
Fair Haven Union Middle School
February Newsletter
Note from the Middle School Principal
Good afternoon FHUMS Families,
I am a big believer that adolescence is a unique time in life. As I continue to read, learn and grow, two of my more trusted resources are AMLE and VAMLE. Recently, while poking around on the AMLE site, I came across this article, All in for Middle Level Education Month. March is Middle Level Month and as it approaches, it is a perfect time to take a minute to appreciate the uniqueness of the adolescent stage of life. I've summarized the article with 10 key points:
1. Adolescents are going through the most rapid physical changes of their lives and doing so at different and irregular rates.
2. The adolescent brain is growing and changing at a rapid rate, also happening in uneven ways from one human to the next. This can lead to impulsivity and risky decisions with little forethought about consequences. In addition, the brain is working to balance increasing hormone levels. This impacts their responses to stress, fatigue and crisis.
3. Adolescents are beginning to see their immediate world and the larger world as morally complicated landscapes. The development of their 'moral thermometer' is taking shape and can result in conflict, internally and externally. Additionally, they may be quick to notice the flaws in others and reluctant to look at their own. Some are ready to grasp the complexities and some are left feeling they are alone and as if no one understands them.
4. They are wrestling with identity - who they are, who they used to be, who they want to be, how they fit in, how they stand out, why they matter, what matters to them and more. They crave freedom but are uncertain of what to do when given that freedom.
5. They are vulnerable and resilient, at the same time.
6. Their social situations are becoming increasingly complex and they are struggling to navigate often turbulent and ever-changing waters with tools that are still developing. This can lead to misreading situations, overreactions to words or behaviors of others, and ever-shifting peer relationships.
7. "We" often works better than you or me. They need their trusted adults to be 'in it' with them and help them sort it all out. For those of us spending time with adolescents, whether at school or in our homes, we will need a rather limitless supply of patience and compassion.
8. They can be boisterous, and brilliant. They can be challenging, and change-agents. They can be selfish, and selfless. The can be wild, and wonderful.
9. Embrace the fact that they have the ability to make you laugh and cry, they can inspire joy and frustration...often in the same day, hour, minute.
10. Appreciate that the swirling potential is what fills the days with energy and limitless possibility.
All of this is and was true prior to the advent of the internet and social media. I do believe those elements are impacting the developing adolescent brain and the world in which they exist in ways we are yet to understand. I'm not sure the impact is all positive.
Keep them close, help them see the beauty in a complicated and often frightening world, remind them they matter, ask a lot of questions, listen to what they say and watch what they do. And remember, they are watching us too.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Jennefer Paquette
Middle School Principal
Artificial Intelligence (AI) ~ What is it?
Our Media Specialist has prepared some resources for parents about AI, including explanations of AI and how it works, AI jargon, safety, using AI, and teaching your children about AI. The document contains live clickable links to the resources and summaries of what each resource includes. Once again, we find ourselves trying to keep up with the world our children are growing up in!
Click on the link below to explore these resources.
Student Voice
Student Voice members serve several roles in the middle school. Students represent the advisory groups to communicate with their peers about upcoming events and ideas in the middle school. Student Voice members are also expected to be leaders in their school, demonstrating positive interactions and effort in their classes. Finally, members have the opportunity to work with teachers, administrators, and the PTO to help plan and organize school functions and activities. Thank you Student Voice members for being student leaders!
Thank you Mrs. Crumb for advising this group of student leaders!
Lifetime Activities - Weeks 2 & 3
We braved unusual weather and adapted as needed. Students and faculty alike appeared to enjoy the time we dedicated to this first session of Lifetime Activities. It is such a solid way to develop relationships between adults and students and amongst students. We hope to offer a second session starting in April. Stay tuned.
Linking Engineering to Life
Vermont Afterschool has developed “Linking Engineering to Life” designed specifically for middle school students from range of economic, geographic, racial, and gender identities.
Students have access to an exciting hands-on curriculum, including all materials and activities, as well as college-aged mentors who are currently studying a STEM topic.
College student mentors from UVM, Norwich, or VTC will join our Design Instructor, Mr. VanDerKern, to help lead the program.
This 10-week engineering program focuses on biomedical engineering, with activities such as creating a prosthetic device for your leg.
The Engineering for Life group will meet from 3:15–4:45 PM in the Design Lab at FHUMHS starting on Monday, February 5th and ending the week of April 15th.
All middle school students are welcome, and no experience is necessary.
Please reach out to Mr. Jeremy VanDerKern at jvanderkern@svuvt.org with any questions.
Future City Competition
Over 160 students in Mr. VanDerKern's Middle School Design class participated in the Future City Competition, where they were challenged to envision what a city might look like 100 years in the future. In small groups, students used science, technology, engineering, art and math to build their cities. They researched city zones and infrastructure and used ratios and algebra to create their scale models. Students were challenged to use as many recyclable objects as possible and could utilize 3D printers and LED circuitry in their designs.
FHU Middle School PTO
We have a group of parents that are working to start a Middle School PTO. Below are their meeting dates, the virtual link (in case you prefer to participate from home) and the emails of those getting this started. If you have questions, you can reach out to any of them directly.
FHU Middle School PTO
President: Kim Lemois, berlyJay06@comcast.net
Vice President: Ashley Bruce, Abruce86@icloud.com
Treasurer: Nicole Rice, nicole.rice1515@gmail.com
Secretary: Amanda Crowningshield, galvin1110@yahoo.com
Meeting dates with virtual link below:
March 12th, 6-7 pm, Ms. Sanborn’s classroom
April 9th, 6-7 pm, Ms. Sanborn’s classroom
May 14th, 6-7pm, Ms. Sanborn’s classroom
June 11th, 6-7pm, Ms. Sanborn’s classroom
Virtual Meeting Link: https://meet.google.com/pfg-rias-qec