Home of the Falcons! 
"Fountain Hills Middle School empowers students to learn, to care, and to succeed."
Principal's Message                                      August 10, 2018
 
Hello FHMS Families! Last week's "Meet Your Teacher" event was a resounding success. The tremendous turnout speaks volumes about your commitment to your child's education and his/her development as a global citizen. The first week went off without a hitch and in my 20+ years of education, I cannot remember a better start to the year! With the first week behind us, I would like to take this opportunity to remind families of some established guidelines and procedures here at FHMS that are worth repeating:

ENCOURAGING RESPONSIBILITY
In an effort to reduce interruptions of instructional time, as well as promote responsibility and accountability with our students, FHMS only allows lunches and/or water bottles, glasses, and medically required items to be dropped off at school for students. Forgotten athletic equipment, homework, backpacks, projects or musical instruments cannot be dropped off at the front office for students. We appreciate your understanding and support of this rule, the intent of which is to better serve our students in becoming responsible learners, and to better serve the learning environment for everyone.

Also, we ask that you make any changes of after school pick-up plans with your child before they arrive at school. Messages for students are for emergencies only and will be given at the end of the school day.

Students may use their cell phones before and after school and at lunch only. Cell phone privileges may be suspended if students ignore these parameters. Also, please refrain from texting, calling, or messaging students during the day. Instructional time is critical and passing time is limited.

Beginning of the day and end of day procedures are important components of your student's learning process. For this reason, we ask that FHMS students arrive by 8:25 am and remain at school until 3:10 pm. Starting next week, students who are not in their first hour class by 8:30 am will be marked tardy, and three (3) tardies in one week will result in a 30-minute, after school detention. Also, if a student must be signed out early, this should be done prior to the last 15 minutes of the school day.

STUDENT HANDBOOK and RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
The 2018-19 FHMS Student Handbook can be found on our website under the "Parents" link at the top of the homepage.

Students and parents are expected to read all information contained in the Handbook. (If you prefer a paper copy of the Handbook, please contact the front office at 480.664.5414, and we will be happy to provide one.)

Today we sent home a packet of documents with all students, which contained the following:

* Yellow cover page, which explains the other documents in the packet. This cover page must be signed by both student and parent and returned to the student's Academic Strategies (grades 6-8) or Homeroom (grades 4-5) teacher by Friday, August 17.

* FHUSD Start of Year Parent Notification, which explains the Opt-Out Options for students' internet access, district and media coverage, and directory information, as well as attendance requirements. This document stays at home.

* Arizona Residency Guidelines and Arizona Residency Documentation Form, which must be completed for each student and returned to the student's Academic Strategies or Homeroom teacher with a copy of one of the documents listed on the form. This annual proof of residency is required by Arizona law. The only families exempt from this requirement are those that have newly enrolled students for the 2018-19 school year and therefore have already submitted their proof of residency.

Please be sure to ask your student for this packet, or call the office if you need another one.

GRADES and POWERSCHOOL
Lastly, be sure to check PowerSchool for your student's grades. Checking PowerSchool on a regular basis is a great way to keep informed of your student's progress and should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher(s) via email or by phone.

Thanks again for all you do!

James Carrick
Principal

Special Announcements
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2018-2019 FHMS Office/School Hours


FHMS Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

School Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.

Early Release Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.



Welcome Samantha Kramer, Dean of Students

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

My name is Samantha Kramer, and I will be the Dean of Students this year at our wonderful Fountain Hills Middle School. I am looking forward to building on the amazing things already happening here at FHMS.

I graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a degree in Sports Administration followed immediately by my teacher's certification and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. I also have additional Masters' Degrees in Educational Leadership and Biology.

Prior to arriving at FHMS, I taught at Horizon High School for four years, including some Administrative responsibilities, I taught at Dysart High School for 8 years also with some TOA/Administrative responsibilities, I lived and taught in New Hampshire for two years at a self-contained school and residential treatment center for the severely emotionally disturbed, and I started my teaching career in 2000-2001 in the Paradise Valley School District at Greenway Middle School and Paradise Valley High School.

I have high expectations for all students, including myself. I expect our work to be done with positive attitude and effort. All students can learn and together we can make that happen! We can hold our students accountable for their learning, and push them to achieve and succeed at the highest levels possible. I believe middle school students are at a crossroads between being young learners at the elementary level and independent learners at the high school level. Middle school offers the unique opportunity to provide strong positive influences and restorative practices to guide learners toward positive decision making and successful high achievement.

It has been a pleasure and an honor to work in the classroom every day, and I look forward to working with our passionate students, teachers, parents, and community to build on excellence for all!

Respectfully,

Samantha Kramer
Dean of Students 
School Picture Day

It's not too late to order school pictures. Order forms can be returned to homeroom teachers, or save time and order portraits online at mylifetouch.com using picture day ID: SR468029Q0.



Gifted and Talented Testing

The Fountain Hills Unified School District will be offering three rounds of gifted and talented testing for the 2018-2019 school year. The first testing window for all school sites will be August 27, 2018 - September 14, 2018. Applications are due no later than August 20 to the front office.

Students may apply for testing only once per calendar school year. If you are interested in having an assessment completed for your child, please turn in a completed application. We will not accept incomplete applications. You may see the front office or your child's teacher for assessment information if needed. Applications are available at the school sites or on the Student Services page of the FHUSD website.

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail Allison Barbor, Director of Instructional Support. 

Back to School Bash





VEX IQ Robotics Club

The Robotics Club is accepting applications for students in grades 4-8. Space is limited and completed applications are due by Friday, August 17.Applications are available at the front office or can be downloaded HERE.







FHMS Running Club

Mrs. McDonald's Running Club is back by popular demand! The club is open to all students in grades 4-8 and will meet Wednesday and Friday mornings before school. Permission slips are available in the front office or may be downloaded HERE.








Chess Club

Chess Club, Sponsored by Chess Emporium, is back! Chess can help students increase their math and verbal skills, and their creative and critical thinking abilities. Chess also helps students develop self-discipline, concentration, critical insights, analysis, and writing skills. For more information and to sign up, see the attached FLYER.




Looking Ahead
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08/15/2018 First Early Release Wednesday
Release time at 2:10 p.m.

08/21/2018 Band Students: Band Instrument Rental Night
Cafeteria 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.



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15414 N. McDowell Mountain Rd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 480.664.5400