WELCOME BACK!!!

Welcome Panther Families!

I hope your summer has been filled with rest, fun, and quality time with loved ones! As the 2026/2027 school year approaches, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome both our returning families and those who are joining the Glen Edwards Middle School community for the very first time.

For those who are new to GEMS, I’ve had the privilege of serving our school community since 2012—first as a math and leadership teacher, later as assistant principal, and now as your principal. GEMS is a truly special place, and I am honored to continue leading our campus into another great year.

I’m also happy to share an exciting update regarding our administrative team! Please join me in giving a warm Panther welcome to Ms. Laura Estes, who is joining us as our second Assistant Principal. She stepped onto campus toward the end of last school year to get to know our students, staff, and community, and we are thrilled to have her on board full-time. I’m also excited to continue working alongside Mr. Steve Roman, who returns as Assistant Principal. He brings wonderful energy and passion to GEMS, and he’s looking forward to reconnecting with everyone. Together, our admin team is ready to support our school community in every way possible. You can look forward to hearing from them in the "VP Corner" of our monthly Panther Prowl newsletter throughout the year.

Over the summer, our teachers and staff have been hard at work designing lessons, refreshing classrooms, and preparing a welcoming space where every student can learn and thrive.

A strong partnership between home and school is at the heart of student success. My door is always open, so please stay connected and reach out whenever you have questions or ideas. Together, we are going to make this an outstanding year for our students!

Key Dates & Schedule Essentials

• Main Office Reopens: Tuesday, August 11th (If you need assistance before August 11th, please feel free to reach out to me by email).

• First Day of School: Thursday, August 20th

  We will run on our regular daily schedule: campus gates open at 8:00 AM, classes begin promptly at 8:15 AM, and dismissal is at 2:55 PM. (Please see the attached bell schedule for complete details.)

Please review the information below for important details on:

• 6th Grade Orientation

• 7th Grade Immunization Requirements (TDAP & Varicella)

• 7th & 8th Grade Class Schedules

• Student ID & Picture Day

• PE Uniforms

• Yearbook Pre-Orders

• WPUSD Resource Fair

• Athletics Sign-Ups & Tryouts

• 2026–2027 Annual Registration Updates

• Recommended School Supplies

• Panther Spirit Wear Store

Keep an eye on your inbox prior to August 20th, as we’ll be sending out more details to help the first few days run smoothly.

Thank you for your continued partnership and enthusiasm. Let's make the 2026/2027 school year our best one yet!

With Panther Pride,

Mrs. Fernandez

Principal, Glen Edwards Middle School

Go Panthers!

Hello everyone, and welcome to the new school year!

What is the VP Corner? In the VP Corner we will share updates on how our Panthers are being Positive, Productive, and Professional on our campus. In addition, when we notice disruptive trends on campus, we will share the trends we are seeing with families and ask that you speak with your student(s) to help support the work our staff is doing.

As we kick things off this year, students will spend a lot of time building relationships with their teachers and classmates. In addition, they will be learning about "The Panther Way," our schoolwide behavior expectations during PE on Monday, August 24th. Students will also be reviewing the Panther Way expectations for specific areas of campus during their flex/intervention class the first few days of school. Once we have presented the information to students, we will share the presentation so that families can review it with their students as well.

About the AP Team: This year, we are looking forward to working together to support students, families, and staff as we navigate the school year. As assistant principals, much of our work centers on helping students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn. We partner with students, families, and staff to encourage regular attendance, positive engagement, responsible decision-making, and growth both in and outside the classroom. We are here to help students navigate the challenges and opportunities of middle school and celebrate their progress along the way.

We look forward to getting to know you and your students and partnering with you to make this a positive year for every Panther! See below for a bit more information about us.

Ms. Laura Estes: I am excited to join the Panther Family as I begin my fifth year as an administrator in WPUSD and my first year at GEMS. I will support 6th-grade students with last names A-M and all 8th-grade students. I bring experience in TK-12 school counseling, educational leadership, university teaching, and published research. As both an educator and the parent of a student entering his final year of middle school, I understand firsthand the importance of helping students balance academics, activities, friendships, and growing independence during these pivotal years. I am excited to get to know our students and families and become part of the GEMS community.

Mr. Steve Roman: Hey-ooo! Welcome to the 26-27 school year. After a restful summer break I am stoked to get back to work in my second year as an Assistant Principal at GEMS. Overall this will be my ninth year in education. Previously, I have been a social science teacher, activities director at TBHS, and an Assistant Principal at the high school level. This year, I will support 6th grade students with last names N-Z and all 7th grade students. I am looking forward to advancing the work that I started last year, welcoming our new 6th grade students/ families, and seeing the familiar faces of our 7th & 8th grade students/ families as well!

Excited for a new school year! Go Panthers!

Ms. Estes & Mr. Roman

Our 6th grade students will begin building strong relationships with their fellow Panthers through various activities. With their student leaders, 6th grade students will participate in their first GEMS Rally, participate in different group activities, receive their printed schedule and take a campus tour.

As much as we appreciate and value your support and involvement with your Panther, Orientation is a student-only event our student leadership team organized in order to empower your student as they transition to GEMS.

• Thursday, August 13th

• Orientation: 9:00am-11:00am

• Parents can drop off at front gate starting at 8:45am, and pick up will be at 11:00am

• Location: GEMS Campus

All students entering 7th grade must provide proof of immunization. In order to attend school this fall documents must be received and verified. Specific grade level immunization requirements can be found under "Items of Interest for Panthers".

STUDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE TDAP & VARICELLA TURNED IN AND VERIFIED WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND SCHOOL.

7th and 8th grade students will be able to view (and print at home, if desired) their class schedules through PowerSchool starting on August 19, 2026.

Please note:
If you happen to access the schedule before 8/19/26, it may not be finalized. Some class placements are still being adjusted. Thank you for your patience as we complete these updates.

There is no designated schedule pick-up day for 7th and 8th graders. If your student needs a printed copy of their schedule for the first day:

• Printed schedules will be available in their assigned 1st PERIOD classroom at the beginning of the school day 8/20/26.

If your student does not know who their 1st Period teacher is:

• Grade level student lists (by last name) will be posted in front of the office (by 7:30am). Students will need to find their name to identify teacher names and room numbers.

There will be staff and leadership students to help direct those that may not be familiar with campus. Class schedules will be new for everyone!!

SAVE THE DATES!!!

• Pictures & ID Cards will be done in PE classes on the first day of school 8/20/26 (more information on pricing and how to order forthcoming)

• Make ups will be September 28th

These are the ONLY SCHEDULED TWO DATES to have student pictures taken and these images will be used for the yearbook.

For convenience pricing listed below:

• $10 shirts

• $10 shorts

• $20 set (shirt and shorts)

FALL SPORTS:
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

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 7-7:45

On Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesday, Thursdays, and 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

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.

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 CLOTHING ITEMS WILL NOT MEET PE UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS. DO NOT PURCHASE FOR PE CLOTHES 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).

• 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 allowed to last two weeks of school.

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

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

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!