GVMS Weekly Update

Garnet Valley Middle School Community,

The Science Olympiad State competition was held at Penn State Altoona Saturday, April 27th. A huge congratulations to our team who finished 8th out of 36 teams in our division. We medalled in 18 out of 27 events. We are so proud of our students' hard work since October. We are proud of how well our team represented GVMS! Thank you to Mrs. Sohail, Mrs. Hampson, and Mrs. Kunze for their support and encouragement.

On Monday night, April 29th, GVMS had two teams compete in the annual DCIU Reading Olympics Competition held this year at Strath Haven Middle School. The goal of the Reading Olympics is to increase the quality and quantity of books students read for enjoyment. Our students collaborated to read forty books that were pre-selected by a regional committee. There were 23 teams of 6-8 graders from public, private, and parochial schools at this year’s event. GVMS entered two teams this year: Home of the GV Readers and GV & Me.

We are proud to announce that both teams Home of the (GV Readers and GV and Me) earned Blue Ribbons scoring over 50 points through three rounds of competition. Team sponsors, Eileen Stec and Karen Cunningham, would like to thank 6th grade teacher, Craig Kopec, for accompanying us and monitoring a team. The team would also like to thank the GVMS administration and all the parents who supported the team throughout the year and showed up to cheer us on at the competition!

Sincerely,

Dr. Lisa Stenz, Principal

Mr. Rick Martin, Assistant Principal

Dr. Gerry Weinhardt, Assistant Principal

May

• 5/7 - GVMS Spring Band Concert @ GVHS

• 5/9 - GVMS Spring Orchestra Concert @ GVHS

• 5/6-5/10 - PSSA Make Up testings grades 3-8

• 5/15 & 5/16 - Algebra Keystone Exam GVMS/GVHS

• 5/15 - MAP Testing - Math

• 5/16 - MAP Testing - Reading

• 5/16 - GVMS Spring Chorus Concert @ GVHS

• 5/17 - 7th Grade Fun Night

• 5/24 - No school for students (Act 80 in-service day)

• 5/27 - Schools & Offices Closes

• 5/29 - Career Day (8th-Grade Only)

• 5/30 - 5th to 6th Grade Visitation

• 5/31 - MAP Science (Only 6th & 7th)

• 5/31 - 8th Grade End of Year Field Trip - Camp Saginaw

June

• 6/6 - 6th Grade Fun Day

• 6/7 - 7th Grade Fun Day

• 6/7 - 8th Grade Spring Semi-Formal (Dress-up)

• 6/10 - GVHS Graduation

• 6/12 - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

• 6/13 - Last student day (early dismissal)

“In Our Appreciation Era” - A message from GVMS HSA:

“Are you ready for it?” During Staff Appreciation Week, GVMS HSA has a full week of special treats planned for our staff. But we need your help!

Please consider making a donation to support this week:

• Make a monetary donation (Venmo, MSB or cash/check sent to school). Sign up here to let us know about your donation: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C48A4AE2CA5FE3-48930702-gvms

• Shop our amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2OH6Q66PAG0Z8

www.gvhsmusic.org/joinband

It's sign-up time for the upcoming season of marching band! Come be a part of one of the most fun and popular activities at the high school. We welcome new members on all Band Instruments, Drums, and Color Guard - We will teach you everything, you can do it!

- You will be a part of a big, welcoming group of over 100 high school students. You'll start high school already knowing a lot of other students, and you'll make more friends.

- Be a part of exciting "Friday Night Lights" where we perform a fun halftime show and bring the noise to cheer on the team.

- Take trips to band festivals and other fun events

- You don't want to miss our amazing Band Camp dinners with Taco Night, Pasta, BBQ, Pizza, and more. Plus, soft pretzels for away games.

It is common for students to be unsure about the challenge of music and marching. We promise - you can do it! LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP HERE BY JUNE 3: WWW.GVHSMUSIC.ORG/JOINBAND

All 6th grade students were given a Dental Examination form today in school that must be completed for 7th grade. Please have your Dental provider complete the form and return to the school Nurse.

Click the link below to learn more about the various camps we offer for our students! Please note that camps fill on a "first come, first serve basis" and enrollment is limited.

If you have any questions, reach out to teacher(s) of the camp listed in the brochure.

We do a variety of fun science activities, problem solving, projects and low-key competitions including the following.

• Engineering the longest roller coaster, tallest tower, safest egg-drop, most accurate air-pressure-launched rockets
• Making and molding plastic
• Designing and making the strongest concrete pucks (tested by dropping from increasing heights)
• Crime Busters/Forensics: Paper chromatography, finger prints, identifying powders, footprints and DNA
• Identifying rocks, fossils, trees and bones
• Cooperative games: Say It/Draw It, Science Pictionary and Scattegories

Our camp is a great introduction to Science Olympiad if students are interested in joining our team at the middle school, but it's interesting and fun for any student. This camp is also a fundraiser to run the team in the 24-25 school year.

If you have general questions regarding scheduling, course selection, conferences, or questions about our counseling department, you can contact Ms. Rosalee Rosado at 610.579.5106 or rosador@garnetvally.org.

Click here to visit our GVMS School Counseling webpage, which has contains a variety of school and community resources.

We are excited to welcome our new students and welcome back our returning students for the 2023-2024 school year!

Mrs. Marisa Mahon: Students with the last names A-Em. mahonm@garnetvalley.org

Ms. Wendy Xanthopoulos: Students with the last names En-Ler. xanthow@garnetvalley.org

Mr. Matt Bradshaw: Students with the last names Les-Rom. bradshm@garnetvalley.org

Mrs. Christy Francart: Students with the last names Ros-Z. francac@garnetvalley.org

Below are a few suggestions for helping your family navigate the ever-increasing presence of technology:

PA Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force - Safety Tips & Resources

https://onlinesafety.com/#

American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plan

https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/family-media-plan-promotional-materials/

Common Sense Media - age recommendations for games, apps, movies, books and more

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Shape the Sky Parent App guide

https://shapethesky.org/app-guide/

Caron's Prevention Connection: Your Resource for Building a Culture of Substance Free Youth

Cannabis Resources:

• Cannabis 101 Series for Parents and Caregivers – This video series offers tips and strategies for parents to have open and honest conversations with their child related to substance use, specifically marijuana.
  
  
• Cannabis Fact Sheet - This fact sheet provides research-based information to help lessen some confusion and help children make educated decisions about what they put into their bodies.
  
  
• Conversations that Matter Podcast– Cannabis – How it Affects the Behavioral Health of Our Youth Learn why our children and teens are more at risk and how cannabis impacts the developing brains and bodies of our youth.

Upcoming Events: For teens

Virtually CONNECTED - Free 5-session virtual (via Zoom) support group to help teens quit or reduce their vaping or other nicotine use. A new session begins March 27th.
Register HERE

“Are you ready for it?” During Staff Appreciation Week, GVMS HSA has a full week of special treats planned for our staff. But we need your help!

Please consider making a donation to support this week.

1. Make a monetary donation (Venmo, MSB or cash/check sent to school). Sign up here to let us know about your donation.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C48A4AE2CA5FE3-48930702-gvms

1. Shop our amazon wishlist.

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2OH6Q66PAG0Z8

With Spring right around the corner, we wanted to share some important dates and information related to upcoming HSA events. The HSA will host a grade level event for each grade in the spring, which is held at the school from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. The cost for all events is $20 per student. Grade specific details are below.

6th Grade Spring Funtine

Date: 5/3/24

Event Details: At this funtime, students will be treated to inflatables, games, music and more. Chick-fil-a and other food will be served.

Attire: Dress for fun! Comfy shorts and sneakers to enjoy the games are recommended. Theme-related attire will be communicated closer to the event.

7th Grade Dance

Date: 5/17/24

Event Details: At this dance, students will be treated to a DJ for dancing, along with games and other activities. The old gym will be set up with basketball and volleyball. Chick-fil-a and other food will be served.

Attire: Dress to impress while having fun. Examples from past years include short dresses, dress pants, button-up shirts and ties. Many students opt for sneakers!

8th Grade Semi Formal

Date: 6/7/24

Event Details: At this semi formal, students will be treated to a themed experience that includes a DJ for dancing, raffles, prizes and more. Chick-fil-a and other food will be served.

Attire: Semi Formal Examples from the past years include dresses, suit coats, button-up shirts and ties. Most students wear dress shoes.

If you are interested in helping with any of these events, please take a moment to complete this survey. https://forms.gle/XhBixzYsGYUmsY1k9

If you have any questions, please email Jennifer at jennifertront@gmail.com

Thank you! ~ GVMS HSA Board

This year, the HSA will be offering spirit wear as a fundraiser. You can shop by clicking the image below.

• Membership Drive - Thank you to everyone that contributed to our membership drive! If you are interested in contributing, there’s still time!

• Venmo - @GVMSHSA

• Cash/Check - Drop at the school office, marked “GVMS HSA”

• Mark your Calendar - Mark your calendar for the individual grade-level events for this year!

• Winter

• 6th Grade Winter Fun Night - February 2nd @ 6:30

• 7th Grade Winter Fun Night - February 9th @ 6:30

• 8th Grade Winter Fun Night - February 23rd @ 6:30

• Spring

• 6th grade Spring Fun Night - May 3rd @ 6:30

• 7th grade Spring Dance/Fun Night - May 17th @ 6:30

• 8th grade Spring Semi-Formal Send-off Dance - June 7th @ 6:30

Click here to view the various student clubs we offer throughout the school year.

Click here to access a curated list of social emotional wellness parent resource list. This list includes books, websites, and parent trainings. Please check back throughout the year as we will be continously reviewing and updating the list of resources.

1. Physical Exam - Students entering 6th grade are required to have a Physical Exam completed within the last year according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and submitted to the school nurse. Please click HERE for a physical form if needed. Your child’s physician may use their own form as well.

1. Dental Exam: Students entering 7th grade in September are also required to have a Dental Examination form submitted to school. Please click HERE for a Dental Examination form if needed.

Click here to access and learn more!

This eBook contains tips and tricks for navigating the transition to middle school as well as how to best support your learner in their quest for agency and growth toward independence. The contents express the ideas of teachers, caregivers, students, and administrators who understand what life is like "in the middle."

Remember to trust in your learner's resilience and embrace the opportunity for growth!

We know that there is so much information shared at the beginning of the school year. Please access Garnet Valley's parent portal, which keeps all of our information in one place. Click here to access the parent portal. To get direct access to some of our services please click the following links.

• Alma - Garnet Valley's Student Information System
• Schoology - Garnet Valley's Learning Management System
• My School Bucks - Register your child for our school lunch program
• Safe Arrival - Report an absence
• GVSD Parent Tech Support - Issues with district technology.
  

Garnet Valley will continue to partner with federal programs to allow Grades K-8 to serve free breakfast options for all of our students.

Lunch will continue to be available for purchase as well. My School Bucks is a secure online platform that allows parents to easily manage and monitor their child's school-related expenses. With My School Bucks, you can make online payments for school meals, view your child's account balance, and set up automatic payments for recurring expenses. Access or setup your MySchoolBucks account.

More information on our Food Services can be found here.

Our Technology Team is asking all end-users to submit any device issue and login question through our new Tech Support ticketing system called One to One Plus. This system allows our Technology Team to better track issues, create reports, and ultimately, better serve our end users.

Click here to access additional information.

Click the link below to access a video that overviews what to do to update your information in Alma.

Video - Alma Navigation for Parents

Click here to find information regarding our morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal procedures. Our dismissal procedures are the same as last year. We will have two bus locations at the end of the day and only one parent pick-up area.

IMPORTANT: Please add notifications@getalma.com to to your email contact list to avoid having future messages blocked by your email provider. Also, be sure to monitor your Spam folder for misrouted messages.

Achieving our best through creativity, compassion, and community.

Email: stenzl@garnetvalley.org
Website: https://www.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms
Location: 601 Smithbridge Road
Phone: 610-579-5100
Twitter: @GarnetValleyMS