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Bullying/Conflict/Violence
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Bullying is when someone/a group repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean, hurtful things to another person who has trouble defending himself or herself. Bullying hurts, and we want it to end right now. Consequences for bullying are clearly and explicitly laid out in the Lewis F. Mayer Middle School handbook, as is our progressive discipline protocol. As in life, many situations in school are not a black and white fit for handbook policies - there are countless shades of gray (e.g. perception, behavior, memory, intention). The reality is that we have only limited control over the world and how our children are treated by it, which is a big reason why we place a heavy emphasis on empowering children to learn skills to manage life's difficult situations. The brain of the middle school student is in a constant state of flux, and strong emotion reigns supreme. Brain architecture is at a critical juncture during this stage of development. In order to help kids construct and nourish healthy neural pathways, we are wise to guide them as they experience their own lives and consequences.
At MMS, we believe that all kids do well if they can. As a staff, we have unconditional positive regard for our students; our relationships with students are of paramount importance. Understanding that behavior is communication, our approach to seeks to restore damaged relationships in a developmentally appropriate, empathetic manner that gives students the room they need to feel, express, learn and grow. We empower students to advocate for themselves at school by seeking the assistance of trusted adults when experiencing challenges (academic, social, personal,
et al.
). At MMS, we apply restorative, as opposed to punitive, practices in order to move beyond merely responding or reacting to rule violations. Employing restorative practices allows us to achieve our goals for safety and accountability, while also meeting our students' needs for pro-social growth and competency development.
Listed below are just a few specific suggestions for responding with compassion while helping kids develop the skills required to protect themselves.
Rescue only when necessary
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We must rescue our children when they experience a problem so severe that it overwhelms their ability to cope physically or emotionally. That's what good parents/guardians do!
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Unnecessary rescuing denies kids natural opportunities to learn how to solve their own problems and develop important life skills. Our kids can suffer when we swoop in to 'save' them.
Listen
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When our children are hurting, the most important thing we can do is listen with empathy, allowing them to express their full range of emotions. This can become difficult when we, too, are flooded with feelings over the issue. Listening means making the conversation about our child's feelings, not ours.
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Isn't it true that when we know how much other people care, it makes the struggles we are facing seem more manageable?
Empower them with the belief that they can cope
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Down deep, children feel empowered when we ask, "What do you think you might do to solve this problem?" While they may lack answers to this question, asking it demonstrates that we believe in their abilities.
Give them some practical experiments
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Learning to deal effectively with conflict hinges on our child's ability to remain calm, or perhaps even use a bit of humor, when another student tries to upset or provoke him or her.
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People who learn how to handle conflict when they are kids are better equipped to handle the conflict they will encounter as adults!
Mary Cory, MMS Student Counselor
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Mayer Middle School to Host Narcotic Overdose Prevention Education (NOPE) Task Force
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In hopes of spreading their message of drug abuse prevention to students and their families in Cuyahoga County, the Akron area chapter of the Narcotic Overdose Prevention Education (NOPE) Task Force will be speaking to our students on January 7th (FHS 8:45am, MMS 10:30am).
The NOPE Task Force effectively tells the story of overdose from a number of perspectives. Their presentation utilizes family members, police officers, and actual 911 tapes of overdose calls. Although some content is graphic at times, the scripts have been approved by licensed psychologists, certified prevention professionals, law enforcement officials, The Safe and Drug Free School Board Advisory Council, and family members who have lost children to drug and alcohol related incidents.
The mission of NOPE is to reach communities through prevention, education and support. Founded in Florida in 2004, they also have chapters in Pennsylvania and now in Ohio. The Akron area NOPE chapter was formed by the principal at Stow-Munroe Falls High School, Dr. Jeffrey Hartmann. The Akron area NOPE chapter completed their first presentation this year on September 12th at Cloverleaf High School in Lodi and has since spoken to students at Kent Roosevelt, Ravenna, and Green high schools.
Questions? Please Contact: The FPCS MS/HS Counseling Offices at (440) 356-3500 ext 4147.
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January 7 - Spring Fundraiser Kickoff
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We are raising money for our yearly field trips and student incentives. Students will receive information about the spring fundraiser this week at school. Thank you for your support.
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Applebee's Dine-to-Donate for the Friends of the Fairview Park City Schools
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Prepare for Winter Weather School Notifications
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With winter weather upon us, families should prepare for winter school closing notifications. In order to receive these announcements quickly, it is important for families to have correct contact information in their students' PowerSchool accounts. This will allow the District's automated messaging system to quickly reach you--via phone, email, and text--with emergency weather information.
To Receive Weather/Emergency Calls, Text Messages, and Emails
Log in to your
PowerSchool account and Under
"Alerting" click on
"SwiftReach SwiftK12" in the top left corner.
On the screen that opens, click on
"Contact Information" to make sure your phone numbers and email address is correct. Then check your
"Alert Preferences" to make sure each category is checked for what you wish to receive under "General Information."
Weather-related closures are sent under the "General Information" category.
Social Media & Website
Families can follow the District on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to receive instant weather notifications. Follow on Twitter and Instagram at @FPSchools
The district will also update its website, wwww.fairviewparkschools.org with school closing information.
Local Television
FPCS will notify local TV stations WKYC (NBC), WEWS (ABC), WOIO (CBS) and Fox8 with school closing information.
Thank you!
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Reliable Resources: Gale - Just the Facts
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by Mrs. Dill, 6-12 Librarian
- A global leader in education, learning and research resources online
- Subscription databases (high school level) paid for with Fairview High School money
- Passwords required for access
- Databases include a general database, US History, World History, Science
- Reference ebook collection, Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL), of 43 books or sets of books
- One-step searching called PowerSearch allows user to search all databases and GVRL at once. WARNING: many topics provide thousands of results; use "limiters" on the right to narrow results
To Access:
Go to the District webpage > click on Students > click on Core Tools > Click on FHS/MMS Library > hover over Research > click on Online Databases
You will find buttons to INFOhio, Gale and Passwords
Securly DOES NOT block the database information.
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Every Friday from 7:45 am - 8:20 am ALL teachers will be available for academic assistance. Students can sign up with any teacher to get the help they need. Please encourage your child to take advantage of this opportunity!
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Monday, January 7
10:30 - 11:30 AM - NOPE Presentation - Auditorium
L1 and L2 Mentoring - Spring Fundraiser KICK-OFF - Auditorium
Tuesday, January 8
5:00 PM - Girls Basketball @ Brookside MS
7:00 PM - MS/HS PTA meeting - HS room 150
Thursday, January 10
5:00 PM - Girls Basketball vs. Black River MS @ MMS
6:30 PM - Reflections Ceremony
Tuesday, January 15
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM - Friends of FPCS Dine to Donate @ Applebee's
5:00 PM - Girls Basketball @ Wellington, McCormick MS
Thursday, January 17
Last Day of the 2nd Quarter
5:00 PM - Girls Basketball @ Langston MS
Friday, January 18
NO SCHOOL
Monday, January 21
NO SCHOOL
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Mrs. Mary Cory
Middle School Student Counselor
440-356-3510 ext. 3135
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Family and Community Engagement (FACE)
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Ms. Carrie Sullivan
FACE Coordinator
440-356-3510 ext. 4117
Happy New Year to all the FPCS families!
I hope the holidays went well for everyone and we are refreshed for a new year!
I first want to thank the FPCS staff and the following organizations of Fairview Park (listed below) for their efforts in helping all FP families to have a great holiday. This year we helped
38 families
in our city have a successful holiday. All of your efforts were well received with smiling faces. Thank you to:
*Mosaic Club
*Key Club
*Women's Club of Fairview Park
*Shop with a Cop
* Police Department
*Mayor's office
*PTA
*Staff of the EEC, Gilles-Sweet, Middle School and High School
(We could not do this without the terrific organization of Sandy Vetrovsky (GS) and Susan Morrison (EEC).....thank you!)
In the new year......look for Parent University Topics on
*Supporting your Student's Growth Mindset - Jan 28, 6:30 p.m. at Gilles-Sweet
*5 and 6th grade coffee talk - Jan 24, 9 a.m. at the Gemini Center
*More on Mental Health - TBA
*Drug and alcohol presentation
- TBA
*FBI - cyber security
- TBA
If you have other topics you would like to hear about at the next Parent University, please
let me know!
Please email me anytime at csullivan@fairview.k12.oh.us with questions.
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Mr. Chris Vicha
Campus Principal
440-356-3500 ext. 4100
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Associate Principal
440-356-3510 ext. 3100
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| Lewis F. Mayer Middle School | 21200 Campus Drive | Fairview Park, OH 44126
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