Glasgow Community:
Here we go! It has been a busy month preparing for a strong start to school on Tuesday. We wanted to thank all of you who were able to attend the Town Halls this past week - we had over 600 families attend over three nights! The recordings of the sessions have been linked here: English, Spanish, and Arabic. Thank you also for reaching out with questions and concerns. We have highlighted some FAQs below to hopefully provide some answers as we start school on Tuesday.
As I stated at our Town Halls, let us give this school year an opportunity to surprise us in big, beautiful ways. I’d like to share with you the message I sent my staff today:
While we all may feel nervous about the unknown, we, as educators, also have an incredible opportunity: To inspire. Inspire our students, inspire each other. 7th grade Science teacher Ms. Conroy reminds us of this through an excerpt she shared with her collaborative team about the fictional, red-headed and beloved Science teacher, Ms Frizzle:
“Ms. Frizzle’s trippy fashion sense and psychedelic adventures, all courtesy of a bus that can transform into a spaceship or microscopic particle or time machine, are slightly deceptive. It’s all too easy to write her off as the wild and crazy personification of Weird Science. But her method of teaching is radically gentle: She’s watchful, patient and completely trusting in her students’ abilities to explore, observe and draw their own conclusions. ‘Follow me,’ she says again and again…’Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!’ One of Ms. Frizzle’s most underrated skills is her ability to weather the most jarring of events with equanimity. At the outset of the first book, when her yellow bus suddenly transforms into a weightless vehicle filled with children clad in scuba suits, Ms. Frizzle was the only one who didn’t seem to notice the change. She just drove on. Were she to find her class transported to the confines of her living room, I have no doubt she would meet the challenge with that same gleam in her eye.”
The trauma we have collectively experienced is very real. Yet tomorrow, our students will arrive for the first day of school. Let us be watchful, patient, and trusting in our students’ - and our own - abilities. Let us take on this most jarring event with equanimity. Let us meet this challenge with a gleam in our eye. Let us inspire each other and our students.”
We are excited and ready for your children, and we are ready for what is to come. We are Glasgow: Stronger Together.
If you have any lingering questions, please 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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Frequently Asked Questions
We've tried to answer many questions that you raised during our Town Halls. This section is lengthy, it is intended to provide you a lot of information and serve as a reference as we embark on our new school year.
What permission does my student need as soon as possible?
- All families MUST complete the Tech Consent form in order for students to have access to all technology tools in FCPS
What if we haven’t gotten our laptop yet?
- Come to school between the hours of 8am - 3pm and we’ll give you one!
What if we want to opt out of an FCPSOn computer?
What if students forget their password?
How does my student access instruction?
- There are 4 key sites that will be the most important - Gmail; BbCU; Google classroom; and Blackboard 24-7
- Check Google Email - fcpsschools.net - for Blackboard Collaborate (BBCU) links for every class. Your student’s BBCU links will be automatically filtered into a separate folder in their Gmail
- All synchronous instruction will be provided through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (BBCU) (accessed through links as described above)
- Classwork will be accessed through and housed in Google Classrooms - your student will get a Google Classroom class code for every class from their teachers next week
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Blackboard 24-7 will include general course information for families and students and can be accessed at https://fcps.blackboard.com/ or on our main webpage: https://glasgowms.fcps.edu/ - look for the FCPS 24-7 Learning link at the top.
Where does my student find their links for Blackboard Collaborate Ultra?
- There is a folder in your students’ fcpsschools.net gmail where all of your students BbCU links are filtered to. You may have to scroll down to find it.
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What is the school bell schedule?
Where is my student’s schedule?
- Students can access their schedules in StudentVue and ParentVue. Students’ schedules will also be sent to students’ Google email - fcpsschools.net - this weekend
What if my student wants a change in their schedule?
- Students should reach out to their counselor to request a schedule change form to complete. Priority will be given to students with errors on the schedule. Space is extremely limited for electives and we are continuing to enroll new students. Elective change requests will start being processed during the 2nd week of school based on availability and priority.
What additional academic and social-emotional support could my student receive?
- Teachers will provide Office Hours on Mondays and after school - teachers will communicate these times and share access with your students in the next few week
- Reach out to Administrators and Counselors any time - we are here to help! Counselors provide support with scheduling and social-emotional support. See below for the list broken up alphabetically by last name. Administrators provide support for students for academics, social challenges, and behavior. See below for the list broken up alphabetically by last name.
  What should we expect instruction to look like?
- During an 80 minute block students will be engaged in teacher-led whole group instruction, collaboration time, small groups, and independent work time.
- Expect to see a variety of technology tools including: Padlet, Pear Deck, EdPuzzle, Google Suite and more. See a list of digital tools here (as well as the Tech Consent - remember to sign it!)
What will electives instruction look like?
- Electives teachers are working hard to ensure students can practice skills at home using a variety of digital tools and materials from home. More information about electives will be shared by teachers next week.
How are Elective Classes going Virtual?
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Performing Arts: the music teachers are looking forward to being able to explore areas that we would not normally be able to pursue. We will focus on technique, rhythm, and basic music theory. However, we will also have students explore solo and chamber music repertoire, critical listening, and composition. Instrument rental options will be communicated. The Music Team plans to use a good deal of class time allowing students to work on assignments, collaborate with classmates, and practice from home (though practice can also happen at a later time). We will be utilizing online learning platforms such as SmartMusic, Sight Reading Factory, and NoteFlight Learn.
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Theater: will participate in ensemble activities virtually through the semester to build community in their classes. They will learn theater terminology, historical aspects of theater and the art of performance through various acting exercises, rehearsal and scene completion.
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Visual Arts: will be adapting the art studio to the virtual world! Students will be invited to pick up an art supply kit soon so that they can create at home just like they would in the classroom. Best of all, lots of work time will be built into classes to allow for hands-on artmaking. Students will use a digital sketchbook to organize their traditional and multimedia works. Like usual, they will develop drawing, painting, and sculpture skills while learning about overall themes such as boundaries, identity, and transformation.
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FACS: students will cover the following:-Introduction to FACS, Workplace Readiness Skills, Citizenship: Digital Citizenship, Nutrition & Wellness: Identify Nutrients, their functions and sources, Identify ways to maintain a clean environment, Demonstrate food & kitchen safety and sanitation practices. Identify equipment & terms. Know how to read and follow a recipe. Understand kitchen math and measuring, Practice dining etiquette, Prepare a snack appropriate for young children. Prepare nutritious food.
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Intro to Technology and Engineering 1 and 2: wil be using software at the start of the year. Students will be introduced to various technologies and the reinforcement of the technology associated with Virtual Learning which will include a presentation on the history or future of transportation. Students will complete a measurement unit, Design Communication unit which will include sketching and computer aided design, a structures unit, and a flight unit.
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Computer Explorations: will be introduced to the basic computer system, proper keyboarding techniques and parts of the Microsoft Office Suite.
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Coding and Innovative Technology: will be introduced to computer systems and how they work, cover various products of the Office Suite, practice proper keyboarding, investigate trending technologies and then be introduced to the basics of coding using Google CS or Code.org.
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STEM Solutions: introduces students to projects that cover STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This project based class has students working in teams to use the 4 parts of STEM to solve problems and create workable experiments.
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Computer Solutions: students will spend much of the semester creating projects using the Microsoft Office Suite. Students also practice keyboarding strategies to become better at typing.
What will Health & Physical Education look like?
- Students should be prepared to participate in physical activity during HPE. Students will need an area to exercise at home (about the length of their body laying down). They should be dressed appropriately in athletic attire (shirt, shorts/sweatpants, socks, and sneakers). The lessons will be student-centered and taught using an instructional model that emphasizes active learning and student engagement.
What school supplies does my student need?
- Laptop, pencils, notebook, earbuds or headphones, and agenda
- We may provide additional supplies at another date for electives
How will my student access library books?
- Students have access to over 2500 eBooks and audiobooks that they can use on their device or school-issued laptop through MackinVIA. Please visit the Glasgow MS library site for information: https://sites.google.com/fcpsschools.net/glasgowmslibrary/home
- 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!
What if we have technical problems or need technical support?
- Visit this site: https://www.fcps.edu/return-school/technology-support-families
- To support families who are working with their children during virtual learning, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has launched a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week.
- Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English can inform the help desk staff when they call, and an interpreter will join them live on the call.
- If help desk staff members are unable to solve the issue, they will request help from the appropriate FCPS team.
- FCPS has also set up an online portal to allow older students and parents/guardians to request technology help directly.
- Tips for online learning success can be found on the FCPS website.
What if my child needs to be absent?
Where can I find general information?
How can I support my student?
- If possible, help them find a dedicated space to work
- Remind them to keep their laptop charged and stored in a safe spot
- Encourage them to get plenty of rest, move in between classes, and limit screen time during non-school hours
- Encourage them to reach out to their teachers, counselors, and/or administrators with questions and concerns - we are all eager to help!
We will share more tips soon!
Important Dates
September 8 - First Day of School!
September 21 - PTA Meeting
September 29 - Back to School Night
First Day of School - September 8 - Tuesday, September 8 will be an odd day. Students will logon to their classes from the BbCU links found in their fcpsschools.net Gmail account.
PTA Meeting - September 21 - The first PTA meeting will be on Tuesday, September 21. We will engage in a community discussion on racism. More information about time and links to come. Updates will be communicated via www.glasgowpta.org and emails/texts.
Back to School Night - September 29 - Mark your calendars for Back to School Night on September 29. More information soon about this event.
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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.
Schedule Change Requests - At Glasgow, our priority is to ensure students are registered for classes that are an appropriate match to their academic needs and interests. Each year we are only able to accommodate a very limited number of course changes and priority is given to students with errors in their schedule. If your student would like to make a request for a course change, please have your student email their counselor. Any requests for elective changes will not be reviewed for approval until the second week of school due to a large number of pending student registrations.
Attention Glasgow 8th grade students - The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is only 3 miles away from Glasgow Middle School and is the regional magnet Governor's School for Science and Technology in Northern Virginia. Eligible 8th grade students are encouraged to apply. The application is currently set to open on September 14 and close October 2. The TJHSST Admissions office anticipates that there may be changes in the application process for this year and have requested that anyone interested monitor the www.tjadmissions.org website for changes/updates. Glasgow Counselor Gregory Frantz is our TJHSST Liaison Counselor to support the application process and may be contacted by email with questions gdfrantz@fcps.edu
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
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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 virtual learning. Stay tuned for mobile checkouts in a neighborhood near you!
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Bus Route Meal Service
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) buses are delivering grab and go meals along some bus routes. School buses will stop at designated intersections to deliver these meals. All FCPS students (regardless of age) are eligible for free grab and go breakfast and lunch, as well as other county children, under the age of 18. Adults picking up meals for children should let staff know how many children meals they need. Adults may pay $2 for the meals as well. Check out the current bus schedule.
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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!
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