THIS WEEK'S NEWS FROM MR. U & THE FMS HSA
FEBRUARY 21, 2017  
THIS WEEK FROM MR. U

Frelinghuysen Community,

I hope you enjoyed the four day, mid-winter break, and that you took advantage of the beautiful weather we had. 

I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude and thanks to the FMS Home-School Association for their tireless and invaluable efforts to support our school community. In particular, I want to highlight three of their efforts from just this past week that convey their investment in our school and our students.

This past week on Valentine’s Day, the FMS HSA provided our entire staff with an extensive “Sweet Treats” spread in the Faculty Lounge. The coffee, fruit, and delectable desserts were enjoyed and appreciated by the entire FMS staff.

In addition, all FMS students had the opportunity throughout the entire week to use their Falcon Tickets to bid on 22 prizes in our mid-year PBIS Tricky-Tray event. The incredible prizes ranged from gift cards to stores in town, to Morristown Onstage Tickets, to a pair of much-desired Beats headphones. All 22 of these prizes were acquired by the FMS HSA. Without their efforts, this wonderful event - that brings joy to our students and staff - would not be possible. 

Finally, we will be releasing our second “FMS in a Minute” video this coming week. The production and development of these videos - now in English and Spanish - is orchestrated entirely by our HSA. This is no small effort, yet it enables us to enhance communications between our school and our families in a very significant way.

On behalf of the entire FMS Faculty and Staff, I want to express my thanks to the FMS HSA for all that they do.

In partnership,

Mr. Uglialoro

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Q: When is the next FMS HSA meeting?  

A:   Our next scheduled meeting date is for March 8th.  

Instead of a formal meeting, the HSA will present an informative parent event called Digital Dilemma – Awareness, Management and Modeling for a Healthy Teen. We hear time and time again about the negative effects of the digital world on our children as they navigate through this tough developmental stage of middle school age.

Please save the date to join us for a panel discussion with our FMS HIB (harassment intimidation and bullying) counselor, a professional child/family psychologist and local police officer to engage in conversation and share concerns and tips for managing this ever changing dynamic.

We know how hard it is to come out in the evenings…so we have limited the number of meetings and have worked hard to communicate important information online through various channels. This meeting is about getting together and sharing information that will help us as a whole parent community. Your presence is important to its success…please join us if you can. Thanks! 
FMS: IN A MINUTE...  REPORT CARDS

The second episode of FMS: In a Minute is here! Now available in both English and Spanish versions. Check out this 2-minute episode to hear Mr. U explain what's new with FMS report cards, and what you can expect with progress reports moving forward. 

THANK YOU

A very special thank you goes to the Staff Appreciation Committee - Davala Crofford, Nadine Genrich and Annaliese Schneider-Rush - for putting together a fabulous and delicious Sweet Treats Valentine Day spread for our wonderful staff! Thanks also go to the dozens of parents who donated the food items, and stayed to help set up and clean up afterwards.

Our thanks also go to the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports committee - Janine Chilson, Sandra Bailey and Anne Johnson - for soliciting and purchasing gifts, and organizing the Tricky Tray raffle for our students to be able to use their Falcon Tickets. The PBIS program is a national evidence based program brought to FMS last year by Mr. U and his team that seeks to create a positive school culture.
FMS HSA COLOR RUN

SAVE THE DATE:  FMS HSA Color Run, Friday June 2, 2017, after school

Location:  FMS Athletic Fields 

Family members welcome! Kick off and registration will be May 8 - May 17. More details to follow…come join the fun!!

MHS Spring Musical  
March 23-26:  
Legally Blonde, The Musical

Based on the hit movie of the same name, this hilarious and heartwarming story takes the MHS stage by PINK storm!

This award-winning musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods, homecoming queen and president of the Delta Nu sorority, as she enrolls at Harvard Law School to get "serious" and win back her man, Warner.  Although no one has faith in Elle, she manages to surprise them all when she defies expectations while staying true to herself.

With memorable songs, witty dialogue, and a talented cast, Legally Blonde is a massively entertaining show with a powerful message.  

Tickets are on sale now at mhs.booktix.com

CONCESSIONS WILL BE SOLD - food, candy, drinks, flowers, kisses & kudos!!

HELP NEEDED: SNACK STAND

The FMS Snack Stand is in desperate need of volunteers! This a a great opportunity for parents to interact with the middle schoolers while helping out the HSA.   
The snack stand is open every day after school selling water and light snack items. You will be in and out in an hour (2pm to 3pm) and you can sign up for as many or as few days per month as you want. Whatever fits your schedule. To volunteer please send an email to  FMSsnackstand@gmail.com.
PROJECT GRADUATION

The annual Morristown High School Dinner and Fashion Show to benefit Project Graduation will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 5:30pm at the Birchwood Manor. Tickets are $65 per person.

Click here for more information on how to reserve your table today. Note:  Invitations will NOT be mailed or distributed via backpack mail. 

MORRISTOWN ONSTAGE IS SOLD OUT!

The Morris Educational Foundation is humbled by our school community's support for our signature fundraiser.

This year we have had an unprecedented amount of enthusiasm for tickets and we are deeply grateful.

If you were unable to purchase tickets, we encourage you to continue to check the MPAC website in the event that additional seats become available. 

Our goal is to raise $100,000 for the 10 schools in the Morris School District stands. Please consider placing a playbill ad to support our talent and our students and help us reach our goal.

ON THE RUN FOR HEDDA!

Hedda is a beloved 8th Grader at FMS. She was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma (brain cancer) in September 2015.  Since then she has endured surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments and has kept strong and smiling through it all.  We, at FMS, would like to show Hedda how much we love and support her.  There are several ways to help:

The Run for Hedda originally scheduled for Sunday, February 12 has been postponed because of the snow.  The rescheduled date for the event will be announced soon. 

Donate to the Helping Hedda GoFundMe - Hedda is hoping to visit her family in Sweden or have them visit her here.  Funds from the GoFundMe will help her realize this dream or help support her and her family. Here is the link to the GoFundMe:  Helping Hedda

Display a Turquoise Ribbon - Have you noticed turquoise ribbons around trees in Morristown and on people's front yards?  We're showing our support for Hedda.  Tie a turquoise ribbon on your tree, a pet or someplace meaningful or funny, snap a picture and post it on the Ribbons for Hedda Facebook page. Details on how to get a ribbon are also on the Facebook page.

Hedda, FMS loves you and we're sending you strength and support. ❤️

LADY COLONIALS LACROSSE

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2017 Morristown Lady Colonials Lacrosse Season! Registration is open to all girls in grades K through 8, regardless of skill level or experience. Register today at http://www.ladycolonialslax.com/.

SUBMIT YOUR BOX TOPS

Gather all those Box Tops you’ve been saving and send them in! Please put them in a Ziploc bag and write your child's Homeroom teacher on the bag.
Have your student drop the Ziploc bag in the black Box Tops mailbox outside the main officeThis 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 on our progress throughout the school year so you can see how you are making a difference. Thank you for your continued support!

FMS IS RECYCLING

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.

IMPORTANT DATES

Wed, Mar 1:  Morristown ONSTAGE

Wed, Mar 8: Digital Dilemma – Awareness, Management and Modeling for a Healthy Teen

Wed-Thurs, Mar 15-16: Early dismissal, teacher conferences
Wed-Sun, Mar 23-26: Legally Blonde, The Musical

Thurs, Mar 30: MHS Project Graduation

Fri, Jun 2: FMS HSA Color Run
  STAY CONNECTED
Frelinghuysen Home & School Association | FMSHSA@gmail.com | www.FMSHSA.com