FHTMS Weekly Newsletter #13

Dear Families,

As we move into November, we’re grateful for your continued partnership. This month, we’re focusing on gratitude, community, and school spirit! We’re excited to celebrate Spirit Week. This is a fun way for students to show pride in our school and build connection with one another.

As the days get shorter, please continue to support strong attendance, every day in school helps students stay connected and successful. Thank you for all you do to support our students and school community.

Your Principal,
Suzanne Gruendling

November 12th is a Late Start Day 10:30 am start time.

SOCIALS: There will be a 6th grade social on Nov. 14th from 3:30-5PM

There will be a 7 & 8th grade social on Nov. 14th from 5:30-7PM

Preorder your child’s yearbook by January 31 to make sure they have a copy when they’re distributed in June. A small number of extra copies will be available then, but they go quickly!

Monday November 10: 5:00 - 6:00 Title 1 Informational Meeting (come learn about Title 1 Funding)

Monday November 10: PTO Meeting 5:30 - 6:30 pm

Special Guest Superintendent Dr. Clark. RESCHEDULED TO JANUARY PTO MEETING

Wednesday November 12: Late Arrival 10:30 am Start Time

Thursday 11/13 Safety Drill: Options Based Response: Lockdown

Friday November 14: VTCAP, 1st Grade Exploratory Update, Star Universal Screener results sent home.

Friday November 14: 6th grade Social 3:30 - 5:00 pm 7/8 Social 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Monday November 17: 6th grade Band Concert at FHTMS

Safety Drill: Options Based Response: Lockdown Thursday 11/13

Social Season starts Friday November 14th! Lots of help from parents needed! We will send out a Sign-Up Genius the week before. Permission slips are required, we will have them available on teams starting Monday.

FHT Japan Fest is Back! (Season 4) - Learn some Japanese, enjoy fun activities and eat sushi! 🍣 Hosted by Ms. Connors with facilitators from Champlain College and UVM. Friday, Nov. 14 3:30–4:30 PM Room 261 6th graders ➡ Pop in during your social! 7th & 8th ➡ Stop by before yours starts! Permission slips due by Wed., Nov. 12 to Ms. Connors| Limited to 30 students.

• Sign up for Family Schoology access
• Complete Family Guide to Schoology
• Family Schoology Login page
• Student Schoology Login page

The FHTMS Peer Leadership Program is an opportunity for 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students to learn, strengthen, and practice leadership skills. This club encourages students to voice ideas and work together to create opportunities that could positively impact our school and community.

This year, our Peer Leadership Program will focus on organizing and establishing service activities to help strengthen connections within FHT. We will also look for ways to connect with our greater SB Community. Each student accepted as a FHT Peer Leader will be invited to participate in all Peer Leadership service opportunities and activities throughout the year. We ask Peer Leaders to commit to our bi-weekly morning meetings, and to participate in additional service activities as much as possible.

The First S.O.A.R. BLACKOUT DAY IS THURSDAY NOVEMBER 13th!! S.O.A.R. stands for "Students Organized Against Racism" and please show your support for ending racism and denouncing prejudice, denouncing antisemitism, and to honor victims of racial violence—THANK YOU FOR WEARING BLACK TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!"

"Attention Students, SOAR will meet after school Thursday November 13 to plan Student Activities, AND make posters, AND plan our next Conference Opportunity. Please attend if you are planning on participating in these activities and attending a conference. ALL STUDENTS ARE WELCOME and Pizza and snacks are provided—see you there. Please check in with Mr. Russell if you are not able to attend

FY2027 Budget Development Update
SBSD has begun developing the budget for the 2026–2027 school year (Fiscal Year 2027). Families, staff, and community members are encouraged to get involved and share input on district priorities. Review key dates and engagement opportunities on the FY27 Budget Information page

The Student Council is sponsoring a spirit week next week!!!

The days for the spirit week are:

2025-2026 Winter Sports Registration is now OPEN! Please visit the athletics website to register. FHTMS will offer the following sports this winter: Nordic Skiing (Grades 6,7, & 8), Cheer (Grades 6, 7, & 8), Gymnastics (Grades 6, 7, & 8), Boys Basketball (Grades 7 & 8) and Girls Basketball (Grades 7 & 8). Please see Mr. Button with any questions.

2025-2026 Winter Sports Registration is now OPEN! Please visit the athletics website to register. FHTMS will offer the following sports this winter: Nordic Skiing (Grades 6,7, & 8), Cheer (Grades 6, 7, & 8), Gymnastics (Grades 6, 7, & 8), Boys Basketball (Grades 7 & 8) and Girls Basketball (Grades 7 & 8). Please see Mr. Button with any questions.

Boys Basketball will have Open Gym on Tuesday and Thursday. 7th grade open gym is from 5:15-6:30 and 8th grade open gym is from 6:30-7:45. Tryouts for boys basketball will begin during the week of November 17th.

Girls Basketball tryouts will begin this week. 8th grade tryouts will be on Tuesday, November 11th from 3:45-5:00. 7th grade tryouts will be on Thursday, November 13th from 3:45-5:00. Please see Mr. Wolf with any questions.

There will be an informational meeting for parents and athletes interested in the Nordic Ski Team on Wednesday, November 12th. The meeting will be in the FHT library at 5:00pm. Please contact coach Coreen Woodbury (coreenwoodbury@gmail.com) with any questions.

Cheer and Gymnastics will begin during the week of December 1st. Coaches will be sending out information to all registered athletes.

Art Club meets Thursday Nov. 6th. If you plan to attend, you MUST sign up in advance with Mrs. Treston

Bolton Ski and Ride is on! There will be 2 sessions; trips will be on Tuesdays. Session 1 begins January 6th, Session 2 will begin in February. Bolton Ski and Ride registration will begin at a parent and participant meeting on November 20th. More information will be given as soon as details are set.

Lego First Robotics Club. Thank you for registering, this session is full. Lego robotics is held every Wednesday and Thursday that school is in session from 3:30–5:00 PM. For any questions, please contact balmassalkhi@sbschools.net

Peer Leadership will be starting soon! If you are someone who likes to work with others to plan and participate in activities that serve our FHT and SB Communities, we welcome you to apply to become a Peer Leader. 🙂

Some of the activities we organized last year include a recognition week for our wonderful FHT Cafeteria and Recess Monitors, school-wide drives for the SB Food Shelf and Champlain Place, and we partnered with the Children's Hospital to help support kids undergoing treatment. If you are interested in learning more and joining Peer Leadership, please see Ms. Brassord or Ms. Amblo for an application.

Applications are due by Monday, November 17th.

Student Council is every Tuesday at 8:00am in room 257 (Ms. Meisenzahl room)

• Sign up for Family Schoology access

• Complete Family Guide to Schoology
• Family Schoology Login page
• Student Schoology Login page