FMS FAMILY NEWSLETTER

FALCON STUDENTS and FAMILIES:

Thank you for helping us kick off the school year on such a positive note! Students, you've done an outstanding job learning and following our school-wide and classroom expectations. Remember, all students should have their iPads by now, so please ensure you bring them to school fully charged every day. If you have any questions or concerns, students and families, don’t hesitate to reach out so we can assist you promptly.

CLUBS and AFTER SCHOOL SUPPORT STARTING SOON

By the end of September, we will have our clubs and academic support programs up and running. We’ll share the schedule with you once the dates and clubs are finalized.

PLEASE BE PATIENT and KIND DURING DROP-OFF/PICK-UP

Families, we want to ensure that student drop-off and pick-up are safe for everyone. Please practice patience and kindness towards other drivers. If your student will not be exiting your vehicle right away, please pull into a parking spot. Also, avoid parking along the side of the road; instead, pull into the parking lot. We are doing all we can to keep the line moving and cause less backup on the street. Remember, safety is our top priority!

NEED TO GET A MESSAGE TO YOUR STUDENT?

If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call the main office. We will deliver the message or have your student call you using a school phone. Please refrain from texting or calling your student on their cell phone, as cell phones are not permitted during school hours.

Parent Volunteers:
If you are interested in volunteering at Frontier Middle School during the 2024-2025 school year, please complete the district’s Volunteer Registration process at LINK. We are currently seeking volunteers to assist with lunchtime supervision and in classrooms. Once you have completed the district process, please let us know your areas of interest by signing up at FMS Parent Volunteer Sign-up.

Falcon Pride Day 9/20 for Attendance of 90%+:

Did you know that missing just 10% of the school year is equivalent to missing almost 4 weeks of instruction in every class? That is a total of 108 hours of missed learning. To encourage students to come to school every day to be as successful as possible, we will have our first Falcon Pride Day for students who have an attendance rate of 90% or better for the school year so far. For Falcon Pride Day, eligible students will be able to sign up for some fun activities at the end of the day.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership!

~Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Arteaga, and Mrs. Roseboro

Falcon Pride Tickets are an opportunity for FMS students to be recognized and celebrated for following school and classroom expectations. School expectation categories are Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and #WeDoLearning. Tickets will be given digitally by teachers and staff to students that are following classroom and school wide expectations. Twice a month in advisory class, students will be able to purchase items from the Falcon Pride Store. Below is are some common examples that students can earn tickets for.

Patriot Day is a solemn observance in the United States, held annually on September 11th to honor the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The day also recognizes the courage and sacrifice of the first responders, as well as the resilience of the American people in the face of such a tragedy. Patriot Day is a time for reflection, remembrance, and unity, as the nation comes together to remember those who were lost and to honor those who continue to serve and protect.

What is Patriot Day?

Patriot Day is a national day of remembrance that commemorates the victims of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and United Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania. Established by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush in December 2001, Patriot Day serves as a reminder of the impact of that day on the nation and the world. It is a day for Americans to honor the memories of those who perished, to pay tribute to the bravery of the first responders, and to reflect on the values of freedom, democracy, and resilience.

When is Patriot Day?

Patriot Day is observed annually on September 11th. It is not a federal public holiday, but it is a day of remembrance. Many Americans observe a moment of silence at 8:46 AM (Eastern Daylight Time), the time when the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Throughout the day, memorial events and ceremonies are held across the country to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11.

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to observe Patriot Day and honor the memory of those affected by the events of September 11, 2001:

• Observe a Moment of Silence: At 8:46 AM EDT, observe a moment of silence to reflect on the lives lost and the impact of that day. This is a simple yet powerful way to pay your respects.

• Volunteer or Donate: Consider volunteering your time or donating to organizations that support first responders, veterans, or families affected by terrorism. Acts of service are a meaningful way to honor the spirit of unity that emerged after the attacks.

• Fly the Flag at Half-Staff: As a sign of respect, the American flag is flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. You can participate by lowering your flag or displaying it at half-staff at home or at work.

• Educate and Reflect: Take time to learn more about the events of 9/11 and their aftermath. Reflect on the lessons learned and discuss them with others, especially younger generations who may not have experienced the events firsthand.

School Picture Day is Friday, September 13th.

All students will take a picture for their ID card and Yearbook.

Below is the information for FMS picture orders. Click here to go to the direct website for more information. Paper copies of order forms will be sent home with your student in the upcoming week.

BUS PASSES: RIDING HOME WITH A FRIEND?

If students want to ride the bus home with another student, a pass will be made for the student to take to get on another bus. In order for us to write a bus pass, we need a parent/guardian to write a note or email Mrs. Swan by 12:15 (regular school day) or 8:15am(early dismissal). Students can drop the note off with Mrs. Swan at attendance when they get to school. We cannot accept verbal consent. Email: pswan@bethelsd.org or fax 253-800-8398

We will be hosting a parent meeting for all Fall sports athletes and their Families on Tuesday, September 10th from 5-6 pm. We will discuss updates to Athletics this year at FMS as well as a time to meet with the Coaches to get sport-specific updates.

• Fall Sports Picture day will be September 23rd after school. More information to come soon!
• Check the Upcoming Events section below for upcoming sport games/meets.

Art Crate Guidelines for Track Meets

To ensure the safety of our students, parents, and community, the following must be adhered to:

Only clear bags or small clutch/purses/wallets will be allowed inside the stadium. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”. A small clutch bag, not exceeding 4.5” x 6.5”, with or without a handle or strap, may be carried inside the stadium.

Additionally, all elementary and middle school students who plan to attend school-sponsored events, such as football games, must be accompanied by an adult. They will be turned away if they attempt to gain admittance without a parent.

We thank you for your understanding and adherence to these guidelines.

See the checklist below for tips on monitoring your child's Snap Chat account:

Advisory is designed to help students get support academically, socially, and learning about our school-wide expectations at FMS.

This week in Advisory:

Monday: Read Family Newsletter and SmartPass Rollout. This is our new electronic pass system. All students will now be using this pass system to leave class instead of paper/plastic passes.

Tuesday: Students will complete a scavenger hunt to familiarize themselves with the Frontier Middle School Student Handbook.

Wednesday: Classes will go over the process for Fire Drills at FMS. Teachers will then take their classes out through the evacuation route to show where they will line up in the event of a fire or another fire drill later this year.

Thursday: Students will learn about StudentVue and how to utilize it to check their attendance, grades, class schedule, locker information, and emailing their teachers. They will then read the Health Center portion of the Student Handbook to ensure all students know how the health center helps keep them safe and healthy.

Friday: Classes will complete the Bethel School District Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying lessons.

FALCON ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Please contact your counselors or social worker to get help with any of the following:

• POWER PACK PROGRAM - The Power Pack Program provides meals and snacks for children over the weekend, free of charge to support your family’s food needs. If you feel that your children would benefit from receiving additional food over the weekend, we encourage you to sign them up by completing this FORM. Enrollment is ongoing
• SCHOOL SUPPLIES - Binders, folders, composition books, paper, writing utensils, and more.
• ASB CARD - You need an ASB card for band/choir/orchestra or to play a sport.
• IPAD INSURANCE - All forms must be filled out online before we pay the fee and the student can get his/her device.
• CARE CLOSET - We have limited clothing and hygiene products available for our students on-site at FMS.

Community Connections- 2-1-1 helps connect you to community resources statewide. Looking for help? Dial the number 2-1-1 or visit the website. 211 is a vital service that connects millions of people to help every year.

• September 9th- Late Start
  
• September 10th - Athletics Parent Meeting 5-6 pm
• September 13th- Picture Day
• September 16th- Late Start
• September 16th- Baseball/Fastpitch Away at Cedarcrest - Varsity @ 3:30 , JV to follow
• September 17th & 18th- STAR Math Testing
• September 18th - Baseball/Fastpitch Home vs Bethel - Varsity @ 3:30 , JV to follow
• September 18th - Track Meet at Art Crate @ 3:30pm
• September 19th & 20th- STAR Reading Testing
• September 20th- First Falcon Pride Day (PM Assembly Schedule)
• September 20th - Baseball/Fastpitch Home vs Spanaway - Varsity @ 3:30 , JV to follow
• September 24th - Baseball/Fastpitch Home vs Cougar Mt - Varsity @ 3:30 , JV to follow
• September 25th - Track Meet at Art Crate @ 3:30pm
• September 26th - Baseball/Fastpitch Away at Liberty- Varsity @ 3:30 , JV to follow

Upcoming School Board Meetings

School Board meetings begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at Bethel School District's Educational Service Center (ESC), 516 176th St. E., Spanaway 98387 unless otherwise noted. The public is welcome!

• September 10: Regular School Board Meeting
  

• September 24: Regular School Board Meeting