French Middle School
March 2024
Upcoming Events
March 1st-- Late Night in the Nest
March 4th- 18th-- Bundt Cake PTO Fundraiser
March 5th-- School Musical @ 7
March 6th-- Late Work Due
March 7th-- School Musical @ 7
March 8th-- End of 3rd Quarter
March 11th-18th-- Spring Break (No School)
March 19th-- First Day of Spring Sports
March 21st-- PTO Meeting @ 5:45
March 25th-- Quarter 3 Grades Posted
March 26th-- FAME Session 4 starts
March 29th-- No School
Note from the Principal
With the beginning of March comes our state assessment time! We are excited to showcase our student achievement. All students will take state reading and math assessments. Eighth graders will also take state science assessments. Listed below you will find dates our state assessments will be administered at French MS. Please ensure your student is in attendance daily, eats a good breakfast and gets a good night’s sleep. Encourage your child to do their best as they take state assessments. We appreciate your support!
Science Assessment: March 20-22 for grade 8 only
Reading Assessment: March 26-28 for all grades
Math Assessment: April 2-4 for all grades
On behalf of the French MS Faculty, I would like to thank our PTO for providing lunch for staff during February Parent/Teacher Conferences. PTO paid for the Burger Bus to be at French MS and provided each staff member with a delicious burger! We also greatly appreciated the yummy treats provided by parents. They were the perfect energy booster for our teachers as they met with parents!
Spring break is just around the corner. As a reminder the last day to turn in late work for the 3rd quarter is March 6th as the quarter ends March 8th. Students will be on spring break March 11-18th. Report cards will be posted in Synergy by end of day March 25th. Keep your eye on our school calendar as our spring is packed with many school events.
–Mrs. Hoffman
Worlds of Fun Trip for 8th Grade
It is our plan to take our 8th grade class to Worlds of Fun, Friday, May 17, 2024. This is an event that has been a French Falcon tradition for many years. This trip is a reward for all 8th graders who earn it by demonstrating Falcon PRIDE throughout the second semester. The cost of the trip will be $35 per student. Students can use a season pass if they have one.
Eighth graders wishing to attend are expected to earn points each week of semester 2, that they stay DR free. Students must also have at least one eligibility point and no suspensions during the second semester. Students will start collecting points beginning the week of January 16, 2024 and will continue until Friday, May 17, 2024. Students must earn 15 out of 17 points in order to be invited to attend. Students who purchase a ticket and become ineligible after we ordered tickets, will NOT be reimbursed for their ticket as it is non-refundable through WOF.
Students will leave French MS by 8:15 AM on the day of the trip. Students will be given ample time to explore the park independently with friends. They will be required to appear at two mandatory “check point” times. Students will need to bring money for lunch. Students will return to French around 6:00 p.m. We will leave and return from the back parking lot at French MS.
Money collection will begin on March 18- April 19th. Payment for the field trip must be paid in advance. Checks should be payable to French Middle School. Please remember that this is a reward for students who meet the criteria, not an absolute for every 8th grader. Students who are not eligible to attend the trip or do not wish to go will have an alternate schedule the day of the trip.
If you have further questions, please call your student’s Advisor Base teacher at 438-4150.
Late Night in the Nest
We will be having our next Late Night in the Nest on March 1st from 6:30-8:30 pm. All 7th and 8th graders are invited, as long as they have passing grades and eligibility points. We will have a DJ, dancing, snacks/drinks, open gym, open computer lab, and board games. The cost is $3, or $2 if you have an honors card. We hope to see all 7th and 8th graders there! Please remember no outside guests allowed.
FAME
Session 4 of the after school program will begin on March 26-April 25. This will be the final session of the school year. The program runs each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 4:30pm at French. It is a free program and students receive a snack and have time for homework assistance and/or tutoring the first half of the time followed by a club of their choice sponsored by an FMS staff member. Clubs include: swimming at the YMCA, technology fun, calligraphy, writing club and several others.
Sign up is below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=w.manageSignUp#/38335165/slots/
Parent Teacher Conferences Update:
Thank you to all our students and families that attended the spring parent teacher conference. We had an overall attendance of 79%. We would also like to thank our PTO and families that contributed snacks and refreshments for our staff during conferences. The yummy treats help get them through a couple long days!!!
Finding Nemo Jr.
The school musical, Finding Nemo Jr. is coming up quickly and will be March 5 & 7 at French MS beginning at 7:00pm. Tickets are $5 and we hope you will join us in the Big Blue World. This show features Marlin & Dory as they cross the ocean to find Nemo after he was caught in a net. Marlin & Dory have many adventures on their way to P Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sydney while Nemo and the tank gang plot to escape the aquarium. The cast and crew: Kylie Babcock, Autumn Bays-Broils, Adaline Berthelson, Niamh Boaz, Amelia Bone, Ace Bowers, Isabel Christopher, Abigail Claspill, Bryson Connell, Ithan Davis, Atlas Doby, Leah Doherty, Mia Emde, Adria Faunce, Ethan Frazier, Rosa Garcia, Aleigha Grumbien, Avery Huske, Allescia Kirtdoll, Kai Leal, Isaac McKinzie, Kris Morgan, Lily Nichol, Cole Petty, Emily Rank, Addison Rosencutter, Tallis Searcy, Logan Spencer, Aurora Thompson, Andrea Venegas, Emma Wheeler, Lily Buffington, Miya Field, Bloom Tork, Allie Wilson, Diondre Young, Kassie Young, Aubrey Best, Nix Duddy, Jaymes Morgan Mary Detar, and Rian Deepan Sahaya Jerin.
Spelling Bee Update
Our Falcon spellers represented FMS honorably in the county spelling bee in early February. While our contenders didn't advance to the final round, Tayla Goodman finished in the top 50% and Osbaldo Aguilar finished in the top 20% of all competitors. In true Falcon style, they put forth their best effort and maintained positivity throughout the competition. Congratulations to all of our FMS spellers!
High School Enrollment
We had a good turnout for our 2 IPS 8th grade parent nights this past month. Plus, we enjoyed meeting with families at conferences for those that were not able to attend the IPS nights. If you still have questions about your students' 9th grade enrollment please reach out to the counselors by spring break. At that time, the high school counselors will be pulling the information and begin the enrollment process for next year. If you receive a transfer please let us know so we can make sure the correct course plan is completed. 8th grade students will also be visiting their slated high schools in May for a tour and activities.
PTO Fundraiser
The French Flacon PTO will host a fundraiser selling bundtlets and vouchers from Nothing Bundt Cakes here in Topeka for $6.50 a piece. The fundraiser will kick off on March 4 and run through the 20th of the month; pick-up will be on March 28! The featured flavors for this sale will be chocolate chocolate chip, lemon, red velvet, confetti, white chocolate raspberry, and carrot!
Please be watching your student's backpacks for their order form!
Sports Update
Boys Tennis, Boys and Girls Track and Girls Soccer will start March 19th, the day the students return from Spring Break. Students wanting to participate need to be passing 5 classes at the end of the 3rd quarter grades and have all eligibility points. A sports physical signed by a doctor also needs to be on file before any participant may practice.
All meets and games are updated on our school website calendar. Admission for track and soccer is $2.00 at the gate.
Head Coaches-
Boys Tennis- Mr. Ritter (sritter@tps501.org)
Track- Mr. Mellen (bmellen@tps501.org)
Girls Soccer- Ms. Hirt(thirt@tps501.org)
Requirements for all athletics:
Must pass 5 classes the previous quarter to be eligible.
Must have an updated physical signed by a licensed physician and head concussion sheet signed by parents.
Must have eligibility points left for the current quarter, each student starts with 10 points.
Must participate in practice to participate in games/meets.
Must follow the coach's rules and guidelines to be in good standing.
Must be passing all classes the week of a game to be eligible to play in that week's game/meet.
General reminder:
French is a member school of KSHSAA and must follow and abide by the rules and guidelines set by the governing body of KSHSAA.
KSHSAA RULE 22 : A student who is a member of a school athletic, scholars bowl or debate squad effective Tuesday following Labor Day through Friday preceding Memorial Day may not participate as a member of an outside team or as an independent competitor in the same sport, scholars bowl or debate activity during the school season.
Athletes in the spring sports of tennis, soccer and track must know and abide by this rule.
All questions to be addressed by Tim Wilson- 438-4162 or twilson@tps501.org
Please see our school website for more detailed information as well as our calendar of events.
Yearbooks
The final deadline for purchasing yearbooks will be MONDAY, APRIL 1ST. This is the last date where we can guarantee the reservation of a yearbook. Please stop by the office to purchase one, $15 cash or check.
Spring into Well-Being
Winter is coming to an end and Spring cannot arrive soon enough! This Spring, challenge yourself to embrace healthy actions that promote happiness and healthiness!
Physical
Do some Spring cleaning
Go for a walk around the neighborhood
Go for an evening bicycle ride
Fly a kite
Intellectual
Establish a goal and achieve it by Summer
Read a book
Try a new recipe
Emotional
Pick yourself some flowers
Open windows and let the sun in
Listen to music
Do something nice for someone else
Write a “thank you” note
Social
Have a game night with your family
Make plans with a friend
Visit a relative you have not seen in awhile
Spiritual
Make a list of your skills and strengths
Volunteer
Watch the sunset
District Calendar & Upcoming Events
View the 2023-2024 academic calendar or the district Google Calendar to plan ahead for parent-teacher conferences, no school days, and more.
As our families plan for the upcoming year, Topeka Public Schools has also released the 2024-2025 academic calendar, which is available on the Communications Department menu.
Fee Payment for the 2023-2024 School Year Now Available Through SchoolPay
Topeka Public Schools launched a new fee payment system this school year, SchoolPay. Some issues were encountered while implementing the fee payment system, but we feel SchoolPay is now functional.
Parents/Guardians may now access SchoolPay to pay 2023-2024 school fees.
To access SchoolPay through your ParentVue account, visit topekapublicschools.net. In the upper right corner of the screen, click on the SynergySIS Login link.
Save the Date! Enrollment for the 2024-2025 School Year Opens in April
Save the date! Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year will open online in April 2024. Families are encouraged to register early, as we anticipate classes filling up quickly again this year.
Information regarding enrollment, school supply lists, and other items for families to prepare for next year will be available in April at topekapublicschools.net. View the 2024-2025 Academic Calendar here.
As a reminder, returning families will receive an email to register their students from Synergy Student Information System and enroll through ParentVue. Families new to Topeka Public Schools will create a new account and register online.
TPS Provides Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on New Open Enrollment Policies
The new open enrollment policies and procedures for the 2024-2025 academic year outline a series of important timelines and processes established by the Board of Education.
Nonresidents (families that do not live within the TPS boundaries) must apply to attend any TPS school. Approval is not automatic under this new open enrollment policy and depends largely on capacity at the requested TPS school.
View answers to frequently asked questions on the new open enrollment policies at topekapublicschools.net.
Daughters of American Revolution Notes
On May 14, 1897, John Philip Sousa played his new march, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” This song would become the national march of the United States on December 11, 1987. The students were to write a 600 to 1000-word essay reporting the following. “Imagine it is 1897 and you are a newspaper reporter for The Philadelphia Times. Your newspaper editor has asked you to write an article about the newsong performed that day. Your article needs to tell about Sousa’s life and the story behind the song. It is the first performance of the song, so make sure your article includes thoughts about the music and howthe audience reacts to what was seen and heard that day.” All of the gifted ELA students submitted an entry and three winners were representing FMS at the DAR meeting on Feb. 10, 2024. The winners were sixth grade, Ethan Frazier; seventh grade Garrett Sallee; and eighth grade Corbin Jones. They received medals and a monetary gift after they shared their story with the DAR ladies.
Model United Nations Conference
Last fall the seventh and eighth-grade gifted ELA students registered to attend the Model United Nations conference which is in Lawrence this year at the KU Student Union. Each student was given a country that they studied, wrote a position paper, and a resolution. Three students had their resolutions accepted to present at the conference. Bloom Tork, Ithan Davis, and Corbin Jones will be presenting their resolutions by giving an authorship speech and debating for their idea to be accepted. The conference is on Feb. 28 & 29, 2024. The seventh-grade students that will be attending are Amelia Bone, Alex Davis, Michael Harrison, Calvin Niernberger, Cole Petty, Garrett Sallee, Connor Tippets, and Bloom Tork. The eighth-grade students who will be participating are Zoey Alegria, Cameron Brogren, Ithan Davis, Colin Jones, Corbin Jones, Allie Wilson, and Kassie Young
SUMday Competition
The SUMday competition will be on Saturday, March 23rd at Washburn Rural Middle School. FMS will be represented by sixth-grade students Rian Deepan Sahaya Jerin, Adison Rosencutter, Abby Claspill, and Lucas Jackson. The seventh-grade students will be Michael Harrison, Connor Tippets, and Calvin Niernberger. These students have been practicing in the morning and after school on Tuesdays to prepare themselves for the competition. It’s amazing how often research applies when a problem needs to be solved and all of us are lacking in the knowledge of that challenge. WE are all learning many new concepts and skills while becoming more knowledgable about number sense and geometry.
Three Shields Boxing
Alliannna Craigwell (Norflis) has been training with Three Shields Boxing for just about 1 year. Allie advanced to the National Silver Gloves Tournament that was held Feb 1 to Feb 3, 2024 in Independence, MO. Allie won her semi-final bout on Feb 1 and then defeated her opponent in the National Champion title bout on Feb 3, 2024. Allie is now a Silver Gloves National Champion and is the first National Champion from Three Shields Boxing.
Three Shields Boxing was founded by John Alcala and is a joint effort involving the Salvation Army, Topeka Police, and Topeka Fire. This free program gives our local youth an opportunity to participate in a structured boxing program coached by John Alcala, members of the Topeka Police Dept, and other involved community members. The program currently serves about 60 local youth and continues to grow.
Officer D. Campbell #292
Topeka Police Dept.
Dental Clinic
GraceMed will be at French Middle School, providing dental cleanings during the school day on Tuesday May 14, 2024. If you would like your student to be seen by a hygienist, please complete the following link. A representative from GraceMed will contact you directly with more information. https://gracemed.org/dental-consent
Immunizations
6th Grade Students:
Students who will be entering 7th grade in the 2024/2025 school year are required to have updated immunizations including: Tdap (tetanus booster) and MCV (meningococcal). If your student has already received these immunizations, please send documentation to the nurse at this time. Students will be required to provide proof of immunization within 30 days of the start of school in the fall.
National Nutrition Month:
National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created 50 years ago in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. This year's theme is "Fuel for the Future." Visit National Nutrition Month® for tips on healthy eating and recipes to try.
Week 1: Eat with the environment in mind.
Enjoy more plant-based meals and snacks.
Purchase foods with minimal packaging.
Buy foods in season and shop locally when possible.
Start a container or backyard garden to grow food at home.
Week 2: See a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
Ask your doctor for a referral to an RDN.
Find an RDN who specializes in your unique needs.
Learn how nutrient needs may change with age.
Receive personalized nutrition information to meet your health goals
Week 3: Stay nourished and save money.
Plan your meals and snacks.
See what food you have at home before purchasing more.
Use a grocery list and shop sales when purchasing food.
Learn about community resources such as SNAP, WIC and local food banks.
Week 4: Eat a variety of foods from all food groups.
Include your favorite cultural foods and traditions.
Eat foods in various forms including fresh, frozen, canned and dried.
Avoid fad diets that promote unnecessary restrictions.
Practice gratitude for your body by giving it the fuel it needs.
Week 5: Make tasty foods at home.
Learn cooking and meal preparation skills.
Try new flavors and foods from around the world.
Find creative ways to use leftovers rather than tossing them.
Create happy memories by eating with friends and family when possible.
Bullying Policy
French Middle School will not tolerate bullying of any kind. Bullying is defined as any ongoing verbal or physical mistreatment where there is an imbalance of power, and the target/victim is exposed repeatedly to negative actions by one or more students. Bullying can be direct (physical or verbal), or indirect (exclusion, cyber-bullying, emotional). In order for everyone to feel safe and secure at school, every Topeka Public School has adopted the following rules against bullying. “I will not bully others. I will try to help students who are bullied. I will do my best to include students who are easily left out. When I know somebody is being bullied, I will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.” Students, staff, and parents should report any bullying that they are aware of to administration through the on-line bully report link on the French website. Students who bully others will receive consequences. Our counselors will be visiting 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes in August and September to remind students what bullying is, what we can do to prevent bullying, and what students should do if they or someone else is being bullied.
Notice of Non- Discrimination
The Topeka Public Schools, Unified School District No. 501 is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity. No person shall, on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin or ancestry be denied lawful access to any appropriate educational service, program or activity provided by the school district. The Title VI and Title IX compliance coordinator is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching/Learning/Administration. The Section 504/Title II compliance coordinator is the Coordinator of College and Career Ready Services. For employment, the EEO/AA officer is the General Director of Human Resources. All compliance coordinators may be contacted at 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294, (785) 295-3000. The clerk of the Board of Education has been designated to receive and redirect or handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, regulations and procedures. The clerk may be contacted by calling (785) 295-3045 or by writing to 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294.