GVMS Weekly Update

Garnet Valley Middle School Community,

We hope this email finds you well rested and enjoying the summer weather! In this update, we are excited to share our newly reconfigured counseling structure, some important dates, and a few summer reminders.

This year, we are excited to again join our elementary schools and welcome all our students and families into our building for our Family Information Night on Wednesday, August 21st, from 4 PM to 6 PM. This event will allow all of our students and caregivers to visit our building, walk your learner's schedule, and say hello to teachers prior to the first day of school.

Please note that the middle school no longer holds a Back to School Night in September. However, families who join us for Family Information Night will have the chance to take a handout with all of the information that has previously been shared during Back to School Night. If you are unable to attend, our teachers will make sure you have the opportunity to access the information shared during this event.

Summer is still going strong, but we're getting close to the start of school. How is that summer assignment work going? Click here to access our summer assignment page. Please be sure your learner accesses this link and complete the necessary work prior to the first day of school.

All incoming 6th through 8th-grade students should review and complete the necessary assignments. Note that the 6th-grade supply list differs from the 7th/8th-grade list. Unlike elementary schools, we do not offer a pre-packaged school supply option. Click here to view our supply lists. For any questions regarding school supplies, please contact the GVMS Main Office at 610.579.5102.

We can't wait to welcome our students back. We will send our second Summer Update on Tuesday, August 13th. Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we look forward to a successful year ahead.

Sincerely,

Dr. Lisa Stenz, Principal

Mr. Rick Martin, Assistant Principal

Dr. Gerry Weinhardt, Assistant Principal

We are excited to provide you with an update on the reconfiguration of our counseling department, which will enhance the support we provide to our students. In the past, students at GVMS have been assigned counselors based on their last names. However, after two years of careful consideration and planning, we are transitioning to a new model to better address our students' evolving needs and strengthen our Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) frameworks.

Focused and Enhanced Support

Beginning this school year, each counselor will be dedicated to a specific grade-level cohort, staying with those students throughout their middle school journey. This approach will foster stronger, more consistent relationships between students and counselors. Below, you will find the counselor assigned to each class cohort:

• 6th Grade: Mr. Matt Bradshaw

• 7th Grade: Mrs. Marisa Mahon

• 8th Grade: Ms. Wendy Xanthopoulos

In addition, Mrs. Christy Francart will be providing specialized support for the 2024-2025 school year. Although she won’t be assigned a specific grade, she will focus on delivering targeted, short-term, small-group interventions. This will allow us to expand and improve upon the various MTSS supports we offer our students.

A Unified Team for Student Success

Our counseling department will continue to work as a unified team, ensuring that all students receive comprehensive support. While this reconfiguration means some students will have new counselors, we are confident in our team's ability to make this transition smooth and beneficial. If your 7th or 8th grader has developed a strong bond with their current counselor and you feel a change might be challenging, please contact Ms. Rosado at rosador@garnetvalley.org or 610.579.5106, and a team member will contact you to discuss your options.

Supporting Students Through This Transition

We will ensure that students are well-informed about these changes during the first few weeks of school. Counselors will introduce themselves to their cohorts during grade-level assemblies and engage with students during classes, lunch, and G.O.A.L times to build connections and provide reassurance.

We sincerely appreciate your trust and support as we implement these positive changes. Our commitment to your child’s well-being remains our top priority. We are confident that this reconfiguration will lead to stronger relationships and better support for all.

Our team continues working diligently to build our building and individual student schedule for approximately 1,100 students across 3 grades. Student schedules will go live on August 13th. All schedules will be available through our student information system, Alma.

Click here to access our building-specific Alma log-in page. Alma access information will be emailed to new families. Everyone else has the same access information as last year.

In preparation for the start of the school year, please make sure all of your ALMA contact information is accurate and up-to-date (i.e. phone numbers, email addresses, mailing address, emergency contacts, etc.). Click here to watch a short tutorial on reviewing and updating your information.

The Garnet Valley School District uses Infofinder for student transportation schedules. InfoFinder provides online access to assist in finding your child’s bus number, pick-up/drop-off locations, and times. Click here to access the Infofinder website.

Infofinder bus information will be turned on Thursday, August 15th at the end of the day. If you have complications locating your bus stop information, please email transportation @ transoffice@garnetvalley.org or email directly from the Infofinder page by using the "contact us" on the Infofinder website.

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.

SNAP Directions

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

PhysicalExam.pdf

7th Grade Requirements

Dental Exam: Students entering 7th grade are required to have a Dental Examination form submitted to school.

2024 dental form.pdf

For more health related information, please visit our website.

Breakfast will continue to be free for the the 24-25 school year. Students are able to pick up a breakfast prior to 8:00am. A paid lunch program also remains available.

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.
  

Video - Alma Navigation for Parents

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.

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/

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.

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