The Falcon Reporter
1st 6 weeks
Important Dates
September
September 21 - End of 1st Six Weeks
September 21- LTHS Bound 7th and 8th Graders play with LTHS Band at The Star 5:00
September 24 - 7th Grade Football vs. Lawler MS @ Lebanon Trail HS 5:30
September 25 - 8th Grade Football vs. Lawler MS @ Lebanon Trail HS 5:30
September 26 - Power To Change Classroom Meeting
September 26 - Board Game Club Meeting Room 707 3:45
September 27 - Report Cards Posted in HAC
September 27 - Pioneer Heritage MS @ PHMS 5:30
September 29 - Band Pre Region Clinic @ FMS 9:00-12:00
September 29 - Orchestra All Region Boot Camp @ Maus MS 11:00-12:300
October
October 1 - 7th Grade Football vs. Pioneer Heritage MS @ Reedy HS 5:30
October 2 - Custodian Appreciation Day
October 2 - 8th Grade Football vs. Pioneer Heritage MS @ Reedy HS 5:30
October 2 - FISD Marching Band Showcase at the Star 7-9:30
October 3 - 6th Grade Student Council Voting During Flight Time
October 4 - Volleyball vs. Cobb MS @ FMS 5:30
October 5 - Student Holiday/ Teacher Work Day
October 8 - Columbus Day School Holiday
October 9 - Author Visit Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs with all 6th graders in the Fowler Café @2:35
October 9 - Flu Shot Clinic 4-5:30 in the Fowler Café (Must Bring Copy of Insurance Card, Copy of Insured Driver’s License)
October 9 - 7th Grade Football vs. Cobb MS @ Lebanon Trail HS 5:30
October 10 - Power to Change Classroom Meeting
October 10 - Board Game Club Meeting Room 707 3:45-4:30
October 10 - 8th Grade Football vs. Cobb @ Lebanon Trail HS 5:30
October 11 - Fall Picture Retakes During Lunch on the Stage
October 11 - Volleyball vs. Maus MS @ Maus MS 5:30
October 15-19 - Book Fair in the Fowler Library
October 15 - 7th Grade Football vs. Maus MS @ Heritage HS 5:30
October 16 - PTA One Check Fundraiser ends
October 16 - 8th Grade Football vs. Maus MS @ Heritage HS 5:30
October 17 - Power To Change Classroom Meeting
October 17 - Band Fall Concert @ Liberty HS 6:00
October 17 - Choir Fall Concert @ Fowler Café 6:00
October 18 - 7th Grade Volleyball vs. Sherman MS @ Sherman MS 5:30
October 18 - 8th Grade Volleyball vs. Sherman MS @ Sherman HS 5:30
October 19 - Band Fall Party Fine Arts Wing and Café 6:00-8:00
October 20 - Choir Solo and Ensemble Contest @ Independence HS
October 22-27 - Red Ribbon Week
October 22 - “Life is Colorful without Drugs” Wear Colorful Clothes
October 22 - Volleyball vs. Clark MS @ Clark MS 5:30
October 23 - “Round-Up Against Drugs” Wear Western Style Clothes
October 23 - Mix it up Day at Lunch
October 24 - “Wear Red Day” Wear as much Red as Possible
October 24 - Coffee With the Counselors – Home Access Center and Teacher Websites
October 24 - Power to Change Classroom Meeting
October 24 - Board Game Club Meeting Room 707 3:45-4:30
October 24 - Band Pre-Region Clinic Fine Arts Wing and 6th Grade Hall 5:20-8:30
October 25 - “Peace Love and Drug Free” Wear 1960’s style clothing
October 25-27 - District Volleyball Tournament A Teams Only
October 26 - “Team Up Against Drugs” Wear a Team Jersey, Shirt, etc.
October 26 - Liberty Bound 7th & 8th Grade plays with Liberty Band @ Toyota Stadium 5:30
October 27 - Orchestra All Region Auditions Plano East HS
October 29-November 2 - Theatre Tech Rehearsal 3:45
October 29 - 7th Grade Football vs. Clark MS @Lebanon Trail HS 5:30
October 30 - 8th Grade Football vs. Clark MS @Lebanon Trail HS 5:30
October 31 - Fly TV
October 31 - 8th Grade Football vs. Maus MS @ Liberty 5:30
November
November 1 - Orchestra Fall Concert Lebanon Trail HS 6:00
November 2 - End of 2nd Six Weeks
November 2 - 8th Grade Students complete Career Day Choice Sheets
November 2 - Technology Specialist and Facilitator Appreciation Day
November 3 - Band Region Auditions Phase I Murphy MS 5:30-10:00
November 4 - Daylight Saving Time ends, Set clocks back one hour
November 5 -7 - Theatre Dress Rehearsals 3:45-5:45
November 5 - Band Region Auditions Phase II Nelson MS 5:00-9:00
November 6 - Election Day (Fowler is a Voting Location)
November 7 - Board Game Club Meeting 3:45-4:30
November 8 & 9 - Theatre Show Annie in Fowler Café 6:00
November 9-10 - Band All Region Clinic and Concert Plano Senior HS
November 9-10 - Orchestra All Region Clinic and Concert Plano West Senior HS
November 10 - Theatre Show Annie in Fowler Café 1:00
Team News
6th Grade
In 6th grade ILA, students will be applying their writing skills to create a personal narrative that explains a significant change in their lives. We are so excited to introduce literature circles with new novels.
In Social Studies for the second six weeks, sixth graders will wrap up their introductory study of culture by presenting elements of their own cultures to the class. We will then study the geography, history and cultures of North America.
In science for the second six weeks, students will continue the study of chemistry, diving deeper into the differences between elements and compounds. After we finish with chemistry, we will begin our energy unit! During this unit, we will learn more about potential and kinetic energy, energy resources and transformations, and the transfer of heat.
In Math, the upcoming six weeks will be focused on Fractions, Decimals, Ratios, and Percents with all operations. If your student does not know their multiplication facts it is imperative that you help them learn them at home. Multiplicative thinking is the base of sixth grade math. If multiplication facts are not automatic then it makes it difficult for your child to focus on the concepts being taught.
7th Grade
Our 7th grade Falcons are off to a successful start! Texas history students began the year learning about the diverse geography of the great state of Texas. Seventh grade historians also learned about the many Native American tribes that once called Texas home. We are now learning about Spanish explorers who first made contact with the Texas coastline in 1519 which sparked the interest for future European exploration of the Americas.
Science students are beginning a new unit of study, "The Cell." 7th grade science students will be completing their first argument-driven inquiry lab.
Our math students are learning how to use proportions to solve problems. Please involve your student when calculating tax, savings, or tips!
ILA students recently completed a personal narrative about a choice and will begin to delve into the Mythology unit over the next few weeks in order to answer the question: Why is storytelling an important aspect of culture and society? Our 7th grade students are proving to be busy and avid learners!
8th Grade
Fowler 8th grade scientists are busy with their study of chemistry! This unit of study encompasses atomic structure and theory, the Periodic Table of the Elements and its organization, and experimentation with chemistry concepts. Students are advancing their lab process skills as they complete lab work that focuses on topics that form the foundations of chemistry.
All 8th grade ILA students are taking a closer look at the hero's journey. Soon they will be writing their definition essay related to heroism. We will read The Giver, by Lois Lowry together to make further thematic connections. Please be sure you and your child check HAC grade book and our weekly agenda for updated lessons.
Math 8 students are working on transformations of 2-dimensional figures on the Coordinate Plane and graphing linear relationships while geometry students are working geometric proofs and finding area and perimeter on the Coordinate Plane.
U.S. History students just completed their first “We The People” project! The students gave their speeches for their teachers as well as guest judges. It was a great success! The students learned about the foundation of the Constitution as well as how it compares to other governments in today's world.
Counselors’ Corner
It’s hard to believe that the first 6 weeks is behind us! The school year seems to be flying by. As we move forward, there are so many exciting events for Fowler students on the horizon. We hope that both you and your student will become involved and check out some of the following opportunities.
September 26, 2018 - Power to Change Classroom Meeting / Character Lab – Purpose
October 10, 2018 – Power to Change Classroom Meeting / “Know the Staff /Safe People”
October 17, 2018 - Power to Change Classroom Meeting / Character Lab – Self-Control
October 22-26, 2018 – Red Ribbon Week
Monday – “Life is Colorful without Drugs” - Wear Colorful clothes
Tuesday – “Round-up Against Drugs” - Wear western style
Wednesday – “Wear Red Day” - Wear as much red as possible
Thursday – “Peace, Love and Drug Free” - Wear 60’s style clothing
Friday – “Team Up Against Drugs” - Wear team t-shirts/jerseys, jackets, etc.
October 23, 2018 – Mix-it-Up Day - All lunches - Mix It Up at Lunch Day challenges students to identify, question and cross social boundaries. Students will be encouraged to sit with a different group of students at lunch and participate in some icebreaker questions to help them learn about each other.
October 24, 2018 (9:00-10:00am) – Coffee with the Counselors, “Home Access Center, Teacher Websites, and Google Calendars” Presentation by Pamela Crofoot, Fowler Digital Learning Coach.This presentation will include plenty of tips on how parents can use these tools to stay up-to-date with their students’ classwork. This meeting will be held in the integration lab from 9 to 10 am. Please RSVP to alperins@friscoisd.org if you plan to attend.
October 24, 2018 - Power to Change Classroom Meetings – Drug Prevention
October 29th-November 9th - Small World Angel Collection
Fowler Middle School is participating in a service project to sponsor over 30 “Angels” during this holiday season! “Angels” are less fortunate children in this community.
We are asking for a monetary donation (cash only), and our National Junior Honor Society students will purchase the gifts using the donations. At each grade level, classes are competing for the opportunity to participate in a Faculty-Student Basketball Competition. The class at each grade level that raises the most money per student for our angels will be able to play a game of basketball against their teachers during the school day in front of the entire school. Please send your cash donations to school with your child. Your child will take the donation to his/her MATH TEACHER. Please send all monetary gifts (cash only) by Friday, November 10th. Thank you in advance for your donation. We are excited about making this project a success!
November 15, 2018 - 8th grade Career Day
8th grade students will have the opportunity to learn about many diverse career opportunities as they start to consider their future goals and dreams. We are asking 8th graders to dress professionally on this important day. We love having Fowler parents and other community members join us to talk about their careers. If you are interested, or if you know of someone who has an interesting career who would be able to speak on this day, please contact Andrea Williams at Williaan@friscoisd.org.
Fowler Clinic
Texas State Law requires all 7th Grade girls and all 8th Grade boys to be screened for spinal deformities. Early detection of abnormal spinal curvature can prevent serious health problems. The spinal screening day at Fowler will be on 10/12/2018. A trained examiner inspects the student’s spine as he or she stands and bends forward. The 7th grade girls will be screened during their physical education classes in the girls' locker room and 8th grade boy will be screened during their ILA class in the boys' locker rooms. Privacy will be provided, as students must remove their shirts and shoes, so the spine can be visualized and properly assessed. Girls will need to wear a sports bra or bathing suit top under their gym uniform. If an abnormality is suspected, the student will be checked at a second screening. Parents will be notified of the results of the screening only if professional follow-up is necessary. This screening does not replace your child’s need for regular health care and checkups!
Please notify me if your child is already under a physician’s care for a spine abnormality. If you do not wish to have your child screened for religious reasons, you must submit a written affidavit of religious exemption. An email will be sent with more detailed info along with the exemption form when it gets close to date.
Library News
Fall Book Fair
The fall book fair will run October 15th-19th. Our hours are 7:55 to 4:05 each day. Parents are welcome to shop at any time during those hours. As usual, students have the opportunity to enter our raffle for some great prizes. Raffle tickets can be purchased with a $1 donation to All for Books, and every book purchased will earn students a free raffle entry.
Authors Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs visit the Fowler Library!
We are incredibly lucky to welcome New York Times bestselling authors Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs to Fowler this year.
ALL 6th graders will attend the visit, but students from all grade levels who purchase a book will be allowed to attend. The visit will be in the cafeteria October 9th.
Every student who purchases a book through the Fowler Library will have the opportunity to meet these two authors and get his/her book autographed by them both!
Preorder forms for their new book The Darkdeep are available NOW in the library, and are due October 1st. Please encourage your students to pick up a form and return it today!
Learn more about the authors at http://allycondie.com/ and https://brendanreichs.com/.
Praise for The Darkdeep:
"This book left me breathless!" --R. L. Stine, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Goosebumps and Fear Street
"Move over, Stranger Things. . . The Darkdeep will pull you into an irresistibly eerie world beyond your wildest dreams--and nightmares." --Melissa de la Cruz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Descendants series
Technology Class Information
All the students are having a good time and learning a lot in the computer classes at Fowler.
The following is a summary of the learning that has been occurring in the classes.
Multimedia I: Terri Silver
The students have reviewed their file management skills, they have created a Fairy Tale PowerPoint presentation using the 4 different types of animation they learned the last few weeks. The presentations were then shown to the class. Next the students will learn how to use PhotoShop Elements. They will love this software. They will learn how to edit photos, create and enhance text, as well as lots of other fun effects. If you have any old or damaged photos at home – they should be able to make them look like new!
Multimedia II: Terri Silver
The students also reviewed file management. They have created CD covers using PhotoShop Elements, used the digital cameras to take pictures of themselves, then edited them and combined images on the canvas to create realistic photos. They have created their own logos and their own business cards. It was a great learning experience for them! Color is another topic we are reviewing this year as it is important to understand the psychology of color in order to apply it to whatever you are creating. Next we will be back in PSE creating patterns and textures. Stay tuned for more fun information from this class.
Animation: Terri Silver
Again, the skill of proper file management has been reinforced. The students have been practicing sketching characters for projects, drawing eyes, noses, mouths, etc. They had very interesting discussions regarding the topic of copyright and seemed to be very interested in the information. They worked in groups to research the history of animation and chose an animator to research. Then, working with their group, put together a presentation to show to the class about what they learned. For a hands on experience, the students are creating a simple animation using the Sock Puppet app. Afterwards, they will create an original character to use in projects throughout the year. We are starting 2D animation using FlipBook software. I know I am looking forward to meeting all the characters and viewing their animations. They should be very interesting. Look for more information about the Animation class in future newsletters.
Falcon FUEL
WeAreFowlerROCKS is part of the Fowler Health & Wellness committee, better known as Falcon FUEL (Fit, Unstoppable, Energetic, Lifestyles), and this is one of our community initiatives. We hope by doing something as simple as painting, hiding and finding rocks that we can unexpectedly brighten someone’s day, one rock at a time.
So check us out on Facebook at We Are Fowler ROCKS! The rocks in the picture were painted by FMS teachers and already hidden in our community. We hope you find one and it brings a smile to your face!
Best Buddies
The deadline for submitting your online applications to become part of Best Buddies at Fowler is September 28th. Thank you to those that have already completed this. If you were unable to attend the informational meeting on Sept. 12th, please see either Mrs. Burris in room 506 or Mrs. Bianchin in room 520. If you don’t register online, we cannot match you with a Buddy. Also, be on the lookout for information about the Best Buddies Match Party that will be happening in October. Please remember to go online and order your Best Buddies shirt at: https://fms-bestbuddies18.itemorder.com/
Fowler Cheer
Fowler Falcons Cheerleading is off to an AMAZING start! We cheer at both the 7th and 8th grade games each week. We hope you all will consider coming out and support the FMS Football and Cheerleading teams. The halftime shows at the football games have been incredible! Cool FACT: Did you know that we had Dr. Dre’s music engineer create a hip hop mix for us! Shout out to 8th grade cheerleader, Trinity, for the super cool connection! The first Pep Rally is on Tuesday, September 18th we hope you will come join us! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram at FowlerCheer
Fowler Middle School
Email: fowler@friscoisd.org
Website: http://schools.friscoisd.org/ms/fowler/site/home
Location: 3801 McDermott Road, Plano, TX, USA
Phone: 469-633-5050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FowlerMSFISD/?fref=ts
Twitter: @FowlerFalcons07