FBMS Weekly Newsletter

October 7, 2024 #empoweringchange

OCTOBER AT A GLANCE

Important dates:

10/4: Quarter I Mid Term

10/8: Progress Reports

10/14: No School (Monday)

10/17: Picture Re-take Day
10/18: Gr. 7 CyberSense Presentation

10/23: Early Release

10/25: PTO Sponsored Halloween Dance 2:45-4:15PM

10/31: Students may wear costumes (see guidelines below)

Progress Reports will be posted to ASPEN on Tuesday, October 8th at 3pm. This is a great time to talk with your child about successes and areas that may need improvement. Teachers offer extra help on various days, and late buses are available M- Th. Please refer to each teacher's CANVAS page for additional information and methods to contact.

Around the building...

BEACON CLUSTER AWARDS!

The Beacons Cluster spent some time outside after taking an iReady test this week. The students enjoyed this brain break! The Beacons Cluster teachers also recognized students for strong achievement and citizenry. Atticus and Katie, Congratulations!

Four students on Starfish Cluster were also recognized by their teachers: Jenna, Holly, Robbie, and Lucas. Well done, students!

INSPIRING HOPE & EMPOWERING CHANGE

As we continue to support causes that provide research and support to cancer survivors and their families, many of us will be wearing PINK in October for Breast Cancer Awareness!

SCHOOL PICTURE RETAKE 10/17

School pictures have been sent home. Please ask your child for his/her/their photo envelope. Order pictures online using the information provided with the envelope.

If your child was absent for our original picture day or you would like a retake for a better photo, picture retakes will take place on October 17th.

CROSS COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS

This week our track team competed against the Old Rochester School District. The boys team won 21-40 and currently holds a 3-0 record! The girls had a 22-37 loss, and their record is 2-1. Great effort by all, nonetheless! Runners placing in the top 10 were Mary L, (2nd), Diya P., (4th), Annie L., (9th), and Eva V-M. Well done, Cross Country! Thank you, Coaches!

GRADE 6 HALOWEEN DANCE 10/25

The PTO is sponsoring a 6th Grade Halloween Party Friday, October 25th, from 2:45-4:15PM. This event will take place in our cafeteria, and is for our 6th graders only.

Costumes are not required but almost all attendees will be wearing a costume (so start thinking about your costume!). We have the following guidelines on costumes: no face paint or face coverings/masks; no weapons; no blood; and finally, no inflatables.

Please sign up to help volunteer and/or provide refreshments for the event. Tickets can be purchased from the link below and will be sold during lunch closer to event date.

This is a very popular event in grade 6. We hope all of our grade 6 students will attend!

Sign up to volunteer here.

Ticket Sales here.

Thank you, PTO!!!

Halloween, 10/31

Halloween is a month away, and we welcome students to dress up in costume if they like. Participation is voluntary. Some staff will typically dresses also (see photo of "Grease" theme). Let's make the day fun! This year, Halloween falls on a Thursday, and the same costume guidelines apply as do to the Grade 6 dance---no face paint, masks/head coverings, blood, inflatables, or weapons. That being said, there are still a million and one other options available! Again, participation is voluntary.

FROM THE FBMS LIBRARY

Students are invited to check out Mrs. Deluca's CANVAS page to obtain information about the October reading program. If your child is a Harry Potter fan, we hope he/she will join Mrs. Deluca on a great reading adventure this month. The Library has been transformed into Hogwarts. Activity days are now posted in the Library's Canvas page. Check out the reading fun today!

LATE BUSES ARE AVAILABLE M-TH

Later than normal transportation, or "late buses," will begin this coming Monday. FBMS provides two late buses: a North Marshfield bus and a South Marshfield bus. If your child is staying after school for a club or activity, your child can take a late bus home at approximately 4:05PM. Events that run later than 4PM will require a ride home.

Students can determine what bus to ride (North or South) by checking the list of bus stops located in the front lobby. Additionally, students must have a bus pass to ride the bus. Buses pick up and leave an hour and a half (4PM) after dismissal so it gives students time to participate in after school activities or obtain extra help. We will be on hand to help students navigate this optional transportation.

Inside the middle school mind....

When your pencil is bigger than your water bottle...

FROM THE FBMS CLINIC- Gr 7 TESTING 10/15-10/17

7th Grade vision, hearing, BMI, and scoliosis screenings are scheduled for October 15, 16 and 17, 2024. If you wish to have your student opted out of any or all of the mandated screenings , please send an e--mail to all three of the nurses: mcarroll@mpsd.org, kmellen@mpsd.org and mowren@mpsd.org. Please be specific as to what screenings you wish to opt out.

We are requesting that all medications needed by students during the school day (epi-pens, diabetes supplies, inhalers, etc.) be brought to the FBMS Health Clinic as soon as is possible. We ran two drop off days in August but are still missing some medications.

Guidelines prior to bringing in the MEDICATIONS: Physician order(s) and written parent permission must accompany the medication. All medications must be hand delivered by the parent and be given directly to the Nurse. Medications are not permitted to be sent in with students- this is unsafe as medication could get lost or contaminated. The permission form can be found here.

ANNUAL PHYSICALS: Provide up to date information and indicate that students are receiving adequate care at and home and by their pediatrician, and clearance for participation in gym class. Please report any changes in health status e.g. health conditions, new medication, illnesses, and injuries. Students in Grade 7 are required to submit an updated physical with proof of immunizations for their health record at the beginning of the school year. Our Fax number is 781-319-1780.

ABSENT NOTES/INJURY NOTES: Provide written documentation for any important issues such as attendance, absences due to illness, injury, medical appointments, and travel plans that result in missing school. MD notes are required for out of PE and for return to PE. MD notes are required for concussion protocol.

ABSENCES: Safe-to-School Program is implemented so that all children are known to be safe and accounted for. When your child is marked absent from school, you will receive a notification from the school stating that your child has been marked absent. Upon your child's return to school, he or she should provide a written note as to the date(s) and reason for the absence. For a student's absence to be medically excused, there must be a note from the child's physician/clinician.

INJURIES: Please notify the school of an injury, major or minor, and provide written documentation from a doctor if gym needs to be restricted. If the injury is MAJOR (stitches/fractures/concussion) and your child has been seen by a MD, please provide the medical note to school upon returning to class. An additional note of medical clearance must be presented for students to return to gym following injury.

ANNUAL SCREENINGS: the following mandated health screenings are done annually in the health office:

Vision/ Hearing 7th grade Fall/Winter
BMI 7th grade Fall/Winter
Postural 6th, 7th & 8th grades Fall/Winter

We look forward to assisting families and students in achieving optimal health and wellness during the academic school year. Please feel free to contact us at any time with concerns or questions.

Maura Carroll, RN, BSN mcarroll@mpsd.org

Karen Mellen, RN, BSN kmellen@mpsd.org

Megan Owren RN, BSN mowren@mpsd.org