Freedom Middle School News
Week of February 28, 2021 Edition
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FOOD DISTRIBUTION UPDATE
Parent/Guardian Checklist
Hybrid Learning Checklist
Virtual Learning Checklist
Weekly Schedule for March 1 through March 5, 2021
Tuesday, March 2 - "B" Day Schedule (Hybrid Instruction); Art Club meets from 3:00 to 4:00pm
Wednesday, March 3 - Connect with your teachers; Submit your attendance
Thursday, March 4 - "A" Day Schedule (Hybrid Instruction)
Friday, March 5 - "B" Day Schedule (Hybrid Instruction)
Message From The Superintendent
With March upon us, we are just two weeks from completing the 3rd academic quarter prior to Spring Break. We experienced a good transition back to our pre-k-12 hybrid learning mode. The past few weeks have been impacted by frequent and abundant wintry weather conditions. Hopefully, the next week will be free from additional disruptions!
On Tuesday afternoon, we shared a media release detailing our school division’s being designated as one of the Top Employers in America by Forbes Magazine. If you have not had an opportunity to read the release, it is linked here.
Below are some announcements and reminders as we look to the week ahead.
Announcements & Reminders
We are back in full hybrid in-person learning again. Our entire staff has been so glad to see our students and families back in our schools and buildings this week!
We apologize for any confusion on Tuesday related to the decision to move from an in-person delay to a delayed virtual learning day (synchronous). The road conditions that morning were very unexpected and did not improve quickly enough for us to move forward with safe in-person learning. We are continuing to review our inclement weather codes that are used to communicate the status of school and 12 month employees; specifically, to better align them to our new ability to support both synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
Our COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily and can be viewed in the Return to Learn section on each school’s website or by clicking this link: SCPS COVID-19 Dashboard. Also, on our webpage is a link to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Dashboard. This site provides data and statistics regarding COVID-19 positivity rates and cases per 100,000 by locality, region, and state.
FY2022 Budget Information & upcoming critical dates:
This past Tuesday, the School Board Chair Ms. Dawn Shelley and Vice Chair Dr. Lorita Daniels presented the approved school board budget request to the county Board of Supervisors. To access the presentation, you can click on this link.
Please see the detailed calendar of additional dates critical to the process here: FY 2022 Approved Critical Budget Dates.
School Board meetings can be viewed online at https://www.regionalwebtv.com/spotsysb. Meetings are live-streamed. Recordings of each meeting may be accessed at the same link. Additionally, meetings may be viewed on cable channels: Comcast Channel 17, Cox Channel 18, and Verizon Channel 36.
Currently, our school counselors are scheduling our middle and high school students for the 2021-2020 school year. Please contact your child’s school if you have any questions or need support with scheduling. The latest Family Connection webinar is available for viewing and focuses on Academic and Career Planning for middle and high school students. Be sure to check it out at https://amsva.wistia.com/projects/7ofldfzadl.
Expanded Summer School draft plans are underway. This year’s plans include a focus on skill development and social emotional learning through a project based approach. Additionally, we have expanded our support to students with disabilities as well. We hope to have the plan completed within the next couple of weeks.
The 2021-2022 Board approved Instructional Calendar is linked here.
This year’s Race for Education will be virtual. This family-friendly 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk raises funds to enhance the quality and impact of student learning experiences in Spotsylvania County Public Schools (SCPS) through the Spotsylvania Education Foundation (SEF). Participants will complete their 5K or 1 Mile during April 16-18. All participants will be eligible for prizes and one elementary, one middle, and one high school will each receive $300 for the most school participation. For complete details or to register for the race go to: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Fredericksburg/SpotsyRaceForEducation.
Looking for a way to support our families in need? We’re excited to announce our new partnership with @purposity! To support our mission, just download the Purposity app and follow Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Your donations will help fill the shelves of our Treasure House, which directly supports our students in need. To get started, download the Purposity app in the App Store or Google Play and be sure to follow us.
Have a great week!
Dr. S. Scott Baker
What to Bring Each Day
When returning to school, students should plan to bring each day:
Mask
Agenda
Fully charged school device with power cord
Water bottle (suggested)
Personal Supplies:
Small Hand Sanitizer
Bookbag (no lockers)
School Supplies
Earbuds
Mechanical Pencils and/or individual pencil sharpener
March Calendar Reminders
- March 7 through March 13 - School Social Worker Week
- March 12 - Early Release
- March 15 - 19 Spring Break
- March 25 - Report Cards Posted
Rising 7th Grade Math Placement Test Information.
Parents and Guardians of current 6th Grade students:
Please complete this electronic form to indicate whether or not you would like for your current Math 6 student to take the rising 7th grade Math placement test. This form needs to be completed by Monday, March 1.
SSW Week Begins March 7th
Changes for the 2021-2022 School Year
SCA Kick-off Meeting
All students are welcome to attend the kick-off meeting (virtual) for the SCA on March 3rd at 9:00am
Please join the google classroom: f7q7czd
There you will find the link to attend the meeting.
Any questions, please email Mrs. Kirsch (ekirsch@spotsylvania.k12.va.us) or Mrs. Petro (rpetro@spotsylvania.k12.va.us)
Spring Sports Tryout Information
Try-outs for Spring Sports (Co-ed Soccer, Girls Softball, Boys and Girls Track) will begin March 8th. In order to try-out, students must have a completed VHSL physical form with all insurance information filled out as well as complete the online concussion training. Please email your paperwork to kmccread@spotsylvania.k12.va.us or ljones@spotsylvania.k12.va.us to ensure your child's eligibility.
Eye of The Tigers Last Call for Entries
Art Club for March, 2021
Debate Club Schedule for March, 2021
Want to voice your opinions?
Learn how to listen and argue thoughtfully?
Appreciate others’ opinions and ideas?
Build confidence and leadership skills?
DEBATE CLUB IS FOR YOU!
Meetings are on Thursdays at 3:30 PM in Google Meet. If you are an interested 7th or 8th grade student you are welcome to join us every Thursday in March at 3:30 PM.
Coach: Mr. Jennings cjennings@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Google Meet Code: e6xyagbypo
Important Message From Nurse Newton
Call: 540-548-1030 Ext. 6219
2021 Yearbook Orders
Yearbooks may now be purchased for $35.00 without a name plate and $40.00 with a name plate. Use this link to purchase a yearbook.
Parents are able to upload school appropriate pictures to the Yearbook Community Upload. Please make sure that you include the student name and grade. Uploading a picture does not guarantee that they will be added to the yearbook. Once you click on the upload link, make sure you use the code: FreedomMS. Use this link to access the Yearbook Community Upload.
PTSA News
FMS PTSA Little Caesars Fundraiser 2/1/21 – 3/3/21. Set up your personal fundraising account using the link below and you will receive a special link just for you that you can share with family and friends to order pizza kits and some other yummy treats. The kits are delivered right to the buyer's door, so anyone can order and help support our fundraiser! Please contact freedommiddlefundraising@gmail.com if you have any questions.
https://fundraising.littlecaesars.com/login/join-fundraiser/218592fc-5a1a-4afb-a479-0fb2633994c6
Spirit Days at Sweet Frog Harrison Crossing will run all weekend Friday March 12 through March 14th. Mention you are with Freedom and a portion of your sale will be donated to the PTSA!
Did you know that you can help support the FMS PTSA when you make purchases through Amazon Smile? Please make sure to select "Freedom Middle School PTSA, VA" from the Charitable Organization List for your future purchase(s)!
Please Follow the Freedom Middle School PTSA on Facebook for information on Spirit Nights, Fundraisers, School Events, and more.
FMS Library News
Library Newsletter Update for February 28, 2021
March is such an exciting time! Our March Library Calendar may be found here with interactive bulletin boards, LIVE Library Wednesdays, read alouds, and special features. Students may check out up to four print library books and have a wealth of eBook options!
That said, we REALLY need your help. Our library has over 284 books that have not been returned from last year which cost $4,012.28. We don’t want parents and students to pay for these items; we desperately need these books returned. We will take any Spotsylvania County Public Schools Library books and make sure the books are returned to their library homes. Books may be returned 24/7! There is a “Return Books Here” bin located outside of the main entrance of Freedom Middle School. If you are having trouble returning the books, please contact Ms. Dornan (sdornan@spotsylvania.k12.va.us) or Mrs. Shamble (ishamble@spotsylvania.k12.va.us) for help. We know how much our students, teachers, and parents love our library and we are eager to continue circulating print materials for learning and enjoyment!
Inclement Weather Reminder
In addition to the Spotsylvania County School Websites, you may also find school closing information with the following:
FM Stations: WBQB 101.5, WGRQ 95.9, WGRX 104.5, WASH 97.1, HOT 99.5, WCVE 88.9, WCNV 89.1, WMVE 90.1, WTOP 103, WFLS 93.3, WYSK 99.3, WWUZ 96.9, WJMA 96.7
AM Stations: WFVA 1230, WTOP 820
Television Stations: WJLA CH 7 ABC, WRC CH 4 NBC, WUSA CH 9 CBS , WTTG CH 5 FOX, WTVR CH 6 CBS, WRIC CH 8 ABC, WWBT CH 12 NBC
Free Lance-Star: www.fredericksburg.com
Cable Stations: Comcast Channel 18
Alert Systems: www.spotsyalert.com
Learning Hub
Website: https://sites.google.com/spotsylvania.k12.va.us/fmsstaff/home
Wednesday Parent Conversations
9:00 to 9:30 World Language
9:30 to 10:00 English, History, Electives
10:00 to 10:30 Math, Science
10:30 to 11:00 SPED, ESOL, Specialists
Please email your teachers if you have any questions. Teacher emails can be accessed directly on the FMS Learning Hub found on our website.
Google Classroom
PTSA
Our PTSA needs you! Please consider joining the FMS PTSA. Email freedommiddleptsa@gmail.com with questions, or to ask about volunteer opportunities this year.
SCPS Virtual Zen Den
ParentVue and StudentVue
Freedom Middle School
Freedom Middle School
Home of the Tigers
#FreedomStrong
Email: ewright@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Website: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/freedom
Location: 7315 Smith Station Road, Fredericksburg, VA, USA
Phone: 540-548-1030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Freedom-Middle-School-1552644134793827/
Twitter: @Freedom_MS_SCPS