The Firebird Flash

NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS

Principal's Update
Message from Zone Superintendent
Mark your Calendar
Tutoring Available at FMS
EmpowerFZ Updates
Support the Firebird Band Program
FHS 8th Grade Showcase
Toys for Tots
Order your FMS Yearbook
Firebird Nation Campus Expansion Update
From Nurse Nelda - Important Tdap Information
PTSA
Purchase Firebird Gear

Updates from our Principal

Happy Snow Day Firebird Nation!

We have had an amazing week at Falcon Middle School.

Students and teachers worked throughout the week to prepare for mini courses. Students worked to complete assignments; getting work done and turned in. Teachers and staff members worked to sew up loose ends in the classroom as well as finish final preparations for mini courses.

Our first day of mini courses was so much fun. Students and teachers had a great time both on and off the campus participating in so many different events. A number of the venues students visited off campus yesterday complimented our students' behavior. As we already know, our students are awesome representing not only Falcon Middle School, but their families. GREAT JOB FIREBIRDS!!

Fortunately, mother nature chose to provide us with some much needed moisture. Unfortunately, this has caused our final day of mini-courses to be disrupted. We will be working to either provide refunds after Thanksgiving break or search for after school times for students to participate in mini courses. We will communicate with students and families when we have more solid procedures ironed out. Thank you in advanced for your patience.

On campus this week, girls basketball tryouts occurred. Our final home wrestling duel was Tuesday. Fall play practice continues as our after school theatre program prepares for their upcoming performances in December. Look for further information regarding those performances as they draw closer.

Finally, I truly hope everyone has a safe and restful break. I am thankful for the continued opportunity to work with Falcon Middle School’s amazing students, families, staff, and teachers. Thank you to all who work so hard to make Falcon Middle School wonderful place to learn, work, and lead.

Have a good weekend and a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Mrs. Elena Forehand

Interim Principal

Falcon Middle School

eforehand@d49.org

Greetings Falcon Zone Families -

I am excited to be writing to you in my new role as the Falcon Zone Superintendent in District 49! I transitioned to this role, effective November 1st, upon the retirement of our previous leader, Mrs. Sue Holmes. I am extremely grateful to Mrs. Holmes for her strong leadership to our zone along with the mentorship and support she has provided me over the past several years. She will truly be missed!

District 49 and the Falcon Zone have been my home for the entirety of my educational career. I began as a first year Chemistry teacher at Falcon High School 21 years ago. I taught Chemistry and AP Chemistry, started and advised the Link Crew program, served as announcer for the Falcon Football Team, and was the Science Department Chair. In 2009, I moved to Skyview Middle School as an Assistant Principal where I began my journey as an administrator. After two years, I saw the opportunity to return to Falcon and was selected as the Principal of Falcon Middle School. I have been honored to serve the Falcon Zone Community in this role for the past 12 years, working with an outstanding staff, to help elementary students learn and grow to high school students. I enjoyed the opportunities that I had to connect with Falcon Elementary, Woodmen Hills Elementary, and Meridian Ranch Elementary as we transitioned our 5th grade students to middle school. A few years ago, I was presented with the additional challenge of helping to design, open, and oversee Bennett Ranch Elementary as I transitioned to the role of Executive Principal. This added another group of Elementary students that I was able to work with and help transition to FMS. In my years at Falcon Middle, I always took pride in getting to know and supporting our students as we prepared them for High School, Falcon High School, where I started my career.

Now, I am excited to step into this new challenge as Zone Superintendent. Falcon Zone is an exceptional place for students, staff, and community. We care about the relationships we build with each and every member so that student learning is at the forefront. Our staff works incredibly hard to ensure that learning is personalized for our students so that they can demonstrate their achievement through what they know and can do. Each school is dedicated to excellence and success so that our Hawks, Tornadoes, Bulldogs, Bulls, Firebirds, and Falcons are ready for that next step in their life journey. I am committed to serving each of our schools, supporting our teachers and staff, prioritizing student achievement, and ensuring that each and every student becomes an Empowered Learner. Falcon Zone provides Engaging Environments, Enhanced Opportunities, and Elevated Instruction each and every day to empower our learners and propel them towards their future. That is what EmpowerFZ is all about and it is making a difference for our students.

I look forward to our collaboration together as a Falcon Zone Community in the weeks and months ahead. It is my plan to provide some updates either through the school newsletters or through a zone newsletter, periodically, to keep you all informed. This will be especially important as we get ready to host a national educators conference in February! Over 400 teachers, administrators, and district officials are coming to the Pikes Peak region to see the Falcon Zone! It’s going to be awesome and we will provide updates on this soon!

Thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve this amazing community! I look forward to seeing you around our zone schools at various events in the coming weeks. Please don’t hesitate to come up and introduce yourself to me; I look forward to meeting and getting to know our community better!

Sincerely,

Brian Smith

Interim Falcon Zone Superintendent

District 49

November

21-25: Thanksgiving Break - No School

December

2-9: Scholastic Book Fair

5: PTSA Meeting @ 5pm

7: 8th Grade Choir Concert @ 5:30pm

8: FHS 8th Grade Showcase @ 6pm - 8pm

8-9: Fall Play @ 6pm

12: 8th Grade Fall Play @ 6 pm

14: 6th & 7th Grade Choir Concert @ 5:30pm

15: Band Concert @ 6:00 pm

16: Early Release @ 12:00pm

19- Jan. 3: Holiday Break - No School

Check the FMS website calendar often for the most up-to-date information.

All dates/events are subject to change.

We wanted to reach out to all of of our Firebird Families as we continue our way through this 2022-2023 School Year at Falcon Middle School. We are spending more time working with all grade-level Firebirds on the mastery of their core contents. Due to this, FMS will continue to offer after-school tutoring and subject help.

FMS will be offering a 1-hr 15-min tutoring window on Mondays through Thursdays from 3:15-4:30 pm. These times will be used to:

· Master current standards and concepts

· Master former standards and concepts

· Work on current learning plans/Guided Support

If you are interested in attending a tutoring window, please fill out the following Google Form. Once you have signed up, we will look forward to seeing you at the tutoring session!

Our goal when implementing Empower FZ is to personalize learning for students by providing them more choices and to help them take ownership of their learning.

6th grade students in Mr. Power's class are in the process of completing a Thermal Energy Learning Plan. Students start by taking a pre-assessment to see what they already know. Those that need more background knowledge begin their learning plan by learning about the standard with videos and mini-lessons, then they move onto the Practice It activities, and finally they move onto a post-assessment or evidence of learning project.

To show their knowledge of the thermal energy standard, Mr. Power's students completed a lab of their choice. Options included an oil/water temperature lab and the creation of a homemade insulated freezer. Through these projects, students were able to provide evidence that they understand and can apply the concepts related to thermal energy.

Here is 6th grade student Cayden, explaining his thermal energy learning plan.

The Firebird Bands are working to raise funds for a set of chimes through Donors Choose. This would really help enhance our Band Program and expand the musical selections we are able to provide our students. We still need help reaching $5,000 by Nov. 29th. We would be grateful to anyone who shared our project link via social media and/or donated. Every contribution helps! Thank you for your support!

Most of our construction progress occurred inside of the building this week. Installation of drywall continues and some areas are even getting some initial paint. Framing of the locker rooms for the new gym is close to completion. Roofing progress has continued with HVAC components being installed. Large areas of the exterior are now enclosed with plastic to allow crews to finish the stucco and masonry work. Some interior finishing components will begin soon as classrooms are really starting to take shape.