FMS Friday Facts

August 15, 2025

Principal's Corner

Fruita Middle Families, it's been a great week here at Fruita Middle School. The students all seem to be getting back into routine and are enthusiastic to learn. Volleyball practice is in full swing. Many after school clubs are up and running. NWEA testing is Monday - Wednesday mornings next week. Picture day is next Thursday, Aug. 21. Thank you for your patience while we've navigated our new security system.

Enjoy your weekend!

*Review our Back to School Night Presentation we had for 6th Grade Students if you need a refresher on FMS!

Jeremiah Johnston: FMS Principal

Security Update

Keeping Our School Community Safe

District 51 is committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and secure environment for all students, staff, and families. As part of a districtwide safety upgrade funded by the 2024 Bond, we’ve implemented a new security system that enhances the way visitors access our buildings.

When arriving at the front entrance, here’s what you can expect:

1. Press the intercom button

2. Wait for school staff to respond

3. Say your name and reason for visiting

4. Listen for directions or for the door to be unlocked

5. Proceed to the front office and check in with a photo ID

Please note: Families will continue to have monitored access to the vestibule during designated drop-off and pick-up times. We know this is a big change from past practice, but it’s aligned with our Strategic Plan and reflects the reality that school safety measures must continue evolving. Across the country, the landscape around school safety has changed, and this system is one more way we’re doing everything we can to protect your children and loved ones while they’re in our care. Thank you for your support and patience as we implement these important changes. Together, we’re building schools that are not only strong in academics and connection, but also in safety and security.

FMS Apparel Sale

BUY HERE!

Help support FMS and show your school spirit. Purchase your FMS Apparel today. Sale ends TONIGHT!

School Picture Time

Fruita Middle School Picture Day is Thursday, August 21!

Picture Packets were sent home with your student this week

Attached is a PDF of our school’s FALL Picture Day Flyer.

The PDF is hyperlinked, click anywhere on either page and it will take you directly to the online ordering page.

You can also order online by going to www.mymjthomas.com and entering our school's event code. (Event Code: C43)

If you have any questions or concerns about pictures please call MJ Thomas Photo at

1-800-219-0199.

NEW DROP OFF GUIDELINES

All items will be dropped off on a table in the front vestibule. We are not able to deliver these items to students. It is up to you to make arrangements with your student about items you leave for them. Please minimize DoorDash/GrubHub and other lunch deliveries.

Students may pick up items that are dropped off on their lunch period. If items are dropped off after their lunch period, they can pick them up at the end of the day.

Text Alerts: To sign up to receive text messages from your school or district, you must have an active SMS number on file in Synergy and Opt-In to receive messages via your mobile carrier. Sign up for text alerts and communications by texting "YES" to 67587.

Attendance

We ask all of you to help us in ensuring that your student is present and on-time on the first day and every day throughout the school year. Attendance is the number one indicator of success in school and learners miss out on valuable learning and growth when they aren’t with us. Fruita Middle School operates on a quarter system and there are only about 45 days in each quarter. Missing just 5 days in an entire quarter equates to less than 90% attendance and lower than 90% attendance is chronic absenteeism. This means that more than 2 days absent in a month is below 90%. We need everyone's support and partnership in helping all learners understand how impactful daily attendance can be.

To report an absence, you can use ParentVUE*, call the Attendance Line at 970-254-6570 Option 1 or email Katie Bosio, Attendance Secretary. Thank you!

When using ParentVUE, be sure follow the instructions to make sure the attendance is submitted correctly. PV Attendance Instructions

The district has a new goal of achieving a 95% attendance rate for middle schools. We will be showing our monthly attendance rate in the Friday Facts each week. August 15, 2025: 94%

Trip Abroad 2026

Ms. Bohl is inviting families to learn about an exciting student travel opportunity to Italy, France, and Spain in July 2026! This trip offers unforgettable experiences and global learning for Fruita Middle School students. Join her informational meeting to hear all the details and get your questions answered.

Even if you're not ready to travel in 2026, you're still welcome (there's a different trip every two yrs)! Come explore how international travel works and how your student can be part of future adventures abroad.

Schoology 101

All D51 Middle Schools use Schoology as the platform for students and parents to see their class progress. Take a few minutes with your students this weekend to look over Schoology (available to students in Classlink).

8th Grade Parents and 7th & 8th Grade New Parents, You should have or will receive an email inviting you to set up a Schoology account.

If you need help with Schoology, you can complete the FMS Schoology Help Form on our Schoology Help Page

Schoology Help Page

PTO Info

The FMS PTO will be having it's first meeting next week! Please see the attached flyer for more info. We would love to see you there!

Meeting Details:

📅Wednesday, September 10

🕓4:30 PM

📍FMS Library

💙 Join the Fruita Middle PTO

Fall running program at Fruita Middle School

Keep moving this fall with professional local coaches who make running fun!

This program is for 6-8th boys and girls to prepare for cross country running and includes a variety of sessions that include interval training, trail running, speed work, strength and conditioning and of course some fun and games mixed in!

Sessions run from the week of Sept 8th- Nov 1st, 2x a week after school and every other Saturday morning on local trails with the option to trail for a local 5k race. Scholarships and discounts on running gear are available.

Running Program Flyer

Learn more and sign up your athlete now here:

https://outwesttraining.com/middle-school-running-program/

Backpacks Available!

We received a generous donation of backpacks this year and would love to give them out to students!

If your student needs a backpack, please email Katie Bosio and we will make sure they get one!

Club Info

Magic the Gathering/D&D Club Mondays after school until 4:00 in Mr. Cole's room 126. Bring your MTG decks. If you don't have a deck but still want to play, come and join us. Mr. Cole has thousands of cards and he can help you build a deck.

Chess Club Tuesdays after school until 4:00 in Mr. Cole's room 126. All are welcome. Even if you don't know how to play chess, come and learn.

7th and 8th grade Basketball Club will meet on Tuesday after school (on the outdoor court, so bring your outdoor shoes) with Coach Bonner. Boys and girls who are not playing volleyball are all welcome. We will play until 4:30pm.

ALL students from any grade are welcome to join Fruita Middle Quidditch Club where we play Quadball, a dodgeball/handball style game inspired by Harry Potter's Quidditch. We will play most Wednesdays after school from 3:20-4:20 with Coach Bonner, including an intramural tournament in the spring. Follow @fruitamidquid on Instagram and Facebook for more details and exciting things going on at FMS.

Save time & pay fees online!

Don’t want to wait in line? Pay your fees online. Access to online payments will be available starting Aug. 1. Click HERE for a QR to MyPaymentsPlus to easily pay fees online. Payment for Instructional Student Fees ($42) and Exploratory Student Fee ($10) are due by or before the first day of school. Other fees such as athletics, PE shirts, instrument rental, music shirts, OWL, etc. can be paid once school has started.

*If you need assistance with fees, school supplies etc., please complete the D51 Meal Benefits application. The application is for more than just Meal Benefits!

Keep up to Date with FMS Activities!

FMS uses a Google Calendar to share information with Families. We encourage you to check this each week in the Friday Facts newsletter for all our up to date information.

School Supply Lists

New school year means new school supplies! Please see our school supply lists for what your student needs!

25-26 FMS School Supply List: All Grades

LIFE (formerly SSN) Student School Supply List

**Please label your child's belongs (notebooks, pencil bogs, backpacks, lunch bags, water bottles, clothes etc). It is a big building and things get misplaced. We have a Lost & Found for any items our staff finds at the end of the day. It is located in the Main Hallway by the Gym.

Pick Up & Drop Off

Please review thee Pick Up & Drop-Off Guidelines for FMS. The first few days of school can cause quite a log jam so please be patient and remember we are next to a high school with new drivers. Safety First!

FMS Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures

FMS Building Map

Bus Route Information

If your child is eligible for transportation, STA recommends downloading the My Ride K12 app to view route details and track your child’s bus. Click the links to download the app via the Google Play Store and the Apple Store. To use the app, you’ll need your student’s ID number, which can be located through your ParentVUE account. Please note that the app will only work for students who qualify for bus transportation. In addition, the My Ride K12 app asks users to call the District with issues, but that is incorrect. Please call STA at 970-697-1050.

If your student is a bus rider or you would like to see if they ride a bus, please contact Student Transportation of America (STA) at 970-697-1050 or the District Transportation page

***Very Important-Make sure your student knows which bus route they need to ride before the first day of school.

Please note: Elementary school students who live more than two miles from school and middle and high school students who live more than three miles from school are eligible to ride the bus to and from the school in their attendance area.

Athletic Information

Volleyball Pictures will be Thursday, August 21 after school

Packets were sent home this week or you can download it at Athletics Picture Packet

First games are the week of August 25!

Athletics is open to any 7th & 8th Grade Students at FMS. Interest Meetings and Information Packets are available as each sport begins. There is a $70 fee per sport

2025-2026 Athletic Dates

Girl's Volleyball: August 11-September 25
Boy's Basketball: September 29-November 13
Girl's Basketball: November 17-January 29 (break during Winter Break)
Wrestling: February 2-March 12
Track & Field: March 23-April 29

Bell Schedule/Early Release

Please see our Bell Schedule below

AM Meeting Areas: 6th Grade: Entrance #4, 7th Grade: Entrance #6, 8th Grade: Entrance #7

Inclement Weather: Students meet in the Gym

Monday-Thursday

First Bell: 7:55am

Late Bell: 8:00am (Students must check in at the front office after this time)

Release Bell: 3:15pm

Friday

First Bell: 7:55am

Late Bell: 8:00am (Students must check in at the front office after this time)

Release Bell: 1:15pm

2025-2026 Bell Schedule

2025-2026 FMS Calendar

Kids Aid Food Bags

Food Bag Order Form

Kids Aid is a local nonprofit organization. The backpack program is a food assistance program which provides bags of food to children in need of food for the weekend.

There is NO cost, and there are NO qualifications to participate in this program. If you feel your child/children would benefit, please complete order form above. The Backpack Program does not collect this information; it is used only for the schools to know who needs to receive the food.

Please visit our website at www.kidsaidcolorado.org for more information and/or to leave us feedback about our Backpack Program. Your feedback helps us to better meet your kids’ needs.

Program enrollment is on-going throughout the school year. If you have questions, please contact Rosanna Romero