Glasgow Community Gazette - November 25

Glasgow Community:

I hope you had a relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. Along with my father, who was visiting from Scottsdale, Arizona, we celebrated Thanksgiving with friends. I spent Saturday enjoying Ohio State's victory over that team up north and Sunday catching up on yard work and putting up holiday decorations.

What I enjoy most about holiday breaks is the opportunity to take a step back to rejuvenate and reflect on what matters most. Earlier this month, I asked that you consider nominating a Glasgow staff member(s) for an FCPS Award. I want to share with you one of the responses from a parent:

(Teacher) has inspired in my son the love of music and has motivated him to learn and improve. With sense of humor and tons of empathy, (She/he) treats the students with dignity and they feel empowered. As my (student) has put it "(Teacher) makes me feel like I am one of them [grown ups]." In addition, (Teacher) organizes events that foster community among the children and help them get a sense of belonging.

I believe that our staff is truly unparalleled, and that the work we do for our students deserves celebration beyond our building. So, please speak with your student and nominate a staff member for an FCPS award. Link: https://goo.gl/forms/q5wAm5WSlwgM3zxZ2

Finally, with the holiday season quickly approaching, I want to encourage parents to play an active role at Glasgow. There are a number of events that need parent volunteers such as the upcoming Book Fair, Panther Store and Grab-N-Go Breakfast. If you do not have the time to volunteer, please consider donating gift cards that we could use as incentives and thank you's for our staff. Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084aa4a92da0fc1-glasgow12.

Parent involvement and support is an essential element of all great schools. So, get involved and sign up today! As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Contact Information
Twitter: @ShawnDeRose
Email: spderose@fcps.edu
Website: http://www.fcps.edu/GlasgowMS/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlasgowMS.FCPS/

FCPS Awards Program - Nominations Now Open

Each year, FCPS looks to honor several staff members for outstanding excellence in their roles, including:
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding Leader (School-Based)
- Outstanding Operational or Hourly Employee (School-Based)

Our goal is to choose Glasgow Middle School winners in each category to submit for consideration at the pyramid, region and division levels. We believe that our staff is truly unparalleled, and that the work we do for our students deserves celebration beyond our building.

Please consider nominating a Glasgow staff member(s) for the categories listed above (you may submit this form more than once, and you do not have to nominate for all categories). You will need to include a brief explanation for your nomination to be considered. Thank you for celebrating the amazing work done everyday at Glasgow by highlighting some of our amazing staff members!

To nominate a Glasgow staff member, click the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/q5wAm5WSlwgM3zxZ2

If you are interested in learning more about the overall FCPS awards process, you may visit: https://goo.gl/oo18SF

Important Dates

November 26 - 6th and 7th Grade All A Honor Roll Ceremony

November 27 - Picture Makeup Day

November 29 - Dress for Success Day

November 30 - 8th Grade All A Honor Roll Ceremony

November 30 through December 7 - Book Fair

December 3 - A/B Honor Roll Certificates Distributed 

December 7 - Outstanding Employee Award Nominations Due

December 7 - Fall Play “Lucky Hudson”, 7pm

December 8 - Winterfest at Justice High School, 9am-12pm

December 8 - Fall Play “Lucky Hudson”, 6pm

December 11 - PTA Meeting, 7:00pm

December 12 - Band Concert, 7PM

December 13 - Chorus Concert, 7PM

December 14 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal For Students

December 18 - Grab-n-Go Breakfast sponsored by the PTA

December 18 - Orchestra Concert, 7PM

All A Honor Roll Celebration – November 26 and November 30 - Congratulations to those students that have made all A’s Honor Roll! Their hard work has paid off and we are so proud of each and every one of our students. We will recognize these students for their outstanding commitment with a ceremony during Panther Time. On Monday, November 26, we will recognize 6th and 7th Grade students. On Friday, November 30, we will recognize 8th Grade students. Please note the event is for students only. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Akon Otoyo at ajotoyo@fcps.edu.

Student Picture Make-ups – November 27 - Make-Up Day has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 27 in the Lecture Hall.  Students will be called to the Lecture Hall during period 1, FIT and period 4. Students can have their picture taken or retaken if they can meet one of the following requirements:

The student was absent on the first picture day (Oct. 16/17).

The student enrolled at Glasgow after October 17.

The student has money to purchase new pictures and has it with them.

RETAKE: Students can have their purchased picture retaken if there is something wrong with the picture taken during the first picture day. Students MUST return the entire packet in order to have their picture retaken. Please contact Mr. Perella at maperella@fcps.edu if you have any questions.

Dress for Success - November 29 - On Thursday November 29 it is Dress For Success Day at Glasgow. Students and staff are invited to dress in different career attire and/or their best interview attire. This day is to celebrate the conclusion of Career Development Month at Glasgow. If you have any questions please contact Counselor Gregory Frantz gdfrantz@fcps.edu or Counselor Cynthia Pareja cspareja@fcps.edu.

Scholastic Winter Book Fair - November 30 - December 7 - The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to the Glasgow Library from November 30 – December 7. Students will visit the book fair during one of their English classes, and may purchase books then or during any free time, if they wish. Families are welcome to visit the fair any time. All proceeds from the fair will be used to purchase more resources for the library.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to help during the fair (no experience necessary), so if you can help please sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084aa4a92da0fc1-spring6

A/B Honor Roll Certificates - Distributed December 3 - Congratulations to those students that have made A/B Honor Roll! Their hard work has paid off and we are so proud of each and every one of our students. We will recognize these students with certificates to be distributed through Panther Time on Monday, December 3. If your child is absent, they can obtain their Certificate from Student Services the following day. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Akon Otoyo at ajotoyo@fcps.edu.

Candy Cane Sale - Begins December 3 - National Junior Honor Society is selling candy canes Monday, December 3 through Wednesday, December 12 in the cafeteria. Candy canes are $1 each and students must know their friend’s Panther Time teacher! Candy canes will be distributed on December 17 during Panther Time. NEW! This year NJHS will be selling fruit flavored candy canes in addition to the traditional peppermint candy canes. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Gray at scgray@fcps.edu.

PTA Meeting - December 11 - Topic: Adolescent Mental Health: Identifying Needs & Building Resiliency. How can parents support their child's emotional and social development?  Come meet the Glasgow mental health team and hear how they support students and families, how to spot the signs of mental health distress during the middle school years, and how to increase your child's health and well-being through protective factors.

You will also hear about the latest results from the FCPS Youth Survey, which provides data on behaviors related to stress, mental health, personal health, bullying, drug misuse and many more important issues facing our students. The meetings are 7-8 p.m. PTA membership is not required for attendance. Spanish and Arabic interpreters will be present.

Three Hour Early Release Schedule - December 14 - On Friday, December 14, students will be released from school three hours early.

Opportunities

Get Involved, Volunteer Today! - The Glasgow PTA needs YOU! See volunteer opportunities at Glasgow Middle School, supporting our teachers and staff, throughout the year: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084aa4a92da0fc1-glasgow12

Gift Card Donations Wanted - When I first started at Glasgow in the spring of 2015, I requested parent support by donating $5 gift cards that we could use as incentives and thank you's for our staff.  Your response was overwhelming and I have finally used the generous stash that you all provided.

I am requesting your help again since we are not permitted to use any kind of FCPS funds, local or otherwise, for this purpose. It is amazing how much a $5 gift card is appreciated. If you are so inclined, please feel free to drop them off at the main office or drop them in the mail to my attention. I will share the love with staff throughout the school year. Thank you so much! (It can be for any business you want to support, in any amount. Nothing is too small!)

Important Information

Family Life Education - December 10-14 - Grade eight students will be participating in Family Life Education lessons as part of their HPE curriculum from December 10-14. If you wish to opt your child out of all or some of the grade eight Family Life Education lessons, please complete the form below and return it to your child’s Health/PE teacher prior to FLE instruction. Additional information for lesson objectives and media descriptions is available at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/family-life-education-fle.  Lessons are available in FCPS 24/7 (Blackboard) Parent View at https://fcps.blackboard.com/. PLEASE NOTE: You do not need to return this form unless you are opting your child out of all or some of the grade eight Family Life Education lessons.

Opt Out Form English: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/8.pdf   

Opt Out Form Arabic: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/arabic_16.pdf    

Opt Out Form Spanish: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/spanish_20.pdf

TJHSST Invitational Science Fair 2019 - The TJ Mythvestigations Club would like to cordially invite any interested students at your school to participate in our sixth annual Invitational Science Fair. Participants will complete a research project and prepare a presentation for our science fair on March 16, 2019. Now is the time to register for the event and start work on projects! The final pool of approximately 40 entrants will be chosen first come, first serve from all registrants on January 10, 2019. Students may register at http://bit.ly/isf2019. If you have any questions, email the TJ Mythvestigations Team at tjhsstsciencefair@gmail.com.

Yearbook On-line Store is Now Available - Families who still have not paid for their 2018-2019 yearbook can now pre-order on-line. The website is: https://www.balfour.com/virginia/alexandria/glasgow-middle-school. Students may continue to bring in money and turn in to the front office. The price of the yearbook is only $25, but will increase to $30 in early February. Extra items will be available until March: name stamping ($5), clear plastic cover ($3), autograph sheets ($2), arrow stickies ($6), jewel pack ($6) and pen signing set ($4.99).

Glasgow Goodies

Winterfest at Justice HS - December 8 from 9am-12pm - Join us for some holiday fun with your family! Justice High School presents “Winterfest” on December 8 from 9am-12pm. This event will be focused on the community and we will have food, crafts, games, and a movie. If you have any questions about the event, contact Justice HS SGA Sponsor, Emily McCloud at ecmccloud@fcps.edu.

Be Informed, Stay Involved!

• Sign up for News You Choose.
• Visit the Glasgow Middle School website.
• Follow Glasgow on Twitter.
• Visit Glasgow Middle School on Facebook.
• Monitor your students academics with a SIS Parent Account.
• Join the Glasgow Middle School PTA and attend meetings.
• Keep your contact information up-to-date.