The Firebird Flash
October 9, 2020
NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Principal's Update
- Halloween Costumes
- Updates from PTSA
- Nutrition Services During Fall Break
- Recognize an Outstanding Firebird Nation Staff Member - Click the RISE Logo to the left.
Updates from the Principal
Good Afternoon Firebird Nation Families -
October Break is here! I know that everyone was presented with challenges as we launched this new year. I want to thank all of the parents for their support of their students. I want to thank my faculty and staff for all of their hard work to provide opportunities for our students while working together to ensure safety measures are in place for all members of our school community. I also MUST thank our students for all of their effort, work, and ability to work together through all of these challenges. All of us have earned this break and I encourage everyone to take some time with family for some much needed rest and relaxation.
Beginning later this afternoon and extending through Friday, October 23rd, I am directing my staff to put their email on "vacation responder". I want for them to stay off of their devices and use the break to recharge so that we come back ready to work and support students throughout 2nd quarter. We will begin responding to emails when we return on October 26th.
The main office will be open on Monday, October 12th from 8am - 2pm and again on Tuesday, October 13th from 8am - Noon. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions before we go on break. We will reopen again on Monday October 26th when students return to school and will resume our normal office hours.
When we return after break, we will have 2 new supports in place for our students and families. Our PBIS Rewards Program - Firebirds RISE will launch! Students will receive their Student ID cards so that they can begin earning points for positive behaviors, outstanding academic performance, and demonstrating our Firebird RISE expectations (see image below). Our JS2S student leaders will help us launch this process through some morning announcements and support to students with the app/website to track their points. Students can check their accounts periodically (like a bank account) to see what they have earned and then use their points to acquire various incentives at the Firebird Store and within individual classrooms.
We will also be launching Student Success Time (SST) on Fridays. We will be offering academic help for students that are struggling in their classes and for students with D's and F's in a small group setting. Teachers will update gradebooks weekly and work with their grade level administrators and counselors to determine which students need to attend SST. Parents will receive notification from their teams if SST is needed for a specific Friday. The SST time will be scheduled for a couple of hours during the day on Fridays. During this time, help from teachers, academic work completion time, and make up time will be provided to help support students with what they need. If a student is unable to attend in person, then we will provide a zoom link so that students can interact directly with their teacher to get support. We know that this will be a new process, so we will work through challenges that occur and refine this process to ensure it best supports our students. Be watching for more information on this when we return from break.
Again, I hope everyone has an outstanding October Break! Take some time for rest, relaxation, and fun! We have all earned these two weeks off! I look forward to seeing our students when we return beginning October 26th. Stay safe and stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Brian Smith
Executive Principal
Falcon Middle School
HALLOWEEN COSTUMES
Halloween Costumes will be allowed on Tuesday, October 27th, for the first half of the alphabet, and also on Thursday, October 29th, for the second half of the alphabet. Please follow the guidelines below:
1. Normal School Dress Code still applies. Students should review the dress code in the student handbook.
2. There can be NOTHING on the face EXCEPT for their face mask…we have to be able to see their normal face. This means there can be absolutely NO full face covering masks, NO face paint, NO fake blood, NO sunglasses, and NO hoods pulled up over their head.
3. Wigs and hats will be allowed as long as they are part of a costume and do not cover the face. If during class, the hat or wig is a distraction to the learning environment, then it will be taken off for that class period at the request of the teacher.
4. There can be NO weapons of any kind, which also includes anything that looks like or resembles a weapon.
5. We want students to have fun and show school spirit, but the guidelines need to be followed so that students are not asked to call home for a change of clothes.
PTSA UPDATES
Firebird Families: Your Parent-Student-Teacher Association (PTSA) is ready to support our school community! This is a great way to get involved as a parent, community member, staff member, or student! We encourage you to be a part of our organization to help support FMS, impact change, and ensure that all Firebirds RISE!
We hope you will show your support by joining the PTSA for $8. There are two ways to join:
Send in $8 (per member) with cash or check (made payable to Falcon MS PTSA) to the front office.
Join online HERE
There is also an opportunity to order spirit wear, t-shirts for $10 and hoodies for $25 (XXL sizes add $2). Again, cash or check may be sent to the front office or order ONLINE.
We hope you will join us at our next PTSA Meeting! This will take place on Tuesday, December 8th. Please mark you calendars! It is our hope to meet at FMS in the Main Commons, but if conditions do not allow, then we will provide a Zoom link.
If you have any questions or have ideas for supporting our students and staff, please contact DeDe Bolke, President, at bolke74@yahoo.com.
PTSA Reflection Program
How creative are your kids? The Falcon MS PTSA is sponsoring the Reflection Program! The theme this year is "I Matter Because..."
Students can create an entry in any or all of the following categories: Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Film Production, Dance Choreography, and Music Composition. ENTER HERE.
The deadline will be in late November. Please direct any questions to Karen Hobson at karenhobson@copta.org
We've had students from FMS place at the National PTA level for the last two years!! Let's show off our creative kids.
Firebirds RISE!
Students - Nominate a Fireball Today!
Dropping off or Picking Up?
Nutrition Services During Fall Break
D49 Nutrition Services will not provide grab-and-go meals on Friday, Oct. 9, (parent-teacher conferences) or during the district’s fall break, Monday, Oct. 12 to Friday, Oct. 23
We will resume meal distribution when we come back on Monday, Oct. 26. Please remember to order your grab-and-go meals for E-learning when we return from the fall break.
Families with students participating in E-learning, full or part time, can order meals at no charge for students and siblings who are between the ages of 1-18. Meals can be picked up at the student's school or the school that is closest to your family.
To order meals for E-learners only, please do the following:
- Order daily by 7:30 a.m. for same-day pick-up, Monday through Friday, except holidays and District closure dates.
- Locate desired school for pick-up and meal ordering email from chart below.
- Pick-up times are fixed and all schools will stop at stated time to start lunch service for the in-person learners. Please help us by being on time to pick up your meals.
- In the email: Provide student/child's name, student ID number (for siblings state “not in school” if not enrolled)
- Note entree selection, and whether you prefer white or chocolate milk. Fruit and vegetables listed on the menu will be included with the meal.
- In the email: Write which meal is desired (meals must be ordered off the menu of the school you are ordering from).
- A breakfast for the next day can be ordered at this time. Please make sure to request breakfast, if desired. The breakfast meal contains the following: cereal, white milk and a fruit or juice.
- Emails Addresses and Menus: can be found on the Nutrition Services menu webpage.
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