FULMORE MIDDLE SCHOOL
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 18, 2018
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Greetings Falcons,
Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and friends. It’s also a wonderful time to have conversations about family traditions, values and expectations. As you take some much-needed rest with your families please also take the time to speak with your children about two important topics, bullying and social media. Social media can be a powerful tool. It is a way to connect with many individuals and learn about the world around you. Unfortunately, it can also be used for negative forms of communication. If you have not already done so, please take the time to talk to your children about their cell phone use and how they spend their time using social media.
The following https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ is a wonderful website with many resources for parents and educators about online safety.
Below are some helpful tips for parents and children:
· Remember to think before your post
· Report cyberbullying to an adult, teacher, assistant principal or principal
· Never add comments to negative posts
· Do not give people your location or address
· Never give out personal information
· Report any suspicious comments or online behavior
· Limit cell phone use
· Keep the computer in an open area in your home
· Check your child’s phone
· Have discussions about safe online behavior
· Check your child’s privacy settings
· Set guidelines and rules about phone use and social media
· Educate yourself about social media (parents and children)
I have attached additional information about social media, bullying and cyberbullying below. Please take the time to review this information with your child. Bullying is serious and has serious consequences. S.B. 179 David’s Law now allows for public school officials to address cyberbullying that occurs on and off campus. David’s Law also outlines serious consequences, criminal and civil, for students who engage in cyberbullying.
Fulmore does not condone bullying, discrimination or hateful behavior towards any student, teacher or staff member. Last six weeks administration spoke with every student, defined bullying, gave examples for what bullying looks like and informed students about the process for reporting bullying. Our administrative team will continue to conduct grade level assemblies each six weeks to reinforce expectations for student behavior.
We will also host a parent information night for social media and bullying, the date will be provided in upcoming newsletters and it will be posted on our website. We want all our students to learn in a safe and supportive learning environment. Fulmore is a No Place for Hate (https://austin.adl.org/noplaceforhate/) campus and our goal is to create a welcoming school community that is committed to stopping all forms of bias and bullying. If your child has experienced bullying, please report it to an administrator immediately.
Below are helpful definitions for bullying, a bystander and cyberbullying. Please review and discuss these definitions with your children at home.
Bullying
Bullying occurs when a student intentionally engages in written, verbal, electronic or physical expression on school property, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity or in a vehicle operated by the district that:
· has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property; or
· is sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student.
The conduct is considered bullying if it exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator and the student target through written or verbal expression or physical conduct; and interferes with a student's education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.
Bystander
Someone who sees something negative happening - bullying, harassment or discrimination - and does not say or do anything.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying involves using the internet, interactive and digital technologies, cell phones or other electronic devices to engage in written, verbal or physical expression that has the effect of physically harming a student; damaging a student's property or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student's person; or is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that the action creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.
Together, we can help our students make better choices and teach them how to be kind and respectful to others. Additional resources and helpful definitions can be found on the AISD bully prevention webpage https://www.austinisd.org/respect-for-all/definitions.
PSAT Update
PSAT 8/9 Update: 8th grade students did an awesome job reporting to their testing locations and took the test very seriously. Hats off to them for putting their best foot forward. Those students who were absent can take the re-take PSAT 8/9 test on Tuesday, November 27th. Please contact Ms. Williams for any questions or concerns, rolanda.williams@austinisd.org or 512-414-3481.
During this time of Thanksgiving, I want to share my gratitude and thank you for being such an important part of our school community. This is a wonderful time of the year to get together with friends and family to celebrate and be thankful for all the wonderful people in our lives. On behalf of the Fulmore Middle School staff, I would like to thank you for your continued support and wish you all a safe and happy holiday.Thank you to our wonderful PTA for the delicious luncheon on Thursday. Enjoy the week and we will see you back at school on Monday, November 26th.
Stacie Holiday
CALENDAR
Monday, November 19, 2018 to Friday, November 23, 2018
Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 26 , 2018
Bookfair Week
3:35p-5:15p- One Act Play Rehearsals
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Re-take PSAT Testing
2:30p-3:30p- Youth Advocacy
3:35p-5:15p- One Act Play Rehearsals
6:00p-7:30p- Geometry Information Meeting
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
9:00a-2:00p- AVID/Gear Up Field Trip to University of Austin
7:00p-8:00p- Dance Showcase at Travis HS
Thursday, November 29, 2018
8:00a-2:30p- No Place for Hate Summit Field Trip to DKR Memorial Stadium
6:00p-8:00p- 7A/8A Girls Basketball vs Martin at Fulmore
6:00p-8:00p- 8A/8B Girls Basketball vs Martin at Martin
Friday, November 30, 2018
5:30p-7:00p- Talent Show
Saturday, December 1, 2018
9:00a-12:00p- District School of Choice Fair @ Fulmore
9:00a-10:00a- Soccer A vs Martin @ Travis HS
10:30a-11:30a- Soccer B vs Martin @ Travis HS
GEOMETRY MEETING
A required parent meeting will be held in the Cafeteria on November 27 and December 4 to discuss the Texas Education Agency's requirements for taking Geometry in Middle School. Parents of students in 7th grade who are currently in Algebra 1 will need to attend one of the meetings, along with parents of 6th graders who would like to be considered for the Geometry track next year. Both meetings will be from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and will follow the same format:
- From 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. requirements for 6th graders who want to take Geometry in 8th grade will be discussed
- From 6:45 to 7:30 requirements for current 7th graders in Algebra 1 will be discussed
Invitations will be sent by school messenger for this required meeting to parents of students who are in 6th grade Advanced Math and to parents of 7th graders who are taking Algebra 1. Please mark your calendar for the meeting that works for your schedule - parents need only attend one of the meetings to get the information necessary for their child to be eligible for taking Geometry in 8th grade.
COUNSELORS CORNER
School Counselors work with students on social-emotional, academic and career planning. Sometimes this is through planned lessons, and other times through responsive services. Counselors are currently working through advisory classes to teach self-regulation skills and coping strategies. School counselors also connect students with additional resources based on need and availability.
Fulmore currently has many support services. Please contact your grade level counselors for more info and availability.
8th - jennifer.lamm@austinisd.org
7th - lilliana.padilla@austinisd.org
6th - zoe.hunter@austinisd.org
Communities in Schools (CIS)
Communities In Schools Program Managers connect personally with students who have been referred by teachers or administrators to improve student achievement. They create a service plan based on each child’s needs and then make that plan happen. They may provide individual counseling or support groups, basic life skills, tutoring, mentoring, or enrichment opportunities — whatever it takes to help the child succeed. The goal of all these services is to engage students in learning and succeeding in school.
Smart Kids Program
The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) Partnership supports public housing residents in their journey to economic self-sufficiency through school-based and property-based educational, enrichment, and case management services.
STRATEGIES: Supportive Guidance, After-school programming, Home visits, Enrichment Activities, Educational Enhancement, Family Engagement
Council on At-Risk Youth (CARY)
CARY focuses exclusively on youth who have severe disciplinary issues, have been suspended, or placed in the disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP). CARY’s two-semester program uses PeaceRox, an evidence-based curriculum that teaches positive social skills, anger management, empathy, and character education. PeaceRox stems from Aggression Replacement Training, a program certified by the National Center for the Study and Prevention of Youth Violence and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. CARY’s programs also include individual behavioral counseling, parent-support groups, service-learning projects, and a higher-education scholarship fund for program graduates.
Youth Advocacy (YA) – Creating Lasting Family Connections
We hold a 9-week long class for the students in our South Austin office every Monday evening. In addition to Monday's class, each student enrolled is assigned a case manager who visits with the student at their designated school about once a week. This is our one on one time where we are able to get to know that student better, assist with goal setting, help them figure out how to get on track or stay on track, assist with any personal, family, social, or school related problems they may be having, etc. Through this case management portion, we are also able to assist family gain access to resources as needed such as food pantry, counseling services, legal services, assist with school enrollment if needed, clothing assistance, etc.
Fulmore Parenting Class Series:
Three session series held on Tuesdays from 2:30-3:30 PM in Fulmore Library (unless otherwise noted based on school space availability.) Dates for next upcoming series are November 6, 13 & 27, 2018.
School Mental Health Center (SMHC) – Campus Based Therapist
School Mental Health Centers are where students and families can receive mental health services provided by a full-time licensed therapist. SMHCs are overseen by AISD and operate in collaboration with Integral Care.
SMHC therapists use evidence-based practices to help students and families identify and treat behavioral issues and mental health concerns. Working with the family, therapists complete a thorough clinical assessment, create therapeutic goals with the student and provide ongoing therapy throughout the year. The treatment approach is strengths-based, rooted in therapeutic models such as cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing. All services are confidential, and student health information is protected under the law. SMHC therapists work collaboratively with other school based programs, such as Communities in Schools, Council on At-Risk Youth and Safe Place to create a wraparound model for the whole child.
Con Mi Madre
Con Mi MADRE is a two-generation organization that empowers young Latinas and their mothers through education and support services that increase preparedness, participation, and success in post-secondary education.Con Mi MADRE translates to "with my mother,” which exemplifies the unique element of our programming that intentionally engages mothers in their daughter’s educational journey from 6th grade through college graduation.
Austin Partners in Education Mentors
Research indicates that youth participating in mentoring relationships:
- experience positive academic returns including better attendance, better attitudes towards school, and an increased likelihood of going on to higher education
- are less likely to initiate alcohol/drug use while being mentored and less likely to engage in some negative behaviors
- have more positive social attitudes and relationships
APIE mentors work one-on-one with Austin students during the school day. They help students improve their social and study skills, strengthen their communication skills, and build self-confidence. They inspire children to develop new interests, explore career possibilities, and achieve their personal and academic goal
Seedling mentors -Seedling Mentor Program. The Seedling Mentor Program is designed to provide children with a long-term, positive relationship that helps them navigate the challenges experienced during an extended period of family separation due to parental incarceration and help children develop or maintain positive attitudes towards education.
Stacie Holiday
Email: priscilla.hernandez@austinisd.org
Website: fulmore.austinschools.org/
Location: 201 East Mary Street, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: (512) 414-3207
Twitter: @FulmoreFalcons