Fletcher MS - Aug 2013

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The Wave August 2013 Published Five Times Per Year Fletcher Middle School 2000 N. 3rd Street Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 Issue #5

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Dear Parents, Guardians and Students, P

Congratulations! Fletcher Middle School moved forward 48 points r to retain “A” status! We are very proud of our faculty, students, staff and parents for this wonderful accomplishment.

We are working hard this summer preparing for the upcoming school year. Exciting changes are in store for us as we move to an A Day/B Day schedule with four 90-minute periods. Students will meet with two of their core academic teachers daily and many exciting electives have been added. These include drama, choral music, creative writing, physical science, and reading enrichment.

This new format will allow teachers more time to focus on reinforcing essential skills, to introduce new concepts, and to incorporate hands-on activities heightening student engagement and retention of lessons taught. We are excited about implementing this new scheduling format in order to foster student growth and academic achievement.

In addition, the school day has been expanded from 9:30AM to 4:15PM.

You may have noticed that the marquee asked students to read this summer. Students should check the web site (http://fms.duvalschools.org) for books their teachers expect them to read over the summer. A project or report will be due the second week of school in most ELA classes. Reading is the springboard to success. As a result, a primary focus at Fletcher Middle School will be improving our students’ reading ability. We will be intensifying our efforts during the 2013 2014 school year, and we are asking our parents and guardians to assist us. Implementing the following suggestions will help

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Teresa Mowbray Principal Brett Hartley Assistant Principal of Curriculum Juanita Church Assistant Principal

Ronda Davis Guidance Counselor Anne McConnell Guidance Counselor

2 Letter From The Principal

Directory for Assistance

(continued from previous page)

make a dramatic change in students’ reading ability: • Encourage your students to read at home and maintain a reading log. Check these logs on a weekly basis.

• Make reading a family activity. Turn off the TV and have all family members read together or independently.

Sample A/B Day Schedule • Volunteer at the school as a reading tutor if you have time.

PER TERM Course • Have your student keep a personal log and notify Ms. Gates 01 6A Math 1 (our reading coach) when you have completed 25 books!

02 6A Intens Read • Take your students to the public library and encourage 03 6A World History then to select books that they find both interesting and 04 6A 2-D Art challenging.

05 6B Intens Math • Donate or solicit business partners’ assistance in providing 06 6B Compre Sci 1 reading incentives and rewards the school may use to 07 6B Health 4 foster reading.

08 6B Lang Arts 1 • Contact the main office with any additional suggestions that will enhance our program.

I would like to thank parents and guardians for your support in emphasizing regular attendance last year. PLEASE do not allow your children to be tardy for school and PLEASE do not check them out without a very good reason to do so. Keeping our “A” is a team effort among the school, the home, and our students. By cooperatively focusing on strengthening basic skills, improving reading comprehension, enhancing writing ability, and emphasizing the importance of regular attendance, Fletcher Middle School can continue to maintain a position of distinction and excellence among Duval County Public Schools.

Athletics Director . . . . . . . . Coach Nevin ext. 1401 Attendance Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 2131 Bus Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . Ms. Church ext. 2119 Cafeteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247-5933 ext. 1821 Dean of Students . . . . . . . . . . Ms. McRea ext. 1709 Discipline / Student Services . . . . . . . . . . ext. 1700 Free/Reduced Lunch . . . . . . . . 247-5933 ext. 1821 Guidance Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 2128 Locks/Lockers . . . . . . . . . . . Ms. Jannette ext.2109 Principal Secretary . . . . . . . . . . Ms. Dyal ext. 2101 PTSA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Watters ext. 2106 Scheduling Questions . . . . . . . Guidance ext. 2128 School Resource Officer . . . Officer Gant ext. 1304 Security . . . . . . . Mr. Burns / Ms. Herron ext. 2100 Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ms. Marinelli ext. 1708 Textbooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ms. Jannette ext. 2109 Transfers/Withdrawals . . . . . . Guidance ext. 2128 Volunteer Coordinator . . . . . . Ms. Church ext. 2119

Sincerely, Teresa Mowbray Principal

Fletcher Middle Mission Statement Fletcher Middle School is a standards based community where performance standards are used to help all learners understand the real life applications of basic skills and concepts.

Teachers use diagnostic accessment tools to develope a plan of instruction that meets learn’s academic needs.

Arriving On Campus

Students shall not arrive on campus before 9:00 A.M. when school personnel are available for supervision. Students who arrive on campus before 9:00 A.M. must be involved in the SOAR program or athletics. If a student is arriving to attend a morning help session, a pass must be obtained from the teacher who is offering the help session. Upon arrival students are to report to the cafeteria for breakfast or to the courtyard until 9:20 A.M. After arrival students are required to remain on campus unless dismissed by school personnel.

3 Attendance Attendance is very important to your success in school. Your child is needed in school, and is expected to be on time each day. Parents are requested to call the attendance office when a student is absent for at least 3 days. Upon returning from an absence, the student must bring a note stating the reason for the absence to the attendance office. Absences may be excused for the following reasons: 1. Personal illness.

2. Serious illness or death in the family.

3. Special and recognized holidays observed by the student’s faith.

4. Condition rendering school attendance impossible or hazardous to health and safety.

Students who are absent shall receive a grade of O for work missed for the day(s) or class period(s) in which the absence(s) occur. Students shall be responsible for making up missed work for each absence. Students shall receive credit for all make-up work for all absences completed within the allotted time, (i.e., a day of make-up work for each day of absence when appropriate, or as determined by the Principal).

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

BYOD is for educational purposes only. Devices that may access the DCPS WiFi network would include items such as: Ipads, Kindles, Nooks, Laptops, Netbooks, smart phones (used only for educational support), etc. The following electronics will be taken from students and returned only to parents: cell phones (used inappropriately), iPods, DVD and MP3 players, cameras, and electronic games. Students are not to sell items to other students for personal gain. Any student who chooses to bring electronic items to school shall do so at his or her own “great” risk. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Cafeteria Rules

Bicycles

If you ride your bike, you are reminded to observe all safety rules while traveling to and from school. State statute requires that students wear a helmet. Walk all bicycles on school grounds at all times, which includes all areas within the gates. Bikes must be locked in designated bike racks. Violators of safety rules will be denied the right to ride their bikes to school. You are encouraged to engrave your name, address, and phone number on the frame of your bicycle.

Bus Transportation

Riding the bus is a privilege provided for students living 1.5 miles or further from school. You must ride your assigned bus and observe all rules while on the bus. Any changes in bus arrangements must be written and approved by an Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, or security guard. Failure to follow bus rules may result in bus suspension.

Bottled Drinks

Opened containers are restricted to the cafeteria and physical education locker areas. Opened containers are not allowed in the buildings or classrooms. Recycle bins are located in the cafeteria and students are encouraged to use them.

Each classroom will have a scheduled time to enter and leave the cafeteria for lunch. All students will be escorted to and from the cafeteria by their teacher.

Students must sit at their assigned table upon entering the cafeteria. Students will not enter the serving line until they are released by Security or the adult on duty.

Each class is responsible for cleaning their table before leaving the cafeteria. Students will be picked up from the cafeteria by their teacher at the designated time.

Students are not permitted to leave the cafeteria without a written pass.

Care of School Properity

Our school buildings, technology, and equipment must be treated with care. Students who destroy or vandalize school property will be required to pay for losses or damage and are subject to consequences outlined in the DCPS Code of Student Conduct.

Accidental damage must be reported to a teacher or administrator immediately.

Classroom Visits Only custodial parents/guardians are allowed to visit their child’s classroom while students are present. The parent/guardian must contact the Assistant Principal’s office at least 24 hours prior to the requested/shadowing visit. The administrator will determine if the request is granted or should be scheduled for another day.

4 Dress Code

Early Check Out

Administrators and teachers of the Duval County Public Schools will enforce dress and grooming guidelines that promote the successful operation of the schools. The site administration shall be the final judge as to neatness and cleanliness of wearing apparel and whether or not such apparel is appropriate, disruptive, distracting, or in violation of health and safety rules.

Each student has the responsibility to dress appropriately and have respect for self and the school environment. Wearing apparel, jewelry (such as body piercing(s), ornaments), hair, and general appearance must not disrupt the classroom atmosphere, must not be unusually provocative, and/or must not violate health and safety rules of the school. These guidelines for dress and grooming are provided to assist parents and shall apply to all students in the Duval County Public Schools. Student dress and grooming shall be neat and clean, and follow the general guidelines outlined in the Student Planner, and the DCPS Code of Student Conduct.

This General Code of Appearance shall also apply to all school-sponsored activities and events, unless otherwise authorized by school administration.

Note: GUM, CANDY, FLOWERS, BALLOONS, PERMANENT MARKERS, AND TOYS do not belong at school or on the bus.

Early checkout is only when there is an illness or emergency.

At the sign-out time you are to report to the Assistant Principal’s office for checkout. Students are not permitted to leave campus early without being signed out in person by a parent, guardian, or adult listed on the blue emergency card. By Florida Statute an adult (age 18 or older) must provide picture identification at the main office.

Duval County Code of Student Conduct

Each student is provided a copy at the beginning of the year or upon enrollment. It is the parent/guardians and student’s responsibility to be familiar with its contents.

The Code of Conduct is also available on-line.

Hall Passes Hall passes must include a teacher or administrator’s signature, date, time, and destination. If between classes, the student must report to the next teacher’s class and obtain a hall pass from that teacher. Students without hall passes will be sent back to class. One student is allowed per pass.

Learning Recovery Students may seek to improve a quarter grade of “D” or “F” by demonstrating mastery of standards through learning recovery. A grade may be raised to a maximum of a “C.” Learning Recovery is arranged through individual teachers.

A parent-teacher conference may be scheduled through the Assistant Principal to discuss learning recovery for a student.

Learning Recovery is not a substitute for regular class work.

Guidelines are subject to change based on the 2013-2014 DCPS Student Progression Plan.

Locks/Lockers

Detention Transportation for detention is not provided by the school and is the responsibility of the parent. Detention is offered as an alternative to suspension.

All detentions are held in the ISSP room.

8:30 A.M. – 9:15 A.M. Monday – Friday

Discipline Students are expected to behave in a manner that promotes safety and order at Fletcher Middle School. The Code of Student Conduct outlines the rights and responsibilities of every student, the levels of misconduct and appropriate disciplinary procedures for each. This planner, which you will receive, includes additional school rules and procedures. It is your responsibility to read and understand the rules and code. Before school detention, in school suspension (ISSP), ATOSS, and out-of-school suspension (OSS) are assigned for violations of the Code of Student Conduct or Fletcher Middle policies.

Make-up assignments will not be given in advance for students on suspension.

Please refer to the Code of Student Conduct for consequences for violations.

Each student shall rent a locker in the hall, a locker for P.E., and a locker for band. However, the locker remains the property of the school, and its use is a privilege. In accepting a locker, the student accepts the policy that the administration and designees may search the locker. The student is responsible for the contents of his/her locker at any time; therefore, the sharing of lockers is prohibited. Students may only use school issued locks. The initial rental fee for each lock is $4.00. Lost or stolen locks cost $5.00 each. Students will be allowed to go to their lockers at designated times throughout the school day.

Oncourse Each student and parent/guardian has on-line access to a student’s grade and information system through OnCourse at https://dcps.mygradeportal.com. For security reasons, usernames and passwords must be obtained with picture identification from Fletcher Middle School.

A few spots are left!

We need you!

Advertise in the The Wave! This is a wonderful way for your company to get community recognition and exposure, and at the same time help support your local schools!

Juanita Church • churchj@duvalschools.org Fletcher Middle School

5 Skateboards

Visitor Passes

If you ride your skateboard, you are reminded to observe all safety rules while traveling to and from school. Skateboards are to be carried when on school grounds at all times which includes all areas within the gates. Skateboards must be secured in your locker during school hours. Skateboards that do not fit in your locker are not permitted. Violators of skateboard rules will be will have their skateboards confiscated. Confiscated skateboards will be returned only to a parent/guardian.

Visitors are always welcome on campus. However, visitors must sign in at the main office, provide a valid picture ID, and receive a visitor’s pass.

Tardy Policy Tardiness is defined as the physical absence of a student in the classroom at the beginning of a regularly scheduled session at which he or she is scheduled to be present. A student’s tardiness shall be excused when the reason given for tardiness is acceptable to the Principal or des­ignee. Examples of acceptable reasons for tardiness are the same as the examples of acceptable reasons for excused absences. A student has the responsibility to be in class on time. A student failing to make an effort to attend class in a timely manner shall be considered truant and subject to disciplinary action.

A student’s excessive unexcused tardiness shall be considered willful disobedience, and the student shall be subject to disciplinary action. Tardies shall be accumulated each 9 week grading period and tracked.

Telephone Use

Emergency phone calls must be made from the appropriate office with permission.

Long distance is not available. The school will make long distance calls to parents only in the event of an emergency. The school will not call parents with long distance numbers regarding routine school business. (Per the Code of Student Conduct, use of personal cell phones during school hours is prohibited.)

Testing Multiple classroom, school, district, and state level assessments are given throughout the year. State and district testing is mandated. Please know your child’s testing schedule.

Reminders Open House – Tuesday, September 10, 2013 You are cordially invited to attend FMS Open House: vMeet v your child’s teacher vFollow v your child’s schedule vJoin v PTSA (Learn more at our first General Meeting) PTSA General Meeting in Cafeteria at 5:45 – 6:15

DCPS Student Holidays Sep 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . Labor Day Oct 25 . . . . . . . . . . . Planning Day Nov 11 . . . . . . . . . . . Veterans’ Day Nov 27 . . . . . . . . . . . School Closed/Weather Day Nov 28-29 . . . . . . . . Thanksgiving Dec 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . School Closed/Weather Day Dec 19 . . . . . . . . . . . School Closed/Weather Day Dec 20-Jan 1 . . . . . . Winter Break Jan 2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . School Closed/Weather Day Jan 17 . . . . . . . . . . . Planning Day Jan 20 . . . . . . . . . . . M.L. King Birthday Feb 17 . . . . . . . . . . . President’s Day Mar 17-21 . . . . . . . . Spring Break Apr 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . Planning Day April 18 . . . . . . . . . . Spring Holiday May 26 . . . . . . . . . . Memorial Day

Progress Reports

Academic reports are available through parent access to OnCourse, an online grading system.

Parent portal access information is available through the Guidance Office.

Textbooks / Workbooks Students are issued textbooks or workbooks and each student assumes responsibility for them. Students will be held responsible for payment for textbooks or workbooks that are lost or damaged. Some course textbooks are found online and students will receive login instructions from the class teacher.

6 New Faces and New Positions on Campus FMS extends a warm welcome to all of our new staff members, and congratulations to several longtime staff members who are in new roles this year. Many new faces have been added to our faculty and administration to help support the school’s mission and vision, and ultimately facilitate another exciting year of changes.

Starting with administration, as we say goodbye to longtime Assistant Principal of Curriculum, Yolanda Sanders (who transferred to another school in the district), we welcome Assistant Principal Juanita Church. She comes to us from Oceanway Middle School, where she served for six years. Ms. Church has a wealth of experience in all aspects of school leadership, and has already proven to be a good fit for Fletcher Middle School.

We also have three new positions, beginning with the Dean of Students. Angela McRae, whom many of you already know.

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Angela McRae and I am very excited to be fulfilling the role of Dean of Students this upcoming school year! As many of you know, I am not new to Fletcher Middle School. I have enjoyed teaching 6th grade World History at Fletcher Middle School over the past 8 years.

Fletcher Middle School is a place where strong connections are made between home and school. One of the most important aspects of my work as the Dean of Students is building solid relationships with students and families. As an advocate for students, I strongly believe that communication is paramount to their academic success.

In addition to building strong relationships with all of you, it will be particularly important to me to make sure that your child feels safe at school. All students are expected to conduct themselves in a considerate and respectful manner. Order and discipline is essential to a positive and secure learning environment.

My role as Dean of Students is to ensure that students, parents and guardians are familiar with the rules and consequences outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. I look forward to meeting each of you!

Another familiar face who is serving in a new position on campus is Loela Marinelli, formerly 8th Science teacher. She is now FMS Testing Coordinator. Ms. Marinelli has been working all summer training for testing, assisting with scheduling students, and helping us to prepare for what will be a fantastic 2013-2014 school year.

FMS is also excited to welcome new 6th grade math teachers, Jessica Moody (Dolphin Team), and Melissa Couch (Pelican Team), to our faculty. Plus, we added Patrick Kyne (Osprey), and Lynette Smiley-Bell (Pelican) to 6th grade Science. Mr. Brett Foster is joining the Dolphin Team in 6th grade Social Studies. Seventh grade is proud to welcome back Ms. Tonya Davis to their ELA department. And 8th graders have several new faces joining their teams this year.

The Marlin team welcomes Kalbie Yildiz (ELA) and Erin Busch (Science), while the Pirates are saying hello to Chris Giandinoto Carley (ELA and Writing) and Jennifer Carr (Science).

The Elective Department has the distinction of having the most new faces on campus. We extend a hardy welcome to all of them, beginning with our new Band Director, Josh Bond, and Ms. Mandy Papenbrock, our new Chorus Director. The new 2-DArt teacher is Christopher Hicks.

Kirsten Carmody is our new Drama teacher, and last but not least, Rachel Farmer is our new 8th grade Reading teacher. FMS is extremely pleased to have each of these professionals join our outstanding faculty

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PTSA Lee Watters, PTSA President fms.ptsa.pres@gmail.com

PTSA is an acronym for Parent Teacher Student Association. Our membership comprises all three of the human pillars that support the exceptional educational experience we call Fletcher Middle School. Our parent, teacher and student members work together to lift each other up and help each other grow and thrive in this chapter of our children’s educational life.

And membership is only $6 a year! Those funds, and our fundraising efforts, support programs, incentives, awards and activities FMS would not otherwise be able to offer. Whether you can help out for an hour or two here or there, or take on a committee assignment, we have a place for you to be part of something bigger than each of us alone.

The information packet you’ll receive a few days after school starts will include a PTSA sign-up form. Sign up your household’s adults and kids, and let’s make this another exceptional PTSA year! And join us before the Open House on Sept. 10 for a PTSA General Meeting to learn more about ways you can be involved. Here’s to another great year!

This year’s officers and committee chairs (so far): Lee Watters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Michelle McCormick . . . . . . . . . VP of Programs Shelley McCarthy . . . . . . . . . . . . VP of Membership Sharon Ohnsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . VP of Ways and Means Nyrya Bresnahan . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer Rachelle Widaman . . . . . . . . . . . Recording Secretary Noela Smart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parliamentarian Carmel Laserna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Volunteer Coordinators Heather Van der Snick Lesley Lagimoniere . . . . . . . . . . Publicity Ellen Snyder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Book Fair Manya Prescott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Email Newsletter Ray Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . County Council Rep Lara Leinenweber . . . . . . . . . . . Student Grade Awards Michelle Othmer . . . . . . . . . . . . Health Screening Rachelle Widaman . . . . . . . . . . . SAC Liaison To be selected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Student Representative And we have several openings for you to choose from: FMS Idol Liaison . . . . . . . . . . . . Beautification Membership BBQ . . . . . . . . . . . . Teacher Appreciation Events Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And more

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit # 2346 Orlando, FL

Fletcher Middle School 2000 N. 3rd Street Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

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8 Athletics

Athletics offers competition for seventh and eighth graders in various sports for males and females which are supported by Duval County Public Schools. A student must maintain a 2.0 grade point average to participate in athletics. For a current physical form and all other paperwork, see Mrs. Phillips in room 408. See Coach Nevin, Athletic Director, or a coach for information about a specific sport. If a student is suspended twice during the course of a season, the student is automatically released from that team. If a student is absent on a game day, he/she may not participate.