Falmouth Middle School Principal Notes

May 9, 2008

From the Principal's Desk.....

"Wake up and Walk"
The middle school's new daily "Wake up and Walk" Club will begin Monday morning May 5th at 7:10 a.m. on the track. The "Wake up and Walk" club will happen each school day, weather permitting. All students, parents, and staff are welcome to participate. It is a great time for some exercise and socialization. Prizes will be awarded to students for participation and mileage.

Fifth Grade Team Building
On Monday and Tuesday the fifth grade classes will be participating in a variety of team building activities. There are twenty high school students who are a part of the Cooperative Leadership program at Falmouth High School who will be facilitating the activities each morning. All of the Cooperative Leadership students attended a 3 day retreat and learned many of the activities that will be presented on each day.

The program is designed to take students through a series of small group activities that address cooperation, communication, listening, trust and support. The morning programs will consist of games, problem- solving initiatives, trust exercises and goal -setting.

It is important that students wear clothes that they are able to run around in. Flip flops are Not recommended for the days activities. A water bottle is also recommended. If you have any questions please contact Robin Haley, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator at 781-9939.

Monday, 5/12 - Walsh, Plati, Hartnett, Wolotsky
Tuesday, 5/13 - Wong, Westra, Solebello, Wheeler

Grade 5 PARENT STEP-UP to Grade 6 NIGHT
Thursday, May 29 from 6:30-7:30 in the middle school cafeteria. The purpose of this meeting is to share an overview of grade 6 and to introduce our trip to the Leadership School at Camp Kieve. Hope you can join us as we share some valuable information about your child’s transition to sixth grade. This meeting is for parents only; children should not attend.

Relay For Life
Have Fun! Fight Cancer! Join us! The Relay for Life will be held on June 21& 22 at the Track at Falmouth Middle School. We start at 6:00 PM and go all night to 8:00 AM. The relay for Life is a community event that brings people together to remember those lost to cancer, honor those fighting cancer and to fight back against the disease. Organize a team, register, fundraise and come to the track to honor, remember, and celebrate! Join all the other campers and relay for life teams for a night of fun and activities. For more information call 1-800-464-3102 or email dawn.emery@cancer.org. Our next team meeting is Thursday May 15th at 6:00 PM. We will be meeting at the Falmouth Middle School.

Yearbooks
There are still yearbooks available. Students may purchase yearbooks until June 2, this is the FINAL day to buy a yearbook. The yearbooks are $25 with checks being made out to Falmouth Middle School. The money should be brought to room 26 and given to Mrs. Jones. Please let me know if there are any questions. Thank you. Tiffany Jones
tjones@fps.k12.me.us

Music Notes
What’s new on Moodle from the Music Department?
Grade 8 MBDA Itinerary Update 4/3/08
Iron Twinkies Press Release and Photos

Here is how to access the Falmouth MOODLE SERVER and the
helpful Falmouth Middle School Music Department Moodle web site!

* Go to the Falmouth Schools Website:
owww.falmouthschools.org/
* Click “Falmouth Middle” at the box at the top of the page
* Click “Moodle” from the left column
o http://www2.fps.k12.me.us/moodle/login/
* Login with your “password” or login as “guest”
* Scroll down to and/or click on “Fine/Performing Arts”
* Click “Falmouth Middle School Music Department” link
* You are here! Scroll and select a topic of interest or need below each category in RED

Call for Music Registration Forms
Dear Parents,

In order to plan and schedule next years FMS Unified Arts program for your child, we are in need of the Music Department Registration Forms to be returned to school. This is the time of year that the music department needs to have a firm idea of who is going to be in band and chorus next year. Once a child’s music choice is made, the remainder of their Unified Arts courses can then be scheduled. If you have yet to sign and return the form, please do so as soon as possible. New students are also welcome to join the exciting music program. Need a new form? – please pick one up from any FMS music teacher.

Spring Music Performances

The 7th and 8th grade BAND concert
7th & 8th Grade Spring BAND Concert
Wednesday, May 21st, 7:00 PM, Middle School Gym


The 5th and 6th grade BAND concert
5th & 6th Grade Spring Concert
Thursday, May 22nd, 7:00 PM Middle School Gym

Memorial Day Parade May 26, AM
Grades 6 – 8(12) Choruses, Grades 7 – 8 (12) Bands


All Schools Choral Concert, Grades 4 - 12
All choral students grades 4 – 12
Wednesday, May 28, 7:00 PM High School Gym

Band Camps are great fun!!!!!!
There are several excellent band camps in Maine. They are great fun and students always come back really charged up about music. Here are a few excellent music camps and their web addresses. Contact Mr. Barry or Mr. Jackson if you have questions.

New England Music Camp:
http://www.nemusiccamp.com/
USM Youth Band Day Camp and Junior Academy: http://www.usm.maine.edu/summer/special/youth/

Grade 7 Week in Preview
The 7th Grade Gold and Blue crews “Week in Preview” can be accessed at the following links:
http://goldcrewfms.edublogs.org/
http://bluecrew.edublogs.org/

Falmouth Education Foundation Fundraising Events
Spelling Bee - Thursday, May 15th, 7:00 PM, FHS Theater
Plan now to enter a team in this fun-filled event! Teams of 3 adults work together to spell and sample word lists can be found at www.spellingbee.com! Join with neighbors, co-workers, college alumni, friends, etc. to form your team. Costumes and mascots are encouraged! Not a speller?? Consider making a donation to sponsor a team of teachers, administrators, clergy, safety personnel, etc. Tax-deductible entry fees are $100 per person and $300 per team. FMI email Teresa Pierce, tspierce@www.maine.rr.com, Kathy Coster, kbcmaine@aol.com or Elizabeth Klebe, kklebe@maine.rr.com

Rummage Sale - Saturday, May 17th, 8:00 AM - 12 PM, FMS Gym
Wondering what to do with the kids over vacation? Clean out your basement, garage, and closets and donate treasures that you don't need anymore! Books, toys, furniture, housewares, sporting goods, clothing welcome. Working/gently used digital cameras, calculators and ping pong tables much appreciated!! No computers, please. Checks and cash only.
Mark your calendar! Item drop off - Friday, May 16, 9 AM - 7 PM - FMS Gym.
FMI email Mary Polewaczyk, mpolewaczyk@maine.rr.com or Lindsay Ryan, lryan3@maine.rr.com

Save the Date - Falmouth Education Foundation's Annual Fall Ball is October 4th

Project Graduation
SPRING CLEANING??!!  Here is a fund raiser that will work for you:   Project Graduation volunteers will collect your used electronics,   working or not, and redeem themforcash! Accepted items are limited   to the following:  cellular phones, ink jet cartridges, DVD movies   and video games, portable DVD players, laptop/notebook computers, MP3 players, video game consoles, digitalcameras,digital picture   frames, and portable navigation/GPS devices. Items can be dropped   off at the Middle School or High School office, or contact Heidi   Seitz to arrange for pick-up.  Money will go toward providing a safe, fun evening for graduates on graduation night.  Contact Heidi Seitz,   797-9151 or hseitz@maine.rr.com.  Thank you for your support!
 

NOTES FROM THE NURSE’S OFFICE:
Spring is finally here in Maine and with the warmer weather comes the risk of contact with those creepy little critters called ticks. They have already been spotted on several unsuspecting hosts here at FMS!
Deer tick and the black-legged tick can carry bacteria associated with Lyme disease. Infected ticks (less than 1mm in length) can transmit the Lyme disease bacteria if the tick stays attached to the skin for 24-36 hours.
Prevention is the best way to limit tick exposure.
• Dress for outdoor activities in light-colors, long sleeves and pants. Tuck pant legs into the socks or boots.
• Use insect repellent (except for children’s face and hands)
• Check people and pets for ticks after being in the woods or high brush. Remove ticks carefully (without squeezing) and clean the bite site with an antiseptic (rubbing alcohol). Watch for signs of infection.
For further information on Lyme disease please go to the following site:
www.mmcri.org/lyme/

Sports Physicals
A sports physical exam is required before any student participates in a school sponsored sport. The Falmouth school nurses and MMC Sports Medicine program doctors will offer sports physical exams to Falmouth students on Tuesday, June 10, 6-8 PM at the Bucknam Road medical building. The cost is $10/student; no sign-up or appointment is needed. Students entering the 6th and 9th Grades in the fall must have a current (after Jan 1, 2008) physical exam form on file in the health office to play a school sport, and these students are strongly urged to come. A copy of the completed exam will be given to parents to share with their primary physician; however, this does not replace regular doctor’s visits and there will be no immunizations given.

The school nurses have organized this service for the last 8 years to help parents meet the school requirements in an uncomplicated way. The process generally takes ½ hour and the exam includes a focus on muscle groups and joints. While this service is directed to entering 6th and 9th graders, ANY Falmouth student who needs a physical for camp or summer sports is welcome. Remember that the fall high school season begins on Monday, August 18th, and physical exam forms must be on file before a 9th Grader can practice.

FMI: call the Middle School nurses (781-9886) or the High School nurse (781-7429)

Student Volunteers
Student volunteers are needed to help with the Spring Fair, June 7 from 10-1 at the elementary schools. Please contact Betsy Perron at 781-4054 or e-mail mlperron@maine.rr.com

FALMOUTH FOOTBALL REGISTRATION
GRADES 1 -12

Falmouth Football will be holding registration for the 2008 Season for players entering grades 1-12 on Monday, May 12th at the High School Cafeteria from 6-8PM. For more information about our program visit our website at www.FalmouthFootball.com or call Anna Geary at 797-7707.

Upcoming Events

May

14th - MS Drop-in Parent Discussion Group, 12noon

• 15th - Early Release, 11:10am
• 15th - 18th - 7th Grade Quebec Trip
• 19th - School Board, 7pm
• 21st - Instrumental Concert (Grades 7&8), 7pm
• 22nd - Insstrumental Concert (Grades 5&6), 7pm
• 23rd - 7/8 Dance, 7pm
• 26th - No School, Memorial Day