May 2023 Message

Thank you for all of your support this school year. It is hard to believe that we only have less than two months of school left and then summer break will be upon us. It is our hope that your child's school year has been and continues to be an enriching and rewarding experience!

Upcoming Events/Activities for the Month of May:

• May 1: National School Principals' Day
• May 2: Band/Orchestra/Chorus Adjudication at GMMS (9:00 am)
• May 3: 21st CCLC Trip to Yogi Berra Museum (1:30 pm)
• May 4: 6th Grade Field Trip to The Intrepid (8:30 am - 2:30 pm)
• May 5: School Lunch Hero Day
• May 5: String Symposium Orchestra Concert at VTHS (7:30 pm)
• May 8 - May 12: National Teacher Appreciation Week
  
• May 9: GMMS Spring Band Concert at VTHS (6:30 pm)
  
• May 9: ESL Parents' Night at VTHS (6:00 pm)
• May 9: National Teacher Appreciation Day
• May 9 - 10: NJSLA ELA Testing (Grades 6, 7 and 8)
• May 10: National School Nurses' Day
  
• May 10: 2023-2024 21st CCLC Parent/Guardian Info. Session - virtual (6:00 pm)
• May 11: Board of Education Work Session Meeting at LH (7:00 pm)
• May 12: Tie Dye Spirit Day to benefit ArtStanding ($1 suggested donation)
• May 12: Zufall Dental Van Visits (Pre-Registration Required)
• May 14: Happy Mother's Day!
  
• May 15 - 17: NJSLA Math Testing (Grades 6, 7 and 8)
• May 16: GMMS Spring Chorus Concert at GMMS (6:30 pm)
• May 17: GMMS SCA Meeting in GM Faculty Room (10:45 am)
• May 18: Speech-Language Pathologist Day
• May 18: 7th Grade Field Trip to The Bronx Zoo (8:30 am - ~5:00 pm)
  
• May 18: Board of Education Public Meeting at LH (7:00 pm)
• May 19: ArtStanding at LH (5:00 pm)
  
• May 22 - 23: NJSLA Science Testing (Grade 8)
• May 24: 21st CCLC Family Night at The Farm at Glenwood Mtn. (5:30 pm)
  
• May 25: 8th Grade Field Trip to Medieval Times (8:30 am - 2:30 pm)
• May 26: Memorial Day Weekend Starts Tomorrow - Wear Red, White & Blue
  
• May 29: Memorial Day - District Closed
  
• May 31: 7th Grade Science Fair at GMMS (6:00 pm)

Thank you for partnering with us throughout the 2022-2023 school year. If you should ever have any questions or concerns about your child's education, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we are stronger! When the school and home collaborate and communicate, we are all working towards one common goal - a successful school year for your child.

Jacquelyn M. Van Orden, Principal

Eric W. Kosek, Assistant Principal

STAR (Students Taking Academic Responsibility) Students exemplify #TheGlenMeadowWay. STAR Students are nominated each marking period by their teacher(s) based on one or more of the following areas. Most Improved/Best Effort; Most Passionate/Engaged/Dedicated; Most Improved Attendance; Positive Character Traits (Demonstrates Compassion, Honesty, Trustworthiness, Optimism, and Responsibility); Positive Attitude towards Learning; Demonstrates Leadership and Integrity; Respectful to Teachers and Peers and/or Other Noteworthy Reasons Shared by the Teacher.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 3rd MARKING PERIOD STAR STUDENTS!

The Student Upstander Award: This student exemplifies the definition of an Upstander. Student Upstanders are nominated by their teacher(s) based on one or more of the following:

• The student befriends someone in need of a friend
• The student stands up on behalf of a peer and offers support to their peer
• The student speaks out and asks an adult for intervention and/or support for their peer

The Student Citizenship Award: This student exemplifies good citizenship towards their school community and is nominated by their teacher(s) based on one or more of the following:

• The student performs voluntary service (before, during, and/or after school)

• The student participates in school activities that benefit the school community

• The student goes above and beyond to make Glen Meadow the great school that it is!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 3rd MARKING PERIOD STUDENT UPSTANDER and STUDENT CITIZENSHIP RECIPIENTS!

On Wednesday, April 19th, Glen Meadow Middle School's Academic Bowl Team took 3rd place in the Sussex County Middle School Academic Bowl Competition at Hardyston Middle School. Congratulations to Kaitlyn, Trevor, Tristan, Justin, and Mr. Manis!

Congratulations to Cheyenne Sherwood, Glen Meadow Middle School's Caring Award recipient, who was recognized at the 2023 Sussex County Caring Award event on Thursday, April 27th!

How can we find a greater sense of purpose and meaning? Being a part of something bigger than ourselves – and focusing on the things we value – is vital for our well-being. This month, let’s take time to reflect on what we care about and prioritize the things that matter. Our Meaningful May calendar is full of actions to help us find more meaning and practice kindness towards ourselves and others. Inspire Kindness, Glen Meadow!

~obtained from: actionforhappiness.com

DATE: May 4th

TIME: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm

DATE: May 18th

TIME: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (approximate return time)

DATE: May 25th

TIME: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm

The 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) is an after-school and summer program that provides students with academic enrichment opportunities that will offer support beyond the classroom curriculum. Students will receive academic support/enrichment and a nutritional snack each day. The 21st CCLC allows students to explore STEM, Physical Fitness, and Visual and Performing Arts activities, including but not limited to Theatre, Robotics, Engineering, and Culinary Arts. Students will also have the opportunity to attend field trips within the community to work with key stakeholders of this initiative. The Farm at Glenwood Mountain and The Painted Grape have partnered with Glen Meadow Middle School’s 21st CCLC. In addition, there is a Parent University component which will provide workshops for parents/guardians and will also allow students to showcase their learning activities.

During the school year, the program runs Monday through Friday, immediately after school from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm with parent/guardian pick-up. During the month of July, the program runs Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. The 21st Century Community Learning Center is available to all 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students residing in Vernon Township and is at no cost to families.

Should you have any questions about the program, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Kait Ramirez at Glen Meadow Middle School at (973) 764-4534. We are excited to provide this engaging and enriching learning experience for your child and are looking forward to all of the incredible adventures that await!

Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month while becoming involved in physical fitness activities since May is also recognized as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month! Or, try some calming strategies at various times during the day. Your mind and body will thank you! Some activities you may want to try are HIKING or MINDFULNESS (LINK 1 and LINK 2).

Also, please be sure to thank the wonderful teachers in your life every day, but especially during the second week in May when it’s Teacher Appreciation Week!

• Volunteer to be a Peer Tutor at Glen Meadow. Click HERE for more information.
• Volunteer at Sussex County Libraries. Click HERE for more information.

What are Restorative Practices? Restorative Practices strengthen relationships between individuals as well as one's connections within their learning community.

What are some examples of Restorative Practices?

• Using Affective Statements - Affective statements, referred to as “I” statements tell the listener how the person feels and why it makes them feel that way. They are an effective way to teach students how to express their emotions appropriately.
• Community Circles - A Community Circle is a discussion space in which students and the teacher sit in a circle so that everyone is visible. What distinguishes a Community Circle from an everyday group discussion is that Community Circles are used as an opportunity for students to build community.
• Small Impromptu Conferencing - Bringing students together to resolve a problem/disagreement by discussing the situation and how to resolve it.
• Setting Classroom Agreements/Norms - Some examples of general class norms are: Come prepared to class, respect others and yourself, and be kind.

Families can use circles as a tool to talk further about an array of topics. Circle topics at home might include talking about expectations for behaviors at events/gatherings, developing family values/norms, holding family meetings, goal-setting for the week, and school-related conversations, to name a few. After reading the suggestions, you may be thinking to yourself, "Oh, we already do those things!" So with or without knowing it, you probably are already "doing" restorative practices at your house.

Circles typically involve asking thoughtful questions to hear from everyone. If you are the one asking questions, you can answer them as well. Circles don’t require a lot of time, especially proactive ones that are meant to maintain connection and open communication. They can be short conversations at breakfast, during car rides, or embedded in your nighttime routine. Here are examples of restorative circle questions that can be asked of children and their family members:

1. What is one goal you want to accomplish this week/weekend? Do you need support in accomplishing this goal?

2. What would you like to do for fun this weekend, within reason?

3. After school/work check-in: On a scale of one to five, (1) being low and (5) being high, how was your day? Why did you rate it that way?

4. What was one thing that made you happy, pleased, or proud this week?

5. What can you do in school/at work to show kindness?

Obtained from Boulder Valley School District, Boulder, CO.

Pictured below are some of the amazing children who joined us for Bring Your Child to Work Day on Thursday, April 27th. We had over 30 children attend Glen Meadow with their special person and it was a fantastic day had by all! Our Glen Meadow students were incredibly welcoming to our guests and we are thankful for such an amazing day. Our visitors participated in narrating their day through words and drawings, a school-wide scavenger hunt, and snacks and treats with the principal!

#TheGlenMeadowWay is built on three core principles:

• Respect Yourself and Others
• Take Responsibility for Your Actions
• Reach Your 100%

Here at Glen Meadow, we focus on respect, responsibility, and reaching our goals. We accomplish this by following the 5 Ps. We are Prompt, Prepared, Polite, Positive, and Productive!

Attention 8th Grade Parents, Guardians, and Students! Click HERE to read the VTHS Freshman Academy's 3rd marking period newsletter! This will give you a glimpse into the wonderful things to come next year!

Please consider joining us at the third SCA meeting of the year, on Wednesday, May 17th at 10:45 am, which will be held in the Glen Meadow Faculty Room. Please click HERE for all of the wonderful happenings and fundraisers on behalf of the GMMS SCA!

GMMS SCA POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR NEXT YEAR:

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer

Thank you, GMMS families, for your continued partnership this school year. We are honored and grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside you and your children. If there is anything we can do to assist you or your child in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us. #TheGlenMeadowWay

The Faculty and Staff of Glen Meadow Middle School

Email: jvanorden@vtsd.com
Website: vtsd.com
Location: Glen Meadow Middle School, Sammis Road, Vernon Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-764-4532
Twitter: @PrincipalJVO

Email: ekosek@vtsd.com
Website: vtsd.com
Location: Glen Meadow Middle School, Sammis Road, Vernon Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-764-4697