Glasgow Community:
I hope you had a great Halloween. On Wednesday, the faculty and staff went “all out” dressing up in costumes. We will be awarding prizes in the following categories: Best Individual, Best Duo/Group, Spookiest, and Most Original. This year, the administrative team dressed up as zoo animals. Check out more photos below and on Twitter.
It is hard to believe that the 1st quarter has come to a close. It feels like just yesterday that we were celebrating the opening of school and hosting Back to School Night. As a reminder, there is no school for students on Monday and Tuesday.
Report cards will be distributed to students during FIT on November 14. Please note that FCPS Weekly Progress Reports generated through SIS will not be sent to parents between now and Friday, November 8 while first quarter grading is completed and report cards are generated. Additionally, the Grade Book and Report Card modules in ParentVUE and StudentVUE is closed now through Saturday, November 9 at 6:00AM while teachers work on completing report cards.
As you anticipate receiving your student’s report card, we want to remind you that middle school is an important time not only for students’ academic growth, but also for their social and emotional development. At Glasgow, we are intentional about cultivating a positive school culture to support the growth of our students in all of these areas.
With that in mind, I need a favor from you. I 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 an FCPS Award. I have included information below on the FCPS Awards Program and a link to the nomination form. The nomination process is relatively easy so check it out and nominate a staff member!
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Shawn DeRose
Principal
Contact Information
Twitter: @ShawnDeRose
Email: spderose@fcps.edu
Website: http://www.fcps.edu/GlasgowMS/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlasgowMS.FCPS/
Glasgow Halloween 2019
 
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! Nominations are due by November 17 and you can contact Keely Norris (kcnorris@fcps.edu) with any questions.
To nominate a Glasgow staff member, click the following link: https://forms.gle/Lx1FehxC3EHo3th8A
If you are interested in learning more about the overall FCPS awards process, you may visit: https://goo.gl/oo18SF
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Important Information
Interior Cameras Survey: Glasgow Middle School is considering installing internal cameras in high traffic areas. We believe that internal cameras will increase the ability to maintain the safety of all students, staff members, visitors, and families within the building. According to Glasgow’s Family Engagement Survey, 88% of parents said that they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “my child feels safe at school.” It is our goal that 100% agree with the statement aforementioned and we believes this is a step in that direction. Cameras will not be installed in areas such as classrooms, restrooms, or locker rooms; and parents will be notified if video has been reviewed regarding their son/daughter. Please click the following link to fill out the survey on the addition of internal cameras: https://forms.gle/4efTPtKTTBKzDABVA.
Picture Packet Distribution: Picture packets were distributed in Panther Time this past Friday, November 1. Every student who had a picture taken received a packet with the pictures they paid for or a small packet with a proof. If a family would like to purchase pictures from the first picture day, the family must deal with Lifetouch directly at 1-800-736-4753 (Phone number is also on picture packet envelopes). We CANNOT accept money for Lifetouch. Also, please contact Lifetouch if there are any issues with your picture order at the number above.
Sign Up for Weekly Progress Reports: All parents/guardians of middle and high school students who have registered for a SIS ParentVUE Account and have a primary email address recorded in SIS ParentVUE can receive Weekly Progress Reports via email. This report provides a summary of your student(s) grades for the current quarter.
To activate the Weekly Progress Reports via email, login to your SIS ParentVUE Account and first verify that you have a primary email address within the system. It is listed under the “My Account” tab. If it is blank, enter the email address where you would like to receive the progress reports and click on update account. Once confirmed, parents/guardians are able to activate and select their preferences for receiving these reports within the SIS ParentVUE “My Account” tab.
Weekly progress reports for all of your middle and high school students will be included in one email. FCPS Elementary Schools do not use the SIS grade book and therefore are not included in these reports. For questions about a specific progress report or grade you can login into your SIS ParentVUE Account to find detailed grade book information. Additionally, your student’s teacher is always the best resource to answer any grade book questions that you may have. Weekly Progress Report Parent Quick Reference Guide
2019 Fairfax County Youth Survey: The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Youth Survey. The results are used by school officials, youth leadership classes, youth-serving county agencies, and local non-profits to determine the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs offered in schools and communities. The youth survey will be administered to all 6th and 8th grade students between November 6-15. Information regarding the survey and opt-out forms are available here.
Student-Parent Survey For Federal Impact Aid - Past Due: FCPS has asked all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Please return this form as it is important because information from this survey results in an anticipated $3 million dollars in grant funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned as soon as possible. All results are CONFIDENTIAL. Learn more by watching this short video - https://youtu.be/uPqC3BLf3Ow
Free and Reduced Price Meals Application: Did you know that free and reduced price meal application forms need to be completed EVERY year? We encourage you to apply online using this link. Applications are also available in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Tagalog, French, and Vietnamese. To change the language of the application click on the Language link in the top right of the screen. For more information, please click here.
Locker Request Forms - Now Available in Student Services: If you would like to request a locker for your student, locker request forms are now available in Student Services. In addition, if you have concerns specific to your student, we will work with you to ensure your student has what they need to be successful at Glasgow this year. Please visit the Student Services website at https://glasgowms.fcps.edu/student-services and email your student’s counselor.
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Breakfast and Lunch
Parents may access the MySchoolBucks app to add money to student breakfast and lunch accounts, see menu options, check ingredients and allergen information, and much more. The official FCPS mobile app is available for iOS and Android at no cost. Lunch menus can be viewed online at https://fcps.nutrislice.com/menu/glasgow-middle-school.
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Article of the Week
In addition to keeping you updated on important information related to Glasgow Middle School, the Gazette will also provide information about what parents can do at home to help their student improve academically and help parents build the social and emotional skills that students need to be successful.
This week's article come from Phyllis Fagell, a frequent guest in the section, titled "3 Ways to Boost Middle Schoolers' Confidence in Class" that I think is relevant as an educator and parent. Check it out.
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Volunteer or Donate to Glasgow!
Extra Candy Leftover From Halloween?: Please consider donating your leftover candy from Halloween to the Panther Store! Candy is our “cheapest” and most sought after prize and we could always use more! Any donations can be dropped off in the front office labeled Panther Store/Tess Roper. Thanks for helping celebrate our students!
National Career Development Month - Selfie Videos Needed - November is National Career Development Month, and Glasgow Student Services needs your help! We are looking to highlight careers through our morning news show and our Panther Time lessons throughout the month of November. We need you to participate by sending us a 2-3 minute “selfie style” smartphone video of you at work, explaining your career and the educational pathway for your career (see sample). Please send your video to cspareja@fcps.edu.
Open Campus Donations Needed: At the end of each quarter, Glasgow staff celebrate student achievements with a special event called Open Campus. Students sign up for a fun activity led by staff, giving kids a chance to relax and have some extra fun at school.
Here's how you can help... Teachers have compiled a wish list of items, most of which are available to purchase online. However, it's not necessary to buy the items that way, the links are provided to let you know what items you are being asked to donate.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084AA4A92DA0FC1-1stquarter
Donations can be sent to school with your student, or you can drop them off. Please mark items "Open Campus" and bring them to the main office. Alternatively, donations purchased online can be mailed to the school:
Tess Roper or Michael Pulver, Glasgow MS, 4101 Fairfax Pkwy, Lincolnia, VA 22312
DONATIONS ARE REQUESTED BY NOVEMBER 4! Please contact Jen Hitchcock with any questions: jenjim24@gmail.com; 703-489-7024.
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Important Dates
November 4 & 5 - Student Holiday
November 6 - World Language Credit Exam
November 7 - FCAG “Know College Sooner” Presentation
November 12 - PTA Meeting
November 18 - Picture Make-up Day
November 18 & 19 - Vision and Hearing Screening
November 21 - Thanksgiving Lunch
FCAG Presents “Know College Sooner” - November 7: Fairfax County Association for the Gifted is pleased to host Dr. Nancy Levonian of Lives Under Construction on November 7 from 6:30-8:30 at the Burke Library as she compares options for enriching the high school years in preparation for college. Join us as we discuss how to learn college-level material early by self-study, AP resources, college classes in high school, and early college. This program is for middle and high school students and their parents to learn more about options for advanced study. Free and open to the public with advanced registration. Refreshments will be provided. To register send names of the adults and students who will attend to fcagevents@gmail.com.
Picture Make-up Day - November 18: Picture Make-up day is scheduled for Monday, November 18. Students can have their picture retaken if they meet one of the following requirements:
*The student was absent on the first picture day (October 8 & 9).
(The student enrolled at Glasgow after October 9.
*The student has money to purchase new pictures and has it on November 18.
*There is something wrong (bad hair days or uncool clothes don’t count as “something wrong”) with the picture taken during the first picture day: students MUST return the entire packet in order to have their picture retaken.
If you have any questions, please contact Marc Perella at maperella@fcps.edu.
Vision and Hearing Screenings for 7th Grade Students - November 18 & 19: Glasgow will be conducting Vision and Hearing Screenings for 7th Grade Students on November 18 and 19. If your child wears eyeglasses or contact lenses, please ensure they wear or bring them on these days.
Club Volleyball Coming to Glasgow Middle School - November 12: Interested in your 10, 11, or 12 year old girl playing volleyball? Attend an interest meeting on November 12 at 6:00pm at Glasgow to learn more about Starlings, USA. Playing a sport and being part of a team has a wealth of benefits for girls. Consider these statistics:
* Girls who participate in sports are 92% less likely to get involved with drugs.
* Girls who participate in sports have a higher level of self esteem.
* Girls who participate in sports are three times more likely to graduate from high school.
Club sports are expensive, and that puts the experience out of reach for many. Starlings Volleyball, USA was created as a way to make club sports accessible to girls of every socioeconomic background and of every level of play. If you have any questions, please contact Corey Haynes at cehaynes1@fcps.edu.
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After School Program News
Glasgow After School Program has begun. Late buses are available for students every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. To learn more about Glasgow’s After School Program, check out our website, email Greg Williams, After School Coordinator at gwilliams2@fcps.edu or call 703-813-8885.
Attendance Matters!
The new school year has been off to a wonderful start. Students are adjusting to their new routines, and routines are such an important part of academic success. In order to support consistent school attendance, please read the following information:
* Students who attend 90% or more of the school year are more likely to graduate from high school on time.
* Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with peer conflicts or facing some other potentially serious difficulty, and help is available.
* Being in school promotes academic and social growth for students as they learn from their peers who become a strong influence for students during their middle school years. Visit FCPS’s attendance site for more information on the importance of school attendance: FCPS Attendance Policies
Kiss & Ride: Parents who drop off/pick up their student to school must do so at the main entrance, Door #1. Students can be dropped off beginning at 7:00am. Keep in mind that congestion and backup can be significant, causing your student to be late to their class if you drop off your student after 7:15am. School ends at 2:15pm.
Report Student Absences: In order for our students to get the most out of their education, students must be in school and on time to class every day. Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school.
Save this phone number in your phone! Call the Attendance Line at 703-813-8787 by 8:00am when your student is absent from school.
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Be Informed, Stay Involved!
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