FBMS Weekly Newsletter
May 3, 2024 #wearemarshfield
A GLANCE AT MAY
Today is midterm for Quarter 4, and there are six weeks remaining for the year. We expect our students to continue to work hard and stay after for extra help if needed. Let's keep our eyes on the prize!
Some important upcoming dates:
May 7th: Q4 Progress Reports issued in ASPEN
May 8th & 9th- MCAS Math
May 14th & 15th--MCAS Gr. 8 STEM
May 21st & 22nd--MCAS Gr. 8 Civics
May 27th---Memorial Day---No school
There are also many field trips and special events taking place in the next month. Permission slips are always sent home for such trips, and there is often a cost to attending such events. If you need help with the cost, please reach out to your child's guidance counselor. We want all students to be able to participate in our offerings. We'd also like to say thank you to those parents who often donate extra funds for this specific reason. Thank you!
MCAS TESTING NEXT WEEK 5/8 & 5/9
STEM: Grade 8 only: Tuesday 5/14 and Wednesday 5/15.
CIVICS: Grade 8 only: Tuesday 5/21 and Wednesday 5/22.
MCAS Testing is required for all students who attend public schools. Additionally it is a graduation requirement. Every opportunity to test before Grade 10 is additional practice for this graduation requirement. The data helps us greatly to make important decisions about curriculum and student course offerings and requirements.
We would also like to congratulate the 15 out of 900 students who received recognition from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education this week for having the highest improvement in one area of MCAS testing during the 2023 school year. These students received a personalized letter, certificate, and gift card for their achievement. Well done, students!
FBMS THEATER CLUB HOSTING THIS SUNDAYS FESTIVAL AT FBMS AUDITORIUM- 5/5
In case you missed it, there is one last chance to see this EPIC HILARIOUS TRAGEDY on Sunday, May 5th, our FESTIVAL DAY! Tickets are $10, and you will be able to come see any of the following shows throughout the day.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE- HOSTED BY FBMS IN THE AUDITORIUM
Showtimes are as follows:
All performances are held at FBMS.9:00 AM, Play #1
Furnace Brook Middle, Game of Tiaras
10:00 AM, Play #2
Dedham Middle, Peter Wendy
11:00 AM, Play #3
Notre Dame Academy, The Epic Quest of the Damsels in Distress
1:00 PM, Play #4
Wayland Middle, 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse
2:00 PM, Play #5
Day Middle School, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
3:00 PM, Play #6
Sage School, The Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare
6th GRADE UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS
Reminder about Gr. 6 upcoming FIELD TRIP to NOVA Trampoline Park (an email was also sent home):
Students in grade 6 are getting ready to attend their field trip to the Nova Trampoline Park in Plymouth. Please complete the FBMS permission slip form (which was sent home for Vikings and should be coming shortly for the other two clusters), and then also go online to complete the Nova Waiver form so your child will not be left out of the fun!
Each cluster has their own link: Please click the correct link for the correct cluster:
Vikings Cluster: May 10: https://lilypadpos.app/nova/onlinewaiver/waiver.php?sid=311221
Starfish Cluster: May 17: https://lilypadpos.app/nova/onlinewaiver/waiver.php?sid=311222
Anchors Cluster: May 24: https://lilypadpos.app/nova/onlinewaiver/waiver.php?sid=370862
Congratulations, Mr. Morisseau!
Congratulations to Mr. Morisseau, our Grade 7 and 8 French teacher, for being selected by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to attend the World Language Proficiency Academy presented by the Massachusetts Foreign Language Association at Westfield State University. The grant funding this program is intended for rising leaders in World Language programs across the state.
Thank you, Mr. Morisseau, for the work you do with students and the fantastic World Language Program!
FBMS TRACK TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Our FBMS Track Team had great performances this week. Both the Boys and Girls teams are 3-0, as the Girls defeated PCIS 86-17, Scituate 84-19 & Whitman 83-19. The Boys defeated PCIS 68-36, Scituate 91-13 & Whitman 79-25. Wow! We are proud of our athletes!
We also had many State qualifiers. Most importantly, all that participated competed to his or her best ability and now have goals to better their marks at future meets. Well done, student athletes.
FBMS GREEN TEAM
The Green team, led by Mr. Casavant, continues to bring awareness on the everchanging climate issues we are faced with. This past Saturday, the team spent the morning picking up trash around the MPSD campus in conjunction with the town's "Rid litter day."
Thank you to Mr. Casavant, Mr. Madden and the team members for giving up your Saturday for the greater good!
VETERANS COUNCIL POETRY CONTEST
The Marshfield Veterans Council will be holding a poetry contest for All FBMS students that will close on May 17. The winning submission will be shared at the Memorial Day Service in Veterans Park at the end of the Memorial Day Parade. It would be an honor for the Veterans organization to receive as many poems as possible. The prompt to answer for the contest is the following:
What Does Memorial Day Mean To Me?
All submissions can be emailed to LPotts@townofmarshfield.org or dropped off at the office of Marshfield Veterans Services We thank all who have served. Let's honor them with our thoughtful words.
HAPPENINGS IN ART
Grade 8 students' scratch board art and Grade 7 colored print making.
ANNUAL STUDENTS VS TEACHERS BASKETBALL GAME
This week our Student's in Grade 7 took on the teachers in the annual basketball game.
This friendly competition was an exciting showdown between our talented students and dedicated teachers. The spirited athleticism, camaraderie, and community engagement was electric!
The scoreboard was on fire with a nail-biting finish of 80-75. Both teams brought their A-game, sprinting up and down the court with non-stop energy till the very last buzzer. You all rocked the court!
A big thank you to Mr. Madden and Mr. Johnson for organizing the event and also to players Mrs. Alberico, Mr. Davis, Mr. Desmond, Officer Hernon, Mr. Heller, and Mr. Nugent
SEPAC TRANSITION NIGHT 5/9
Please join the Marshfield Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC) in collaboration with the Marshfield Transition Committee (MTC) for an important parent presentation
Special Education Transition Night 2024
Cultivating your child’s independence
When: Thursday, May 9, 2024, 7:00-8:30 PM
Where: Marshfield High School Presentation Center
Register: Please click HERE to register
Parents and guardians of students who have an IEP and/or 504 plan are invited to learn more about what transition is and how it applies to your special education student. Discussion will include how transition fits into your student's current education, future education, and life after high school. Learn more about what transition looks like at each grade level (elementary, middle, high, and POST Program). Meet with a representative from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission for information on what is available to special education students as they age.
The night will begin in the MHS Presentation Center and then break into grade-level rooms for your choice of more specific transition Q&A sessions.
For more information, please contact
Amy Larson Smith, SEPAC President, at amylarsonsmith@gmail.com or
Colleen Casey, MPSD Transition Specialist, at ccasey@mpsd.org
SEPAC PRESENTATION ON IEP CHANGES 5/8
The Massachusetts IEP document will be seeing the first major change to the form in 20 years. To help assist parents with the changes, the Marshfield Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is inviting you to a virtual presentation on the new IEP. This presentation will be offered by The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCNS). Multiple sessions will be offered in April, May, and June. Please join us if this relates to you.
The FCNS presentation will discuss:
Understand why changes have been made
Learn the timeline for implementation
Review the new form and see what has been added
Explore areas for student and parent input
Identify areas for team collaboration
Visit the Federation website to sign up any of the dates - all are FREE
Inside the Middle School Mind...
Mr. Nalen's STEM classes work on creating there very own robots..
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ON TIME
General Law 76 requires that all public schools have plans in place to achieve the highest attendance possible. We want our students here every day and on time to make the most of the learning opportunities available. Please see our handbook for more detailed information.
Our policy for arrival to school:
- Students must be in homeroom by 7:50 AM.
- Students who are not in homeroom by 7:50 AM must stop in the front office to receive a tardy slip.
- Tardy students must provide the office with a note from a parent or guardian or be accompanied into the school building by a parent. This allows us to check that you know your child was elsewhere and not here on time.
- Students with more than three unexcused tardies in a quarter are subject to after school detentions for each and every tardy.
What does this mean for my child? Students need to either take a bus or be dropped off by 7:45AM. They also need to be seated in homeroom by 7:50AM in order to be considered on time. If a student has an appointment, he/she/they should bring in a slip from the provider to excuse the tardy.
Students who are tardy to school miss learning opportunities. Additionally, now is the time to teach accountability and the importance of being on time. We take a full attendance at exactly 7:50AM, and we would like it to be as accurate as possible. If we can help you with getting your child to school on time, please reach out to our guidance department. Along with administration, we can work together to help you and your child.
CHROMEBOOK INFORMATION
Please remind your child to charge his/her/their Chromebook daily. It is important for our students to school prepared for the day, and it is difficult when many students are not able to participate since their Chromebook is not charged. It is helpful for most students to have one location where they can plug in and that the location is consistent so that it become routine. If you child struggles with this, purchasing a second charging cord would be helpful for your child to carry during the day. Does your child need another or replacement Chromebook charger? If so, click here. Cost is $35.
Additionally, Chromebook insurance covers one incident only. After that, there is a charge for repair. More information here. It is therefore of great importance that students take good and safe care of their Chromebook.
FBMS WEEKLY ROTATION OF DAYS
We run on a six day cycle at FBMS. This allows all of our students to not only receive instructino in their core subjects daily but also gives them the opportunity to take several electives. Please see the calendar below which states what day # it is for the year.
Also note: Our last day of school is now June 13th due to 2 days of inclement weather. This date could change again...
FROM THE CLINIC
Seasonal Allergies:
Please click on the link below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QJDj9hFRWX0o8d1_hLihFudGD7oO8znoZ7_KwriTsUE/edit?usp=drive_web
Annual Physicals:
Students in Grade 7 are required to submit an updated physical with proof of immunizations for their health record at the beginning of the school year. Please send in via scan/email or Fax
Medication:
All medications must be hand delivered by the parent and be given directly to the Nurse. Medications are not permitted to be sent in with students---this is unsafe as medication could get lost or contaminated. Guidelines PRIOR to bringing in medication, please have: A current Physician’s order, the Parent Consent Form Filled out, and the medication in its original container with pharmacy label if applicable.
Absences / Injuries:
Please provide up to date information and indicate that students are receiving adequate care at home and by their pediatrician, and clearance for participation in gym class. Please report any changes in health status e.g. health conditions, new medication, illnesses, and injuries to the clinic.
Guidelines as to when to keep your child home. Click here.
We look forward to assisting families and students in achieving optimal health and wellness during the academic school year. Please feel free to contact us at any time with concerns or questions. Be well.
Covid:
At this time, MPSD is deferring to the most recent covid guidelines provided by the Department of Public Health. We are no longer excusing absences surrounding COVID without a doctor's note. Please contact your child’s primary care physician for further guidance.
~FBMS Nurses: Maura Carrol, RN, BSN, Karen Mellen, RN, BSN & Megan Owren, RN, BSN
Clinic Contact Information: Phone: (781)-319-3965 / Fax: (781)-319-1780