Principal's Corner
Dear Fruita Middle School Families and Community,
As we approach the end of another incredible school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that our students, staff, and families have accomplished together. It has been a year filled with growth, resilience, and achievement, and I could not be more proud of our Wildcat community.
Our students have demonstrated not only academic progress, but also kindness, creativity, and perseverance. Whether in the classroom, on the stage, on the field, or in service to others, they have represented Fruita Middle School with pride and integrity. It has been inspiring to watch them learn, lead, and support one another throughout the year.
To our 8th graders, we are especially proud of you as you prepare to take the next step into high school. You leave a lasting mark on Fruita Middle School, and we are confident in the bright futures ahead of you.
Finally, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our families and community for your continued support. Your partnership plays a vital role in the success of our students and our school.
Let’s finish the year strong, celebrating all that has been accomplished and looking forward to what lies ahead.
Mr. Neal & Dr. Streeval
WE ARE FRUITA
**Parents, we are receiving an alarming amount of drop offs for students. We do our best, but run a very busy office. Please help us by communicating with your student ahead of time when possible. Students are allowed to check for items dropped off during passing period and at lunch so as not to disrupt classes. Thank you for your help with this.
If your student has a Chromebook checked out to them and they are NOT in Algebra 1, the Chromebook and Charger needs to be returned by this Friday, May 15. Students are only allowed to have Chromebooks checked out to them for short periods of time (illness, vacation). Thank you for your help with this!
The Fruita Feed is back with one last issue! This issue is packed with some truly impressive work. We have two standout, timely pieces covering the impacts of politics in education and the evolving role of AI in the classroom. On the lighter side, the students put together a fantastic summer-themed entertainment and reviews section, along with some great student interviews, videos, and quizzes. If you’re looking for a laugh, I highly recommend checking out "How to Take Care of Your Rock: The Teenage Years." The video is on the visual stories page.
I cannot say enough how proud I am of this year’s staff. They are such a creative, dedicated group of kids, and it’s been a joy to watch them work.
Finally, a huge thank you to all of you. We seriously could not have successfully launched the Fruita Feed without a teaching staff that believed in this project and helped us make it happen. Your support has meant the world to us.
Enjoy the read!
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. You can also add it or any of the activities we have on it to your own personal calendar. Friday Facts Calendar
FMS Hours of Operation
Monday-Thursday 7:30am-3:30pm
Friday 7:30am-1:30pm*
*Staff/Main Office is not available after these hours due to meetings and duties assigned to them. We will not be answering the main office phone or the doorbell. Thank you for your understanding.
We are only 3 schools days away from the end of the school year. As we approach the completion of the 2025-2026 school year, we will have reminders to families regarding the end of year activities and to do's
Items to Return
All Library Materials, including Chromebooks & chargers not assigned to Algebra 1 students need to be returned to the Library by Friday, May 15
Items to Pick Up
Please remember to pick up your student’s medication before the end of the school year. If it is an as needed med (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, etc.) it needs to be picked up by Friday May 15 at 1:15pm. Emergency and daily meds need to be picked up on Wednesday May 20 at 3:00pm. We are obligated to discard if items are not picked up by these dates. We are not permitted to send medication home with the student.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out. Tara Tannous, Health Assistant
Lost and Found
Please check out the lost and found either before school or at the end of the school day. All items will be donated at the end of the school year.
Field Trips/Important Days
May 18: Core 7-2 to Glenwood Caverns
May 18: Core 6-2 Bowling Trip
May 19: Core 6-1 Yard Games & Bowling Trip
May 20: Last Day of School-Locker Cleanout & Wildcat Carnival: Release at 3:15pm-If your student is leaving early, they must have all items checked out (ie. chromebooks, library books) turned back in, have locker cleaned out, and be picked up by 12:30.
FMS Last Day Waiver: Must be turned in for your student to participate in Wildcat Carnival (big-ticket items like the foam party, the inflatable water slides etc)
FMS Summer Hours: The Main Office will close for Summer on June 4. Please call ahead to ensure a staff member is available (970-254-6570). We are closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day
Report Cards will be mailed home to all families the week of May 26. Please review your mailing address in ParentVUE to ensure your student's report card is sent to the correct address. If not, email katie.bosio@d51schools.org to update. Thank you!
**Aryanna Etchart, a 7th grade FMS student, placed 1st in the National Civics Bee Regional competition last Saturday. She and other qualifiers faced off in a live quiz event that tested their Civics knowledge, then she presented her essay based on a current Civic problem and answered questions from a panel of judges. She received a $500 cash prize from the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, and will advance to the state-level competition to be hosted in Denver this summer. Way to go, Aryanna!**
For any 8th Grade Girls Interested in playing basketball for FMHS
There will be a few open gym dates at the high school. These are for incoming Freshman through current 11 Graders.
5/11 6-7:30am
5/18 6-7:30am
5/20 6-7:30am
5/27 8:30-10:30am
May 18: Chicken Sandwich, Cole Slaw, Personal Pizza & Uncrustables
May 19: Fiesta Nachos, Refried Beans, Personal Pizza & Uncrustables
May 20: Hot Dogs & Fries, Personal Pizza & Uncrustables
Student one game tickets for Saturday, May 23 or Sunday, May 24 are available in the main office. We have a limited number available. Your student can pick them up before the last day of school.
Over 350 Yearbooks were distributed this week!
Students are excited to see their school year all in one book!
Thousands of pictures taken and the best of them added to our book!
Official Yearbook Signing Day is Wednesday May 20th!
We still have more yearbooks for sale!
Plenty more!
So if your student is hoping to purchase a yearbook, send them with $35 cash to Mrs. Johnson in Room 101 until we sell out!
Congratulations to the class winners of the Duct Tape Challenge! They won a pizza party for their class!
6th Grade: Mrs. Johnson
7th Grade: Mr,. Blackburn
8th Grade: Mrs, Wike
Mixed Grades: Mrs. Bohl
The district has a goal of achieving a 95% attendance rate for middle schools. We will be showing our weekly attendance rate in the Friday Facts each week. May 15: 89%
Youth summer running program
Keep moving this summer with professional local coaches who make running fun!
This program is for girls and boys ages 9-14 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 May 26th-August 8th (no sessions 4th of July week) at parks in Fruita
Tuesdays/Thursdays 8:30-9:45am in Fruita plus 1-2 Saturdays a month on the trails
---> View details and register your kids now here: https://outwesttraining.com/youth-running
Youth Strength + Conditioning program!
In these weekly sessions we lead athletes ages 9-14 through a variety of drills and exercises to enhance speed, agility, strength, power, biomechanics, endurance plus some fun and games!
June 1–23 OR July 13–Aug 7
Mon/Wed/Fri at 11am at Out West Training in Fruita
---> View details and register your kids now here: https://outwesttraining.com/youth-sports
Summer Reading Kick-Off Foam Party at the Fruita Branch Library will take place on Thursday, May 21 from 10am-Noon!
324 N. Coulson St (Fruita Community Center Backyard)
Be sure to sign up for Summer Reading challenges and check out other fun summer activities at https://mesacountylibraries.org/summerreading/
This year, Fruita Middle School has partnered with #SchoolKidz to provide parents a convenient, easy, and affordable way to order their student’s school supplies for the upcoming school year.
Click below to order by 6/19/26 with code: 96927. Boxes will be available at Back to School Night in August for pick up!
Pick Up & Drop Off
Please review the 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!
Parents - a couple of Drop-off/Pick-up procedures to clear up:
Once students arrive on campus for the day, they are not allowed to leave campus to walk to Maverik or other areas off campus.
Do not use the west lot in front of the school. That is designated for staff parking.
Do not drive on the Canal Road
Do not park along the sidewalk curb on the northwest side of the building. This area is designated for Special Education pick-up, and it doesn't leave the buses enough space.
Only drop-off or pick-up in the East lot or the East drop off loop.The Main Bus Loop and the staff parking lot is NOT for pick up and drop off
When exiting the parking lot after school, at the corner of J Road and Fremont, please ONLY turn right or go straight through the neighborhood. Please do not turn left. You will be turning directly into kids crossing in the crosswalk, and it's a safety issue. We are trying to wave cars through to clear the parking lot as quickly as we can. If you are waiting to turn left, it backs traffic up. Turning left just puts more cars into the already hectic High School traffic.
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).
6th 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, including receiving a new code if you deleted the first email, you can complete the FMS Schoology Help Form on our Schoology Help Page
FMS Schoology Help Form: Fill this out if you can't access your student, are having trouble creating an account etc.
Keep healthy habits going during summer break! Pack fruits, veggies, and whole grains for picnics and road trips.
Stay active and fuel your body with balanced meals—good nutrition keeps you strong for summer fun!
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. You can also add it or any of the activities we have on it to your own personal calendar.
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
FMS Contact Information
Fruita Middle School
1835 J Rd Fruita CO 81521
Main Office: 970-254-6750
Fax: 970-858-0486
Website: https://fms.d51schools.org/
Follow us on Facebook at: facebook.com/fmscougars
On Instagram at: @fruitamiddleschool
Main Office Staff
FMS Hours of Operation
Monday-Thursday 7:30am-3:30pm
Friday 7:30am-1:30pm
Staff/Main Office is not available after these hours due to meetings and duties assigned to them. We will not be answering the main office phone or the doorbell. Thank you for your understanding.
Administration
Jeremiah Johnston: Principal Jeremiah.Johnston@d51schools.org
Dr. Becky Streeval: Assistant Principal Student Last Names A-L Becky.Streeval@d51schools.org
David Neal: Assistant Principal Student Last Names M-Z David.Neal@d51schools.org
Counselors
Rosanna Romero: Student Last Names A-L Rosanna.Romero@d51schools.org
Kerri Spore: Student Last Names M-Z Kerri.Spore@d51schools.org
Secretaries
Katie Bosio: Attendance & Registration Katie.Bosio@d51schools.org
Taya West: Principal Secretary Taya.West@d51schools.org
Health Staff
Tara Tannous: Health Assistant Tara.Tannous@d51schools.org
Heather Lee: School Nurse Heather.Lee@d51schools.org