The Fulton Flier

For another language, click "Translate Newsletter" tab and select the language of choice in the upper right-hand corner.

Spanish

Para otros idiomas, haga clic en Traducir Newsletter y elija el idioma que prefiera.

Korean

다른 언어의 경우 뉴스 레터 번역을 클릭하고 원하는 언어를 선택합니다.

Chinese

对于其他语言，请单击翻译新闻通讯，然后选择所需的语言。

Urdu

دوسری زبانوں کے لئے ، نیوزلیٹر کا ترجمہ کریں پر کلک کریں اور اپنی پسند کی زبان کا انتخاب کریں۔

Dear Fulton Community,

As we continue to experience this cold weather and the challenges of winter, we want to remind everyone to stay warm and safe during these chilly days. While we had snow days last week, we are proud of how our students quickly got back into their learning routines once they returned to school.

Despite the unexpected break, our dedicated teachers worked hard to ensure that learning continued, and our students are progressing well. We are looking forward to more exciting learning opportunities ahead.

Stay warm, and thank you for your continued partnership!

Wishing you wave of joy,

Dr. Burks, Mrs. Liwosz, & Mrs. Sillers

Resilience: Getting back up when something gets you down

Have you ever listened to the alternative rock song called “Get Up” by the band Superchick? The words to this song summarize the meaning of resilience. The song begins with the words, “I’m not afraid to fall. It means I climbed up high. To fall is not to fail. You fail when you don’t try. Not afraid to fall. I might just learn to fly and I will spread these wings of mine.”

The chorus goes on to say, “ If I get up, I might fall back down again. So let’s get up, come on. If I get up, I might fall back down again. We get up anyway. If I get up, I might fall back down again. So let’s get up, come on. If I get up I might fall back down again. I might fall back down again. We’ll just jump and see, even if it’s the 20th time. We’ll just jump and see if we can fly.”

Take a few minutes and listen to this song…maybe you can even sing along and let this be a resilience challenge for you to continue to “get back up when something gets you down.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAhtLeP4rUk

We are looking forward to our Parent-Teacher Conferences, which will take place with the Math teacher on Wednesday, February 5, and Thursday, February 6.

The Parent-Teacher Conference scheduling window opens January 20th at 8 am! For your planning purposes, please note the schedule below:

• On Wednesday, February 5th, any afternoon conferences will be in person only.
• On Wednesday, February 5th, any evening conferences will be virtual only.
• On Thursday, February 6th, any afternoon conferences will be virtual only.
• All February conferences will focus on math.:
• Just a reminder: Mrs. Gainer-Lee and Mrs. Cassara already held conferences for students in 4th Grade GT math during the fall. Therefore, if your child has one of them for 4th Grade math, you will not have another conference this time.

Families will sign up for conferences using Synergy. Here’s how to schedule a conference:

Log in to HCPSS Connect to view and select your time slot:

1. Go to https://www.hcpss.org/connect/
2. Select “Conference” from the left menu.
3. Choose “Parent Scheduled Conferences” at the top right.
4. Pick a convenient time slot.

Please view the following helpful guides:

https://www.hcpss.org/connect/guides/

https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/parent-conference-parent-2024.pdf

If you cannot access HCPSS Connect, please contact the school at 410-880-5957 for assistance.

The scheduling window will remain open until January 31st at 4:00 pm. After Jan. 31st, families must call the front office secretaries directly to check availability and schedule a conference.

January

• 01/13 2025-2026 Prospective Family Tour, 4:15-5:00
• 01/20 Schools Closed

• 01/20 Synergy Opens for Scheduling Parent Teacher Conferences

• 01/21-01/22 No half day Pre-K/RECC

• 01/21 Winter Chorus Concert, 6:30pm

• 01/22 FES PTA Meeting, 7:00pm (virtual)

• 01/22 Lime Kiln Middle School Rising 6th Grade Parent Night, 6:00pm

• 01/23 Schools Close 3 Hours Early; End of Qtr.2

• 01/29 School Closed; Professional Work Day

• 01/30 Winter Instrumental Concert

• 01/30 Lime Kiln Middle School Rising 6th Grade Parent Night, 6:00pm (snow date)

• 01/31 Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up Closes 4PM

February

• 02/05 Schools Close 3 Hour Early- Parent Teacher Conferences; No half day Pre-K/RECC
• 02/05 In-Person Parent Conferences
• 02/06 Schools Close 3 Hour Early- Parent Teacher Conferences; No half day Pre-K/RECC
• 02/06 Virtual Parent Conferences
• 02/07 Schools Closed; Teacher Professional Learning Day
• 02/13 Fulton's Reading Night
• 02/17 Schools Closed - Presidents’ Day
• 02/19 PTA Meeting

For a complete list of dates and events visit https://fes.hcpss.org/calendar

Upcoming Dates

PTA Meeting

1/22 • Virtual • 7-8pm

Save the date for our next general PTA meeting on January 22 from 7-8pm. Virtual link- https://meet.google.com/zit-iutc-agy?hs=224

PTA Sponsored Events

SAVE THE DATE! A portion of the proceeds will go towards the PTA if you visit the following establishments on these dates. Don't forget to mention Fulton. First up is Climbzone!

• Jan 31: Climbzone
• Feb 4: Decadent
• Feb 19: Maiwand Kabob

Falcon Follies Show

March 2025 • Reservoir High School

If your student likes to sing, dance, tell jokes, do magic or otherwise perform and entertain - they can start preparing now for the Falcon Follies show! Stay tuned for more details!

Happy New Year, and welcome back! We hope you all had a restful holiday season and are ready to dive into the exciting opportunities that 2025 brings.

We kicked off the new year with a short week and today is our first snow day of 2025! ❄️ While the snow may have caused a bit of a break in our routine, it’s always a wonderful reminder to enjoy the simple pleasures of winter. We hope everyone has a chance to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery outside.

As we move into January, we're excited to focus on our character trait of the month: Resilience. We'll be helping students understand the importance of bouncing back when faced with challenges and reminding them that setbacks are just part of the learning process. It’s all about encouraging perseverance and a positive attitude in the face of difficulties.

Looking ahead, we have some exciting events and activities planned for the month, and we’ll continue to keep you updated on all the happenings here at Fulton. Please take a moment to review the important dates and reminders below, and as always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Wishing you all a wonderful start to 2025!

January 22 at 6:00pm (Snow date: January 30 @ 6pm)

LKMS Cafeteria

Parents will get an overview of middle school, our G/T program, and a sense of what the day in the life of a 6th grader will be.

Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2025?

Please save the date and join HCPSS for an upcoming Road to Kindergarten parent information session. All sessions will run 6:30-7:30 p.m. and cover the same content.:

• Expectations for school readiness and receive a Ready for Kindergarten toolkit;

• Details about the HCPSS kindergarten program;

• Information about HCPSS kindergarten registration and website;

• Ways that families and children can be supported during the transition to kindergarten.

Information sessions will be offered on the following dates:

• January 21, 2025, Hammond High School*

• January 23, 2025 Centennial High School**

• January 28, 2025, Wilde Lake High School*

• SNOW DATE: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, Hammond High School**

* Spanish interpreter will be present at these sites.

** Chinese, Korean, and Spanish interpreters will be present at these sites

Resilience: Getting back up when something gets you down

SHARE WITH YOUR CHILD:

• Tell them about a time in your life when it was hard to get back up when something got you down.
• Do you know someone who has shown great resilience by continuing to get back up?

ASK YOUR CHILD:

• Name a subject at school or a skill in sports you find challenging.
• How could you show resilience when that subject or skill gets you down?

As part of our ongoing commitment to student safety, we want to remind all families of the important procedures for visiting our school.

• Check in at the front office before entering any part of the school building or grounds.
• Avoiding being on or near school property without following these procedures.

These protocols are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and visitors. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and secure school environment.

As we continue to work together to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students, I’d like to take a moment to remind everyone of some important safety guidelines for both drivers and walkers in and around our school zones. Your cooperation helps ensure that our school remains a safe and welcoming place for all.

For Drivers:

• Follow School Zone Speed Limits: Always adhere to the posted speed limits, especially during drop-off and pick-up times. Slower speeds help ensure the safety of our children.
• Stop for School Buses: If a school bus has its stop sign extended, you must stop and wait until the bus begins moving again. Children may be crossing the street in front of the bus.
• Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalks: Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, particularly in the busy morning and afternoon hours.
• Be Aware of School Arrival and Dismissal Times: Plan for potential delays during drop-off and pick-up times. Exercise patience and be mindful of the flow of traffic around the school.
• Avoid Distractions: Stay focused on the road and avoid using your phone or any other distractions while driving. Your full attention is needed to keep everyone safe.
• Follow our FES Arrival and Dismissal Procedures: No left turns during arrival and dismissal

For Walkers:

• Use Crosswalks and Pedestrian Signals: Always use marked crosswalks and wait for pedestrian signals before crossing streets. Please avoid jaywalking, even if you’re in a hurry.
• Look Both Ways Before Crossing: Always look both ways before crossing, even if you have the right of way. Drivers may not see you or may be distracted.
• Stay on Sidewalks: Walk on the sidewalks whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the side of the road facing traffic to see oncoming vehicles.
• Stay Alert: Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions such as phone use while walking, especially near the road.
• Use Safety Gear When Biking or Scootering: Always wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road if biking or scootering to school. Ensure your bike or scooter is in good working condition.

For Both Drivers and Walkers:

• Be Patient and Respectful: Whether you’re behind the wheel or walking, please be patient and respectful of others. We are all trying to get to our destinations safely.
• Pay Attention to School Crossing Guards: Always follow the instructions of crossing guards, who are there to help keep everyone safe.
• Follow Directions from School Staff: Our staff is out on duty at key locations around campus to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow. We typically have approximately 15 staff members on duty, and we ask that you please follow their directions for everyone's safety.

Let’s all work together to make our school zone a safe environment for our children. Your continued commitment to safety is greatly appreciated.

Free Life Skills Classes for HoCo Middle/High School Students

• Classes will be taught by HoCo college students with high school student assistants and adult supervision. Botvin’s Evidence Based Curriculum promotes positive health and personal development for students in grades 6 to 9. (Slightly younger students will be considered especially if joining an older sibling, and students older than 9th grade may be invited to join our high school team to earn Community Service Hours while learning.) If parents/guardians have questions about the appropriateness for students, register the students and HC DrugFree’s team will contact you. Siblings and friends are encouraged to take these classes together.
• Class dates: February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 31, April 7, 28, and May 5 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register students at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025LifeSkills
• HoCo High School Student Leadership Opportunity to Earn Community Service Hours: Join HC DrugFree’s instructional team to assist college students teaching online Life Skills classes – all while serving as a role model and mentor to younger HoCo students. This leadership experience looks good on resumes and college applications. For more information and to register to volunteer, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AssistLS2025spring

Free Parenting/Grandparenting Classes

• Free! On Zoom and open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in HoCo or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in HoCo. This evidence-based, interactive prevention program provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs including alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The curriculum was written for families with children 9-14 years olds, but we believe it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: March 18, 21, 25, 28 and April 1 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025GGC