Glasgow Community Gazette - August 30

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Glasgow Community:

As we head into the final week of teacher professional development before the return of students on September 8, I wanted to provide you information that will better prepare you and your student(s) for the start of the school year.  

Bell Schedule

The Glasgow bell schedule is shown below. Students will be engaged Tuesday through Friday with four synchronous classes per day. Synchronous instruction will  include teacher-led instruction, collaborative work time, and independent work time that may also include targeted and small-group support. Tuesdays and Thursdays are “Odd Days” and students will meet with their classes in periods 1, 3, 5, and 7. Wednesdays and Fridays are “Even Days” and students will meet with their even day classes, periods 2, 4, 6, and 8. Each class block will be 80 minutes in length and will be held through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Panther Time will continue to be our social emotional learning block (SEL) during the 4th period. 

Mondays will be used for intervention, enrichment and support. All students will be provided with asynchronous work, to be completed outside of regular class time and may be completed on Mondays. In addition, on Mondays, all students are expected to login with their Panther Time teacher from 9:05 and 9:45am. This check-in will also meet the state requirement for attendance on this day. 

Student Schedules

On Wednesday, September 2, student schedules will be available for students and parents to view via StudentVue and ParentVue. 

Virtual Opening

Glasgow will host a Virtual Opening on Wednesday, September 2 from 9:05am - 10:05am. On Monday or Tuesday students will receive an email to their fcpsschools.net account and a personal phone call from their Panther Time teacher, welcoming them to the new year and detailing how they can access the event on Wednesday. 

The purpose of this event is to ensure all students can access virtual instruction prior to the start of school and will help us identify and troubleshoot needs. This will also be a time when we can start to build relationships and classroom communities, provide information to students, and answer questions from students and family members. 

Online Learner Orientation

This year, we have created a set of videos for all of our students as they transition to the online learning environment. Students will be introduced to 6 modules during the Virtual Opening on Wednesday.  The modules are designed to help your student get oriented to the school year expectations and help them get organized for the first day of school. They are encouraged to complete these by the first day.    

Town Hall Meetings

Glasgow will host Town Hall Meetings this week in English, Spanish and Arabic. If you would like to attend please complete the following form and we will send you a link the day of the Town Hall. Looking forward to kicking off the new year together online. I look forward to sharing information with you and answering your questions at the town hall meetings. 

If you have any lingering questions, as always feel free to reach out to me or your student’s administrator or counselor. Thank you for the many ways you support your students and our school community.

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/


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Laptop Distribution Updates

As the school year approaches, we will continue to distribute new FCPS laptops to all students. Every student will need a dedicated computer and the FCPS issued laptop will contain pre-populated shortcuts on the desktop to our frequently used programs. GMS students may pick up their laptop during the following time windows at Glasgow Middle School:

  • Tuesday, September 1 - 8am - 12pm
  • Wednesday, September 2 - 8am - 12pm and 4pm - 7pm
  • Thursday, September 3 - 8am - 12pm
  • Thursday, September 3 - BAILEY'S Lower ES - 8am - 12pm

Please use this form to sign up for an appointment day, time and location.

Students must come to the laptop pick-up as they will need to log in to their new computer at Glasgow. In order to maintain social distancing and safety protocols, we ask that families drive thru Door 1, wear a mask and remain in their vehicle. We are accepting drive-thru appointments for those needing to travel a distance by car, as well as walk-up appointments for those families who live in the Glasgow neighborhood. Be aware that we are distributing laptops to each student and want to make sure each family receives the care and attention they deserve. You can expect the process to take 10-20 mins, although depending on a variety of factors, there may be delays.

Please bring any remaining old laptop from last year, or overdue library books, with you to turn in.

If you are not able to pick up a laptop during the open pick up times, please contact mkhedenberg@fcps.edu to make other pick up arrangements.

FCPSOn Opt-out - If you are choosing to opt-out of the FCPS school issued laptop, and intend to use a personal device, please fill out this form and send to mkhedenberg@fcps.edu.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support as we work to ensure all students have laptops before school year begins on September 8th.

 


Important Dates

September 1 - Back to School Town Hall 6th Grade - English - 5:30 - 6:30pm

September 1 - Back to School Town Hall 7th & 8th Grade - English - 7- 8pm

September 2 - Panther Time Virtual Open House - 9:05

September 2 - Back to School Town Hall 6th Grade - Spanish - 5:30 - 6:30pm

September 2 - Back to School Town Hall 7th & 8th Grade - Spanish - 7 - 8pm

September 2 - Schedules Released on StudentVue/ParentVue

September 3 - Back to School Town Hall 6th Grade - Arabic - 5:30 - 6:30pm

September 3 - Back to School Town Hall 7th & 8th Grade - Arabic - 7 - 8pm

September 8 - First Day of School!

 

Back to School Virtual Town Halls - September 1, 2 & 3 - We will be holding a series of Back to School Town Halls in English, Spanish and Arabic. If you would like to attend please complete the following form and we will send you a link the day of the Town Hall. Looking forward to kicking off the new year together online. FORM

 

Glasgow Middle School Virtual Opening - September 2 - 9:05 - 10:05am - We are looking forward to our virtual opening during our Panther Time classes. Expect to hear personally from your Panther Time teacher Monday or Tuesday this week. Also, have your child check their fcpsschools.net email for updated information about this event.

 

Student Schedules Released - September 2 - Student schedules will be released and live on September 2. Login to either ParentVue or StudentVue to see your child’s schedule. Students will also walk through how to find their schedule during our Virtual Opening in Panther Time.


important information

Important Information 

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources: At Glasgow Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of powerful digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Without consent, teachers will need to plan additional lessons or deviate from a useful application altogether. You can find our school’s list of the resources here: https://glasgowms.fcps.edu/adopteddigitalresources

Please follow this link to indicate whether or not your student is allowed to use the list of digital resources this year. This page also provides more information about how FCPS carefully reviews digital resources for approval.

 

Gazette on our FCPS Website -The Community Gazette is now featured in a banner on the homepage of our website. This serves as a one stop shop for archived gazette information and can be translated into many different languages.Click here to get started: https://glasgowms.fcps.edu/aggregator/sources/1

 

Return to School Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Families - The changing course of the COVID-19 pandemic with infection rates surging both nationally and regionally has required FCPS to alter our plans for school year 2020-21. We will begin the school year with virtual learning for all students on September 8. Click here for the "Return to School Frequently Asked Quested for Families" website.

 

Parent Outreach Survey - We have had some great turnout this year in our virtual PTA, Parent Coffees and Town Hall meetings. In order to help us plan programming and other events for the upcoming school year, please respond to the following questions below.  Thank you! https://forms.gle/RvQKDaQFbsPSnR5B7

 

Yearbook 2019 - 2020 Store is Open - There are only 20 copies of the 2019-2020 yearbooks remaining.  The only way to safely process yearbook sales is to have families order on-line at the following site:  https://www.balfour.com/virginia/alexandria/glasgow-middle-school.  If you purchase this week, you will receive your yearbook when you pick up your student’s laptop.  The cost of the yearbook is $30. Once the yearbooks are gone, the store will close. 

 

Yearbook 2019 - 2020 Distribution - Families who have purchased a yearbook during the school year and missed Distribution Day #1 and #2 will receive the book with your student’s laptop:  current Glasgow students will get their yearbook at Glasgow.  Rising Freshmen will get their yearbook at Justice HS.  If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Perella at maperella@fcps.edu.


Glasgow Library Updates

Glasgow MS library staff is ready to continue the circulation of print books from our library. When you pick up your laptop for the 2020-21 school year, please drop off your current Glasgow (or any other FCPS library) library book(s) in the blue bin outside the front office. Once books have been quarantined, we will check them back into the system. There might be a slight delay in the update to your account. 

 

Don’t forget you still have access to over 2500 eBooks and audiobooks that you can use on your device or school-issued laptop. Please visit the Glasgow MS library site for information on how to access MackinVIA. (https://sites.google.com/fcpsschools.net/glasgowmslibrary/home). The Glasgow library website features a MackinVIA tutorial that shows you how to access the digital system. It can be downloaded on a mobile device or accessed via the web from a laptop. Please reach out to Ms. Sanz, Glasgow MS Librarian, with any questions/concerns at tmsanz@fcps.edu. 

 

We are also working on a plan for Glasgow students to check out books for this school year during distance learning. Stay tuned for mobile checkouts in a neighborhood near you!


Tech Corner

FCPS has published a webpage to support students with distance learning. The Tips for Online Learning Success page has suggestions for students, technology tips for families, troubleshooting guides, and links to the parent and student tech support sites. The FCPS Student Technology Support Request Form is also up and ready for use. Glasgow also has a page dedicated to Technology Support for Students on the Student Central Site.

 

FAQs for Tech Support

Parents and Families - Do you need Tech Support?  Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).  This will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week.  Please specify if you need an interpreter when you call. Or you can Submit a request online

Can FCPS block social media on the new laptops? Social media is not blocked on our devices because some of our students and teachers use it for instructional purposes. Many clubs, teams and other activities also use social media to communicate with participants.  Whether or not your student has an account remains a family decision.

Does a student need to use the laptop with wifi when not on school property? We have installed Google drive sync so students can work on documents offline.  Depending on what the assignment requires (watching a video, research, collaborative tools, etc.) they may need to access wifi. 

What if we do not have wifi internet at home? If families do not have internet access in the home, please contact either the counselor or Melinda Hedenberg, Marcia Donovan or Nafisa Mohamed Taha

What resources are available to parents and students to promote good digital citizenship online? The FCPS Website has many resources to support parents.  Parents have access to a Customizable Device Contract and Family Media Agreement that will support them as they talk with their children about internet use and set rules that are right for their family. A handout with links to parental controls and recommendations for the most frequently used apps is also provided. In addition, many tips sheets, advice videos and more are available on this site for parents. Links to reputable outside sources are supplied for both students and parents to use.

Are students going to have to change their FCPS network passwords? No, students should NOT change their password unless it was forgotten. FCPS will extend passwords, so students who remember their passwords will continue to use their current password throughout distance learning.

Will student passwords expire during distance learning? No, the IT Service Desk will continue to extend student password expiration dates through distance learning.  Students should NOT change their password unless it was forgotten. The only exception is if the student is on-site and directed to change their password by an FCPS staff member.

Is going through the teacher the only way for a student to reset a forgotten password? No, if students forget their password, they can:

  • Reset it themselves using the Account Recovery site, if they had previously set their recovery options - https://itweb.fcps.edu/accountrecovery/index.cfm
  • Submit a help request via the Parent and Student Support portal, using the student help form at https://itweb.fcps.edu/studentsupport/index.cfm ]
  • Ask their teacher to reset it. The teacher can use the Teacher Assisted Student Password Tool (VPN Required). https://tsscapps.fcps.edu:449/StudentPasswordReset/index.cf

Do students have to go to an FCPS building and connect to the FCPS Wi-Fi in order for the password change to "stick"? If a student has forgotten a password and makes a change to it, then yes, they will need to connect to FCPS Wi-Fi to sync their new network password with their FCPSOn computer. This can be done simply by driving through the bus lane or walking near the front door of an FCPS building with the laptop and connecting to the network.  However, please note that a student can reset their password and use a personal device to continue with distance learning without connecting to FCPS Wi-Fi.


Job Opportunity - Instructional Assistant

Glasgow is seeking an Instructional Assistant to support students this upcoming school year. The position requires the following: performs curriculum, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to support teachers and other professional staff; assists with the daily management of the students and classroom; and performs related duties as required or assigned. 

Education/Experience/Skills - Graduation from high school, plus one year of progressively more responsible experience working with students and completion of an associate’s degree OR two years of college (48 credit hours). If interested, please email Mary Geary at mkgeary@fcps.edu


glasgow pta

Glasgow PTA News

Check out the Glasgow PTA website to find out how you can help at Glasgow!  http://www.glasgowpta.org/participate/volunteer/

To stay in touch and in the know, sign up for the PTA listserv by sending a request to  glasgowms.pta@gmail.com. Or join the PTA it’s only $10! http://www.glasgowpta.org/participate/membership/


FCPS Cares

FCPS Cares

Do you know a Glasgow Middle School staff member who went beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to submit a brief description so we can all acknowledge the good work of Glasgow faculty and staff members.


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     Be Informed, Stay Involved!