The Freedom Phenom

Congratulations to Daniela McBride, our FMS Volunteer of the Year!!! We are so thankful for all you bring to the students and staff at Freedom!

Earth Day is April 22nd, 2024!

Show your support for our Earth by wearing your t-shirt

on Earth Day. (Proceeds benefit the Cherokee Animal Shelter)

In the month of January, students learned about balancing their digital lives with their 'real' lives and how to make good choices when using social media. We checked our screen times, set goals to reduce screen time, and had great discussions of what to do in its place.

We will begin talking about our digital footprints this month. How can you help your student create a positive digital footprint they can be proud of? See the attached PDFs.

Next week is National School Counseling Week

February 5th - 9th, 2024

Please see the attached You Science presentation for helpful information as your student transitions to high school.

We are more than halfway through the school year, and if you have not yet purchased a yearbook, time is running out!

Order your 23-24 Yearbook HERE use School Code: 16536

Any student that has already purchased a yearbook or purchases a yearbook before February 16th will be entered into a raffle to be a “Featured Student” in our yearbook. We will draw a name of one 6th grade student, one 7th grade student, and one 8th grade student to have their very own “Meet the Student” feature in our yearbook. This feature will include two-three photos of the student’s (and parent’s) choice as well as a place for everyone to learn a little more about your child. Please see the example below.

If you have questions about whether or not you have ordered a yearbook, please reach out to Mary Robinson or Cassie Fainter.

We are so excited about this year’s yearbook and we hope you and your family are as well!

Want to see your artwork in the yearbook? All entries due by Thursday Feb. 29th, NO LATE ENTRIES ACCEPTED. Put student name and homeroom teacher only on the back of your entry. Turn into Mary Robinson in the front office.

Any student that missed the fall pictures and makeups will have an opportunity to have their picture taken on Feb 6th and 7th. We will call students for their picture.

We will also be doing club pictures the week of February 5th so be sure to check in with your student and/or club sponsor for more details!

We still need more photos to make this the best yearbook ever. You can email pictures to Mary.Robinson@cherokeek12.net or upload them yourself HERE. Use School Code: 16536 and be sure to include names, grade level and description. We are especially looking for the following:

PTSA is running a Spirit Wear Design Contest

Print out the appropriate attached form and draw your design.

Open to all students (Separate contest for 6th/7th Grade and 8th Grade)

Due Feb. 16th

-Design must include the FMS name, mascot, logo, and/or school colors

-Maximum of 4 colors used

-Tshirt will be gray or black

-Include your name on the back of the design

-Turn in to Front Office or email to lovebugben@gmail.com

-A panel of staff will select the winning design

• Upcoming Spirit Nights for the Spring (not in any particular order). Let's raise money for our Patriots!!
• Moe's
• Your Pie
• A Cone to Pick
• McDonald’s
• 8th-grade signs are now available for order. Please note they can be picked up at the school or there is a delivery option (with a delivery fee). Click on the link below to order your 8th graders' sign TODAY!
• The deadline to place your order is 4/26/2024. https://freedommsptsa.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true
• We are working to transition from our previous Facebook page to our new one to get all updated PTSA information. Please go onto FB and accept the invitation from our PTSA admin team. NEW!! PTSA Facebook Page
• Mark your Calendars for the next General Board meeting will be 2/5/24 at 7:15p. If you are a PTSA member and/or your student is, please consider attending. This meeting will be hybrid (online and in-person options). This meeting will consist of electing the nominating committee to determine our 2024-2025 PTSA Executive Board.

Please continue to look out for Volunteer opportunities and sign-ups. Sent via Remind, Facebook, and email.

-PTSA Board

Upcoming Events:

• February 1st - Chick-fil-A Spirit Night @ Riverstone 4-8PM
• February 2-3 - GMEA District 9 Honor Band in Fannin County

• February 8th - 6th grade Band Concert 6:30PM in the FMS cafe

• February 13th - 7th and 8th Grade Large Group Performance Evaluations (LGPE)
• February 15-17 - All-State Chorus

Congratulations

Students who made All-State Chorus:

Peyton Dick

Camryn Andretta

Cecelia Richard

Matteo Poole

Students auditioned and were selected to participate in Honor Band:

Sydney Hechler on flute

Carson Cook on flute

Sophia Johnson on clarinet

Allison Roderick on clarinet

Peyton Dick on bassoon

Alexander Hamilton on alto saxophone

Antonio Caputo on euphonium

Registration for the 2nd Annual NWGA RESA STEM Forum is now open.

Date: Tuesday, June 4

Time: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Location: Georgia Highlands College – Cartersville Campus

Audience: PreK-12th grade educators, administrators, and curriculum specialists who want to explore best practices, instructional strategies and high-level engagement pedagogy for inspiring students through STEM

Cost: FREE! (Lunch included)

Format: 50 minute sessions

Link to Register

Link to Submit a Session Proposal

There are a limited number of seats (388 remaining) and these went FAST last year so don’t delay registering if you’re interested.

We are proud to announce our FMS Partner of the Year is Restor Diabetes Center of Woodstock.

4-H Club

To assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that

will enable them to become self directing, productive and contributing members of society.

Next Meeting: 2/14 @ 4:15pm in Room 301

Sponsors: Julie Roper, Sonya Lombard

Jr. Beta Club

To teach students to lead by serving others

Next Meeting for Current 7th & 8th Grade Members: 2/15 @ 4:15pm in Cafe

Induction for New Members 3/14 @ 6pm in Cafe

Sponsors: Brandi Shook, Ashley Pettis, Allison Cook, Christy Bennett, Mitzi Killian

Boys Bible Study

An opportunity for boys to study and discuss the bible in a safe space.

Next Meeting: 2/6 @ 8:15am in Room 404

Sponsor: Hank Chandler

First Priority

To build leadership qualities and encourage Christian believers

Next Meeting: 2/8 @ 8:15am in Room 210

Sponsor: Leigh Lingerfelt

Girls Bible Study

A club where middle school girls can pray, grow in their knowledge of the Bible, and learn how to be an encouragement to others around them.

Next Meeting: 2/6 @ 8:15am in Room 501

Sponsors: Ashley Pettis, Amanda Bowers, Misty Jones

Good Earth Garden Club

To grow healthy students and communities through garden based education

Next Meeting: 2/28 @ 4:15pm in Room 301

Sponsors: Anna Zincone, Jacki Campbell

History Bowl

To enrich student love of history, geography, government, and economics throughout Georgia

and the world. For 8th Grade students only.

Next Meeting: 2/2 @ 8:15am in Room 608

Jimmy Carter Academic History Bowl in Plains, GA: 2/29

Sponsors: Allison Cook, Anna Trull, Brooke Knight

Patriot Pet Club

To help raise awareness of proper pet care and support the Cherokee County Animal Shelter through fundraisers to help homeless pets

Next Meeting: 2/5 @ 4:15pm in Room 505

Sponsor: Kristen Honkanen

STEM Club

STEM Club allows students to explore and engage with science, technology, engineering, and math

outside of the Georgia Standards of Excellence curriculum.

Next Meeting: 2/2 @ 8am in Room 605

Sponsor: Edwin Rodriguez

Yearbook Club

To take and label pictures for the yearbook. Also, to help decide on a theme and layout for the

current yearbook.

Next Meeting: 2/14 @ 8:15am in Room 115

Sponsors: Cassie Fainter, Mary Robinson