End of Year FMS Family Newsletter
June 10th, 2026
Dear Falcon Families,
As we close out another incredible year at Faribault Middle School, we want to take a moment to reflect on just how much we have accomplished together. This year has been filled with growth, laughter, challenges, celebrations, and countless moments that remind us why middle school is such an important and special time in a student's life.
First and foremost, thank you. Thank you to our students for continuing to show up, learn, grow, and navigate the challenges that come with being a middle schooler. Thank you to our families for your continued partnership, support, and trust. And thank you to our staff for the countless hours, conversations, lessons, interventions, celebrations, and relationships built each and every day.
One of the things we are most proud of this year is the continued positive change in the culture at Faribault Middle School. Over the past few years, we have worked intentionally to create a school environment where students understand what it means to be a Falcon and how our SOAR expectations guide our actions:
Safe
On Task
Accountable
Respect
Middle school students are unique. They are figuring out who they are, testing boundaries, learning independence, and sometimes making decisions before fully thinking through the consequences. That is part of growing up. Our job as educators and families is to guide them, support them, and help them learn from those moments.
This year, we saw tremendous progress. In fact, student behaviors were the strongest they have been in the four years Dr. Fox and I have been serving in our roles. That does not mean we are finished, there is still work to do. But it does mean the effort, consistency, and commitment of our students and staff are making a difference. We are building a culture where students know what is expected, understand the importance of their choices, and recognize that they are valued members of our school community.
Because of this progress, we are now able to continue shifting our focus toward another important goal: academic growth.
And once again, we are seeing encouraging signs.
A few years ago, we recognized that too many students were struggling to reach the expectations needed to celebrate their 8th grade journey. Three years ago, nearly 60 students were not able to participate in our 8th Grade Graduation Celebration due to academic, attendance, or behavior criteria. This year, that number dropped to 19 students.
While we know that 19 is still not where we want to be, we are incredibly proud of the progress. We are doing the work. We are having the conversations. We are providing support. We are holding students accountable while also reminding them that they are capable of more. Every student deserves the opportunity to experience success, and we will continue working toward the day when every Falcon can celebrate that milestone.
This year was about so much more than numbers. It was about experiences. It was about students finding their confidence, trying something new, making connections, and discovering their strengths. It was about performances, athletics, activities, classrooms full of creativity, field trips, friendships, and the everyday moments that make Faribault Middle School a special place.
It was about teachers who stayed after school to help a student understand a difficult concept. It was about staff members stepping in when a student needed encouragement. It was about students cheering each other on, taking pride in their accomplishments, and learning what it means to be part of a community.
We laughed a lot this year. We learned a lot this year. We grew a lot this year!
As we look ahead to next year, we know we still have ambitious goals. We will continue focusing on academic achievement, supporting student growth, strengthening relationships, and creating an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and heard.
The work continues because our students deserve our best.
Thank you for trusting us with your children. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of their middle school journey. We are proud of our Falcons and excited for what the future holds.
Have a safe, relaxing, and wonderful summer. We hope your family enjoys time together, creates memories, and returns ready for another great year at Faribault Middle School.
Sincerely,
Your FMS Admin Team
One of the highlights of our school year was celebrating the accomplishments of our 8th grade students during the Faribault Middle School Graduation Ceremony. Families, friends, and staff gathered to recognize the hard work, growth, and perseverance of our students as they concluded their middle school journey and prepared to begin high school as the Faribault High School Class of 2030.
The ceremony included the presentation of Gold and Silver Academic Cords, recognizing students who demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. We also honored students for their leadership, service, citizenship, and involvement through awards recognizing PGC leaders, Student Council members, Falcons for Change participants, Student Service Person of the Year, Students of the Month, Music Students of the Year, Theater Students of the Year, and Student Athletes of the Year. Throughout the ceremony, we celebrated students who not only excelled academically but also made meaningful contributions to our school community through leadership, service, creativity, and character.
The event concluded with heartfelt reflections from student speakers, a special commemorative video, and our traditional Farewell Walk as graduates crossed the stage one final time as Faribault Middle School students. It was a wonderful celebration of a class that has grown tremendously during their time at FMS. We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and look forward to watching them continue to learn, lead, and succeed in the years ahead.
Faribault Middle School is proud to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our Student Athlete of the Year nominees. These students have demonstrated excellence not only in athletics, but also in the classroom and throughout our school community. Their commitment, leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication serve as an example for their peers and embody what it means to be a Falcon.
This year's nominees included Surprise Sonpon, Keisha Cerrillo Reyes, Claire Kreager, Divinia Williams, Ruth Coulter, Luke Drewitz, Liam Petersen, Liam Bliss, and Owen VanDerVeen. Each of these students has displayed exceptional skill, perseverance, and character while balancing the demands of academics and athletics. Their passion for competition, commitment to their teammates, and willingness to represent Falcon Middle School with pride have earned the admiration of coaches, teachers, classmates, and families alike.
We are especially proud to recognize Owen VanDerVeen and Divinia Williams as our 2025-26 Male and Female Student Athletes of the Year. Congratulations to all of our nominees and award recipients for their remarkable achievements and for the positive impact they have made on our school community.
One of the most anticipated days at Faribault Middle School is our SOAR Celebration Day, a special opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many accomplishments of our students. Throughout the year, students work hard to demonstrate our SOAR expectations—Safe, On task, Accountable, and Respectful—and Celebration Day provides us with a chance to honor those efforts.
During our most recent SOAR Celebration, students were recognized for a variety of achievements, including academic growth, positive behavior, leadership, attendance, and contributions to our school community. We also took time to celebrate our Students of the Month, whose dedication, perseverance, character, and positive influence have made a lasting impact on their classmates and teachers.
SOAR Celebration Days are about much more than awards. They provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their growth, recognize the accomplishments of their peers, and take pride in the positive choices they make every day. Whether a student was recognized for academic achievement, demonstrating kindness, showing leadership, improving attendance, or simply making consistent positive contributions to the school environment, each success story helps strengthen the culture of FMS
This year, we have seen tremendous growth among our students. More students are meeting expectations, taking ownership of their actions, supporting one another, and striving for excellence both inside and outside the classroom. These celebrations remind us that success comes in many forms and that every positive step forward deserves recognition.
As our school culture continues to grow stronger, SOAR Celebration Days serve as an important reminder of what is possible when students are supported, encouraged, and recognized for their efforts. We are incredibly proud of our Falcons and look forward to continuing this tradition of celebrating student success in the years ahead.
Congratulations to all of our students who were recognized this year. Your hard work, determination, and commitment to the SOAR values are helping make Falcon Middle School a place where everyone can learn, grow, and succeed.
👉 Click on the slide below to see more highlights from the day!
Field trips are an important part of the middle school experience at FMS. They provide students with opportunities to connect classroom learning to real-world experiences, build relationships with their peers and teachers, and create lasting memories.
This year, our 6th grade students traveled to the Minnesota State Capitol and History Center, where they explored our state's government and rich history firsthand. Our 7th graders celebrated a successful school year with a trip to the movies before spending time outdoors with classmates on the final day of school. Meanwhile, our 8th grade students marked the culmination of their middle school journey with a day at the Faribault Aquatic Center, enjoying time together before graduation festivities.
These experiences help strengthen our school community and remind students that learning, growth, and celebration happen both inside and outside the classroom.
As we reflect on another outstanding school year, we would be remiss if we did not recognize the incredible accomplishments of our Faribault Middle School music students and directors. Throughout the year, our band, choir, and orchestra students showcased not only their musical talents, but also their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.
From the first performance of the year to the final note played this spring, our music department consistently impressed audiences with performances that reflected countless hours of practice and preparation. Our band students concluded the year with their annual Concert in the Park, providing families and community members with a wonderful evening of music and celebration. Our choir students proudly represented Faribault Middle School at numerous community and state events throughout the year, sharing their talents and serving as outstanding ambassadors for our school. Meanwhile, our orchestra program continued to thrive, filling every seat in the house during performances and captivating audiences with their exceptional musicianship.
While the final concerts were certainly a highlight, the truth is that every performance throughout the year was something special. Whether performing on stage, in the community, or representing our school at special events, our student musicians demonstrated confidence, teamwork, discipline, and pride.
A special thank you goes to our music staff for their passion, expertise, and commitment to helping students discover and develop their talents. The success of our music programs is a direct reflection of the relationships they build and the high expectations they set for our students.
Congratulations to all of our musicians on an incredible year. You have brought joy, pride, and inspiration to our school and community, and we look forward to seeing what you accomplish in the years ahead.
As we conclude another school year, we want to extend our sincere appreciation to our students, families, coaches, advisors, and staff who helped make this year's activities and athletic programs such a wonderful success.
A special thank you goes to Mr. Staloch for his leadership, organization, and dedication to providing meaningful opportunities for our students throughout the year. His commitment to creating positive experiences for students has helped make Falcon Middle School a place where every student can find a way to connect, contribute, and grow.
Participation in athletics and extracurricular activities remains one of the most powerful ways students become engaged in their school community. Whether competing on the court, field, track, stage, or participating in one of our many clubs and organizations, students learn valuable life skills including teamwork, perseverance, responsibility, communication, leadership, and resilience. Research consistently shows that students who are involved in school activities are more likely to feel connected to their school, build positive relationships, achieve academic success, and develop confidence that extends far beyond middle school.
This year, our Falcons represented our school with pride, sportsmanship, and determination. We celebrated victories, learned from challenges, and watched students grow not only as athletes and participants, but as young people. The friendships formed, lessons learned, and memories created through these experiences will remain with our students long after their middle school years have ended.
As we look ahead to next year, we encourage every student to find a way to get involved. Whether trying a new sport, joining a club, participating in music or theater, or exploring another activity, there is truly something for everyone at Falcon Middle School. Some of the most rewarding middle school experiences begin with simply taking a chance and getting involved.
Thank you again to everyone who helped make this such a memorable year. We are proud of our Falcons and look forward to another outstanding year of activities, athletics, and student success in 2026-27!
Faribault Middle School would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Peer Group Leaders, Student Council members, Falcons for Change students, and the dedicated staff members who advise and support these outstanding groups.
Throughout the year, these students have demonstrated leadership, service, compassion, and a commitment to making our school and community a better place. Whether welcoming new students, organizing events, promoting school spirit, serving others, or being positive role models for their peers, their efforts have made a lasting impact on the culture of Faribault Middle School.
We are incredibly grateful for the time, energy, and passion they bring to our school each day. Thank you for helping our Falcons SOAR!
Registration is now open for all students to register for Summer STEAM! We would like to encourage families to register using the digital registration form as much as possible. If a student or family needs a paper copy, please let us know and we will get one to you. As conferences are approaching, please consider sharing this great opportunity with families!
Who: Faribault Public Schools students entering Grade 1 to Grade 8 for the 2026-2027 school year
What: STEAM will be a six-week camp oriented summer program focused on developing students’ skills in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. All programming is offered at no-cost and includes breakfast and lunch.
When: June 22 - July 30, 2026
Monday – Thursday
8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Grades 1 – 4 at Lincoln Elementary
Grades 5 – 8 at Faribault High School
Questions? Please connect with your building's Community School Coordinator for help!
August 13th 6th Grade Open Building 4pm
August 14th Open Building for 6th, 7th, and 8th 8am
August 27th Meet & Greet
September 16th WINtime (1st Period)
September 23rd WINtime (2nd Period
September 25th Falcon Day - No School, Teacher Professional Development Day
October 2nd SOAR Day
October 2nd Homecoming
October 13th SOAR Celebration Night
October 14th Falcon Day - No School, Teacher Professional Development Day
October 14-16th No School MEA Break
October 21st WINtime (3rd Period)
October 28th WINtime (4th Period)
November 12th PM Conferences
November 13th AM Conferences
November 18th (6th Period)
November 20th Falcon Day - No School, Teacher Professional Development Day
Website: https://fms.faribault.k12.mn.us/
Location: 704 17th Street Southwest, Faribault, MN, USA
Phone: 507-333-6300
Facebook: facebook.com/fms.faribault.k12.mn.us