Fair Haven Union Middle School

Good Morning FHUMS Families,

When students are little, they are often excited about their school day, bubbling over when they come home and wanting to share every detail. As they grow older, this changes. And by the time students hit Middle School it can be tough to get more than a "Fine," "Ugh" or eye roll in response to the question, "How was your day?"

In addition, this is an age where the one thing that went wrong is quick to overshadow the 10 things that went right. We must listen closely to what our children tell us and hear what they say and what they don't say. Their silences and the things they don't talk about can mean as much as what they say and do talk about. (Maybe this is one of the many reasons that parenting is the hardest job there is?!)

This is also a prime time in life to help students learn to consider different perspectives, find joy in the small things and grow an ability to see the positive and remain hopeful even in the face of the challenges that come with adolescence. Helping our children navigate different spaces and different personalities is a lifelong skill that will serve them well in many environments.

Sometimes the step to learning more is asking different questions, questions that elicit a little more information.

Here are some to try:

What was the best thing that happened at school today?

What was the hardest part of your day?

Tell me something that made you laugh today.

Do you have assigned seats in your classes?

Whom would you like to sit by? Why?

Whom would you rather not sit by? Why?

If I called your teachers tonight, what would they tell me about you?

How did you help somebody today?

How did somebody help you today?

Tell me one thing you learned today.

When were you the happiest today?

What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?

What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?

Who is the kindest classmate?

Who is the funniest person in your class? Why are they the funniest person?

What is lunch like?

In addition to these questions, there is information below about the first unit in each of the core subjects as well as Design and PE. Knowing what your child is studying can also help you ask more specific questions which will generate more dialogue!

September 23-27 is Slaterbration. See the poster below for Spirit Week dress-up days. There is a homecoming dance on 9/28 that is for grades 9-12 only. The Middle School PTO is hosting a Middle School dance on the following Saturday, October 5th. That will be for our FHUMS 7th and 8th-grade students. See flyer below.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Jennefer Paquette

FHUMHS Co-Principal

7th Grade Math - Ryan Csizmesia - Essential Review (3 weeks) - We spend the first three weeks reviewing essential skills that are foundational for success for the rest of the year. Skills such as multiplying and dividing fractions and decimals, converting decimals to fractions and vice versa.

There are various formative assessments such as class practice and participation and homework. There will be two summative assessments; one halfway through the unit and one at the end.

7th Grade ELA - Justin Merrill - Surviving ELA: Exploring the Elements of ELA by Examining the Most Important Characteristics of a Survivor (3 months) - The first ELA unit in 7th grade focuses on the article, "Miraculous Survivors," which explores individuals who, against all odds, have survived dangerous situations. Students discover that these survivors share key personality traits that help them overcome life-threatening challenges. Throughout the unit, students will identify these traits by analyzing our classroom novel, Touching Spirit Bear, as well as various texts and survival documentaries. They will then use this evidence to write a multi-source essay answering the question, "What are the most important traits of a survivor?" As students explore these traits, they will realize that they are not only critical for surviving extreme circumstances, but also essential for living a healthy and fulfilling life. Students will write three short essays. They will then write a final essay that synthesizes the information from the previous essay with evidence from the novel. The final product will be a multi-source essay explaining which personality traits are most essential for survival.

7th Grade Science - Will DiFrancesco - The Scientific Method (1.25 months) - This unit is an introduction to the Scientific Method. Some key words and concepts include: Hypothesis, Variable,
Control Group, Experiemtal Group, Observation and Inference. There will be labs, quizzes and a test.

7th Grade Social Studies - Archie Clark - An Introduction to our Democratic Republic (3 weeks) - Students will learn how laws are created in the United States and use this knowledge to form their own congress and create laws around the setup of their learning space. There will be both formative and summative assessments including quizzes, group project, self assessments and simulations.

8th Grade Math - Kevin Eddy - The Algebra of 1 Variable (3 weeks) - This contains a review of 7th grade material, integers, order of operations, distributive property, combining like terms, and solving equations. Students will have Mid and End of Unit Assessments.

8th Grade ELA - Karen Muhlig - What Good Readers Do While They Are Reading (2-3 weeks) The goal of this unit it to improve reading comprehension. Good readers use lots of thinking strategies to help themselves make sense of the text. "We're going to become better readers by imitating what good readers do." I have been creating this unit based on the book I Read It, But I Don't Get It by one of my favorite educational authors, Cris Tovani. Assessments will include double-entry diaries, comprehension constructors, and coding sheets.

8th Grade Science - Madison Alderman - Scientific Method and Measurements Review (3-4 weeks) We are reviewing the purpose, steps, and vocab of the scientific method using Mythbuster examples and a Bottle-Flipping Lab experiment. We will also be tying in reviewing uits of measurement and practicing correct measuring techniques and lab safety. Assessments will involve videos with related questions as well as lab work, a poster, and a quiz.

8th Grade Social Studies - Helen Alexander - Maps and Geography of the World (3 weeks) It is important for students to understand the world and its continents. Ancient Civilizations which will be studied soon involve the contnents of Asia, Europe, and Africa. It is important to understand where these locations are in relation to North America. It is also an introductory unit that allows me opportunities to build relationships with students while getting to know them. Assessment of learning will be through class interactions and discussions as well as formatives and summatives.

Design - Jeremy VanDerKern - Solar S'More Oven Unit (10 class days) - Students are exploring solar energy, heat transfer, and sustainable design concepts while enjoying warm fall days and getting to know their classmates in our first Design Unit. Students complete small daily formative assessments in class that will help them build their own solar oven. The solar oven is the summative project. When the unit ends, students reflect on the process and submit a portfolio of their work. They have the opportunity to revise their work and complete enrichment assignments to earn as possible 4/4 on this unit.

Physical Education (PE) - Jason McKeen - Team Building Unit (2-3 weeks) - Students will begin MS Physical Education with a 2-3 week Team Building Unit. Ice breakers, Get-to-Know You, Small Group initiatives, and whole class activities and games like Kickball and Capture the Flag will be part of this unit. Students will participate and create a safe, caring, and positive learning community as we embark the new school year. Assessment will be through informal and formal teacher/student dialogue, participation, engagement, and small and large group activities.

The rafting trip started years ago (15 +/-) at FHGS as a middle school team-building activity. It weathered the transition to a district middle school and after reflection and input from students and staff last year, we decided to keep it, but only for the new 7th grade students as a way to 'kick off' middle school. This year, we had a beautiful, sunny, unseasonably warm day and a wonderful trip! Students reflected on what it means to be part of a team and how pulling together and rowing in the same direction can help us reach our goals faster than if we go it alone, especially in rough waters.

Our first eligibility check is right around the corner - October 4th. Be sure to check PowerSchool as well as encourage your child to check PowerSchool to stay up to date on student performance. More detailed information about Eligibility for extra-curricular activities can be found in the handbook linked below on pages 7 & 8. If you think your child needs extra time after school to do work, they can stay for Academic Success from 3:20-4:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This is not tutoring or instruction. It is a space with adult supervision for students to be and do work.

Our Middle School PTO is off to a great start this school year. We are excited to welcome the new school year by inviting participation in decorating a middle school hallway for Slaterbration this Sunday, September 22 at 3 pm. Students with adult supervision are welcome to come this Sunday, September 22nd at 3pm to help decorate the middle school hallway. We hope to see you there!

We are also still collecting our Opt Out fundraiser, if you would like to contribute please have your child drop off your donation to the middle school front office.

Lastly, the PTO will be hosting a dance for FHU Middle School students on October 5th from 6-8 pm in the FHUMHS High School gym.

Join us on Facebook or at our next meeting! Thank you all for supporting our Slater Middle School Students! If you have any questions about the Middle School PTO, or their events, please reach out to the individuals listed below.

NEXT MEETING IS October 17TH!

Officers:

President: Kim Lemois, berlyJay06@comcast.net

Vice President: Ashley Bruce, Abruce86@icloud.com

Treasurer: Nicole Rice, nicole.rice1515@gmail.com

Secretary: Amanda Crowningshield, galvin1110@yahoo.com

Participate virtually through this link: FHMS Monthly Meeting Link

If you are simply replacing photos you already purchased for whatever reason, you do not need to do anything online. You just need to return the original photo packet to the photographers the day of retakes. The photographers will keep the original photos, take new ones of the student, and send us the replacement package when ready.

However, it you are trying to order anything from retake day that you didn't already purchase on the original photo day. (ie. the student wasn't here yet, and they did not have their photos taken September 6th), then you will need this online code: EVTNFVXN7

Be sure to add the Slate Valley App to your phone if you haven't already. It is a great tool to help you stay informed about what is going on in our district and various schools as well as extracurricular events!

The 2024-2025 Sports Registration (on Formreleaf.com) is open for the Fall 2024, the Winter 2024-2025 and the Spring 2025 athletics for grades 7-12.

Please be aware that all athletes MUST have an UP TO DATE Physical form on file. Slate Valley School District recommends a yearly check up, but the VPA rules are every two years.