PANTHER PROWL

Happy June, Panther Families!

Can you believe we have made it to the finish line? This is our last official newsletter of the 2025–2026 school year. We have just 4 amazing school days left to celebrate our students' hard work, pack up our classrooms, and finish the year on a high note!

As we wrap up, please see below for our end-of-year schedule, final procedures, and a few important things to keep on your radar as we head into the summer months.

• Last Days Schedule: Please review the adjusted bell schedule below to ensure timely pickups during our final four days.

• Chromebook & Textbook Return: All school-issued materials, books, and technology (technology -6th grade) must be returned to the library by the end of the week to clear any student fees.

• Lost and Found: Our lost and found bins are overflowing! Please have your student check for any missing jackets, water bottles, or lunchboxes before the final bell. All remaining items will be donated after the last day of school.

• Campus Closed for Summer: Please note that our main office will be closed after Tuesday 6/9.

Enjoy the sunshine, the extra family time, and a well-deserved break! Keep an eye on your inbox in August, when our first official newsletter for the 2026–2027 school year will be sent out. It will contain all the details you need regarding 6th grade orientation, student schedules, and supply lists.

Thank you, Panther Families, for an absolutely incredible school year. Your partnership and support are what make GEMS such a special place to learn and grow. Have a safe, happy, and relaxing summer!

With Panther Pride,
Jessica Fernandez
Principal, GEMS

Hello Panther Families,

As we approach the final days of the school year, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude. Thank you so much for welcoming me so warmly into the GEMS family this year. It has been an incredibly fun and rewarding school year, and I am already looking forward to the next one!

With only four days left, we want to ensure we finish the year on a high note. We need your help reminding our Panthers to remain positive, productive, and professional right up until the final bell.

Important Reminder: School expectations remain fully in place through the very last minute of the term. Students who choose not to follow these expectations can still receive disciplinary consequences, some of which may carry over into the next school year. Let’s work together to keep these remaining days safe, focused, and celebratory.

• For our returning families: I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, and relaxing summer break. I am already excited to see you back on campus next year for another fantastic year of growth.

• To our promoting 8th graders and their families: A huge congratulations to you all! Best wishes as you take this next exciting step in your educational journey. We are incredibly proud of our 8th-grade Panthers and know you will do amazing things in high school.

Thank you again for a memorable year, partnership, and support. Have a fantastic summer!

Warmly,

Steve Roman

Assistant Principal

Glen Edwards Middle School

2025/2026 School Year

Last Day School Offices are Open for 2025-2026 = Tuesday, June 9, 2026

2026/2027 School Year

First Day School Offices are Open for 2026-2027 = Tuesday, August 11, 2026

District Office summer hours:

District Office summer hours (9:00-1:00) begin on Friday, June 12. 2026

Closed on Friday, June 19, 2026 in observance of Juneteenth

Closed on Friday, July 3, 2026 in observance of Independence Day

District Office will resume regular hours (7:30-4:00) on Monday, August 10, 2026

The week after school ends, digital report cards will hit your ParentSquare inbox. If you haven’t set up/accepted your ParentSquare account invite, keep an eye out so you don’t miss it!

We will also mail a physical copy home. To make sure it arrives safely, please hop onto the PowerSchool Parent Portal and double-check that your mailing address is up to date.

Thank you for your continued partnership and have an amazing summer!

If you missed the Promotion Newsletter that was previously sent, <<CLICK HERE>> to start making plans and review the details and logistics for the day!!

The Promotion Dance Committee has been hard at work planning the 8th Graders’ last dance! Here is the information you may need if your student is attending:

• Date: 6/3/26
• Arrival: 6:00 p.m.
• Pick-up: 8:00 p.m.
• Dress Code: Dressy attire / nice clothes
• Snacks and drinks will be provided
• Souvenirs and prizes will be given to all attendees
• A DJ and photo booth will be there for the evening

It’s going to be an evening to remember!!!!

As the excitement builds for our 8th-Grade Promotion Dance this coming Wednesday evening, we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible team working behind the scenes.

An event of this magnitude doesn't just happen on its own. To every single parent who stepped up to plan, coordinate, and donate—thank you! Whether you spent hours brainstorming themes, organizing decorations, managing logistics, or contributing items to make the night special, your generosity and hard work have not gone unnoticed.

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." — Elizabeth Andrew

We are absolutely thrilled to see our 8th graders' reactions when they walk through the doors on Wednesday. Because of your dedication, they are going to have a magical, unforgettable night celebrating this major milestone.

This event truly would not happen without all of you. Thank you for making our community so special and for giving our students a send-off they will cherish forever!

A massive THANK YOU to all of our amazing Panther parents and guardians who joined us for our 2nd annual Lunch in the Quad!

It was a beautiful, sunny day, and having our campus filled with so many smiling faces and family members made the afternoon incredibly special. Our students loved sharing a slice of their school day with you, and our staff truly enjoyed connecting with our wonderful community.

Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and for making Glen Edwards Middle School such a vibrant place to be. We are already looking forward to next year!

We made it! State testing is officially behind us, and we could not be prouder of our students. They showed up, gave it their all, and tackled every question with incredible focus and determination.

We also want to give you a special shout-out for your patience and flexibility over the last few weeks. Between altered testing blocks, adjusted lunch times, and a generally "wonky" weekly schedule, we know it wasn't easy to keep track of who needed to be where (and when!). Your students' ability to roll with the punches kept our school running smoothly during a hectic time.

Now that the stress of testing is over, we are looking forward to a fantastic & focused final stretch of the school year.

Thank you for being such incredible partners in your child's education!

What a fantastic time we had at the SBAC Field Event on Friday! This special event was our way of saying a massive "Thank You" and congratulations to all of our students that followed testing expectations. We know how much effort, focus, and determination they poured into their assessments this year, and they truly earned this celebration.

From the high-energy games to the laughter shared across the field, the day was packed with excitement. Our primary goal was to provide a well-deserved reward where students could unwind, let loose, and simply enjoy being kids after working so hard.

We hope the activities sparked plenty of joy, brought smiles to their faces, and left them with lasting memories of a great school year.

As the school year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on the many club opportunities our students explored this year. From creative arts and STEM activities to leadership groups and service organizations, each club offered students a chance to discover new interests, build friendships, and grow beyond the classroom.

We hope the experiences shared throughout the year were not only enjoyable, but also meaningful and memorable. Clubs provide students with opportunities to try something new, strengthen their confidence, and connect with others who share similar passions. Whether students attended one meeting or participated all year long, we hope each experience sparked curiosity and left a lasting impression.

Thank you to our advisors, volunteers, and families for supporting these programs and encouraging students to get involved. Most importantly, thank you to our students for bringing enthusiasm, creativity, and energy to every activity.

As we head into summer, we encourage students to continue exploring their interests, pursuing new hobbies, and carrying forward the skills and friendships they developed this year. We look forward to another exciting year of opportunities ahead!

Greetings from the GEMS Health Department,

As we begin planning for the 2026–2027 school year, we would like to share a friendly reminder regarding immunization requirements for all students entering, advancing to, or transferring into 7th grade.

The following immunizations are required:

• Tdap – 1 dose
  (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis — whooping cough booster typically given at age 11 or older)
• Varicella – 2 doses
  (VZV and/or MMRV — usually given at 12 months and again at 4–6 years)

If your current 6th grade student has not yet received the Tdap booster, or if you are unsure of their immunization status, now would be a good time to schedule an appointment or check with your healthcare provider. If you do not currently have a healthcare provider, please refer to the flyer below for information on how to schedule an appointment.

If your student has already received the Tdap booster, we kindly ask that you provide a copy of the updated immunization record to the front office so we may update our files.

If your student receives the booster over the summer after the office has closed, please submit a copy when the office reopens on August 11th, or you can always email a copy to:

• jgoldsmith@wpusd.org
• bkaur@wpusd.org

Thank you for your attention to this important health requirement and for helping us keep our students safe and prepared for the upcoming school year.

Please note: Students who do not meet this requirement will not be permitted to attend school in August.

See Message sent by WPUSD on 2/13-

At Tuesday's Regular Meeting (2/10)of the Board of Trustees, the Board took official action to restrict elementary and middle school e-bike use to Class 1 ONLY. Included below is the language from the updated board policy and administrative regulation. We will continue to work in collaboration with the Lincoln Police Department and site administration on education efforts surrounding this new policy change.

• BP/AR 5142.2 - Safe Routes to School Programs

  Note: on AR 5142.2 Safe Routes to School Programs, the following new language is being added to Section "3. Enforcement strategies to deter unsafe behaviors of drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists, such as:"

  c. Monitoring to ensure that students who bicycle to school or who use skateboards, skates, or nonmotorized scooter wear helmets in accordance with Vehicle Code 21212

  i. Elementary and middle school students are prohibited from operating or storing electronic scooters or Class 2 electric bicycles on District Campuses

  ii. Only Class 1 (pedal-assist) e-bikes and non-motorized scooters may be brought onto and stored on elementary and middle school campuses in designated areas.

  iii. Students who violate this provision may be subject to disciplinary action consistent with District Policy and California Education Code.

Since we scored high enough to apply for gold recognition, our PBIS team is gathering data items and is expected to submit our application shortly. We look forward to the prospect of being awarded this recognition for implementing PBIS practices sufficiently.

Campus Clean up Challenge Update:

Our second Cleanup Challenge of the year proved to be a great competition for our students! After three weeks of collaborating to keep our campus clean, 8th grade won with a grand total of 214 points, second place was 6th grade earning 210 points, and 7th grade finished with 163 points! Our 8th graders received a treat this week to celebrate.

Student Store reminders:

Please encourage your students to spend their 5Star points and pick up items. Points do not roll over into the next school year.

OUR 24/7 GLEN EDWARDS MIDDLE SCHOOL Sideline Store is up and running. Stop reading and start shopping to score the latest fan wear and accessories.

*PLEASE NOTE: THESE CLOTH ITEMS WILL NOT MEET PE UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS. DO NOT PURCHASE FOR PE CLOTH FROM HERE.

FUNDRAISERS:
THANK YOU to everyone who attended our dine out event last month at The Habit! Your participation is much appreciated!

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK:

Staff appreciation week was a hit!! Thank you to everyone who donated either goods or time to help make the GEMS Staff feel the appreciation.

We encourage All Parents, Teachers & Students (APTS) to attend our meetings. This is a great way for everyone to be a part of the GEMS community. Be on the lookout for our 26/27 meeting dates!!

CONNECT:
For more ways you can help support APTS and our ONGOING FUNDRAISERS check out the GEMS Website for details.

Be sure to follow us on:

• Facebook @GemsApts
• Visit the APTS website here!
• Any questions, comments or concerns be sure to email us at GemsApts@Gmail.com

Attention Athletes!!!! Start getting prepared for the 2026-27 school year but updating your profile on Final Forms. In August, Girls Volleyball, Cross Country and Boys Flag Football will start so stay tuned for announcements as it gets closer.

INCOMING 6th graders: You can setup your profile on Final Forms anytime after June 5th.

https://westernplacer-ca.finalforms.com/

Check out the flier below. There are several ways to report absences. We hope you find it useful!

• 7TH PERIOD is actually the students PAW period and the first class of the day Tuesday - Friday.
• When you receive a message that your student was absent, you can respond easily by clicking on the link within the message to report your student's absence.
• ALSO NOTE: There will be NO TRAVEL STUDIES approved if the Annual Registration Update is not completed and no travel study will be granted after May 20th, 2026
  

Check out www.pantherpress916.com

You can find articles on any of the following topics of interest.

News / Arts and Entertainment / Feature / Opinion

MANY OTHER UPDATES IN PAW PRINTS SECTION

***Check out our SPORTS SCORECENTER with updated scores from all of our teams and games

Available on the GEMS TV YouTube channel, Spotify and Apple.

Web Link: Click Here

https://youtu.be/6KM-iwB6mVI?si=w6qlR2zepxxCL3Xr

IF your student wants to participate in any athletic capacity be sure you have an account created in Final Forms and physical clearance by a physician.

• Parent AND Student must create their own account, fill out and submit information via FINAL FORMS
• All students must have a current PHYSICAL on file with the school (current means within the past year).

Learn more about our food service program HERE and visit the food services website HERE for daily menu options.

Don't forget to follow our GEMS Facebook Page to stay on top of all the fun things we are doing around campus! Click this link or the picture below to follow!