The Firebird Flash
November 12, 2021
NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Principal's Update
- Student Council Food Drive
- Fundraiser Delivery UPDATE
- Do you want to order student pictures?
- Adventure in Panama
- Girls' Basketball
- Tdap Reminder
- Mark Your Calendar
- PTSA
- Yearbooks
- Purchase Firebird Gear
Updates from our Principal
Greetings Firebird Nation Families -
I hope everyone has had a great week! One more week to go until Thanksgiving Break!
Today, students were on an assembly schedule so that they could attend their mini courses at the end of the day for a quick check-in. Teachers talked with the students about what they would need to bring with them on the day of mini courses and overviewed any logistics. The weather outlook is looking good next week for the return of our mini course season. The district communications team is planning to attend various courses as well to highlight all of the awesome opportunities taking place for our students! We are still looking for some additional chaperones for some of the trips. If you are interested in attending, please contact Cindy White at crwhite@d49.org to express your interest.
I continue to visit classrooms and have been beyond impressed with the caliber of work our students are producing. This week, 8th grade students showed me their learning plans and activities they were completing to master specific standards. I also saw some of the science investigations taking place in all three grade levels. It was awesome! With the challenges we faced from remote learning, teachers are working to provide a variety of activities and instruction focused on meeting the learning needs at the levels students are at. The learning plans help to provide different leveled activities that ultimately support students in growing towards the proficiency target at their grade level. I was impressed as I heard students telling me what they specifically needed to do to reach a proficient level. They are definitely building understanding of what is needed to help them achieve success in their classes. Way to go Firebirds!
As we move forward this year, I know many have heard of the challenges all schools are facing in acquiring guest teachers. There have been numerous days where FMS has been without multiple substitute teachers. When this happens, we have to shift teachers to cover classes during their planning periods. Administrators, Counselors, and Office staff are also covering as well. We want to make sure that we have adults in classrooms for the supervision of our students. The district has been working to recruit additional substitute teachers here as well, and we could definitely use more! If you are interested, please take a look HERE.
We are also looking for additional parents to join our PTSA (Parent, Teacher, Student Association). This is a great way to get involved at FMS! I truly value all of the work and feedback that parents in our PTSA provide. Learn what is happening, share solutions or ideas you have to continue to make FMS better, and volunteer at different events that your students participate in. We really value the partnership that we have with our parents and this group really helps in this aspect. If you are interested, we have a meeting coming up on November 29th at 5:30pm here at FMS. You can join through the link at the bottom of this newsletter as well.
I hope everyone enjoys their weekend! I look forward to seeing Firebirds back on Monday as we finish this last week before Thanksgiving strong!
Sincerely,
Brian Smith
Executive Principal
Falcon Middle School
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Student Council is Sponsoring a Food Drive
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Fundraiser Delivery Update
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Would you still like to order Student Pictures?
We have taken student photos a few times over the course of this year. According to Inter-State pictures, we should have student photos for any student enrolled before October 28th. If you are still interested in purchasing student pictures, then go to the Inter-State Pictures Website. There is a distinct code assigned to each picture day. The following codes should work based on which day a student got their picture taken.
July picture date- 60036G
September picture date- 60352Z
October picture date - 61686B
We will have another photo day sometime in February to take any additional photos needed along with photos of new students to FMS.
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Adventure in Panama!
Reminder about the meeting coming up!
Dear Parents & Guardians,
I hope the week is flying by and we can daydream of traveling together soon.
I wanted to send a reminder of the upcoming informational meeting for our 2022 Educational Travel Program to Panama coming up soon. (meeting date/details via link below) I will be discussing all travel logistics—including safety, affordable payment options, earning high school/college credit, and so much more!
View meeting details and RSVP to receive the meeting link and follow up information here: https://bit.ly/2VSNLfK
In the meantime, take a look at this video and picture yourself participating in one of these cultural experiences and not needing to social distance yourself! This time has made me even more excited for the moments we will be getting to share together while seeing new parts of the world with our amazing students.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Milithza McNeil
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Girl's Basketball Tryouts
Dates: November 29, 30 and Dec. 1st
Time: 3:15-4:45
Location: Gym
A link is coming soon for students to sign up for tryouts! Stay Tuned!
Special Reminder for All Parents:
All students are required to have one dose of Tdap vaccine by the time they enter 6th grade to attend public school.
If your FMS student has not been given a Tdap vaccine dose, please contact your medical provider or local pharmacy to have this administered soon.
If you are unsure if your child needs a Tdap dose, please call the school health office at 719-495-5227.
Thank you!
Mark Your Calendar!
Nov 18 and 19 - Firebird Mini Courses
Nov 22 to 26 - Thanksgiving Break
Nov 29 - PTSA Meeting at 5:30pm in the FMS Learning Commons
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Please join us on Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Falcon Middle School Learning Commons for our next PTSA meeting! You do not need to be a member to attend! Come find out more about Firebird Nation and the great things happening for our students!
It's not too late to join the Parent Teacher Student Association! Dues are just $8 for the year. You may pay at the office or online at: https://falconmsptsa.memberhub.com/store
If your student is creating an entry for the Reflections program, just a reminder the deadline is Nov. 18. The awards celebration is Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m. just before our PTSA meeting in the Learning Commons. Just a reminder, the theme is "I Will Change the World By..." and entries can be dance, film, literature, music, photography, or visual arts. I hope to see some great entries from our students!! Contact Karen Hobson (karenhobson@copta.org) for more information.
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8th Grade Ads - 8th Grade Parents may also purchase 8th grade ads for their students using this link.
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Looking for Firebird Gear?
Falcon Middle School
6th Grade Assistant Principal/Athletic Director: Elena Forehand
7th Grade Assistant Principal: Tim Scheck
8th Grade Assistant Principal: Joy Kovanda
6th Grade Counselor: Lisa Murdock
7th Grade Counselor: Carrie Clay
8th Grade Counselor: Amber Villani
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FMS Office Hours
7:15am-3:30pm
Email: fms@d49.org
Website: https://www.d49.org/fms
Location: 9755 Towner Avenue, Peyton, CO, USA
Phone: 719-495-5232