The Bronco Buzz
November 13, 2015
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE FORKS
- Saturday, November 14- Saturday School Opportunity
- Monday, November 16-20- FFMS Scholastic Book Fair in the Media Center
- Monday, November 16- FFMS Iron Men Mentor Training 6:00- 7:30- PLC Room
- Monday, November 16-Hard Lock Down Drill @ 2:05pm
- Tuesday, November 17-ILT Meeting @8:15 in the PLC room
- Wednesday, November 18- NStyle Holiday Show- Conference Room
- Wednesday, November 18- Duty Free Lunch- Five Forks Fathers will monitor your kids!
- Thursday, November 19- Principal for a Day, Mark Reiswig
- Thursday, November 19- PLC
- Thursday, November 19- FFMS vs. McConnell at BHS-BASKETBALL -Come Support!
- Friday, November 19-PTSA Home baked Treats in the Front Conference RM @ 8:15am
- Friday, November 20- Advisement
WINS FOR THE WEEK!
- Great news for PBL implementation at FFMS! Ms. Coston, Ms. Byrd, and Ms. Glenn received the "STEMMY PBL Award" from the district. They were recognized for their recent implementation of the "Cost of Conserving" project-based learning unit developed at the Buck Institute session this past summer.
- We had an AWESOME United Way Walk-a-Thon! The turnout was spectacular!! Thank you to Jacob Bennett and Genia Byrd for spearheading United Way. To Jacob for dreaming of and bringing to life the Walk-a-Thon...and to our FANTASTIC Connections teachers who came out and walked with the kids and helped make it happen. You all ROCK!
- Christine met with both our PTSA Boards and our Local School Council, and our parents are excited and so appreciative about the work that you are all doing with their children. Thank you for all you do!!!
- Dr. Tatum enjoyed her visit to our 7th grade PLC. Additionally, she was very impressed with the lessons she saw in the classrooms of Mrs. Glenn, Mrs. McGraw,Ms. Newton, Ms. Kenyon, and Ms. Maring! Bravo!
- The 8th Grade Orchestra had a STELLAR performance this past week. Congratulations to Mrs. Morris for her hard work with her students! It shows!!!
COUNT ME IN AWARD... Laura Ross
STEAM Overview
As mentioned in last week’s communication, the STEAM Committee has developed six objectives to guide our work this year as we seek the Georgia Department of Education’s STEM certification. For this week’s article, we’ll provide greater clarity on the first three objectives.
Objective 1: Focus on Project-based & Problem-based learning – Several of our STEAM Committee teachers have participated in PBL staff development facilitated by district representatives and Buck Institute instructors. As these teachers implement their lessons, they have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from Dr. Jonathon Wetherington (Director of Science), Ms. Bonnie Brush (Director of Mathematics), and Ms. Jen Johnston (STEM Program Coordinator). These teachers have also created a library of PBL resources for the entire faculty to use, which is located on our shared drive.
Objective 2: Develop a STEAM brand and communicate to the larger community – In an effort to highlight our STEAM initiatives, we have created a website: http://ffmssteam.weebly.com/ and will continue to update content. In addition, we have printed 12 posters using our new poster maker displaying our very own students engaged in collaborative learning and enriching hands-on activities. Finally, we have plans to create a brochure that highlights our STEAM initiatives, which we will distribute to community members.
Objective 3: Generate revenue for a STEAM program – Our goal is to manage a self-sufficient program that does not depend upon revenues from the school’s general operating funds. Through grants, donations, and a portion of the monthly vending machine sales, our STEAM program has generated over $2,300 since the start of the year. These funds will be used on teacher supplies, equipment, and technology associated with STEAM initiatives.
Next week, we look forward to sharing information on objectives 4-6 in our pursuits to obtain STEM certification.
Congratulations!!!!!
Great news for PBL implementation at FFMS! Ms. Coston, Ms. Byrd, and Ms. Glenn received the "STEMMY PBL Award" from the district. They were recognized for their recent implementation of the "Cost of Conserving" project-based learning unit developed at the Buck Institute session this past summer.
Dr. Jonathon Wetherington (Director of Science), Ms. Bonnie Brush (Director of Mathematics), and Ms. Jen Johnston (STEM Program Coordinator) observed various components of their lessons and provided glowing feedback. Here's a snapshot of the description:
INSTRUCTIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Nearpod
TECH NEWS
AND THE WINNER IS.....
DID YOU KNOW???
Fun Facts about the First Thanksgiving
- The Plymouth Pilgrims were the first to celebrate the Thanksgiving.
- The Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to reach North America.
- They sailed on the ship, which was known by the name of 'Mayflower'.
- They celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
- The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land.
- The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, had organized the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621. He invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians to the feast.
- The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.
- Mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, popcorn, milk, corn on the cob, and cranberries were not foods present on the first Thanksgiving's feast table.
- Lobster, rabbit, chicken, fish, squashes, beans, chestnuts, hickory nuts, onions, leeks, dried fruits, maple syrup and honey, radishes, cabbage, carrots, eggs, and goat cheese are thought to have made up the first Thanksgiving feast.
- The pilgrims didn't use forks; they ate with spoons, knives, and their fingers.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
November
4- Carolyn Brooks
12- Kathy Crews
14- Michael Linton
15- Kim Hoope
20- Harristina Stephens
24- Tracy Hickmon
26- Susan Seay
29- Phillip Watson
30- Alexis Evans
Five Forks Middle School's Bronco Buzz
Email: jeni_greene@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Website: http://www.fiveforksmiddleschool.org/home.html
Location: 3250 River Drive, Lawrenceville, GA, United States
Phone: 770-972-1506
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Twitter: @Bucky_Connects