Fuller Family Newsletter

Vol. 4, No 36 - May 21, 2023

ESPAÑOL:

¿Necesita traducción? Desde una computadora o portátil, haga clic en "Translate" (Traducir) en el cuadro negro. Desde un teléfono celular o tableta, haga clic en el icono de Accesibilidad en la parte inferior de la pantalla y después haga clic en "Translate" (Traducir).


PORTUGUÊS

Precisa de tradução? No computador/laptop clique em "Translate" (Traduzir) na caixa preta. No celular/tablete clique no ícone Accessibilidade na parte inferior da tela e clique em 'Translate' (Traduzir).



Need translation? On a computer/laptop, click "Translate" in the black box. On a mobile phone/tablet click the Accessibility Icon at the bottom of your phone screen and then click 'translate'.

Respect, Responsibility, Resilience

At the core of Fuller Middle School is a sense of pride and unity in our diverse community, where students are innovators and architects of their own learning and future. ~ Fuller's Vision

Core Values

Every day at Fuller, our CORE Values, or guiding principles, drive our school wide culture. These core values are taught and then reinforced daily with every student. We expect all students to demonstrate Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience towards everyone and in every situation.

Falcon Shout Outs!

Thank to the Fuller PTO for a wonderful Teacher Appreciation lunch and raffle on Thursday. We appreciate everything the Fuller PTO does for our teachers, our students, and our school community. You are AMAZING!


*Next PTO Meeting is June 12th!

Ms. Dunne - New Social Studies Department Chair

With Ms. Armstrong's retirement at the end of this school year and after an extensive interview process, Ms. Dunne was named the new Fuller Middle School Social Studies Department Chair. Congratulations Ms. Dunne!
Big picture
Hello Fuller Family! I am so excited to be stepping into the Social Studies Department Head position. Let me tell you a little more about myself. I started teaching in 2001 after graduating from Keene State College in New Hampshire. I spent the first 10 years of my teaching career working in small Catholic schools and a charter school where I taught grades 6-8 ELA and Social Studies. During that time, I received my Masters in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. In 2011, I joined the Fuller Family as a 7th grade ELA and Social Studies teacher. After a few years of teaching 7th grade, I moved to 6th grade and continued to teach both ELA and Social Studies, and in 2021 I decided to focus on teaching Social Studies. In May of 2023, I completed the Teacher Leadership and Mentoring Institute at Mt, Holyoke College. I am also the High School Equivalency Coordinator for the Framingham Adult ESL Program, which takes place at Fuller on Tuesday and Thursday nights. I look forward to starting my new role in the Fall of 2023 supporting both students and faculty in Social Studies.

Important Reminders

Reminder: We do not accept food delivery (such as Door Dash) for students during the school day. Students can bring their own lunches from home or have a hot lunch provided by the cafeteria. Additionally, students are not allowed to walk around the school with Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Energy Drinks, or sugary drinks (large cans of iced tea, soda, etc.). All breakfast brought to school must be eaten in the cafeteria before morning homeroom. Students may have drinks from home during lunch, but please do not send energy drinks. Middle School students do not need energy drinks; it will not help them concentrate on their studies during the school day.


Students now have Student IDs that they should be wearing every day. Please help your child develop a routine of putting their ID in a safe place each afternoon so they remember to bring it to school with them. I put my ID in my school bag when I leave school and then retrieve it from my bag when I return to school the next morning - students can do the same thing with their backpacks. We have been reminding them of this routine each day. Last week we had 4 more classes earn an extra recess. During classroom checks at least 85% of students in these classrooms had their ID on and visible. We will be doing more classroom checks this week; wear your ID and help your class win an extra recess with Mr. Howe and Ms. Pratt!


Additionally, students should not be bringing cell phones or air pods/earbuds to school. If they do bring a cell phone or air pods/earbuds to school, they must stay in their backpack or locker once they enter school. If they are used by your child during the school day, they will be held in the office until the end of the day (they will be able to collect them as they are leaving the building for the day).


If you need to contact your child, please call the main office (508) 620-4956. If your child needs to contact you, they may come to the main office to text or call you from there.


The no phone policy is for the safety of all of our students and to preserve the learning environment of our school. Students who are distracted by their phones during the day, are not focused on their education. If your child's phone becomes a problem, we will request a meeting with the caregivers to discuss further steps.

Week of May 22, 2023

Monday, May 22 - Day 5

Tuesday, May 23 - Day 6 - Metrowest Scholars Field Trip to FSU

Wednesday, May 24 - Day 1 - Band and Chorus Concert

Thursday, May 25 - Day 2

Friday, May 26 - Day 3


School Closed on Monday, May 29th in Observance of Memorial Day

Big picture
The school day begins promptly at 8:08 every morning; attendance is taken in Homeroom.

Students must not arrive to school before 7:55; school doors open at 7:55.

Breakfast is served from 7:55-8:10.

The school day ends at 2:25.

Fuller Events and Information

Positive Messages Poster Campaign

Framingham Public Schools is creating a Positive Messages Poster Campaign with students from across our schools. If your child signed up to have their picture taken as a part of this, you would have received a phone call from our district's communication office requesting your permission.


The participating students' photo shoot is on Wednesday, May 24th from 9-10:30am at Fuller.

Band and Chorus Concert - May 24th at Fuller MS

Fuller Spring Band and Chorus Concert


Please join us this Wednesday, May 24th at 7pm for the Fuller Spring Band and Chorus Concert. Featuring the 6th grade band, 7th & 8th grade band, Fuller Falcon Jazz Band, and the Fuller Chorus. All Band and Chorus students should attend. Students need to arrive at Fuller no later than 6:30pm!


When entering the building, please use the entrance on the left side of the building. This is the same side of the building for caregiver pickup and drop off. It is also on the same side as the basketball court. Please do not enter through the main entrance.


If you have any questions please email Mrs. J at dthomas@framingham.k12.ma.us.

Spring Concerts

May 24 - Band Concert - 7:00pm Fuller MS

May 31 - Orchestra Concert - 7:00pm FHS

July 2 - Fuller Faculty Variety Show - Benefit to Raise Money for Fuller Student Events - 4:30-5:30 at Fuller

FHS Tryouts and Information

Stay up to date with all tryout and game information for Framingham HS


https://twitter.com/FHSFlyersSports

https://www.facebook.com/FHSFlyersAthletics/

Big picture

7th Grade SOS Curriculum in Health - June 6&7

If your 7th grade child is currently taking health, their health teacher and our Student Support Team will presenting our SOS Curriculum during Health classes on June 6&7.


During this challenging year, school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.


SOS has been used by thousands of schools for over 20 years. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.


Through the program, students learn:

  • that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help

  • how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend

  • to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend

  • who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it


Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional.


At the end of class, students will complete an exit slip which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk.


We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.




7th gr. SOS parent letter - English

Parent Handout - English

7th gr. SOS parent letter - Portuguese

Parent Handout - Portuguese

7th gr. SOS parent letter - Spanish

Parent handout - Spanish

8th Calendar Raffle

Support the 8th Grade's end of year activities while winning amazing prizes.

Prize Drawings - May15-June 14


And the Winners for last week are:

Big picture
Big picture

Yearbooks!

Yearbooks are now on sale. Families can order them online with this link: Yearbook Sale. Our school code is 712953. Yearbooks are $15. A limited number of books will be available to be purchased during lunches in June.
Big picture
Big picture

Get Your Library Card

Would you like to check out books, movies, video games, devices, arts and crafts materials, kitchen equipment or get free museum passes? If you answered "Yes" to any of these, you need a Framingham Public Library card. Library Cards are free and let you access book and so much more.


Use the link below to sign up for a public library card. Library cards will be delivered to Fuller MS and will passed out in June.

Next School Council and PTO Meeting - June 12th at 6:00 & 7:00 at Fuller MS

8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

Thank you to all of the families, students, and teachers who completed our survey regarding the time of the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony; your input was greatly appreciated.


The 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 16th at 5:00-7:00pm (students will need to arrive at 4:30pm) at our outdoor amphitheater*. We will provide chairs for all 8th grade students, but audience members should plan to bring their own chairs or blankets to sit on during the ceremony.




* If there is inclement weather, we will hold the 8th grade promotion ceremony in the Fuller MS Gymnasium on Friday, June 16th.

Who to Contact if You Need Assistance

Big picture

School Drop Off/Pick Up and Map

Big picture

For the safety of our students, do not pass other cars when using the parent drop off/pick up line.


The construction team has been hard at work this summer preparing Fuller Middle School for our new school year. There have been major changes made to our outside areas. Fuller now has two turf fields, a basketball court, and a newly paved parking lot (with a new entrance/exit). Please use the map below to see where student drop off/pickup is located. Please remember to only use the designated area when dropping off or picking up your child; this is for the safety of all of our students. Students should only cross Flagg Drive at the marked crosswalks.



If you will be dropping off or picking up your child, please follow the traffic pattern. For the safety of all students, vehicles are not allowed in the circle in front of the school from 7:30 - 8:15 and 2:00 - 3:00. This is to allow the buses to safely drop off and pick up students. Students will be dropped off and picked up in the large parking lot nearest to the fields. Staff members will be present to assist students.

No Cell Phones in School

Big picture
Cell phones can be a major distraction for many of our students. Please speak to your child about making sure they keep their cell phone and earbuds/AirPods in their locker or backpack.



  • If a student has their cell phone out or have earbuds/AirPods in during the school day, we will hold the cell phone in the office until the end of the school day.
  • If a student continues to have their cell phone taken away, we will require a parent or guardian to pick up the cell phone from the school. The school will notify home.


Please help us keep your child focused on learning by either keeping their cell phone at home or talking to them about putting away their cell phone and earbuds/AirPods during the school day*.



If you need to reach your child, please call the main office at 508-620-4956.

If your child needs to reach you, they can come to the main office to call or text you.


*Unless a student is using a cell phone for medical reasons.

Please Review with Your Child

1. Since the weather will still be warm when we return to school, we are asking that all students come to school dressed in school appropriate clothing. Fuller is air conditioned, so there should be no reason for students to come to school in beach wear. This includes sunglasses. We are asking for these items to stay at home. Students cannot wear clothing representing alcohol, tobacco products, drugs, or pornography. We understand that there are popular stores selling these items of clothing, but we will need to ask students to change or to turn the item of clothing inside-out if it is worn to school.



2. The following items are not allowed during school hours at school without permission:

  • Cell phones, Airpods, and smart watches are not allowed during school hours. If students bring these items to school, they will need to be put away in lockers or backpacks before entering the school.

  • Electronic games or devices, laser pens or pointers, cameras, video cameras. (Taking pictures or videos of students and staff is not permitted in school or on buses.)

  • Pokemon cards or other trading cards

  • Skateboards/sneakers with built-in wheels.


3. Bringing the following items could result in a suspension or expulsion, and in some cases will be reported to the police and/or fire department.
  • Squirt guns, water guns, air guns, cap guns, etc. - anything that looks like a gun is not allowed in school.

  • Lighters, matches or lighting devices, alcohol, illegal drugs, counterfeit drugs, drug paraphernalia, tobacco (chewing or smoking, such as cigarettes and vaping devices).

  • Weapons, knives (including pocket or utility knives), fireworks, stink bombs.

  • Other devices that may create a disruption or potentially be a safety risk (i.e. shock delivering devices).

How to Get Involved - PTO, School Council, Volunteering

We love when families and caregivers become involved at Fuller MS. It takes everyone working together to support all of our students.

If you have any questions about the PTO or would to volunteer for the PTO, please reach out to Jonna Rubin or Kate Schneider at fullerpto@gmail.com.

If you would like to join our School Council or volunteer to help out at the school, please reach out directly to me at kwood@framingham.k12.ma.us


School Council Meetings: 6:00-7:00 PM

PTO Meetings: 7:00-8:00 PM

Monthly Meeting Dates: 6/12

"You cannot call yourself a 'culturally responsive' educator if your purpose is to raise test scores rather than to liberate young people's spirits and ignite their intellectual curiosity" ~ Zaretta Hammond