:

  • To allow for some flexibility, students can choose to start the benchmark anytime before 9 am on 9/16 for ELA and 9/23 for Math, in order to take advantage of the full-time allotment prior to the virtual “bell” schedule, when teachers may have virtual instruction or check-ins scheduled.
  • If a student cannot start the benchmark before 9 am, he/she should consider waiting until after 1pm so the student doesn’t miss any scheduled activities with his/her teachers.
  • Instructions and links will be posted on the language arts class pages in Schoology for 9/16 and the Math class Schoology pages for 9/23. Remember, this is simply a baseline from which student growth can be celebrated, so students should simply give their best effort without worrying about achieving a specific score. The goal is simply what know at the beginning of the school year so we can help guide our instruction.

Here is the schedule for both virtual Wednesdays:

 

GMMS Virtual Wednesdays (9/16 and 9/23)
Linkit Benchmark

9/16 ELA, 9/23 Math

 9:00-10:15* (or after 1pm)
Period 1: 10:20-10:35
Period 2: 10:38-10:53
Period 3: 10:56-11:11
Period 4: 11:14-11:29
Period 5: 11:32-11:47
Period 6: 11:50-12:05
Period 7: 12:08-12:23
Period 8: 12:26-12:41
Period 9: 12:44-12:59

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions that have come up with our Exclusively Virtual Learners with clarifying answers:

Question: Do I have to log on at 8:00 am daily?

Answer: No, but you are recommended to follow your regular schedule to help maintain a school routine, so beginning at 8:00 am is a good idea.

 

Question: Will all of my classes be live?

Answer: No, many of your classes will be recorded and then placed on Schoology for you to watch and then complete the accompanying activity. Please note: from time to time, your teacher may send you a link for a live class session; your teacher will give you all of this information ahead of time so you can join the class. Often you will “meet” with your teacher live after 12:30 pm during his or her office hours.

 

Question: Do I have until 11:59 pm to turn in assignments?

Answer: It depends on what your teacher is requesting; he or she may have a specific time of day the work may be due. For example, by the end of the regular school day. Remember all regular grading rules will be followed, you do not have a Pass/Fail option.

 

Question: I don’t hear from my teacher in the morning, why is that?

Answer: Teachers are teaching their Blue or Gold students and may not always be able to get to the virtual learners in the morning. This is why teachers hold office hours after 12:30 pm. At times, your teacher may invite you to a class that is taking place in the morning; you will be notified on your Schoology page when this occurs.

 

Question: I notice that some of the recorded lessons are not of my teacher, who are the other teachers I hear and see?

Answer: Teachers are doing a lot of collaborating this fall to create lessons; so, as a result, you will see all the teachers that teach that grade/subject on your Schoology page. For example, you may have Mr. Ferguson but you may see or hear Mr. Myhren, Mr. Henry, or Mrs. Studley, as they all teach 6th grade math. This may actually make learning more interesting for you, as you get to see different teachers teaching concepts.

 

Question: If I am sick and cannot do my work, should my parents or guardians call Glen Meadow to tell them I am sick?

Answer: Yes, if you cannot do your work and will not be participating in your daily lessons, please have your parents call Glen Meadow at 973-764-8981. You should also send your teachers a Google Hangout or an email to let them know they may not see you online on that day.

 

School Picture Day: Picture Day will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, for the BLUE students and Thursday, September 24, 2020, for the GOLD students. All VIRTUAL students should come to GMMS to have his/her picture taken on either afternoon (9/22 or 9/24) from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. It is imperative that all students have their pictures taken even if pictures are not purchased. There will be NO paper forms this year. You can purchase the pictures online OR you may print out the form and place money or a check with your form. HERE IS THIS YEAR’S PICTURE FORM

 

Snacks: Your child may bring a snack to school. Below are the times your child may eat his or her snack. Your child may also bring a water bottle to school. Our fountains are turned off, but we have two water filling stations for students to refill water bottles.

Upon arrival to HR: 8:08 am

During lunchtime:

Period 4- 9:40 am- Grade 7

Period 5- 10:08 am- Grade 6

Period 6- 10: 36 am- Grade 8

 

Purchasing a Grab-and-Go Lunch: Your child may order lunch daily by completing a GM Lunch Order Form found on the GMMS Student page. Here is the Google form for your convenience. Lunch must be ordered by 9:00 am. Your child’s lunch will be delivered to the classroom prior to going home at 12:30 pm.

 

Fall Interscholastic Sports:

Cross-Country: Practice will begin on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, with Coach Galante. Practice will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, excluding 9/16 and 9/23. All students are welcome to participate. If your child is a virtual learner or is home on an opposite day, your child is welcome to come to school for practice. Practice will begin at 12:45 pm. Students will eat lunch prior to practicing. Your child can purchase a Grab-and-Go lunch for convenience. Practice will end at 3:00 pm. There will be after school activities buses to take your child home. Here the After School Activity Bus form. Your child must have a completed physical to participate.

 

Field Hockey: Practice will begin on Tuesday, September 15, with Coaches Hofmann and Ranzan. Practice will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, excluding 9/16 and 9/23. All students are welcome to participate. If your child is a virtual learner or is home on an opposite day, your child is welcome to come to school for practice. Practice will begin at 12:45 pm. Students will eat lunch prior to practicing. Your child can purchase a Grab-and-Go lunch for convenience. Practice will end at 3:00 pm. There will be after school activities buses to take your child home. Here the After School Activity Bus form. Your child must have a completed physical to participate.

 

ALL TEAM MEMBERS

  • Must have their own water bottle with their name on it
  • Must have appropriate face covering for time frames when they are not engaged in a high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activity
  • Should have their gear in a clearly marked bag for days that they are in the building prior to practice (Blue or Gold days)

 

Calling all students who have an interest in aerospace/aviation, STEM, military customs and courtesies, emergency services, character development and leadership:

Civil Air Patrol Squadron (CAP) is an auxiliary of the Air Force. The cadet program is a program that helps to teach students about leadership, aerospace/aviation, STEM, military customs and courtesies, emergency services, character development, and much more. There are opportunities to fly aircraft, build rockets, and develop camaraderie with a squadron of other like-minded young adults. A Civil Air Patrol student will be speaking at our open house, along with several past and present members about how CAP helped teenagers bolster their resume for college, prepare them for the military, or prepare them for life. A CAP teenager will be speaking at the open house, along with several past and present members about how CAP helps bolster a resume for college, prepares students for the military, or prepares a person for life. The Civil Air Patrol Squadron (CAP) will be holding a VIRTUAL Open House on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Here is the informational flyer.

 

SCA Fundraiser: Our district’s SCAs are collectively running a fundraiser that will benefit the school of your choice. Please click the flyer to read about the Gift Certificate Pochuck Vally Farm Fundraiser. 

In closing: As a reminder, all Vernon schools will be closed on Monday, September 28, 2020, for the celebration of Yom Kippur.    

Sincerely,

Rosemary Gebhardt                                             Eric Kosek

Principal                                                                 Assistant Principal