GVMS Weekly Update
PMEA String Fest 2025
GVMS had four 6th graders participate in the PMEA 5/6 String Fest that took place at Kennett HS on Tuesday, Feb. 25th. The four students representing GVMS were Xavier H., Iris M., Mason Y., Gabrielle C. After a day of rehearsals, they performed a concert with students from over 30 School districts from Chester, Delaware, & Philadelphia counties. Please hel
Beginning in mid-to-late February, portions of the Old Pennington Building (245 Bethel Road, Glen Mills, PA) will be demolished. This work is expected to take approximately 4 to 6 weeks and will occur during designated township construction hours once the required permits are granted.
For additional details and ongoing updates, please visit the Pennington Project webpage by clicking here.
GVMS International Night presents IN-COTA featuring Unified Arts and Languages
GVMS International Night and the Celebration of the Arts featuring Unified Arts and Languages
Location: Garnet Valley Middle School; Front Entrance
Time: 4:30-7:00 pm
Date: Wednesday, March 19th (Parent Conference Week)
Art Show Reception: Commons Area (Free)
International Night Registration: Cafeteria ($15 for food per person age 6 and over)
$10 to play Nitroball/$20 per student if attending both International Night & Nitroball
Gym 1 and Gym 2
Tournament begins at 5:30 p.m. in Gym 2
Tournament ends at 8:00 p.m.
Event Description:
We recognize very few opportunities exist for our entire school community—approximately 1,100 students and their families—to come together and experience our school in a shared setting. To create that opportunity, we are excited to invite all of our families to GVMS International Night and the Celebration of the Arts, featuring our Unified Arts and World Language programs.
In the past, you may remember events like Literacy Night and STEAM Night, which welcomed families into our building for hands-on learning experiences. This year, we are introducing a new version of these community events—one that highlights the creativity, talent, and cultural diversity of our students. This special evening will showcase the incredible work in Unified Arts and World Languages while again opening our doors to families for a night of exploration, engagement, and celebration.
Below, you will find descriptions of the programs being featured, along with their specific locations:
Main Common Area Activities (Free from 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m):
- Art: Our Art Department will display amazing artwork our students created.
- Technology Education: Our Technology Education department will be displaying our students' drafting, wood, and metal projects.
- Family and Consumer Science: Please join our FCS teachers for fun with food action.
- Visit Additional Locations (Free from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.):
- Business and Technology: Our Business and Technology department will be in our Library displaying many student-designed projects. Please take a moment to enjoy our recently renovated library.
- Healthy Living through Horticulture & Aquaculture: Please visit our redesigned area for Horticulture and Aquaculture in Room 134 (the right-hand first-floor hallway), where you will feel like you stepped into an aquarium.
School Community Activities (Payment Requirement - See links below):
- Health and Physical Education: The H/PE Department will host our Nitroball Tournament in both gymnasiums. There is a charge of $10 per student playing on a team. Families may come and cheer on their “favorite team” as you witness our students' excitement and competitive nature. The fee is a fundraising opportunity that will benefit our Health and Physical Education department for the purchase of equipment to enhance our fitness activities.
- International Night: The World Language and Music Department will celebrate an evening of authentic cuisine, cultural and musical performances, and multicultural games in our cafeteria. Our families can also purchase candy, Henna, and T-shirts for an additional cost. This will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and there is a charge of $15 per person for the diverse food and beverages available to our families. Children 5 and under will eat for free. The fee is a fundraising opportunity that will benefit our World Language department and support their hands-on projects in the classroom.
Fee Structure:
Nitroball Participation: $10 per student
International Night: $15 per person (children under 5 free)
Combined Nitroball/International Night: $20 per student
Please mark your calendars. As described, you may attend all free events at your leisure. If your child and family are participating in the Nitroball Tournament and International Night, you must register and pay for your participation. The links for these events are below.
We look forward to seeing our families for our GVMS International Night and the Celebration of the Arts featuring Unified Arts and Languages!
Links for Registration:
International Night Registration
GVHS ChemQuest Newsletter
ChemQuest: ChemQuest is a youth-led organization that provides free STEM activities and resources for children in the community.
We just launched our newsletter, designed to inform students and parents about upcoming STEM events, programs, and resources!
Check out the newsletter here: https://secure.smore.com/n/
Make sure to subscribe to stay connected: https://smore.com/n/#subscribe_user
Student Wellness Reminders
Health Information
Please update your child's SNAP Health Portal. This needs to be completed each year for your child's medical history as well as OTC medication administration permission.
6th Grade Requirements
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. Your child’s physician may use their own form or you can provide the form below for your physician to complete
7th Grade Requirements
Dental Exam: Students entering 7th grade are required to have a Dental Examination form submitted to school.
For more health related information, please visit our website.
GVMS Life In "The Middle" Guidebook
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!
GVSD Parent Resources
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
- My School Bucks - Register your child for our school lunch program
- Safe Arrival - Report an absence
- Schoology - Garnet Valley Middle School Learning Management System
- GVSD Parent Tech Support - Issues with district technology.
Update Contact Information in Alma
Volunteer Clearances
We look forward to welcoming caregivers into our building throughout the school year. In order to volunteer, community members must obtain clearances. If you have previously submitted clearances to our Human resources Department they are good for five years.
In order to obtain or re-obtain clearances, check out the info provided by the district: Volunteer Clearances document. If you have any questions please contact our office at 610.579.5102 or our district HR office at 610.579.7387.
Help Us Spread the Word!
Garnet Valley Middle School
Email: stenzl@garnetvalley.org
Website: https://www.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms
Location: 601 Smithbridge Road
Phone: 610-579-5100
Twitter: @GarnetValleyMS