September/October, 2002

Volume XXI, Issue 1                                                                                    September/October, 2003

Dear Parents:

What a great time of the year! Every year at this time we get to begin another educational journey with our students. The long summer is over, the mad rush of school shopping is complete (advertisements seem to now begin in June) and everyone seems grateful to get back to a routine. The beginning of each school year offers everyone another opportunity to begin fresh with a clean slate and the opportunity to establish new goals. I am always amazed at the change that takes place in our students over the summer. I have often shared with parents that our students will go through more change during the middle school years than at any other time in their lives. It seems even more significant watching them return after the summer. It is absolutely critical for us to be certain every student begins the school year in a positive way. Tony Freeman, our assistant principal, spends an incredible amount of time perfecting schedules. Lockers are checked and re-checked and teachers organize orientation programs that send our students a positive message. We hope that your child had a successful and positive opening to the new school year.

We have a great deal to accomplish this year. Standards, No Child Left Behind, new curriculum, and life in general will keep us very busy. All the preparation and planning help us keep focused: however, our first objective each day is to be certain every child in this school feels safe, is able to work in positive classroom atmosphere and that no child will go through any school day without connecting with a staff member. Young people today are faced with so many wonderful opportunities and equally so many challenges. This is a wonderful time in a person’s life. It can also be a stressful time. We are blessed with teachers, guidance, and support staff that have a gift of connecting to middle school students. They watch out for them. They talk with them. They care for them. They teach with their heart and share information and attitudes that serve to reinforce the values of the families in our community.

Another significant part of the focus of this school is to maintain the connection with parents. The research is certain--when the school connects with and works with the parents the student benefits tremendously. One area supports the other with the child being supported by both. The effects of this cooperation can have a far-reaching impact on the lives of the students. The consistency they observe helps to keep them focused on making good decisions, developing good habits, and even influences the activities and friends they select. This school-home connection becomes even more important during the changing middle school years. The young people are testing and experimenting. The more guidance provided from adults who care for them during this time, the better chance for healthy success. We feel privileged to part of this process.

Finally, allow me to again emphasize that we want parents to feel comfortable contacting the school. There are many ways to keep informed. The school website is amazing and contains a tremendous amount of school news and information. Teachers can be e-mailed or called. Guidance can be contacted and the administration is always available. Please do not hesitate to ask a question, share a concern or communicate with us about your child. It’s going to be another great year.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Stephen Swymer, Ed.D.

                                                                                    Principal

These new students registered this summer to enter Great Valley Middle School for the 2003-2004 school year. Many transferred from local areas, including several from private schools, but other students moved from longer distances, including Indiana, New Jersey,  North Carolina, Florida, California, Texas, and Kansas.

They are Kimberly Ralph, Lesedi Vine, Maureen DiLello, Alexander DiValerio, Alyssa Moloney, Kaitlin Stockwell, Vincent Szupica, Hannah Freeman, Maria Smith, Cameron Hudson, Nhi Mai, Nhu (Susan) Phan, Maria Tuchinsky, Padric Cremins, Derrick Lane, Jr., Linh (Tiffany) Nguyen, Sara Ott, Caroline Hayes, Daniel Schelhorn, Seamus Smith, Christopher Hobson, Najee Rashid, Truc Mai, Derek Norcross, James Wismer, Jed Miller, Justin Collier, Dominik Peoria, Michael McClatchy, Daniel Sweigart, Zachary Biddle, Nitesh Alve, Joshua Resendiz, Alan Masciangelo, Robert Vine, Natalie McQuiston, Brittany Smith, Megan Gambale, Ryan Aceto, Grace Dalton, Kevin Kuhn, Madeline Smith, Monique Starkey, Brigham Madden-Cox, Heather Nelton, Mitchell Haley, David Magee, George McHugh, Brian Zhang, Andrew McGee, Jason Emery, Beatrice McQuiston, Andrew Hudson, Ryan Duffy, Dillion Boudreau, Emily Brock, Matthew Wismer, Killian O'Neil, Ryan Cox, Christian Jefferson, and John Novak-Brown.

MEET YOUR SIXTH GRADE COUNSELOR

This year’s sixth grade school counselor, Mrs. Sandy Gibbons, has been a member of the Great Valley faculty since 1985. Mrs. Gibbons is certified to teach both regular and special education. Since the beginning of the middle school’s Student Assistance Team (STAR Team), Mrs. Gibbons has been very involved with the district’s anti-drug efforts. She has facilitated Raising Kids Today Parenting Groups and she also sponsors the eighth grade Positive ID Club, helping students to act as peer mentors to the district’s elementary students.  Mrs. Gibbons is married and has two daughters; one daughter is in the Great Valley School District.

MEET YOUR SEVENTH GRADE COUNSELOR

This year’s seventh grade school counselor is Mr. Barry Brazunas (or "Mr. B." as he is known to most at GVMS). He has been a member of the Great Valley faculty since 1969. He previously had been an English/Reading teacher, English Department Chairperson, and had coached baseball and soccer. Mr. Brazunas also serves as the coordinator of the middle school’s Student Assistance Team.  He has served on numerous teacher-organization and district-wide committees.  Mr. Brazunas is married and has three sons. Two of his sons attended Great Valley Schools.

MEET YOUR EIGHTH GRADE COUNSELOR

This year’s eighth grade counselor is Dr. Samuel Darby.  Dr. Darby has been a school counselor at the middle school since 1990.  He is also certified as a school psychologist and administrator.  He has been professionally involved with all developmental levels from pre-kindergarten to graduate school and has been employed as a teacher and school administrator in addition to operating his own counseling practice.  Dr. Darby has been a member of the middle school’s Student Assistance Team for eleven years.  He is married and has two daughters.

MEET OUR SOCIAL WORKER

Mrs. Terri Lazar, Great Valley School District social worker, works along with our guidance department and staff in providing support to our students.  Mrs. Lazar is available to work with children on an individual and group basis.  She is also a member of the STAR team.  Mrs. Lazar is married and has two children. 

This year Mrs. Lauren Wells will intern under the supervision of Mrs. Lazar.  She is a second year graduate student intern for social work at West Chester University.  Mrs. Wells received her Batchelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in social work  from Messiah College in 2002.

A MESSAGE FROM THE

STUDENT ASSISTANCE TEAM

The middle school child is in transition from adolescence to young adulthood.  It is a confusing, overwhelming, and often difficult time for the “in-between-ager.”  Because middle school students are under a great deal of pressure, sometimes it is during this period that they experiment and explore.  They need to be taught how to cope with this educational, developmental, and pressure-filled stage in their lives.

The staff is committed to helping students during this extremely important transitional time.  As a result, our school has established, developed, and trained staff members to be part of the middle school Student Assistance Team.  Our Student Assistance Team (also referred to as the STAR Team) seeks to provide help for students who may need some extra support either on a short term or long term basis.  Students can be referred by parents, teachers, fellow students, school counselors and administrators.  When a student becomes a part of the Student Assistance Team program, she/he is assigned to a team member whose task is to monitor the student. 

What is monitoring?  Monitoring is meeting with a liaison person from the STAR team whose major goal is to provide needed positive support for the student.

1.  A liaison person checks the student’s discipline, attendance, and grades on a regular basis.

2.  A liaison person offers caring support and communicates with the student on a regular basis.

3.  A liaison person helps the student to establish a long-term goal for school-related personal improvement.

4.  A liaison person works closely with the qualified, official school counseling staff when suggesting any outside help for the student.

What monitoring is not:

1.  Monitoring is not giving “therapy”.

2.  Monitoring is not giving counseling on a formal basis.

3.  Monitoring is not associated with recommending counseling to an outside agency.

NOTE  Any outside counseling suggested via teachers, Student Assistance Team or other professional staff members may only be sought through the recommendation of a qualified school counselor or social worker who will communicate with parent(s).

Students Who Could Benefit From Getting Help Or Extra Support From The Student Assistance Team Are:

Students who may need help making the transition from grade to grade during middle school.

Students who may need help handling the transition from elementary school to middle school.

Students whose families may be experiencing the effects of a parent’s major job change.

Students who may be experimenting with over-the-counter drugs.

Students who may be experiencing major peer issues.

Students who may be victims of abuse.

Students whose families may be dealing with separation or divorce issues.

Students whose families may be experiencing an employment or lifestyle change.

Students whose families are dealing with a major illness, or the death of a close family member.

Students abusing drugs and/or alcohol.

Students suffering from deep depression and other mental health issues.

Students with family problems involving drugs, alcohol, or depression.

Students whose behavior threatens their health and safety, and possibly the health and safety of others.

The Student Assistance Team Program, a state mandated program, has been in existence at Great Valley Middle School since 1989.  If you have any questions about the program, please contact any member of the team.

The trained members of the Star Team are:

Mr. Barry Brazunas – School Counselor/ Coordinator GVMS STAR TEAM

Mrs. Heidi Capetola – Language Arts

Mrs. Ellen Cerritelli – Family and Consumer Science teacher

Mrs. Joan Cunningham – Science teacher

Dr. Sam Darby – School Counselor

Mrs. Sandy Gibbons – School Counselor

Mrs. Jane Humphrey – Language Arts teacher

Mrs. Sherri Kratzer – Science teacher and Coach

Mr. Gary Leonhard – Science teacher and Coach

Mrs. Teresa LoGiudice –  Science teacher

Mr. Jack McDowell – Social Studies teacher and Athletic Director

Mrs. Linda Morgan – Health/Physical Education teacher and Coach

Ms. Terri Lazar – School Social Worker

Mrs. Ann Search – Mathematics teacher and Coach

Mrs. Karol Scheibe – School Nurse

Ms. Trudy Skibbe – Health/Physical Education teacher

Mrs. Janet Snyder – Resource Room teacher

Mr. Michael Hendricks – C. C. Council on Addictive Diseases (COAD)

Dr. Stephen Swymer - Administrative Liaison, Principal of GVMS

Mrs. Jane Trimble – Student Services Coordinator for Great Valley School District

FACS Saves Coupons for US Sailors

Please help us out --- We are sending cents off  coupons from newspapers, magazines or the grocery stores to help  US Naval Families in Japan save money on their weekly groceries. The military families in Ikego, Yokosuka, and Yohohama report that they save 30 to 40 dollars a week on their grocery bill. This is attributed to the voluntary efforts on the home front.  Our students can cut the coupons if you send the coupon sections into the Middle School Office. We will cut and package the coupons to be sent.  The commissaries overseas accept coupons up to six months past their expiration dates. Any questions please contact Mrs. Spencer at 610-644-6440.

ON-LINE STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS

Great Valley MS and HS students and parents have access to a powerful new planning and communication tool that enables them to go on-line and view every assignment score that teachers have recorded in their grade book. By typing their individual identification and password in the LetterGrade program, students and parents see the cumulative grade for each subject and the various quiz, test, and assignments by category.

“It’s a powerful new planning tool for both student and parent, and can serve as a springboard for student/parent discussion,” said Tony Freeman, assistant principal. Students get a clearer picture of their strengths and areas for improvement when they see their test, quiz and assignment scores displayed by category, rather than receiving them back from teachers one at a time. Parents see a  degree of detail never before available.

Additionally, LetterGrade supports the District’s Strategic Plan in terms of encouraging student accountability and responsibility, and for increasing parental involvement in their child’s education.

Great Valley’s on-line access to grades is a first in the Delaware Valley, though nationally schools are beginning to explore similar programs. However, Great Valley is using a very different approach to other schools in presenting it to the public, seeing LetterGrade as equally a planning tool for students as a communication tool for parents. To that end, and to encourage students to take ownership of their record, LetterGrade was first presented to students before sharing it with parents. HS students saw a video in homeroom. MS students saw a Power Point presentation in their Computer Applications classes and were walked though the entire process. Then all took information home to their parents. This was followed up by a mailing home.

In the spirit of encouraging student responsibility for and ownership of the academic record, the school asks that parents first seek answers from their student and to encourage the student to seek answers from the teacher before contacting the teacher directly.

Great Valley began exploring the Web-based program nearly two years ago when its software support company invited the secondary schools to pilot their new program, LetterGrade.  Ten MS and HS teachers used it for five months. Though still very much under development, those teachers were sufficiently enthused that Dr. Jones, Superintendent, encouraged the schools to open LetterGrade to all faculty.  Last year all secondary teachers used LetterGrade to generate the report cards and many used it for their entire gradebook.

LetterGrade is by no means a finished product. Our teachers made many recommendations last year for its improvement, and we continue to have weekly contact with the programmers.  Now that students and parents have access, the district will use their feedback in the program’s development too.

We’re cautioning everyone that grades will not be posted instantly. Timing depends on the length and complexity of the assignment as well as other responsibilities that require a teacher’s time.

As with many technical advances, it’s hard to predict all the implications. The traditional quarterly student progress reports that are mailed home may well become less important since parents can see and print a detailed progress report at any time.  But be assured we will continue to mail report cards for the immediate future.

The presentation of LetterGrade to our community is the culmination of two year’s effort, and we’re very excited about it.  Please feel free to e-mail comments and suggestions for LetterGrade’s improvement to

tfreeman@ gvsd.org

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS

Magistra Zarfos' eighth grade Latin 1 students got off to a great start this year as they traveled via video to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and to the era of the Cornelius family on vacation in Baiae in 79 AD. As students learn about the Roman family, they will read lots in Latin to familiarize themselves with new vocabulary, parts of speech, and customs of the Romans. The students will have their first toga and bulla day soon, when the class goes outside to read the birds as the augurs did long ago. A naming ceremony will follow. The discipuli and discuplaé are doing very well so far this year!!!!! Bonus est!!!

Mademoiselle Zarfos' French 1 class in eighth grade is reviewing greetings, numbers, the calendar, and telling time before their first Biggie this year. They perform skits, draw cartoons, view daily videos, and listen to CD's which supplement their text in order to take in the whole French atmosphere in the classroom with its café. Students are expected to do lots of homework in order to practice their French. Carnets, or small notebooks, will be provided to jot down interesting tidbits as the class is introduced to new concepts. Mais oui, we are in great shape so far this year.

Seventh grade language survey classes have begun to realize the value of learning several languages in order to better understand their own. After seven weeks, classes will again travel to another  “country” as they rotate through five languages including English this year.

Sixth graders began learning Spanish in third grade. Their pronunciation and vocabulary are amazing. Now they are learning how easy it is to write the language.   They will have Spanish two days in every six-day cycle for the entire year.  In class they have been reviewing the alphabet and greetings so far.  They are also learning to keep a notebook for Spanish since they have no textbook to take home with them.  Many students have requested pen pals from Spanish speaking countries to help challenge them to be world communicators.

This year the seventh grade students have a brand new Spanish course.  They will meet with Sra. Berryman everyday for seven weeks and then they will move on to their next World Language rotation and Reading.  In Spanish class we are now learning Spanish-speaking countries, greetings, and how to express likes and dislikes.  Students are encouraged to study and do their homework everyday.   “¡Buena suerte chicos!”

Eighth grade Spanish classes at Great Valley Middle School use the textbook: ¡Buen Viaje!.  So far they have learned the location and capital for each of the Spanish speaking countries.   In the months to come Sra. Berryman and Sra. Witczak will be teaching more about the culture and history of the Hispanic world.  The students are currently expanding their vocabulary through basic conversations.  They can greet each other and exchange pleasantries.  We are encouraging each student to acquire a pen pal in a Spanish speaking country, either through e-mail or snail mail.  This is a terrific way of expanding horizons and practicing Spanish.

Frau Ostien’s German I class is off to a great start. All of the students created a personal star for a poster of Frau Ostien’s shining stars. They are a wonderful group with tremendous potential!  The class has been hard at work reviewing several topics which they learned in 7th grade — it’s amazing how much they remember! We are also adding new vocabulary and finding new uses for topics we already studied. For example, we used numbers to talk about the top ten movies and songs on the Hit Parade. Helpful Hint: Students should get in the habit of doing all assignments, because practice is the key to language learning!

Frau Bauer's German I

Willkommen!  We are off to a great start this year. I would like to thank the parents that sent me a note about your child.  I truly appreciate hearing about your student.  Currently we are studying the basics in German.  KAPITEL 1 covers numbers 1-20, the alphabet, greetings/farewells and the question "Wie heisst du?".   My students are excited and I expect outstanding progress this year.  Auf Wiedersehen!

NEWS FROM THE NURSE

School law requires that a screening for scoliosis be performed on all children in grades 6 and 7.

Students who have returned a completed 6^th grade physical and any 7^th graders who have had a sports physical with a scoliosis check will have fulfilled this requirement.

Students without the above information will be screened in the spring by the school nurse.

If you prefer not to have your child screened at school, please contact your school nurse, Mrs. Karol Scheibe at 610.644.6442 ext. 2008.

Reminder from the nurse:

Please remember that ALL prescription medications to be given in school must have a prescription medication form signed by a physician on file in the Health Suite.

SAFETY AND THREAT INQUIRIES

In this day and age, it is difficult to judge the seriousness of threats made by children and adolescents. Some are serious, some are impulsive, and some are mimicking what they have seen on TV.

The safety of our students is of utmost importance to us. In addition to a district wide Safety Plan, we also have specific plans and guidelines to help us with various aspects of children's emotional and physical safety. One of those plans will help us to thoroughly investigate threats made by one student to another. We will investigate threats and situations to determine the seriousness of the threat. In addition to determining appropriate discipline consequences, we will also determine appropriate student interventions based upon the seriousness of the threat. If a child is involved in making a threat, we will work with the child's parents to gather information and insight to assist in determining what steps to take. We believe that our plan will help to investigate all threats fairly and to help determine which children require additional interventions and which children have simple used poor judgment by making impulsive remarks.

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

We would like to give a very special thank you to Sharon Principe, Karen Petrauskas, Susie Dickinson, Mary Lou Sterge, Gwen VanSciver,  Grace Merryman, and Julie Seavey who stuffed the envelopes our parents received that included letters concerning Back to School Night, the Welcome Back letter from the counselors, and various other important information.  Their generous help is truly appreciated.

On Picture Day, Julie Seavey, Maureen Ralph, Joanne Nagy, Joanne Gaffney, Nina Binstein, and Barbara Rosenkrans assisted our students for the photographers.  With their generous help the children’s pictures were taken in an efficient and timely manner.  Many thanks to each one of our volunteers.

ATTENDANCE REMINDERS

If your child is out of school due to illness,  please call the attendance number to report the absence: 610-644-6442 option 6. When a phone call to the attendance line, there is no need to send in a note.

The only acceptable excuses for student lateness are medical (with a physician’s note), religious, or if a bus is late arriving to school. All other latenesses are unexcused. We do allow every student three unexcused lates to school. Hopefully, this will cover any family emergencies or situations. Students do not receive a detention until they have accumulated four unexcused lates. If the student continues to be late for school, we assign a two-hour detention on the seventh late. Continued lateness results in more makeup time after school.

SKI CLUB UPDATE

“At any given moment, 365 days a year, it is always snowing somewhere in the world.”

Warren Miller

While some may deem us as perhaps a little “touched” for wanting to discuss skiing when outside temperatures still average in the upper 70’s or more, the Great Valley Middle School Ski Club is nonetheless, once again gearing up for the upcoming season.  In the recent words of one of the Ski Club chaperones, “I regret that I have but one life to give to my skiing addiction!”  In reality, however, this actually is the time of the year to begin thinking about applying fresh coats of wax and sharpening the edges on skis, boards, and blades in preparation for hitting the slopes. 

This year’s season will be very similar to last year—our calendar of trips is as follows: 

1. January 10             Big Boulder 1 (Beginners and those new to the club only)
2. January 17Big Boulder 2
3. January 24      Jack Frost
4. January 31         Elk 1
5. February 7         Montage
6. February 12-15   Vermont
7. February 21       Elk 2
8. February 28Camelback

Our organizational meeting is tentatively set for Wed. Nov. 19, 2003 at 7 pm in the Great Valley Middle School gymnasium.  Please note that this is a different location than in past years.  But, as always, this meeting will have all the important info you need to know about in order to successfully participate in the club this year.  While the meeting is not mandatory, it should be stressed that students and parents who have not attended in the past have missed out on opportunities and information that helps clarify questions that usually arise later in the season.  And, as always, this meeting is not a repeat of last year’s; there will be some significant changes to the Ski Club this year that would make your attendance most worthwhile.  Flyers will be posted around the school once the date of Nov. 19 is confirmed.  We look forward to seeing all of you again on Nov. 19^th in the middle school gymnasium. 

FREE & REDUCED BREAKFAST & LUNCH PROGRAM

All children who participate in the Free & Reduced Lunch Program must have a current 2003-04 application and approval on file by October 15. Children without current year approval will be dropped at that time.

If you have any questions, please call Barbara Nissel at 610.889.2125 ext. 2135.

****************************************************************************************************

Great Valley School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or handicap in its activities, programs, or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX, Section 504. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Chapter 15 of the Pennsylvania School Code, and Americans with Disabilities Act. For information regarding civil rights, grievance procedures, services, activities, and facilities accessible to and usable by handicapped persons, contact Dr. Robin Koslo-Stahl, Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator, Great Valley School District, 47 Church Road, Malvern  PA 19355.  Tel:   610-889-2125 ext. 2116.  For more information on the evaluation procedure and provisions of services to protected handicapped students requiring a 504 Service Agreement/Chapter 15, contact Karol Canfield, Supervisor of Special Education at 610-889-2125, ext. 2113.

****************************************************************************************************

October 2003

2 Team 6A Cherry Crest Farm Field Trip

 (Rain Date: Oct. 3)
2 Back to School Night, 7:00 PM
3 Team 6B Cherry Crest Farm Field Trip

(rescheduled date)
3 Welcome Back Dance, 7:30 PM (date change)
6 No School for Students; Teacher In-Service
7 PTO Meeting, 9:00 AM
8 Grade 7 Immunization Visit
9 Team 6C Cherry Crest Farm Field Trip

 (Rain Date: Oct. 10)
10 Backbeat (Arts Foundation), 1:00 PM at GVHS,

grades 7,8
13 School Board Work Session, 7:30 PM
20 School Board Mtg., 7:30 PM
20-28 Gr 6 PSSA Writing Assessment Window
24 Fall Dance, 7:30 PM
27 Photo Make-Ups, 8:00-9:00 AM
30 Early Dismissal - 11:00 AM; Teacher In-Service
31 No School for Students; Teacher In-Service

November 2003

10  School Board Work Session, 7:30 PM
12  PTO Meeting, 9:00 AM
17  School Board Mtg., 7:30 PM
21  8B to Constitution Center during school day
24-25 No School for Students; Parent-Teacher Conferences
25  PTO 25th Teacher Appreciation Dinner, 5:00 PM
26  No School for Students; Teacher In-Service
27-28 Thanksgiving; Schools Closed

PHONE NUMBERS

School Phone:     610-644-6440

Absence Phone:  610-644-6442  press 6

Message Board:  610-644-6442  press 7

Emergency Closing Number:   855

Fax:                        610-889-1166

Editor’s e-mail:    tfreeman@gvsd.org