FWHMS Family Newsletter
Connecting Families to School - February 2019
Chromebook Expectations
Parent Portal Right to Your Device
Any questions, please call the school and speak with Mrs. Rielly.
HomeConnect - Renaissance - STAR Testing
Attached to your child's quarter two report card was a letter about HomeConnect. This is through Renaissance which is the company that is used for our STAR testing (Reading and Math). With the first quarter report card, you received a printed report about your child's STAR results.
STAR is a test used district-wide for reading and math. This test is given three times a year in order to see how students are progessing with their grade level standards. The results are used by teachers to adapt lessons as needed as well as to set interventions in place for students who need them.
These are not part of a student's quarterly grades on the Parent Portal. It is an opportunity for families to see how the student is growing through the year. The report gives the scaled score for each test as well as a percentile rank based on how the student scored compared to others in the grade nationally.
If you need help signing up, Mrs. Rielly can help you through the process. This company follows the same security expectations as the Parent Portal.
Attendance Matters
January Attendance Rate
6th grade - 95.98%
7th grade - 95.67%
8th grade - 95.38%
Total Number of Tardies for January - 181
Total Number of Early Dismissals for January - 129
Attendance Rate for School Year - 95.61%
Total Number of Tardies for School Year - 737
Total Number of Early Dismissals for School Year - 545
Yearbook
Grade 6 Purple and Gold Teams
Many students returned to school in January with new accessories for their Chromebooks with a case and mouse. You are probably noticing that your child is coming home each night with homework that is now done with his/her Chromebook and shared with their teacher through Google classroom. The days of cleaning out papers from the agenda binder may be a thing of the past, but please continue to check your child’s binder for graded papers. If you have a chance to sit with your child, have him/her show you all of the work that they have completed in their classes and that is saved onto their Chromebook.
Also, as a reminder Chromebooks are for school use only. As popular as the Chromebooks have become, it is important to have your child charge them nightly so they can be ready to use in the classroom each day.
Even though Chromebooks are being used more often, pencils are still used on a daily basis, please check with your child to see if their supplies need to be replenished. Donations of facial tissues and cleaning wipes are always appreciated as we brave the cold and flu season.
Grade 7 Gold Team and Grade 7/8 Purple Team
Team 7 Gold
Can you believe it is already 2019?! We certainly cannot, as time is certainly flying by! At the start of the new year, we would like to remind you of a few important things to help your child to be successful during the remainder of the school year.
If your student uses Google Classroom in any of their classes, be sure to accept the guardian summary in those classes.
Be sure to check the Homework Page on the school website to keep up with daily work, even if your child is absent.
Please check your student’s supplies. At this time of year, many students are in need of new binders, pencils, pens, etc. Please check with your child to see what they may need to restock for the New Year!
After school help is offered most Mondays and Tuesday through Thursday until 2:47 p.m. If your child does plan on staying after school, it is best to check in with the teacher to make sure they will be available.
If your student would benefit from extra help or from meeting with an NJHS tutor after school then please know that teachers are available after school Monday-Thursday from 2:17-3:00 PM and tutors are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:17-3:00 PM. Please make sure students are picked up promptly at 3:00 PM.
As always, please be sure to check our Homework Page to see all teachers’ homework for the week. We try our hardest to have this updated by the end of the day on Mondays.
Welcome to the third quarter! During the month of January, the Team 7/8 Purple teachers honored eight 8th grade students and five 7th grade students for having 100% of their homework fully completed and on time. Students were treated to an ice cream sundae party during their lunch periods. Check out the team’s next newsletter for photos.
All team teachers have embraced and are currently using Chromebooks to support the learning. There are many assignments, materials and notes placed in Google Classroom for students to access and in math. We are using the Big Ideas learning platform for most homework. Please be patient with us and your child as we overcome the learning curve! The Chromebooks are not used in every class, but they should be charged and ready to go when needed.
Eighth grade students are getting ready for their trip to Washington D.C. Please be sure to check this newsletter for important dates and information. The next payment of $195.00 is due on March 8th.
Finally, be sure to check your child’s grades on the parent portal frequently. Students do have access to their grades as well and can view them at any time, however, more often than not, they choose not to do anything about poor grades until an adult steps in and asks them what their plan is to raise their grade. This is more easily done throughout the quarter rather than at the end on the quarter.
After school help is offered most Mondays and Tuesday through Thursday until 2:47 p.m. If your child does plan on staying after school, it is best to check in with the teacher to make sure they will be available.
Grade 8 Gold Team
Civics - Mrs. Finnegan’s 8th Grade Civic students have been working hard researching, analyzing and debating the very “hot topic” of immigration. Students have fine tuned their debate skills and the classroom discussion is LIVELY!! What a great way for our young people to tackle an issue that is current news. Student Congressional Bills were mailed to many of our state and local representatives. Inquiries have been made by some about possibly coming and speaking to our 8th graders covering the topic of Civic Responsibility. More information will be forwarded as plans get finalized.
Science - Beginning in February, we will begin working in the Physical Science strand and begin with the topic of Matter (because as we’ve been mentioning, “Everything Matters”). Student learning will basic information about matter, its three states (solid, liquid, gas) and how those states are altered based on energy levels. To further understand matter, discussions and models of atoms and molecules will be used. Students will be performing labs to verify their understandings and we will learn the basics of the Periodic Table of Elements – how it is structured and what it displays about the 100+ elements that make up all matter in the known universe.
Español Happenings
Wellness Happenings
Second Quarter Classes
For those parents/ guardians of children whom I taught last quarter, thank you for completing the wellness survey I emailed you. For those who have not completed the survey yet, it is not too late. I will use your feedback to inform my practice moving into the third quarter.
Third Quarter Classes
By now, if I have the pleasure of teaching your child this quarter, you should have received an email from me containing the class overview, curriculum, procedures, and expectations. If you did not receive that wellness update, please let me know. Your child has been invited to sign up for the class remind app. It is another way for me to communicate with your child, and send reminders about class information, that he/ she may have forgotten about. I will be sending an update approximately every 15 school days to share with you the learning that is happening in wellness. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at mblanchard@bmrsd.net.
Health Office News
Vaping Information Flyers
Tips for talking with your kids about vaping
2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey
Please feel free to contact me for more information or any questions you might have.
Sue Wiegers BSN, RN, NCSN
School Nurse
508-876-0193, option 3
Guidance News
HELP! I HAVE A TWEEN ……..
A MONTHLY COLUMN THAT ADDRESSES EITHER QUESTIONS SUBMITTED OR SIMPLY SHARES ARTICLES THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO STUDENT GUARDIANS. THIS COLUMN IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY FWHMS GUIDANCE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A QUESTION PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL BMIGNANELLI@BMRSD.NET OR SRIELLY@BMRSD.NET.
I started seeing Valentine gifts and supplies in the stores on New Year’s Day. As we get closer to Valentines one might see on the internet “Don’t disappoint the ones you love! Order your Valentine’s flowers today!” or “Have you made your Valentine’s dinner reservations yet? Do it NOW to show you care?” Some people might be excited by all of this, but I prefer to think that most people feel like I do and believe that I don’t need a special day, nor do I need to spend a ton of money, to show someone I care. As a kid I know I celebrated Valentine’s Day and it was so stressful. People judging you based on the number of cards or carnations you got, another popularity contest. I am proud to say that my kids have grown up seeing that my husband and I do not celebrate this commercial holiday. My kids know that I believe in the power of actions over cards and gifts. Valentine’s should just be another day to show kindnesses, bring joy to those around us, and be a reminder that we should cherish those around us any and every day.
Here are some ways you can show your teen you care each and every day of the year.
1. Listen. Listen to them when they talk to you – really listen, don’t just nod along. Sometimes it’s just as important to hear what they aren’t saying as it is to hear the actual words.
2. Talk. Spend time talking with your teens. Tell them about your day, about what life was like when you were their ages, what you’re struggling with. (I know my kids appreciate this) ( It also can’t hurt to leave them a sweet note every once in awhile.)
3. Say yes. Sometimes it’s easy to say no without really thinking about the request. Give your teens some freedom, let them take (reasonable) risks, and give them a chance to make their own choices. Say no. They may be teens and they may be morphing into adults, but teens still need boundaries. Provide them, with love.
4. Respect their struggles. Sometimes those things our teens are struggling with seem so insignificant in comparison to our adult struggles, but it’s all a matter of perspective. Their struggles are very real and very important to them. Respect what they’re going through.
7. Spend one on one time with them, and give them limited space. Sometimes teens need time with you and sometimes they need quiet time alone to think, read, play music, whatever
8. Remember that they’re still kids. They may look like adults, be facing adult decisions, and, at least part of the time, act like adults, but they aren’t adults yet. Keep that in mind when they make foolish decisions, act immature, or just need your reassurance.
9. Give them responsibilities. We do our kids a disservice when we don’t give them responsibilities. However, kids really need to feel like they have something worthwhile to contribute to their family’s well-being.
10. Prepare them for adulthood. One way to show love for our teens is to prepare them for life outside of our homes. Teach them the skills they’ll need to manage their own homes, such as cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and balancing a checkbook.
11. Encourage their talents, take part in their hobbies and cheer them on.
12. Let them suffer the consequences. Sometimes kids make poor choices and it’s hard, as a parent, to watch them suffer the consequences. However, sometimes suffering those consequences is a very important part of learning and growing into an adult. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re a terrible parent if you don’t bail your kid out every time he makes a mistake.
13. Don’t give them everything. We want to make our kids happy, but giving them everything doesn’t make them happy. It only creates a sense of entitlement – something that is far too prevalent in today’s culture.
14. Get to know their friends. One of the most loving things you can do for your kids is getting to know their friends. As our kids get older, their friends often hold much more influence over them than we do. Make sure you know who they’re hanging out with.
15. Hug them. Teens still need physical affection, too. Just maybe not in front of their friends. Tell them. Our teens still need to hear the words, “I love you.” Nobody ever outgrows that.
Adapted from https://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/25-ways-to-show-your-teens-you-love-them/
Washington DC Trip Information - Payment #2 due March 8th
1. Second payment for the Washington DC trip of $195 is due on 3/8.
2. A parent meeting to discuss the trip will be scheduled around the end of February/early March.
3. Please feel free to email Mrs. Finnegan with any questions: kfinnegan@bmrsd.net
4. Fundraiser #3 will start on March 13th. Packets and letters will go home with every student on March 13th. All profits are credited to the student's account. **Any fundraising questions, please contact Mrs. Curt Hoard at tcurt@bmrsd.net.
Departure Date/Time:
Sunday, June 9th
5:30 am - Students will need to arrive at the school
6 am - Depart from the middle school
Students are scheduled to arrive in DC (traffic allowing) at approximately 2:15pm and will begin touring immediately.
Return Date/Time:
Tuesday, June 11th
1 to 2 pm - Depart Washington DC
Time to Be Determined - Arrive at the middle school - As the bus gets closer to the school, students will text/call home to give an accurate arrival time
Cost
$585.00
Trip price includes:
Bus, Hotel, Meals, Museum Costs
Additional Costs
**Students will need to bring an additional $30.00 on 6/7/19 (CASH-NO CHECKS) for dinner on the way down and dinner on the way home.
Payment Plan Schedule
**Make checks payable to: Hartnett Middle School
Payment #2 195.00 Due Date: 03/08
Payment #3 195.00 Due Date: 04/12
Tour Company Information - Capital Tours
Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
In an attempt to address the increasing number of requests by school representatives and parents to help with students that have allergies to certain foods and other dietary restrictions, Capital Tours, Inc. will provide to schools or parents the contact information for food service establishments so that alternative menu items can be prepared. Where food courts or buffet style restaurants are used parents may find choices that will allow for students to have a well balanced meal and avoid foods that might cause a problem.
However, neither Capital Tours, Inc. nor its representatives can guarantee or certify that foods are prepared without additives to which students will react negatively and, therefore, Capital Tours, Inc. will not assume liability for any reaction to foods prepared by restaurants used on tour. Clearly only the preparers of foods at the various restaurants can attest to the ingredients. Also, we must rely on the good judgement of teachers and affected students to choose their foods wisely at venues where choices are available.
Trip Insurance Information
Deluxe Protection Plan
Travel Insured International
800-243-3174
Frequently Asked Questions:
Trip Itinerary - A variety of Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetery for the wreath laying, Monuments and Dinner Dance.
Chaperones - teachers will be chaperoning this trip-as they have done in the past.
Meals are included (in the price) with the exception of the meal going to DC and the meal returning from DC.
Hotel Rooms typically consist of 4 per room (This is always subject to change.).
Parent Meeting will be scheduled late winter, early spring to cover any additional questions, discuss finalized information for the trip, medical concerns and communication lines.
Please email Mrs. Finnegan: kfinnegan@bmrsd.net with any questions.
HMS PTO News
The HMS PTO is happy to offer Hartnett Middle School gear through Josten’s School Store. The store will be open all year. Click here for the link.
On February 15th, the HMS PTO is hosting the 2019 Dodgeball Duel fundraiser! The event will be one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. The tournament will take place during the school day, continuing into the afternoon! Check email and social media for more information!
Homework Website
Pay Online for School Lunch
You can view the account balance, see what was purchased, and schedule automatic payments if you wish.
February Vacation Free Events
CodeDay
Blackstone Public Library
Calendar of Events
- Grade 6 Honor Roll Breakfast
Friday, February 8th
- Grades 7 and 8 Honor Roll Breakfast
Monday, February 11th
- PBIS Random Acts of Kindness Week Begins
Thursday, February 14th
- StuCo School Spirit Day
Friday, February 15th
- PBIS No One Eats Alone at Lunch Day
- 12 pm to 5 pm - PTO Dodgeball Duel Competition
Monday, February 18th
- Winter Recess Begins
Friday, February 22nd
- Winter Recess Ends
Monday, February 25th
- DC Fundraiser Meadow Farms Expected Delivery
Tuesday, February 26th
- NAEP Testing - Grade 8 Selected Students Only
Wednesday, February 27th
- PBIS Kahoot at Lunches
ABC's of Student Success
Awwwww, Mom! Already? Sound familiar? On average children need 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Sleep is important for many reasons. Lack of sleep can cause kids to be hypersensitive, impatient, or cranky. It is more difficult for kids to concentrate and learn when they are tired. Some doctors even believe that during sleep the brain "files away" what is learned during the day. Encouraging quiet activities - such as reading - just prior to bedtime offers a transition that helps children relax.
-EducationWorld.com
Math @ Home
Math Printables
If your child is struggling with math skills, you can help by visiting www.schoolexpress.com. You'll find a huge selection of worksheets by clicking on 16,000+ Free Worksheets on the visit our site drop down menu in the top right corner. Then click on mathematics and the topic of your choice.
-EducationWorld.com
Parent Pointers
- Talk positively about the importance of an education.
- Let your child see how much you enjoy and value learning
- It is okay if you don't have all the answers to your child's questions, but it is important to show that you know how to get the answers.
- Learning builds confidence and a child who is more confident is more open to new opportunities to learn.
School-wide Ongoing Fundraisers
BoxTops - You can find the tops on participating products. Cut out the top and have your child bring it to school. We earn 10 cents for each top collected. Visit www.boxtops4education.com for a listing of products.
Stop & Shop A Plus Program - Register your rewards card to help us earn $$. Log on to www.stopandshop.com/aplus to register online USE SCHOOL ID: 07080 or dial 1-877-275-2758 to register your card over the phone.
Amazon - Please click here to shop on Amazon.com. A small percentage of what you purchase will go to the Hartnett Middle School PTO to help support field trips, assemblies, special events, and after school programming. It is the same Amazon.com you may use, with a small percentage supporting middle school students.
FWHMS Communication and Happenings
Our website is the main hub of information. The following is key information you will find:
- Daily Intercom Announcements
- Monthly School Calendar
- Homework Page
- Monthly Family Newsletter Links
- After-school Program Information/Registration
- BMR Athletes Information/Registration Details
- Staff names and emails
OneCall will be used in the following ways:
Robocalls
For Emergency only - such as unplanned early dismissals or information on an emergency in the building. They will be sent after 3:30 pm and end before 8 pm.
Roboemails - On Tuesdays and Fridays only (as needed)
For standard communication - such as portal access to progress reports, report card distribution, the monthly newsletter release, registration information for sports/after-school clubs, field trip information, and other information as needed. The emails may be by whole school or by grade level depending on the communication needs.
Social Media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat
We use all our social media to share special happenings after they have happened so that families can see what we are doing. You can find us on all platforms at @fwhms2003
About FWHMS
Email: tcurt@bmrsd.net
Website: http://www.bmrsd.net/frederick_home.aspx
Location: 35 Federal St, Blackstone, MA, United States
Phone: 508-876-0190
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolofwoonsocket
Twitter: @fwhms2003