Glasgow Community Gazette - November 10

Glasgow Community:

This week, we are excited for our first “Open Campus” of the year. This is a quarterly event that fosters a caring community and inclusively celebrates successful behavior. It works in conjunction with our PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention & Support) program and provides students with the opportunity to attend an activity of their choice for an afternoon, hosted by a teacher or community member. Kids love this event and many of our teachers and staff contribute to its success by planning and hosting fun activities. To learn more about Open Campus, check out this video from a couple of years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmkvkrOS704. 

Our monthly PTA meeting this week is on Tuesday and will provide an overview of Panther Time and FIT courses. The presentation will give you a sneak peak into an important part of our academic day. Come and learn about the social-emotional learning, extensions and supports that we provide our students each day. 

Report cards will be distributed Thursday, November 14. If you do not receive your student’s report card, please email your student’s counselor or come to the school to request another copy. Parents can also view their student’s report card online through ParentVUE.  

Finally, we have incredibly talented students at Glasgow and in the Justice Pyramid! I am excited to see former Glasgow students in Anything Goes at Justice High School this week. See below for more information about the show and how to purchase tickets. 

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/

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Thank you to all of those who gave themselves by serving our country. On Monday, we plan on honoring those who have served, including members of our faculty who served in the military. They include: Charles Brady, Navy; Michael Chavez, Army; Denise Fields, Air Force; W. Zachary Dredge, USMC; Anne Quigley, Army; Paul Wesley, USMC.

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

Important Information

Understanding Glasgow’s Grading Process: Report cards will be distributed this week. If you do not receive your student’s report card, please email your student’s counselor or come to the school to request another copy. Parents can also view their student’s report card online through ParentVUE. Curious about how your students’ grades are determined? Read about the components of Glasgow’s grading process: http://bit.ly/2CVot5y

Interior Cameras Survey (Final Call): 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. 

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.

Anything Goes at Justice HS 

Justice HS Presents Anything Goes, November 14-16: Justice High School Wolfpack Theatre presents... Anything Goes on November 14-16! Tickets are on sale now. All Glasgow students received a Anything Goes wristband during Panther Time on Friday that will be good for one free treat at the performance.  

Shows details: Thursday, Nov 14 at 7:00pm, Friday, Nov 15 at 7:00pm and Saturday, Nov 16 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm.

Tickets: General Admission $15, Students / Seniors $10.  Online ticketing is available at www.wolfpacktheatre.org, and tickets are available at the door for cash, check and credit card (Online ticketing is strongly encouraged and is available without a fee).

Volunteer or Donate to Glasgow!

Calling ALL Families: Help us Share/Create Career Selfies - 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.

Important Dates

November 11 - ASAP Begins

November 12 - PTA Meeting

November 14 - Pie Pick-up, 4-7pm

November 18 & 19 - Vision and Hearing Screening

November 21 - Thanksgiving Lunch

November 22 - Picture Make-up Day

November 27-29 – Thanksgiving Break

After School Academic Program (ASAP) - Begins November 11: Glasgow offers an extended learning opportunity to selected students through our after school program. The After School Academic Support (ASAP) program will provide these students an opportunity to receive dedicated support from their teacher(s) on a specific day or days during the academic portion of our after school program. Parents of students selected for this program received a letter last week. If you have any questions regarding our ASAP Program, please contact Steven McFarlane at swmcfarlane@fcps.edu.

PTA Meeting - November 12: The November PTA meeting is this Tuesday, November 12 and will provide an overview of Panther Time and FIT courses. This presentation will give you a sneak peak into an important part of the academic day at Glasgow. Come and learn about the social emotional learning, extensions and supports that we provide your students each day. 

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.

Music Department Pie Sale Pick-up - November 14: The Music Department would like to thank the Glasgow community for its tremendous support of our recent Great American Pie fundraiser. The pies will be delivered to the Glasgow cafeteria on Thursday, November 14 and can be picked up any time between 4PM and 7PM. Keep in mind that the pies cannot thaw, so they need to be either delivered to the customer, or stored in your own freezer. If you are unavailable to pick up that day, please make arrangements with someone else, Glasgow cannot store the pies.

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.

Thanksgiving Lunch - November 21: Glasgow will be serving our annual Thanksgiving Lunch on Thursday, November 21. Parents, if you would like to volunteer during our “Thanksgiving Dinner” Lunch at any or all lunches on November 21, please email Steve D’Adamo at svdadamo@fcps.edu.

UPDATED - Picture Make-up Day - November 22: Picture Make-up day is scheduled for Monday, November 22. 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 22.

*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.

After School Program News

The after-school program has been off to a wonderful start thus far!  Students are enjoying the different clubs and activities that are being offered. As we get closer to the Thanksgiving break, the after-school program would like to provide you with the upcoming schedule of programming. 

On Monday, the After School Program offerings will be limited. Students assigned to ASAP and those students who have band or chorus rehearsal should plan on staying after school as scheduled.

In addition, all after-school activities will be canceled on Monday, November 25 and Tuesday, November 26. There will be NO late buses provided for Monday (11/25). Students are expected to report to their normal (2:15pm) bus for dismissal or kiss & ride for parent pick-up. If you have any questions 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.

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.