Dear Parents and Guardians:
Our students enjoyed an afternoon talking about books and their summer reading. Ms. Yost, our librarian, will be organizing other book talks like our first Sit and Chat. Students listened to their peers talk about their favorite genre, author, and series. Students were piqued by the books others read, many actually “traded” books because they were so interested in the topic or book! Ms. Yost reminded all of us, “books are like mirrors and windows”! As a reader of historical fiction, I am now reading Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, a book about slavery during the American Revolution. This book is a part of a trilogy, the other books in the series are Forge and Ashes. This book is recommended by Mark, a new 8th grader at our school, who read the series. Check them out! Remember, all students are expected to come to school prepared to talk about their summer reading! Your Language Arts teacher will give you more details about how you will discuss your readings in class.
The Genesis Portal will be open the week of August 19th where you will see your child’s schedule and busing information. You and your child are welcome to come to school and “walk through” your schedule. We will be holding an Open House on Tuesday, August 27 and Thursday, August 29th, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. As we get closer to the portal opening please note the following reminder… In the middle of last school year, each student was given a list of course offerings for “specials” classes to rank in interest order. When completing the form, it was explained that courses will be scheduled as close to requests as possible. At times, based on spring test scores on the NJ SLA, students may be scheduled for Math and Literacy Labs. If a student is in a Math or Literacy Lab, the student will be in each lab for Marking Periods one and three or Marking Periods two and four. You will shortly be receiving a letter from me if your child is in a Lab class; the letter provides you details of how the class is structured.
Glen Meadow will be hosting a special event called “Bagels and Locks” on Monday, August 26th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm! Your child is invited to come to school to practice opening his or her locker and have a snack while becoming familiar with the locker number and combination! Please complete this Google form so we know who to expect! Here is a short YouTube video that you can view to help refresh you on how to open a combination lock.
Our Family Back to School Night will be taking place on Tuesday, September 3, at 5:00 pm. Here is the letter that is being mailed home to all families. All students are requested to attend this event with parents and guardians. Please look for a letter being sent home shortly regarding this event. All students will first stop in the gym to receive a grade-level specific graduation “Class of” t-shirt prior to reporting to homeroom. All students will be requested to wear this t-shirt on the first day of school on Wednesday, September 4 where we will be spending the day developing our school culture and learning all about “The Glen Meadow Way”. Students will be encouraged to wear this t-shirt or other Vernon apparel on various school spirit days that will typically be the third Thursday of every month. Check out the Glen Meadow calendar for these dates and many other events going on throughout the school year.
Schoology, our district’s Learning Management System, will be opening for parents and guardians this year! Parents and guardians will be able to log on to Schoology to see their child’s homework and read announcements, etc. In September parents and guardians will be sent a login via their email that we have on record in Genesis. The password that you receive will NOT be your child’s school account. It will be a parent account based upon the email that you have supplied us. So, it is very important that all of your contact information is Genesis is up to date and accurate.
Some information on school supplies…you may have noticed that Glen Meadow does not have a list of suggested supplies. At Family Back-to-School Night each teacher will explain what is needed for the class. Please do not buy a lot of supplies beyond the basics of pens and pencils and a few inexpensive notebooks. As you are aware, students receive a Chromebook where a lot of school work is completed.
Glen Meadow After School Activities…we have something for everyone! As students contemplate learning a new sport or joining a new club this year, parents please check out this link with your child for a full listing of all activities, clubs, and sports offered for all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
In closing, as the new year approaches, I thought you might like to glance at this online article entitled: 10 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in Middle School. Notice that the first topic recommends that parents attend Back-to-School Night. We all look forward to seeing you at this year’s Family Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at 5:00 pm.
Thank you for being educational partners with us!
Rosemary Gebhardt