I hope everyone enjoyed a restful Labor Day weekend! As we return, I’m excited to keep the positive energy going and continue our journey together at Gainesville Middle School.

Our Champion Mindset, grounded in resiliency, integrity, safety, and excellence, has already made a noticeable impact in our classrooms and hallways. Last week, I encouraged our students to set personal goals to make a positive difference in our school community, and I’ve been impressed by the steps they’ve taken so far.

As we dive back into our routines, I also want to emphasize the importance of supporting our students’ academic needs. Engaging in conversations about their school day is a powerful way to reinforce what they’re learning and to stay connected with their experiences. Instead of the usual “How was your day?” or “What did you learn today?”, try asking your child, “What’s something you learned today that I might not know?” It’s a fun way to spark deeper conversations and show your interest in their growth.

Together, by focusing on both positive interactions and academic success, we’re helping our students become well-rounded individuals who are prepared to excel in all aspects of their lives.

Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. Let’s keep up the great work and continue supporting our students in achieving their best.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. Our school office will be open, Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM to address any concerns you may have.

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 is a B DAY.

Here's to another successful and impactful week at GVMS! Rise Up Hawks!

In Partnership,

Ed Schultz

Principal

schultej@pwcs.edu

Our Bell times for the 24/25 SY are: 8:10 AM - 2:50 PM

Instruction will begin at 8:15 AM each day. There will not be a homeroom/ advisory at the beginning of the day. On time arrival is very important to ensure there is no loss of learning opportunities for our students.

Please Note: Students arriving after 8:10 AM (not on a bus) will be marked tardy.

We are able to welcome students as early as 7:40 AM. Students will be seated in the Cafeteria until 7:55 AM.

Parents/Guardians: The kiss and ride line can become a bit long in the morning however, from 7:40 - 8:00 AM it is moving pretty well. You may consider dropping off prior to 8:00 AM to beat the rush.

PLEASE do NOT enter the surrounding neighborhood, Lifetime Fitness/ Wentworth Green dr./ University blvd. to drop off/ pickup your child. This is unsafe and will not be permitted.

You must use our kiss and ride procedures found below for arrival and dismissal.

Office Hours: 7:30 - 4:00 PM

Hawk Highlights is my weekly newsletter to families. I will send Hawk Highlights out weekly, typically on Sunday evening. You will receive a text link and an email each week to the newsletter.

This is the best source of receiving updated information weekly from the school. I do provide quite an abundance of information in these newsletters but have received supportive feedback from families with this approach. I will remove information in which the deadline has past, pertaining to the information provided. Hawk Highlights is archived on our school website and you can access prior editions from there.

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

• Drama Club Audition Workshop 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

• Cheerleading Tryouts 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM

Thursday, September 5, 2024

• Drama Club Auditions 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM

Monday, September 9, 2024

• Battle of the Books Meeting 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

• Activity Bus 4:45 PM

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

• Drama Club Rehearsal 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

• 6th Grade Back to School Night - 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Thursday, September 12, 2024

• Girls Track @ Reagan Middle School - 5:15 PM

• 7th and 8th Grade Back to School Night –– 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Monday, September 16, 2024

• Volleyball @ Home – 5:15 PM

• Boys Soccer @ Home – 5:15 PM

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

• Boys Soccer @ Marsteller Middle School – 5:15 PM

• Volleyball @ Marsteller Middle School – 5:15 PM

• Football @ Home – 5:15 PM

Thursday, September 19, 2024

• Girls Track @ Bull Run Middle School – 5:15 PM

Saturday, September 21, 2024

• Junior Regional Orchestra Auditions @ Battlefield High School – 8:00 AM

Tuesday - September 3: All sports will be picked up following the kiss and ride process for the remainder of the fall sports season. The bus loop will no longer be used for practice pickup.

Football and Volleyball 5pm

Soccer 5:15pm

Track 5:30pm

Wednesday September 4: All sports practices will end at 5pm and parent pickup will be at 5pm moving forward.

Parents: As a reminder or first time information for our 6th grade students and parents, please review the below information for students attending after school athletic events as spectators:

Dismissal: Spectator Students must go home their usual way at the end of the school day. To attend an after-school event, spectator students must then be dropped off by a parent or guardian for the event.

Waiting at School is not permitted: Students who are not participating in the game as athletes, must not stay on school grounds to wait for the event to begin. Please see above for process.

No Bag Policy: As a reminder, there is a no-bag policy for game attendees. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together to keep our schools safe.

Behavior Expectations: All students attending the event are expected to adhere to the PWCS Code of Behavior. Any infraction of these expectations can result in loss of school privilege of attending after school events and activities.

Student Pickup: Parents are required to pick up their child immediately following the event.

Post-Event Transportation: Students are not permitted to walk home or to any other location after the event. Pickup must be by a parent, guardian, or approved carpool.

Ticket Price is $1 for students and $3 for adults. Cash only.

Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As part of our commitment to ensuring that every student arrives on time and maximizes their instructional time, you may have already received or will soon receive information from our transportation department regarding a 10-minute adjustment to pickup times.

This change is a result of our ongoing efforts to improve punctuality and ensure that all students start their instructional day promptly at 8:10 AM. While the first week of adjustments can sometimes be challenging, it’s crucial to address these issues to prevent students from missing valuable instruction.

I appreciate your support and cooperation as we implement these changes. By working together, we can ensure that all our students receive a robust and uninterrupted education.

Thank you for your understanding and for partnering with us to support our students' success.

GVMS Families - Students will be bringing home their schedules to share with you for back to school night. We will be following a bit of a different order than what you see in ParentVue for your child's schedule.

If your child forgets to bring it to you, now worries! We will have a second copy in the main office for you. Also, I will include the schedule below for each grade level. You will be able to utilize ParentVue to follow the adjusted schedule.

Per PWCS regulation, we are required to hold our four Lockdown drills this year; the first being in the first 10 days of school, and the second in the first 20 days of school. The purpose of this drill is to prepare students and staff for our procedures if there is any danger outside or inside the building. We understand that these drills can be a little scary for students, so classroom teachers will be talking to their classes and walking them through our procedures. Just like when we practice fire drills, these drills are necessary to make sure all students know what to do in case of an emergency.

We will have our first 2 required lockdown drills in August and September.

Our first lockdown drill will be held the week of August 26 - August 30. I will send a text to all parents following the completion of our lockdown drill.

Our second lockdown drill will be held the week of September 9 - September 13. I will send a text to all parents following the completion of our lockdown drill.

Student laptops will be distributed to each student the second day of school. Please make sure to finish your first-day packet online before the first day through ParentVUE. Information will be shared in Hawk Highlights. Students will also benefit from having a set of headphones (corded headphones only - we will provide those as well) that are compatible with their school laptop.

Availability of optional device insurance

1. Parents/guardians have the option to purchase low-cost student device insurance through the PWCS-approved third-party vendor, Securranty. This optional insurance opportunity will be shared with PWCS parents/guardians by the Communications Department once school begins.
2. Parents/guardians will sign up on their own with the following information:
   • a. School name
   • b. Student last name, first name
   • c. Student ID number
   • d. Debit/credit card information
3. If purchased, the insurance covers unlimited repairs or replacements for everything from broken screens, lost chargers, and accidental damage, with a zero deductible for one year on a school-issued HP device. The insurance cost is $32.95, which may be significantly less than repair or replacement costs without insurance.
4. TSSPECs at each school location will be trained in accessing the insurance website specific to each school to see the families who have paid for the insurance, how to file a claim, and how to contact Daly for a repair and/or replacement.

During the 24 - 25 school year, GVMS will provide all students an option to utilize a locker. Students will also be able to carry their backpacks throughout the school day for easy access to their supplies. We provide students with designated times throughout the day when they can access their lockers. These times are selected to minimize congestion in the hallways during large full-school hall exchanges and to help students organize the materials they need for a portion of their day. More about the locker plan will be shared at the back-to-school webinar.

• All students will be assigned lockers at Open House. If you are unable to attend Open House, your student will receive their locker on the first day of school.
• If you are not able to attend Open House, students should bring their backpacks, something to write with, write on, and either a packed lunch or lunch money. Lockers can be stressful on day 1 for students!
• Students are allowed to decorate their lockers at Open House.
• Lockers have locks attached to them and combinations are reset each year.
• Any issues with lockers at Open House will be directed to the front office to fill out a form. Our security team will work on fixing the lockers on 8/17 and 8/18.

OPENING A LOCKER: It's a great idea to have your student practice opening a locker prior to the start of school. Below is a document with a QR-code that takes you to a lock simulator. A little practice will help make Open House and the first few weeks of school easier with lockers.

Parents and Families: please be aware that when you log in to ParentVUE beginning August 6, you will be alerted to complete the Back to School Packet, and you will not receive access to any other student information, including student schedules and bus information until the packet has been completed. Please note that students can still access their information in StudentVUE regardless of their Back to School Packet completion status.

Messages will go out to families relaying that schools must have up-to-date emergency contact and health information for students to attend school.

Having up-to-date emergency contact information for our families is vital. We need all families to complete the annual Back to School Packet. Until this packet is complete, parents/guardians will be unable to access important information in ParentVUE to start the new year (including student schedules and bus information). If you do not have an active ParentVUE account, please call our office. For questions about ParentVUE, please contact the Help Desk at 703-791-8826.

Executive Order 33 directs the Virginia Department of Education to provide guidance to school boards on cell phone-free education policies and procedures. School boards will establish local cell phone-free education policies and procedures.

PWCS has been sharing information on this executive order with the community and the division's approach to meeting this guidance.

Please know, I will continue to provide updates on our Cell Phone Free education policies to ensure clarity to our GVMS community. Essentially, student phones and wireless headphones/earbuds are expected to be away for the duration of the school day.

At GVMS we have been off and away for the day for some time now. This will not be a drastic shift in policy for our students.

I have provided a letter below providing additional information on: Student Cell Phone/Wireless Device Use for 2024-25 School Year. This letter also contains links to the division guidelines and FAQ's. Please remember, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out and talk through any questions or concerns you may have with me.

• First Offense – The student will surrender the wireless communication device, and it will be returned to the student at the end of the class period. The student will sign the Acknowledgment of Further Consequences Form. The teacher/staff member will document this offense in The Hub.

• Second Offense – The student will surrender the wireless communication device, the device will be locked in the main office, and the device will be returned to the student at the end of the school day. The student will receive a second warning and the teacher/staff member will notify the parent/guardian via SchoolStatus. The parent will be informed that the next offense (third offense) will result in a disciplinary incident in The Hub and the parent will have to retrieve the device. The teacher/staff member will document this offense in The Hub.

• Third Offense – The student will surrender the wireless communication device, the device will be locked in the main office, and a referral will be generated documenting the violation of the cell phone guidelines. The student will complete a Healthy Cell Phone Use Canvas Module during a lunch detention, after-school detention, restorative reflection, or Saturday school. The parent/guardian must retrieve the device from the school office and sign the Acknowledgment of Further Consequences Form.

Any disciplinary infraction that a student commits arising from the staff or school administration’s attempt to enforce the cell phone guidelines shall result in disciplinary consequences determined by the Code of Behavior and Tiers of Response.

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all students, we are pleased to announce that we will continue utilizing our weapons detection system on day one of welcoming our students to GVMS. This advanced technology will enhance our existing security protocols and help us quickly identify potential threats, ensuring the safety of our students and staff.

• The building will open to students at 7:40 AM, 30 minutes prior to the start of the school day.
• We will have two entries into the building while all other doors will be locked. Those entries will be:

• Door 1 (Main Entry) - Parent drop-off and walkers
• Door 1 and 18 - Bus riders
• Once the school day begins, all visitors and students arriving after the bell will enter through Door One and will go through the screening.

To prepare ahead of the use of the technology in your school, families are encouraged to help reduce the possibility of “false alerts” on everyday items. While none are prohibited, using these guidelines will ensure quick entry for everyone:

• Select clear and plastic school supplies over covered/concealed and metallic when applicable.
• Use three-ring binders with plastic spines/rings (non-metal).
• Use plastic (versus metallic) BPA-free water/coffee bottles.*
• Use hard plastic eyeglass cases (versus metal).
• Students should pack lightly and limit the number of items in bags or other equipment.
• Keep superfluous metallic items at home (game consoles, beauty products, USB drives).
• Laptops and umbrellas will be passed around the technology via a staffed table.

• Watch this video to learn more about entry through the system.

Further Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding this screening technology can be found on the PWCS website. If you have any questions or concerns about this new security measure or any other aspect of our school’s safety protocols, do not hesitate to contact us. Your partnership and support are vital in making our school community safe and conducive to learning.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to working together to create a safe and nurturing environment for all our students, staff, and families.

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Meals are available for free for eligible students in Prince William County Public Schools. In order to receive these benefits, you must apply for meal assistance every year. Applications filed last year are only good for the first few days of school. Children from households that meet Federal Income Guidelines are eligible for free meals.

Read Federal Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions – English

Read Federal Guidelines and Frequently Asked Spanish - Spanish

The fastest way to apply for free meal benefits for your child is to apply online:

Application in English

Application in Spanish

Online applications are typically processed within 48 hours of submission.

Households receiving SNAP or TANF for their children or who have foster children may not have to fill out an application. School officials will notify those households of children who do not need to apply. If you do not receive notification by August 12th, 2024, you must contact the Food and Nutrition Department, or submit an application.

Our library circulation system provides the option for parents to restrict access to specific titles in circulation in our school library, if they choose that option for their child. While the school shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the student is not provided with access to such materials, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that the student understands the restriction and does not attempt to access the materials.

If you are interested in restricting specific library titles for your student(s), please visit the “Parent Library Controls” webpage for more information.

Restriction of library materials using the “Additional User Type” is a parent's responsibility. Librarians and school administrators can provide access to the link but cannot provide support within the system.

Prohibited items of clothing include:

Clothing items which:

• Reveal or expose undergarments.
• Fit in a manner as to reveal or expose undergarments.
• Contain vulgar, discriminatory, lewd, patently offensive, or obscene language or images.
• Contain threats or gang symbols.
• Promote violence or the illegal use of weapons, or the use of alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, and/or associated paraphernalia.
• Cause or may foreseeably cause a disruption to the learning environment.
• Are accessories that could be regarded as or used as a weapon.
• Headwear that covers one’s entire head or face such as a hood, hat, bandana, unless the headwear is:
  • Worn as part of one’s religion.
  • Worn for medical reasons.
  • Worn for personal prevention practices like in the case of infectious diseases.
  • Worn for an approved school event.
  • Worn as an expression of one’s cultural or ethnic background.

No PWCS employee may enforce the Student Dress and Grooming provisions by direct physical contact with the student or the student’s attire. No student shall be required to undress in front of any individual to comply with these provisions.

Sharing of Foods and Beverages PWCS REGULATION: 275-1

Schools shall discourage students from sharing their foods or beverages with one another during meal or snack times. Food allergies can result in an allergic reaction in which the student’s life is threatened. Given concerns about allergies and other restrictions in certain children’s diets, food and beverages should not be shared.

No Shared Food Items: Parents will not be permitted to bring in food items for their child to share with others during the school day. This policy helps us maintain a safe and secure environment for all students.

Individual Food Items: If you wish to bring food for your child, you may do so with the understanding that the food is solely for your child.

No Outside Food Deliveries: Delivery services such as Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc., are not permitted. Allowing these deliveries increases the number of people entering our building, which poses a safety and security risk.

Visiting for Lunch: If you would like to come to GVMS to eat with your child, please provide us with advance notice. We are happy to accommodate by reserving the conference room for your visit. Should your child wish to invite a few friends, please contact the grade level administrator and the front office ahead of time. We will coordinate with the parents of those children to receive permission in advance. Please avoid last-minute arrangements.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we strive to ensure a secure and welcoming environment for everyone at GVMS.

Questions or concerns about your bus route? Submit a request below.

Stay in the know! Check or Modify your SchoolStatus communications settings: Check your Subscription Status - text STATUS to 939393

Subscribe to School Messages - text START to 939393

Unsubscribe from School Messages - text STOP to 939393

Please join the 2024-2025 PTO in supporting our school community. Sign up (It’s FREE) (hyperlink https://forms.gle/3kgp7BNhNXR15By98) to receive Zoom meeting links, donation opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and family fun event information.

Donate (hyperlink https://gainesville-middle-school-pto.square.site/) to assist the PTO in supporting the needs of the GVMS community through classroom grants, family events, student incentives, teacher appreciation and much more! All donations go directly toward the investment PTO makes in our school.

The PTO would like to thank everyone who donated to filling the teachers lounge this past week it was a great event.

PTO supports the weekend backpack program. This is a program that supplies students in need of food over the weekend. If you are able to donate please do so.

PTO Meetings

September 26th

October 23rd

November 13th

December 11th

Family Fun Events

Game Show Night- September 27th

Bingo Night- November 15th

The purpose of a school advisory council is to provide opportunities for members of the school community to participate in the decision-making process at the local school level. A primary function of the council is to serve as an advisory body to the principal and school leadership team.

The school advisory council function is connected to the Prince William County Schools Strategic Plan, supporting Commitment 3- Family and Community Engagement, Objective 3.1- Prince William County Schools will engage families as authentic partners in education to support academic progress. By 2025, at least 85% of schools will have a high-functioning advisory council.

GVMS Club Information will continue to be updated on the school website over the next few weeks. Click the Clubs link below and the GVMS student announcements for more information.

The activity buses for after-school clubs will begin on Monday, September 9, 2024. Activity buses run at 4:45 on Mondays and Thursdays as long as the school is in session.

PWCS uses the “Say Something” Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) designed specifically for students in grades 6-12 and staff to report any type of serious or potentially violent concerns of unsafe behavior or threats of harm to self or others. Say Something is a youth violence prevention program from the national nonprofit organization Sandy Hook Promise and is provided and sustained at no cost to PWCS.

“Tipsters” can send reports on anything from school threats they’ve seen or overheard to personal crises including sexual harassment, self-harm, and depression. The system enables school administrators and those in law enforcement to create effective interventions and intervene upon at-risk individuals to help prevent violence, suicide, bullying, self-harm, and other forms of threatening behavior.

All tips submitted receive an immediate response by one of the highly skilled crisis counselors at the Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center; this person then determines the necessary support steps. When credible tips are received that are life-threatening and require immediate attention, the crisis center will notify school-based representatives, even after hours. And, in cases of imminent threat, the crisis center will contact local 911 dispatch and involve law enforcement. Users can submit a tip by calling 1-844-5-SAYNOW or by visiting www.saysomething.net. The free app is available for download from the App Store and Google Play Store, where students can submit tips instantly.

Mr. Edward Schultz - Principal - schultej@pwcs.edu

Ms. Michelle Praul - 6th Grade Assistant Principal - praulmh@pwcs.edu

Mr. Steve Williams - 7th Grade Assistant Principal - williasp@pwcs.edu

Mrs. Abby Sentman - 8th Grade Assistant Principal - sentmaal@pwcs.edu

Mr. Antione Jeter - jeterad@pwcs.edu

Mr. Jeffrey Barnes - barnesja@pwcs.edu

Mrs. Jessie Castles - Director of School Counseling - castlejm@pwcs.edu

Mrs. Jacquelyn Leif - Last Names A - C - leifjm@pwcs.edu

Mrs. Erin Abbott - Last Names D - I - abbotte@pwcs.edu

Mrs. Sarah Ware - Last Names J - Mi - waresm@pwcs.edu

Ms. Alexis Hawkins - Last Names Mj - R - hawkinam@pwcs.edu

Mrs. Autumn Brown - Last Names S - Z - brownal2@pwcs.edu

Mrs. Tina Perez - Registrar - pereze1@pwcs.edu

Mrs. Elisa Dacales - dacaleer@pwcs.edu

Mrs. Christine Richmond, Instructional Technology Coach: richmocm@pwcs.edu

• Canvas
• Parent Vue/Student Vue

Mr. Brian James, Technology Specialist: jamesbw@pwcs.edu

• Device Information and support