January 11, 2019

As we start the last semester of this school year, we want to remind all parents and students that this is a fresh start for permanent grades.  Parents, PLEASE stay on top of your student by monitoring Parent Portal, downloading the Aeries app for iPhone and Android, signing up for Remind texts from the teachers that use it, asking to be connected to Google Classroom and checking out teacher websites.  PLEASE ASK your Viking to show you what they are working on.  Please, oh please, don't wait until JUNE to see what they are missing or what their grades are.  

Need help with any of the tech tools we use?  PLEASE reach out to our office at 707-646-7000, email your Viking's teacher directly, or check out our website here!

We know that all parents want what's best for our children and that includes raising a good digital human.  Many of our students feel that they are "invincible" behind the screen of their phones and do not truly realize that everything they put out on any form of social media is part of their digital footprint.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  So how do we, as adults still navigating our own way through this digital time, support and teach our students to be very aware that what they throw out there has a LASTING effect?  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE for ways to work with your Viking!

The SPRING FLING IS COMING!!  We are gearing up for our 5th Annual Spring Fling at GV Cellars on Saturday, April 27th from 4-8 PM and WE NEED YOUR HELP!  Do you have connections for tickets to sporting events, time shares, winery tours, limo tours, etc?  Please reach out to your connections and help us make this year's event even more fun and successful than last year's (that may be hard as last year was a TON of fun!).  Tickets are ON SALE starting February 1, 2019, donation letters are HERE and have been emailed, and Sign Up Genius links ARE LIVE!  

Please click HERE to help with our Dessert Auction!  

Please click HERE for our Donation Auction!

You DON'T want to miss this!

December 19, 2018

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, GVMS PTC, Auction Committee and Book Fair Committee for all of the volunteer time, energy, efforts, and support!  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.  

We will be enjoying the holidays with friends and family so all emails will be returned when we come back to GVMS on January 7, 2019!

Have a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year!

2018-2019 GVMS Staff

December 14, 2018

Many parents have expressed frustration, in meetings we have had, as to why their tween/teen is pushing them away and how to deal with it.  Take a look at THIS SITE, which has amazing resources in addition to what is going on with their tween/teen.  This site gives great ideas including 5 strategies to strengthen your relationship with your teen during this time!.

While you know that selling and having tobacco products under the age of 18 are illegal, there are places that sell them to kids, even right in our community.  
Most adults can't recall what a Juul looks like or ever having tried one themselves, however, most teenagers can tell you what they look like, the best ones to have, and where to get them.  Juuling and vaping are on the rise among teenagers and it's something that all parents need to be aware of.  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE to see the harmful effects, what to look for, and the difference between Juuling and vaping.

Grades....ahhhhh.....a subject we talk about with our students on a DAILY basis.  FINAL grades will be done December 20, which means ALL assignments MUST be turned in and these grades go on our students' transcripts.  No work will be accepted after December 18.

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

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!

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!!

Wow.  We have NEVER seen so many requests for short term Independent Study (IS) as we have 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 leading up to a long holiday week break (Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break)

If you didn't purchase your yearbook at the beginning of the school year, it can NOW be purchased online!  AWESOME!  Click HERE to order and enter the code 7927!  Yearbooks will arrive sometime at the end of May, 2019!

*UPDATED WITH ALL NEW PROJECTS!!*

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!  Check out THIS LINK to see ALL OF the different ideas that our VERY OWN GVMS teachers have come up with!  NEW PROJECTS HAVE BEEN ADDED!!

December 7, 2018

Grades....ahhhhh.....a subject we talk about with our students on a DAILY basis.  FINAL grades will be done December 20, which means ALL assignments MUST be turned in and these grades go on our students' transcripts.  No work will be accepted after December 19.

We continue to struggle with turning in assignments, though students are given multiple opportunities during class, tutorial, before/after school (depending on availability), free tutoring in our library, 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!

Wow.  We have NEVER seen so many requests for short term Independent Study (IS) as we have 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 leading up to a long holiday week break (Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break)

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!

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!!

*UPDATED WITH ALL NEW PROJECTS!!*

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!  Check out THIS LINK to see ALL OF the different ideas that our VERY OWN GVMS teachers have come up with!  NEW PROJECTS HAVE BEEN ADDED!!

November 30, 2018

Grades....ahhhhh.....a subject we talk about with our students on a DAILY basis.  FINAL grades will be done December 20, which means ALL assignments MUST be turned in and these grades go on our students' transcripts.  No work will be accepted after December 19.

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

Emotions run high in middle school students, especially at the end of a semester and final grades.  Take a look at THIS Parent Tool Kit article and video about some ways to help support your student during this time of potential high emotions!

As we all know, the holidays are right around the corner and we all strive to make our own kids happy.  How do we, then, teach them to be grateful?  Since our kids don't come with an owners manual, sometimes it can be hard to help them understand that being grateful for what they have is important.  Take a look at THESE articles for some great ideas and tips to help teach gratitude during this time of giving and receiving!

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!

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 shopping on Amazon, remember to log into Amazon Smile and click Green Valley Parent-Teacher Club to help support GVMS!  Thank you!!

November 16, 2018

We hope that you enjoy the holidays with your loved ones!  We will be refraining from emails for the week of November 19-23 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, November 26!  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Agape Counseling Center sent information in regards to counseling services that can be accessed within our community.  Flyers are connected to those that are available:

• Women's Group (Free) - Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. - 7:20 p.m. beginning November 14th (flyer attached), contact Rosie De Alvarez 415-891-4088 to register.
• Women's Group for Spanish speakers (Free) - Fridays from 6:00 p.m. - 7:20 p.m. beginning November 2nd (flyer attached) contact Rosie De Alvarez 415-891-4088 to register. 
• Grief and Loss Group for Adults (Free) - 10-week psycho education group Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. beginning November 6th (flyer attached), contact Sidney Caldwell 707-709-6488 for more information.
• Teen Anger Management Group - 10-week, can be facilitated at your Fairfield or Suisun City location or ours. Dates to be determined by participant interest but we're ready to get started. Flyer attached.
• Managing Emotions Skills Group - 10 weeks, winter dates and times to be determined.  This workshop fills up quickly.  Contact Kevin Anderson for more information, 707-634-4863. 

Agape is also poised to offer the following 10-week psycho-education groups for students in Fairfield and Suisun locations.  They accept Partnership Insurance or self-pay in which they accept credit cards, checks, or cash in the exact amount only please.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Cornelia Gibson, LMFT, Ed.D www.agapeccan.org for more information. 

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 Canned Food Drive with Contra Costa-Solano Food Bank!  Thank you for all of your generosity as we help those that are in need!

Many parents have asked us what to do about insuring their Vikings' chrome books and PERSONAL phones.  While we know that we really want our students to all be careful, sometimes things happen.  There is a LOW COST option that is available to ALL GVMS students!  Check out THIS LINK to get an instant quote!  Seriously worth it!!

If you didn't purchase your yearbook at the beginning of the school year, it can NOW be purchased online!  AWESOME!  Click HERE to order and enter the code 7927!  Yearbooks will arrive sometime at the end of May, 2019!

*UPDATED WITH ALL NEW PROJECTS!!*

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!  Check out THIS LINK to see ALL OF the different ideas that our VERY OWN GVMS teachers have come up with!  NEW PROJECTS HAVE BEEN ADDED!!

November 9, 2018

It's that time of year again when we, at GVMS, do our best to support those in need!  We are currently collecting canned food for our Canned Food Drive and new, unwrapped toys for our Toy Drive with Officer Holecek!  Contests for the most cans donated are happening and those that bring in new, unwrapped toys are entered into a random drawing!  Thank  you for all of your generosity!!

Ahhh grades.  Grades will be final for this semester on December 19.  These are FINAL report card grades.  Please encourage your student and check Parent Portal WITH them to see any and all missing assignments.  All parents, guardians, and students should have access to Parent Portal to see grades at all times.  While this is a courtesy, our teachers strive to update them as often as possible.  PLEASE remember that hard copies will NOT be mailed home!

If you need another copy of log in instructions to Parent Portal, Google Classroom or Remind, please reach out to your student's teachers.  Almost 100% of our staff use multiple ways to communicate expectations, assignments, and future assessments.

Wow.  We have NEVER seen so many requests for short term Independent Study (IS) as we have 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 leading up to a long holiday week break (Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break)

Many parents have asked us what to do about insuring their Vikings' chrome books.  While we know that we really want our students to all be careful, sometimes things happen.  There is a LOW COST option that is available to ALL GVMS students!  Check out THIS LINK to get an instant quote!  Seriously worth it!!

All of our lost and found, located on our stage in the cafeteria, will be donated to charity on Friday, November 16.  PLEASE make sure you and your Viking check to see if anything is theirs before it leaves!

If you didn't purchase your yearbook at the beginning of the school year, it can NOW be purchased online!  AWESOME!  Click HERE to order and enter the code 7927!  Yearbooks will arrive sometime at the end of May, 2019!

*UPDATED WITH ALL NEW PROJECTS!!*

We are ALWAYS thinking outside the box to create effective ways to reach all of our students!  Want to be a part of this??  All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!  Check out THIS LINK to see ALL OF the different ideas that our VERY OWN GVMS teachers have come up with!  NEW PROJECTS HAVE BEEN ADDED!!