Freedom Middle School News
Week of October 18, 2020 Edition
To translate, please click the link at the top of the page.
Message from Dr. Wright, FMS Principal
Parents,
Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious possessions. It has been great to see students back in the building again. To those of you who have students who are still at home, I hope the transition to the full, four day schedule has been smooth as well. For the most part, it's been a smooth transition here at FMS.
As with most transitions, there are speed bumps. We are still waiting on a shipment of computers to make sure all virtual students have a school-issued device. At this time, however, almost all Hybrid students have been issued a device. If your student does not have a device and is coming into the school for instruction, please fill out the Device Agreement Form for students to receive a device when they return. Students who are staying virtual will receive notice when they can come in to receive a school-issued device.
Please continue to check ParentVue and our Learning Hub for up to date information on grades and instruction.
Go Tigers!
Dr. Wright
Parent/Guardian Checklist
Hybrid Learning Checklist
Virtual Learning Checklist
Weekly Schedule for October 19 through October 23, 2020
Monday, October 19 "A" Day
Tuesday, October 20 "B" Day
Wednesday, October 21 - Wednesdays are the time to connect with your teachers individually
Thursday, October 22 "A" Day
Friday, October 23 "B" Day
Important Reminder for This Week
Message from the Superintendent
From a number of valuable perspectives, our school system experienced an overall successful transition to hybrid in-person learning this week!
While visiting many schools throughout the week, it was so wonderful to see and hear our students actively learning in-person. By all accounts, students did a great job of following and adapting to the new procedures required for safe in-person learning. Thank you to parents for helping to reinforce this both prior to and during the week.
I am humbled and deeply honored to lead and work alongside the absolute best teachers, school and division leaders, and support staff. Despite significant and persistent challenges, our people continue to lead, learn, and serve their hearts out for our students and families across the county. From the many on-site visits and collaborative work this week, it was clear that everyone was working hard, effectively, and with a genuine sense of joy in having students in our schools learning. In conversations with several teachers and school principals, most felt really pleased with the overall transition. Bus transportation, food service, maintenance, and health services meeting the continued challenges.
Instructional Technology Update: The Instructional Technology department worked through the weekend to ensure that the hotspots were ready for students and families. All pre-ordered hotspots were delivered to schools this week. If families still have a need for a hotspot, please contact your child’s school.
Though we were only one day in, our team shared another update with our school board this past Monday. You can view the presentation here and are also welcome to go online and view the entire meeting here.
If you haven’t already done so, please check out our Learning from Home resource parent and student website for distance learning information and resources. If you need help navigating the site, be sure to view the September Family Connection webinar.
Speaking of the Family Connection webinar, our next one will be live-streamed on Thursday, October 22 at 5:00 p.m. at https://www.regionalwebtv.com/family-connection. If you are unable to view it live, it will be recorded and posted at the same link for viewing at any time.
As a reminder, the COVID-19 Dashboard is updated weekly and you can view it in the Return to Learn section or by clicking this link: SCPS COVID-19 Dashboard.
Thank you again to our students and parents for your patience and support through this whole process. If your child needs support in transitioning to the hybrid in-person learning model, please reach out to your child’s schools.
Let’s have another great in-person and distance learning week!
Dr. S. Scott Baker
A Message from Nurse Newton
2019-2020 Yearbooks
2019-2020 Yearbooks for Sale on our Webstore until October 31, 2020
Did you miss the opportunity to purchase a yearbook last year but are still interested in purchasing one? You can do that in our FMS Webstore! The cost is $35 (+ $1.93 processing fee charged by the Webstore). You can use a credit or debit card. Once your order is received and processed you will receive an email to stop by and pick it up. Reminder: this order is for last year's yearbook 2019-2020. To purchase go to the link: https://webstores.activenetwork.com/school-software/freedom_middle_schoo/index.php?l=product_detail&p=322#.X1EAXHlKiUk
What to Bring Each Day
Mask
Agenda
Fully charged school device with power cord
Water bottle (suggested)
Personal Supplies:
Small Hand Sanitizer
Bookbag (no lockers)
School Supplies
Earbuds
Mechanical Pencils and/or individual pencil sharpener
Exploring Hybrid and Virtual Learning
We are committed to providing the best education possible for our students as well as making the transition into our next phase of learning. As of October 12, 2020, all students have moved into hybrid learning or virtual learning. Below is the latest detailed information about hybrid learning and virtual learning. We will continue to provide information as we navigate through this updated educational opportunity.
Calendar Reminders for Oct. and Nov.
- Oct 27 (Group One) & Oct 29 (Group Two) School Picture Days
- Nov 3 Teacher Planning & Development; Students do not attend
- Nov 16 Early Release Day (Students dismissed at 11:45am)
- Nov 18 FMS Conference Night (Virtual) 5:00 to 7:00pm
- Nov 25 - 27 Fall Break (Building is closed)
FMS Library News
View our latest newsletter here - https://www.smore.com/ft76g.
We will have LIVE Library on Wednesdays from 1:00 PM-1:30 PM that will include book talks, digital station activities, and read alouds.
Join us in reading October's Book of the Month - Into the Wild by Erin Hunter. Take a moment each Thursday to share what you are reading on our FlipGrid.
Connect with the library through our Library Google Classroom and our Library Website.
Upcoming School Picture Days
PTSA News
The PTSA will have a Box Tops Competition until Tues., Oct. 27th. Feel free to drop your clipped Box Tops off at the school, or mail them to the attention of the FMS PTSA. If you clip Box Tops electronically, please make sure the student’s name is associated with them. The top 20 students that participate will receive a prize.
FMS Students - Do you enjoy art, music, dance or have an interest in writing, producing films or taking photos? Then join us and have fun unleashing your inner artist with the PTA Reflection Program. This year's theme, "I Matter Because…", calls for your own unique interpretation through the arts. Email fms.pta.mom@gmail.com for more info. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, December 1st, 2020.
FMS parents and students – Have you mailed your Membership Form and money to become a part of the FMS PTSA yet? The FMS PTSA plays an active role in supporting our school’s teachers, staff, and students. We fund numerous activities throughout the year. Although this year presents an unusual situation, the PTSA will still work hard to help FMS as much as possible. Click this link to pay online: https://freedom-middle-ptsa.square.site/product/ptsa-membership/7?cs=true
Did you know that you can help support the FMS PTSA when you make purchases through Amazon Smile? Please make sure to select "Freedom Middle School PTSA, VA" from the Charitable Organization List for your future purchase(s)!
Come out and join the FMS PTSA at Sweet Frog at the Harrison Crossing location for Spirit Days – Fri., Oct. 23rd – Sun., Oct. 25th. Please mention you are from Freedom Middle School and enjoy your sweet treat!
Learning Hub
Website: https://sites.google.com/spotsylvania.k12.va.us/fmsstaff/home
Google Classroom
Parent/Teacher Conference Night November 18
Wednesday Parent Conversations
9:00 to 9:30 World Language
9:30 to 10:00 English, History, Electives
10:00 to 10:30 Math, Science
10:30 to 11:00 SPED, ESOL, Specialists
Please email your teachers if you have any questions. Teacher emails can be accessed directly on the FMS Learning Hub found on our website.
FMS Staff Member of the Month
PTSA
Our PTSA needs you! Please consider joining the FMS PTSA. Email freedommiddleptsa@gmail.com with questions, or to ask about volunteer opportunities this year.
SCPS Virtual Zen Den
ParentVue and StudentVue
Student Work Requests
Freedom Middle School
Freedom Middle School
Home of the Tigers
#FreedomStrong
Email: ewright@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Website: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/freedom
Location: 7315 Smith Station Road, Fredericksburg, VA, USA
Phone: 540-548-1030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Freedom-Middle-School-1552644134793827/
Twitter: @Freedom_MS_SCPS