PANTHER PROWL

Dear Panther Families,

The countdown is almost over—our first day of school is this Thursday, August 20th! We are so excited to welcome all of our students back to campus and to officially kick off the 2026–2027 school year.

Campus will open at 8:00 AM (7:45am for breakfast students only and to remain in spirit center), and we invite students to enter through our Welcome Tunnel—a special Panther tradition where our staff and leadership team line up to cheer, clap, and celebrate each student as they arrive. We can’t think of a better way to start the year than with big smiles, warm greetings, and Panther pride!

The energy on campus is already buzzing, and our staff has been working hard to make sure classrooms are ready for a year of learning and growth. Whether your child is returning or joining GEMS for the first time, they will be stepping into a community that cares deeply about their success.

We can’t wait to see the hallways filled with our amazing Panthers once again. Let’s make this first day—and the year ahead—one to remember!

Go Panthers!

With Panther Pride,
Jessica Fernandez
Principal
Glen Edwards Middle School

ALL STUDENTS can view (print at home-if they choose) their schedules from the PowerSchool Parent Portal beginning 8/19/26 at 8am. If unable to print from home students are encouraged to write it down in their binders.

PRINTED schedules will be in the students 1st Period Class. Students should know who their P1 teacher is and what room they are located in order to receive a printed schedule.

1st Period Classes will be posted by grade and student name ON the first day of school in front of the MAIN GATE on L Street.

Gates open for students needing breakfast ONLY at 7:45am which is served in the Spirit Center. Students not eating breakfast can gain entry to campus beginning at 8:00am with classes starting promptly at 8:15am. Please ensure your student will know their 1st Period Teacher and Room Number where their class schedules will be awaiting them.

PLEASE NOTE: As we navigate the first few days of school, there may be a need to level and balance classes based on enrollment. Please be aware of the potential need to modify schedules therefore we appreciate your patience as we get the school year started!!

6th Graders who attended the Orientation/Activity Day on 8/13 would have received a printed schedule, however it would be good to confirm that the schedule is still the same when they go live on PowerSchool on 8/19 as there have been a few changes since 8/13. If your student was unable to attend or misplaced their copy they should follow the same process listed above.

Schedule change requests will only be considered during the first two weeks of school. The deadline to submit a schedule change request is Friday, September 4.

The Schedule Change Request Form will be available online and physical copies will be available in the GEMS office for students and families who need one.

Please note that schedule changes will not be made for the following reasons:

• A desire for a different instructor
• A desire for a class to be scheduled during a different or specific period
• A request to change an elective after the first two weeks of school
• A student is failing a class
• A desire to have classes with friends
• A conflict with another student in a class. Students should work with their counselor or an administrator to address conflicts and work toward resolution.

We understand that students may have preferences regarding their schedules; however, schedule changes are limited due to class sizes, staffing, and course availability. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to ensure that all students are appropriately placed.

Please submit all schedule change requests by Friday, September 4.

Dear Parent or Guardian of a 7th grade student:

Before your student enters the 7th grade this Fall 2026, documentation of Tdap- 1 dose (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis – whooping cough booster usually given at ages 11and up) and Varicella – 2 doses (VZV and/or MMRV -usually given at 12 months and 4-6 years) is required. In addition, please make sure that your student is current with all other immunizations.

If your student is up to date with all the required immunizations, please bring proof to the office for our health records. You can also email this information to our District Nurse: bkaur@wpusd.org.

PLEASE NOTE: YOUR STUDENT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND UNTIL THIS INFORMATION IS RECEIVED AND VERIFIED.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact our office as soon as possible by calling 916-645- 6370.

Thank you!
GEMS Health Services

• Where: The Hub WPUSD Family Resource Center
• When: Monday, August 17
• Time: 4-6pm

NOTE: Appointments are required.

To schedule an appointment, please call 530-886-1883

**Parent/guardian MUST be present.

** Ages 4+ ONLY

**Vaccines are provided through the Vaccines for Children Program.

**Vaccines are for children who are uninsured or have Medi-Cal insurance.

The link is live and open for ALL parents of WPUSD students to update their student emergency contact information and e-sign waivers on-line. https://powerschool.wpusd.org/public/

Please take a few moments to confirm, update and submit each module of information by September 1st. There are new modules that have been added this year. If you are unsure how to navigate the system click the following link for resources: ARU Website Resources

Failure to submit current/updated information will result in exclusion from activities such as dances and delay any travel study applications until all modules are submitted.

We will continue to ask for IDs when picking up students. Please ensure you have yours with you and that your name appears on the student profile as an authorized person to pick up the student.

Our Back To School Night is scheduled for Thursday, August 27th. Please SAVE THE DATE to your calendars and be on the lookout for a detailed itinerary of the evening. We are excited and look forward to seeing you at GEMS!!

Fall Picture Day is Thursday, August 20th, 2026.

VIEWING/ORDERING WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER PICTURE DAY:

-Parents will receive a link via email and text once images are available online.

-There will be a 72-hour window of free shipping starting once the images are available online.

FOR ORDERS PURCHASED:

-Bill Smith Photography will mail orders directly to the address input when ordering.

Upon completion of 6th & 7th grade, student chromebooks were collected and over the summer and our technology department performed the necessary updates on these devices. Students will obtain their school issued chromebook once school has started.

CHROMEBOOK Distribution:

• Students will go to the library with their ELA teacher to checkout and be issued a chromebook.

As the new school year begins, we are partnering with school districts throughout Placer County to help raise awareness of two important online safety initiatives: AppSafe and Guard Against the (Groom)ing. These educational campaigns are designed to equip parents with the knowledge and tools needed to help protect children from online exploitation, recognize warning signs of grooming and encourage safe and informed technology use.

To learn more about these initiatives, please visit:

• AppSafe: https://www.placer.ca.gov/AppSafe
• Guard Against the (Groom)ing: https://www.placer.ca.gov/Guard

To support this effort, we have created a one-minute parent awareness video. The video is intentionally brief, making it easy to incorporate into existing outreach while providing families with valuable information on keeping children safe online.

• 1 minute video to link: click here

Thank you for your partnership and for your continued commitment to the safety and well-being of the students and families in our community. We sincerely appreciate your support in helping us share these important educational resources and look forward to working together to promote online safety throughout Placer County.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if there is anything further, we can provide to support your schools. Thank you for helping keep our kids safe,

Your Student’s Presence Matters!

We are excited to welcome our Panthers back to GEMS! Regular attendance and arriving on time are two of the best ways to help your student start the year strong.

When your student is at school every day and on time, they have more opportunities to learn, connect with teachers and friends, participate, and build positive routines. Being present from the start of the day helps students feel prepared, connected, and ready to learn.

We know there will be times when students need to miss school. When possible, families can support regular attendance and punctuality by building consistent morning routines and scheduling appointments and vacations outside of the school day.

Thank you for partnering with us to make being present and on time a priority. Every day matters, and we’re glad your student is here!

• $10 shirts

• $10 shorts

• $20 set (shirt and shorts)

• 
  

If you want to pre-purchase, visit our ONLINE PE Omella Store or utilize this QR code.

To ensure the safety of our students and remain in compliance with new state mandates, all volunteers—both new and returning—must complete a brief online safety training on Mandated Reporting through PublicSchoolWorks before volunteering on campus or attending school events/field trips.

Even if you were cleared to volunteer in previous school years, you will need to complete this training and fulfill the updated requirements before you can be cleared for this year.

For step-by-step instructions and additional details, please see the attached district communication sent out in July <<HERE>> . Thank you for your support in keeping our campus safe!

CROSS COUNTRY, BOYS FLAG FOOTBALL AND GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

• Cross Country is open to all grade levels
• Boys Flag Football and Girls Volleyball are open to 7th/8th grade

Please make sure you have a current physical uploaded to FINAL FORMS and all forms signed before the first day of tryouts.

****Girls Volleyball: tryouts begin Tuesday August 18th (see below for info)

****Cross Country: Practices begin Monday August 24th (see below for info)

****Boys Flag Football: tryouts begin Tuesday August 25th after school (more info to come)

Questions about Athletics? Email jnoonan@wpusd.org

For all 7th and 8th graders interested in playing:

• Tuesday, August 25th first practice
• 3:15pm
• on the field @ GEMS

Make sure updated physical is uploaded to Final Forms and E Forms are signed
before the first day of practice. Questions...contact tcolson@wpusd.org

Parent meeting:

Friday August 21st 3:15pm in the Spirit Center. To review: Practice times, meet schedule, uniforms information, and expectations

Practice times:

Will be from 7:00-7:45am

• On Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesday, Thursdays,

Fridays will be from 3:15-4:00.

Coach Banderas- jbanderas@wpusd.org and Coach Smith- rsmith@wpusd.org

Welcome back from summer break! Please see the details below for the upcoming girls volleyball season:

• Tryouts:

  • Tuesday, August 18 – Friday, August 21

  • Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

• Regular Practices:

  • Starting: Monday, August 24

  • Schedule: Monday through Friday

  • Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

• First Game:

  • Monday, August 31

  • Home game against Buljan!

Note to Parents & Players: Please make sure all athletic clearance forms are completed and turned in prior to the first day of tryouts on August 18. *** This includes physicals.

Coach Chichizola achichizola@wpusd.org and Coach Luci dluci@wpusd.org

8th Grade Parents, if you are interested in 8th Grade Dedication ad..click link below and we will
contact you when school begins
https://forms.gle/T6M72zxSfycNKca99

Web Link

Pre Order Now

https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09891586

Please note: School supply lists will be shared by each teacher/class on their syllabi. The syllabi for each class will be handed out in the first week of school. A few general items to be sure your student is ready:

• Backpack

• Spiral & Composition Notebooks (100 pages +)

• Pencils

• Pens

• Highlighters

• glue/glue stick

• Colored folders (one for each class) or a binder with sections for each core class with binder paper

• Wired headphones to work with chromebook

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.

Welcome to the 26/27 school year Panther families!

We are the Association of Parents, Teachers and Students (APTS) at Glen Edwards Middle School. The purpose of APTS is to raise and administer funds to support the education of our students; as well as for the improvement and enrichment needs of the students and staff of Glen Edwards Middle School. Our primary focus is to keep our kids, staff and families engaged, inspired and active, by fostering relationships between the school staff, families, teachers and students. Our goal is to build community, while making our school a great place to learn.

One way to support APTS is to become a member. APTS membership is open to parents, students and staff. Click on the linktree link below to sign up today!

Check Linktree regularly for the most up to date APTS information!

MEET THE BOARD: Click here
STAY CONNECTED: Linktree

¡Bienvenidos al año escolar 2026-2027, familias Panther!

Somos la Asociación de Padres, Maestros y Estudiantes (APTS) de la escuela secundaria Glen Edwards Middle School. El propósito de APTS es recaudar y administrar fondos para apoyar la educación de nuestros estudiantes, así como para atender las necesidades de mejora y enriquecimiento tanto de los alumnos como del personal de la escuela. Nuestro objetivo principal es mantener a nuestros estudiantes, al personal y a las familias comprometidos, inspirados y activos, fomentando las relaciones entre el personal escolar, las familias, los maestros y los alumnos. Buscamos crear comunidad y, al mismo tiempo, hacer de nuestra escuela un lugar excelente para aprender.

Una forma de apoyar a APTS es haciéndose miembro. La afiliación de APTS está abierta a padres, estudiantes y personal. ¡Haz clic en el enlace de Linktree que aparece a continuación para inscribirte hoy mismo!

¡Consulta Linktree regularmente para obtener la información más actualizada sobre APTS!

CONOZCA A LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA: Click here
MANTENTE CONECTADO: Linktree

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

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).

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

• 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.
• 7th period is actually ZERO Period PE
• 8th period is actually the students FLEX/Intervention period Tuesday - Friday.
• ALSO NOTE: There will be NO TRAVEL STUDIES allowed to last two weeks of school.
  

The Foundry is an After School Program available for GEMS students to see friends, get homework help, eat snacks, play games and participate in some Recreational Programs coordinated by the Foundry. This is a no cost program available Monday through Friday.

We hope to see you at the Foundry after school once it starts!! It's going to be a GREAT School Year!!!

IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR!!

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!