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THIS WEEK'S NEWS FROM MR. U & THE FMS HSA
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Frelinghuysen Middle School Community,
Welcome to December!
We are now into the 4 month of the school year,
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and I believe we progressing significantly towards our goal towards creating a middle school in which all students ascend academically, socially, and emotionally in an environment that is safe, supportive, and inclusive.
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Thanks to the generosity and effort of the FMS HSA and the Morristown Educational Fund, we have finished the FMS Community Mural Project, and our students and staff now get to eat in an incredibly inspiring setting that reflects our school community. In addition, this week, we are kicking off the ALL IN program at FMS. The ALL IN program, which was started at Morristown High School by Dr. Jessica Neu, strives to provide students of diverse backgrounds and needs with meaningful opportunities to cooperate, interact, and work together. We are thrilled to have so many of our FMS students becoming involved in this important program.
Academically, we continue to work to provide all students with a rigorous and relevant educational experience. Our effort began this year with the new FMS Homework Program. As many of you know, the program focuses intensely on developing the reading, writing, numeracy, and analytical skills so essential for success in high school, college, and 21st century careers.
On Tuesday of last week, about fifty FMS parents joined me for my Principal’s Tea and Talk and provided very insightful and helpful feedback on the Homework Program. Many parents voiced their support of the program’s twin goals of developing foundational literacy and mathematical skills, and increasing consistency in how homework is assigned across the school.
The major themes that emerged regarding how we can enhance the program focused on 1) increasing the level of challenge and complexity of the Night Writes, 2) providing more opportunities for students to receive feedback on their writing from teachers, 3) adding homework in the World Language classrooms, and 4) possibly adjusting the homework requirements based on grade or course level. I will work with leaders across the school community in the coming weeks to review this feedback and to make decisions about how we can continue to refine this program so that we reach our goals.
We are now approaching the holiday season, and with that come opportunities to enjoy our Winter Concerts. To begin, we hope you join us this Tuesday night at 7:00 pm for our Winter Band Concert. Come see our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade ensembles perform, as well as our Jazz Band and new Wind Ensemble. I promise you will enjoy the show!
In partnership,
Mr. Uglialoro
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Q. How do you know what grades are final on PowerSchool and will FMS families still be receiving report cards in the mail?
A. PowerSchool is the new parent portal where FMS parents can access their child’s grades, attendance and schedule.
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Simply log on to PowerSchool, click on “Grades & Attendance,” and all your child’s classes will be listed with the grade next to it. To access a more detailed list of grades on individual tests, quizzes and homework assignments, click right on the class letter grade and it will break it down further. When you click on the letter grade under Q1 – those are the final grades for the first marking period. When you click on the letter grade under the F1 column, that will give you ALL the grades your child has received in that class from September to preset day. Some of those grades are not final. When marking period two is final, you will have a Q1 and Q2 column of final grades (which is your digitally accessed report card), and an F1 column that will continue to have the accumulate grade to date.
By now, you should have received your child’s first marking period report card in the mail. This will be the last paper report card you will receive via mail at FMS. All grades final and “in progress” for the current marking period can be accessed through PowerSchool anytime. There is also a PowerSchool free APP with notification options for your smart phones to get updates if you choose. If you have limited access to online information and would still like a paper report card in the mail, this will be honored upon request. PowerSchool enables parents to access current grades, final and in progress, in real time. Going paperless is environmentally sound, cost efficient to the district, and provides parents with the most up-to-date and detailed information for each individual class that can be accessed 24/7.
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HOLIDAY ANGELS GIFT CARD COLLECTION
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It's time for a new FMS tradition! This year we will be collecting gift cards of any denomination to help make the holidays special for families in need.
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It's time for a new FMS tradition! This year we will be collecting gift cards of any denomination to help make the holidays special for families in need. The donation of a gift card will allow parents in our FMS community to shop for their families and select that perfect gift.
Donations will be collected beginning on Nov. 28th. The final day for Holiday Angel giving will be on December 9th.
Please think of the families that could use some help this season when you are out shopping. A gift card from VISA, Walmart, or even a supermarket could make a huge difference. Gift cards that can be used downtown are particularly welcome.
Please help our school ensure that ALL of our students enjoy a happy holiday this year. Donations should be delivered to the office for safe keeping.
Questions? Contact Kimberly O'Malley or Ruth Dunnan. Thank you for your help!
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The cafeteria Mural project has been extended one day- we could still use a few extra hands - if anyone has some time to give between 8:45-2:10 please come by the cafeteria Monday. No need to sign up! Thanks you!
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The FMS Theater Department and LMO Photography are teaming up for an amazing holiday family photo fundraiser!
Book your holiday photos with LMO Photography and 20% of your package will go directly to the FMS Theater Department.
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Visit the LMO Photography website to see their packages and pricing and book your photos today!
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The 10th annual Morristown Onstage will be held on Wednesday March 1. The show is looking for the area’s best amateur talent to win one of three prizes: $1000 for 19 & older, $1000 for 18 & younger, and $500 for viewers’ choice.
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Auditions are open to those who live, work, train or go to school in Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains, as well as Morristown High School alumni, and will be held on December 10 at Morristown High School. Audition pre-registration is due by December 7 at morristownonstage.com.
See the audition flyer here.
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Recycle your old cell phones and ink/laser cartridges from home or work. There is a collection box in the main office all year long and FMS-HSA will receive cash, which will go towards HSA sponsored programs for our kids.
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Gather all those Box Tops you’ve been saving over the summer and send them in!
Please put them in a Ziploc bag and write your child's Homeroom teacher on the bag.
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Have your student drop the Ziploc bag in the black Box Tops mailbox outside the main office. This is an easy fundraiser for FMS and a great way to raise money for our students! Please continue to clip Box Tops from the products you buy each week because we collect all year.
Also, register your ShopRite Price Plus club card and select FMS. Any time you buy participating products at ShopRite using your Price Plus card during the advertised times, box top earnings will automatically be awarded to FMS!
We will keep you posted of our progress throughout the school year so you can see how you are making a difference. Thank you for your continued support!
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TEACHER TRIBUTES FROM MEF
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Are you looking for that perfect gift this holiday season? Wondering how to recognize the teachers and staff members in the Morris School District who have made a difference in your child’s life?
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Through the MEF's 2016 Holiday Teacher Tribute program, you can honor administrators, coaches, counselors, assistants, custodians, librarians, nurses, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, secretaries, and of course, teachers by making a donation in their name. Make your shopping much easier this season by honoring special people in your child's school with a Teacher Tribute!
Purchase your Teacher Tributes today online! The Holiday Teacher Tribute deadline for in-school delivery before the holiday break is December 16, 2016. Orders received after this date will be delivered in January 2017.
Click here to print the flyer.
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MORRISTOWN HIGH SCHOOL WINTER CONCERTS
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The Morristown High School Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble will hold their winter concert on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7PM in the MHS auditorium. The concert is free.
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The Symphonic Band, under the Direction of Mr. Douglas Rutan, will perform:
Discovery 1492 by Robert W. Smith,
Ode to Greensleeves by Richard Saucedo and
Appalachian Expedition by Chris Bernotas.
The Wind Ensemble will perform
Overture for Winds by Charles Carter,
Suite from "The Nutcracker" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky,
Heaven's Light by Steven Reineke and
Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson.
On December 15 at 7PM in the MHS auditorium, the Morristown High School Concert Choir, Akabellas and Akafellas vocal groups along with the MHS Orchestra will perform songs of the holiday season. A combined piece "Gloria" by Vivaldi, of choir and orchestra is being planned as well. The concert is free.
Click here to view concert poster.
Click here to view some amazing music accolades!
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IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, Dec 6: FMS Band Concert, 7PM
Monday, Dec 12: FMS Orchestra Concert, 7PM
Wednesday, Dec 14: FMS Chorus Concert, 7PM
Friday, Dec 16: FMS Spirit Day
Monday, Dec 19: Board of Ed Meeting,
MHS Learning Commons, 7:30PM
Friday, Dec 23: Half Day MSD
Sat, Dec 24 - Mon, Jan 2: Winter Recess
Tuesday, Jan 3: Classes Resume
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