Note from the Principal
The school year has gotten off to a Frenchtastic start. Students are already learning like their hair is on fire! We enjoyed meeting families at Meet the Teacher Night in August. Please stay in consistent communication with teachers. We want to work as a team to help your student reach their potential.
Just a few beginning of the year reminders…
Consistent and regular attendance is crucial for student success. Students are considered truant after 3 consecutive unexcused absences, 5 unexcused absences in a semester and 7 unexcused absences in a school year. Once students reach 10 absences regardless of being excused or unexcused, a doctor’s note is required in order for the absence to be excused. Please be sure to communicate with our front office when your student is absent. Absent students need to check google classroom for assignments and email teachers with questions. Students are responsible for obtaining and completing assignments assigned during their absence.
All students who walk to school or are car riders enter and exit the building from the front. The back parking lot is for bus drop off and pick up only. In order to keep our front drive traffic flowing before and after school, that cars do not stop in the center lane. We ask cars to pull over to either curb to drop off or pick up students. This allows the center lane to remain open for cars to move through. It also allows for students to safely enter and exit their cars.
1st Quarter Midterms: Midterms are just around the corner. September 8th will be halfway through our first quarter. Any missing work from the first half of the quarter will be due on September 6th.
Again thank you to all families for a successful start. On behalf of the FMS Faculty, we look forward to a positive and productive school year.
Sertoma Duck Race French MS PTO Fundraiser
Calling all Falcons! Help out PTO and local community resources by adopting ducks at the Sertoma Duck Race. French MS PTO will receive 50% of the proceeds raised in purchasing ducks. The rest will go back to the community sponsoring Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys&Girls Club, Capper Foundation, TARC, Meals on Wheels, Topeka Rescue Mission and more.
Duck adopters have a chance to win great prizes and even a car! Prizes will be listed on website: https://www.duckrace.com/topeka
Online adoptions continue up to the race. Just click on https://www.duckrace.com/topeka
And look for French MS PTO.
Ducks are adopted for $5 each
Family of 5 ducks for $20
Flock of 12 ducks for $50
Oodle of ducks (27) for $100
Remember,FMS gets 50% of profits & you can purchase up to 10 am the day of the duck race. Adopt now through Sept. 16, 2023. The duck race will take place at Lake Shawnee!
FMS Food Truck Family Night
Our PTO would like to invite all families to enjoy a meal and meet other families at our first food truck night at French MS. September 19th the Burger Bus and a dessert truck will be available in our back parking lot. Families can enjoy the football game after school and then dinner as well. We hope families will join us and have an opportunity to meet other FMS families by sharing a meal. Bus will begin serving around 5pm until 7:00pm. Families can dine in our commons area or bring lawn chairs to eat picnic style outside. We hope to see you there!
Here Comes the Bus App
Families can stay updated on transportation during the upcoming school year by downloading the Here Comes the Bus app!
- View the real-time location of your child’s bus.
- Access the app from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
- Receive push notifications or email alerts.
- Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time every time.
How to get started:
- Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com
- Sign Up by going to the Here Comes the Bus website. https://login.herecomesthebus.com/SignUpConfirm.aspx
- Enter school code 29036 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
- Complete the “User Profile” box
- Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number
- Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
Family Fitness Night
Join us for the 13th annual TPS Family Fitness Fun Night, September 20, 2023 at Hummer Sports Park-515 S.W. Tuffy Kellogg Drive. TPS provides information for families and the community on education and healthy living in a positive and fun atmosphere “for all ages” in a safe setting.
Requirements for athletics:
Must pass 5 classes the previous quarter to be eligible.
Must have an updated physical signed by a licensed physician and head concussion sheet signed by parents.
Must have eligibility points left for the current quarter, each student starts with 10 points.
Must participate in practice to participate in games.
Must follow the coach's rules and guidelines to be in good standing.
Must be passing all classes the week of a game to be eligible to play in that weeks game.
Practice times
Cross Country- 300-4:30
Girls Tennis- afterschool from 3:00- 4:30
B VB- 6:15 AM- 7:30 AM
Varsity& JV VB- 3:00 PM- 5:00 PM
Varsity &JV FB- 3:00 PM- 5:30 PM
Equipment/clothing needed for practice
Football may want to bring older shirts and shorts to wear under their pads. All football equipment will be issued by the school, outside equipment is not allowed due to safety reasons.
Volleyball girls may want to purchase knee pads, or wait to see if the coach has extra to loan out.
Tennis rackets are available to borrow from the school or use your own.
Head Coaches-
Cross Country-Ms. Ryan
Tennis- Mr. Renfro
Varsity VB- Ms. Hirt
Varsity FB- Mr. Mellen
All questions to be addressed by Tim Wilson, Activity Coordinator,- 438-4162 or twilson@tps501.org
Please see our school website for more detailed information as well as calendar of events.
Social Emotional Back to School Tips
Adolescents need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep each night.
Sleep helps…
Your brain develop and function
You pay attention
Improve your memory
Clean out toxins in your brain
Prevent feelings like anxiety and depression
Make Time for Self-Care
Self-care is about meeting your basic needs so you can be physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy.
Self-Care Activities
Listen to music
Do yoga
Read a book
Exercise
Watch a movie
Talk to someone
Play with your pet
Take a nap
Write in a journal
Go for a walk
Take photos
Try something new
Dance
Create art
Play a video game
Cook or bake something
Spend time in nature
Write a poem or a story
Make a video
Do a puzzle
Develop Meaningful Relationships
Developing relationships with your teachers and peers helps create a positive. school environment.
Characteristics of positive relationships:
Support others
Be empathetic
Actively listen
Use clear communication
Resolve conflict
Be a positive influence
IMMUNIZATIONS
All students entering 7th grade are required to have a Tdap (tetanus booster) and a Meningococcal vaccination on file. If your student has had the vaccines, but you have not yet submitted that information for their file, please forward a copy to Nurse Besenyi as soon as possible. If your student is new to the district, ALL vaccination records will need to be sent. You may email records to kbesenyi@tps501.org or fax to (785) 271-3609 or send a paper copy directly to the school. Student immunizations must be up to date by September 30th, or your student may be excluded from school until records are received.
Medications At School
Students are not allowed to carry medications with them during the school day. All medication including prescription and over the counter medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen must have proper paperwork in place and all medications must be kept in the school nurse's office. (This includes cough drops.) Exceptions can be made for Inhalers and Epi-Pens, with an additional form. If you have questions please contact Nurse Besenyi for the appropriate forms.
Request to Administer Medication This form is required for any/all medications prescribed by a physician or healthcare provider, including Inhalers, Epi-Pens, or for any medication taken on a daily basis. This form will require the prescribing physician’s signature and a parent or guardian’s signature before the medication can be administered.
Request to Take Medication This form is required for over the counter medication that a student may need to take on an as needed basis, such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, or cough drops. Students may only use over the counter medications per the directions on the label, including age and dosage. This form must be signed by the parent or legal guardian.
Permission To Carry Epi-Pen (Medication Release Form) If you wish your student to carry their Epi-Pen on them during the school day, this form must be completed by the Prescribing Physician, the Parent or Guardian, the School Principal and the School Nurse. This form is in addition to the Request to Administer Medication.
Permission to Carry Inhaler (Medication Release Form) If you wish your student to carry their inhaler on them during the school day, this form must be completed by the Prescribing Physician, the Parent or Guardian, the School Principal and the School Nurse. This form is in addition to the Request to Administer Medication.
French Middle School
Kendra Besenyi, LPN
Ph: (785) 438-4156
Fax: (785) 271-3609
Email: kbesenyi@tps501.org
