The Falcon
Fieldstone Middle School * October 2019*
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Happy Fall! We've had a wonderful start to the school year and so appreciate the high level of attendance at our Back to School Night.
This month will bring a number of areas of focus both at the state and national level. These include the Week of Respect (10/7-10/11), School Violence Awareness Week (10/21-10/25) and Red Ribbon Week- Drug Awareness (10/28-11/1). Additional information will be shared about each theme as we move through the month. With the support of Mrs. Walker, our Character Ambassadors will be planning, organizing, and facilitating many enriching learning activities; their efforts are very much appreciated.
The month of October is filled with a number of observances; all serve to unite us around the common goal of creating a safe and supportive environment for our students. Throughout the school year, our advisory and peer mentoring programs, Falcon meetings, and ongoing reinforcement of positive choices will ensure that Fieldstone Middle School is a place where all members of our school community are valued, cared for, and respected. Our recent Positive Choices Pep Rally provided an opportunity to highlight these expectations.
Please see below for additional topics of interest and the many reasons why it's great to be a Falcon. As always, if we can be of assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
All the best,
Gina McCormack, Principal
Rich Scherer, Assistant Principal
FMS Positive Choices Pep Rally
Guidance Updates from Mrs. Walker
Week of Respect, School Violence Awareness, and Red Ribbon Week
Important issues will be highlighted throughout October. The focus of these observances will be around strengthening positive school climate, safety, and student well-being. Further information will be available through the morning announcements as well as through future email blasts.
Eighth Grade High School Planning Information
Any FMS student applying to parochial, private, and/ or BCA or Bergen Tech schools must notify Mrs. Walker as soon as possible. Students are required to submit a "Release of Records Form" to Mrs. Walker. These forms are available through the admissions offices of each school.
On November 13, 2019, Pascack Hills supervisors will visit eighth graders at FMS to discuss the course selection and honors placement process at the high school.
Lunchtime Groups
Insight, friendship, and empowerment groups with Mrs. Walker will begin in two weeks. Interested students should see Mrs. Walker if they would like to be included. These group sessions generally run from 8-12 weeks.
2019-2020 FMS Student Government Officers
President: Bethany Chen.
Vice President:Meher Baath
Secretary:Jason Sorrentino
Treasurer:Christian Ruocco
Technology Coordinator: Jagjit Ramakrishnan
New Outdoor Classroom
FMS Book Hutch
Seventh Graders Participating in a Socratic Seminar
Seventh Grade Author Visit - Jim Averbeck
Thank you to the PTO for generously funding this enriching experience through the Curriculum Enhancement Program and to Mrs. Sarappo , Ms. Austin, Mrs. Ferreira, and Mrs. Raimondi for organizing the visit.
Eighth Grade Author Visit - Neal Bascomb
We recently welcomed back author Neal Bascomb, the author of The Nazi Hunters. This non-fiction account of the capture of Adolf Eichman in Argentina following WWII had been required summer reading for all eighth graders. After an informative presentation, students were given the opportunity to present reflective narrative poems related to their reading. Additionally, they participated in a question and answer session focused on the content of the book as well as the writing process.
Thank you to the PTO for generously funding this enriching experience through the Curriculum Enhancement Program and to Mrs. Passaro, Mrs. Murrell, Mrs. Sarappo, and Ms. Austin for organizing the visit.
Athletics Update
Our Fall 2019 Fieldstone Middle School sports season is officially underway! The fall season consists of both soccer and volleyball. All are encouraged to come out and support our Falcons as they soar towards another great season. If you plan on attending a game, schedules can be found on the FMS website under Athletics.
https://sites.google.com/montvalek8.org/fmsathletics
Good luck to all of our teams. Let's go Falcons!
Halloween at FMS
School Picture Retakes
Any student who missed picture day or would like to have his/her picture retaken can do so on November 1st.
PTO-Sponsored Book Fair
Grade levels will be attending on the dates indicated below:
- Gr. 5 - 10/11
- Gr. 6 - 10/15
- Gr. 7 - 10/16
- Gr. 8 - 10/17
Co-Curricular Activities
Computer Club
Butterfly Garden
Eighth graders enjoyed lunch with author Neal Bascomb.
Upcoming Events
10/7-10/11 - Week of Respect
10/9 - Religious Holiday - School Closed
10/11 - 10/18- Book Fair
10/14 - Professional Development Day - School Closed for Students
10/21 - 10/25 - School Violence Awareness Week
10/28 - 11/1 - Red Ribbon Week
10/31 - Halloween
11/1- School Picture Retake Day
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