FMS ANGELS - THANK YOU FOR DONATING!
Thank you Ms. Gilbert (our School Counselor) and all FMS students and staff for Ten Days of Giving Food Drive!
**We have a special need for hoodies, coats, leggings for girls, and athletic pants for boys! All donations can simply be dropped off in the main office. Thank you for helping us to help our students!
Thank you for all of your food donations for our Ten Days of Giving service project. Our student ambassador club collected over 400 cans, boxes, and bags of food! This food drive was a big success and we thank you for supporting our efforts to teach our students the importance of giving to help others. FMS is very appreciative of your generosity! Thank you for helping us help our community!
Heads Up 8th Grade Parents!
Our 8th grade students have some choices to make for high school!
IMPORTANT!
There is an Information Night on Thursday, 11/30 at Louisburg Magnet from 6:00-7:00 pm
LMHS is located at 201 Allen Street, Louisburg, NC
Some information:
8th grade students can apply to Early College High School, a free 5-year program that blends high school and college so students have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and Associate’s Degree from VGCC at the same time. Staff and students will visit FMS to present information about their program and answer questions.
8th grade students can also apply for the STEM Magnet program at Louisburg Magnet High School.
Staff and students from LMHS will visit FMS to present information about their program and answer questions.
How to apply: Between Friday 12/1/23 and 2/9/24, go to www.fcschools.net, click on the Parents tab and click on “Choice Schools & Programs.” Select the program and click the “Apply Now” button to begin the application process. Once you have submitted an application, please notify Ms. Gilbert so she can submit the required recommendations and reports.
Franklinton High School will visit FMS to discuss high school planning and have a Spring Showcase next semester when parents and students can visit and tour and learn more about FHS. Registration with FHS will take place next semester.
Please encourage your students to finish 8th grade strong, as we’re preparing them for high school classes!
MATH: MS. JENKINS Hello FMS Families. We are getting back into the swing of things after the nice holiday break. We have dived right into Unit 2, Reasoning with Rational Numbers. The students have been engaged in discussions about how we define rational numbers. We took time to reinforce student understanding of the number line and integer operations. Over the next few weeks we will learn how integers are involved in situations dealing with money, then move on to solving problems with the four basic operations and rational numbers. Tutoring begins this week. This is a great opportunity to get extra help with your classwork.
Things to remember:
Be on your best behavior. Remember the school and classroom rules.
Bring your materials (Chromebooks(charged), notebooks, and pencils) to class daily.
Get a good night's rest and come to class prepared to work.
Remember to ask questions if there is something you need help understanding.
Believe in yourself, you can do it!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at litishajenkins@fcschools.net.
SCIENCE: MS. BRACKETT
We will continue Evolution and Genetics until the end of the quarter. Please check your student’s grades in PowerSchool and make sure they are completing their work on time. Several assignments will close this Thursday, November 30, 2023. After that time, a grade of zero (0) will be given for any uncompleted assignments that were due on November 30. If you have any questions about the missing work, please contact me at sherrybrackett@fcschools.net.
SOCIAL STUDIES: MR. JONES
Hello Parents and Guardians! We are coming back from break and hitting the ground running. We are learning about imperialism during quarter 2 and will start with the Scramble for Africa. Students will learn about European countries and their colonization of the African continent.
Students need to come to school focused and ready to learn this next few weeks even though winter break is rapidly approaching. We will not let up on our end and expect students to do the same. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at hunterjones@fcschools.net
ELA: MS. BAECHLE
Happy almost December, students and families! As we continue Quarter two with a fresh start and new opportunities - we continue to ‘set the temperature’ with strong student focus, consistency of work completion, and accountability of student work which will ensure growth among skill-sets, and overall academic success.
Expectations: Overall, students have done a solid job with maintaining a positive behavior in class, as well as keeping up to date with their work. I appreciate you speaking with your students about their personal and academic goals on a regular basis. Remember that each quarter every student begins with a 100% in their classes. What they decide to do with their grades and achievements are up to them.
Curriculum: We have completed our first text, “Lyddie,” and this week students are working on a “Vision Board” extension project. Students will be able to view different career perspectives from that of Lyddie’s character in the 1800’s as compared to their career of choice in the current day. They will utilize textual evidence from the novel, as well as digital evidence to support their research and include symbols/images to enhance their vision. This mini-project in class will be created digitally in a Google Jamboard app. Next week, will begin the next text/unit with an introduction including a series of excerpts with “Frederick Douglass,” and the topic of “Slavery.”
Students will utilize a series of skills including: color-coded annotation, a strong focus on content vocabulary with weekly journals, utilizing a variety of graphic-organizers, anchor texts, etc.
Q2/3 Project: Throughout Q2 and Q3 students will be writing a research paper from a series of pre-selected Social Issue topics. This week students will select a topic from those provided to them on a series of ‘Social Issues.” A letter of intent will also be sent home to be signed and returned by Monday, 12/4. Next week we will focus on locating reliable sources online related to their topics including: .net, .org, .edu, and .gov. The project rubric and letter of intent to be signed are included below:
Q2/3 Project: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x1SbVnRixJHN4lBKpBEhfi45lsYePFUHlBWFDzQqMic/edit?usp=sharing
Letter of intent:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oPykoLE60SbiP-SF25OJlv2Ec8th7YXb_V5StmBP_a4/edit?usp=sharing
Homework: Students should expect homework two to three times weekly in order to continue to develop their skill-sets and to see growth. Please ask your child what work they have for homework, or have not completed on a regular basis to help keep them on track. Work is updated regularly for access on Canvas.
Grades: Student grades are now viewable to students and guardians on Powerschool. Students are expected to check their grades on a regular basis and reach out to their teacher for make-up work, or additional time to complete an assignment if they have been absent. I allow a one week timeframe to make up work before an assignment becomes a zero.
I-Ready: Is a proven and resourceful data-driven program that allows teachers to see tri-annually where a student is at in their comprehension level by grade lexile. It also allows teachers to view the data and see where students have mastered a skill, and what areas need additional practice.
Students are expected to complete two passing lessons from their pathway each week. In addition, they will be assigned a “teacher assigned lessons” at times to enhance what is being taught in class, which is to be completed by the end of the week for a grade. The teacher chosen assignment will focus on a skill-set currently being taught or reviewed in class in order to strengthen a specific skill.
We are working on new I-Ready incentives for two passing lessons per ELA and Math beginning next week on 12/4.
Tutoring:
Tutoring: Tutoring has begun and will occur each: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3:30-5:00 pm in the cafeteria. Please ask your student about a tutoring contract to view and return attached below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KHba-Ciy9XIx3mbAu6Ki7mwwocNfgA1dOxvI7Qcg3V8/edit?usp=sharing
I will be there on Mondays and Thursdays for additional support in ELA.
Note: Students worked hard Q1 and their efforts and growth have shown! Keep up the good work :)
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time with any questions or concerns: kimberlybaechle@fcschools.net
Please speak with your students about continuing to do their I-Ready. Incentives will be provided by the School. 2 passed lessons in math will get them a ticket to be put into a drawing where they could win free classwork passes, candy bars, slushies, free admission into one FMS event and maybe more!
Students are also to be completing the teacher assigned iReady lesson(s) each week. Once they log into iReady, they will select Math, then will click on assigned to complete their assigned lessons. These lessons are separate from their learning pathway lessons.
Please be sure that you are checking Powerschool for grades and missing assignments. Grade alert forms will be going out this week. Incomplete assignments will be given a zero (0) if not turned in.
Any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at michellecunningham@fcschools.net
SCIENCE: MS. HEAD
I hope everyone had a wonderful break. In Science, we are continuing our unit on Hydrology. We will have the postponed vocabulary quiz on Wednesday 11/29. In the Second Step lessons, we will be starting the second unit about recognizing bullying and harassment. We have also started tutoring after school three days a week Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Please let me know if any questions come up (my email: nadinehead@fcschools.net). Thank you!
SOCIAL STUDIES: MR. DOWNUM
First of all I want to say that I hope that you all had a great break and spent quality time with your loved ones. We are currently working on westward expansion. We will be working on this probably until Christmas break. Grade alert forms are going out this week. Any questions please email me at daviddownum@fcschools.net.
Student Materials: More and more students are coming to class unprepared (not having a chromebook and/or a chromebook that is not charged). Please make sure your child charges his or her chromebook nightly.
Please email me at annafrost@fcschools.net
ART with Mrs. CLIFTON
Our artists have been learning about color theory for the last few weeks. They have learned about the color wheel, color schemes, op art, and are learning about the different meanings that colors can have. They are creating selfies using colors that have meanings that they relate to and they feel defines them. Their selfies will be on display along with their spooky houses at the Winter Celebration on Dec. 14th. Our artists will be finishing their selfies this week, and moving on to the last lesson in color theory which is creating an abstract pattern from their memories. Please contact me at angelaclifton@fcschools.net
CTE: MS. SMITH
6th Grade:
In the coming weeks students will be embarking on an engaging journey to develop crucial skills in document creation and word processing. They will learn how to effectively navigate and utilize word processing tools, gaining proficiency in creating and editing typed documents. Students will also begin to have weekly 1 minute typing tests.The test will focus on the uses of correct keyboarding techniques and typing speed. Students should aim to increase their Gross Words Per Minute each week. I strongly suggest that students use the correct typing techniques outside of the classroom. See the rubric for the typing test in this section. I encourage students to try their best on each typing test. Students who do not receive a passing grade on the test can earn makeup points by completing extra typing practice assignments. Grades have been updated in Powerschool. If a student has a 0, the assignment has not been submitted
7th Grade:
In 7th grade, our students are currently immersed in Code.org's Unit 2, focusing on lessons 1-5, where they are diving into the fundamentals of HTML and web page creation. Throughout this unit, they will acquire hands-on experience in coding, learning how to structure web pages, incorporate elements, and understand the essential principles of HTML. This foundational knowledge will empower them to express their creativity in the digital realm and cultivate valuable skills for the future. Students are working on skill building and mini projects in Code.org Unit 2 Lessons 1-5. Students who do not complete their assignments in class should work on the lessons at home. Grades have been updated in Powerschool. If a student has a 0, the assignment has not been submitted.
8th Grade:
students are currently engrossed in Code.org's Unit 3, specifically focusing on lessons 12-16, where they are exploring the fascinating world of animations and games. Throughout these lessons, students will acquire essential programming skills, enabling them to design and create interactive animations and games. This hands-on experience not only sparks creativity but also cultivates problem-solving abilities and a deeper understanding of coding principles.rades have been updated in Powerschool. If a student has a 0, the assignment has not been submitted
DRAMA: MS. HATTEN
Welcome back!!! I hope everyone is rested up and ready for the last few weeks before the new year.
6th grade: We are working through theatre history and just learned about Shakespeare! I look forward to sharing The Tempest with my classes as an adventure into Shakespeare’s plays.
7th grade: When we finish our classwork, I have a puppetry project planned for my students. They have been working on comparing different fairy tale versions, making up new stories with old fairy tale characters, and our last stretch on this unit will be our puppets.
ALSO: Congratulations to our 7th B day class on their amazing Fairy Houses! 1st place goes to Liam! 2nd place goes to Amelia and Alexandria, and 3rd place goes to Gernaya and Kiley. Our Fairy Houses will be on display in the cafeteria at our Holiday Concert on December 14. IF my students in the other class can get their class work done, they will have a chance to complete their fairy houses to have on display as well.
8th grade: You are really knocking it out of the park with your original stories and scene work. This week we start learning about symbolism and use our original stories to create some great character costume pieces.
BAND: MS. BROWN
I hope you had a wonderful break and are ready for the last stretch before the new year! We are preparing for our upcoming winter concert as a band program. This will be on December 14th at 6:30 pm in the FMS auditorium. The band is collaborating with the art and drama departments to bring a great winter celebration to you all.
If your student is in band, it is mandatory that they participate in the concert. Being in the band requires students to learn personal accountability and recognizing that they are a part of something bigger than themselves. If there is a conflict, please reach out to me at annabrown@fcschools.net as soon as possible. This concert is a large part of their grade so please make every effort to ensure they attend.
Due to some changes in guidelines and requirements for the Franklinton parade, our students will not be participating. More information regarding this will be discussed with students in class and please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Last but not least, a few students were chosen to participate in All County Band and I am so proud of them and all their hard work. Here are a few pictures that I was able to take that showcases their learning but also the amazing opportunity to grow as musicians and people. Some students had left by the time I took the group picture but we were able to bring 13 amazing musicians with us to All County Band!
