Hawk Highlights
GVMS Weekly Newsletter
Hawk Highlights
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.
We are processing requests and documenting accommodations as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience.
Ramadan and fasting students: Ramadan begins at sunset on February 28 and ends on March 29. There is some information included about Ramadan below.
Students are not excused from classes during Ramadan/ fasting.
- Lunch: We will provide a space for fasting students to go during lunch. During March, lunch will take place on the stage (and students will enter through the door by the cafeteria). The stage doors are closed on both sides, so it is very similar to a classroom. A staff member will be present with students at all times. We have provided board games, coloring sheets, and other activities to help students engage in a meaningful way during this time.
- Prayer: We will provide a space (room 1101) for students staying after school to pray at 2:35 PM with parent permission.
- We will need parent permission sent via email to Mr. Schultz - schultej@pwcs.edu
Other Accommodations: If other accommodations are requested, please communicate with Mr. Schultz.
Physical Education: Per Prince William County Schools' guidelines, fasting students remain in physical education class but may be provided with modifications to ensure their well-being. Accommodations may include:
- Reducing strenuous activities such as running or high-intensity exercises.
- Providing lower-impact alternatives such as walking or stretching.
- Allowing breaks as needed to help manage fatigue and hydration concerns.
- If you require an accommodation for Physical Education, please email Mrs. Laura Harris, PE Department Chair, and Mr. Schultz.
Music Class: Students are not excused from music class during Ramadan, but modifications may be made to support students. If a student’s observance does not allow for singing or playing instruments, they may take breaks as needed, and alternative activities can be provided to ensure continued participation in music learning.
We will need parent permission sent via email to Mr. Schultz at schultej@pwcs.edu for any requested accommodations.
If the accommodation is granted during instructional time, the student will be responsible for any missed course material, and no compensatory services will be provided if the student misses IEP or EL services.
- We will need parent permission sent via email to Mr. Schultz - schultej@pwcs.edu
Please complete - It is much shorter than previous division surveys
Your feedback is invaluable in helping us make informed decisions that best support our school community. Please be on the lookout for the survey and take advantage of this opportunity to share your voice. Thank you for your time and partnership!
We are excited to share that Gainesville Middle School will be participating in a therapy dog intervention program for the 2024-2025 school year. This is a wonderful opportunity for our school community. Research has shown that therapy dogs support psychological growth and increase social skills and self-esteem in children and adolescents. Therapy dogs have been trained to provide emotional support, positively impacting learning, social emotional functioning and communication skills. This letter is intended to provide initial notice of the plan to include therapy dogs in our school.
We know that there may be questions as to how this may work and would like to share some information:
What are the benefits of having a therapy dog program in the school setting?
· Provides a calming effect on students and reduces stress
· Improves concentration, self-esteem, confidence, relieves anxiety and lifts mood
· Fosters a sense of responsibility and improves attendance
· Promotes a sense of belonging for students
· Encourages expression, participation and shared attention
· Provides positive interactions surrounding a mutual topic for discussion
· Teaches compassion and respect for other living things
Other helpful information:
· All contact will be planned, and students will not be left unsupervised with the dog.
· Therapy dogs will be visiting through invite only to meet with our school social worker and school psychologist. A completed permission form will be required to meet with a therapy dog in a small group setting.
· No student will ever be made to interact directly with the dog.
· The dog will always be on a leash with their trained handler. Distance will be maintained between the therapy dog and students/staff who are allergic to or fearful of dogs.
· The introduction of a therapy dog will not be a distraction to student learning, but rather an enhancement to our ideas for social emotional growth for our students.
We are looking forward to welcoming therapy dogs to Gainesville Middle School and believe that their influence will be a positive one for staff and students.
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!
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.
GVMS Policies
Click the image above for more information about the GVMS Cell Phone Policy, Dress Code, and the PWCS Code of Behavior
PWCS Breakfast and Lunch Information
Click the link above for information about meal prices and menus for the 24-25 school year.
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.
Canvas Pairing
Click the image above for more information on how to pair with your student's Canvas page.
