LATEST POSITIVE VIBES SHOUT-OUTS:
- Anonymous regarding Jatavian Hester: Jatavian is polite, kind, and respectful - I am so happy that he is at Franklinton Middle School!
- Anonymous regarding Mr. Hurd: I really like Mr. Hurd and I'm glad he's my teacher this year. I feel like I have learned math pretty good - it's not my favorite.
- CLICK BELOW TO ADD SOME SUNSHINE TO FMS :)
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
The North Carolina department of Public Safety has great information here explaining and identifying child abuse, how to prevent it, and and alternatives to lashing out at a child.
Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina shares this vital information about the long term effects of child maltreatment:
“Children living with abuse and/or neglect often experience toxic levels of stress. Exposure to toxic stress changes the way a child’s brain is built. The area that controls the fight-or-flight survival mechanism over-develops, while areas that control emotion, cognitive thinking and an understanding of risk and consequence are stunted.
The changes to a child’s brain caused by exposure to toxic stress can lead to significant behavioral changes: The overdeveloped fight-or-flight center seeks calm and pleasure through things like food, drugs and sex. The cognitive center is less prepared for academic success. The part that controls risk or consequence is not prepared to make appropriate decisions.
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, or ACE Study, found that children who suffered severe adversity in childhood – violence, abject poverty, substance abuse in the home, child abuse and neglect – were far more likely to suffer long-term intellectual, behavioral, and physical and mental health problems.
Problems now concretely linked to child abuse and neglect include behavioral and achievement problems in school; heart, lung and liver disease; obesity and diabetes; depression, anxiety disorders, and increased suicide attempts; increased criminal behaviors, illicit drug use and alcohol abuse; increased risky sexual behavior and unintended pregnancies; and other problems.
To read more about the ACE Study and how to help children at risk for ACES check out this from the CDC.
If you are concerned about a child being abused or neglected, please contact our local Department of Social Services at 919-496-5721 to discuss your concerns. and report the possible abuse or neglect. For more information about recognizing and reporting child maltreatment, click here click here.
Xello
Our students have been receiving instruction on how to access the online career exploration program called Xello. On April 6th, FCS Career Development Coordinator, Peter Ashford, emailed all students the first of four lessons in Xello. Students were also sent two videos that demonstrate how to complete the Xello lessons. Xello is located on your child’s chromebook under classlinks.
Below are the links to the videos that explain how to complete Lesson 1:
Lesson 1- Part A https://watch.screencastify.com/v/0d9vvSZwZyt9kKq3ViV9
Lesson 1- Part B https://watch.screencastify.com/v/U38r8aRbWrOaOn9bo5Gb
Matchmaker - asks about likes and dislikes and then suggests careers based on the student’s interests.
Personality Style - helps students understand what careers will make them happy.
Career Development Plan Steps 1 & 2
Most of our students have completed the first lessons, but they can do this at home if they have not done it at school. Discuss with them what they learned from taking the Matchmaker and Personality Style assessments. Once they complete these first lessons, students have access to complete the rest of the lessons for their grade level. Our goal is to have all of our students with 100% completion before leaving for summer break!
May is National Mental Health Month
According to Mental Health America, we encounter mental health every day. Whether you are dealing with stress, a divorce, or a natural disaster, it’s important to learn what’s affecting your health. Taking a screening is one of the easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health or substance use condition.
Find out if you are at risk for developing mental illness. Take an online mental health screening here.
Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible.
For more information about our mental health visit the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
For help finding a provider locally Vayahealth.com (used to be Cardinal Innovations) 1-800-849-6127.
MR. DOWNUM - SOCIAL STUDIES
I hope everyone had a relaxing break and enjoyed time with family and friends. This stretch is getting ready for all of the EOGS that the students will take. In an effort to help the other members of my time I have taken on some extra things. The students will be doing both I-ready and SEL (Social Emotional Learning) in my class.
In social studies I think that we are probably going to get through WWI, The Roaring 20’s and maybe The Depression, before the end of the year. The kids really like these units because kids tend to love war and excess and that is what these units are all about.
Make sure that all students are handing in work because an end date for late work is scheduled. Earlier in the quarter we told the kids that any assignment scheduled by April 8th would not be taken after April 8th. As a team we have discussed this and have decided to do this again. Any assignment assigned between April 9th and May 6th will not be accepted after the 6th. We have found that the students are not doing work in class and using this time to talk with their friends, knowing that they can turn in the work at the end of the quarter. This is putting pressure on both the students and the teachers. This allows the students to get the work done when they will get the most out of it. If they are doing an assignment after the unit is over and the test has been given, they are not learning. If there are any questions please feel free to email me at daviddownum@fcschools.net
MS. HEAD - SCIENCE
Welcome back from break. We are wrapping up the year with disease, microbiology, and ecosystems. We will then complete a review of the whole year for the Science End of Grade Exam. Any assignment assigned between now and May 6th will not be accepted after May 6th. Students are expected to complete work when it is due, especially when they are present in class. If students are absent they will need to talk to me or email me about ways to do makeup work when assignments are locked. Let’s finish the year with some good habits!
MS. FROST - ELA
First and foremost, welcome back to school, and I hope your child had a relaxing spring break in preparation for the work we have ahead to prepare for End of Grade Testing (ELA EOG). The EOG’s are only 21 days away and we have a lot of work to do to ensure your child is successful with confidence, shows growth, and achieves proficiency on the Reading EOG.
For the next month, your child will receive targeted instruction around the tested standards using both fiction and informational texts both on paper and online. FMS has changed its content delivery in an effort to optimize instructional time daily, in every discipline, with continued bell to bell teaching each school day. Mr. Downum, our team lead, will take on the responsibility of facilitating completion of I-Ready (your child’s Learning Pathway) weekly. Moving forward, each week students are expected to spend 30 minutes working on their Learning Pathway with a 70% or higher on lessons completed. At the end of each week, I will review data and the grade will remain an English Language Arts grade with a 100% test grade upon meeting the weekly expectations. Please encourage your child to complete this weekly task. (Reminder, Mr. Downum will allot classroom time for students to meet this requirement)
NOTE: Please encourage your child to take his or her time working in I-Ready. Because, if your child is “flagged” it indicates to me that a student ran through the program without participating in the lesson and the results are invalid.
Below are some important links for detailed information about the Reading End of Grade Test (EOG). I am confident of your child’s ability to give his or her 100% when preparing for and taking this very important state assessment within once month’s time.
https://tinyurl.com/NCDPIParentGuideFMS ENGLISH (Check out pages 5 and 6 for strategies you can use to support your child at home in preparation for the Reading EOG)
https://tinyurl.com/ParentGuideNCDIFMS SPANISH (Consulte las páginas 5 y 6 para conocer las estrategias que puede usar para apoyar a su hijo en casa en preparación para el Reading EOG)
Showcase of Student Work…
https://tinyurl.com/FMSGrade8ShoutOuts
Please contact me with any questions or concerns at annafrost@fcschools.net.
MS. DOWNUM - SCIENCE
Welcome back! I hope your family had a restful and enjoying Spring Break. We are so close to the end of the year. Let's finish up the year strong.
We are starting our last unit today Monday the 25th. The last unit is called Earth in the Universe. It has to do with space. We learn about the planets, more about the atmosphere, and of course NASA. The students have been very excited about this unit. The test date is tentatively set for May 25th but as always that is subject to change based on students needs.
When we finish this unit I have a short introduction to Forensics as well as a CER unit (Cite, Evidence, Reasoning) if time permits.
We are continuing to work on SEL. We have started the third unit of four. This unit covers Emotions. The fourth and final unit covers Social Conflict. Both of these units seem to be really perfect for the sixth graders as they navigate middle school and get ready for seventh grade.
As always if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at sarahdownum@fcschools.net have a great rest of your day.
MS. BROOKS - SOCIAL STUDIES
In social studies, we are discussing the major geographical and physical location in Central and South America and how they influence the settlement patterns of Mesoamerican cultures. In this unit students will learn about the Aztec, Inca, and Maya civilizations. Also, beginning this week students will complete I-ready in social studies each Tuesday of each week leading up to the End of Grade test. On Tuesdays, students will complete 30 minutes of Math and 30 minutes of ELA on I-ready. Please remind your child to bring their chromebook for I-ready. If you have any questions, please email me at jericabrooks@fcschools.net.
MS. MCINTOSH - ELA
Welcome Back Red Rams! Let’s Rock out the last few weeks!
i-Ready weekly grade for ELA: Get at least 30 minutes and 70% passing rate in 1 reading lessons in order to get full credit.
We have started small groups to help students feel comfortable asking questions and understanding ELA standards and “I can” statements.
We will also take a schoolnet test this Friday, April 29th, May 6th, 13th, and 20th.
Friday, April 29th RI6.5: Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.
Please do well on all the tests. Not only is it a grade but we are in a district wide competition for ELA. FMS would love to have the trophy for the week.
New grading procedure for the remainder of Quarter 4: Students have more than enough class time to complete all assignments during class time. I will no longer accept late work for the rest of the quarter. Let’s get these 6th graders ready for the future! Please turn in all assignments on time. YOU GOT THIS!
NEED HELP? Please contact me at chasitymcintosh@fcschools.net if you have any questions
Eighth grade students have completed their novels and are moving towards End of Grade testing preparations. How can you help? You can ensure that they are working in iReady on their own learning pathway. This is tailored to their specific needs! You can also review the following guide from the NC Department of Education.
