GVMS Weekly Update

Garnet Valley Middle School Community,

We have had an exciting and eventful week here at GVMS, filled with activities that highlight our students' hard work and achievements.

First, we are thrilled to share that our students have successfully completed their final round of MAP Benchmark testing and Algebra Keystone Exams. Throughout the year, they have demonstrated remarkable dedication to their learning, and their efforts have resulted in significant growth. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.

Today, we celebrated our Spring Pep Rally, marking a special milestone for our 6th-grade students as they joined us for the first time. This event gave them a glimpse of the expanding opportunities that await them in 7th and 8th grade. The pep rally featured outstanding performances by our choir and select marching band members, as well as spirited recognition of our spring sports teams and many fun-filled student-teacher challenges that excited the crowd. The energy and enthusiasm of our students were truly inspiring.

Additionally, last night we enjoyed a fantastic Spring Concert led by Miss Christine Fisher. Our chorus took us on a musical journey through the eras, captivating the audience with their precision and talent. It was an extraordinary evening of music and celebration.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12th. We will divide each of the four 8th grade teams into 80 minute blocks of time (SCHEDULE HERE). The team teachers will be there to greet and celebrate with their students. Each 8th grader will walk across the stage to receive their promotion certificate in the presence of family and friends. This special event, held in our new gym, requires no tickets. It will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our students' achievements and create lasting memories. Please note that 8th-grade students will be marked as excused from school on this day, while our 6th and 7th graders will follow their regular schedule.

We look forward to celebrating these milestones with you and continuing to support our students as they grow and succeed.

Sincerely,

Dr. Lisa Stenz, Principal

Mr. Rick Martin, Assistant Principal

Dr. Gerry Weinhardt, Assistant Principal

It's time to order the 2023-2024 yearbook! Please see the bulleted list and flier below for all details.

• When you access www.barksdalephoto.com and click "What are you looking for?," choose "Order Your Yearbook." OR, access the link directly HERE.

• Type in this access code: 14208YB. Then, follow the prompts.

• Softcover yearbooks are $15.50, and hardcover ones are $21.

• At checkout, you will be prompted with the shipping cost and address. All yearbooks will be delivered directly to the families and not to GVMS. Note: You have the option to "pay it forward" by purchasing an additional yearbook that will be delivered to the school and gifted to students by the counseling department.

Again, you may access the link HERE. Be sure to submit your orders by Friday, May 24th! That’s just two weeks from now! Students will receive their yearbooks during the third week of June.

If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Rebecca Robbins, the GVMS Yearbook Advisor, at robbinr@garnetvalley.org.

May

• 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

• 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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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