The Faubion Lion Pride Press
week of december 7, 2020
Dear Lion Pride,
Please read this week's installment of the Faubion Lion Pride Press. Acts of kindness by our students, service from our PTO to celebrate our teachers, exceptional instruction in the classroom, and beautification of our campus by the art department are just a few items going on at Faubion Middle School. Please be sure to pay your child's Macbook assurance fee before December 13. We have several events coming in the next few weeks, including performances by orchestra, choir, band, and cheer. Basketball also ramps up their season next week after finishing tryouts today.
This week our students celebrated National Roof Over Your Head Day. The day was created as a day to be thankful for what you have, starting with the roof over your head. All across the nation and in our community, there are many who do not have the things that are necessary, such as food, clothing, or shelter. We oftentimes take these items for granted - which means that we fail to recognize the hard work it took to secure those items. So just like Thanksgiving, students were encouraged to be thankful for what they do have and to pay respect to those who helped provide them for them. Several students approached me during the school day to share what they are thankful for, and I was so touched by their perspective.
Aristotle once said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Therefore, excellence ought not be an act but a habit." At Faubion Middle School, we make excellence a habit, and we are kind to each other. Parents, thank you for instilling those values in our students so that our students can make a lasting and positive mark on our community.
Go Lions!
-Mr. Boom
Payment Needed for Macbook Assurance Fees
McKinney ISD is uniquely positioned to not only address the challenges presented by the pandemic but also to create an environment where students can become producers in an increasingly digital world. In order to provide the very best technology for our students, parents pay a nominal annual fee for insurance on their district-issued laptop. These fees can be paid in HAC through either the parent or student account.
This file provides instructions for how to pay the fee, including troubleshooting suggestions. Also included in the file is the 1:The World handbook (in English and in Spanish). Please pay the assurance fee at your earliest convenience to prevent your child's laptop from being deactivated before we pause for winter break.
THE Art Department IS beautifying faubion!
Piet Mondrian design
Jackson Pollock inspired
Keith Haring Inspiration
Over the past several weeks, our art students have created art masterpieces on our hand sanitizer stands. Over time, they will decorate every stand in the building. Please stay tuned to watch our campus come to life!
The first sanitizer station with the black line grid filled with the primary colors (blue, yellow, and red) was inspired by Piet Mondrian. He is known for being a pioneer of 20th century abstract art. “Art is higher than reality and has no direct relation to reality. To approach the spiritual in art, one will make as little use as possible of reality, because reality is opposed to the spiritual” (Piet Mondrian, Wikipedia.org).
The second sanitizer station splatter painted by the front office was inspired by Jackson Pollock. Pollock was an Abstract Expressionist. He was motivated by the “Action” of the creation of the artwork, not just the finished product. In the high point of his career, people would gather around him to watch him splash, drip and splatter his canvas that he would lay on the ground under his feet.
The third sanitizer station was inspired by Keith Haring. It has a yellow background and characters doing different things from skateboarding to DJing. Haring got his start by creating chalk drawings on the New York subway walls and floors. His work “The Radiant Baby” became his most recognized artwork from the show. His artwork lives on today through clothing companies like Benetton that use his artwork as graphics for t-shirts and hoodies.
PTO honors our staff for their service
Five years: Jeremy Callaway, Crystalyn Edwards (pictured), Christine Hammack, Shanna Hobbs, Brittany Neal, Michael Parker, Raul Perez, Brooke Riley, Yecenia Romero, Jordan Smith, Rosie Soroa, and Michelle Wells.
10 years: Birgitte Blackwell, Jodi Connolly, Ashli Gann, Christina Kiefer, and Elena Muniz.
15 years: Christy Pool and Janie Green.
20 years: Marea Kelly
30 years!!!: Dedona Wammack
Thank you for your service to MISD and for your continued dedication to the education of our wonderful students and future of our society!
Student Spotlight - Olanre Oremade
Mrs. Quigley's Class
Sixth grade scholars wrote a thesis paragraph for their expository essay. They also revised and edited their writing. Pictured are: Anel Banos, Kaylee McReynolds, Landis Jett, Hannah Luedke, Kaylynn Wells, Bredon Brewer, Stephanie Franco, Jacqui Rosas-Borjas, Antonio Valenzuela-Rodriguez, and Logan Tuberville.
Upcoming Events
Friday, December 4
Orchestra - Multiple performance groups beginning at 6 p.m. (invite only)
Tuesday, Dec. 8
Choir - Multiple performance groups beginning at 6 p.m. (invite only)
Band (6th grade) @ FMS gymnasium - 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. (invite only)
Wednesday, Dec. 9
7th boys' basketball @ Highland Park - Gold - 5:00 / Navy - 6:00 / White - 7:00
8th boys' basketball (home) vs. Highland Park - Gold - 5:00 / Navy - 6:00 / White - 7:00
Thursday, Dec. 10
7th girls' basketball @ Highland Park - Gold - 5:00 / Navy - 6:00 / White - 7:00
8th girls' basketball (home) vs. Highland Park - Gold - 5:00 / Navy - 6:00 / White - 7:00
Tuesday, Dec. 15
Band (7th and 8th grade) @ MHS Performing Arts Center - 6:30 p.m. start (invite only)
Thursday, Dec. 17
Cheer Holiday Show - FMS gymnasium - 6 p.m. (invite only)
CHEER SPOTLIGHT
Our Faubion Cheerleaders have been working hard this year. We have spent much of the fall cheering at football games and learning new routines for virtual pep rallies that increase school spirit. Each routine is designed by the students. Right now, the squad is working on routines for our Holiday show, which will take place on December 17 at 6 p.m.
Along with focusing on cheer skills, the team participates in leadership days to build confident, thankful, and kind young adults. Our squad not only focuses on our personal needs, but the needs of our school, community, and family. The team participated in a canned food drive, decorated, and gave pumpkins to staff members. We also honor a teacher and staff member each month.
If your son or daughter is interested in participating in cheer, please check out our Cheer Website. Tryouts will be held the week of February 8, 2021.
Twice each week in AVID, we have the opportunity to work with college-aged tutors for in-class tutorial sessions! They are completely student-led and help students develop skills that include: asking higher level questions for critical thinking, note-taking, as well as taking responsibility for your own learning. Students often bring in questions from their advanced classes so that they are able to receive support from their peers, tutors, and their teacher!
Pictured above are a few of our tutors, as well as some moments captured during deep discussions among collaborative groups.
Preparing for Winter Concert
Leading Practice
Deep in conversation
In math class, Mrs. Stevens pulls a small group to connect an academic concept to real-world application. The students were having conversation using both formal and informal language registers, switching upon request. Pictured are: Josh Fannin, Ruben Sanvicente, Aliva Jones, and Joshua Hicks.
Philosophical chairs
6th grade students in Mrs. Hutchison's class were introduced to a structured debating strategy called Philosophical Chairs. Face-to-face students and virtual students were able to interact throughout the debate about whether or not homework is beneficial. Students from both sides made great points and gained confidence speaking in front of a group. Most importantly, students learned to be respectful when hearing a different point of view… and they did so beautifully.
Pictured are: Angeles Pulido, Alejandra Martinez, Britton Osmer, Emiliano Aguilar, Cole Ganter, Kaylee DeFoe, Daicion Sirghi, Tatiana Cruz, Trayse Taylor, Rahil Gillani, Matthew Viramulume, Kaylynn Wells, Gena Pasillas, Sawyer Skelte, Greyson Hampton, Logan Peterson, Joanna Chiu, Simona Saifur, and Sophia Sestrac.
PALS!
School calendar adjustment
Historically, during finals week, we have only required high school students to attend a half-day on the day prior to the Winter Break. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be holding first semester final exams this December.
This year, we will not observe a half-day or early release day for high school students on Friday, December 18. Instead, we have designated Tuesday, February 16, as a Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day for all McKinney ISD students. Monday, February 15, is already designated as a Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day for all McKinney ISD students.
All McKinney ISD Students
Friday, December 18 (Regular School Day/No Early Release)
Monday, February 15 (Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day)
Tuesday, February 16 (Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day)
Please make note in your schedules and calendars that we will not observe early release on December 18, and Tuesday, February 16, has been designated as a Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day for all McKinney ISD students.
Notes of gratitude and acts of kindness
Sydney LaFoucade
Callie Briones
Emilia Richard and Heather Kuhlhorst
Paige Stevens holds the door!
Colt Keeth turns in a misplaced phone!
Jalacia Humphrey holds the door!
December 1st was National Giving Day. National Giving Day is the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, and on this day we discussed several ways that our students and teachers gave back to their community.
Research shows that giving has both physical and mental benefits, including:
· Longer life span
· Lower blood pressure
· Increase in self esteem
· Decrease in the instance of depression
· Greater satisfaction and overall happiness
"Kids who volunteer are more likely to have a greater respect for others, leadership skills, and an understanding of citizenship that can carry over into adulthood" (Child Trends, 2012).
Giving does not have to be about giving money. It can also be about giving of our time or sharing a skill with another. As we close out the semester and 2020, consider talking to your children about the joys of giving. Think of ways as a family you can model the lifelong gift of giving to others. As always, check out the Faubion MS Counselor Website for more info and counselor contacts:
Checking Your Child's Grades and Attendance
You may monitor your child's grades and attendance by using the Home Access Center.
Here are the steps to follow:
1) Please make sure that you are using Google Chrome as your browser.
2) Go to https://sso.mckinneyisd.net
3) Enter your login credentials. If you need assistance with your login information, please reach out to your child's house secretary:
A-G: Mrs. Soroa - rsoroa@mckinneyisd.net or 469-302-7005
H-O: Mrs. Gonzalez - amgonzalez@mckinneyisd.net or 469-302-6911
P-Z: Mrs. Dedman - odedman@mckinneyisd.net or 469-302-6917
2020-2021 Spinal Screenings through the School Nurse
The State of Texas requires a spinal screening for abnormal spinal curvature in accordance with the following:
Girls will be screened two times, once at age 10 and again at age 12 (regardless of grade level);
Boys will be screened one time at age 13 or 14 (regardless of grade level).
Due to COVID restrictions, we are spacing out the screenings. The next group that will have a screening will start next Monday. During the weeks of Dec. 7, Dec. 15, and (if needed) the first week of January, boys with birthdates between 05/01/2007 and 04/30/2008 will undergo screening. Nurse Guinn will send more information through email (in English and Spanish) to affected students.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Nurse Guinn at mguinn@mckinneyisd.net.
Words from the Learning Commons
Just a couple of items from the library at this time! First, please remind your students to return their overdue library books. If they are still reading them, they can stop by the library to renew them, as long as another student is not waiting for that book. We have a lot of students with books on hold, so please have your students return their books as soon as they are finished reading them!
The second item I want to talk about are the Student Laptops. Over the break, there were a lot of computers that were damaged. Please be super careful with this equipment and help your child find a safe place for it. The district has set up a plan where you pay a small yearly fee to use the laptop. This covers one incident over the life of the device (five years). Further incidents are paid at $125 each. Make sure you have paid this yearly assurance fee for the laptop by December 13 at midnight. See the "payment needed" section at the top of the newsletter for more information. Not paying the assurance fee by the due date will result in laptop having restricted access.
Have a great week!
Mrs. Willardson
Jack C. Faubion Middle School, the best middle school in the State of Texas
Email: mvandenboom@mckinneyisd.net
Website: faubionmiddleschool.com
Location: 2000 Rollins Street, McKinney, TX 75069
Phone: 469) 302-6900
Facebook: facebook.com/FaubionMS/
Twitter: @FaubionMS