FMS Parent SMORE Newsletter

JANUARY

1/6 WELCOME BACK - FIRST DAY OF CLASSES

1/6-1/10 ELA REMEDIATION WEEK

1/6-1/10 Exact Path Diagnostic Testing for READING

1/6-1/10 Exact Path Diagnostic Testing for MATH

1/7 HOME Basketball vs Terrell Lane MS 4:30 pm

1/9 HOME Basketball vs Bunn MS 4:30 pm

1/9 AWAY Wrestling Meet @ Bunn MS 4:30 pm

1/14 READING CHECK-IN #2 GRADES 6-8 (testing schedule)

1/14 HOME Basketball vs Hawley MS 4:30 pm

1/15 HOME Wrestling Meet 4:30 pm

1/15 Franklin County Early College High School recruiting visit with 8th grade

1/17 END OF SECOND QUARTER & END OF SEMESTER ONE (Athletic Eligibility will be checked)

1/20 NO SCHOOL

1/21 NO SCHOOL

1/22 AWAY Wrestling Match @ Hawley MS 4:30 pm

1/22 AWAY Basketball @ Vance MS 4:30 pm

1/22 SECU Reality of Money program with 8th grade

1/24 Franklinton High School recruiting visit with 8th grade

1/27 REPORT CARD PICK-UP IN CAFETERIA 3:30-4:30 PM *will include FCS At-Risk letters if a child is failing more than one class and/or below grade level on diagnostics

1/28 Report cards and At-Risk letters sent home with students if not picked up on 1/27

1/28 AWAY Basketball @ N. Granville MS 4:30 pm

1/29 Louisburg Magnet High School recruiting visit with 8th grade

1/29 HOME Basketball vs Cedar Creek MS 4:30 pm

1/30 SCIENCE 8 CHECK-IN #2

1/30 HOME Wrestling Meet 4:30 pm

FEBRUARY

2/3-2/7 School Counselor Appreciation Week

2/4 FRANKLINTON HIGH SCHOOL FAST TRACK REGISTRATION FOR RISING 9TH GRADERS

*ALL 8TH GRADE STUDENTS NEED TO ATTEND THIS TO REGISTER FOR HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES EVEN IF THEY ARE PLANNING ON GOING TO ANOTHER CHOICE HIGH SCHOOL.

2/4 AWAY @ Terrell Lane MS 4:30 pm

2/6 AWAY @ Butner Stem MS 4:30 pm

2/10-2/14 LOVE THE BUS WEEK

2/10-2/13 Math Remediation week

2/13 EARLY RELEASE - STUDENTS LEAVE AT 12:30 PM

2/14 NO SCHOOL - HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

2/17 Random Kindness Day :) Be kind to someone for no reason!

2/18 MATH GRADE 6-8 CHECK-IN #2

2/19-2/20 ALL COUNTY BAND

2/19-2/20 ACCESS TESTING (ESL)

2/24-2/28 GRADE ALERT EMAILS GO OUT THIS WEEK (if your student is failing one or more classes)

2/24 Dr. Schuhler visiting FMS students for Lunch Buddies

2/26 5TH GRADE VISIT TO FMS TODAY (FES & LOMES)

Athletes MUST be passing 3 out of 4 core classes (Math, ELA, Social Studies, Science) for each semester (S1, S2 in PowerSchool) to be eligible to play sports. Student athletes who are not passing 3 out of 4 core classes for the semester when report cards come out on January 27 (S1 in PowerSchool) will NOT be eligible to remain on the team and finish the season. They will NOT be eligible to play sports in the spring. These rules are set by the State of North Carolina.

From the press release: The United Way revitalization project at Franklinton Innovation Park is also being supported by local businesses K-FLEX, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina,

Sunrock, The Turf Grass Council of NC, Rian’s Paving, Hart’s Striping and Franklin County. Other planned improvements at the park include a music sensory wall and other hands-on learning activities, a sculpture, wildflower gardens, and a new running track.

GO CHECK IT OUT AND PLAY SOME BASKETBALL!

OBSERVE CANVAS & POWERSCHOOL TO SEE GRADES AND ASSIGNMENTS IN REAL TIME

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE FMS STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK

Read this handbook to become an expert on supporting your child in middle school - they need your help!

ASK YOUR CHILD WHAT THEY NEED TO COMPLETE, NOT WHAT THEY HAVE FOR HOMEWORK

Most teachers don't give out homework. If students don't complete their work in class, they are expected to complete it on their own and submit it. They have to let the teacher know they are submitting late work if it's online. To learn more about how this works, read the FMS Student & Parent Handbook (link above).

IF YOU SEE A ZERO IN POWERSCHOOL, THE WORK WAS NOT SUBMITTED FOR GRADING

Teachers set due dates for assignments. If the due date is passed, the assignment can NOT be made up. If it's not past the due date, then students can complete work and submit it. Read more in the FMS Student & Parent Handbook (link above).

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE LEARNING TO BE RESPONSIBLE

In middle school, some children begin to make the decision not to complete work in class. There are many reasons that students might have for not completing work that day (and if you ask them, all those reasons are valid, which is normal middle school development). In addition, many middle school students are struggling with strengthening their executive functioning skills (planning ahead, organizing, remembering responsibilities). Parents, we need your help! You are instrumental in setting expectations, working with your child to build those executive functioning skills, and helping your child to maintain their focus on academics.

🎉WE NOW HAVE ELA INTERVENTION!🎉

Students have been selected to have this amazing opportunity to CRUSH the NC Check-ins and the EOG at the end of the year :) Our new intervention teacher is Ms. Bennerson!

Scroll down to see how to contact Ms. Gilbert and access lots of resources!

Protecting Children in Our Community

Did you know?

• Firearms are now the leading cause of injury-related death for children and youth in North Carolina.

• Nearly 30% of North Carolina high school students surveyed said it would take them less than an hour to get - and be ready to fire - a loaded gun without a parent’s or adult’s permission.

As trusted voices in the community, school districts can help educate parents and caregivers about this issue. NC S.A.F.E for Schools provides school districts the resources to communicate about safe firearm storage - accurately, approachable, and apolitically. Please read the following newsletter from NC S.A.F.E for Schools.

The deadline for interested 8th grade students to apply to Early College High School or Louisburg Magnet High School is February 7th!

Students can apply to either or both programs using this link: https://www.fcschools.net/parents/choice-schools-programs/application.

Please let Ms. Gilbert know (marygilbert@fcschools.net) when you have applied to a choice program.

• Early College High School is a FREE program at the VGCC campus in Louisburg, that blends high school and college so students have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and Associate’s Degree from VGCC at the same time. (For free.) ECHS will visit FMS for a presentation with our students and answer any questions you may have. You can visit their website at Franklin County Early College High School to learn more about the program. (There’s no fees for college courses or for college textbooks, because it’s free.)

• Louisburg Magnet High School is a traditional high school with a focus on a STEM program, and project-based learning. Staff and students from LMHS will present info to our 8th grade class on Jan 29th. Check out the LMHS website for updated info at Louisburg Magnet High School

• Franklinton High School will be registering ALL 8th grade students because we are unsure this early who will be attending early College or Louisburg Magnet High. FHS counselors will visit FMS on Jan. 24th to talk to our students about high school and registration. Students will register for classes at the Spring Showcase at FHS on February 4th. The Showcase provides a great way to introduce students to the FHS campus, classes, and extracurricular activities. 8th grade students and their parents can visit the school and speak to teachers, staff, and coaches and learn more about the school at their rising 9th grade presentation. Don’t miss out! Keep informed about FHS at Franklinton High School.

Please encourage your students to finish 8th grade strong, as we are preparing them for high school classes!

We cannot fully describe the impact of the Angel Tree project on our families. We were overwhelmed with the generousity of our community and the grateful hearts of our parents. What a blessing this was on all of us throughout the FMS Community!

We are SO grateful that Franko's and Eli's Tavern worked together to give us a chance to experience the true meaning and spirit of the holidays. Thank you to Anna Elliot and Justin Bee for approaching us to offer to do this.

ALSO:

Many thank to Ms. Privette for the fruit boxes dropped off for staff before winter break! Those pears were especially delectable! We loved all the fruit!

SCIENCE with MS. TJULKINA:

Welcome back after the Chrismas Holidays. I hope everyone had a gret break and students have all returned back with smiles and eager yo be back.

Our grades will be due on the 17th, some things to go over before our chapter test are.

Thermal energy is the energy of particles that make up substance, which is constantly moving. Can be transferred through conduction, convection, or radiation.

Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from a warmer object to a cooler object.

Conduction transferred through direct contact between particles. For example, when a hot pan is placed on a counter, the counter's temperature increases as the pan's faster-moving molecules collide with the counter's molecules.

Convection transferred through the movement of fluids or gases. For example, when water is heated, it expands and rises to the top of the pot, where it cools and sinks back to the bottom to be heated again.

Insulators materials that are not good at transferring thermal energy by conduction are known as insulators.

Hope this helps. Thank you for your continues support.

Ms. T

MATH with MR. MITCHELL:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy New Year! I hope you and your families had a restful and enjoyable holiday season. As we settle into the new year, I’d like to provide you with an update on the current happenings in our 6th-grade math class.

Current Focus:
We are diving deeper into Decimal Operations. Students are working on developing procedural skills, conceptual understanding, and reasoning abilities. Our lessons include interactive activities, collaborative problem-solving, and real-world applications to ensure a well-rounded grasp of the material.

Assessments and Progress:
Recent assignments and quizzes have given us insight into areas where students are excelling and where additional support is needed. Please continue to review your child’s grades on Power School and encourage them to complete any missing assignments promptly. If you have concerns about your child's progress, feel free to reach out to me for a conference.

Upcoming Events:

• Diagnostic Test: We will be conducting a mid-year diagnostic test this week to assess overall growth. This test is not for a grade but will help identify strengths and areas for growth as we move forward. Please help to make sure charged Chromebooks make it to school with your students!

Classroom Needs:
Our classroom is thriving, but we could use a little help. If you are able to donate items like pencils or tissues, we would be incredibly grateful.

Reminders:

• Please ensure your child brings their Chromebook fully charged each day.

• Homework completion is critical for reinforcing what we learn in class. A consistent homework routine can make a significant difference in your child’s progress.

Thank you for your continued support in making this a successful year for your child. I am proud of the effort many students are putting into their learning and look forward to a productive second semester. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Warm regards,

Mr Mitchell

ELA with MS. CRUDUP: Greetings families,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful break.

We started the new year with Reading Diagnostics today. Students are working diligently during class and will continue from where they left off the next day, as needed. Please note that the quarter ends next Friday, so any missing work must be completed before then.

This week, we are reviewing classroom expectations to ensure everyone is set up for success. A reminder: students must come to school fully prepared each day, including having a charged Chromebook. Arriving unprepared violates our Non-Negotiable rules, which may result in consequences.

In class, we are wrapping up Unit 3 – Surviving the Unthinkable and transitioning into Unit 4 – Discovering Your Voice later this week.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. If you don’t receive a response, your email may have inadvertently gone to my Spam folder—a few messages were missed this way before the break. If this happens, please try resending the message. My apologies for any inconvenience!

Thank you for your continued support.

Ms.Crudup

SOCIAL STUDIES with MR. CALDERON:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy New Year!! We’ve had an exciting journey in Social Studies this school year! Here's a recap of what we've been learning and a preview of what’s coming next.

🌍 Looking Back: Ancient China
Last month, we explored the fascinating history and culture of Ancient China. Highlights included:

• The Silk Road: Students studied trade routes and discussed their impact on cultural exchange.

• Dynasties and Innovations: We learned about the Han Dynasty and key inventions like paper and the compass.

• Philosophies: Discussions about Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism led to engaging debates about their influence on society.

• Fun Moments: Students learned and performed some Martial Arts movements like Tai-Chi and Kung Fu.

📚This Week: Ancient Hebrews & the Origins of Judaism
We are diving into the rich history of the Ancient Hebrews, focusing on:

• Key Figures: Learning about Abraham, Moses, and King David.

• The Torah: Exploring its significance and key stories like the Exodus.

• Monotheism: Understanding its origins and impact on world religions.

• Fun Moments: Students will learn and play the game of Dreidel

📅 Looking Ahead: End-of-Semester Project & Ancient Greece

🔍 End-of-Semester Project
Students will soon begin their major project: "Historical Figure of Antiquity." Each student will choose one Historical Person we’ve studied to compare their beliefs, achievements, and legacies. Details and guidelines will be Posted on Canvas by the end of this week. Please encourage your child to start thinking about their topics!

🔍 Ancient Greece
We’ll start the new Semester with an exploration of Ancient Greece, covering:

• Democracy: The roots of modern government in Athens.

• Mythology: Engaging with the stories of gods, heroes, and epic adventures.

• Olympics: Tracing the origins of this global tradition.

• Philosophy and Arts: Learning about great thinkers like Socrates and the lasting impact of Greek architecture.

How You Can Support:

• Encourage your child to share what they’re learning at home.

• Check in on their progress for the End-of-Semester Project.

• Reach out if you have questions or need resources to support learning.

Thank you for your continued support in making this year a memorable and enriching one for our young historians!

Warm regards,
Mr. Luis Calderon
6th Grade Social Studies Teacher

ELA with MS. BAECHLE:

Happy New Year and Welcome back parents and guardians! We have just begun Unit four and are closing in on the end of Q2. It remains critical that we remind our students to stay up to date with their work in class and located on Canvas, as well as their grades updated regularly on Powerschool. As a result, we continue to hold them accountable for their work and growth academically. Check for updated grades in Powerschool by the end of day Wednesday.

End of Q2:

The end of quarter two is on Friday, 1/17. Student work will not be taken past that time. It is up to each teacher to determine which day they will accept later work until. Please remind your student(s) to ten in their assignments regularly, check their email, Canvas, and Powerschool daily and turn in any missing assignments as needed. They can also complete a Tutoring form and attend as they require additional support.

Growth and Accountability Agreement:

• I will complete daily work (assigned in class)

• I will finish any work that was not completed in class for homework

• I will come to class prepared (work completed and a charged chromebook)

• I will not disrupt the learning environment, or others

• I will check Canvas daily for updated assignments and due dates

• I will check Powerschool regularly for grades and missing assignments

• I will always try my best

• I will ask for further support from my teacher is I don't understand an assignment

• I will maintain a growth mind-set for my academic and personal growth and goals!!

Expectations:

Students are to come to class on time, prepared and ready to work. If they are not following the non-negotiables, they will receive a warning to correct their chosen behavior before they are sent to ALC with a write-up and a parent contact.

Remember that each quarter every student begins with a 100% in their classes. What they decide to do with their grades and achievements are up to them.

Sports and Grades: Please ensure your student is keeping up with their work and on their best behavior. Good grades and exemplifying positive behavior is key to being able to play sports throughout the school year.

New Curriculum: We have begun a new ELA Curriculum this year called: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Into Literature. The material is scaffolded in a way that is easy to understand while including detailed lessons/units including: anticipatory sets, clear standards, relatable topics, a variety of genres and activities, as well as various reading and writing activities with vocabulary throughout and plenty of application (practice) of content in order to master numerous skill-sets.

Note: A digital copy of the text can be located on students' Classlink (ED with a yellow smiley face app) and include each passage we read in class, as well as several comprehension checks (assignments), and several resources.

Please encourage your students to use this resource at home to compete and classwork that was not finished, or any homework that may be assigned. It is very beneficial for students to not only take accountability for their work, but to practice skills regularly in order to master academic goals.

SCIENCE with MS. DOWNUM:

Welcome and Happy New Year!

It was so nice seeing the students back at school today. As we start off the new year, I am emphasizing "New Year, New You." I am reviewing expectations and helping the students set up goals for the year to start off on the right foot. Below is the non-negotiable list as a refresher. These are non-negotiable, meaning students will be written up if they engage in any of these behaviors. Please talk to your student and remind them how important it is to do their very best in school.

We had a blast on the last day before break! I am including some pictures for you to see all the fun the students had. Each class participated in a quick content activity followed by "Minute to Win It" style games. The students did phenomenal work; they were engaged and competitive. It was so much fun!

See more 8th grade pictures here!

Thank you Ms. Frost!

In 8th grade science, students are preparing for an EOG. It is imperative that students try their best in class and give it their all. Transitioning from not being tested in science to taking an EOG at the end of the year can be a difficult shift. I need to prepare them for this, and it is very important that they come to class prepared each day with a pencil, charged Chromebook, and an active participation mindset. We have a scheduled check-in coming up; however, there has been talk of changes. I will keep you informed as I learn more about what’s to come. As of now, we have a check-in scheduled for 1/30, but I have a feeling that may be subject to change.

Late Work Policy: If a student turns in an assignment late, it is their responsibility to email me and let me know that it needs to be checked. I will not know it needs to be checked unless they send me this email after I have already graded the assignments. When a student sends me an email, I will respond that I have updated the grade in Canvas and that the grade should be reflected in PowerSchool the next morning, once I have graded it. I try to keep up with grading quickly; however, I must ensure my normal work is completed first. As a result, a late assignment is not guaranteed to be graded as quickly as an on-time assignment.

SOCIAL STUDIES with MR. DOWNUM:

Happy New Year to all students and family!! I hope you all had a restful break and that you are ready to come back and learn. We hit the ground when we get back, with remediation on day 1. We will be doing ELA remediation all week in an effort to prepare the kids for the ELA EOG that will be next week. The students will also have math and ELA diagnostic testing.

In social studies we are still working on Westward expansion and the growth of the country. We will look at the positives and the negatives that come along with the rapid growth of the country. We will be covering events such as The Indian Removal Act and The Gold Rush.

ELA with MS. FROST:

Please Note: The test results are not used to assign grades. The results provide me with important information so I can identify students who need support, assign the right resources to close gaps, and identify areas where additional help is needed. The results give a snapshot of your child's current reading ability. In the next two weeks, I will, again, have individual data talks with students to discuss the outcomes of the second assessment. I will also share projected outcomes on the End of Grade Reading Assessment with your child to compare assessment results in comparison to what your child is capable of achieving at the end of the school year.

NOTE: This week may feel overwhelming for some students. And I greatly appreciate your support providing assurance to your child that testing (benchmarks) are a part of our year-long plan to ensure he or she is successful on the ELA End of Grade Test.

Curriculum: HMH

Introduction to Unit 4: “The Fight For Freedom"

(January 6th - February 9th)

Texts:

• “Brown v. Board of Education, Little Rock Nine, and University Integration”

• “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave”

• “Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad”

• “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh”

• “Oh Captain, My Captain” with supplemental texts

Student Academic Goals:

(RL 1)

• I can cite textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly.

• I can cite textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of inferences drawn from the text.

(RL 2)

• I can determine the central messages (theme) of a text.

• I can objectively summarize a text.

• I can discuss how characters' actions / dialogue determines the theme.

(RL 3)

• I can analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

(RL 4)

• I can determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

• 
  

Homework!

Independent Vocabulary Study… Ms. Frost’s Word Wall

Academic Vocabulary: Encourage your child to practice independently at home two times + per week.

1. Go to Quizlet at http://tinyurl.com/FrostEOGWordWall

2. Click on “Flashcards” and learn new terms

3. Click on “Learn” and identify correct terms and definitions

4. Click on “Match” to play the game

5. Click on “Test” to demonstrate mastery of vocabulary terms

Please contact me at Annafrost@fcschools.net

HEALTH/PE with MR. HARTSFIELD: Happy 2025

We left 2024 discussing the importance of Nutrition, understanding food labels and the danger of sugary foods.

This week students will be discussing: Communicable diseases, how they are spread, prevention in the spread of diseases and the impact on their bodies.

BAND with MS. RIPPE:

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a great winter break! We are hitting the ground running this half of the year with new opportunities, music, and concepts to be held!

Before we left for break the band performed an amazing Winter Concert! Thank you again to everyone who was able to come out and enjoy the event! The students did a wonderful job! Special thanks to Ms. Clifton for capturing some pictures of the concert! See below!

Also the 7th and 8th grade bands also performed at the Winter Pep Rally! What fun we had! Here is a link to the pictures of the event! https://momentsbyangelaclifton.pic-time.com/bt3jOAmt1vhh0

Upcoming Events Schedule: - We have a packed spring full of performance opportunities for many students in all grade levels!

Vance Granville Community College Honors Band Feb 6th and 7th - 5 selected students (3 in 8th grade 2 in 6th grade) will be traveling to Vance Granville Community College to perform along with 3 additional counties, (Granville, Vance, Warren, and Franklin) middle school and high school band students. The students will receive the music at the event, have the afternoon on the 6th and all day on the 7th to learn the music about 3 songs - 4 songs and then perform the concert the night of the 7th! This event could become a staple in our program for years to come and for more students to be involved!

Franklin County All County Honors Band Feb 19th - Feb 20th - This is an annual event! Selected students from 7th and 8th grades will combine with other selected 7th and 8th graders from across the county to form an Honors Band! This is a 2 day event taking place at Bunn High School. Students will receive their music at the event. Have the next 2 days to learn about 4 songs, and then perform a concert that night! The event is conducted by a guest conductor! Please be on the lookout for the details of this event if your student is involved. I will be communicating by email and letters home!

6th Grade Regional Band w/ Gravelly Hills MS - March 14th! 6th Grade is not going to miss out on a performance opportunity! Together with Gravelly Hills MS director, we are commissioning a piece of music to be written specifically for these students for this performance! More information will come as the event gets closer! Be on the lookout 6th grade families!

Spring Concert! May 15th - MANDATORY! This is for ALL STUDENTS ALL GRADES. Much like the winter concert this will be our night to showcase the music we will be working on much of the semester. Including the 1 piece of music that was selected by each of the grade levels themselves before we left for break! With traditional concert band literature, a march style piece, and a popular piece or a sea shanty the students have a great lineup of music to perform for this event. Be on the lookout for information as the date gets closer.

All grades will begin this half of the year learning a rhythm concept called syncopation. This is when music is stressed on the weak beats. Learning the overall definition, how to count, clap, and then play on a signal note the rhythm will be the start to every class period. These exercises are also a part of their daily written assignment and is a grade for the class. This is also a written assignment and it can be found in Canvas.

All grades will also be working on their next scale, the Eb concert scale. This will help the students become more familiar with new pitches, keys, and work their range of sound.

Practicing at home is so crucial for the success of the music. The music this semester is more challenging than before, 5-10 minutes a night studying or if at all possible playing will help stay on top of the music learned during the day!

The music the grades will be working on this half of the year include but not limited to.

8th Grade: Up, Up, and Away, Mysterious Chase, and Bang Bang

https://www.jwpepper.com/Up%2C-Up%2C-and-Away/11515781.item

https://www.jwpepper.com/Mysterious-Chase/11346042.item

https://www.jwpepper.com/Bang-Bang/10490891.item

7th Grade: Spitfire, Clutch, and Bruno Mars pack

https://www.jwpepper.com/Spitfire/10027015.item

https://www.jwpepper.com/Clutch/11511629.item

https://www.jwpepper.com/Bruno-Mars-Four-Pack/10978060.item

6th Grade: Presto!, March of the Champions, Wellerman

https://www.jwpepper.com/Presto%21/10453097.item

https://www.jwpepper.com/March-of-the-Champions/10279369.item

https://www.jwpepper.com/The-Wellerman/11566876.item

Looking forward to a great rest of the year full of music! Check out concert pictures below!

CTE with MR. PIRRONE:

Paxton Patterson Career Labs:

Students are currently engaging with the new modules and demonstrating commendable progress as they navigate through the material. Their dedication and hard work will soon culminate in practical applications within the STEAM lab, where they will have the opportunity to apply their acquired knowledge in various projects.

In the lab, students will engage in a range of hands-on activities, including the creation of 3D printed items, the preparation of smoothies and pancakes, and the development of interactive games. These experiences are designed not only to reinforce their learning but also to foster creativity and collaboration among peers. We look forward to witnessing their innovative ideas come to life as they utilize their skills in these exciting endeavors

Computer Science Discoveries 1 and 2:

CSD I

Unit 2: Web Development

In this unit, we will delve deeper into web development as we progress toward creating a personal website that reflects each student's individuality. This project will serve not only as a creative outlet but also as a versatile tool that can be utilized across various classes and subjects. Students are encouraged to think broadly about the content they wish to include, ensuring that their website is comprehensive and informative. As we advance through this unit, we will focus on enhancing their design skills and understanding of web technologies, ultimately equipping them with the knowledge to create a polished and professional online presence.

CSD II

Lesson 11: Interpreting Data
In this lesson, students engage with a cake preference survey that enables participants to indicate their preferred cake and icing flavors. They explore the significance of understanding the correlation between cake and icing preferences, which aids in making informed recommendations. The concept of cross-tabulation is introduced, allowing students to visually represent relationships among various preferences. By applying this method to analyze the preference survey, students brainstorm potential challenges that could be addressed through this analytical process.

Lesson 12: Making Decisions with Data
During this lesson, students practice decision-making using data derived from scenarios relevant to their experiences as middle schoolers. Working collaboratively in groups, they discuss how to utilize the presented data to arrive at informed decisions, followed by a class-wide discussion of their conclusions. It is emphasized that not all questions yield definitive answers; in certain instances, students may recognize the need for additional data collection. The lesson culminates in a reflection on how diverse perspectives can lead to varying interpretations of the same data, and how the collection of alternative data sets might influence their decision-making processes.

Keyboarding Skills and Basic Word Processing:

Students will begin preparing draft copies of documents to request changes they would like to be changed before the start of the spring semester. In addition to this, they will continue practicing their skills with the home row keys. We will assess their progress by comparing their current gross words per minute (gwpm) to their performance at the beginning of the school year.

Furthermore, we aim to create PowerPoint and slide presentations that will enhance their experience at FMS. These presentations will not only help them communicate their ideas more effectively but also foster a more professional approach to their work. This project will serve as an opportunity for students to develop valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their educational journey.

DRAMA with MS. HATTEN:

All classes: We will be covering the School Rules and Non-Negotiables to start off our week so please remind your students that those rules and non-negotiables have not changed!

We are going to try to finish up the semester with a FLOURISH and a frenzy of work. IF students will come to class prepared to do work and will work diligently during class time, I would like to finish up the year with some mask making for 8th grade, prop making for 7th grade and costume design for 6th grade. That’s a BIG IF…. students are being reminded to work during class on their assignments so that we can have some fun at the end of the semester!

SPORTS

• Help out at Athletic Events (just be ready to jump in as needed :)
• Donate food or drinks for our athletes to have before they play or after they play
• Help coaches run drills or practice sessions
• Sell items on the sidelines (talk to the coach)
• Sponser a child's sneakers or other athletic attire
• Donate money to provide students with an awards dinner for the Athletic Awards Ceremony
• Help out at the Awards Ceremony serving food and cleaning up

BAND

• Help the Band Director at concerts (supervision of students)
• Donate food at concerts to feed students before the concert
• Sponsor a child's instrument or donate an instrument
• Donate money for extra reeds, etc. for students
• Help with field trips, help with All County (go in the bus)

ULTIMATE BOOK SHOWDOWN

• Donate books on the list
• Come in during lunches to help prep students for their competition
• Donate t-shirts or design t-shirts for the competition (in March)
• Donate money to cover feeding students lunch after their competition

PARENT SUMMIT: Joanne Allen, Vanessa Bell, Twyla Isreal

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT TEAM: Vanessa Barrier, Claire Brigner, Shanita Bumpers

DISTRICT PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: Allan Barrier, Antonia Autrey, Jason Myers

Ms. Gilbert's Virtual Office

Complete and submit this form: Counselor Request Form

Or send email to: marygilbert@fcschools.net

Or call FMS at 919-494-2971 ext. 324212

NC211.org (or call 211)

besmartforkids.org Be SMART: Firearm safety

Crisis Text Line text HOME to 741741

Food Finder (FoodBank of Central NC)

Food Pantries in Franklin County

Hope4NC (or call 1-855-587-3463)

National Alliance of Mental Illness/NC (or call 800-451-9682)

National Domestic Violence Hotline (or call 800-799-7233)

SuicideCrisisLifeline.org (or call 988)

Vaya Health (or call their Behavioral Health Crisis Line at 800-849-6127)