Falcon Focus - FHMS Weekly Newsletter

Home of the Falcons!

"Fountain Hills Middle School empowers students to learn, to care, and to succeed."

Principal's Message February 2, 2018

Spring is upon us and in education, spring is prime time for transitions as we move forward in our academic year. Later in February, third grade students from McDowell Mountain Elementary School will visit our school to tour the building, meet Falcon Leaders who serve as ambassadors, meet our fourth grade teachers, administration and staff who they will see on a daily basis in the fall. Later in the evening, parents will participate in Parent Night with their children to support families as they transition to middle school. The eighth grade class has met with counselors from FHHS to learn about what to expect as they enter the next phase of their education, and Mr. Perkins hosted a number of super high school students for the day so eighth grade students could voice their own questions in small groups. Very soon, eighth grade students will visit FHHS for the day to experience their first day on campus, which is an exceptional welcome to future freshmen. Mr. Jagodinski and Mr. Carrick are ready to welcome the new freshman class!

As students transition from third to fourth grade and from eighth grade to high school, please keep in mind that we recognize different types of transitions in our students throughout the year. Students are growing physically, academically, and socially and families also notice subtle (and not so subtle) shifts in how children approach their studies, friendships, and family relationships at home. Often, kids behave differently at school than they do at home, and some kids maintain the same behaviors in both spaces. Should you have questions about your student's progress, behavior, or development, please contact your student's teachers, our counselor (Julie Goodell) or our health tech (Deb Jones). One of our goals for this year is to increase communication with our families, so we encourage you to reach out to us. Marty Bassett and I are also available if you have questions arise after speaking with teachers. Thank you always for your support!

Special Announcements

See what is happening at our schools

15th Annual FHUSD PTO Gala

Saturday, February 24, 2018, 6-11 pm

Tickets $65 until February 10; $80 thereafter

We-Ko-Pa Resort and Conference Center

Fort McDowell, AZ

Begin bidding online immediately upon registering!

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW

ORDER HERE TODAY!

District Spelling Bee

Congratulations to 7th grader, Brendan Schaefer, who for the second consecutive year is the FHUSD Spelling Bee Champion! Brendan now moves on to represent FHUSD in the Maricopa County regional spelling bee in Cave Creek on February 23. Brendan will compete against students that are district winners from Cave Creek, Deer Valley, Paradise Valley, and Scottsdale. Fellow 7th grader, Lindsey Eminhizer, took second place and will be a regional spelling bee alternate. We are so proud of these FHMS students!

Lindsey Eminhizer and Brendan Schaefer.

Volunteers Needed for JA Day at FHMS

Fountain Hills Middle School is having Junior Achievement Day on March 6, 2018. Each 4th and 5th grade classroom is in need of a volunteer to be a part of the day.

Junior Achievement brings real life experiences into the classroom to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. JA teaches financial literacy, work-readiness skills, and entrepreneurship.

JA volunteers will be trained and given all the materials and lesson plans to present to the classrooms. Teachers will be in the classroom during the lessons to assist with students, content, and any other help that is needed.

This program is your chance to "give back" to the schools. Please consider becoming a JA volunteer. Email: iviolette@fhusd.org with interest or questions.

Thank you in advance!

8th Grade Visit to FHHS

On Friday, February 9, 2018, all eighth graders will tour the high school campus and attend the "Hoopcoming" assembly. If you have not already done so, please complete the attached permission slip and have your 8th grader return it to his/her academic strategies teacher.

Football Skills Clinic

FHHS football team will be hosting a youth football clinic on their campus February 9th. The camp will run from 3:30-6:30 pm and is for grades 3-7. This will be a skills camp where players will be taught the fundamentals of football, what to expect at each position on the field, and how to have fun playing football. The camp will be led by head coach Jason Henslin, his assistant coaches, and the high school football team.

What?: Personalized instruction from the high school coaches and players, a Falcon Football t-shirt, snacks, a flag football tournament, & cool prizes for hardest workers and the Spirit of a Falcon Awards in each age group.

When?: February 9, 2018 from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm (Buses will be provided after school to take students from the Middle School to the High School)

What do you need?: $30 fee and the attached Waiver Form can be given to Mrs. Beck at the middle school or Mrs. Langworthy at the high school.

Who?: Any students in grades 3-7

Kiwanis Terrific Kids Congratulations to this week's Kiwanis Terrific Kids, 5th graders Cayden Rieck and Sahara Romo. Way to go!

FHMS Dance Happy Birthday Arizona Dance! Thursday, Feb. 15, 5:30 - 7:00 pm. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from Mrs. Beck in the front office before/after school or during lunch. No tickets sold after 3:30 pm on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Camp Surf The 8th grade trip to Camp Surf at Imperial Beach, CA, will take place April 30 - May 2, 2018. For those students attending, the balance of the fee will be due on or before March 23, 2018. If you are not sure of your balance, please call the office at 480.664.5411 for the amount due.

Looking Ahead

View upcoming events of the week ahead


02/09/2018	8th Graders Visit FHHS
02/13/2018	Third Quarter Progress Reports Check PowerSchool for P3 Grades
02/15/2018	FHMS Dance 5:30 - 7:00 pm
02/19/2018	NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day