FBMS Weekly Newsletter
March 28, 2024 #wearemarshfield
Upcoming Events...and a look ahead!
- Term 3 ends today 3/28
- NO SCHOOL TOMORROW 3/29
- Quarter 4 starts 4/1
- Report cards published to ASPEN 4/5
MCAS TESTING NEXT WEEK
All students will be taking the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) in next week and in May. 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 from the tests also helps us to make important decisions about curriculum.
Our entire building will be testing next Tuesday and Thursday at the start of the day. Testing promptly begins after homeroom announcements. Students who are late and miss the review of testing protocols by a proctor at the beginning of testing may need to make up the test on another day.
Our students continue to amaze us with their hard work, and we know they will do their best!
Some helpful testing tips:
1. Get a good night's sleep then night before
2. Eat breakfast
3. Bring a snack and water bottle to school
4. Do your best!
As we plan ahead, please take note of testing on the following dates. Any students who is absent will make up testing upon returning. Also included are some tips for success!
- ELA: All grades: Tuesday 4/2 and Thursday 4/4.
- MATH: All grades: Wednesday 5/8 and Thursday 5/9.
- STEM: Grade 8 only: Tuesday 5/14 and Wednesday 5/15.
- CIVICS: Grade 8 only: Tuesday 5/21 and Wednesday 5/22.
BUS REGISTRATION FOR 24/25 SCHOOL YEAR- FAMILIES MUST COMPLETE BY 4/1
Please read the following attachments and links regarding transportation options for next year. If you are interested in having your child take a bus next year, you must read and complete the following forms:
1. Please read the following: MPSD Transportation FAQ
2. Please begin your registration by visiting Aspen Bus Registration Instructions*
When logging into your child’s workflow, you will see your child's information along with the following:
Distance to School (as measured in Google Maps)
No Bus Zone (District determination of student eligibility to ride)
Payment Required (Determination of fee based on grade and distance to school).
If you have any questions regarding registration, please email transportation@mpsd.org
Thank you for your cooperation through this process.
Marshfield Public Schools
Transportation Department
STAND UP TO BULLYING INITIATIVE
Over the course of the last few months, a group of 6th and 7th-grade students has been working on the creation of a Stand Up To Bullying event which includes two student assemblies and a guided spirit week. These students have been working during the school day as well as after school to put these events together. Below is a rundown of the week’s events and themes.
STUDENT SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES: All students are encouraged to wear orange which has come to be associated with anti-bullying.
Assemblies on FRIDAY APRIL 5th:
- 8:15 am: 6th grade/Sharks
- 9:30 am: Narwhals, Whales, 8th grade
PROJECT 351 CLOTHING DRIVE IS UNDERWAY!
Our Project 351 Ambassador, Nicholas Roht, continues to spearhead service events here at Furnace Brook. He is currently running a clothing drive with the donations to support "Cradles to Crayons." We're currently looking for all children's sizes of clothing, including infants, as well as adults small and medium. Nick has set up bins within our school for students to drop off donations. Clothing can also be dropped off at our front office.
We need your help! Our clothing drive will run from next Monday until April 5th. Thank you for helping those in need! Pictured below, Nick and one of his Grade 8 peers and assistants, Brett.
FUN FRIDAY FUNDRASING FOR 8th GRADE STUDENTS- 4/5
Our 8th grade "Hat Day" fundraisers are held on the first Friday of each month. Our next hat day is Friday, April 5th. Hats must be appropriate for school and should not take away from the learning of any class. Students pay $1 in HR to wear a hat. All profits from these fundraisers support 8th grade events!
SEPAC PRESENTATION ON IEP CHANGES
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
FBMS SPRING TRACK OPENING MEETING 4/2
FBMS Track & Field begins in April, and registration is now open! If you are looking to learn a little more about the team, there will be an informational meeting for anyone interested on Tuesday, April 2nd, after school, in the cafeteria. Late buses will be available.
Information about the team is available in our Spring 2024 Track & Field Welcome Letter and can be found on the team web page: https://www.mpsd.org/o/fbms/page/fbms-xc-track-field.
Any questions, please contact us at fbmsxctrack@gmail.com.
INSIDE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MIND
A hole in one... These kids are awesome!
LAWN SIGNS- 8th GRADERS MOVING UP
The PTO is selling lawn signs as a fundraiser to acknowledge the accomplishments of our 8th Graders before they head off to the high school. Signs are $15 each. Image of sign is on the left, "8th Grader Stepping up to High School." Scan the QR code below to order signs.
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.
FROM THE CLINIC
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
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...
WANT TO BE A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER?
Our district is always looking for Substitute Teachers, and Furnace Brook is a great place to work. As a substitute teacher, you choose the number of days you would like to work and when. There is great flexibility. The pay rate is $125 per day, and the requirement is that you love kids, have patience (and a sense of humor), and can manage large groups. We tend to see a lot of retirees, folks looking for part time work, and people interested in teaching and the school environment.
If any of this interests you, please call Central Office at 781-834-5000. The people at Central Office will have you come in to complete an application, which requires a CORI (background) check and fingerprinting.
Come join us!
If you are interested in other specific roles within our district, click here. Jobs are always posted.