The Firebird Flash
February 5, 2021
NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Principal's Update
- Updated Cohort Schedule
- Traffic Information
- Immunization Information
- Yearbook Sales
- Don't Forget Your Chromebook!
- D49 Virtual Information Fair
- Purchase Firebird Gear
- Recognize an Outstanding Firebird Nation Staff Member - Click the RISE Logo to the left.
Don't forget to start each day on the FMS E-Learning Page!
Updates from the Principal
Greetings Firebird Nation Families -
Happy Friday! The Super Bowl is this weekend...do you know who you are rooting for yet? It was a tough season for the Broncos...we will be hopeful for next season!
The county conditions continue to improve. We are optimistic that we will hear something soon about moving towards 100% of students being on campus each day. In preparation for this, we wanted to begin to transition towards 5 full days of school each week and alternate our cohorts on Fridays, instead of the FLEX Schedule. Starting the week of February 22nd, we will begin alternating which cohort would attend in-person at FMS each Friday. We coordinated this to match Falcon High School's cohorts as well.
Remember that there is no school for students next Friday, February 12th, due to Parent Teacher Conferences. We also adjusted the following week with the President's Day holiday already as well. So, beginning the week after the President's Day week, we will begin this transition plan. Please look at the calendar below to know which days your cohort attends in-person. Remember that all students are E-Learning on days they do not attend in-person. We will keep this plan in place until we return to 100% in person. If the district announces an earlier return to 100% in-person, then we will make that transition at that time as well. E-Learning will continue to be offered for the remainder of the year for families wanting to choose this option.
Please remember to check your student's team landing page for information about conferences. We want to network with you regarding your student's progress this quarter so far. There are still spots available to sign up. Remember that conferences will take place on Thursday, February 11th, from 4pm - 7pm, and again on Friday, February 12th from 7:45am - 3:15pm. Teachers from all of your students' classes are available for conferences. We would love to talk with you!
I am again including information about our traffic pattern below. It is VERY important to make sure we are traveling slowly around our community. During pick up and drop off, please remember to pull all of the way forward in the lane next to the school so we can get as many cars in the loading area as possible. As a reminder for students: Please make sure to only cross in sidewalks and also watch for your ride so that we can keep the traffic moving.
Currently we are experiencing some issues with our PowerSchool and Schoology sync. The district tech teams are working to fix this issue. We are finding that some of the data in Schoology is not pulling over to PowerSchool at this time. We will keep you informed if we receive any updates.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Brian Smith
Executive Principal
Falcon Middle School
Firebirds RISE - Flood Week!
Reminders about our Traffic Pattern
We also want to ensure we are being good neighbors to our neighborhoods around the school. Please make sure to not block any driveways as well as any of the entrances and exits to these neighborhoods. Our traffic pattern flows pretty well overall and we encourage everyone to use this within the lots at FMS.
Please watch our video below that overviews how our drop-off and pick-up lanes work at the middle school.
Immunizations
Dear Parents,
There have been changes on the process for submitting an immunization exemption form. If you have previously filed a non-medical exemption form for your child, in order to renew, you will need to follow this process. If you would like to submit a new exemption form, you will also need to follow this process.
Senate Bill 20-163 regarding "Nonmedical exemptions" (previously known as religious/personal exemption) must be submitted annually at every school year July 1 through June 30 of the following year. (It is advised not to complete the process before July 1 for the next school year, or you will need to do it again after July 1 for the following school year as it expires annually on July 1.)
There are two ways parents must follow a nonmedical exemption now mandated by the state of Colorado.
1. File the certificate of Nonmedical Exemption WITH a signature from an immunizing medical provider
2. File the Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption received upon the completion of the online education module through the state of Colorado (certificate is downloaded and submitted to the school by the parent or it is submitted through CIIS system where schools can access certificate). **We can no longer accept the parent just obtaining the certificate and signing it after July 1, 2021.
See link:
For more information on immunizations for students in grades Kindergarten-12th grade, please read the attached letter.
Please notify the school if you have questions and we will be happy to assist!
Nelda Dettwiler, BSN, RN
School Nurse
District 49
Yearbook Sales are Zooming By...
Parents Step Into Starring Roles on D49 Campuses...
Starting today, you can help us build a robust team of guest teachers:
The enormous challenge we face as educators during the COVID-19 pandemic is the disruption caused by precautionary quarantines that force our teachers and support teams to stay home. Simply put, if we do not have the staff to teach in person, we have to shut our doors and resume remote learning, a pattern that is unsustainable as we strive to deliver top-notch education at D49.
Don't be discouraged, because you can help!
Using a special provisional license from the Colorado Department of Education, we are inviting our parents, and any members of the extended D49 Family to join our team as guest teachers through the D49 Parent Star Program. Click the "What's Next?" button below for additional opportunities.
If you are someone who likes working with kids, and have a flexible schedule, stepping in as a guest teacher in D49 is a great way to support our schools. It has never been easier to earn some extra cash while stepping in to star as a guest teacher.
Contact Us Today for More Information
719-495-1115 or email Tiffany Copple at tcopple@d49.org
I'm Ready to Be a Parent Star: What's Next?
Learn more about what it takes to join the team!
Check out the D49 website - https://www.d49.org/parentstar
Looking for Firebird Gear?
For all Attendance matters, please email fmsattendance@d49.org or call (719)495-5232.
Falcon Middle School
6th Grade Assistant Principal: Tim Scheck
7th Grade Assistant Principal: Kava Lientz
8th Grade Assistant Principal/Athletic Director: Elena Forehand
6th Grade Counselor: Carrie Clay
7th Grade Counselor: Amber Villani
8th Grade Counselor: Lisa Murdock
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FMS Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 7:15am-3:30pm
Friday: 7:15am-2:00pm
Email: fms@d49.org
Website: https://www.d49.org/fms
Location: 9755 Towner Avenue, Peyton, CO, USA
Phone: 719-495-5232