Buzzy's Bulletin Board-Forte Edition

Campus Website

Rooms Support

Rank One Instructions

Skyward Family Access

Forte Welcome & Informational Packet

Athletic Game Tickets

Upcoming Events

08/31 - Progress Report One Grades Post to Skyward at 4:00 pm

09/01 - Pride of Azle Football Games [8th at AHS; 7th at FJH] & Neon Day [See Flyer Below]

09/01 - 09/02 - MAP Testing; Beginning of the Year - Science

09/03 - 09/04 - Beginning of the Year Testing - Social Studies

09/04 - Student Council Applications Due [More Info Below]

09/07 - No School; Labor Day

09/08 - No School; Teacher Work Day

Save the Date: 09/11 - PTO Back to School Dance [See Flyer Below]

Dear FJH Parents/Guardians,

We are excited to launch our Table Talk Topics section of the newsletter! Tired of getting "fine" or "nothing" when you ask how school was? Use this section each week for fun, specific questions tied directly to what we're learning in class! They're designed to spark real dinner-table conversations and get your child excited to share.

Thank you for sharing your students with us each day,

Dr. Stevi Norris

6th Grade Table Talk Topics - Updated With New Topics!

6th Social Studies:

Ask your students the following:

What is one new thing you learned about people or cultures this week?

6th Science:

Ask your students the following:

A gas expands to fill whatever container it is in, meaning its volume changes easily. Why doesn't a solid object change its volume when you move it to a bigger bowl?

6th Math:

Ask your students the following:

Stay tuned, question coming soon!

6th RLA:

Ask your students the following:

Parents, ask your students to guide you through checking their grades on skyward and navigating their course Canvas pages. Your involvement and their accountability will be key to their success this year. For a fun at home activity, ask them what their library books are about and have them read to you a bit. This is excellent practice

7th Grade Table Talk Topics - Updated With New Topics!

7th Social Studies:

Ask your students the following:

What are the 4 regions of Texas, and what Native American cultures inhabit them? Explain the difference between nomads and sedentary settlers?

7th Science:

Ask your students the following:

What is the main difference between an element and compound and identify an example of compound we use in our daily life?
- Expected answers: Students should identify that elements are made up of the same type of atoms and compounds are made up of 2 or more different elements. Possible examples are water, carbon dioxide, salt

7th Math:

Ask your students the following:

While you are at the grocery store, have your student find the UNIT RATE of the price of fruits and vegetables you buy.

7th RLA:

Ask your students the following:

Ask your students to explain their thoughts on our unit’s essential question and to provide evidence from the texts we have read in class (“Heartbeat” and “Two Legs or One?”). Ask them: What can blur the lines between what’s real and what’s not?

8th Grade Table Talk Topics - Updated With New Topics!

8th Social Studies:

Ask your students the following:

If you had to choose a colony to live in, would you pick New England, the Middle Colonies, or the Southern Colonies? What is one reason you would choose that region based on its economy or social life?

8th Science:

Ask your students the following:

Stay tuned, question coming soon!

8th Math:

Ask your students the following:

Ask your students what strategy they need to use to solve an equation with variables on both sides.

8th RLA:

Ask your students the following:

Ask your students to explain their thoughts on our unit's essential question: How do our teenage years prepare you for adulthood?

Standard Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures

Standard Instructions: Student Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Please review the procedures below and the accompanying graphic to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

Morning Drop-Off and After-School Pick-Up (Standard Procedure)

Double-Row Parent Pick-Up/Drop-Off Line (Side/Back Loop): Use Entry A, marked "Parent Entrance," to enter the side loop. This is now a permanent DOUBLE ROW line after the bus lane exit. Both lanes are for loading and unloading.
NOTE: Entrance/Exit B is an entrance for BUSSES ONLY from 7:30 - 8:30 and 3:30 - 4:30. For the "park and wait" option, access the main lot utilizing the maintenance entrance, or by entering Entrance/Exit A and circling around on the outside lane from any parked and waiting cars.
Outside Lane for Passing and Exiting: Once your child has safely entered or exited the vehicle in either loading zone, merge into the outside lane to pass and exit the line.
Morning Drop-Off Details: The back drop-off area is intended as a "drop and go" zone. Although school doors do not open until 7:50 AM, students may be dropped off before this time and will remain safe behind the building until opening. We have security cameras and staff regularly entering and exiting the area, so students are not completely unmonitored. While you are welcome to wait in the car line if you are not comfortable dropping off your child until doors open, please be assured that it is safe to drop them a little early in this zone. If you wish to drop and go, but the double lane is already full, you can enter using the maintenance road further down Sandy Beach, and drop students at the main entrance (door 1) and then proceed to the exit.
Stop at the Crosswalk & Exit Path: All vehicles must stop at the crosswalk by the school entrance to let students cross.
Car Exiting: After your child is safely loaded or unloaded, follow the directional arrows through the parking lot to the "Parent Exit" at Entry B or the separate maintenance exit to exit onto Sandy Beach Road. Merge to a single line for exiting.
DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTIONS: Strict adherence to maintaining clear intersections in the parent loops and at road entrances is required for student safety and traffic flow. The areas before and after the bus lanes must remain clear.

Optional "Park & Wait" Area

Designated "Staff/Optional Parent Park & Wait Area": If you prefer not to wait in the car line, you may use the designated "Staff/Optional Parent Park & Wait Area" located in the main parking lot. Parents using this option must park their car in a marked spot and wait for their child to come to them. This area is accessible if you arrive early and get use Entrance A to loop around, or by entering through the maintenance entry/exit. Entrance B is exit only, except for busses, during pickup and drop off times. If you arrive early (especially 3:50 or earlier), please utilize this option so that we can avoid the excessive traffic build up down Sandy Beach/Boyd Road.
Parents: Please clearly communicate with your student where they will be picked up (car line versus park & wait).

Bus Area – Do Not Enter

The designated bus loop is exclusively for bus loading/unloading. This area is clearly marked with a "Bus Entry" and "Bus Exit." NO PASSENGER CARS are permitted in the main lanes of this loop, including the entire curved driveway section in front of the building.

Post-Practice Athlete Pick-Up

For athletes who remain after school for practice, parents can park and pick them up in the designated area in the back of the school once practice has officially ended.

Welcome Nurse Shawna Clouatre to FJH!

We are thrilled to welcome our new campus nurse, Shawna Clouatre, to the Forte Junior High family! Nurse Shawna brings 20 years of nursing experience to our school, including 12 dedicated years right here in Azle ISD at Liberty Elementary. Many of our students and families will already know her warm, familiar face from their elementary years. Nurse Shawna is excited to reconnect with her former students and ensure the continued health and safety of our entire campus.

Please join us in giving Nurse Shawna a warm Forte welcome as she steps into this new role! We also send our best wishes to Nurse Taylor Dillard as she takes over the nursing duties at Liberty Elementary!

Medication Reminder for Parents

Please remember that students are not permitted to bring medications to school in their backpacks, purses, or personal belongings. This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, cough drops, and similar items.

All medications must be brought to the school by a parent or guardian and properly signed in and out through the Nurse’s Clinic.

The only exceptions are approved inhalers and EpiPens when the required documentation and authorization are on file with the Nurse’s Clinic.

If you have any questions or need the appropriate medication forms, please contact the Nurse’s Clinic.

PTO Back to School Dance

We hope to see our students come and "Dance Through the Decades" with us on Friday, September 11th from 5:30 - 7:30 at our PTO sponsored school-wide dance!

Buy your tickets now! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fjh-ptos-decades-dance--91126

Parents, we would love your help! Sign up to volunteer! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084BAFAD29ABFE3-64953966-fjhpto

Want to learn more about how to be involved with PTO? Come to our next meeting!

Is Your Student Interested In Joining Student Council?

Is your student interested in a campus leadership opportunity? Encourage them to apply to join our Forte JH Student Council!

StuCo hosts campus-wide events, sponsors fundraisers that benefit the community, and many other things! It's a fun way for students to get involved and give back!

Student Council is open to all grade levels, so get your application today!

Questions? Please email the Student Council sponsor: Victoria.Martin@azleisd.net

Technology Update: Chromebook Carts

Starting this school year, students will no longer be issued individual Chromebooks to take home. Instead, we are moving to classroom-based tech carts. Students will still use devices during lessons where technology truly enhances their learning, but our goal is to foster a healthy, age-appropriate balance—giving them the digital skills they need without inundating them with constant screen time. As part of this transition, you can expect to see a return to more pen-and-paper assignments to support deeper focus and engagement.

Student ID badges should be on and visible at all times worn around their neck or clipped above the waist! We reinforce with students that they cannot be put in their pockets, tied to their backpacks, or tucked under their shirts. If students forget their ID, they will be issued a temporary ID sticker. If a student loses their ID, they can purchase a new one for $5 in the front office. Each time a student receives a temporary ID sticker, they receive an ID violation. Violations are cumulative each nine-week grading period and can result in some tiered consequences as seen below. We will start counting temporary ID badges as "violations" after Labor Day in order to give students some time to get used to the processes.

If students were at school on Thursday 8/13, they should have received their initial free ID badge. If your student was absent, they will be called down to the office for their new badge starting Monday. Everyone else should wear their issued Ds, or will be issued a temporary ID sticker for the day! Thank you for helping support us with this district safety initiative.

Beginner Band Information

If you are new to band, the following information is for you. If you are a returning band student or have already completed beginner band at a different school, please scroll down until you find the section labeled “returning band students”.

Beginner Band

This week, we learned about quarter notes and quarter rests, how to use our metronome, and some classes even began making some first sounds (WOOHOO!!!). Many of our students also had their first private lesson and were able to move several lessons ahead of the class!

Instrument Supplies

We’ve seen many of you bringing supplies this week! Below is our supply list again if you need it. The deadline to have supplies for class is 9/1. After this point, students who have not been able to fully participate will be too far behind the rest of the class and we will need to look at finding an alternate elective.

Supply Page: https://www.fortebandsazle.org/instrument-supply-list

Forms + Fees

If you are on a payment plan for your fees, the first payment for beginner students is due 9/1. Please make all payments in Revtrack (see link below).

Revtrack: https://www.fortebandsazle.org/fees-and-payment-info-1

Band Handbook: https://www.fortebandsazle.org/forte-band-handbook

Students who play a school-owned instrument were given an instrument contract this week. We will need that signed and returned before instruments are allowed to be sent home.

Private Lessons

If you haven’t signed up for lessons yet, many of our teacher’s schedules are beginning to fill up. Once the schedule is full, you may be placed on a wait list until an additional teacher can be found.

Private Lesson Sign Up: https://www.fortebandsazle.org/private-lesson-sign-up-form

What to Practice

Master of the Musical Alphabet. Metronome should be set at 60 BPM - we showed students how to use their metronome in class this week. Students should sit in a chair that allows them to sit with good band posture (like a kitchen chair).

Thank you so much! Please let us know if you have any questions! We hope you have a great weekend!

With warm regards,

Zach Woolhouse (zachary.woolhouse@azleisd.net)

Returning Band Students

This section is for students returning to band OR new students who have already completed their first year of band at a different school.

Performing Bands (2nd and 3rd year students)

We had a great first full week of band working on pep tunes and fall concert music. It was also great to see our wonderful private lesson staff back on campus working with so many students.

Forms + Fees

If you are on a payment plan for your fees, the second payment for 2nd and 3rd year students is due 9/1. Please make all payments in Revtrack (see link below).

Revtrack: https://www.fortebandsazle.org/fees-and-payment-info-1

Band Handbook: https://www.fortebandsazle.org/forte-band-handbook

Private Lessons

If you haven’t signed up for lessons yet, many of our teacher’s schedules are beginning to fill up. Once the schedule is full, you may be placed on a wait list until an additional teacher can be found.

Private Lesson Sign Up: https://www.fortebandsazle.org/private-lesson-sign-up-form

Sectionals

Sectionals will begin the week of 8/24. All 2nd and 3rd year students will have one before OR after school sectional per week for their instrument. We are still waiting on athletics rosters so we can set our schedule. As soon as we receive them, we will set our sectional schedule. Please be on the lookout for an additional email this weekend.

Uniform Fittings

Tuxedo Connect will be here next Thursday, August 27th to fit students for their formal uniform. All 7th grade students will be fitted for a uniform. A new uniform is optional for 8th graders who already have one, but I would recommend you try on your current uniform this weekend and keep in mind how much you will grow between now and the Spring Concert in May.

Calendar: https://www.fortebandsazle.org/forte-calendar

Thank you so much! Please let us know if you have any questions! We hope you have a great weekend!

With warm regards,

Zach Woolhouse (zachary.woolhouse@azleisd.net)

Student Absences

To ensure the safety of all students and to maintain accurate attendance records for your student, we kindly ask that you report any student absences through the Skyward Family Access portal rather than calling or emailing individual teachers or the attendance office.

Using Skyward ensures that your child's absence is logged immediately and directly into our official attendance system, preventing automated alert calls and helping our attendance office process records efficiently

To report your child absent in Skyward Family Access, follow the steps outlined below.

Log in to your Skyward Family Access account
Select the Attendance Tile on your Dashboard
Select the Absence Request tab > Select Add Absence Request
Enter the date student will be absent > Enter an Attendance Reason > Enter a Comment > Add attachment if you have one (possibly a doctor’s note) > Save
Absence Request will appear on student’s Attendance screen

Athletic Events: Spectator Guidelines

Student spectators are welcome to attend FJH games for $2 with a valid student ID, provided they arrive dressed appropriately (full school dress code is not required but encouraged). Please note that students may not stay at school between dismissal at 4:00 PM and event doors opening at 5:30 PM, as no supervision is provided during this time. Once at the event, students are expected to remain in the stands, cheer on our teams, and demonstrate good sportsmanship toward players and referees. Consistent wandering or disruptive behavior will result in students being asked to leave.

Please abide by all Azle ISD Athletic Venue Policies outlined in the graphic:

Clear Bags Only
No Outside Food or Drink [Including Stanley/Yeti Cups]
No Re-Entry

If attending an Varsity event, please abide by all Azle ISD Athletic Policies outlined in the grpahic:

Ticket Prices May Vary; Tickets Must be Purchased Online
Sit in Designated Seating, Follow Appropriate Decorum Expectations

Tickets should be purchased in advance, and can be purchased here: https://tinyurl.com/AzleHometown

We are happy to welcome lunch visitors to campus starting the week of August 31st. A few guidelines/what to expect:

You can only bring food for your student.
There will be a designated parent section for you and your student to sit.
Other students are not permitted to join, unless you are listed in their emergency contact list in Skyward.

Please be aware of lunch times:

11:20 - 11:50 - 6th Grade Lunch

11:55 - 12:25 - 7th Grade Lunch

12:30 - 1:00 - 8th Grade Lunch

Note: please check the calendar listed above; any day that we have campus-wide testing (example: Benchmark, STAAR, Semester Exams, etc.) parent visitors will not be permitted as our lunch time schedules will change.

Food Deliveries

Please be aware that we DO NOT allow Uber Eats, DoorDash or similar companies to deliver to school. This includes during lunch times or for athletics pre-game meals.

This is for the safety of all our students. We cannot have fast food delivery drivers walking around the school grounds looking for students.

If any food delivery is made to school we will refuse delivery. If the company insists on leaving it, it will be confiscated. Our school will not be involved in the refund of any money lost.

The school cafe has the license to offer healthy food options for students to purchase.

If a student forgets their lunch, a parent or guardian may drop it off at the front office; however, we ask that this be done only when necessary. Frequent lunch drop-offs can cause students to lose valuable lunchtime while retrieving their food and place additional demands on our office staff to ensure it reaches the right student. We appreciate your help in limiting lunch deliveries to true “as needed” situations.

25-26 Yearbooks For Sale

We still have a limited number of yearbooks left from the 2025-2026 school year! The price has been reduced to only $20, so get yours today by emailing samantha.walsh@azleisd.net

Forte Junior High Bell Schedule

Below is our bell schedule for the 2026 - 2027 school year. First period starts at 8:20 a.m. and our dismissal bell is at 4:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:50.

FJH Bell Schedule 26-27

If you ever have any concerns, we encourage you start directly with the teacher (if applicable). If you are unable to resolve the issue at that level, please contact your student's alpha counselor or assistant principal.

When in doubt, reach out! We are here to help!

Note: Tardy & ID violations will officially begin after Labor Day (9/7) as this will give students ample time to get used to campus procedures!

2026 - 2027 Academic Calendar

More information can be found on the district site:

https://www.azleisd.net/o/aisd/page/academic-calendar

FJH Tutoring Schedule

Before and/or after school tutoring hours will be coming soon to FJH! Every teacher offers tutoring twice a week on their scheduled days. Morning tutorials are 7:50 - 8:20, and after school tutorials go until 4:30. Tutoring will start the week after Labor Day. Open the document linked below to see each teachers available tutoring times.

Teacher Tutoring Availability

Lunch Applications: Please Submit

The Free and Reduced Meal Application for 2026-2027 is now available online through SchoolCafe!

Filling out the free and reduced-price lunch application helps schools by securing vital federal funding, providing extra classroom resources, and saving money for families. Even if your child does not plan to eat school meals, submitting the form helps the entire school community.

Families are encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application online through SchoolCafe before school starts each year. (The Free and Reduced Meal Application is not available through Skyward as part of the registration process.)

DID YOU KNOW - the families who qualify for free and reduced lunch also qualify for college entrance fees, testing fees, and more. You never know for sure if you will qualify or not, so submit your application today!

Visit SchoolCafe to access the online application. Please include all students/household members on the same application. Only one application is required per household.

Contact the Azle ISD Student Nutrition Department at 817-444-5115 or email Laura Woody (laura.woody@azleisd.net) with any questions.

*Free and Reduced Meal applications must be completed annually after July 1.

Stay Connected!

Now, it’s easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the district, schools, and your children's classes. Using the Azle ISD app, you can easily switch from district and school information to Rooms - a communication and messaging tool integrated directly with our Azle ISD mobile app.

Follow us on Facebook (@SantoJForteJuniorHigh) to see reminders, fun announcements, and highlights from what is going on during the week at FJH!

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