The Firebird Flash
October 8, 2021
NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Principal's Update
- Health Room Reminders
- D49 Election Information
- Halloween Costume Expectations
- FMS Panama Trip
- Volunteer for Mini Course Sign Ups
- Mark Your Calendar
- Yearbooks
- PTSA Info & Help with the PBIS Store!
- Boo to the Flu
- Purchase Firebird Gear
Updates from our Principal
Greetings Firebird Nation Families -
We made it! Today officially marks the beginning of our Fall Break! Being back 100% this year has been great for our students! With this, we have seen areas where it has been important to review processes and procedures to help everyone re-adjust to being back 100%. It definitely made for a busy 1st quarter for everyone; so I know this break comes at an opportune time to help everyone re-charge and re-energize for the next quarter ahead.
I want to thank all of our parents and families for attending Parent Teacher Conferences last evening and throughout the day today. We always appreciate the time to collaborate together so that we can best support our students. We appreciate and value the opportunity to network on ways to support our students as the year continues on. If you were not able to schedule a conference, please don't hesitate to reach out to your team of teachers, grade level administrator, or grade level counselor to see about setting up a time in the future. We would always be happy to look for times for a conference to talk about best supporting your student.
Mini Course season is almost here! They will take place on Thursday, November 18th, and Friday, November 19th. Mini Courses are an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in topics related to something that they are interested in, a possible future career, or activity that helps build real world skills. They can sign up for a different option each day, or look at a course that will span both days. Many courses include field trips to local attractions on the Front Range to help enrich students toward the specific topic of the course. Several courses do contain additional fees for materials, transportation, or guest presentations. We also have several courses offered for free. There is definitely something for everyone!
Over break, we will be sending an email with our course catalog. We encourage our students and parents to look at this catalog and identify some courses of interest. We encourage students to have several different choices in mind in case some of the courses fill up. Students will participate in an arena style scheduling process to choose their course(s), on Thursday, October 28th, which is during the week we return from Fall Break. Each team will have a time slot where they enter the gym and sign up for courses. For equity purposes, each course reserves the same number of sign-up spaces for each team and grade level. Students will receive permission slips for courses they have a confirmed spot in. Please note: The fees for the courses and permission slips will need to be turned in by Wednesday, November 10th so that students do not lose their spot.
We do continue to look at student performance in all of their core and explore classes. Students who demonstrated hard work and academic proficiency during 1st quarter will follow the sign up process as in the past. Students that earned two or more D’s and/or F’s during the 1st quarter, along with continued concerns into the 2nd quarter, will sign up for Mini Courses through our makeup process and participate in an Intervention/Study Hall work course on the first day of Mini Courses, November 18th. Our goal is to help ensure all Falcon Middle School students have the skills they need to be successful in their future academic work. This intervention course will be required to participate in their other Mini Course on Friday, November 19th.
I hope everyone enjoys their fall break! Take time to rest, relax, and have some fun with family and friends. We look forward to seeing our Firebirds back in the halls on Monday, October 25th. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy!
Have a great weekend and break!
Sincerely,
Brian Smith
Executive Principal
Falcon Middle School
Important Reminders from the Health Room
Please remember...Stay home when you are sick!
D49 Election Information
The November election is quickly approaching, very soon you will receive ballots in the mail. There are two items on the ballot that directly relate to District 49 and will impact all of our schools. The purpose of this communication is to encourage you to become aware and informed of both things that will affect schools, students, and staff once the final counts come in.
Below are links to information related to Ballot Measure 4A as well as links to our Board of Education Election. Measure 4A will be asking you to approve a tax increase in order to raise compensation for teachers and support staff. Opportunities to participate in Virtual Town Halls for each are listed as well.
Our hope is you will take the opportunity to learn about the issues in this election.
Building Our Future Community information - Ballot Measure 4A
https://www.d49.org/domain/1916
Ballot Measure 4A -Virtual Town Hall, -October 4th
Board Election
Board Candidate Forum -October 6th
https://www.smore.com/sk6nq-board-of-education-candidate-forum?ref=email
Halloween Costume Expectations - Oct 29th...
Halloween Costumes may be worn on Friday, October 29th, as long as the following expectations are being followed:
1. Normal School Dress Code still applies. Students should review the dress code in the student handbook.
2. There can be NOTHING on the face...we have to be able to see their normal face. The only exception is a safety mask due to COVID. This means there can be absolutely NO full covering masks, NO face paint, NO fake blood, NO sunglasses, and NO hoods pulled up over their head.
3. Wigs and hats will be allowed as long as they are part of a costume and do not cover the face. If during class, the hat or wig is a distraction to the learning environment, then it will be taken off for that class period at the request of the teacher.
4. There can be NO weapons of any kind, which also includes anything that looks like or resembles a weapon.
5. We want students to have fun and show school spirit, but the guidelines need to be followed so that students are not asked to call home for a change of clothes.
Adventure in Panama!
Dear Parents & Guardians,
As you may have heard, I am excited to share that we are offering the students and families in our community opportunities to participate in educational travel experiences to Panama fall of 2023.
I wanted to reach out with these exciting opportunities while also remaining sensitive to what's happening in the world and everyone’s own comfort levels. I will be hosting a virtual meeting so that everyone can attend this informational session from the comfort of their own home. I will be hosting a meeting in person with the option to attend virtually if that is better for you.
I will be hosting this virtual info meeting on Zoom (view the meeting details using the link below) where we will discuss details like EF’s Safety Protocol and how they are supporting groups this year, exciting itinerary details, affordable payment options, and more! This meeting isn’t requiring that you travel, but why not learn about something fun and exciting while you have time at home with your student.
View meeting details and RSVP to receive the meeting link and follow up information here: https://bit.ly/2VSNLfK
I look forward to speaking with all of you online! 😊
Milithza McNeil
Volunteer for Mini Course Sign Ups!
We are in need of multiple volunteers to help with our arena scheduling process in the Main Gym. The process runs very smoothly, but having as many parent and community volunteers as possible is extremely helpful! Please use the link to sign up below. We will welcome any time you may be able to give to support this process.
Mark your Calendar!
Oct 11 to 22 - Fall Break
Oct 28 - Mini Course Sign Ups
Nov 8 - School Accountability Meeting at 5:30pm
Nov 9 - Limo Lunch Day for Fundraiser Participants meeting target!
Nov 10 - Mini Course Permission Slips and Fees will be due
Nov 11 - Veteran's Day Assembly
Nov 18 and 19 - Firebird Mini Courses
Nov 22 to 26 - Thanksgiving Break
8th Grade Ads - 8th Grade Parents may also purchase 8th grade ads for their students using this link.
Please consider joining PTSA. Dues are only $8! You can send in cash or check (payable to FMS PTSA) or join online: https://falconmsptsa.memberhub.com/store
This is a great way to become engaged and involved at FMS!
We are also looking for parent volunteers to help with mini course sign ups and working the Firebird RISE Store on Fridays. Take a look at the opportunities below.
Looking for Firebird Gear?
Falcon Middle School
6th Grade Assistant Principal/Athletic Director: Elena Forehand
7th Grade Assistant Principal: Tim Scheck
8th Grade Assistant Principal: Joy Kovanda
6th Grade Counselor: Lisa Murdock
7th Grade Counselor: Carrie Clay
8th Grade Counselor: Amber Villani
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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