Glasgow Community Gazette - May 27

Glasgow Community:

I hope you enjoyed the long weekend with people and activities you love as we honor those who have died while serving our country. We celebrated my daughter, Regan’s 9th birthday and hung out at the pool most of the weekend.

As we approach the final weeks of the school year, I want to draw your attention to the end of the year schedule and calendar below. As many of you know, the end of the year brings many exciting events and activities (8th Grade Dance, Art Show, Awards Ceremonies, Field Day). It is important for me to remind all families that every year a few students make poor decisions that result in the loss of their end of the year activities. I am confident all students will make good decisions as we head towards the end of the year, but I also want to thank you in advance for having a conversation about choices and consequences at home.

This week, 8th grade students in Panther Time will be reviewing 8th grade dance expectations to ensure the event is a huge success. The dance is June 7 from 6:30-8:30pm. Detailed information is outlined below.

The end of the year is an exciting time and parent involvement is vital as we hope to “finish stronger.” Below are descriptions to many of the events in the coming weeks along with links to volunteer. Please look through all volunteer opportunities and see where you can help.

Thank you and 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/

Important Dates

May 5 thru June 4 - Ramadan

May 29 - SOL Testing: English 7 Retakes

May 30 - SOL Testing: English 6 Retakes

May 30 - Last Day of After School Programming

May 31 - SOL Testing: English 8 Retakes

May 31 - Yearbooks on Sale During All Lunches

June 1 - Bikes for the World Donation Event

June 1 - Wolf Cub Cabaret Theatre Pyramid Day

June 3 - Art Show Opening Reception

June 3, 4, 7 - End of year Awards Ceremonies

June 4 - PTA End of the Year Celebration, Free Dinner for Glasgow Community!

June 5 - Rising 9th Grade Activities Fair

June 7 - Last Panther Store of the Year

June 7 - 8th Grade Dance

June 12 - Field Day (Weather Permitting)

June 13 - Last Day of School, 3 HR Early Release

Students Celebrating Ramadan: May 5 thru June 4 - Ramadan is May 5 - June 4 and we want to ensure that your  student is supported during this time. With that in mind, if you would like your child to receive specific accommodations, such as an alternative location during lunch/prayer, please provide the school with a note to express your child’s needs.

Additionally, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your student’s administrator. In addition, the following Glasgow staff members are available to answer any questions: Samira Laarche, Aymin ElTahir, and Nafisa Mohamed. Ramadan Kareem!

Last Day of After School Programming: May 30 - Glasgow’s After School Program will conclude this Thursday, May 30. Late buses will run until June 6, however students can only stay after school if invited by a teacher of staff member. After that date, students will need to be picked from school in a timely fashion or ride their normal afternoon bus at 2:15pm. If you have any questions please contact After School Specialist, Aaron Cannon acannon@fcps.edu.

Yearbooks are Selling Fast! On Sale May 31 - Last week, we had record numbers for yearbook sales.  We now have less than 125 yearbooks remaining. As Mr. Perella shared on the news, we are way ahead of last year’s sales numbers and he believes the books will be gone soon. The next yearbook sales day will be Friday, May 31 during all lunches. Please note, Mr. Perella WILL NOT collect money on June 11, the day yearbooks are distributed to students.  So, if you want to guarantee your student has a yearbook on June 11, send in the money ASAP. We are accepting $30 in cash or a check made payable to Glasgow Middle School. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Perella at maperella@fcps.edu.

Wolf Cub Cabaret - Theatre Pyramid Day: June 1 - The Justice Wolfpack Theatre Department is once again planning a day to build community through theatre across the Pyramid. We hope you will encourage your Glasgow student to attend our WolfCub Pyramid Theatre Day on June 1st from 9:00am to 1:00pm at Justice High School! Students will attend workshops in Dance, Improv, Make-up, Costumes and Musical Theater. Sign up Today! Link: http://bit.ly/2W6OTvg.

Bikes for the World: June 1 - The Bikes for the World donation event will be held on June 1, from 8:45am-1:15pm. This event provide the Glasgow community a chance to donate bikes, helmets and other biking supplies. Volunteers get basic training and hands-on experience working with the bikes. This is an appropriate event for FCPS middle- and high-school volunteers. The Bikes for the World donation event will be held on June 1, from 8:45am-1:15pm. Please contact the event organizer, Dr. Nonye Oladimeji, at 703-813-8764, with any questions. No experience is needed:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084aa4a92da0fc1-bikes.

Student Art Show: June 3 - All Glasgow staff, students, and families are invited to attend the opening Art Show reception Monday, June 3, 6:00-7:00pm on the cafeteria stage. The show will also be open to parents immediately following the 6th grade Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 3. Please email Dawn Gillis with any questions: drgillis@fcps.edu.

End of Year Awards Ceremonies: June 3, 5, 6 - Each June, Glasgow's academic departments host awards ceremonies for each grade. Parents are notified in advance if their child will be recognized. The Office of Student Services needs volunteers to hand out programs as people enter, pass out refreshments, and help clean up. Parents can volunteer regardless of whether they have a student being recognized that day: http://bit.ly/2ECF11g.

PTA End of the Year Celebration: June 4 - The last PTA Meeting is on June 4 and the Glasgow community is invited to join us for a FREE dinn (slice of pizza/side salad/beverage/dessert) to celebrate the end of the school year.  Families are invited (but not required!) to bring a sweet or dessert to share, from a country or culture that is special to them. Volunteers needed. Please sign up at: http://bit.ly/2W5V8eB.

Last Panther Store: June 7 - It’s hard to believe, but we have only ONE Panther Store left this school year! Glasgow teachers and staff would like to end the school year STRONG with a surge of Panther Cards and are making a special effort to celebrate as many students as possible for the many wonderful examples of kindness, commitment and safety that so often go overlooked. If you are interested in volunteering, please signup: http://bit.ly/2JGvc6Q.

8th Grade Dance - June 7 from 6:30-8:30PM - The Glasgow Middle School Student Government Association (SGA) and PTA are excited to sponsor our annual 8th Grade Dance! This year, the 8th Grade Dance will be held on Friday, June 7 from 6:30-8:30PM in the Glasgow cafeteria. Students can purchase tickets for $5 during lunch on Thursday, May 31 and Friday, June 1 during all lunches.The ticket includes admission (DJ, photo booth, 8th grade slideshow), dinner from Chick-fil-A, a dessert table, snack, sodas, a glow stick and more!  No tickets will be sold after this date or at the door.

Please note that the 8th Grade Dance is semi-formal and should NOT be treated like prom. Students must be in attendance for the entire school day in order to attend the dance. All students must be transported to the dance by a parent or guardian and must be picked up by 8:30PM. Carpooling is encouraged. Students arriving in limos will be turned back home. This event is for Glasgow 8th graders only. No guests are permitted.

We look forward to celebrating this special event with our 8th grade class. It is always a very fun, festive and sentimental evening as we celebrate with students we have seen grow so much over their time at Glasgow! If you are interested in volunteering at this event, sign up using the following link: http://bit.ly/2I1RmNq. We hope to see you and your student there!

Rising 9th Grade Activities Fair

On Thursday, June 6, Justice High School will be hosting a Rising Freshman Activities Fair at 6:30pm in the Justice Main Gym. This event will have coaches, members and sponsors of teams and clubs available at Justice. This will be an opportunity for students to meet current members, ask questions, get information about summer opportunities, and receive tryout information as they prepare for high school. We hope to see you there! For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2Ejj2wi.

Opportunities

Get Involved, Volunteer Today! - Teacher appreciation week is here and there are a number of upcoming events that need parent volunteers. Check it out and sign up today! Link: https://bit.ly/2VA0orc

Join the Glasgow PTA Listserve - If you would like to join the PTA listserv to receive current announcements, send a request to glasgowms.pta@gmail.com. If you would like to join the PTA or make a donation, go to www.glasgowpta.org. Thank you for your continued support.

Glasgow Goodies

Welcome Joash Chung, New Director of Student Services - We are excited to announce Joash Chung as our new Director of Student Services. Currently, Joash serves as an Assistant Principal at two schools in Chatham County, North Carolina: Silk Hope School and Perry Harrison Elementary. Prior to his administrative career, taught social studies at Poe Middle School. A former colleague described Joash as an “amazing educator and leader. He has fantastic insight, leadership skills and purposeful communication is one of his greatest strengths.”

Earlier this year, Sarah Beck accepted the position of Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the Langley School, an independent school in McLean. With this promotion, Sarah will be joining their senior leadership team to direct the curriculum, professional development, and instructional focus for kindergarten through 8th grade.

Sarah has been a part of our community since 2011, serving as a U.S. History teacher, PBIS Coordinator, Academic Dean, Assistant Principal and, most recently, Director of Student Services. In each of these roles she has supported our school as we have become more aligned to our vision, mission and mindset commitments. Undoubtedly, her impact will outlast her tenure at Glasgow and her perspective will be greatly missed.

Important Information for Rising 6th Graders

Glasgow Middle School will be hosting a FREE Jump Start program for rising 6th graders to prepare them for their transition to middle school. Students can attend one of the two sessions offered this summer. Session one runs August 5 & 6, and session two runs August 7 & 8, both sessions will be held from 8am–12pm. Students will get acclimated to their new school through a variety of activities.

Students will have a chance to meet and interact with their new peers, tour the building and classrooms, as well as ask other important questions they may have before school begins. Jump Start is designed to alleviate any anxiety and concerns students may have about attending a new school and get them excited about the opportunities that await them at Glasgow Middle School.  

Register TODAY for this free program: http://bit.ly/2ZSclKK.  If you have any questions, please contact Shona Person at sdperson@fcps.edu.

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS

New Student Parent Coffee: August 5 and 7 - After dropping your student off at our FREE Jump Start Program, join Shawn DeRose, Principal, for coffee on August 5 or August 7 at 8:15am. We will be available to answer questions you may have about the transition to Glasgow Middle School. Email Sarah Beck, Director of Student Services at sjbeck@fcps.edu if you have any questions.

6th Grade Orientation: August 22 from 12:45-2:45pm - Rising 6th grade students and parents are invited to our 6th grade orientation on August 22 at 12:45pm. In addition to picking up packets, students and families will have a chance to walk through an odd and even day schedule and briefly meet their teachers. We look forward to welcoming our newest students and their families to our building!

Open House: August 22 from 3:30-4:30pm - 7th and 8th grade students and parents are invited to pick up packets and tour the building beginning at 3:30pm on August 22. Rising 6th grader students and parents are also invited if they are unable to attend 6th grade orientation early in the day. Note: Teachers are not expected to be available in their rooms during this event.

Glasgow Back to School Night: October 3 from 6:00-8:00pm - We will be hosting our annual Back to School Night (BTSN) on October 3, 2019. The Back to School Night program officially begins at 6:10pm. Students are welcome to attend BTSN as interpreters for their parents if necessary.

Back to School Night at the secondary level is an opportunity for you to meet your student’s teachers, see their classrooms, and hear about what each class will look like for your student. You will spend 10 minutes in each classroom, hearing from the teacher(s) of that class. Given the time constraints of the evening, we invite parents to email teachers directly with any specific questions or information you would like them to know about your student. Our teachers love to hear from you, and are always available for scheduled conferences throughout the school year.

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.