Hello Falcon Families,
Fall Break is upon us and the year is one quarter over! Parent-Teacher Conferences were well attended and a positive opportunity to celebrate academic success and discuss opportunities for improvement. Today (Friday, Oct. 4th) marked the official start of the second quarter and finished up with an amazing pep assembly ran by our FHMS STUGO!
This year started off with a lot of positive changes. We added several amazing new staff members, we painted the interior, and added graphics to the office & gym entryways. We recognized over 30 of our students for their positive contributions to our campus and presented them with our first ever
FHMS Citizenship Awards
. We have been developing our expectations with our PBIS team and are preparing for staff and student input. It has truly been a great start to the year and we have a lot of work still ahead of us.
As we return from Fall Break, we will introduce new procedures and reteach procedures already in place. We will continue to recognize our students for their successes (academic, behavioral, athletic) and will have the first of four "Spirit Weeks' and school dances. Our
First Quarter Honor Roll/Principal's List
ceremony will be held the
week of Oct. 28th
- which also happens to be our first "Spirit Week."
The second quarter is also a great opportunity to introduce some important "homework" for all of us. During the second quarter, I invite all members of the Falcon Family to engage in productive conversations about academics and behavior. In regards to academics, Beyond Textbooks offers a wonderful resource page for parents that provides a glimpse into the lessons being taught on campus, guides to help prepare our students for benchmark testing, and conversation starters for the dinner table. Additionally, the AZ State Department of Education offers a sample test site for the new AzM2 (formally AzMERIT). Please visit both sites (see links below) if you are looking for ways to support our students.
Finally, we know that the middle school years can be some of the most difficult to navigate. We often find ourselves at a loss for how to help our children/students deal with adversity and recognize and stop bullying. I encourage all parents to discuss your own expectations for your student and most importantly, how to recognize and address bullying. It is important for our students to know that no one has the right to harass or demean them and that we all have a responsibility to "Stand Up To Bullying" and report what we experience and see. On
Thursday, Oct. 24th
the
Maricopa County Attorney's Office
will host a parent presentation on bullying, cyber bullying, and internet safety (6:00 - 7:30 p.m. in the FHMS Cafeteria). Below you will also find a link that my help you start a conversation with your child.
Have an amazing Fall Break with your students! I cannot express how lucky I am to lead these amazing students and staff!
Respectfully,
James Carrick - Principal
