French Middle School

September 2nd -- No School/ Labor Day

September 11th-- Late work Due

September 12th-- PTO @ 5:45

September 18th-- TPS Family Fitness Night at 5:30 @ Hummer Sports Park

September 20th-- Late Night in the Nest 6:30-8:30

September 23rd-- No School

September 27th- October 18th-- Red Wheel Fundraiser

On behalf of the French MS Faculty, I want to thank all Falcon Families for a positive start to the school year. Students have settled into a routine already and we are learning like our hair is on fire! ELA and Math teachers have administered our MAP test already in order to identify students’ academic strengths and areas of growth. We enjoyed meeting families at Meet the Teacher Night in August. Please stay in touch with your student’s teachers. Monitor grades and missing assignments in Synergy. We look forward to seeing parents again during October conferences.

• Students need a safe place at home to charge their chromebook each night. It is our expectation that students arrive everyday with a fully charged chromebook for class. Students are responsible for the care of their chromebook and any repair fees that might occur.
• All cell phones and personal electronic devices are to be stored in lockers during the school day. This is a new requirement in all TPS middle schools.
• Like last year, wireless headphones/air pods are not allowed at school. Personal headphones must physically plug into their chromebook. All classrooms have headphones students can borrow if necessary.

Follow the falcons on FB and Instagram (See the icons at the bottom of the newsletter)

First Meeting September 12, in the library, it is open to ALL adult family members. Information about school enrollment and events is shared in addition to teacher reports from each grade level and the related arts department.

Ala carte will start Sept 3rd and will run on Tuesday and Thursday . Its cash only and no bills bigger than a five dollar bill taken. Students can purchase up to 2 items and must have their ID badge once issued to purchase.

Calling all Falcons! Help out PTO and local community resources by adopting Duck at the Sertoma Duck Race. French MS PTO will receive 50% of the proceeds raised in purchasing ducks. The rest will go back to the community sponsoring Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club, Capper Foundation, TARC, Meals on Wheels, Topeka Rescue Mission and more.

Duck adopters have a chance to win great prizes and even a car! Prizes will be listed on website: https://www.duckrace.com/topeka

Online adoptions continue up to the race. Just click on https://www.duckrace.com/topeka

And look for French MS PTO.

• Ducks are adopted for $5 each

• Family of 5 ducks for $20

• Flock of 12 ducks for $50

• Oodle of ducks (27) for $100

Remember, FMS gets 50% of profits & you can purchase up to 10 am the day of the duck race. Adopt now through Sept. 14, 2024. The duck race will take place at Lake Shawnee!

Be on the lookout for our PTO Red Wheel Fundraiser that starts at the end of September. More details to come.

Join us at Hummer Sports Park for the 14th annual Topeka Public Schools Family Fitness Fun Night at 5:30 PM on September 18!

This event provides information to families and the community on education and healthy living in a positive and fun atmosphere for all ages in a safe and socially-distanced setting.

Attendees can visit various booths to learn about nutrition, fitness, and mental health and participate in fun games and activities. We can't wait to see you there!

Here Comes the Bus ®

Available to parents of (Topeka Public Schools) students

• View the real-time location of your child's bus
• Access the app from your smartphone, tablet or computer
• Receive push notifications or email alerts
• Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time, every time

How to get started:

1. Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com

2. Sign Up by going to the Here Comes the Bus website.https://herecomesthebus.com/parents/get-started/

3. Enter school code 29036 and click "Next" followed by "Confirm"

4. Complete the "User Profile" box

5. Under "My Students," click "Add." Enter your child's last name and student ID number

6. Once you confirm your information, you're ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!

*Available at the App Store and Google Play

Here Comes the Bus® is a registered trademark of Synovia Solutions™ LLC

Bus changes take up to 2 weeks to take effect. We do not create routes at French, if you want a stop change, we can submit a request.

7th and 8th graders are invited to our first “Late Night in the Nest'' of the school year on September 20th from 6:30-8:30. We will have music, dancing, snacks/drinks, open gym, open computer lab, ping pong, and board games. You must be passing all of your classes and have eligibility points to attend. The cost is $3. We hope to see all 7th and 8th graders there!

Easily pay School Fees online! Create your free MySchoolBucks account to conveniently and securely pay for your student’s school fees online or with the mobile app. With MySchoolBucks you’ll be notified when fees are due, and make payments from anywhere!

Get Started Today:

1. Go to myschoolbucks.com or download the mobile app

2. Create your free account and add your students using their school name / student ID

3. Add school items or invoices to your cart

4. Check out using your credit / debit card or electronic check

If you need assistance with your account, you can find helpful how-to videos and answers to commonly asked questions by visiting myschoolbucks.com. Or, you can contact MySchoolBucks directly by logging into your account to start a chat conversation or give them a call at (855) 832-5226.

Did you know that back to school routines help students succeed academically, emotionally, and socially? Here are some tips on how to help make an easy transition back into school!

Tip number 1 : Establish a routine!

Students are more comfortable and confident when they know what to expect during their day. This can help them develop time management and organization skills. Routines support a student’s learning. It also helps students prioritize focusing on their academics at school, when they understand how they get to spend their time at home.

Tip number 2 : Get a healthy amount of sleep!

The CDC recommends that children ages 6-12 sleep 9-12 hours per day. Children who get enough sleep are less likely to experience obesity, diabetes, injuries, poor mental health, and/or problems with attention. This is because our bodies repair our muscles, immune system, and brain while we sleep.

Tip number 3 : Prioritize self-care!

Practicing self-care can help student’s balance stress associated with maintaining a school routine, engaging in academics, and interacting socially with their peers.

The student council at French is a group of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who have been chosen through an application process to be representatives. Members meet with the counselors once to twice a month. Student council representatives learn leadership skills and work on building school pride, planning school parties, planning school events, planning and implementing ideas for school improvement, sharing advisor base ideas, and reporting back to advisor bases with ideas. Our student council members also serve as ambassadors to help with new students by giving tours, welcoming them to French, etc. This year we have one of our largest student councils with over 40 members. We are excited to see what they have to offer and what plans they make for French Middle School!

To ensure accurate attendance records, please remember to contact the main office to report your child’s absence or send a note with your child on the day they return to school. If you forget to notify us on the day of the absence, you will receive an automated call alerting you of the absence and prompting you to get in touch with the school.

For your convenience, you may leave a message when you call. Please be aware that students may be marked as truant if they accumulate:

• 3 consecutive unexcused days

• 5 unexcused days in a semester

• 7 unexcused days in a school year

When a student is marked as truant, we are required by law to file an affidavit with the Shawnee County Attorney.

To report an absence, please call:

• Main Office: 438-4150

• Attendance Line: 438-4151

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring your child attends school regularly.

At French, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students. Our bullying policy is a cornerstone of this commitment, designed to ensure that every student feels secure and valued while at school. We want to take this opportunity to outline our policy and the steps we take to prevent and address bullying.

What Constitutes Bullying?

Bullying is defined as repeated, intentional behavior that causes physical or emotional harm to another individual.

Our Approach to Preventing Bullying

1. Education and Awareness: We provide regular training and workshops for students, staff, and parents to recognize and address bullying. Our curriculum includes lessons on empathy, respect, and effective communication.

2. Open Communication: We encourage an open line of communication between students, parents, and school staff. If your child is experiencing or witnessing bullying, please report it immediately to a teacher, counselor, or the school office.

3. Clear Reporting Procedures: Students and parents can report bullying incidents through our confidential reporting system. Reports can be made directly to a trusted staff member or via our online reporting form, available on our school website.

What Happens When Bullying Is Reported?

1. Investigation: All reports of bullying are taken seriously and investigated promptly. The involved parties will be interviewed, and evidence will be gathered to understand the situation fully.

2. Intervention: Depending on the outcome of the investigation, appropriate interventions will be implemented. This may include disciplinary actions for the bully, support for the victim, and counseling for both parties if necessary.

3. Support: We provide support services for both victims and perpetrators to address the underlying issues and promote positive behavior changes.

Our Commitment

We are dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive school environment. By working together—students, parents, and staff—we can create a community where everyone feels respected and valued. If you have any questions or concerns about our bullying policy, please do not hesitate to reach out to our school counselors or administration.

Together, let’s make French Middle School a place where every student can thrive free from the fear of bullying. Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation.

The French sports teams are off to a great start again this year. We made it through the week-long record breaking heat wave and hopefully it is the last for the season. Thank you for the flexibility in your schedules as practice times were altered.

Cross Country

Exciting to announce that currently French has 40 runners- which is more runners than all other middle schools combined. French will be able to enter all meets with a complete team in every grade level, which increases our chances for awards.

Volleyball

The volleyball team has a large number with 45 out and should compete for the top of the district once again. Our varsity and JV has many returning starters from last year's team, as well as some new athletes. Our B team is practicing hard every morning at 6:15 getting better every day. We are excited to see the first matches.

Girls Tennis

The 7th and 8th grade girls tennis team is 10 girls strong. They have been getting better each and every day we have been able to get on the courts. We have a lot of new tennis players, who by the end of the season will be coming home with medals from tournaments.

Football

The football team has been hitting it hard, and are overcoming the early heat and the pains of full pad contact. We currently have 45 boys out who practice daily after school from 3-5:30. The weekend practices we much needed to get into full pads and full contact before the quickly approaching first contest.

Info for Athletics:

We, in Topeka Public Schools, are in position to utilize athletics as a part of a total educational program. We encourage all young people to learn the fundamentals of each game and to participate in each sport to the limit of their abilities. We further encourage all young people to learn and understand the rules of the game so that they may enjoy athletics in the future, as well as the present, as good spectators. Athletes and spectators are an important part of the game and should at all times conform to accepted standards of good sportsmanship and behavior.

Requirements for athletics:

Must pass 5 classes the previous quarter to be eligible.

Must have an updated physical signed by a licensed physician and head concussion sheet signed by parents.

Must have eligibility points left for the current quarter, each student starts with 10 points.

Must participate in practice to participate in games.

Must follow the coach's rules and guidelines to be in good standing.

Must be passing all classes the week of a game to be eligible to play in that weeks game.

Ineligible to attend and play in games if in ISS all day, limited time if ISS an hour.

Practice times

Cross Country- 3:00-4:30

Girls Tennis- afterschool from 3:00- 4:15

B VB- 6:15 AM- 7:30 AM

Varsity & JV VB- 3:00 PM- 5:00 PM

Varsity & JV FB- 3:00 PM- 5:30 PM

Equipment/clothing needed for practice

Football may want to bring older shirts and shorts to wear under their pads. All football equipment will be issued by the school, outside equipment is not allowed due to safety reasons.

Volleyball girls may want to purchase knee pads, or wait to see if the coach has extra to loan out.

Tennis rackets are available to borrow from the school or use your own.

Head Coaches:

Cross Country-Ms. Ryan

Tennis- Mr. Renfro

Varsity VB- Ms. Hirt

Varsity FB- Mr. Mellen

All questions regarding athletics should be addressed by Tim Wilson- 438-4162 or twilson@tps501.org

Please see our school website for more detailed information as well as calendar of events.

Sportsmanship

We would like to remind spectators that French Middle School is a member school of the Kansas State High School Athletic Association (KSHSAA) and is governed by their rules. One of those rules which, we completely support is Rule 52 which states:

ALL ACTIONS are to be FOR, NOT AGAINST; POSITIVE, NOT NEGATIVE or DISRESPECTFUL

Section 1: General Regulations (apply to grades 7-12)

Art. 1: SPORTSMANSHIP is a general way of thinking and behaving. The following sportsmanship policy items are listed below for clarification:

a. Be courteous to all. (Participants, coaches, officials, staff and fans)

b. Know the rules, abide by and respect the official’s decisions.

c. Win with character and lose with dignity.

d. Display appreciation for good performance regardless of the team.

e. Exercise self-control and reflect positively upon yourself, team and school.

f. Permit only positive sportsmanlike behavior to reflect on your school or its activities.

We hope that you can attend the games this year to cheer on the Falcons!

French Middle School

Kendra Besenyi, LPN

Ph: (785) 438-4156

Fax: (785) 271-3609

Email: kbesenyi@tps501.org

BULLYING POLICY

French Middle School will not tolerate bullying of any kind. Bullying is defined as any ongoing verbal or physical mistreatment where there is an imbalance of power, and the target/victim is exposed repeatedly to negative actions by one or more students. Bullying can be direct (physical or verbal), or indirect (exclusion, cyber-bullying, emotional). In order for everyone to feel safe and secure at school, every Topeka Public School has adopted the following rules against bullying. “I will not bully others. I will try to help students who are bullied. I will do my best to include students who are easily left out. When I know somebody is being bullied, I will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.” Students, staff, and parents should report any bullying that they are aware of to administration through the on-line bully report link on the French website. Students who bully others will receive consequences. Our counselors will be visiting 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes in August and September to remind students what bullying is, what we can do to prevent bullying, and what students should do if they or someone else is being bullied.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Topeka Public Schools, Unified School District No. 501 is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity. No person shall, on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin or ancestry be denied lawful access to any appropriate educational service, program or activity provided by the school district. The Title VI and Title IX compliance coordinator is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching/Learning/Administration. The Section 504/Title II compliance coordinator is the Coordinator of College and Career Ready Services. For employment, the EEO/AA officer is the General Director of Human Resources. All compliance coordinators may be contacted at 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294, (785) 295-3000. The clerk of the Board of Education has been designated to receive and redirect or handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, regulations and procedures. The clerk may be contacted by calling (785) 295-3045 or by writing to 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294.