PANTHER PROWL

Happy April, Panther Families!

Spring is officially here, and the energy on campus is higher than ever as we move into one of the most important stretches of the school year. With the fourth quarter underway, our focus is shifting toward growth, celebration, and finishing the year with excellence.

Many classes are preparing our Panthers for the upcoming State Testing. We believe that preparation is the key to confidence. In many of their classes, students will be participating in goal-setting sessions to identify their personal targets and the steps needed to reach them. We encourage you to ask your child about the goals they’ve set for themselves—having that support at home makes a world of difference!

To celebrate the hard work our students put into these assessments, we are planning a Celebration Field Day for all students who participate in the tests. We also want to go the extra mile to recognize achievement and growth. We will be offering extra incentives for students who meet or exceed grade-level standards, students who show significant individual improvement, and students who consistently follow all testing expectations. More information will be shared in the May newsletter.

While academics are front and center, there is plenty of fun and school spirit happening this month:

• Spring Sports: Come out and cheer on our athletes! We have several home games scheduled for our spring teams. Keep an eye on the weekly Panther Peeks.

• Spring Dance: We are looking forward to a night of fun and community at our upcoming dance.

• Growth Mindset Assembly: At the end of the month, we will host a special assembly focused on Growth Mindset. This will provide students with the mental tools and encouragement they need to tackle challenges with resilience before we head into testing.

We also look forward to our monthly traditions of honoring our students through our Perfect Attendance recognition and our Panther Pride awards, celebrating those who lead by example every day.

Thank you for your continued partnership. Let’s keep that momentum going as we head into a busy and rewarding April!

With Panther Pride,
Jessica Fernandez
Principal, GEMS

Hello Panther Families,

As we enter the 4th quarter, we are excited to celebrate our students' hard work with several upcoming year-end events. These include our Spring Event, Promotion Trips, SBAC Field Day, and more.

Please be advised that participation in these celebratory activities is a privilege. To ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone, students who receive disciplinary referrals during the 4th quarter may lose the opportunity to attend these events.

Our school-wide expectations for students to remain Positive, Productive, and Professional remain in full effect until the final bell of the school year. We appreciate your partnership in encouraging your child to finish the year strong!

Unauthorized item reminder: We are reaching out to share some important updates regarding our classroom environment. Recently, we have noticed a significant increase in distractions and disruptions caused by unauthorized personal items brought from home. While we understand these items are popular, our primary goal is to maintain a focused and safe learning space for all students.

Safety and Property Concerns: We have experienced several instances where sensory items, specifically Nee-Dohs and similar "squishies," have ruptured. These items contain materials that can cause permanent damage to school property, carpets, and equipment. Please be aware that students (and their families) may be held financially accountable for any property damage caused by these items.

Policy Reminder:

As a reminder, personal toys and fidgets are not allowed on campus unless they are explicitly documented and provided for in an approved educational plan (such as an IEP or 504 plan).

Unauthorized items include, but are not limited to:

• Fidget spinners and cubes

• Nee-Dohs and stress balls

• Squishies and plush toys

• Legos

• Rubik’s Cubes

• Trading cards

GEMS is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property and will not investigate or search for these items. This policy includes cellular devices and is written into the student handbook.

Attendance Reminder:
To report an absence, families may reply to the ParentSquare email or texted link with the reason for the absence, or call the 24-hour Attendance Hotline at 916-645-6581. If phone or internet access is not available, please send a written note with your student on their first day back to school. Any absence not cleared within three school days will be marked as unexcused.

Steve Roman

Assistant Principal

Glen Edwards Middle School

We are excited to welcome our Panther families to campus for our annual Open House on Thursday, April 16th. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our students' hard work and get a firsthand look at the amazing projects and learning happening in our classrooms.

🗓️ Schedule of Events

• 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: The GEMS Library will be open for the Book Fair. Be sure to stop by early to browse the latest titles and support our school library expansion!

• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Classrooms will be open. Parents and guardians are invited to drop by, meet teachers, and explore the productive environments where our Panthers thrive every day.

We look forward to seeing the hallways and campus filled with Panther Pride as we head into the final stretch of the school year. See you there! 🐾

We are excited to have Dr. Blake Brandes join our students on Thursday, April 30, 2026 for a fun and engaging State Testing with a Growth Mindset presentation. Dr. Brandes is a TEDx speaker, America’s Got Talent contestant, and Marshall Scholar who has spoken to more than 500,000 students around the world. During the presentation, our students will learn valuable skills to help them overcome challenges and achieve their dreams!

He will also be here that evening 6-7pm to talk to parents about how to help their student be more successful and less stressed about tests. Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend.

Get ready to soak up some sun and enjoy a change of scenery! We are excited to announce that we are officially planning a "Lunch in the Quad" event for our Panther Parents.

While we were originally eyeing April for this outdoor gathering, the "April showers" and unpredictable spring weather have led us to push the festivities to May. We want to ensure the best possible experience for our students and families with clear skies and warm temperatures!

Stay tuned for more information, including the specific date and times, which will be shared in next month's newsletter. We can’t wait to see everyone out in the sunshine!

May is our testing month and we have adjusted our bell schedule to allow extended testing blocks

⏰ Key Schedule Changes

• Longer morning periods (8:15–9:39) for testing
• Rotating class periods each day (not the usual order)
• Lunch remains mid-day, slightly adjusted by grade
• Afternoon classes continue after testing blocks

🧠 What This Means for Students

• Students will test during extended morning blocks if that is their MATH, ELA, or SCI 8 class
• Class periods rotate daily, so check the schedule carefully
• Regular instruction continues after testing each day
• Dismissal time T-F remains consistent (ends at 2:55 PM)

📌 Tips for Parents

• Make sure students:
  • Get good sleep
  • Eat breakfast before school
  • Arrive on time (before 8:15 AM)
• Double-check which period comes first each day

Your child's voice matters. We are inviting your child to participate in the YouthTruth Student Survey (https://youthtruth.org) to help us understand and improve their school experience.

The YouthTruth Student Survey is used by hundreds of schools and districts nationwide to gather student perspectives on what's working well and what could be better. The survey asks about student experiences on topics like school engagement, relationships with teachers, and academic rigor.

Your child has complete control over their participation. Not only is participation entirely voluntary, but students can skip any question they don't want to answer. There are no right or wrong answers—we simply want to hear their honest perspective.

Our school will use this feedback to guide improvements that make school better for all students. We may also contribute anonymous, overall results to research that helps improve education nationwide. The survey will be administered during May 5- May 22.

For more information about this survey, to review the survey questions ahead of time, or to opt your student out from this survey- please contact Jessica Fernandez (jfernandez@wpusd.org).

If you missed the Promotion Newsletter that was previously sent, <<CLICK HERE>> to start making plans and save the dates!!

PROMOTION DANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE:

We have been planning the upcoming 8th Grade Dance and would love your support to help make it a special night for our students!

If you’d like to contribute, there are several ways to get involved:

1. Donate snacks, drinks, or gift cards by purchasing directly from our Amazon Wish List
2. Volunteer to chaperone, help set up, or assist with clean-up by signing up on our Sign Up Genius
3. Make a monetary donation through our Cheddar Up link

Every contribution—big or small—helps make this event memorable for our students. Thank you for your continued support and generosity!

P. S. We would like to play a slide show of photos of the 8th graders during the dance. Please fill out this form if you would like to add photos of your child.

Warmly,
The 8th Grade Dance Committee

The next two meetings in April will be held at 5:30pm in GEMS Library 4/14 & 4/28. We hope to see you there!!

Greetings from the GEMS Health Department,

As we begin planning for the 2026–2027 school year, we would like to share a friendly reminder about immunization requirements for all students entering, advancing, 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 status, Spring Break is a great opportunity 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 about an upcoming vaccination opportunity.

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.

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

What is happening with kids and social media? In 2012, childhood shifted from play and independence to screens and social media. Constant notifications, endless scrolling, and online comparison wire kids for anxiety, depression, attention fragmentation, self-harm, and more. See the research here and visit: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/ for more information about the link between cell phone use and the impact on mental health, which manifests at school, in families, between peers, and as young people develop skills approaching adulthood,

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.

Our Portrait of a Learner characteristic for March is curiosity, here are our coordinated themes of the week:

• 4/13 & 4/20: Panthers demonstrate curiosity by asking probing, open-ended questions and using "I wonder" statements.
• 4/27: Panthers engage in problem-solving by working through challenging tasks.

Students who are recognized by teachers for their efforts will receive a panther buck that can be turned into our raffle.

Other Exciting GEMS PBIS news:

On March 26th, our PBIS team was invited to attend the Placer County PBIS Recognition event in Rocklin. GEMS was recognized as one of the Silver award recipients from the 2025/2026 school year. It was great to celebrate our school's accomplishment of implementation with other schools in our county.

Additionally, on Thursday we also had Joshua Sexton from PCOE on campus conducting our implementation assessment for the 2025/2026 school year. He used the TFI walkthrough tool to complete his assessment. The walkthrough tool requires him to interview a sampling of staff and students during breaks/passing periods about teaching and recognizing school-wide expectations.

The walkthrough went well with 100% of the staff interviewed knowing all three expectations, had taught expectations, and had given out an acknowledgement to students. 90% of students knew at least two of the expectations, and all students interviewed had been acknowledged in the last two weeks by a staff member. The classroom walkthroughs met the criteria for Gold recognition. As a team we will be preparing and applying for Gold Recognition for the 2025/2026 school year.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO GET INVOLVED!!!!!!!

Session 3 clubs began the week of 3/10!!

Tutoring

• Days: Tuesday – Friday

• Time: 3:05 – 4:35 PM

• Location: Library

We still have several families who have not completed their Annual Registration Update (ARU), formerly known as the Emergency Card Update. An updated ARU is required for every student at the start of each school year.

Please take a few moments to confirm, update and submit each module of information . There are new modules that have been added this year: https://powerschool.wpusd.org/public/

FAILURE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION WILL LEAD TO EXCLUSION FROM STUDENT EVENTS SUCH AS DANCES, FIELD TRIPS AND APPROVAL OF ANY TRAVEL STUDY REQUESTS

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:
Our next fundraiser will be a dine out event at The Habit. Please be sure to spread the word!

See flyer below

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK:
Staff appreciation week is May 4th - 8th and we could use your help to make it a success!
Please consider donating!

• Sign up genius!
• Amazon Wishlist

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.

Our next meeting is on Tues, Apr 14th @5pm in the school's library!

UPCOMING:

• APTS meeting 4/14 @5pm in school library
• Dine Out event 4/15

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!
• View our calendar of events here!

Spring Sports have started their seasons!! Boys Volleyball, Girls Flag Football and Track & Field all began on March 10th. For questions on any of the sports please contact the appropriate coach below:

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 the students PAW period and the first class of the day Tuesday - Friday.
• ALSO NOTE: There will be NO TRAVEL STUDIES approved if the Annual Registration Update is not completed.
  

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.

Our first episode has students discussing Artificial Intelligence and a round table on Holidays.

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

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!