French Middle School
October 2023
October 6th-- End of 1st Quarter
October 9th-- No School
October 10th-- No School
October 12th-- PTO Meeting @ 5:45
October 17th-- FMS Papa John Night
October 20th-- Picture Retakes
October 25th-- Conferences 3:30-7:30pm
October 26th-- No School & Conferences
October 27th-- No School
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Happy Fall Falcons! The 1st quarter will end October 6th. Grades will be finalized and report cards posted in Synergy. Once posted an email blast will go out to parents with directions on how to access them. School spirit wear continues to be for sale on the link below.
French Middle School (tptoutfitters.com)
Order online throughout the school year. There has been a printing delay but items already purchased should be delivered soon. Thank you for your patience. We ask parents to check their Synergy email in the parent portal frequently. Communication from staff will be emailed there. If you have difficulty accessing your parent synergy account please contact our front office at 785-438-4150.
We would also like to remind parents that all middle school students must have a parent or guardian with them when attending extracurricular activities off school grounds and when attending High School events. Thank you for a great first quarter. We look forward to visiting with all parents at our fall conferences in October.
PTO Red Wheel Fundraiser
It’s fundraiser time! On 9/29 we kicked off our sale to raise funds for projects and activities that benefit our students! We have packets to hand out with order forms to collect orders, or if you prefer to gather orders online, instructions are below! Customers can shop and pay with a credit/debit card online. There are also items that can be shipped anywhere in the US. We have set a goal of selling 10 items per seller to help us reach our group goal.
Our school ID to register online is french. Seller must be registered before you invite others to shop.
FROM YOUR PHONE OR TABLET: Simply text the code raisefunds to 913-354-8885 and receive a link to register your seller directly to your phone!
FROM YOUR COMPUTER: Go to the following website:
https://shop.matiries.com/fundraisingwebstore/Account/RegistrationFindSchool
Once you have registered your seller, you can TEXT or EMAIL supporters the link to shop, SHARE on social media, and log back in anytime to see your online sales!
Our fundraiser will run September 29-October 20. Fundraising items will be delivered to the school and need to be picked up on November 7th 5-6:30pm. This will be the only pick up date. Thank you in advance for supporting the French MS PTO.
Student ID Badges:
Student ID badges have arrived and all students should have one. The expectation is that the badges are with them at all times. The badge will serve as their pass out of class, to check out library books, scanned for breakfast and lunch, and to receive Falcon Bucks. Students will also need their badges to attend athletic and extracurricular activities. If a badge becomes lost, a replacement will need to be purchased for $5 in the office.
Parent Teacher Conferences:
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on October 24th from 3:30-7:30 pm and October 25th from 7:30am-7:30pm. Advisor base teachers will reach out to schedule a conference time with you and then you are free to meet with any other teachers on a drop in basis. Students will attend the conference with their Chromebook as they will be leading the conference.
Picture Retakes:
Picture retakes will be October 20, 2023. Any student not photographed on the original date will have their photo taken this day as well as any student wanting a retake from the original date. If you have purchased a photo package and want retakes, send the photo package back with your student the day of retakes.
October Athletics Update
The fall sports season is quickly coming to an end . The cross country team ended a productive season with many personal best times at the city XC meet, as well as taking first place overall for the 2nd year in a row. Congrats to all Falcon runners!
Congratulations to Lady Falcons for all of the smashing success at the girls city tennis meet at Kossover Tennis Center! This groups understand, it’s not how you start but how you finish. All tennis players got better as the season progressed and enjoyed much success in the city tournament.
The Varsity Volleyball team is sitting in 2nd place in the city and looking to repeat in the City Championship game on Wednesday Oct. 4th at the city Volleyball tournament at Topeka West High School. All levels of girls volleyball found great success this season, with the JV taking 1st place in the city . Our B-team made great strides with improving their skills. Great Job ladies.
The football season is winding down and with the varsity in the running to play for first place at the time on this print. With one game yet to play Vs Eisenhower, if the Falcons win we will play Jardine for the Championship. The final play night game is Wednesday Oct. 11th- time and opponent yet to be determined. While the season had some ups and downs, the team followed the French model of ”You're a better player today than you were yesterday” and got better every day.
Girls Basketball starts Thursday October 12th at 3:00-5:00 until teams are chosen, then B team will practice mornings 6:30-7:30. Games are Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Oct.31 . Coaches are Mr. Ramsdell (Varsity& JV), Ms. Ketterman (B team)Remember, you can not play for an outside team once you start a French team. You can join French once your club team has finished their season.
The boys Soccer season will also be starting Thursday Oct. 12 and coached by Ms. Hirt, a former Baker University soccer star. At this time, there will only be a varsity team, with the remaining being an instructional team. This may change once we get final numbers from all middle schools. Remember, you can not play for an outside team once you start a French team. You can join French once your club team has finished their season.
- Just a reminder that a district wide grade policy has been adopted at all Middle Schools. Any student with an F on their grade checks will be ineligible for the next game until the F is brought up. An F list will be created every Friday, with student athletes informed that day if they are on the report. It is then their responsibility to bring that grade up and communicate with the coach when that has happened with a note or email from the teacher.
We would like to remind spectators that French Middle School is a member school of the Kansas State High School Athletic Association (KSHSAA) and is governed by their rules. One of those rules which, we completely support is Rule 52 which states:
ALL ACTIONS are to be FOR, NOT AGAINST; POSITIVE, NOT NEGATIVE or DISRESPECTFUL
Section 1: General Regulations (apply to grades 7-12)
Art. 1: SPORTSMANSHIP is a general way of thinking and behaving. The following sportsmanship policy items are listed below for clarification:
a. Be courteous to all. (participants, coaches, officials, staff and fans)
b. Know the rules, abide by and respect the official’s decisions.
c. Win with character and lose with dignity.
d. Display appreciation for good performance regardless of the team.
e. Exercise self-control and reflect positively upon yourself, team and school.
f. Permit only positive sportsmanlike behavior to reflect on your school or its activities.
We hope that you can attend the games this year to cheer on the Falcons!
Naviance
Naviance is Topeka Public Schools college, career and life readiness program. Every year our students spend time exploring their interests, skills and careers and this continues throughout high school. Students complete these lessons during their advisor base.
In Sept students completed the following lessons
6th - Career Cluster Finder & favorite 3 career clusters
7th - Self Discovery lesson - Overcoming Obstacles, Career Key Assessment & favorite 3 careers
8th - Learning & Productivity Assessment & favorite 3 careers & 3 clusters
The results from their assessment are used as we put together our annual Career Day which will be on Nov 17 this year. If you are interested in participating in our Career Day just let Ms. Ryan know.
Second Step
Second Step is Topeka Public Schools social emotional learning program or SEL. Second step is designed to strengthen students’ social-emotional skills, such as emotion management, impulse control, problem-solving, and empathy.
Every month students do class lessons in their advisor base to help build these important social-emotional skills. Studies show that when students develop social emotional skills they can improve academic performance, reduce negative social behaviors, such as bullying, and create more positive classroom and school climates. A comprehensive, schoolwide approach to SEL can increase the likelihood of positive outcomes for our students and our school.
In September students completed the following lessons.
6th - Trying New Strategies & Breaking Down Your Goals
7th - Learning from Mistakes & Failure
8th - My Interests & Strengths & Harnessing My Strengths
From the Nurse
Hearing and Vision Screenings:
Friday Oct. 6th: ALL students will have their yearly Height and Weight done at school. All 7th grade students will also have their vision screened and all 8th grade students will have their hearing screened as well. Some students will be selected to have all 3 screenings. Please make sure your student has their glasses with them on this day.
Immunizations
Letters have been mailed and a copy has been added to your students Synergy file for students who are not up to date on their immunizations, or an updated copy of their records has not been provided. If your student’s record is not up to date they will be excluded from school beginning Wednesday October 11th. If your student has had the vaccines, but you have not yet submitted that information for their file, please forward a copy to Nurse Besenyi as soon as possible. You may email records to kbesenyi@tps501.org or fax to (785) 271-3609 or send a paper copy directly to the school.
Dental Clinic:
GraceMed will be at French Middle School, providing dental cleanings during the school day on Friday Nov. 10th, 2023. If you would like your student to be seen by a hygienist, please complete the following link. A representative from GraceMed will contact you directly with more information. https://gracemed.org/dental-consent
Medications At School:
Students are not allowed to carry medications with them during the school day. All medication including prescription and over the counter medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen must have proper paperwork in place and all medications must be kept in the school nurse's office. (This includes cough drops.) Exceptions can be made for Inhalers and Epi-Pens, with an additional form. If you have questions please contact Nurse Besenyi for the appropriate forms. MEDICATION GUIDELINES
Request to Administer Medication This form is required for any/all medications prescribed by a physician or healthcare provider, including Inhalers, Epi-Pens, or for any medication taken on a daily basis. This form will require the prescribing physician’s signature and a parent or guardian’s signature before the medication can be administered.
Request to Take Medication This form is required for over the counter medication that a student may need to take on an as needed basis, such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, or cough drops. Students may only use over the counter medications per the directions on the label, including age and dosage. This form must be signed by the parent or legal guardian.
Permission To Carry Epi-Pen (Medication Release Form) If you wish your student to carry their Epi-Pen on them during the school day, this form must be completed by the Prescribing Physician, the Parent or Guardian, the School Principal and the School Nurse. This form is in addition to the Request to Administer Medication.
Permission to Carry Inhaler (Medication Release Form) If you wish your student to carry their inhaler on them during the school day, this form must be completed by the Prescribing Physician, the Parent or Guardian, the School Principal and the School Nurse. This form is in addition to the Request to Administer Medication.
Covid 19:
COVID TESTING OPTIONS:
Test to Learn, Test to Know, Test to Play: FREE Covid tests are available for students at school. In order for your student to be tested at school, the Consent form must be completed before the test can be administered. You can find this form on the Topeka Public Schools website, located under the Health Services Department or by clicking the link: https://www.topekapublicschools.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=8252843&pageId=12167711 Nursing staff will make every effort to contact you prior to any testing, even if the form is on file. Once the form is completed it will be good for the year.
Reporting a Covid Illness or Exposure:
Please continue to report all Covid Illnesses and Exposure to the school nurse as soon as possible. This includes Positive Tests, Close Contact and Household Exposure. In order to assure you have the most up to date Quarantine, Mask Requirements and Testing Options, information will be shared at the time of notification.
French Middle School
Kendra Besenyi, LPN
Ph: (785) 438-4156
Fax: (785) 271-3609
Email: kbesenyi@tps501.org
Bullying Policy
French Middle School will not tolerate bullying of any kind. Bullying is defined as any ongoing verbal or physical mistreatment where there is an imbalance of power, and the target/victim is exposed repeatedly to negative actions by one or more students. Bullying can be direct (physical or verbal), or indirect (exclusion, cyber-bullying, emotional). In order for everyone to feel safe and secure at school, every Topeka Public School has adopted the following rules against bullying. “I will not bully others. I will try to help students who are bullied. I will do my best to include students who are easily left out. When I know somebody is being bullied, I will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.” Students, staff, and parents should report any bullying that they are aware of to administration through the on-line bully report link on the French website. Students who bully others will receive consequences. Our counselors will be visiting 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes in August and September to remind students what bullying is, what we can do to prevent bullying, and what students should do if they or someone else is being bullied.
Notice Of Non-Discrimination
The Topeka Public Schools, Unified School District No. 501 is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity. No person shall, on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin or ancestry be denied lawful access to any appropriate educational service, program or activity provided by the school district. The Title VI and Title IX compliance coordinator is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching/Learning/Administration. The Section 504/Title II compliance coordinator is the Coordinator of College and Career Ready Services. For employment, the EEO/AA officer is the General Director of Human Resources. All compliance coordinators may be contacted at 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294, (785) 295-3000. The clerk of the Board of Education has been designated to receive and redirect or handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, regulations and procedures. The clerk may be contacted by calling (785) 295-3045 or by writing to 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294.
5257 SW 33rd St.
Topeka, KS 66614
Phone: 785-438-4150
khoffman@tps501.org