FEBRUARY
2/24-2/25 ALL COUNTY HONORS BAND
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
2/24 Basket ball tournament - FMS boys play
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 EMAIL FOR YOUR 6TH GRADER?
The next 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
FROM THE EARLY COLLEGE RECRUITMENT TEAM:
Thank you so much for having us at Franklinton Middle School! We really appreciate the opportunity for our recruitment team to speak to your students. All of the staff we met were accommodating and welcoming to our team. Every student was very polite and well-mannered and we were asked a lot of great questions! It was truly a joy to be there, and we hope the rest of your year goes well.
RISING 6TH GRADE REGISTRATION
- February 26th: 5th grade students from Long Mill ES and Franklinton ES will visit FMS.
- March 5th staff will go to FES and LOMES in the morning to assist with registering all 5th grade students for next year.
RISING 7TH & 8TH GRADE REGISTRATION
On March 6th: grade 6 & 7 students will register for grade 7 & 8 during their science classes.
PARENT INFORMATION
Help your child to be prepared for registration:
Grade 7 MS Registration Guide
MATH with MS. JENKINS:
Hello Ram Families! February has been an interesting month, but we made it through the first few weeks of the 3rd quarter and we are looking forward to an exciting month of math in March. Our students have been busy preparing and taking the second round of NC Check-In benchmarks. I will be conducting data talks with students this week. Students will analyze their progress and set goals for the next few months. We are currently working on Unit 5, Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities. Students are focused on learning the fundamentals of algebra and recognizing new vocabulary. During this unit, students will learn how to solve multi-step equations and inequalities. Students will solve real-world problems presented with rational numbers in algebraic expressions. Grade alert forms will be sent out at the end of this week. If you do not get email correspondence concerning your student’s grades, it means that they are in good standing in all classes. Encourage your student to complete all assignments given in class and review the new topics each day.
Things to remember:
~Class attendance is important. Remember to turn in make-up work if you are absent.
~Remember the school and classroom rules. (Exhibit responsible behavior at all times)
~Bring your materials (Chromebooks(charged), notebooks, and pencils) to class daily.
~Take good notes and review what you have learned daily.
~Get a good night's rest and come to class prepared to work.
~Believe in yourself, you can do it!
Our students are working hard to master these concepts. Keep up the good work. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at litishajenkins@fcschools.net.
SOCIAL STUDIES with MR. JONES:
Hello Parents and Guardians!
We are continuing our lessons of imperialism and beginning the conversation of American imperialism. This will be done with discussing the Spanish American War as well as the Philippine-American War. This will be done to show how the United States acquired its colonies and protectorates throughout the world going into the 20th century. It also helps set the stage for our lessons about World War 1.
Students have their first of two Q3 projects due this Friday 2/28. They were randomly assigned Latin American countries and had to come up with ten facts about that nation’s independence as well as some images that relate to that county. Once all projects are turned in, students will do a gallery walk to assess each other's work as well as learn about the other countries of Central and South America.
Please remind your students of the everyday expectations like bringing their chromebooks and chargers as well as adhering to the nonnegotiables. Thank you for your continued support and if you have any questions or concerns please contact me at hunterjones@fcschools.net
SCIENCE with MS. BRACKETT:
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Over the next two weeks in science class, we will be diving into our Energy Unit, exploring how energy moves, transforms, and contributes to mechanical systems. Using hands-on investigations and engaging activities, students will develop a deeper understanding of key energy concepts outlined in the NC Science Standards.
Throughout this unit, students will:
Explore Kinetic & Potential Energy – They will construct explanations about how these forms of energy contribute to an object’s overall mechanical energy.
Investigate Energy Transformations – Using models like roller coasters, pendulums, and ramps, students will analyze how energy shifts between potential and kinetic forms.
Study Energy Transfer – Through experiments, they will observe how energy moves between objects when forces like pushes and pulls are applied.
Analyze Simple Machines – By comparing the efficiency of inclined planes, pulleys, levers, and wheels & axles, students will determine their advantages in performing work.
Our goal is to make these concepts come alive with interactive learning and real-world applications. Ask your child about what they’re discovering in class—it’s a great way to reinforce their learning!
If you have any questions or would like to support our learning activities, feel free to reach out.
Thank you for your support!
Best regards,
Ms. Brackett
sherrybrackett@fcschools.net
ELA with MS. BAECHLE:
Good afternoon students and families as we approach March and the middle of Q3. Please be sure to check that your student is checking Powerschool and Canvas regularly for missing assignments and that they are completed within one week. It is key that we maintain student accountability for their work and to ensure they are following the non-negotiables daily.
Grade Alert forms will be emailed home by the end of the week to update families if their students needs to make up assignments in order to pass their class. Please be on the lookout for those by Friday afternoon, 2/28.
We are currently in Unit five of HMH “More than a Game,” where students are analyzing the affects of teamwork and goal setting. We are also beginning our annual Pro-Bowl, where every two weeks we will be focusing on specific skills to prepare for bi- weekly assessments, as well as the third Check in in March. The next two we will be diving deeper into: test-taking strategies, utilizing the T- Chart method with unknown vocabulary and gist per paragraph, and error analysis among multiple
choice questions and how to use textual evidence to support their answers.
Students are also currently working on a group project that will be due within the next couple of weeks. With inclement weather and remote learning days, that due date will likely be moved to the second week in March to allow for full completion. Students are to complete the majority of their
work at home and should be working on identifying reliable sources, completing their selected Google slides, and a one page argument on the topic of if, “Space exploration should be continued or not, “ which was decided upon in their group as their claim.
Thank you again for your continued support and please do not
hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns at:
SCIENCE with MS. DOWNUM:
Upcoming Units
We have taken a brief pause from our usual units to provide students with a quick brain break through March Mammal Madness, vocabulary enhancement, and a focus on SEL. Our next unit, "From Molecules to Organisms," will delve into the topic of diseases and will be the first of three life science units. These lessons will prepare students for the next and final check-in.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) - Stress Management Unit
During our remote learning time, we focused on Social Emotional Learning, specifically on Stress Management. Today, the students will conclude this unit by creating their own stress management plans. These personalized plans will equip them with strategies to cope with stress when it arises, fostering resilience and emotional awareness.
March Mammal Madness
March Mammal Madness has begun! This fun tournament features imitation battles between various organisms, including plants. We have reviewed last year's battles and will wrap that up this week while starting this year's bracket. Each student will fill out their bracket to determine their champion for the year. The student with the most accurate bracket will receive a trophy created by me, with each core class having its own trophy. I am excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm from our students as we tie this into our standards on animal adaptations!
Check-In Data Success
I am incredibly proud of our students for their hard work reflected in our recent check-in data. We discussed how we exceeded our original goal, coming close to completely crushing it! We analyzed the data colors: green for scores between 66-100, yellow for 40-65, and red for 0-39. Our green scores showed remarkable effort, and we encouraged those in red and yellow to make a strong push so we can reach our goals together.
Vocabulary Development
Next, we will shift our focus to vocabulary development, specifically on how to break down root words to determine the meaning of unknown words. This skill is essential, especially in science, where vocabulary is abundant. Understanding root words will greatly benefit our students in check-ins and the upcoming EOG assessments.
As a reminder, the EOG encompasses all three science disciplines we’ve studied this year: Matter, Earth Science, and Life Science. Thank you for your continued support in our learning journey!
SOCIAL STUDIES with MR. DOWNUM:
We are now about halfway through the third nine weeks. Please make sure everyone is checking Powerschool and doing any work that is a 0 and is still open to do. In class we are starting work on The Civil War/Reconstruction. We will be working on this for some time.
MATH with MS. CUNNINGHAM:
Can you believe that we are already in the last week of February? Where is the time going? We are in full swing preparing for the final 8th grade units, NC Check-ins, as well as EOGs. It is so imperative that all students are focused during instruction and asking questions to help their understanding. Everything they have learned will be on their EOG in some form or another.
Grade alert forms for the third quarter will be sent home by Friday of this week- please be on the lookout for that. If your student is in danger of failing one or more classes this quarter, you will be receiving a grade alert form to the email address that we have on file to make you aware of which class(es) and the reason for the failing grade(s). Please be sure to speak to your son/daughter about his/her grades and to get in any make-up work that is still able to be turned in to help raise those grades.
Finally being back in the building from the snow, students were able to take the Unit 2B final assessment today. We did begin our Unit 3A unit on Functional Reasoning/Systems, where students will be 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.
Please Review Grade 8 Student FMS Non-Negotiables With Your Child:
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:
I have NC Check-in #2 scores back and will be meeting individually with each student and having each one set a goal for the 3rd check-in, which will be in April.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions michellecunningham@fcschools.net
ELA with MS. FROST:
HMH Curriculum: Finalizing Unit Four Titled, “The Fight for Freedom”
Due to weather and remote learning, I am extending Unit Four through the week of February 24th to the 28th.
Please Note: Remote Learning was overall successful with high student attendance. I greatly appreciate all your support with helping your child be present and engaged. Please check PowerSchool for updated grades. There are significant gaps in completion of work that have greatly impacted your child’s grade point average. Grade alert forms will be sent to you this week if your child is failing one or more core classes. The protocol for submission of late work remains the same.
Student Protocol For Submitting Late 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.
Texts:
“Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad” (Completed)
“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!
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:
This week we will be starting our lesson on the Elements of Photography and the Rules of Composition.
Students will be able to discuss the elements that help create a successful photograph.
Students will participate in a photo scavenger hunt seeking out elements of photography.
Students will be able to discuss the rules of composition.
Students will participate in a photo scavenger hunt seeking out the rules of composition.
