FBMS Weekly Newsletter
January 12, 2024 #wearemarshfield
JANUARY AT A GLANCE
There is no school this Monday 1/15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
On this day we celebrate the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end segregation on public transportation and to achieve racial equality in the United States. Many students engaged in activities related to his message and the power of his words today. Activities continue into next week.
UPCOMING WEEEKS
- Grades close: Friday, January 19th
- Semester 1 ends: Friday, January 19th
- Some students begin new specialty classes: Monday, January 22nd
- Report cards: Friday, January 26th
You can check now the newer classes your child might have beginning on 1/22 in ASPEN. After you click on your child's schedule, use the "Time" drop down menu and select "S2."
Another important date of note is Parent Teacher Conferences the night of 1/30, 6-8PM. Sign ups will be electronically the week before report cards. It's important to sign up for conferences if you feel your child is struggling in some manner.
BOOK FAIR IS COMING WEEK OF 1/29
Our annual book fair will begin the week of January 29th! Thank you Mrs. Deluca for organizing this amazing event.
Mrs. Deluca is looking for some PARENT VOLUNTEERS to help run the book fair. Please sign up here if you are interested! SignUp Genius
There will be wonderful contests to announce as we get closer to the date, so students should start rolling their pennies!
GR 7 THEATER FIELD TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
The Grade 7 students had the amazing opportunity to attend a theater production in Boston this week! The excursion was a resounding success, and we'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Grade 7 teachers for their dedication and hard work in organizing this event. We would also like to thank the PTO for their generous contribution to help defray the cost of admission/bussing.
The theater production students watched was "Encore" by Chamber Theatre Productions. The show featured six stories, showcasing the talent of authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Washington Irving, W.W. Jacobs, Guy de Maupassant, and Mark Twain. Each story provided a unique and enriching theatrical experience for our students, helping them make connections to the stories they have been reading in class.
We would also like to express our gratitude to the Grade 7 English teachers who taught the short stories before the play. They utilized this experience to enhance the students' learning through various activities. Moving forward, the students will have the opportunity to write an original skit and script, which will allow them to explore a different perspective on a specific character from one of the short stories.
It's with great joy that we share how well-behaved our students were during the theater experience! They truly exemplified respectful and responsible behavior throughout. We are immensely proud of their conduct and want to thank all the families for their continued support in nurturing such exemplary behavior within our students. As we move forward in the school year, we would like to express our gratitude for your continued partnership in your child's education. Your involvement and support are invaluable in helping our students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you!
MS. CUDDIHY'S ENGLISH CLASS
Ms. Cuddihy's 8th grade English class spent their Halloween season writing and publishing their own class book. Students in her class worked hard with brainstorming, editing, and publishing their ominous night short stories through a company called Student Treasures. Through their hard work, they all can now call themselves real published authors. Well done, Mrs. Cuddihy and students!
NAVIGATOR & VIKING CLUSTER AWARDS
Clusters often recognize the great work and contributions of their students. Congratulations to Cole, Sydney, Cooper and Melanie on receiving this months cluster Award which recognizes students who live up to being kind, and courageous. Great Job!
Grade 7 Science
Students in Grade 7 have been working within their science classes on thermal energy. Their goal? To build a structure which protects penguins who live in warmer climates such as South Africa. Due to the rising temperature of the ocean, these penguine populations are declining. Can we help? We put our scientists to work at Furnace Brook, building structures and testing them under heat lamps. Each penguin was represented with an ice cube which was put into the structure, under the heat lamps. Ask your child about this great classroom lab.
WINTER CONCERTS
Winter Concerts Remaining:
- Grade 8: Wednesday, January, 17th, 7:30PM
AROUND THE BUILDING
Students in Ms. Bonney's 6th grade Social Studies class have been researching various gods/goddesses in Ancient Egypt and creating posters about them!
CHROMEBOOK INFORMATION
Please remind your child to charge his/her/their Chromebook daily. It is important for our students to school prepared for the day, and it is difficult when many students are not able to participate since their Chromebook is not charged. It is helpful for most students to have one location where they can plug in and that the location is consistent so that it become routine. If you child struggles with this, purchasing a second charging cord would be helpful for your child to carry during the day. Does your child need another or replacement Chromebook charger? If so, click here. Cost is $35.
GR 6 STUDENT VS TEACHER BASKETBALL GAME 1/18
Get ready for an exciting and fun-filled event! We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated Student's Grade 6 vs. Teacher Basketball Game, scheduled for Thursday, January 18th, after school.
This friendly competition promises to be a thrilling showdown between our talented students and dedicated teachers. Join us for an evening of spirited athleticism, camaraderie, and community engagement.
Whether you're a basketball enthusiast or just looking to enjoy a lively event, mark your calendars and bring your school spirit! The game will be right after school and go till 4/4:30. Students will need a ride home. Participation is by lottery after sign ups.
We look forward to seeing you there to play or cheer on our fantastic students and teachers! Please enter by the gymnasium if you would like to attend. Game begins at 2:30PM.
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK HERE
Yearbooks contain pictures of all students and staff and are distributed in June. The yearbook is a wonderful item for students to receive at the end of the year. About 75% of our students will order a yearbook. Please order using this link. We encourage you to order the yearbook now. Only a few are ordered to purchase with cash at the end of the year, and they always sell out. Order yours now so that your child is guaranteed to receive one in June.
INSIDE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MIND...
Adding Takis chips to a pizza....Why not?
From the Clinic
Covid:
At this time, MPSD is deferring to the most recent covid guidelines provided by the Department of Public Health. We are no longer excusing absences surrounding covid without a doctor's. Please contact your child’s primary care physician for further guidance.
Medication:
We are still missing some medications. All meds must be hand delivered by the parent and be given directly to the Nurse. Medications are not permitted to be sent in with students- this is unsafe as medication could get lost or contaminated. Guidelines PRIOR to bringing in medication, please have: A current Physician’s order, the Parent Consent Form Filled out, and the medication in its original container with pharmacy label if applicable.
Annual Physicals:
Students in Grade 7 are required to submit an updated physical with proof of immunizations for their health record at the beginning of the school year. Please send in via scan/email or Fax
Absences / Injuries:
Please provide up to date information and indicate that students are receiving adequate care at and home and by their pediatrician, and clearance for participation in gym class. Please report any changes in health status e.g. health conditions, new medication, illnesses, and injuries.
ABSENCES: Safe-to-School Program is implemented so that all children are known to be safe and accounted for. When your child is marked absent from school, you will receive a connect-ed notification from the school stating that they have been marked absent.
ABSENCES: Please provide written documentation for any important issues such as attendance, absences due to illness, injury, medical appointments, travel plans that result in missing school. For a student's absence to be medically excused, please provide a doctor's note with date(s) and reason for the absence.
INJURIES: Please notify the school of any significant injury and provide written documentation from a doctor, if gym needs to be restricted. If the injury is MAJOR (stitches/fractures/concussion) and your child was seen by a MD, please provide medical documentation upon returning with any specific restrictions/guidelines. An additional note of medical clearance must be presented for students to return to gym following an injury.
Guidelines as to when to keep your child home. See attached link:
We look forward to assisting families and students in achieving optimal health and wellness during the academic school year. Please feel free to contact us at any time with concerns or questions. Be well.
~FBMS Nurses: Maura Carrol, RN, BSN, Karen Mellen, RN, BSN & Megan Owren, RN, BSN
Clinic Contact Information: Phone: (781)-319-3965 / Fax: (781)-319-1780
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ON TIME
General Law 76 requires that all public schools have plans in place to achieve the highest attendance possible. We want our students here every day and on time to make the most of the learning opportunities available. Please see our handbook for more detailed information.
Monday, November 6, marks the beginning of Quarter 2. We will be adhering to the “Tardy to School” policy as stated in the handbook:
- Students must be in homeroom by 7:50 AM.
- Students who are not in homeroom by 7:50 AM must stop in the front office to receive a tardy slip.
- Tardy students must provide the office with a note from a parent or guardian or be accompanied into the school building by a parent. This allows us to check that you know your child was elsewhere and not here on time.
- Students with more than three unexcused tardies in a quarter are subject to after school detentions for each and every tardy.
What does this mean for my child? Students need to either take a bus or be dropped off by 7:45AM. They also need to be seated in homeroom by 7:50AM in order to be considered on time. If a student has an appointment, he/she/they should bring in a slip from the provider to excuse the tardy.
Students who are tardy to school miss learning opportunities. Additionally, now is the time to teach accountability and the importance of being on time. We take a full attendance at exactly 7:50AM, and we would like it to be as accurate as possible. If we can help you with getting your child to school on time, please reach out to our guidance department. Along with administration, we can work together to help you and your child.
WANT TO BE A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER?
Our district is always looking for Substitute Teachers, and Furnace Brook is a great place to work. As a substitute teacher, you choose the number of days you would like to work and when. There is great flexibility. The pay rate is $125 per day, and the requirement is that you love kids, have patience (and a sense of humor), and can manage large groups. We tend to see a lot of retirees, folks looking for part time work, and people interested in teaching and the school environment.
If any of this interests you, please call Central Office at 781-834-5000. The people at Central Office will have you come in to complete an application, which requires a CORI (background) check and fingerprinting.
Come join us!
If you are interested in other specific roles within our district, click here. Jobs are always posted.