Hello Parents and Guardians! Enjoy reading some of the activities taking place at Glen Meadow this month…
Thank you to Vernon Township High School! On November 27th, the 8th grade was treated to a high school pep rally. We thank the VTHS Marching Band, Cheerleaders, Theatrical Group, and multiple athletes for presenting the programs at Vernon High School. Dr. Anderson, the VTHS principal, addressed the students and introduced the program. What a great high-energy program this was.
Vernon Lights Festival: Due to our snow day on Monday, December 2nd and Tuesday, December 3rd, our trip to the Vernon Light Park for all grade levels has been postponed. We are working with the organizers of The Vernon Light Park to arrange for another date for all three grade levels. An announcement for the new dates will be forthcoming. A School Messenger alert will be sent to you.
Builder’s Club collecting pop tabs: The GMMS Kiwanis Builder’s Club members conduct various service-learning projects for our community. “The Builders” are holding a “pop tab” drive to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Check out the commercial the students created to promote their drive.
Updating your contact information: Now that the winter is around the corner, you are reminded to update your contact information in Genesis. You should also make sure that you have all checked the boxes for the phones you want to receive school information. You can receive emails in addition to phone calls. Please call the main office if you need any assistance with updating your contact information; we’d be happy to assist you!
Project Self-Sufficiency Toy Drive is underway. If you would like your child to donate a new unopened toy, please do so by Friday, December 13th. The toys that are donated will go less fortunate families in Sussex County. Students that have made donations are very proud of the gifts they personally selected. Our Junior National Honor Society is assisting with this project.
8th Grade Student/Parent Orientation: Will be held at VTHS on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at 6:30 pm. All 8th-grade students and parents are invited to attend to learn about the program of study, CTE courses, clubs, sports and more. Your attendance is encouraged. The snow date for this event is Wednesday, December 4th.
TREP$: Our 6th Grade TREP$ program will be held on Thursday, December 5, at 6:30 pm, in the auditorium. This is a must-see event…you can take care of a lot of your holiday shopping purchasing handmade products by our students who are learning about what it takes to be an entrepreneur, have a business and market the products. Our 6th-grade students have been working on their ideas and items this fall under the direction of Ms. Reagan.
Spirit Week: Our Student Ambassadors are leading a holiday Spirit Week the week of December 16th. The Ambassadors will also be holding “Penny Wars” between each grade level during the weeks of December 9th and 16th. The grade level that has collected the most money will be able to vote on a special activity for the whole grade.
Monday, December 16th: Decade Day: 6th grade- 60’s, 7th grade-70’s, 8th grade-80’s
Tuesday, December 17th: Holiday Color Day
Wednesday, December 18th: Crazy Sock Day
Thursday, December 19th: Twin day
Friday, December 20th: Ugly Sweater day
2019-2020 Yearbook online order form is open: If you would like your child to purchase a 19-20 yearbook, please click this link to place your order. The cost of the yearbook is $30.00. You can customize your child’s yearbook for an additional fee (student name, etc). Please email the yearbook advisor, Ms. Sandler, with any questions at: asandler@vtsd.com.
Students to Make a Presentation at the next Board of Education Meeting: At the next Public Board of Education meeting on Thursday, December 19, at 7:00 pm, students Ty Mountain, Marissa DeVelez, and Michael Evanick will be reading their Patriot’s Pen essays to the Board of Education. Their poems were also sent to the VFW for local and state judging. In addition, five of Mrs. Ragone’s 8th grade Language Arts students, Emily Minteer, Erin McDonough, Morgan Gandy, Duke Staley, and Erin Collins. will be reading the poem they wrote as their interpretation of the poem “Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Message from our Director of Technology, Mr. Shea: Many of you may have read the email sent by our Director of Technology where he discussed the misuse of our Chromebooks that have been given to each student. Mr. Shea and I have noticed a significant uptick in the amount of “gaming” activity taking place during the school day, many of which have an inappropriate amount of violence in the games. We also have noticed students are listening to music a lot during school hours. In an attempt to remind our students of the purpose of using Chromebook, Mr. Shea is limiting sites that students can access. Students will continue to work on Schoology and get to sites needed for academic purposes only. Some Chromebook facts:
- The IT department has performed 104 repairs on GM Chromebooks this school year – 47 of those repairs were broken screens.
- 71 GM students were ‘Locked Out’ on November 27th on their Chromebooks in the first hour
Teacher of the Year Program
Nominations will soon be closing 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. 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
Introducing our AP Corner…
As Mrs. MacDougall serves in the role of Acting Assistant Principal, she would like to communicate some of her initiatives from “the upstairs office”…
During my first month as Acting Assistant Principal, I have enjoyed getting to know students and parents/guardians, both in the hallways and my office. Furthermore, the remarkable dedication and care for students’ success that is seen each day while working alongside faculty and staff at GMMS cannot be understated. I am looking forward to the month ahead.
It’s New Year’s in December! Starting this month, we will be making small changes in the way we do things at Glen Meadow with the hopes of big outcomes. Each week, a new goal will be announced during the morning announcements. Here is what to expect:
Tech-Free Tuesday: In an effort to reduce screen time and increase positive social interactions with peers, each Tuesday during recess, students will take a break for technology and leave their Chromebooks in their lockers or on shelves in the cafeteria. Last week, Mrs. Gebhardt and I spoke with students during lunches about this initiative. Students will continue to have the option of going outside, weather permitting, and will now have access to card games, board games, and more. Please note, these games will be available to sign out during indoor recess every day. In addition, if you would like to donate any games and activities to this cause, please send items in with your student. Please check out this article: Brain Benefits of Unplugging
Weekly Goals: Students at GMMS will also work on goals related to ways to demonstrate respect and kindness towards teachers and peers on a daily basis. These goals will range from using respectful greetings to being mindful of having a hall pass and other appropriate school etiquette practices. Thank you for your support in asking your child about the goal of the week.
Upcoming Events
Winter Concert for the Band: Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at 6:30 pm, at VTHS, in the auditorium
Winter Concert for the Orchestra and Choir: Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at 6:30, in the Glen Meadow auditorium
SCA Meeting: Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at 9:30 am
Early Dismissal Day: Wednesday, December 20, 2019
School Resumes: Thursday, January 2, 2020
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
Rosemary Gebhardt