Finn Hill Falcon Flyer
Week of June 13, 2022
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Finn Hill Families and Friends,
As our summer begins, I would like to express how grateful I am to be leading such an outstanding community of students, parents, and staff. It has been an amazing year! I want to thank you all for the support and patience shown these past 10 months. We had successes and some challenges, yet despite all, we continued the work that had to be done to ensure the safety and educational needs of our students. I am so proud of the achievements and accomplishments of our students at Finn Hill Middle School. These would not be possible without the support and dedication of the entire Finn Hill community.
I would like to thank our hard working and caring faculty and staff who have made a huge difference to our students. Their commitment is extraordinary, and our kids are the beneficiaries. I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for a job well done by an incredible group of professionals.
I’d like to give a special thanks to our PTSA who went above and beyond the call of duty to provide whatever was necessary to add to our students’ already rich school experience.
I’d also like to give special recognition to our families, who have contributed in ways small, large, and unimaginable! Thank you for the partnership between home and school, which is so important. I appreciate all that you do every day for our school and our children!
As we wind down the year, we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the transitions that happen at the end of a school year: we wish our eighth students a fond farewell and success as they move on to academic and extracurricular opportunities in high school. We acknowledge staff who will be leaving FHMS at the end of the school year. We wish you best of luck and thank you for the lasting impact you’ve had on the staff and students at Finn Hill Middle School. We extend best wishes to all students and families who will be moving away and leaving our school community.
As we prepare for next school year, we are excited to welcome our incoming sixth grade students. In addition to our returning staff, there will also be new faces on staff next year. Our hope is that we can get even closer to the level of normalcy that we’ve grown accustomed to in years past that will allow us to thrive together in 2022-2023.
A final word to Finn Hill students: Thank you for all your hard work throughout the school year. I am so honored to be your principal; you make me proud to be a Finn Hill Falcon. You keep me laughing and having fun every day. I am grateful for your joy, astute insights, and amazing talents. Best wishes to our graduating eighth graders, whom we will miss greatly. Please come back and visit, because as the saying goes, “Once a Falcon, always a Falcon.”
With that, I would like to wish students, parents, caregivers, and school staff a safe, restful, and rewarding summer. Hopefully we will all get the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends and come back to school rejuvenated and ready to learn in the fall!
With Falcon PRIDE,
Jennifer Cleaves
FHMS Principal
IMPORTANT: Laptop Roll In
Reminder: Important School Rules
1. Drugs/Alcohol: use, possession, sale
2. Weapons, including knives: possession
3. Hate speech of any kind
4. Cursing at a staff member
5. Assault/Fighting
Good Things
Green Team Update
During College Prep the kids were out in the garden planning out their watering system for those plants that will be growing throughout the Summer months. Yes, we plan on a sunny summer. The kids harvested their lettuce and spinach greens last week and took home quite a bag full. We will let most of our greens go to seed and plant some new ones late summer/early fall. With the cooler weather we have been having this spring our tomatoes and pumpkins are growing rather slowly, but they are still alive, and we are optimistic. We are also optimistic about our strawberries that are starting to produce fruit and our nasturtium which will make a nice addition to our future salads. Our marigolds are starting to bloom, and our sunflowers have grown quite a bit in recent weeks. The sunflower seeds came from a mixed bag of sunflower seeds that I harvested last year from my own garden so how tall they will get and what color will remain a secret for the months to come.
Side story : Nasturtium seeds were given to me by a family right before covid in 2019. I planted them in my own garden and then I saved seeds from those nasturtium plants to grow our plants this year.
This Week
- June 13, Laptop Roll In, All Day
- June 14-Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony, 6:30 PM-8:00 PM, Gym
- June 15-Locker Clean Out
- June 15-Eighth Grade Clap Out, 1:20 PM-1:35 PM
- June 16-Yearbook Distribution
- June 16-Field Day, 1:00 PM-2:30 PM
- June 17-Last Day of School (Half Day)
FREE School Supplies!
Ms. Delman is cleaning out her room and has a ton of extra binders and dividers that she would like to find new homes for! Please stop by her room (Pod 1 - 116) after school or during lunch next week to pick up some school supplies for next year.
Looking Ahead
September 6: First Day of School
Parking for EOY Events
We are able to park at the LDS church during the promotion ceremony on Tuesday, June 14 and the afternoon of Wednesday, June 15 for the clap out. Parents of 8th graders are welcome to join the clap out outside of the building in front of the school.
A Letter from the PTSA
“The Finn Hill Middle School PTSA strives to strengthen the learning environment for every student, to be a relevant resource for our families, teachers, staff and administration, and to be a staunch advocate for the education and welfare of every child.”
Parents, Caregivers, Friends-
The Finn Hill Middle School PTSA is a 503c non-profit organization run by volunteers whose mission is written above. According to WA State laws, to be a non-profit organization, you need a minimum of four officers: A President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The PTSA is in need. Without a full board, we can no longer operate as a non-profit organization by the WA state law. By July 1, 2022, we need to elect a President first and foremost. We also have two Vice President positions that need to be filled, but without a President, that will be a moot point.
What happens if we don’t have a President for the 2022/23 School year?
I’m so glad you asked! The PTSA supports the school in many ways, but here are some of the main things that would go away:
- Student planners
- Field Day
- Staff classroom grants
- Library grants
- Staff volunteer support
- Staff appreciation
- School play support
- Alumni Scholarships
There are other community helping opportunities that would also go away including needs drives, pantry pack support, and Reflections art competition. We would also lose committees such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Special Education committee, sustainability/beautification, and emergency preparation.
On the surface, these may not seem like a big loss all on their own. However, if you get down to the nuts and bolts of it, your student’s day will look very different without the resources PTSA provides.
What do I get out of participating in the board?
You will be able to enhance your resume. A non-profit board position is valued as an employment opportunity. Even though it is a volunteer position, it is still a working position that is appreciated as a work commitment by a hiring individual. I have personally given recommendations that have led to employment opportunities for former board members.
Another main benefit to being a board member is the ability to decide how the PTSA continues to support the students and staff. You also will be the first to know what the goings-on at the school may be. You will have a significant working relationship with the administration, and you will also have a close working relationship with staff members.
The time commitment is a significant decrease compared to elementary school. This means that often our board is comprised of working adults and members who serve in other ways at the elementary or high school.
We ask you to sincerely consider how you can actively help the FHMS PTSA. If you or another of your student’s caregivers can offer your gift of time and join our board, we ask that you reach out ASAP for more information.
Thank you for your time and consideration-
Sarah Mertel
End of the Year PTSA Volunteer Needs
Hello!
We have a few short and sweet volunteer needs before the end of the school year. Please see each description for the link to sign up. Thanks in advance!
--FHMS PTSA Board
Cookie and water bottle donations, as well as server volunteers are needed for 8th grade promotion ceremony. Traditionally, donations and service were donated by 7th grade families; however, anyone is welcome to contribute. Servers must be approved LWSD volunteers. Find details and sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080d49a9a628a2f94-8thgrade2
Volunteers are needed to help at stations during the FHMS Field Day. Stations include: cotton candy, popcorn, sno-cones, games, face painting, and supervision. Find details and sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080d49a9a628a2f94-field2
A few more volunteers are needed to help our school librarians with laptop return on June 13th. Find details and sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080d49a9a628a2f94-help1
Finn Hill Middle School
Mission
Each student will graduate prepared to lead a rewarding, responsible life as a contributing member of our community and greater society.
Vision
Every student future ready: Prepared for college, Prepared for the global workplace, Prepared for personal success
Website: https://fhms.lwsd.org/
Location: 8040 NE 132nd St, Kirkland, WA, USA
Phone: (425) 936-2340
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinnHillMiddleSchool
Twitter: @FinnHillMS