
The Freedom Phenom
February 2025

PRINCIPAL'S NOTE
Dear Freedom Families,
I am thrilled to reconnect with you! Last week on behalf of Freedom Middle School, I accepted a Math Leader Banner from State Superintendent, Richard Woods for outstanding math achievement statewide. Freedom Middle School is honored and proud to receive this award. As we move into February, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible efforts of our students, staff, and families. The energy and enthusiasm in our school continue to inspire me every day. Thank you for your unwavering support as we work together to create a nurturing and dynamic learning environment.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kerry P. Martin
Interim Principal
Freedom Middle School
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
THIS MONTH
FEBRUARY
- 3rd - 7th - School Counselor Appreciation Week
- 5th - Color Battle (rescheduled from 1/31)
- 7th - School Advisory Council Meeting
- 11th-14th - PTSA Selling Candy Grams in Cafe During Lunch
- 12th - Menchies at Lunch
- 12th - Basketball & Cheer End of Season Banquet
- 13th - CCSD Board Meeting
- 13th - 14th - Hoops for Heart During PE Classes
- 13th-15th - All-State Chorus in Athens, GA
- 14th - Valentines Day
- 17th-21st - Winter Break - No School
- 27th-1st - All-State Band in Athens, GA
- 28th - Student of the Month Breakfast
MENCHIE'S at LUNCH
Once a month your student may purchase Menchie's during their lunch time. This month is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11th. Menchie's can be purchased with cash, check or a credit card. Students may not use electronic payment through their phones.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
SOURCES OF STRENGTH
February 3rd-7th is National School Counseling Week! This year’s theme of “Helping Students Thrive” is a great time to introduce our students to Sources of Strength. Sources of Strength is a school-wide initiative to help students and staff identify what strengths they have in their lives to help them move through the ups and downs of life. We will review the Sources of Strength Wheel which is composed of eight categories that we can draw strength from: Family Support, Positive Friends, Mentors, Healthy Activities, Generosity, Spirituality, Physical Health and Mental Health. These are powerful strengths that help us build resilience and healthy relationships. Stay tuned on our social media platforms to learn more!
Mrs. Moss and Mrs. Bigelow
EXCELLING AT ELA
6TH GRADE
6th grade ELA spent the last couple of weeks reading a novel of their choice. Using the book, students created a character poster where they applied what they have learned about characterization. Here are a few terms they learned. Flat, round, static, and dynamic characters.
7TH GRADE
In 7th Grade ELA, we have been researching superbugs and creating infographics which are a visual representation of important information. Students will use their research to write a realistic fiction piece that details the sudden outbreak of their superbug. Students have enjoyed using their creativity to bring these superbugs to life!
8TH GRADE
In 8th Grade Lit. Comp., we are currently in a speech unit. In this unit, students annotate and analyze speeches in various mediums. In the picture below, a student is watching someone give a speech at a Ted Talk and analyzing it on a graphic organizer. The end goal for our unit is for students to deliver a 3–4-minute speech to their class.
PATTY AWARDS
This year Freedom began a new tradition. Each month we recognize a teacher and a staff member who has gone above and beyond in their role. These people truly exemplify the FMS spirit. This new award is called the "Patty Award" symbolizing a phenomenal Patriot!
TEACHER OF THE MONTH
Ansleigh Carroll
7th Grade ELA Teacher
STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Cassie Fainter
Instructional Lead Strategist
HOOPS FOR HEART
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER
Hoops for Heart - Basketball Tournament
Freedom Patriots are partnering with the American Heart Association to raise funds for the advancement of good heart health. The Freedom Middle School PE department will be hosting a 3 on 3 basketball tournament open to all connections classes to raise money for the American Heart Association on February 13th and 14th.
Please return this form along with donations to Coach DuVall no later than February 11.
READING BOWL SUCCESS
On January 25th the FMS Reading Bowl Team competed in the CCSD Reading Bowl. The competition was fierce and Freedom team brought home the 3rd place trophy. Congrats to all the members of the Reading Bowl and their advisors, you really turned the pages, faced the plot twists, and still booked a spot on the podium😉
YEARBOOKS
It's time for our annual yearbook art contest. We are looking for some creative pieces to kick off each grade level section of the yearbook. Any student may submit artwork for consideration. Students should put their name and homeroom teacher on the back of their entry. All submissions are due no later than Friday Feb. 28th and can be turned into the front office. For questions contact mary.robinson@cherokeek12.net
CHORUS CHARISMA
Along with preparing to participate in events outside of school such as Cherokee County Honor Chorus, District 9 Honor Chorus, ACDA Honor Chorus, and All-State Auditions and Events, students work on a daily basis to prepare music for evaluations and concerts. On a daily basis chorus students continue growing their music reading skills and musical knowledge. Currently, we have a group of 7th Grade students joining the 8th Grade students for Large Group Performance Evaluations on February 10th. There are seven students preparing for All-State Chorus which is a record high for Freedom. 8th Grade Chorus members continue to prepare for their upcoming Festival Disney Trip. Chorus class at Freedom is always a thrilling and dynamic experience for our singers.
PTSA
CANDY GRAMS
It’s GRAM time again!! Valentine’s Grams
PTSA will be selling Valentine's Day Grams from February 11th-14th during lunchtime.
They are selling for $1 each. Buy them for yourself, your friend, a teacher, etc.
CASH ONLY!!
Parents- if you can sign up and help sell, here is the link.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AA8AD2AA3F49-54637586-valentines
8TH GRADE YARD SIGNS
Do you have an 8th grader? PTSA will be selling 8th grade promotion yard signs beginning February 1st- April 7th
Place your orders online or send payment to the school clearly labeled Freedom PTSA.
Signs can be picked up at the school on specified dates/times TBD. There is a home delivery option for an additional charge.
RELEVANT REMINDERS
OUTSIDE FOOD AND DRINKS
Lately we have had a lot of students bringing in breakfast and drinks in the morning. For sanitation purposes, anything other than water must be consumed in the cafeteria. If a student gets dropped off in the morning with a coffee or breakfast food they will be allowed to finish eating in the cafeteria before heading to homeroom. The cafe closes at 8:50am and all food and drink must be disposed of before heading to class.
If you need to drop off food for a student please keep the following things in mind:
- Food purchased from outside restaurants and remaining in the original packaging (i.e.. bags and wrappers) is not permitted in the cafeteria.
- Food brought from home must be prepared at home. Food will not be refrigerated, heated, or prepared by staff.
- Student use of kitchen equipment is not permitted.
OUR PARTNERS
Contact Mary Robinson at FMS - 770-704-1104 or mary.robinson@cherokeek12.net
CLUBS at FMS
Click on the club below for more information and interest forms!
ACADEMIC CLUBS
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 13th 4:15-5:00pm
Induction Ceremony: Tuesday, March 4th @ 6pm
Next Meetings: Tuesday, February 4th, 11th, & 25th @ 8:15am
SOCIAL CLUBS
Next Meeting: Monday, February 24th @ 4:15pm
Next Meetings: Tuesday, February 4th, 11th, & 25th @ 8:15am
Next Meetings: Thursday, February 6th, 13th, & 27th @ 8:15am
Next Meetings: Thursday, February 6th & 27th @ 8:15am
Next Meetings: Tuesday, February 4th, 11th, & 25th @ 8:15am
Next Meetings: Wednesday, February 5th & 26th @ 4:15pm
Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 5th @ 8:15am
Next Meeting: Monday, February 3rd @ 4:15pm (no January meeting)
Next Meeting: Monday, February 10th @ 8:15am
REPORT TIPS ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY
The Cherokee County School District offers the Vector Alert (formerly SafeSchools Alert) system for reporting safety concerns. The Vector Alert system allows students, parents, school staff and everyone in the community to anonymously report safety concerns by text, email, online message or phone call.
Through Vector Alert, you can submit safety concerns to CCSD five different ways:
- By Phone:470.315.9171
- By Text: 470.315.9171
- By Email: 1695@alert1.us
- By Online message: https://cherokee-ga.safeschoolsalert.com/
- By Mobile App – Download the Vector Alert app for free from the iPhone App Store and Google Play for Android phones. The app icon is a red and white checkmark/V on a blue background. The first time you open the app after downloading, you’ll need to enter 1695 for the ID and confirm your District is the Cherokee County School District.
Administration:
Principal - Chad Flatt
6th Grade/7th Grade Asst. Principal - Tom Usry
8th Grade/SWD Asst. Principal - Heather Mitchell
Counselors:
8th Grade - Lauren Moss
6th/7th Grade - Sarah Bigelow
Nurse: Dana Oden