French Middle School
December 2021 Newsletter
Upcoming Events
- December 1-Dec. 3-- Winter Reading Scantron/Fastbridge
- December 6-Dec. 8-- Winter Math Scantron/Fastbridge
- December 6, 7, 8, 10, & 13-- District Writing Assessment
- December 8-- GraceMed Dental Clinic
- December 9-- Career Day
- December 13-- Band Concert @ 6:30pm
- December 13-Dec. 16-- Musical Auditions
- December 14-- Choir/Orchestra Concert @ 6:30pm
- December 17-- End of 2nd Quarter/1st Semester
- December 20- January 4th--Winter Break- No School
- January 5-- Classes Resume/First Day of 3rd Quarter/2nd Semester & Boys Basketball Practice Begins
The holidays are just upon us, as well as the end of our first semester. Students have until Dec. 15th to turn in any late work they have accumulated since midterms. Our semester 1 ends on December 17th.
We have planned some grade level rewards for students in December. Students must meet criteria in order to earn the reward between November 22-Dec. 16th. Seventh and eighth graders have a chance to earn “Late Night in the Falcon Nest” on December 16th. Late Night in the Falcon Nest will be a dance/games/open gym night 6:30-8:30pm. Students must have C’s or higher in all classes and zero DR’s, OSS, tardy detentions, and phone issues in order to attend. Sixth graders have a chance to earn a trip to TCT for a holiday play on Dec. 15th. They must meet the same criteria as seventh and eighth graders but also have no missing assignments. We hope to see lots of motivated Falcons at each event.
On behalf of the Faculty at French MS, I want to wish each Falcon Family a peaceful and happy holiday season. Winter break will run December 20-January 4. We appreciate the parental support that has enabled us to have a positive first semester. We look forward to the second semester and the upcoming new year!
Happy Holidays & Happy New Year Falcons!----Mrs. Hoffman
Winter Music Concerts
All spectators need to wear a mask. In order to maintain required covid capacity limitations, concerts are open to the immediate family members that live in the same household as the performer only. We ask that family units sit together and maintain social distancing as well.
In order to not disrupt another group's performance, we ask all students and audience members to stay until all performances are completed for the night. We anticipate each concert lasting about an hour. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to 2 nights of beautiful music.
After School Program (FAME)
We concluded session 2 of our after school program on Nov.17. Over 100 students received homework help and enjoyed clubs such as board games, arts and crafts, sewing, robotics, coding, amazing animals and more. We would once again like to thank our partners at the YMCA for allowing a group of students to swim two days a week. Also, special thanks to the following guest speakers for our amazing animals club: Mrs. Thayer-Wood, Wilson, and her chicken Queen Latifah, Ms. Vaught and her 3 Silkies, Dr. Mountain, Margaret Price with Helping Hands Humane Society, Tanya Walsh and Beckett, RobyLane Kelley and Georgia. The amazing animals club was also able to raise $40 by selling homemade dog treats. The money raise will sponsor the adoption of one dog and two cats!
Session 3 will begin Dec. 7-16. There are a few new clubs offered for this session and sign up has started. You can find the sign up link on the French Middle School website. Session 4 will begin Jan. 7-Feb 10. At the end of each session, the signup for the upcoming session will be released.
Contact Mrs. Wagner at awagner@tps501.org with any questions.
Junior Achievement
November 8th and 10th several volunteers with Junior Achievement were at French MS to discuss areas such as finances, entrepreneurship and work/career readiness with our students. We want to thank each volunteer for sharing their knowledge, passion for their career and inspiring our students as they begin looking toward their future. We are thankful for our ongoing partnership with Junior Achievement.
Winter Assessments Schedule
Students at French Middle School will be completing Scantron assessments and Fastbridge screeners in their math and language arts classes beginning December 1. Scantron is a web-based computer-adaptive assessment that shows a student’s proficiency in those subjects. Teachers can dive into the results to determine areas of strengths and weaknesses in order to guide their lesson planning and determine specific needs of various students. Since students take the assessment three times throughout the year, gains can be determined--not only for the year, but for the student’s career within TPS 501. The assessment is nationally normalized so it can be used as a basis for comparison across the country.
The Fastbridge assessment is a quick, two-part online assessment that fulfills state requirements for dyslexia screening. This was first administered in the fall, and those who scored below the proficient level will be taking further assessments to target areas of need. Those who met proficiency requirements will require no further testing during the year.
The district writing assessment will take place from December 6-13 in all language arts classes. Students will be writing through a program called “No Red Ink,” which guides students through the writing process, focusing on 6-trait writing skills.
Seventh grade students recently completed the state assessment in social studies. The format for this test was new to the state this year and allowed students to choose how they presented their information through an essay, poster, poetry/song, or infographic.
Please click this link for more background information on required assessments as well as some test-taking tips for parents and students.
Attendance Reminders
Research shows us that attendance is very important to ensure future success, and that is why we want to make sure your child attends regularly. We know there are times when your child can not attend school due to illness, appointments, etc, and those absences can be excused with phone calls, notes or documentation from a doctor. But, if your child does not have absences excused they are in danger of becoming truant. Truancy is defined as 3 unexcused absences in a row, 5 unexcused days in a semester, or 7 unexcused days in a year. Students that are truant will be referred to the district attorney. If you are having difficulty with getting your child to school you can call our counselors for help.
French MS Art Show
Plan to stop by our 1st annual art show on December 13th from 4:30-6:30pm. First semester art students will have many of their projects on display in our commons area to view. Ms. Frese and her art students look forward to showcasing their artwork!
Holiday Assistance Programs
Christmas Bureau
During the Christmas as well as the holiday season, low income individuals, families and seniors living in Shawnee County can apply to the Christmas Bureau. Children can also benefit, and the program allows clients to receive free gifts, toys and a holiday meal from community members, local companies and churches.
Please check https://unitedwaytopeka.org/work/cb/ for the most current schedule and required forms. Call 2-1-1 toll free or (785) 273-4804 for more information.
Salvation Army
The main center is at 1320 SE 6th St.
Phone - (785) 233-9648
A leading, faith based social service agency. The holiday programs include Angel Tree for free toys for children and Adopt a Family. There are also Thanksgiving meals for the homeless and working poor, financial aid, emergency shelter, and more.
Toys for Tots
Address - 2818 SE Kentucky
Registrations are done online. Various partners help run this Christmas toy program in partnership with the USMC. There are also other application sites for Toys for Tots, and they include:
Temple of Deliverance, 520 SE Norwood St., Topeka Kansas, 66607
Topeka Housing Authority has an address of 2110 SE California Ave, Topeka, Kansas, 66607
YMCA of Topeka
Main address: 3635 SW Chelsea Dr
Dial (785) 271-7979
Children from families living in poverty may be given toys, gifts, games, and more. There are also meals served as well as Thanksgiving events and Christmas programs.
Christmas In Action
Address is 1880 SW Gage
Phone number is (785) 272-0749
This charity uses volunteers to help do some minor home repairs. They help low income senior citizens and the disabled. Improvements to the home can keep clients warm and safe during the winter and holidays.
LIEAP
The Kansas Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a Federally funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per year benefit.
Program Contact
1-800-432-0043
For more resources or additional help please contact your school counselor or social worker
Counselors: Jean Ryan or Kelly Barnett
Social Worker: Kerri Jones
Have a warm and happy holiday season!
Wednesday December 8th, 2021: GraceMed Health Clinic is providing in-school dental care including dental exams, x-rays as needed, cleanings, sealants, silver diamine fluoride and fluoride varnish. All children are invited to participate in the program, but the program has a special focus on those children not receiving services elsewhere. No child will be denied services based on insurance status or ability to pay. However, insurance (if available) will be billed.
Consent forms were sent home and should be returned ASAP, or you may complete the online consent form by using the following link: https://gracemed.org/dental-consent
Covid “Rapid Antigen” tests and “Rapid PCR” tests are now available for students through the Test to Stay, Learn, Play and Participate program. Before a student can be tested, a completed Consent form must be on file with the school nurse. These tests can be performed at school. Forms can be signed electronically through Tyler SIS Parent Portal or a paper copy can be obtained from the school nurse. Parents will be contacted prior to any testing being done.
One consent form per student per school year.
Type of test will be determined by symptoms, exposure or individual situation.
Students with a negative test result may still need to be excluded from school based on symptoms and exclusion policy (i.e. fever, vomiting, etc.)
COVID SYMPTOMS
- Fever
- Chills
- Rigors (shivering)
- Myalgia (body aches)
- Malaise (fatigue)
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of taste
- Loss of smell
- Congestion
- Runny Nose
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Any student who is experiencing ONE or more of the above symptoms while at school, WILL BE “ISOLATED”, assessed and REFERRED FOR COVID-19 TESTING, if indicated.
If a student is experiencing any ONE or more of the symptom listed above they must:
Students must have a negative PCR test before they can return to school (negative antigen tests will not be accepted.)
OR
Receive an evaluation by their child’s healthcare provider with a written alternative diagnosis (NOT COVID-19), based on the healthcare provider’s recommendation,
OR
Isolate their child for 10 days from symptom onset, be fever-free for over 72 hours without taking fever reducing medication, and have improving symptoms
Please report the following situations to the school nurse as soon as possible:
Student is experiencing symptoms or has been tested for Covid-19
Anyone in the home has been tested for Covid-19 or has tested positive for Covid-19
Student has been identified as a Close Contact with someone outside of the home who has tested positive for Covid-19
Student has been identified as needing to quarantine based on recent travel
French Middle School
Kendra Besenyi, LPN
Ph: (785) 438-4156
Fax: (785) 271-3609
Email: kbesenyi@tps501.org
Crisis Helpline
Sports Update
“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” John Wooden UCLA
Congratulations to the French boys soccer team for winning 3rd place in the city by defeating Eisenhower 3-1. The team got better every day during such a short season. What a fun and exciting end to the season!
The varsity girls basketball team is currently sitting in 2nd place and has the potential to play in the city championship, which is Dec. 15th at Highland Park High School. All levels of play are finding great success on the court this season with the JV currently undefeated and the B team winning multiple games.
Boys Basketball will start the week of Jan. 5th. Sign up will be before break with tryouts after school from 3:00- 5:00. Eligibility is determined by 2nd quarter grades. Students must pass at least 5 classes.Teams will be finalized during the first week so it is important to have your physicals ready by then. Teams will be broken up by skill level and classified by Varsity, JV, and B team. The Varsity and JV will practice after school from 3:00- 5:00, while the b team will practice in the mornings from 6:30- 7:30. The games will be held on Mondays and Thursdays, starting on January 24th. All games start at 3:15 and cost 2.00 to enter, most are finished by 5:30, but may be earlier or later depending on the speed of the games. All spectators must wear a mask during all games at each location.
Failure Policy
Just a reminder that a district wide grade policy is in effect. Any student with an F on their grade checks will be ineligible for the next game until the F is brought up. An F list will be created every Friday, with student athletes informed that day if they are on the report. It is t their responsibility to bring that grade up and communicate with the coach when that has happened with a note from the teacher.
We would like to remind spectators that French Middle School is a member school of the Kansas State High School Athletic Association (KSHSAA) and is governed by their rules. One of those rules which, we completely support is Rule 52 which states:
ALL ACTIONS are to be FOR, NOT AGAINST; POSITIVE, NOT NEGATIVE or DISRESPECTFUL
Section 1: General Regulations (apply to grades 7-12)
Art. 1: SPORTSMANSHIP is a general way of thinking and behaving. The following sportsmanship policy items are listed below for clarification:
a. Be courteous to all. (participants, coaches, officials, staff and fans)
b. Know the rules, abide by and respect the official’s decisions.
c. Win with character and lose with dignity.
d. Display appreciation for good performance regardless of the team.
e. Exercise self-control and reflect positively upon yourself, team and school.
f. Permit only positive sportsmanlike behavior to reflect on your school or its activities.
We hope that you can attend the games this year to cheer on the Falcons!
The students have been so excited to have the Scholastic Book Fair back at French! For one week, the library is transformed into a pop-up book store. (Online orders extend through 12/6.)
We know how important reading is to so many aspects of our lives, and we know that people are much more likely to read if they are able to choose the book. The book fair offers choice and the opportunity to own that book. There are special value books as low as $1, and the majority of the books range from $8-15.
More than books! Many of the students are interested in the pens, pencils, and other fun items. Those prices start at 75 cents with several items priced from $1-4. Posters are $4.75.
There is no tax on sales when purchased at school. The media center earns a percentage of the sales as credit with Scholastic. In the past we have been able to purchase a book repair machine, library carts, and of course, more books for the library! Our goal is always $2500 because we can earn the best benefits at that level. Our friends at CoreFirst Bank got us started with a donation of $100!
Check our daily progress here!
The online fair benefits us in the same way. You can access our fair at: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/frenchmiddleschool
School Musical
Auditions for the musical are coming up! All 6th, 7th & 8th grade students can audition for the show. Auditions will be held Dec. 13 after school until 4:45 with call backs on Dec. 16 after school until 3:30 if needed. Students can join the google classroom for other audition information, classroom code is - ne7uwad. Eligibility for the musical is based on try outs and grades posted 2nd quarter. Students must pass at least 5 classes.
This year we are putting on Rainbow Fish, the Musical. This musical features a variety of charming school and sea-creature characters who admire the famous Rainbow Fish, the most beautiful fish in all the ocean. When Rainbow Fish refuses to share their vibrant, shimmering scales, the whole ocean seems to turn against the vain creature. Unhappy that no one adores them anymore, the Rainbow Fish seeks out the wise Octopus. Octopus helps the young fish learn that it’s far better to be admired for being kind than for being beautiful.
There is no separate stage crew this year during the musical but there is a stage crew after school club that will be meeting starting next Dec. 7 to build the backdrops. Sign up for the after school club is on the FMS website.
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.