November 13, 2015
America Recycles Day!
Sunday, November 15th is America Recycles Day and to celebrate it, our Environmental Club recently is holding a sneaker recycling drive which has been extended through Thursday, November 19th. Thanks for your donations! Here are some facts about recycling in Georgia provided by Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful:
- One-third of all plastic beverage containers recycled in North America are recycled into carpet in Georgia.
- Georgia’s Paper Industry recycles almost 8% of all paper consumed in the U.S. and is comprised of 16 paper mills using recycled content.
- One of the world’s largest aluminum recyclers, Novelis, is based in Atlanta, GA with a recycling plant in Greensboro, GA.
- These companies need more material... and you can help!
Book Fair!
Principal for a Day!
STEAM at FFMS!
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.
Bidding for Good!
Parents, please support our Brookwood Cluster by participating in the "Bidding For Good" fundraising auction! Funds generated are used to make improvements to our cluster schools and to help purchase valuable equipment and technology to provide rich and engaging lessons for students. Click here for a link to the online auction! We appreciate your support!
Parent Survey!
We Love Our Five Forks Family!
Youth Wrestling!
Thanksgiving Request!
Attention 8th Grade Parents!
Join Today!
The PTSA welcomes all our new Five Forks families to the 2015-2016 school year and would like to encourage you to become a member for only $6.00. We are striving for 100% participation and hope you'll take advantage of this easy way to get involved in many different PTSA-sponsored activities throughout the school year.
If you have not yet completed and returned a HCC communication form, please fill one out next time you visit FFMS. This will help us keep you informed via email about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
Absence Reporting Procedure!
What's New This Week!
Top 20 Parents!
Above and Below the Line: Being Aware of Our Thinking
How we treat our children depends upon how we are feeling ourselves. Much of how our children behave depends upon how they are feeling and how they are treated. Being angry about something else in our lives might affect our parenting. Top 20 Parents realize that state of mind, mood and attitude have a powerful influence that impacts their experiences and relationships.
Our state of mind can be Above the Line (ATL) or Below The Line (BTL). When we are Above the LIne, our state of mind is serving us well and operating in our best interest. In turn, we will make better judgements and decisions and communicate more effectively. When we are above the line and bringing out the best in ourselves as parents, then we also bring out the best in our children.
When we are Below the Line, our state of mind serves us poorly and does not work in our best interest. Therefore, we make faulty judgments, poor decisions, and communicate ineffectively.
For those interested in reading Top 20 Parents in its entirety, follow this link to order a copy for yourself.
Saturday Opportunity School!
Counselors' Corner!
The Counselors this year are Rachel Kusher and Laura Ross. Mrs. Kusher works with all 8th graders and the 6th grade team of Watson, Glenn, Hicks, & Buschell. Ms. Ross works with all 7th graders and the 6th grade teams of Coston, Seay, McGraw & Byrnes and Kuny, Byrd & Branam. Both Ms. Ross and Ms. Kusher may be reached by phone or email to set a phone conference or face to face appointment. Our contact information can be found on the FFMS Counseling Department website: http://fiveforkscounseling.weebly.com/
Career Day Sign up!
This year the FFMS Counseling Department has set a goal to provide Career Day for all grade levels, but we need your help! Please consider volunteering to present informative, interactive sessions for our students at our FFMS Career Day. Currently, it is scheduled for Friday, March 18, 2016. If you are interested in being a career day presenter, please complete the form at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Pp5JpGNiCV5hCqiBAbvVCimAlCYxoOXdmeQm9xgGEMM/viewform?usp=send_form
Thank You!
FFMS Counselors
Cafeteria News!
Once again, our fabulous cafeteria has received a '100' on its health inspection! Congratulations to Cafe Manager DJ Jackson and her entire staff!
If you qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch status and have not applied this school year, please note that your child's 'temporary' status has changed to full pay. As a reminder, you must apply every school year and the 30-day 'temporary' period has ended. Click here to apply online. Thank you for your cooperation.Clinic News!
School Store!
Our Media Center operates a School Store for any last minute school supply needs. Students may stop by any time. Click here for an inventory sheet and price list.
GCPS E-Newsletter!
Click here to sign up for GCPS News, the school district's e-newsletter. It's a quick, easy way to learn more about Georgia's largest school system. In it, you'll find stories on teaching and learning, school leadership and governance, and the partnerships that make Gwinnett County Public Schools successful.
GCPS also publishes an online magazine, Communique, with new items added each week. Here's a link.
Yearbooks on Sale!
Reserve your yearbook today! Current price is $25.00 but it will increase during the school year. Go to balfour.com to order your copy. It will be distributed in May and will be filled with photos and memories of clubs, activities, classmates, and teachers. We know you'll want to have a copy of this keepsake to treasure!
Clip Away!
Every month we will have a collection contest. You can help your child's homeroom win parties by simply turning in the labels. Each homeroom will be competing with their grade level to win a classroom party. This month the students can win a Popsicle party! Thanks for your support!
Dress Code!
Attention, Broncos: Shorts and skirts must be no shorter than 8" from the bottom of the knee to be worn in class. Also, no bare shoulders or see-through blouses. No holes in jeans or shorts above the knee and no droopy drawers are allowed. If a student is found to be in violation of the Dress Code, parents will be called to bring a change of clothing for their child. If a parent is not readily available to bring an appropriate change of clothes, students are sometimes able to borrow clothing articles from the Clinic. We ask that clothing borrowed clothing from the Clinic be returned at your earliest convenience so that others may have this same opportunity. Thank you for your assistance.
As a reminder, detailed and specific dress code information is located on pages 7 and 8 of your student's agenda book. We hope you will take a moment to review this with your child. We appreciate your cooperation.
Car Rider Reminders!
- Car Rider Pick-Up/Drop-Off is only at the rear of the building adjacent to the blacktop - no other doors.
- No morning drop-off in front of the building or in the side parking lot
- No drop-off prior to 8:15am except on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:00am; pick-up is at 4:00pm and the cut-off time is 4:15pm; we do not have staff on duty to accommodate students outside of these times; if you need resources for early morning or late afternoon care for your child, click here for available options.
- Students should not use electronic devices while waiting but be actively watching for their cars.
- For the safety of our students, we ask that parents refrain from using electronic devices while driving in the car rider lane.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation.
Transportation Changes!
BHS Activities Link!
Remind Text Alerts!
Community Activities Link!
GSMST Lottery Process!
Dates To Remember!
11/14 - Saturday Opportunity School, 9:00-11:00am
11/16 - Scholastic Book Fair in Media Center (through November 20th)
11/19 - Principal for a Day
11/19 - Basketball vs McConnell MS, 5:00, BHS Gold Gym
11/23 - Thanksgiving Holidays (through 27th) - School Not in Session
Five Forks Middle School
Email: five_forks_middle@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Website: fiveforksmiddleschool.org
Location: 3250 River Drive Southwest, Lawrenceville, GA, United States
Phone: 770-972-1506
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BuckyConnects
Twitter: @BuckyConnects