December 20, 2019

Happy Holidays from our GVMS family to yours!

We, at GVMS, want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday.  We appreciate your communication, diligence in working with our Viking students and being a part of this journey in middle school. 

We also want to send out a special thanks to all of our volunteers including our WATCH DOGS and Auction Committee for all of the volunteer time, energy, efforts, and support!  A SPECIAL shout out to our GVMS PTC Board (Mrs. Aquino, Mrs. Giaramita, Mrs. O'Connell, Mr. Peterson, and Mrs. Preston).  We are SO grateful and thankful for your involvement in our school!  

Thank you to ALL of our families for the support that they give to our students, teachers and our staff.  Please be sure that you are checking Parent Portal as many electives are changing for the Spring Semester, which starts on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.  The end of the semester is Friday, January 17 and it is a teacher workday (no students!).

We will be enjoying the holidays with friends and family so all emails will be returned when we come back to GVMS on January 6, 2020!

Have a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year!

2019-2020 GVMS Staff

December 13, 2019

Anyone have YouTube on their phone or computer?  Anyone use YouTube, have a "YouTuber", or have a child that watches YouTube?  You probably said yes to at least one of these...

YouTube is one of the most popular apps in our society today.  Check out these statistics (taken from THIS ARTICLE):

• 73% of adults watch YouTube
• 90% of 18-24 year olds watch YouTube
• 85% of teens 13-17 watch You Tube
• 81% of all parents with children age 11 or younger say they let their kids watch YouTube
• YouTube is now the #1 online platform for teens
• 85% of teens use YouTube
• 32% of teens use YouTube more often than any other app 

So what does this mean for you, the parent/guardian?  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE to see what you can do to give yourself the knowledge of using YouTube safely with your student!

HAVE YOU HEARD?  We are SO excited that our own Green Valley Parent-Teacher Club is signed up for Amazon Smile, where a portion of purchases comes back DIRECTLY to GVMS!  As you are doing your Christmas shopping on Amazon, remember to log into Amazon Smile and click Green Valley Parent-Teacher Club to help support GVMS!  Thank you!!

It's that time of year again when we, at GVMS, do our best to support those in need!  We are currently collecting new toys for our Toy Drive with Officer Holecek and his Toys for Tots Drive!  We were able to donate SO MANY items of food to the Fairfield-Suisun Family Resource Center (see below!)! Thank you for all of your generosity as we help those that are in need!

Want to get involved?  Check out the clubs on GVMS Campus!

• Logic Club (Mr. Swarner): Meets every Thursday after school in F204 until 4:30  for all students to have a safe and fun space to play and talk logically about puzzles and games!
• Yearbook (Mrs. Laffey):  Join the yearbook club that meets every Wednesday after school from 2:50-3:45 in D102 and be a part of making our school memories for all to share!
• Black Student Union (Mr. Thomas): Meets every Wednesday from 3:05-4:00 in E201 to promote activities of common interest, as well as, cultural and educational benefit for all students; to promote community and self enrichment by way of community services and volunteerism; to have a forum for all students to voice their differences, goals and ideas!
• American Sign Language/ASL (Mrs. Pie): Meets every Wednesday during A and B lunch in Room G105 for hearing students and staff to learn how to communicate in sign language as well as learning about deaf culture!
• Lunch Bunch Club (Mrs. Geyer) : Meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays during A lunch in D204 to create a safe space with activities and friendly faces so that NO student at GVMS eats alone! **Starts back in January**
• College and Career Club (Mr. Pringle) : Meets in the library the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month to get students engaged into college and career activities, including guest speakers and field trips to colleges!
• Be The Change Club (Mr. Lapid):  Meets Thursdays after school until 4 PM to also promote kindness, follow the Challenge Day foundation, create a culture of compassion and acceptance within your school.  If you LOVED Challenge Day, you will LOVE this!
• Invention Convention Club (Mrs. Lindahl): Meets Fridays after school from 3-4 to "match unlimited potential with creative solutions for real-world problem solving!"  Let's CREATE something AWESOME!!!

Every day, over our loud speakers, we make lots of announcements to our students.  These include: events coming up, clubs to join, sports activities, grading windows, and more.  PLEASE make sure that you all, at home, bookmark this page HERE so that YOU don't miss out on what's happening at GVMS!  We have a LOT of exciting activities coming up that you won't want your student (or YOU!) to miss out on!

All of our Lost and Found will be donated to the Clothes Closet at Sullivan Interagency Youth Services Center on Friday, December 20!  Please have your Viking check the stage in the cafeteria ASAP before it disappears!

Did you purchase your yearbook?  If not, you still have time!  Please visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use code 7927 or enter "Green Valley Middle School".  Cost is $40 and will go up to $45 after Winter Break.  If you are unsure if you purchased one, please email LynnLa@fsusd.org to double check.  If you double order, we cannot issue refunds =)

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  Check out THIS LINK to see the different ideas that our teachers have come up

December 6, 2019

Grades....ahhhhh.....a subject we talk about with our students on a DAILY basis.  FINAL grades will be done January 17, 2020 (teacher workday no students), which means ALL assignments MUST be turned in and these grades go on our students' transcripts.  No work will be accepted after January 16, 2020.

We continue to struggle with turning in assignments, though students are given multiple opportunities during class, tutorial, free peer tutoring in our library, after school help in Math and History, and more.  PLEASE check your student grades HERE and if you need the codes, please call our office!  We would love to help!  

The holiday season can bring a time of great joy and happiness!  It can, however, be a time that causes great stress and depression for many.  
Teen depression is a major concern in our society AND at Green Valley Middle School.  We have noticed, over the last few weeks, more and more students coming to school and changes in their behavior.
Issues with peer pressure, social media, access to information, academics, and more can seriously over power how they feel.  What are the signs that you, as a parent, should look for?  What is "normal" and what isn't?  At what point should medical professionals be included in concerns?  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE (though there are MANY other reputable ones as well) to see what signs to look for!  Please be on the lookout and notify us if there is something we need to know or help with!

Parents and families, we need your help! Please take a moment to take THIS VOLUNTARY and ANONYMOUS SURVEY from the California Department of Ed regarding parent perceptions at school! Thank you!

It's that time of year again when we, at GVMS, do our best to support those in need!  We are currently collecting new toys for our Toy Drive with Officer Holecek and his Toys for Tots Drive!  We were able to donate SO MANY items of food to the Fairfield-Suisun Family Resource Center (see below!)! Thank you for all of your generosity as we help those that are in need!

Want to get involved?  Check out the clubs on GVMS Campus!

• Logic Club (Mr. Swarner): Meets every Thursday after school in F204 until 4:30  for all students to have a safe and fun space to play and talk logically about puzzles and games!
• Yearbook (Mrs. Laffey):  Join the yearbook club that meets every Wednesday after school from 2:50-3:45 in D102 and be a part of making our school memories for all to share!
• Black Student Union (Mr. Thomas): Meets every Wednesday from 3:05-4:00 in E201 to promote activities of common interest, as well as, cultural and educational benefit for all students; to promote community and self enrichment by way of community services and volunteerism; to have a forum for all students to voice their differences, goals and ideas!
• American Sign Language/ASL (Mrs. Pie): Meets every Wednesday during A and B lunch in Room G105 for hearing students and staff to learn how to communicate in sign language as well as learning about deaf culture!
• Lunch Bunch Club (Mrs. Geyer) : Meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays during A lunch in D204 to create a safe space with activities and friendly faces so that NO student at GVMS eats alone!
• College and Career Club (Mr. Pringle) : Meets in the library the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month to get students engaged into college and career activities, including guest speakers and field trips to colleges!
• Be The Change Club (Mr. Lapid):  Meets Thursdays after school until 4 PM to also promote kindness, follow the Challenge Day foundation, create a culture of compassion and acceptance within your school.  If you LOVED Challenge Day, you will LOVE this!
• Invention Convention Club (Mrs. Lindahl): Meets Fridays after school from 3-4 to "match unlimited potential with creative solutions for real-world problem solving!"  Let's CREATE something AWESOME!!!

Every day, over our loud speakers, we make lots of announcements to our students.  These include: events coming up, clubs to join, sports activities, grading windows, and more.  PLEASE make sure that you all, at home, bookmark this page HERE so that YOU don't miss out on what's happening at GVMS!  We have a LOT of exciting activities coming up that you won't want your student (or YOU!) to miss out on!

All of our Lost and Found will be donated to the Clothes Closet at Sullivan Interagency Youth Services Center on Friday, December 20!  Please have your Viking check the stage in the cafeteria ASAP before it disappears!

Did you purchase your yearbook?  If not, you still have time!  Please visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use code 7927 or enter "Green Valley Middle School".  Cost is $40 and will go up to $45 after Winter Break.  If you are unsure if you purchased one, please email LynnLa@fsusd.org to double check.  If you double order, we cannot issue refunds =)

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  Check out THIS LINK to see the different ideas that our teachers have come up 

November 22, 2019

We hope that you enjoy the holidays with your loved ones!  We will be refraining from emails for the week of November 25-29 so that we can spend time with family and friends!  While some may be working, the office will be closed to the public and all emails will be returned when school reopens on Monday, December 2!  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

It's that time of year again when we, at GVMS, do our best to support those in need!  We are currently collecting new toys for our Toy Drive with Officer Holecek and his Toys for Tots Drive!  We are also collecting canned foods and nonperishable items for our own Fairfield Suisun Family Resource Center in Fairfield!  They need our help!  Take a look at THIS LIST of items and donate if you can!  Thank you for all of your generosity as we help those that are in need!

Every day, over our loud speakers, we make lots of announcements to our students.  These include: events coming up, clubs to join, sports activities, grading windows, and more.  PLEASE make sure that you all, at home, bookmark this page HERE so that YOU don't miss out on what's happening at GVMS!  We have a LOT of exciting activities coming up that you won't want your student (or YOU!) to miss out on!

All of our Lost and Found will be donated to the Clothes Closet at Sullivan Interagency Youth Services Center on Friday, December 20!  Please have your Viking check the stage in the cafeteria ASAP before it disappears!

Did you purchase your yearbook?  If not, you still have time!  Please visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use code 7927 or enter "Green Valley Middle School".  Cost is $40 and will go up to $45 after Winter Break.  If you are unsure if you purchased one, please email LynnLa@fsusd.org to double check.  If you double order, we cannot issue refunds =)

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  Check out THIS LINK to see the different ideas that our teachers have come up 

November 15, 2019

I am sure you or your tween/teen is connected to some form of social media and check it throughout the day.  While there are some AWESOME things about social media (staying connected to family from afar, getting some great information, etc), there are some real negative effects as well.  We have found, over the years, that our students can be TOO consumed with 

Over the three-day weekend, I read THIS ARTICLE as to why our teens and tweens have so much anxiety.  It's something that I see as both an educator and a parent and the cause of it is sometimes confusing.

It's that time of year again when we, at GVMS, do our best to support those in need!  We are currently collecting new toys for our Toy Drive with Officer Holecek and his Toys for Tots Drive!  We are also collecting canned foods and nonperishable items for our own Fairfield Suisun Family Resource Center in Fairfield!  They need our help!  Take a look at THIS LIST of items and donate if you can!  Thank you for all of your generosity as we help those that are in need!

Every day, over our loud speakers, we make lots of announcements to our students.  These include: events coming up, clubs to join, sports activities, grading windows, and more.  PLEASE make sure that you all, at home, bookmark this page HERE so that YOU don't miss out on what's happening at GVMS!  We have a LOT of exciting activities coming up that you won't want your student (or YOU!) to miss out on!

All of our Lost and Found will be donated to the Clothes Closet at Sullivan Interagency Youth Services Center on Friday, December 20!  Please have your Viking check the stage in the cafeteria ASAP before it disappears!

Did you purchase your yearbook?  If not, you still have time!  Please visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use code 7927 or enter "Green Valley Middle School".  Cost is $40 and will go up to $45 after Winter Break.  If you are unsure if you purchased one, please email LynnLa@fsusd.org to double check.  If you double order, we cannot issue refunds =)

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  Check out THIS LINK to see the different ideas that our teachers have come up 

November 8, 2019

Emotions in middle school students....did that make anyone else cringe?  They are hard to understand, hard to interpret and hard to help through sometimes.  They are complex, they can be hidden by other emotions, and they can be contagious!  You are not alone!  

How can we, as the adults and parents, help our kids/students navigate through these emotions at the various stages of development?  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE from Parent Tool Kit on ways to help you survive =)

It's that time of year again when we, at GVMS, do our best to support those in need!  We are currently collecting new toys for our Toy Drive with Officer Holecek and his Toys for Tots Drive!  We are also collecting canned foods and nonperishable items for our own Fairfield Suisun Family Resource Center in Fairfield!  They need our help!  Take a look at THIS LIST of items and donate if you can!  Thank you for all of your generosity as we help those that are in need!

All of our Lost and Found will be donated to the Clothes Closet at Sullivan Interagency Youth Services Center on Friday, December 20!  Please have your Viking check the stage in the cafeteria ASAP before it disappears!

Did you purchase your yearbook?  If not, you still have time!  Please visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use code 7927 or enter "Green Valley Middle School".  Cost is $40 and will go up to $45 after Winter Break.  If you are unsure if you purchased one, please email LynnLa@fsusd.org to double check.  If you double order, we cannot issue refunds =)

Wow.  So many requests for short term Independent Study (IS) have happened ALREADY this school year.  It is SO very important for our students to be in school, even if they get the work from their teacher.  The instruction that they loose is way too valuable.  PLEASE, parents and guardians, remember the policies for IS as outlined in our student agenda, webpage, and welcome pamphlet:

• GVMS must be given at least 5 school days advance notice prior to the request
• IS must be at least 5 school days missed or more (weekends and holidays don't count)
• IS will not be granted the first two weeks and the last two weeks of school
• Please let us know if your student has an IEP as we must hold an additional meeting
• All assignments are due the day that the student returns
• IS may not be granted depending on percentage of work completed for prior IS requests

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  Check out THIS LINK to see the different ideas that our teachers have come up with!!

November 1, 2019

SnapChat is on EVERY single phone I have ever had on my desk, whether confiscated or not.  It's honestly everywhere and, I can pretty much guarantee you, that it's on your tween/teens phone as well.  It is the top most used app as well.  

What's the big deal, you ask?  Well, predators can groom and locate minors.  People can be bullied and there can be very serious real-life repercussions.  Users can post a "joke" threat, which can get them arrested.....And the list goes on and on.

Take a moment to watch the video and read the blog.

The holiday season is COMING and can bring a time of great joy and happiness!  It can, however, be a time that causes great stress and depression for many.  
Teen depression is a major concern in our society AND at Green Valley Middle School.  We have noticed, over the last few weeks, more and more students coming to school and changes in their behavior.

Issues with peer pressure, social media, access to information, academics, and more can seriously over power how they feel.  What are the signs that you, as a parent, should look for?  What is "normal" and what isn't?  At what point should medical professionals be included in concerns?  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE (though there are MANY other reputable ones as well) to see what signs to look for!  Please be on the lookout and notify us if there is something we need to know or help with!

It's that time of year again when we, at GVMS, do our best to support those in need!  We are currently collecting new toys for our Toy Drive with Officer Holecek and his Toys for Tots Drive!  Thank you for all of your generosity as we help those that are in need!

Did you purchase your yearbook?  If not, you still have time!  Please visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use code 7927 or enter "Green Valley Middle School".  Cost is $40 and will go up to $45 after Winter Break.  If you are unsure if you purchased one, please email LynnLa@fsusd.org to double check.  If you double order, we cannot issue refunds =)

Wow.  So many requests for short term Independent Study (IS) have happened ALREADY this school year.  It is SO very important for our students to be in school, even if they get the work from their teacher.  The instruction that they loose is way too valuable.  PLEASE, parents and guardians, remember the policies for IS as outlined in our student agenda, webpage, and welcome pamphlet:

• GVMS must be given at least 5 school days advance notice prior to the request
• IS must be at least 5 school days missed or more (weekends and holidays don't count)
• IS will not be granted the first two weeks and the last two weeks of school
• Please let us know if your student has an IEP as we must hold an additional meeting
• All assignments are due the day that the student returns
• IS may not be granted depending on percentage of work completed for prior IS requests

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  Check out THIS LINK to see the different ideas that our teachers have come up with!!

October 25, 2019

Just when we, as parents and adults, feel like we MIGHT have a small handle on social media- BAM!  There's another app to grab their attention, distract them from school work, distract them from family time and more....Sigh.

There is a way, however, to "arm" yourself in what to look out for.  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE to see how much time, on average, teens and tweens spend on social media (specifically Instagram), what apps are dangerous for our kids, and what we can do to be more educated when it comes to social media.

Many students, parents and families have been asking about Halloween and what is approved at GVMS for October 31.  Yes, our students MAY wear costumes AND they MUST be school appropriate.  They MAY NOT display drugs, drug use, profanity, illegal activity, gang activity, or include a mask.  Thank you!

Want to get involved?  Check out the clubs on GVMS Campus!

• Logic Club (Mr. Swarner): Meets every Thursday after school in F204 until 4:30  for all students to have a safe and fun space to play and talk logically about puzzles and games!
• Yearbook (Mrs. Laffey):  Join the yearbook club that meets every Wednesday after school from 2:50-3:45 in D102 and be a part of making our school memories for all to share!
• Black Student Union (Mr. Thomas): Meets every Wednesday from 3:05-4:00 in E201 to promote activities of common interest, as well as, cultural and educational benefit for all students; to promote community and self enrichment by way of community services and volunteerism; to have a forum for all students to voice their differences, goals and ideas!
• American Sign Language/ASL (Mrs. Pie): Meets every Wednesday during A and B lunch in Room G105 for hearing students and staff to learn how to communicate in sign language as well as learning about deaf culture!
• Lunch Bunch Club (Mrs. Geyer) : Meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays during A lunch in D204 to create a safe space with activities and friendly faces so that NO student at GVMS eats alone!
• College and Career Club (Mr. Pringle) : Meets in the library the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month to get students engaged into college and career activities, including guest speakers and field trips to colleges!
• Be The Change Club (Mr. Lapid):  Meets Thursdays after school until 4 PM to also promote kindness, follow the Challenge Day foundation, create a culture of compassion and acceptance within your school.  If you LOVED Challenge Day, you will LOVE this!
• Invention Convention Club (Mrs. Lindahl): Meets Fridays after school from 3-4 to "match unlimited potential with creative solutions for real-world problem solving!"  Let's CREATE something AWESOME!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF OUR BUBBLE RUN SPONSORS!  WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!!  

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  Check out THIS LINK to see the different ideas that our teachers have come up with!!

October 18, 2019

Have you heard of the Lasso App?  We hadn't either and wanted to share what we learned.  

Lasso is an app from Facebook that lets users create and use videos to share.  No big deal, right?  Right unless you don't want complete strangers watching your kids on video.  We know that Facebook isn't as popular as Instagram, which all of the tweens and teens are using, so we also included a parents "guide" to Instagram and what to look out for below!  Educate yourself, especially in this day and age with technology changing in the blink of an eye!

Many students, parents and families have been asking about Halloween and what is approved at GVMS for October 31.  Yes, our students MAY wear costumes AND they MUST be school appropriate.  They MAY NOT display drugs, drug use, profanity, illegal activity, gang activity, or include a mask.  Thank you!

Want to get involved?  Check out the clubs on GVMS Campus!

• Logic Club (Mr. Swarner): Meets every Thursday after school in F204 until 4:30  for all students to have a safe and fun space to play and talk logically about puzzles and games!
• Yearbook (Mrs. Laffey):  Join the yearbook club that meets every Wednesday after school from 2:50-3:45 in D102 and be a part of making our school memories for all to share!
• Black Student Union (Mr. Thomas): Meets every Wednesday from 3:05-4:00 in E201 to promote activities of common interest, as well as, cultural and educational benefit for all students; to promote community and self enrichment by way of community services and volunteerism; to have a forum for all students to voice their differences, goals and ideas!
• American Sign Language/ASL (Mrs. Pie): Meets every Wednesday during A and B lunch in Room G105 for hearing students and staff to learn how to communicate in sign language as well as learning about deaf culture!
• Lunch Bunch Club (Mrs. Geyer) : Meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays during A lunch in D204 to create a safe space with activities and friendly faces so that NO student at GVMS eats alone!
• College and Career Club (Mr. Pringle) : Meets in the library the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month to get students engaged into college and career activities, including guest speakers and field trips to colleges!
• Be The Change Club (Mr. Lapid):  Meets Thursdays after school until 4 PM to also promote kindness, follow the Challenge Day foundation, create a culture of compassion and acceptance within your school.  If you LOVED Challenge Day, you will LOVE this!
• Invention Convention Club (Mrs. Lindahl): Meets Fridays after school from 3-4 to "match unlimited potential with creative solutions for real-world problem solving!"  Let's CREATE something AWESOME!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF OUR BUBBLE RUN SPONSORS!  WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!!  

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  Check out THIS LINK to see the different ideas that our teachers have come up with!!