The Roar Report

Tomorrow is an odd day for staff and students.

What an amazing first week at FGMS! The energy in our building has been incredible, students are already diving into learning, building connections, and setting the tone for a year of growth.

From hands-on challenges that pushed students to think critically, collaborate, and revise their designs, to math lessons where students confidently modeled their teacher’s example and worked through problems together, learning has been alive in every classroom. These moments show us that teaching and learning go far beyond the textbook; they spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

We’re also inspired by the wisdom passed down from last year’s 8th graders, who shared advice “from students, for students.” Their words remind us that each class leaves a legacy to guide those who follow.

It’s clear: our students are not just starting the year strong, they’re already building momentum that will carry them forward. We can’t wait to see where this journey takes them!

Last year, our 8th graders were asked to share words of advice for the students coming after them—and what they left behind was powerful. From encouragement to stay focused, to reminders to be kind, to the courage to try new things, their voices carried wisdom beyond their years. This year’s students get to walk the halls guided not just by teachers and staff, but by the footsteps and advice of those who came before them.

Our students are off to a fantastic start this week! They had the opportunity to showcase their math skills by modeling the very strategies their teacher demonstrated. After watching the teacher example, students jumped right in—working through problems, explaining their thinking, and showing just how powerful learning can be when you put it into practice. The energy, focus, and confidence in the classroom set the tone for a year full of growth!

This week, our students took on a hands-on challenge that blended problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork. With only limited supplies, they were tasked with designing a structure to see how far they could make it travel across the floor. What made this activity powerful wasn’t just the fun—it was the learning. Students had to think critically, test their ideas, revise their designs, and collaborate with peers. Activities like this remind us that teaching and learning go far beyond the textbook—they spark curiosity, build resilience, and show students that every challenge is an opportunity to grow.

Interested in Trying Out for a Sport? Complete the form below to get more information about tryouts. You must use your child's SPS email/ log in information

Tryouts will start on Wednesday, September 3 from 2:30 to 4:30. Families must be on time to pick up their child from practice.

Any student who wants to try out for a Middle School or High School sport must meet the following requirements:

• Have a completed and active VHSL physical form on file (link below)
• Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA

Fall season includes the following sports:

• Boys Basketball
• Girls Basketball
• Boys Soccer
• Girls Soccer
• Cheerleading

Forest Glen Middle School is proud to announce that we are a 2024-2025 National Beta School of Distinction. The school earned this recognition by increasing their club’s membership by at least 10% from last year.

National Beta School of Distinction is an honor for Beta clubs striving towards academic achievement, exemplary character, demonstrated leadership and service to others. With an ongoing quest to instill these qualities in more students, the National Beta School of Distinction Award is designed to reward those schools that show an increase in membership for the current school year. This year, only 2,946 Beta Clubs across the country received this award.

In a congratulatory letter to the school, Bobby Hart, CEO said “This national award speaks highly of your commitment to academic excellence and illustrates your dedication to preparing students for their future.”

If you would like to request an elective change, please complete the Goggle Form below. You must use your child's SPS email/ log in information. Please note: requests are not guaranteed, however, we will do our best to honor requests when possible. Our school counselors will start processing these requests by the end of the 2nd week of school. Students need to report to the class on their schedule until otherwise directed.

Parent drop-off is from 7:00–7:20 a.m. Students should enter through the main entrance. A Breakfast Station will be set up in the main lobby—grab something on your way to class if you’re hungry. To keep traffic moving smoothly, please continue in one direction down the hallways. Advisory will be the first block of the day.

Middle School dismisses at 2:00 p.m. Students will be escorted to either the Parent Pick-Up Location or the Bus Ramp.

Car riders will go to the cafeteria at dismissal and will be called when it’s time to be picked up. Exit routes will vary depending on a student’s last class of the day, and administration will dismiss classes in a staggered manner to keep things running smoothly.

Bus riders will head directly to their bus. Staff will be available to help students locate their assigned bus. Buses will park in the same spot each day for consistency.

The 2025-26 Student Handbook is now available!
Click the link below to review it with your child and stay informed about our school’s expectations and guidelines.

For safety reasons we are requesting only lightweight, BPA-free plastic water bottles or cups with secure lids should be brought to school. We are asking student to refrain from bringing Stanley cups and other similar metal or heavy tumblers, as they are prone to large spills and can pose a safety risk if dropped or misused. Please send students with spill-resistant, BPA-free plastic bottles.

Canned or glass bottled drinks are not permitted.

Suffolk Public Schools (SPS) is launching a division-wide Student Identification Badge Program to enhance student safety, improve bus ridership accountability, and streamline daily operations within school facilities.

The program will begin with a pilot implementation in Fall 2025 at one elementary school (SWES) and one middle school which is Forest Glen Middle School. After collecting feedback from these schools, the initiative will expand to all elementary and middle schools, with high school implementation scheduled for January 2026 (second semester).

Show off your Wildcat pride! Visit the Forest Glen Spiritwear Shop to gear up for the year. Let’s represent Forest Glen together!

Use Code SCHOOL25 to 25% off your order. Free shipping for orders over $100.

1st Day of School: Monday, August 25, 2025
Doors Open: 7:00 AM
Dismissal Begins: 2:00 PM

Every Day Counts. Every Minute Matters.
Students who attend school regularly:

• Build better habits
• Achieve more academically
• Stay connected to friends and opportunities

Start the year strong — be on time, every day. Let’s make this the best year yet, Wildcats!

Attendance Matters. Because YOU Matter.

Middle school students will be released in the Home Access Center on August 12. If you are new to Suffolk Public Schools, your child’s school will create a Home Access Center (HAC) account during registration. It might take up to 72 hours to activate. HAC accounts provide valuable information to families. A HAC account provides families with grades, email addresses, schedules, attendance, transcripts and state test scores.

• Easiest Way to Email Your Child’s Teachers: Once you are in your HAC account, clicking on the teacher’s name provides a hyperlink to start a direct-connect email. Some might need to right-click on the hyperlink to copy the address, open their email service, and then paste it into a new email address.
• If HAC has locked you out, the system will not allow access until the next day after its daily automatic refresh. After the next day, your child’s school can help you reset your password.
  
• If you need to connect more than one child to the same account, your child’s school can assist you.

1. Navigate to the Home Access Center link from the Suffolk Public Schools website or click on the HAC Parent link: https://bit.ly/34vfBPB

2. Sign in with the appropriate credentials

3. Select the Registration icon

4. Click on the Edit button beside Contacts (on the right side of the screen)

If parents want to see their students' assignments in Canvas, they will need to be set up as an observer in Canvas. Parents will go to the following website to set up a Canvas account: https://spsk12.instructure.com/login/canvas. Click on the “Parent of a Canvas User? Click Here For an Account” link at the top of the page. Open the pdf below on how to generate a pairing code.

Suffolk Public Schools is excited to announce access to a revolutionary smartphone app that helps to improve communication, school bus safety, and efficiency. The Edulog Parent Portal app provides you with planned time and location information for your child’s bus ride to school. On a daily basis, the app will show you the GPS location of the bus and send you a push notification when it is nearing your bus stop.

This app is free of charge for our parents, caregivers, and students. In addition to displaying the location of your bus and sending the notifications, you can also receive time-sensitive messages from our transportation department. You will also receive a notification when a substitute bus is running your route due to scheduled maintenance on your regular bus, for example.

The Edulog Parent Portal app integrates with our school bus routing system. School bus locations are sent from a GPS device installed on each bus, which provides up-to-date information.

September

1 - SPS Closed - Labor Day

Fall Sport Tryouts start this week

25 - Interim Q1 Reports

October

3 - No School - Parent - Teacher Conference

Volunteers who are committed to helping students succeed are important members of the school team. The Suffolk Public Schools Volunteer Connect program aims to enrich the quality of education for our students by providing opportunities for parents and community members to become actively involved - bridging the gap between school and community. Every day, students and teachers across our school division benefit from the generosity of volunteers who take the time to share their talents.

Website: Forest Glen Middle School
Location: 200 Forest Glen Dr. Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: 757-925-5780
Facebook: Forest Glen Middle School- Suffolk, VA
Twitter: TBD

Instagram: FGMSWildcats