FEBRUARY
2/10-2/14 LOVE THE BUS WEEK - thank your bus driver!
2/10-2/13 Math Remediation week
2/11 Basketball AWAY Vance Middle School 4:30 pm
2/12 Basketball HOME vs Hawley MS 4:30 pm
2/13 FULL DAY OF SCHOOL (was an Early Release Day and district changed to a full day)
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 *parents will pick up at end of day
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)
MARCH
3/5 Elementary Registration (FES & LOMES)
3/9 Daylight Savings Time Starts
3/11 Ultimate Book Showdown (Middle Schools)
3/14 Grade Six Band Bonanza with Gravely Hills Middle School in Chapel Hill
3/17-3/20 Reading Remediation Week
3/18 FCS 5th Semi-annual Parent Summit (email heidi.boardman@fcschools.net if you are interested in attending)
3/20 FULL DAY OF SCHOOL (was an Early Release Day and district changed to a full day)
3/20 END OF QUARTER THREE
3/21 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
3/26 Reading Check-in #3 6-8
3/27 REPORT CARD PICK-UP 3:30-4:30 in the cafeteria
3/28 Report cards and At-Risk letters sent home with students if not picked up on 3/27
APRIL
4/7-4/11 SPRING BREAK NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
4/7-4/11 Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
4/14-4/17 Math Remediation Week
4/18 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
4/20 EASTER SUNDAY
4/21 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
4/23 MATH CHECK-IN #3 6-8
4/28-5/1 Science 8 Remediation Week
MAY
5/1 MATH I CHECK-IN #2
5/2 SCIENCE 8 CHECK-IN #3
5/5-5/9 TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK - let your teacher know you appreciate all their hard work!
5/5-5/9 Exact Path Diagnostics Math and ELA this week
5/8 EARLY RELEASE - students leave the building at 12:30pm
5/11 SUNDAY - MOTHER'S DAY
5/12-5/23 EOG REMEDIATION WEEKS
5/15 SPRING CELEBRATION BAND CONCERT AND ELECTIVES PROJECTS SHOW
5/22 ATHLETIC AWARDS DINNER AND CELEBRATION
5/26 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
5/28 ELA EOG GRADES 6-8
5/30 MATH EOG GRADES 6-8
JUNE
6/3 SCIENCE EOG GRADE EIGHT ONLY
6/10 8TH GRADE CELEBRATION
6/10 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - EARLY RELEASE - STUDENTS LEAVE BUILDING AT 12:30 PM
6/11-6/13 RETEST DAYS - MODIFIED SCHEDULE - STUDENTS RETEST IF THEY WERE NOT PROFICIENT
DID YOU GET A VACCINE LETTER FOR YOUR 6TH GRADER?
The first Franklin County Health Department adolescent health vaccination event will be held:
When: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Franklin County Health Department (107 Industrial Drive, Louisburg, NC)
Cost: Insurance will be billed or no out of pocket cost for adolescents without health insurance
The registration link for this clinic is open and can be accessed by
visiting this web address https://shorturl.at/bDMPT or scanning the QR code. →
Appointment registration will close on March 6th, 2025.
Please note - parents will need to be present for all appointments and bring proof of insurance to the appointment (children who do not have health insurance will not have any out of pocket cost for
vaccinations received at these events).
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and please email me with any questions at
8TH GRADE PARENTS!
Early College and Louisburg Magnet applicants: Students who are selected for enrollment should receive a notice on or around March 7th. Please check your emails regularly and respond to instructions from the programs.
Franklinton High School staff will be here on 2/17 to register our 8th grade students who did not register at FHS last week. Please help your student complete the 9th grade registration form, remembering to select 3 electives and 3 alternate electives. These forms should be turned in to your student’s homeroom teacher so we can be prepared for an efficient registration visit on 2/17.
Please encourage your students to finish 8th grade strong, as we are preparing them for high school classes!
MATH with MS. JENKINS:
Hello FMS families. A lot is happening in Math this week. We continue to work on Unit 4, Reasoning with Expressions. Students will be preparing for the Unit 4 test on Thursday. Students have learned how to identify the parts of an expression, how to identify equivalent expressions, and how to distribute or expand algebraic expressions. In the next two weeks, we will work on combining like terms and writing expressions in different forms to better understand relationships within context. We are working on identifying common mistakes when simplifying expressions. Ask your students what they have learned about algebraic expressions and if they are ready to test.
This week we are also preparing for the upcoming NC-Check-Ins for math. Each morning students will complete one hour of math remediation to review for this test. Students can continue review at home using IXL.
Things to remember:
~Class attendance is important (If you miss class you are expected to make up the assignments. Class assignments serve to prepare students for each unit test )
~Remember the school and classroom rules. (Exhibit responsible behavior at all times)
~Bring your materials (Chromebooks(charged), notebooks, and pencils) to class daily.
~Get a good night's rest and come to class prepared to work.
~ Believe in yourself, you can do it!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at litishajenkins@fcschools.net.
SOCIAL STUDIES with MR. JONES:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope this message finds you well. Over the next two weeks, our class will be studying imperialism and the Scramble for Africa as part of our curriculum. As part of this unit, students will be analyzing historical political cartoons, some of which contain sensitive imagery reflecting the time period. We will approach these discussions thoughtfully to ensure a respectful and educational learning environment.
Additionally, please remind your student to bring their Chromebook and charger to class each day, as these will be essential for our activities and discussions.
Lastly, a reminder that their Latin American Independence Poster Project is due on February 28th. Each student has been assigned to a Latin American country to research and present in a creative and informative way.
Thank you for your support! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Hunter Jones
SCIENCE with MS. BRACKETT:
Dear Parents,
We would like to inform you that we are wrapping up our "Motion and Stability" unit next week. Students have been engaging with key concepts related to the forces that impact movement and how objects remain stable. Following this, we will be transitioning into our next unit on "Energy," where students will explore various forms of energy and how it is transferred and transformed.
Thank you for your continued support in your child’s learning!
Best regards,
Ms. Brackett
ELA with MS. BAECHLE:
Welcome to the middle of Q3 as we approach the second half of the year and where effort and consistency count more than ever!!
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. Please check in with your students to ensure that they are completing their work regularly and submitting it for a grade.
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. Grads for S2 quarters 3 and 4 will determine Fall and Winter eligibility**
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.
🧱 Supporting Standards
L.7.4 Determine and/or clarify (2) the meaning of unknown (context clues) and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials.**
🎯Target Standards
RI.7.1 Cite (3) several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text
says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RI.7.3 Analyze the interactions between individuals, events (structure), and ideas in a
text (3)**
RI.7.8 Trace and Evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing
whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support
the claims (4)**
✏️Writing Standards
W.7.2 Write an Informative Report/Argument (3-4) informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
W.7.5 Conduct short research projects to answer specific guiding questions (4)** - Q3 Group Project
Last week:
I covered ‘Data-Talks’ with each student as we discussed their progress on both the second round of their Diagnostics and Check-in’s for ELA. We talked about what was working well and what changes needed to be made to ensure a successful remainder of the year with growth on their assessments.
This Week:
Students will be choosing groups for their Q3 projects and figuring out who will be working on what roles. They will have three sections including: the written argument and research, a google slides, and the group presentation with peer feedback. The project will be due on Friday, 2/28. We will also be finishing Check-in two review and learning a new T-Chart strategy students can use in class and on assessments to organize what they are reading.
Q3 Project Info:
Rubric:
Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HJkRytGAPoaE2NdXPg6EGJftCfEgxga6hqqynxqQvUM/edit?usp=sharing
Student Project Outline:
Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eqquehbp1ofDrZgxi5_p2idR-HDNUN34xGgL73Au5II/edit?usp=sharing
Next Week:
We will begin our annual “Pro - Bowl” where students will have a friend competition at both the middle school district and their school grade level where they review challenging standards for mastery of skill-sets, while preparing for thrift third Check-in this spring. We will also be closing out the final week of Unit 4 in the HMH curriculum.
Tutoring:
Tutoring for the 24/25 school year has begun. Tutoring will be held in the cafeteria each Monday and Wednesday from 3:30- 5:00 pm. Please be sure to pick up your student by no later than 5:00 on Vine st. During tutoring students will receive support in both review strategies (gamification) and homework help. Be sure to turn in your tutoring contract form to your homeroom teacher before you start. We hope to see you there!
Homework:
Students should expect homework two to three times weekly in order to continue to develop their skill-sets and to see growth. Please ask your child what work they have for homework, or have not completed on a regular basis to help keep them on track. Work is updated regularly for access on Canvas. Grades are also updated weekly and viewable on Powerschool. Students should expect classwork (homework if not completed) in order to maintain an understanding of reading both inside and outside of class on a weekly basis. The application process is so critical to close gaps in comprehension and to apply to later content**
Grades:
Student grades are present (updated regularly) on Canvas, and are now viewable to students and guardians on Powerschool. Students are expected to check their grades on a regular basis and reach out to their teacher for make-up work, or additional time to complete an assignment if they have been absent, as well as, emailing them a reminder once completed. I allow a one week timeframe to make up work before an assignment becomes a zero.
Thank you parents and guardians for your continued support throughout the school year with what promises to be a successful year full of growth and achievements.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any further questions or concerns at:
SCIENCE with MS. DOWNUM:
I am excited to share that our students recently completed both the Physical Science and Earth Science check-ins. I am pleased to report that many worked hard, and I had the opportunity to discuss their scores with each student. Together, we set individual goals for the final check-in scheduled for May. I emphasized that each check-in focuses on different subjects, and the upcoming End-of-Grade (EOG) assessment will encompass all three subjects.
In addition, we discussed classroom tests and established goals for the unit test happening tomorrow. To promote engagement and teamwork, we have introduced a fun competition called Table Wars. Students are randomly assigned to tables, each with a designated color caddy. Last week, we celebrated the following winners: Core 1-Blue, Core 2-Blue, Core 3-Blue, and Core 4-Orange.
This week, we are starting fresh with new table group assignments.
I kindly ask for your support in reminding your student to stay on task, remain silent during instruction, come to class prepared, and stay seated. Thank you for your continued support.
Reminder: We have a full day of school on Thursday the 13th and no school for students on the 14th.
SOCIAL STUDIES with MR. DOWNUM:
For the next three days we will be working on exams for the unit we just finished. The exams were sent home to all parents and students via email, if there were any questions please do not hesitate to email me. Next week we will begin The Civil War.
Next week is also the second math check in, please make sure all students are prepared. Please make sure that all Chromebooks are charged.
MATH with MS. CUNNINGHAM:
What a busy week ahead! We have math remediation this week, Monday-Thursday. Each core teacher will be remediating on a different math strand: functions, number systems, geometry, and expressions & equations. Our NC Check-in #2 will be on Tuesday, February 18th. Please be sure that your students come to school that morning having a full, restful night sleep, charged with a good breakfast, and on time with a charged chromebook, ready to take their check-in. Our hope is to see growth from Check-in#1 to Check-in#2. Please talk to your students about how important it is to take the Check-in seriously and try their best so their scores show growth from quarter 1 scores.
In the classroom, we will be taking a quick check quiz this week on unit 2b- Reasoning About Equations and Angles then our end of unit assessment will be on Wednesday, Feb. 19th. All students should be able to:1: identify congruent angles on two parallel lines cut by a transversal and use them to determine missing angle measurements and 2) observe that the sum of the angles in a triangle is 180 degrees and solve for a missing angle.
Our next unit will be Functional Reasoning/Systems. In this unit, students are introduced to the concept of a function as a relationship between “inputs” and “outputs” in which each allowable input determines exactly one output. Students work with relationships that are familiar from previous grades or units (perimeter formulas, proportional relationships, linear relationships), expressing them as functions. Students are then introduced to the term “function” as describing a relationship that assigns exactly one output to each allowable input. Students connect the terms “independent variable” and “dependent variable” (which they learned in grade 6) with the inputs and outputs of a function. They use equations to express a dependent variable as a function of an independent variable. They work with tables, graphs, and equations for functions, learning the convention that the independent variable is generally shown on the horizontal axis. They work with verbal descriptions of a function arising from a real-world situation, identifying tables, equations, and graphs that represent the function, and interpreting information from these representations in terms of the real-world situation.
Grades: Check PowerSchool Frequently
Check PowerSchool frequently to ensure your child is up-to-date on assignments. The protocol for submission of late assignments is to send an email to me with the titles of the late assignments completed. Please encourage your child to check PowerSchool for missing assignments. Note: assignments close after two weeks and students cannot make up work after the assignment closes. Students are not penalized for submitting late assignments within this two week period. Again, it is the responsibility of your child to email me with the title(s) of completed work after the due date.
Please Review Grade 8 Student FMS Non-Negotiables With Your Child:
First and foremost, thank you for all your support and communication with me regarding your child’s academics / behaviors.
There is room for improvement specific to the FMS Non-Negotiables listed below:
A number of students come to class without a chromebook or a chromebook not charged overnight.
Excessive bathroom use (students asking to go to the bathroom during each core class that extends more than five minutes at a time.
Cell phones not in backpacks (students should not have visible cell phones in back pockets / pant pockets / sweatshirt pockets)
Students talking out of turn with discussion unrelated to the lesson thus disrupting learning taking place for the majority of students on task.
Please review the team expectations as students are written up for non compliance.
Click on the link below to review classroom expectations with your child:
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions michellecunningham@fcschools.net
ELA with MS. FROST:
STUDENT DATA / ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Data Talks Continue This Week… (Data Talks are Ongoing)
I am meeting with students individualy to complete the second round of data talks, and we are making goals for the third NC Check-In Reading Assessment. Below are the state guidelines for growth and proficiency. This week, your child will continue evaluating the last benchmark results using “Error Analysis”. Rather than just correcting errors, error analysis aims to identify why three out of four answers are incorrect.
“Although the answers are true does not mean they are the right answer” The focus is on identifying the “BEST” answer.
Growth! Growth! Growth! 55% or higher Green (meets grade level expectations and expectations for growth) 48 - 54% Yellow (close and needs growth) 48% and below Red (needs growth)
Grades: Check PowerSchool Frequently
Check PowerSchool frequently to ensure your child is up-to-date on assignments. The protocol for submission of late assignments is to send an email to me with the titles of the late assignments completed. Please encourage your child to check PowerSchool for missing assignments. Note: assignments close after two weeks and students cannot make up work after the assignment closes. Students are not penalized for submitting late assignments within this two week period. Again, it is the responsibility of your child to email me with the title(s) of completed work after the due date.
Please Review Grade 8 Student FMS Non-Negotiables With Your Child:
First and foremost, thank you for all your support and communication with me regarding your child’s academics / behaviors.
There is room for improvement specific to the FMS Non-Negotiables listed below:
A number of students come to class without a chromebook or a chromebook not charged overnight.
Excessive bathroom use (students asking to go to the bathroom during each core class that extends more than five minutes at a time.
Cell phones not in backpacks (students should not have visible cell phones in back pockets / pant pockets / sweatshirt pockets)
Students talking out of turn with discussion unrelated to the lesson thus disrupting learning taking place for the majority of students on task.
Please review the team expectations as students are written up for non compliance.
Click on the link below to review classroom expectations with your child:
Curriculum Focus:
(Continued Focus on Skill Work)
Target Areas Based on the NC Check-In Diagnostic 2 Includes:
Making Inferences (RL.8.1)
Identifying Theme (RL.8.2)
Analyzing How Plot Moves Action ((RL.8.3)
Differentiating Tone vs. Mood (RL.8.4)
Using Context Clues (L.8.4)
Homework!
Independent Vocabulary Study… Ms. Frost’s Word Wall
Academic Vocabulary: Encourage your child to practice independently at home two times + per week.
Go to Quizlet at http://tinyurl.com/FrostEOGWordWall
Click on “Flashcards” and learn new terms
Click on “Learn” and identify correct terms and definitions
Click on “Match” to play the game
Click on “Test” to demonstrate mastery of vocabulary terms
Additional Vocabulary Review: ELA / EOG Vocabulary Terms (Interactive Games)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ab2x1KcUDMpTNGYwVxvklPIoExERtMhKYcjqZ7cfH2A/edit?usp=sharing
Please contact me at Annafrost@fcschools.net
FHS DRUMLINE AUDITIONS *8th grade only
April 22nd and 24th
4 - 5:30 in the FHS Band Room
Only 1 snare spot and 2 bass spots are open!
SPRING MARCHING PRE-CAMP
Any band student currently in 7th or 8th grade!
April 28, 29, 30, May 1
4 - 5:30 in the FHS Band Room
ART with Mrs. CLIFTON:
My students started with decorating their journals, and setting up their blogs. Then they moved to their first lesson which was Blind photography. Students studied the blind photographer Pete Eckert. Then students went outside and worked in teams to take photos blindfolded. Those photos will be entered into a competition and then used in their journals and on their blogs.
