French Middle School
November 2023
Upcoming Events
November 7th-- FAME Session 2 Starts
November 8th-- Late Work Due for first half of 2nd quarter
November 8th-- Orchestra Fall Concert @ 7pm
November 9th-- PTO @ 5:45
November 10th-- Midterms posted
November 20th-24th-- Thanksgiving Break
November 27th- December 1st-- Book Fair
A Note From the Principal
Thank you to all parents who visited with us during parent/teacher conferences. Please continue to stay in contact with classroom teachers. Report cards for quarter 1 can be found online in Synergy under the documents tab. November 10th marks midterms for the 2nd quarter. It is just a couple weeks away. Late work for the first half of the quarter is due November 8. This year we have a full week off for Thanksgiving Break, November 20-24.
Red Wheel Fundraiser Pick Up
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 7th 5-6:30pm for our fundraiser pick up. All Red Wheel items will need to be picked up at this time. We will be set up in our commons at French Middle School. Orders completed online will be shipped directly to the recipient. We look forward to seeing all of our participants.
Crystal Apple Award Recipient
Congratulations Mr. Ritter for being the November Crystal Apple Award Recipient sponsored by Majic 107.7 FM radio. Mr.Ritter will be honored on the morning show in November. He was nominated by Ms. Pulley, mother of FMS student Colton Langley. Ms. Pulley shared her appreciation and wanted to thank Mr. Ritter for his daily contributions to the lives of his students at French Middle School. Thank you Ms. Pulley for recognizing one of our many Frenchtastic teachers. Thank you to Mr. Ritter for his tireless passion & dedication for teaching ELA to our 8th graders. Public schools need more teachers like you!
FAME
Session 2 will begin Nov. 7-Dec. 7. The program runs each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday that school is in session.Students will have tutoring and time to complete work before joining an enrichment club hosted by French staff. Clubs include: swimming at the YMCA, Diamond Painting, Art in History, Technology Fun, Creative Writing and others. You can click on the link below to sign up. Spots are limited and fill up quickly!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44AEA928A4FAC43-38335165-fame#
PTO
Join us for our November PTO meeting on November 9, 2023 at 5:45pm in the commons. Each month we receive an update from our teachers on what is going on within each grade level. We also hear what plans our PTO have for school improvement projects, fundraisers and other school wide needs.
From our Counselors
French Middle School Career & Life Hacks Day “Exploring Possibilities”
“How do we expect young people to dream if they don’t know what they can dream about? Opportunities for career exploration give young people broader exposure to the working world they will one day enter. It helps them “connect the dots'' between school and career in ways that keep them motivated to graduate with the skills they will need for the future.” (www.americaspromise.org)
With that in mind, French Falcons will be participating in a career day on November 17. This year students have completed interest inventories to see what careers might match their interests and skills. We then invite speakers that match those careers. Students will spend the morning rotating through 5 different career presentations, then over lunch they will visit the 8th graders' career presentations from their Career and Life Planning class. They will finish the day rotating through some Life Hacks sessions. This is the Falcons 5th year hosting a career day for all of our students.
If you are interested in presenting please contact Ms. Ryan at jryan@tps501.org or (785) 438-5879.
El Mezcal Internship Opportunity
We are fortunate that El Mezcal is partnering with us for our 8th grade career internship program again this year. All 8th graders will learn how to write a resume, how to prepare for a job interview, and then will interview with our counselors for a chance to “work” at El Mezcal. If selected for the internship students will shadow an employee at El Mezcal and learn the skills needed to work in a restaurant. Students will gain real world work experience, learn interview skills, and learn what it takes to keep a job. Each 8th grade Advisor base will have a turn to participate in this excellent career program. If you have questions about our career program you may contact our school counselors.
What is Gratitude?
Gratitude is when you feel thankful for the good things in your life.
Benefits of Practicing Gratitude
Practicing gratitude can improve your mental health. Gratitude helps you feel more positive emotions. This can help with anxiety, depression, and stress.
Practicing gratitude can improve your physical health. Practicing gratitude may improve your sleep, your heart health, and reduce aches and pains.
Practicing gratitude can improve your relationships. When you have a more positive mindset, this can attract more people to you because you are easier to get along with and talk to. This can help your relationships feel more meaningful and connected.
Tips
Practice Gratitude by writing down three things that you are thankful for, big and small, each day.
Share with others what you are thankful for.
Write and give a note to someone who is deserving of your thankfulness.
Sports Update
Girls basketball & Boys Soccer
Girls basketball season is now underway. Games are Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the final play night on Wednesday Dec. 13th @ Highland Park High school at 6:00. All regular season games start at 3:15 and are usually over by 5:30. Games cost $2.00 to enter. Game dates can be found on our school website calendar. Students are not allowed at away games unless accompanied by a parent.
Boys Soccer is also underway and is going rather smoothly now. The game format will be a full varsity game of two 30 minute halves, followed by a 20 minute half for non varsity players. Games will be played at Hummer Sports Park(westside soccer field) and Topeka West soccer field. Admission fee of $2.00 will be charged at both sites. Game dates can be found on our school website calendar. Students are not allowed at away games unless with a parent, as well as no backpacks brought in to Hummer.
Boys Basketball
Boys Basketball will start Thursday Jan. 4th. Boy’s games are held Mondays and Thursdays, starting at 3:15 and are over by 5:30. Make sure that you have your sports physical completed before the first practice. Now is the time to make sure that assignments are getting turned in and your grades are up. Students MUST pass 5 classes in the 2nd quarter in order to play basketball in the 3rd quarter. DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!
Sportsmanship
We would like to remind spectators that French Middle School is a member school of the Kansas State High School Athletic Association (KSHSAA) and is governed by their rules. One of those rules which, we completely support is Rule 52 which states:
ALL ACTIONS are to be FOR, NOT AGAINST; POSITIVE, NOT NEGATIVE or DISRESPECTFUL
Section 1: General Regulations (apply to grades 7-12)
Art. 1: SPORTSMANSHIP is a general way of thinking and behaving. The following sportsmanship policy items are listed below for clarification:
a. Be courteous to all. (Participants, coaches, officials, staff and fans)
b. Know the rules, abide by and respect the official’s decisions.
c. Win with character and lose with dignity.
d. Display appreciation for good performance regardless of the team.
e. Exercise self-control and reflect positively upon yourself, team and school.
f. Permit only positive sportsmanlike behavior to reflect on your school or its activities.
Chromebook Tip: If the screen of the Chromebook separates from the cover, PLEASE do not try to pop it back into place. We have had a few screens break that way, and that is a $150 repair. Our technician will happily fix it for you, and if the screen is intact, there is usually no cost. Just bring the device to the media center, and we will check out a loaner device for you to use while your Chromebook is being repaired.
Guest Presentation–Surviving Hitler, Evading Stalin:
On October 31st French Library Media Center will host authors Sherye S. Green and Mildred Schindler Janzen who will present a documentary and discussion about Janzen’s life during the time that she escaped Nazi Germany and returned to Kansas, where she was born. The event was funded, in part, by the Topeka Public School Foundation Grant and was offered to 7th and 8th grade students who are interested in attending. Mr. Lamp’s classes have been reading from the book in preparation for the visit.
The Scholastic Book Fair:
Once again our library will transform into a pop up book store over our Thanksgiving break. The week that students return from break, Nov. 27- Dec. 1st, they will be able to shop at the book fair before and after school and if they have time after lunch. We can accept cash, check, and cards, plus there is an eWallet option*. Our online fair will open November 17th.
We’re Reorganizing Our Library:
The library proctors have been helping Mrs. Kelley with a major reorganization of the books. The traditional set up is alphabetical by author, but many libraries are moving toward genrefication. One book at a time we are organizing our books by genre. The students seem to be enjoying our new “scary” section.
*Scholastic’s eWallet provides a way for money to be added to a student account, so they don’t have to carry money to school. Any unused funds will remain in that account and may be used at future FMS book fairs, but it cannot be refunded. The link below will take you to more information on our book fair home page.
Information from the Nurse
Hearing and Vision Screenings –RESCREEN DAY:
Students who were absent, or did not pass their initial screening will be seen on Friday Nov. 3rd. Students who do not pass either the vision or hearing screen will receive a referral to a specialist.
Dental Clinic:
GraceMed will be at French Middle School, providing dental cleanings during the school day on Friday Nov. 10th, 2023. If you would like your student to be seen by a hygienist, please complete the following link. A representative from GraceMed will contact you directly with more information. https://gracemed.org/dental-consent
Medical Conditions:
With the change from Tyler SIS to Synergy, student medical conditions did not transfer. Please make sure to contact the nurse if your student has a known chronic medical condition that may require intervention or treatment while they are at school. You may also complete the Anticipated Health Crisis Plan. This will give nursing and school staff directions as to how you as the Parent/Guardian would like staff to address specific situations. This form should be completed for students with conditions including Asthma, Food Allergies, Seizures, Headaches, Frequent Nosebleeds, Heart Conditions or any other condition or disease regardless of whether or not they take medication at school. (This form is required to be completed at the beginning of each school year, previous forms are not kept on site.)
Medications At School:
Students are not allowed to carry medications with them during the school day. All medication including prescription and over the counter medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen must have proper paperwork in place and all medications must be kept in the school nurse's office. (This includes cough drops.) Exceptions can be made for Inhalers and Epi-Pens, with an additional form. If you have questions please contact Nurse Besenyi for the appropriate forms. MEDICATION GUIDELINES
Covid Testing:
Test to Learn, Test to Know, Test to Play: FREE Covid tests are available for students at school. In order for your student to be tested at school, the Consent form must be completed before the test can be administered. You can find this form on the Topeka Public Schools website, located under the Health Services Department or by clicking the link: https://www.topekapublicschools.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=8252843&pageId=12167711 Nursing staff will make every effort to contact you prior to any testing, even if the form is on file. Once the form is completed it will be good for the year.
Reporting a Covid Illness or Exposure:
Please continue to report all Covid Illnesses and Exposure to the school nurse as soon as possible. This includes Positive Tests, Close Contact and Household Exposure. In order to assure you have the most up to date Quarantine, Mask Requirements and Testing Options, information will be shared at the time of notification.
Daylight Savings Time Ends: Sunday Nov. 5th @ 2am Set you clocks back 1 hour!
French Middle School
Kendra Besenyi, LPN
Ph: (785) 438-4156
Fax: (785) 271-3609
Email: kbesenyi@tps501.org
Bullying Policy
French Middle School will not tolerate bullying of any kind. Bullying is defined as any ongoing verbal or physical mistreatment where there is an imbalance of power, and the target/victim is exposed repeatedly to negative actions by one or more students. Bullying can be direct (physical or verbal), or indirect (exclusion, cyber-bullying, emotional). In order for everyone to feel safe and secure at school, every Topeka Public School has adopted the following rules against bullying. “I will not bully others. I will try to help students who are bullied. I will do my best to include students who are easily left out. When I know somebody is being bullied, I will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.” Students, staff, and parents should report any bullying that they are aware of to administration through the on-line bully report link on the French website. Students who bully others will receive consequences. Our counselors will be visiting 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes in August and September to remind students what bullying is, what we can do to prevent bullying, and what students should do if they or someone else is being bullied.
Notice of Non- Discrimination
The Topeka Public Schools, Unified School District No. 501 is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity. No person shall, on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin or ancestry be denied lawful access to any appropriate educational service, program or activity provided by the school district. The Title VI and Title IX compliance coordinator is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching/Learning/Administration. The Section 504/Title II compliance coordinator is the Coordinator of College and Career Ready Services. For employment, the EEO/AA officer is the General Director of Human Resources. All compliance coordinators may be contacted at 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294, (785) 295-3000. The clerk of the Board of Education has been designated to receive and redirect or handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, regulations and procedures. The clerk may be contacted by calling (785) 295-3045 or by writing to 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294.