Happy Spring Falcons! The fourth and final quarter is upon us! Our current quarter will end on March 9th. Any late work from the 2nd half of the quarter is due March 8th by 3pm. Grades will be posted in TylerSis March 20th. Students will be out of school for spring break March10-17th. We look forward to seeing all Falcons back for the 4th quarter on March 20th. State assessments are just around the corner. We will start with 8th grade Science Assessment the week of March 27th. Reading and Math state assessments will be in April. We appreciate the support of all parents in getting your student to school each day. Attendance is critical in student’s finding success and achieving at their fullest potential. We hope to see parents at the last student recognition assemblies of the school year. Dates are listed on our school calendar and below. Hope everyone has a wonderful spring break!
Student Recognition Assemblies–7:50 AM in FMS Gym
6th grade March 27
7th grade March 29
8th grade March 31
8th Grade Trip Worlds of Fun
It is our plan to take our 8th grade class to Worlds of Fun, Friday, May 12th. 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.
Eighth graders wishing to attend are expected to earn points each week they stay DR free. Students must also have at least one eligibility point and no suspensions in the second semester. Students will start collecting points beginning the week of January 9, 2023 and will continue until Friday, May 12, 2023. 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 9:30 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 7:00 p.m. We will leave and return from the back parking lot at French MS.
Money collection will begin on March 20- April 12th. 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.
TPS Moving to Synergy Student Information System in 2023
Beginning July 1, 2023, Topeka Public Schools is moving to a new fully integrated Student Information System, Synergy by Edupoint.
This one system will replace the district's current student information system into one platform that will host and manage student data in an efficient and user-friendly manner.
Synergy will provide access to both parents and students, just like our current system. However, with Synergy, Parents/Guardians will use a single sign-on to access all of their children’s information regardless of school.
As part of the seamless Synergy Education Platform, Synergy SIS enables schools and districts to easily extend functionality to include online registration, CI3T, assessment, analytics, and special education management in a single platform.
More information will be shared with families in the coming months.
FAME
Our final session of our after school program will be held March 28-April 27, 2023. Students can sign up for an enrichment club following tutoring/homework help. Be on the lookout for the signup link soon!
Spelling Bee
French MS had to student representatives at the Shawnee County Spelling Bee on Saturday, February 24th. Kailyn Bidell and Ethan Frost made it through several rounds of the spelling bee. We want to congratulate them for their participation. We want to also thank Mrs. Lotspeich for sponsoring our spellers as well! Way to go Falcons!
Dental Clinic
GraceMed will be at French Middle School, providing dental cleanings during the school day on Monday May 1st, 2023. 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
Hearing and Vision Screenings
Yearly required screenings have now been completed. Any student who did not pass either the hearing or vision screen on the first attempt was screened a second time. If your student did not pass the second attempt, a referral has been mailed to you. Students who do not pass the Vision screen are referred to either an optometrist or ophthalmologist for further evaluation. Students who do not pass the hearing screening are referred to an audiologist. The district has an Audiologist who can follow up with your student at no cost to our families. If you received a referral, please follow up with Nurse Besenyi as soon as possible.
Immunizations
6th Grade Students:
Students who will be entering 7th grade in the 2023/2024 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.
PTO
FACEBOOK
We are on Facebook. Please like and follow our page to get up to date PTO information.
Page Name: French Middle School PTO
Email address: frenchmiddlepto@gmail.com
Shout outs:
A special thank you to those that helped make the Parent Teacher Conference meal a success:
· Suzie Conner with Capitol View Catering provided a wonderful soup and sandwich lunch
· Pepsi donated drinks
· Parents provided sides, condiments and snacks for the day
A special thank you to Detective Broxterman for presenting to our teachers, parents and staff about internet safety!
Next PTO Meeting:
March 9th in the Media Center at 5:45pm
We will be discussing the open PTO positions for the 2023/2024 School year
We have a variety of positions to consider, including: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. We will also need DCAC representatives from French. We will hold recruitment throughout the month of March with elections at our Apr 13, 2023 meeting.
