The Firebird Flash
January 6, 2023
NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Principal's Update
- Important Date Change for February
- Mark your Calendar
- Bell Schedules
- Student Handbook
- Dress Code
- FMS Traffic Pattern
- Tutoring Available at FMS
- Robotics Club Info
- 8th Grade - FHS Choir Auditions
- Firebird Nation Campus Expansion Update
- ECOC Summit Information
- Order your FMS Yearbook
- From Nurse Nelda
- PTSA
- Purchase Firebird Gear
Updates from our Principal
Greetings Firebird Nation Families,
Happy New Year and Welcome Back! I hope everyone had a restful and rejuvenating Holiday Break! Several new students and families are joining Falcon Middle School...Welcome to the Firebird Nation!
As we return from break, staff will be taking time to remind students of key expectations. We will review classroom visions, classroom codes, and our overall expectations within the Code of Conduct. A key area of focus will relate to the Electronic Devices Policy. We want students to remember that devices, including cell phones and ear buds, need to be out of sight and out of mind. Devices will be confiscated and brought to the office. On the first offense, we will call home and provide the device back to the student at the end of the day. On the second and subsequent offenses, parents will need to come to the office to pick up the device.
Grade Level Administrators and Counselors will remind students about our overall expectations along with our biggest expectation of treating each and every person with kindness and respect. We will continue to work with our students on resilience skills while also talking with them about how to report any situation that may be occurring at the school. Students can always ask to talk with an administrator or counselor if they need support with a situation or if they are a witness to anything. We are here to help!
As we move into second semester, keep in mind our traffic pattern around Falcon Middle School. Please always use extra caution when traveling around Falcon Middle School. When
walking around the campus during pick up and drop off times, use only the designated cross walks. For vehicles, please follow the pick up and drop off pattern highlighted in the video so that we can keep our traffic moving smoothly. For the safety of students, please refrain from dropping off or picking up students in the middle of the parking lot or in the second traffic lane. With the cold weather upon us, use slower speeds in the event of any snow and ice on the roads. Please also use caution and be respectful of our neighboring areas when dropping off and picking up students. It is imperative for the safety of our students, staff, and community to abide by all traffic rules. Deputy Murphy will continue to monitor and assist to ensure all of us are following the appropriate traffic laws.
We look forward to a successful 3rd quarter as we move forward into 2nd semester. Thank you all for making Falcon Middle School the best Middle School in the Nation!
Go Firebirds!
Mrs. Elena Forehand
Interim Principal
Falcon Middle School
Important Date Change in February!
Students will NOT attend school on Tuesday, February 7, 2022.
Falcon Zone schools will operate on a NORMAL schedule Friday, February, 10, 2023
Please click on this link to read the entire email sent to families.
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Mark your Calendar
January
16: District Closed - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
19:
27: Staff Professional Development - No Students
Check the FMS website calendar often for the most up-to-date information.
All dates/events are subject to change.
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We will continue to provide reminders to our students on our expectations at Falcon Middle School. We want to ensure students know and remember our key expectations related to:
- No Electronic Device Policy
- Dress Code
- Appropriate Language
- PDA (Public Display of Affection)
- Timeliness to Class
- Appropriate Firebird Behaviors
- No-Tolerance of any kind of Bullying
- Consequences for poor choices
Dress Code
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Learn about our Traffic Pattern at FMS
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Student Schedules
Schedules are available for 3rd Quarter to download or view a copy through your PowerSchool Student Portal or Parent Portal at this time. Counselors spend a great deal of time their first few days back looking over each student's schedule to ensure they are scheduled in classes that will best meet their academic needs.
All students have 2 Explore classes like Art, Music, PE, Computer, etc. In 6th grade and during the first two quarters of 7th grade, our counselors work to help students take all of the different offerings so that they can see what classes they like. Band is an exception to this as this class is a full year long class in all three grade levels. After students have an opportunity to experience all of the different offerings in 6th and the first part of 7th grades, they will then be able to choose which Explore classes they would like to take for an entire semester. Counselors work with students during the later part of 7th grade and all of 8th grade to determine which specialized explore classes would best enrich their future academic study. All 7th and 8th grade students have new full semester long explore classes starting with our return on Wednesday, January 4th. All 6th grade students have new quarter long explore classes starting January 4th as well.
If you have any questions about your schedule, please talk with your grade level counselor.
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Tutoring Available at FMS
We wanted to reach out to all of of our Firebird Families as we continue our way through this 2022-2023 School Year at Falcon Middle School. We are spending more time working with all grade-level Firebirds on the mastery of their core contents. Due to this, FMS will continue to offer after-school tutoring and subject help.
FMS will be offering a 1-hr 15-min tutoring window on Mondays through Thursdays from 3:15-4:30 pm. These times will be used to:
· Master current standards and concepts
· Master former standards and concepts
· Work on current learning plans/Guided Support
If you are interested in attending a tutoring window, please fill out the following Google Form. Once you have signed up, we will look forward to seeing you at the tutoring session!
Any attending students ARE REQUIRED to have a plan for being picked up at 4:30 pm.
Please feel free to reach out to either of us or your child's teachers if you have any concerns or questions,
Corey A. Bates
8th Grade Gold Math Teacher
Falcon Middle School
cabates@d49.org
Carrie Clay
8th Grade Counselor
Falcon Middle School
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ATTN 8th Grade - FHS Choir Auditions!
Greetings from the Falcon High School Choir department!
My name is Mrs. Meyer, and I am the choir director at Falcon High School.
Although there are three choir options at FHS that are available to students without an audition, current 8th-grade students who are looking to be more involved are welcome (and encouraged!) to audition for Chamber Choir or our show choirs. Students auditioning for Chamber Choir will need to complete a short vocal audition. Students auditioning for the show choirs will need to complete the same vocal audition plus a dance audition.
Students Currently in Choir
Students NOT in Choir
Students not currently in choir may complete their vocal audition on the evening of January 25th, 2023. Vocal auditions will begin at approx. 6:15 PM at FHS. Students should bring the last two pages (five and six) of their 2023-2024 Auditioned Choir Handbook to their audition. If the student does not have a printer available at home, they can fill out the forms with a parent/guardian upon arrival. No prior preparation is needed for the audition as long as the student knows the song "Happy Birthday." More detailed information about the FHS choir program and auditions can be found at this website.
Dance Auditions
Scheduling/Deadline
If the time frames listed above do not work for you, please email me at bmeyer@d49.org to schedule an alternate audition time. Please note that all auditions must be completed by Thursday, January 26th--this includes current 8th-grade students! Please also note that the audition choreography for the show choirs will only be taught (step-by-step) on the evening of January 25th. If you are completing your dance audition at a different time, you will have to learn the dance on your own.
Please feel free to email me at bmeyer@d49.org if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing some of your students in choir class next year!
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Firebird Nation Campus Expansion
Welcome Back! We had quite a bit of progress take place over the break. The exterior is close to being fully completed as you will see in the picture. There is some final stucco work, doors to install, and finish work to tie into the existing building. Painting has continued on the inside of the building, cabinetry and flooring are being installed, and some of the concrete is getting a final polish. Some rooms are beginning to install ceiling tiles. Ceramic tile work continues and the gym is getting its first coat of paint. We are excited to see some finished rooms here in the next month or so!
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Yearbooks may be ordered at www.jostensyearbooks.com or by calling 1-877-767-5217.
Supplies are limited, so order and secure your 22-23 FMS Yearbook Today!
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from Nurse Nelda
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Your Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) has close to 100 members and is looking to engage additional families in our awesome organization!
Don't miss out! Join now for only $10 using the following links or get a form from the office to use cash or check:
Parent/Guardian: https://falconmsptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/105273
Staff: https://falconmsptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/104029
Student: https://falconmsptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/105101
Community: https://falconmsptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/104034
PTSA Meeting Schedule
Volunteer Help Needed
We are looking for volunteers on Fridays to help with the PBIS store during lunches at the school. Use this link to sign up.
Wanting to Volunteer for Concessions?
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Looking for Firebird Gear?
Click the link below to purchase online!
You will be contacted when the order is filled!!
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Falcon Middle School
6th Grade Assistant Principal: Joy Kovanda
7th Grade Assistant Principal/Athletic Director: Geoffrey Green
8th Grade Assistant Principal: Tim Scheck
Dean of Students: Patricia Kelly
6th Grade Counselor: Amber Villani
7th Grade Counselor: Lisa Murdock
8th Grade Counselor: Carrie Clay
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FMS Office Hours
7:15am-3:30pm
Email: fms@d49.org
Website: https://www.d49.org/fms
Location: 9755 Towner Avenue, Peyton, CO, USA
Phone: 719-495-5232
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FalconMiddleD49
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