The Faubion Lion Pride Press
Week of May 17, 2021
Dear Faubion Family,
In this edition of the Faubion Lion Pride Press, we wrap up STAAR testing, touch on the upcoming eighth grade events, and highlight several members of our school community.
Archimedes was an ancient Greek mathematician who was credited for discovering the relationship between the surface area and volume of a sphere (as well as the cylinder). Archimedes once said, “If you give me a lever and a place to stand, I can move the world.” To me this quote has both a literal and a figurative meaning.
Literally, I infer that a strong connection to a plane and a tool for applying force by pushing downward instead of lifting up is a more effective way of moving heavy objects. Figuratively, my interpretation is having a deeply rooted understanding of content coupled with the right tool for the task can help you solve complex problems. In preparation for the STAAR tests, our scholars were reminded to recall the content that their teachers have emphasized all year while also employing the tools that their teachers have provided. Our challenge as educators is making sure that students have the creative freedom to refine existing tools and develop new ones.
A wise man once said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." At Faubion Middle School, we make excellence a habit, and we are kind to each other. Parents, thank you for instilling those values in your children so they can make a lasting and positive mark on our community.
Go Lions!
- Mr. Boom
Bingo!
Yearbook Distribution
The first edition of the Literary anthology
8th Grade Events
8th grade parents, we are excited to share a few highlights with you about the upcoming 8th grade events, including the 8th grade celebration and the 8th grade promotion. At the promotion ceremony, all three high school principals will be present to speak to our scholars. Please know that student participation in both of these events is dependent upon scholarly behavior for the rest of the school year. Our virtual students are welcome to attend both of these events, and no notification is needed on your part for their participation. Here are some highlights for your planning purposes:
May 19 - 8th Grade Celebration - Picnic Lunch, movie, and activities. 11:30 a.m. - 3:52 p.m. Lunch, Kona ice, and a commemorative t-shirt will be provided to students at no charge. If it rains on this date, we will move the festivities into the cafeteria. This event is for 8th grade students only.
May 20 - 8th Grade Promotion - Ron Poe Stadium
This event is only for 8th grade students and the families of those students. All 8th grade (face-to-face and virtual) students participating in the promotion ceremony need to report to their first period class before 8:45 a.m., and their teacher will escort them to the ceremony.
Parents arrive at 9 a.m. to begin seating. Parents, please park on the "home side" of Ron Poe Stadium, which is located on Duvall Street. The ceremony starts at 9:15. Parents will be seated on the home side of Ron Poe Stadium. Parents may check out their 8th grader immediately after the promotion ceremony is over, which will be at approximately 10:00 a.m. Parents may not pick up other students.
In case of inclement weather, we will move the promotion ceremony indoors. Due to space limitation indoors, 8th grade students only will participate if the weather does not allow for an outdoor ceremony. Parents will still be able to pick up their 8th grade scholar after the ceremony, but from the front doors of Faubion Middle School. If we need to move the event indoors, I will send an email to 8th grade parents as soon as that decision is made.
Student Spotlight - luke ludwig
This week's student spotlight features the student-artist-athlete, Luke Ludwig! Luke excels in all areas, and brings joy to his classmates and teachers. As a valued member of the choir, the theatre, and the athletics department, Luke makes a major impact on our campus. As the youngest of four siblings who will have gone through MHS, Luke is excited to continue his family legacy.
On the tennis court, Luke has shown dramatic improvement over the past few years. In fact, he went from winning only one match in seventh grade to winning several this year. Joining athletics at Faubion was memorable to Luke. "In seventh grade I was really excited because I finally got to play a sport for a school. Seeing all of my siblings [represent their school athletically] I looked up to them a lot." Luke will continue playing tennis as part of the team at MHS next season. Coach Wiggins, boys' athletics coordinator, shared, "Luke is a quiet leader in athletics. We can always count on him to do his best and motivate others around him to do their best. He is an excellent tennis player that will do great things on the court in the future."
Adjusting to your opponent is critical on the tennis court, as is adapting on the theatre stage. Luke has found that the most challenging part of theatre during the pandemic - and zoom shows - is "facing" or using facial expressions as a way to express meaning. Getting back on stage was refreshing to Luke, as he was able to make his acting more personal and life-like. He appreciates that in acting you can add your personal spin on your character, and he gravitates towards humor when he plays characters. "My personality outside of theatre is pretty similar. I like to be pretty loud and a little crazy."
Ms. Riley, theatre director, stated, "Luke is a model student in every possible way. He is kind, intelligent, funny, talented, compassionate, forgiving, understanding of peers that don’t share similar backgrounds and just an all around wonderful human. On top of that he’s one of the most talented actors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. The theatre department will feel his absence next year when he goes to high school!"
Luke's adaptability bodes well for him in blending his voice with our amazing choir program. As a three-year member of choir, Luke has made himself at home. Luke appreciates singing in the bass section of the Cambiata choir. "Music is a big part of my life. I can always be myself there. I'm really good friends with everyone in the choir. Everyone is super nice and funny. Ms. Jackson and Mama T are both amazing choir directors."
The choir directors had the following to say about Luke, "Luke has shown up to class every day radiating with positive energy and an incredible eagerness to learn! Luke is an incredible musician; he has gotten superior ratings at Solo & Ensemble, is a member of this year’s All-Region Choir, and is a member of Synergy, Choir’s mixed pop ensemble for 8th graders. One of the greatest things about Luke is how humble he is and how he makes every person he meets feel like a valued friend. He has a fantastic sense of humor and always knows how to make a room full of people smile (even if it’s under their masks!)."
Aside from activities outside of the classroom, Luke has a specific interest in science. "I like learning about science because there are so many things that blow your mind...especially with things that are on a grand scale. I always had an interest in [weather patterns] because they could be so powerful and the fact that they could occur naturally and we had nothing to do with it - that just seemed really crazy to me." Science teacher, Mr. Folts said, ""Luddy" is not only a great student, but an amazing young man. I have thoroughly enjoyed having him this year and the conversations that we have had in science."
Mrs. Boysen (ELAR) said, "Luke excels at everything he does in ELAR, and with a fabulous attitude. He inspires those around him but still has time for a good laugh in the process. He's a great friend to those around him and always on-top of his school work." Mrs. Dobrock (math) shared, "Luke is an amazing student and young man. He brings knowledge and insight into the classroom, and isn't afraid to share that!"
Luke appreciates the opportunities that are available for him at Faubion and the sense of community that comes with going to school here. At Faubion, Luke participated in his first musical class, which sparked his musical interests. "Also, being able to go to the school that all of my siblings went to was really cool to me, because I look up to my older siblings a lot."
Please congratulate Luke for his leadership, inclusive attitude, and positive energy. We are grateful for Luke and are excited to see what lies in store for him in his time at MHS. Pictured is Luke with his choir director, Mrs. Turner.
Words from the Learning Commons
Week of May 14, 2021
It’s hard to believe that this year is almost over. It’s been a very different year, for sure! Please be sure to check your student’s backpacks and rooms for any library books they may have out. If you have your student login to sso.mckinneyisd.net and click on MISD Library Search they can show you what items they have out! We have sent out notices, but it’s also at their fingertips! All items are due on May 18th.
Login to sso.mckinneyisd.net
Click on MISD Library Search
Select 'Faubion Middle'
Click the words 'Log In' in the upper right corner
Login with SSO
Click on the 'My Info' tab at the top. Here you will see what you have checked out as well as what is overdue.
Internet Service Benefit:
The FCC has enacted a new benefit to help families struggling to afford internet service during the Covid-19 pandemic. You can find out more information about this program at this link: fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
Laptops over the summer
Students will keep their laptops over the summer, as long as they are returning to McKinney ISD next year. If your child is not returning to MISD next year, please turn in your child's laptop, charger, and any other library materials by Tuesday, May 18.
The district has given us a page of information for each student to keep track of the laptop information such as the serial number and asset tag. It also has information on where to get help with laptops over the summer. Remember: incidents still count over the summer. It is important to get things fixed on the devices as quickly as possible, since the wait time will be much longer in August. Remind your student to keep the computer charged and to remember their login information. Here’s a link to the document: https://bit.ly/3ybqwvs
Upcoming Events
May 14 - Choir Pop Show - FMS Auditorium - 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
May 15 - Orchestra Small Ensemble Contest FMS - 8:40 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Please check with Mrs. Zamora for your time.
May 19 - 8th Grade Celebration - Picnic Lunch, movie, and activities. 11:30 a.m. - 3:52 p.m. Virtual students are welcome.
May 20 - 8th Grade Promotion - Ron Poe Stadium - Parents arrive at 9 a.m.
May 20 - Immunizations for rising 7th graders available at Lawson ECC - 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
May 21 - Last Day of School for the 2020-2021 school year. Commencement ceremonies for all three high schools will be held at separate times at the Allen Events Center.
May 21 - School nurse will dispose of any unclaimed medications at the end of the school day.
May 28 - High School Summer School Registration - McKinney North HS - 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Parents of Rising 9th Graders
If you missed early high school summer school registration, you still have one more opportunity to sign up.
LOCATION: McKinney North HS
DATE: May 28th from 9 AM to 11AM
Please Note- Course options are subject to availability. The following courses are full: ART 1, Professional Communications, and Fitness for Life
May Skills dates with high school coaches
Monday, May 17 - MHS Wrestling
Monday, May 17 - MHS Tennis
Monday, May 17 - MHS Girls Basketball
Tuesday, May 18 - MHS Soccer
Tuesday, May 18 - MHS Softball
Tuesday, May 18 - MHS Girls Basketball
Wednesday, May 19 - MHS Girls Basketball
Fine Arts Accents
Updated Shot Records for Rising 7th Graders
Rising seventh graders need proof of updated immunizations before the end of this school year. Your child's schedule will be withheld until immunization records are up-to-date.
Please take your child to complete immunizations. If your child has already received his/her vaccines, provide the updated record to our campus nurse ASAP.
The following vaccines are needed:
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis-containing vaccine (received within the past five years)
Meningococcal vaccine (within the past five years)
It is necessary for your child to be in compliance to attend 7th grade for the 2021-22 school year.
Collin County Health Care Clinic offers low-cost or free immunizations for Medicaid, CHIPs, American Indian or Alaskan native, uninsured or underinsured (no vaccine, capped coverage or select vaccine insurance coverage).
Collin County Health Care, 825 North McDonald Street, Mon - Fri, 7:30am-11am and 1pm-4pm
Lawson Early Childhood Center is also offering immunizations on May 20 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at 500 Dowell Street in McKinney.
If you have any questions about the information above, please reach out to our school nurse at mguinn@mckinneyisd.net or 469-302-6914.
helping our community
One Heart McKinney is an organization that partners with McKinney ISD to provide for those in need. Go to www.oneheartmckinney.com for a one-stop shop of resources related to COVID and community support. You can donate to the cause or seek help if interested.
Drug Use Prevention Resources
McKinney ISD offers a Canvas course called "Talk it up! Prevention resources for parents," which is full of drug prevention resources. Please visit the following LINK, bookmark it, and review it at your convenience. Our district truly embodies the "Live Kind" mindset in taking care of the entire child. Our district Substance Use Prevention Committee works hard to make the content relevant, engaging, and timely. Our counselors are also equipped with lots of resources to assist you, so if you need anything please reach out to us.
Checking Your Child's Grades and Attendance
You may monitor your child's grades and attendance by using the Home Access Center.
Here are the steps to follow:
1) Please make sure that you are using Google Chrome as your browser.
2) Go to https://sso.mckinneyisd.net
3) Enter your login credentials. If you need assistance with your login information, please reach out to your child's house secretary:
A-G: Mrs. Soroa - rsoroa@mckinneyisd.net or 469-302-7005
H-O: Mrs. Gonzalez - amgonzalez@mckinneyisd.net or 469-302-6911
P-Z: Mrs. Dedman - odedman@mckinneyisd.net or 469-302-6917
Jack C. Faubion Middle School, the best middle school in the State of Texas
Email: mvandenboom@mckinneyisd.net
Website: faubionmiddleschool.com
Location: 2000 Rollins Street, McKinney, TX 75069
Phone: 469) 302-6900
Twitter: @FaubionMiddle