Glasgow Community Gazette - May 17

Glasgow Community:

I hope that you were able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather on Saturday. Our family took our weekly hiking trip. We completed the Appalachian Trail in Maryland this weekend and have almost completed the BSA hiking merit badge. Although it is not always easy, I try my best each weekend to step away and refresh.

Each week I have the pleasure of dropping in on synchronous lessons throughout different content areas. I am impressed how quickly our students have adapted to this format of learning and enjoy seeing them discuss and collaborate online. As we continue in distance learning at Glasgow, we are encouraged to see the high levels of engagement and support happening in both the synchronous and asynchronous learning. We recognize that this time has required all of us - educators, students and families alike- to learn new skills, mindsets and habits. Thank you for your continued partnership in this work. I have great confidence in the knowledge that Glasgow is preparing thoughtfully for what students will need as they transition into the next grade level, and our role will be to provide the support each student needs to be successful in that transition. 

Thank you for your continued support. As always, please reach out for questions and feedback.

Katie Madigan, Acting Principal

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

Distance Learning

Distance Learning will continue throughout FCPS this week. Glasgow students and families will be able to access asynchronous lessons in all content areas through the glasgowms.fcps.edu website or the schedule that was mailed directly to your student three weeks ago. 

Here is the link to the FCPS Distance Learning website that will provide you detailed information.

Our Glasgow Website has been updated with many important links for distance learning. In the announcements section, there are two banners that will take you to the Distance Learning Hub and to the Distance Learning Resources section. Students can access their course homepages and asynchronous grids through the Distance Learning Hub and many of your questions can be answered in the Distance Learning Resources section.  In addition, like all FCPS websites, they can be translated into many different languages.

Rising 9th Grade News

Justice High School Athletics Fall Sports Information - Glasgow 8th Graders!!! You are a little more than a month away from become official Justice High School 9th graders. We are excited to see you in August. www.justicesports.com

Interested in a fall sport??? Please fill out the below google form by clicking the embedded link. Contact information will be routed to the appropriate coach so that we can make sure you are included in any of their upcoming communication. Fall Interest Google Form.  In order to be eligible for tryouts, athletes must have the below items completed prior to the start dates: 2020-2021 Physical Form (must be dated after 5/1/2020), Emergency Care Card and Concussion Education (New Online Platform Under Construction). Golf starts July 30 and all other fall sports (Cross Country, Cheerleading, Field Hockey, Football and Volleyball) on August 3rd.

Coaches Contact Information

• Cross Country - Ron Kronlage - rkronlage@fcps.edu 
• Cheer-leading - Deborah O'Rourke - dworourke@fcps.edu 
• Field Hockey - Stefanie Vestal - slvestal@fcps.edu 
• Football - Greg Weisbecker - gpweisbecker@fcps.edu 
• Golf - Ryan Kenna - rhkenna@fcps.edu 
• Volleyball - Sharon Ponton - sponton@fcps.edu  

Falls Church High School 15th Annual Jaguar 5K and Kids 1 Mile Fun Run Virtual - May 3 - 23 - Anyone/everyone can participate from anywhere! It’s  designed to be a fun, healthy, safe and FREE  event to keep our FCHS family and community connected! Participants run/walk  a 5K course (3.1miles) or 1 Mile (for kids 13 years old and younger) anywhere (neighborhood roads/sidewalk, trails or on a treadmill)! There are many apps that will track distances such as MapMyRun , NikeRunClub, or RunKeeper. Participants should send us the results (fcjaguar5K@gmail.com) and include first/last name, age, gender, race time, and a picture (if desired). For the picture, if possible, wear an old FCHS Jaguar 5K shirt, or any FCHS shirt, or an FCHS FEEDER school shirt. Everyone is invited to participate so please encourage family members, friends, and neighbors from near and far! Participants will earn a certificate of completion.

Glasgow Goodies

Congrats to our Glasgow SEPTA Award Nominee!  SEPTA is the Fairfax Special Education PTA. We are proud to share that Keely Norris was nominated as Outstanding Secondary Special Education Teacher! We are so proud of you!

Grading Update

3rd Quarter Grades - 3rd Quarter Grades are now available in ParentVUE/StudentVUE. 3rd quarter report cards are in the process of being mailed out. 

4th Quarter Grading Update - Middle school and high school students will be assigned a “no mark” for the fourth quarter, with assignments submitted being allowed to positively influence the student’s overall grade for the year based on mastery of learning concepts, in accordance with FCPS grading policy. You may see some “feedback” entered into the grade-book already. Each of these assignments are “Not for Grading” and can only have a positive impact on your students final mark. Only final grades will be shown on transcripts; a “no mark” will not show on a student’s final transcript.

Volunteer Opportunities

Get Involved, Run for the PTA Board - The PTA is looking for interested parties to serve on the board, there are a number of opportunities available. Some positions are easily performed remotely. Please email the PTA if interested: glasgowms.pta@gmail.com. 

Food Donation - Fortunately our feeder neighborhoods have several pre-existing food truck delivery programs through Food For Others. If you are interested in donating food, we recommend that families donate using information from the website: https://www.foodforothers.org/

Important Dates

May 19 - Parent Academy in Spanish

May 20 - Synchronous Sessions - Odd Day

May 22 - Synchronous Session - Even Day

May 25 - Memorial Day

June 9 - PTA Meeting - Virtual

June 12 - Last Day of School and Synchronous Learning

May 19 - Parent Academy in Spanish - We will host a Parent Academy Tuesday May 19 at 7:00 PM online in Spanish (no English translation) to learn more about Distance Learning at Glasgow Middle School and ways to support your student. This academy will mirror much of the information shared at our Parent Coffees. More information will be going out to Spanish speaking families via e-notify, voicemail and text. 

Únase a nosotros el martes por la noche en línea para obtener más información sobre Glasgow Middle School. Organizaremos una Academia de Padres el martes 19 de mayo a las 7:00 pm en línea.  Puede unirse con una computadora o teléfono. Los temas incluyen: como iniciar sesión virtual, como son las clases, solución de problemas con la computadora, cómo apoyar a su hijo a través del aprendizaje distancia, expectativas y horarios estudiantiles

May 20 & May 22 - Synchronous Sessions - Following your students regular class schedule and the distance learning schedule synchronous schedule. Students can continue to engage in synchronous learning on Wednesday and Friday this week. The links are the same each week, if your student needs a new link have them email their teacher.

Library News

Glasgow MS Library Site -  The Glasgow LIbrary site http://bit.ly/GlasgowMSLibrary has been created for both teachers and students and can be included in Google Classroom. There are plenty of resources that will help you use databases, Collections, find Virginia Reader’s Choice books, and the library catalog. The librarians will host Lunch in the Library office hours on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11am – 12pm. Please join our Google Classroom (code: u74n5km) to attend our office hours on Google Meet. We will discuss books, help you access resources, take recommendations, and answer questions to assist with your school assignments.

Library Books and Resources - Please enjoy your school library books at home. No books are overdue and they can be returned when school buildings re-open in summer or fall. Please check out our audiobooks and eBooks available on MackinVIA.  See this video that will help you access MackinVIA. Students can also check out books from MyON, here is a video that shows you how to access that resource. Feel free to email, Tara Sanz, Glasgow MS librarian and avid reader of middle grade & YA fiction, if you need any recommendations or help with accessing online library resources. tmsanz@fcps.edu Happy reading!

Important Information 

Yearbooks Still on Sale! - Parents are encouraged to purchase a yearbook today! The cost is $30. You can purchase your yearbook on-line at https://www.balfour.com/virginia/alexandria/glasgow-middle-school. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Perella at maperella@fcps.edu. We will update you on how yearbooks will be distributed with the closure of school as we get closer to the distribution date.

Student Services - Counselors Available If you have concerns regarding your child’s socio-emotional health or mental well-being, please contact your child’s counselor for support. Counselors are available to check in with your child through email or the voice-dial feature on Google Meets. Unless your child has been opted out of counseling services, counselors may be reaching out to your child if they have requested an appointment or if staff members have noticed concerns that may prompt a check in. As always, counselors will stay in communication with parents whenever necessary. 

*Note* When counselors are calling during Distance Learning, they may be calling from a blocked caller ID number or a number starting with (347) which is the area code for Google Meets.

• A – C: Akon Otoyo - ajotoyo@fcps.edu
• D – J: Curtiss Barnes - crbarnes@fcps.edu
• K – Ph: Cynthia Pareja - cspareja@fcps.edu
• Pi - Z: Greg Frantz - gdfrantz@fcps.edu
• ESOL Level 1 &2: Irania Escalante - ivescalante@fcps.edu  
• TEAM 7&8: Jenn Pallotto (lead) - jkpallotto@fcps.edu

Support for Parents during COVID-19 Closures - We recognize that these extended closures are an unprecedented time for all members of our school community including staff, students, and also parents. Here is a guide for parents as to how you can continue to support your child at home to ensure their socio-emotional health and wellness. How to Support Your Child During COVID-19 Closures

Food Services Meal Distribution Sites - FCPS will continue to provide grab and go breakfasts and lunches at no cost for students at multiple sites to students, with breakfast from 8:00-10:30am and lunch from 10:30am to 2:00pm. School-age students are welcome to come to any of the nearest sites listed below to pick up a lunch during that time period. Other sites are also available on the FCPS homepage. All meals are available at no cost to children 18 years and under. Adult lunches are available for purchase for $2.

• Annandale Terrace, 7604 Herald St., Annandale
• Braddock Elementary,  7825 Heritage Dr., Annandale
• Bailey’s Elementary School, 6111 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church
• Crestwood ES, 6010 Hanover Ave., Springfield
• Glen Forest ES, 5829 Glen Forest Dr., Falls Church
• Parklawn ES, 4116 Braddock Road, Alexandria
• Bailey’s Community Center, 10-10:30 a.m., 5920 Summers Ln, Falls Church

Click here for a list of local organizations that are providing food for students and families.