Mr. Darryl McDaniels from the ground-breaking, Hip-Hop group, RUN-DMC, visited with Glen Meadow Middle School students Monday, October 21st. DMC, aka, Darryl McDaniels, spoke to our student body on the power of education, overcoming hardships, the power of words and respect for all. Here are some of his salient quotes that he shared with our students…
“Our differences are what make us powerful”
“Negativity is a false sense of power”
“School is Necessary.” We need to “practice for what I[we] are supposed to be doing when I’m [we are] old.”
“You need to “Prepare for your Purpose and Destiny”
“School does not just Assign School Assignments…These are all “Life Assignments”
“Words are Powerful.” – “Good Words = Good Results”
“Lift others up” – “Look out for each other”
Here is a link to the story that ran on News Channel 12. If you haven’t seen the October 21st podcast from Dr. McKay, click this link to see clips from this special assembly program. You’ll even see our Assistant Principal, Dr. Kosek, in a rap-off with DMC! It is a MUST SEE!!
Our Book Fair is Open during Conference Week! Stop into the library to shop at our Scholastic Book Fair before or after meeting with your child’s teachers.
Congratulations to the new members of the Sussex County Jr. High Honors Band! The students listed below successfully auditioned and will be performing with other musically talented students this year across Sussex County. We are very proud that you will be representing our school in this prestigious band!
Erin McDonough – Flute
Abagail Bailey – Flute
Eluney Matallana – Flute
Grace Dobrzynski – Oboe
Amanda Witters – Bassoon
Kelsey Callahan – French horn
Tina Ciannella – Tenor Saxophone
Lukas Baric – Baritone Saxophone
Alexis Fernandez – Trumpet
Red Ribbon Week October 23-31, 2019: This year’s theme: “Send a Message. Stay Drug-Free”, Glen Meadow will be wearing ORANGE on Wednesday, October 23. Wednesday, October 23rd is also National Anti-Bullying Day. On Friday, October 25, our faculty, staff, and students will be wearing their favorite team jersey or apparel to “Team Up Against Drugs”, and on Monday, October 28, students, faculty, and staff will be wearing neon colors because “We’re Too Bright To Do Drugs”.
Metric measurement lab- Here are students of Dr. Jensen’s science class conducting an experiment on using the metric system to record data
Service Learning Projects News
October is “Socktober”! The National Junior Honor Society is collecting new socks of all sizes during the month of October that will be donated to local homeless shelters.
Builder’s Club: is collecting non-perishable food for The Harvest House until the end of the month.
Vernon Coalition Pride Survey: Every two years, the Vernon Coalition gives the “Pride Survey” to all students in grades 6 through 12 whose parents have granted permission via Genesis. This year, our student body will be taking this survey on October 29th in all social studies classes. This survey looks at students’ thoughts and attitudes regarding smoking, smoking products, alcohol, and various drugs. All teachers have been trained by Rebecca Dorney, Vernon Coalition Coordinator, to understand the purpose for the survey and how to administer the survey. The survey students are taking is completely anonymous and will give the Vernon Coalition very critical information for future prevention programming for our students regarding drugs and alcohol. Rebecca Dorney, along with Lisa DeRitter, Youth Coordinator, will also be teaching lessons in all social studies classes about the importance of conducting surveys and connecting this survey to the upcoming United States Census that will be taken next year. If your child has not been granted permission to take this survey and you would like your child to do so, you can change your permission directly on Genesis. Here is a link to the questions your child may see on the survey from pridesurveys.com
You are invited to nominate a teacher for the annual NJ Department of Education Governor’s Teacher of the Year and Governor’s Educational Services Professional of the Year. Please use this form to nominate a teacher at Glen Meadow. Our building selection will be made in early December, thank you for emailing the form or returning it by December 3rd. There are so many outstanding professionals in Glen Meadow for you to consider! Last year’s recipients were Mrs. Kathy Stigler, special area technology teacher, and Ms. Stephanie Ash, School Nurse.
Each candidate should:
- Inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn;
- Serves as an exceptionally skilled and dedicated educator in a public or charter school;
- Expresses themselves in an engaging and articulate way;
- Plays an active role in the community as well as the school;
- Demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside the classroom;
- Has the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues
NJ Teen Child Assault Program (CAP): The Teen CAP program will be taught in all social studies classes on three sequential days from November 15 through 22, 2019. The NJ Teen CAP programs provided by two trained facilitators offers strategies to prevent violence and is developmentally appropriate for students’ grades 7th through 12th. The program includes discussion of personal safety rights, types of assaults and effective strategies for handling many potentially dangerous situations. Throughout the workshop series, common assault situations are presented via short scenarios and guided group discussions. Time is set aside after the workshops for students who wish to talk to facilitators about any situation in their lives that they feel they need an adult to express their concerns. Parents, please note: there will be an informational parent meeting (no students, please) on Monday, November 4, 2019, at 6:30 pm, where you will receive specific information on this curriculum. Attached here are a letter and a flyer that will be sent home via our School Messenger system.
Congratulations to the field hockey team on their 2-0 victory over Sussex-Wantage on October 15th. Makenna Thomas and Sidney Van Tassel both scored goals while Sidney assisted on Makenna’s goal. The JV also won their game by a 1-0 score. Kaylee Free scored the lone goal. Congratulations to the Varsity Field Hockey team on their 5-1 victory over North on October 21. Goal Scorers were Sidney Van Tassel who had 2, Bailey Mann, Ava Duffy, and Kaitlyn White each scored their first goal of the season. Assists went to Sidney Van Tassel, Makenna Thomas and Michaela Woolley with 2… and congratulations to our Lady Vikings as they defeated a tough Frankford team 1-0 on October 23. Bailey Mann scored the game-winner midway through the first half on an assist from Sidney Van Tassel. The defense held off Frankford on two corners in extra time for the victory! On October 23, the JV battled Frankford to a 0-0 tie. The girls’ varsity field hockey team remains undefeated this fall!
Volleyball Tournament: We had our first Volleyball Tournament of the Year organized by Mr. Oakes. Glen Meadow 8th grade students Tristan, Shelby, Madison, Gavin, and Tyler made a Board presentation to let the Board and the public know about this very popular event at Glen Meadow and how it is run…and it all starts with the name of the team and the design of the t-shirts! In addition, students donated non-perishable food that will go to Harvest House and they collected donations to off-set the cost of our spring Field Day. Here are some of the names of teams for this fall’s tournament
Turnin’ L’s Into Lessons
Shake – N – Bake
Go Net It
VanGorder Tree Farm
Spike-It Like It’s Hot
Spicy Spikers
Killer Serves
Volley Ballerzz
Heads Up
Take A Hit
All Set
Spike Girls
PE Athletes of the Month Our Physical Education teachers recently announced their Glen Meadow Athletes of the Month. Congratulations to our student athletes, enjoy reading why they were selected for this prestigious award.
From Mr. Oakes
Gabi Tavares – 8th Grade
When it comes to being an amazing student and a great role model, Miss Tavares meets this in every way. Gabi tries hard every day, works to her best ability and is an absolute pleasure to have as a student. She is very welcoming to her peers and is always happy. Gabi is not only a great role model for this class, but she is also a role model for Glen Meadow as she participates in after school activities and works with students in all grade levels. What an amazing start to the year for such an amazing student. Congrats Gabi!
Dylan Heykoop – 6th Grade
Who could ask for more than a student that changes every day, shows up on time, and simply just wants to be engaged in activity. Dylan so far has been an excellent role model for his peers as he comes to class on time and is always looking forward to play. He is a very active and kind student who will play in any game with any group or peer. Dylan is an excellent example of what student of the month stands for.
From Mr. Healy
Olivia Cilli – 6th Grade
Olivia has had an exceptional start to the school year in physical education, health, as well as Personal Fitness. Her positive attitude, great work ethic, and willingness to help others makes her an exceptional role model for everyone at Glen Meadow Middle School. She is an absolute pleasure to have in class and has a very bright future ahead of her.
Owen Lally -8th Grade
Owen is a great role model for all students at Glen Meadow by demonstrating fantastic leadership skills. He is a very hard worker who brings a positive mindset to everything he does. Owen is very passionate about performing well in class and always puts in his best effort in all that he does. Also, Owen participates in a variety of after school activities and represents the Vernon Township School District in an exceptional manner.
From Mr. Killen
Grace Bobbie– 7th Grade
Grace makes every effort to be a well-rounded and conscientious student who is always exceeding our expectations. She is a person her peers look to as an example and makes having her in class a wonderful experience for all.
Aden Karwoski – 7th Grade
Aden is an excellent athlete who contributes to his group both in skill development activities and games. Aden makes everyone feel included and does an incredible job making his actions speak louder than words by the way he treats everyone.
5th Grade Exploring Electives Experience: Our students are working to create tri-folds of all the elective courses and after school offerings at GMMS that all 5th-grade students and their parents can see on November 13, 2019, at 6:30 pm, in the gym. This event will enable all 5th-grade students to see all of the offerings Glen Meadow has for its student body. Mrs. Stigler’s students have created the fliers for the event, planned the event, and have produced this commercial that all 5th-grade students will see. I hope you enjoy this short message about our upcoming event featuring students in Mrs. Stigler’s class.
Mrs. Franklyn and Mr. Manis are teaching ecosystems through games- Who doesn’t like to play games, especially when learning something new? Mrs. Franklyn and Mr. Manis’ 7th-grade students are learning about food chains, food webs, and energy flow within various ecosystems. To apply what they have been learning students played card games such as “Predator”, “Chomp”, “Into the Forest”, and “Onto the Desert”. Students had to decide what ate whom by reading information on each playing card. Students were involved in lively discussions had to relate their knowledge acquired to the amount of energy that an organism holds and how the energy decreases as they move up the food chain.
SCA Wreath Sale: Support our SCA by purchasing a holiday wreath from Pappa’s Garden Center in McAfee on Route 94. Here is the form you will need to complete.
The GMMS SCA is always running its “Unfundraiser”, please click here for the form.
A few reminders of upcoming events
Picture Re-takes: Friday, October 25, 2019
NJ Teen CAP Parent Meeting: Monday, November 4, 2019, at 6:30 pm
School Closed: November 7-8, 2019
Marking Period One Grades: Open in Genesis on Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Ryan’s Story: Monday, November 11, 2019, at 6:30 pm. Parents will be able to experience the program that students will see during the day. This is a poignant program presented by Mr. John Halligan who lost his son Ryan to suicide because he was bullied when he was 13 years old. Please visit Ryan’s Story online to learn more about Mr. Halligan’s campaign.
5th Grade Family Exploring Electives Experience: Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 6:30 pm, 5th graders and their families will be treated to a light dinner and will travel around the gym to “explore” all of the specials classes that are offered to Glen Meadow students. This program is run by dozens of Glen Meadow students who are going to represent all the activities available at Glen Meadow. A big thank you to Mrs. Stigler and her students for making the flyers for this program and organizing the event!
All Schools SCA Tricky Tray: Saturday, November 16, 2019, at VTHS, doors open at 5:30 pm. Please click here for the informational flyer.
Vernon Light’s Festival: Glen Meadow Middle School has been invited to be one of the first groups to tour the Vernon Lights Festival on November 18-20, 2019! You will soon be receiving a permission slip for this trip.
SCA Meeting: Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at 9:30 am
Early Dismissal Day: Wednesday, November 27, 2019; Schools Closed November 28-29th
Change in the 2019-2020 School Calendar: We will have an Early Dismissal Day on Friday, December 23, 2019, school is closed from December 23, 2019, through January 1, 2020. School will re-open on Thursday, January 2, 2020.