The Firebird Flash
November 20, 2020
Additional NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Principal's Update
- Paying your student's fees
- PTSA & Book Fair!
- Information from Nurse Nelda - COVID Information for Families
- Recognize an Outstanding Firebird Nation Staff Member - Click the RISE Logo to the left.
Don't forget to start each day on the FMS E-Learning Page!
Updates from the Principal
Hello Firebird Nation Families -
We made it to the end of another week and we are officially on Thanksgiving Break! I hope that our families have plans to rest, relax, and enjoy the holiday! I know that it is challenging this year with everything going on, but even more important to give thanks for all that we are thankful for. Thank you Firebird Nation Family for everything that you collectively do to support our students, staff, and community during these difficult times!
When we return from Thanksgiving Break, we will continue our E-Learning process. Students will still have their full schedule Monday - Thursday and the Flex Schedule on Fridays. We will also continue to offer our Student Success Time (SST) on Fridays to support students that need additional help with their academic work. Once we return, there are only 3 weeks left in the 2nd Quarter. Students need to stay on top of their work and grades to make sure they are getting everything completed and turned in before the quarter comes to a close.
Our Firebirds RISE PBIS program has been working very well. I continue to hear lots of positive feedback from our students and staff on its implementation! After break, we will be rolling out the PBIS Rewards App for Parents! This will be available for any parent that would like to see what points their students have earned, what they have received them for, and any prizes that your students may be interested in. We will be sending out more information on this after the break!
We are still looking for parents to join our PTSA. Look below for some additional information. This is a great way to support the school and our students! We encourage all of our parents and students to join as members! Also, we could use some additional parents and community members on our School Accountability Committee (SAC). If you are interested please contact me and I can let you know when meetings take place. Our next meeting is on Monday, December 7th, at 5:30pm. It will take place via Zoom at this time. Both of these groups are great ways to get involved as a parent, learn about what takes place at FMS, and help provide solutions to various challenges that we may be facing.
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Holiday! Enjoy the break!
Sincerely,
Brian Smith
Executive Principal
Falcon Middle School
From the Finance Office - FMS Student Fees
Dear Firebird Nation Family,
Falcon Middle School has sent out Student Account Summaries to families whose student(s) currently have unpaid school fees. Posted fees include, but are not limited to: the grade-level fee, explorer class fees, and/or unpaid class/athletic fees from previous years.
The $20 grade-level fee covers a variety of items and events throughout the school year, such as: a FMS cinch sack, school pride celebrations, guest speakers, science labs, student ID’s and lanyards, in-class projects, team incentive day activities, and interdisciplinary events and projects. The grade-level fee also helps to support our newly-launched PBIS program – which is already a big hit with our students!
Because of our late return to in-person learning during first quarter and our subsequent return to e-learning this week, Falcon Middle School has adjusted first and second quarter Explorer class fees from $5 to $0 for all students. If you paid your student’s first or second quarter Explorer fee prior to November 10, 2020, the payment has either been applied to any outstanding account balance or, if there was none, the payment has been applied as a credit to the account.
For more information about student fees, please refer to Board Policy JQ-R – Student Fees, Fines, and Charges. To view the policy, please click here and then click “policies”, located in the upper right corner of your screen.
To view and pay your student’s fees, log into your Parent Portal account on your computer, not through the phone app. Once you are logged in, click on “Fees and Transportation Services” in the lower left corner - a new window will open, which will allow you to view and pay the fees.
If you need assistance with your Parent Portal account – or if you need a Parent Portal account created – please contact our front office at fms@d49.org.
If you believe your student qualifies for free or reduced benefits, please contact Jackie Sieben at jsieben@d49.org. Once approved, please provide Tina Amos (kamos@d49.org) with a copy of your approval letter to have your student's fees adjusted.
If you have any questions about student fees, please feel free to contact Tina Amos at kamos@d49.org.
Help Support FMS!
PTSA Reflections
Does your student like to draw, take photos, write music, poems or stories, dance, create videos? Then the PTA Reflections program is for them! The theme this year is "I Matter Because..." and your student can enter one or all of the following categories: Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.
Entries are due by November 30. Find specific rules at https://copta.org/parent-engagement/reflections/
If you have any questions, please contact Karen Hobson at hobsonk@elpasotel.net.
Join PTSA Today!
PTSA is thankful for our members and we want to show our appreciation. If you become a member by Thanksgiving, you will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card. 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 at https://falconmsptsa.new.memberhub.store/store?category=Memberships
(Please note that using online payment, the PTSA will be charged a service fee, so a donation would be appreciated to offset that cost.)
Check out another way to support your PTSA! It's a giveback program! You shop and a portion is returned to the PTSA. Check it out: https://falconmsptsa.new.memberhub.store/admin/campaigns
There is also an opportunity to order Spirit Wear, t-shirts for $10 and hoodies for $25. Again, cash or check may be sent to the front office or ordered online: https://falconmsptsa.new.memberhub.store/store
The next PTSA meeting will be on December 8th at 6:30pm via Zoom. Mark your calendars now!
Scholastic Book Fair Coming Soon!
November 30 - December 13
FMS will have its own online store, with a large selection of titles. The virtual book fair will go live November 30.
Every dollar you spend will benefit FMS directly! (25% back in rewards)
From Nurse Nelda...
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