April 2024
BFA Fairfax Middle School
Family Newsletter
Embedded Files
From the Principal:
Hello Middle School Families,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Family Night Out in March. It was wonderful to share a meal and learn new information together. Families and students had the opportunity engaged in numerous workshops, including lego building, supporting your child with anxiety, paying for college, understanding proficiencies and report cards, and numerous other workshops.
April has been a busy month so far with VTCAP testing and conferences. We held our third Community Meetings the day before each grade started the VTCAP tests. Our theme for this round of Community Meetings was staying mentally healthy and positive during testing (and any potentially stressful situation!). Students did a wonderful job taking the assessments seriously and trying their best. We finished VTCAP testing across the middle school last week and are looking forward to a normal schedule this week and when we get back from vacation.
Last Tuesday the FWSU board made the decision that the last day of school for students will be Friday, June 14th. We will hold 8th grade recognition on Thursday, June 13th at 5:30pm.
We hope you have a wonderful April break and students come back ready for a positive and fun end of the school year!
Warmly,
Heather Baron, Middle School Principal
From the Dean of Students:
Hello Middle School Families,
Given the most recent weather (more than a foot of snow and the recent rain), it seems ironic to talk about nice weather. But with longer days and brighter weather, it's natural for students to feel a sense of restlessness. As we move into this, hopefully warmer, nicer weather, I wanted to remind everyone of our school's closed campus policy, as detailed in our Student Handbook. Once students arrive in the morning, they may not leave the school or school grounds. They should also stay on campus until their designated departure time. For some, this may be right at the end of the day. They may be walking home, getting picked up, or riding the first round of buses. For others, this may mean they must wait a little while until the buses return for their second round of rides.
Also, to our 7th and 8th-grade families! I’m excited to remind everyone that our final dance of the year is just around the corner, scheduled for May 17th. This event is special for our 8th graders, marking their final middle school dance. We are inside our six-week countdown, so please remind students of expectations around behavior and being eligible to attend. We have done so here, but if you could also review the expectations for middle school dances with your students, detailed in the Student Handbook, we would greatly appreciate it.
On a different note, I wanted to let families know that I have decided that I will not be returning next year as Dean of Students. It was a difficult choice for me to make, but I have really missed being in a classroom on a day to day basis. This year has been a great experience for me, and if possible, I hope to continue working in this community. Thank you all for the support, feedback and insights you have provided to me over the course of this year.
Dana Gore, Dean of Students
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Heather Brown
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Heather Brown
Heather has been teaching for 13 years. She started her career at Enosburg in a self-contained 5th grade class where she taught for seven years. Her next stop on her way to BFA Middle School was at Georgia Elementary/Middle School. She taught at GEMS for two years as a 6th grade literacy teacher. She finally landed at BFA Middle School as our grade 5/6 (Team Voyager) math teacher. Heather shared that she always knew she wanted to teach at BFA Fairfax. Fairfax is her hometown and she really wanted to teach in her community and where her own kids go to school.
Here are her answers to some of our favorite questions:
What’s the best thing about BFA Middle School?
I love working with this age group. I think they are at a really critical point in their development where they are experiencing a lot of changes. I like playing a role both in their academics as well as when they need guidance in all the other areas. I like bridging the gap from that younger time in their life to now and helping them navigate and cross the bridge into their adolescent years.
What’s the best and worst things about being a middle school educator?
Best: Being that “ear” and role model for them at such a critical and challenging time in their development and also being able to hear about all the exciting things they have going on in their lives.
Worst: They have so many things going on in their lives. You have to continually be flexible and pivot. That can be hard! You have to pivot a lot and try to “read” their feelings and be there for them in the ways you think they need you to be. And to find creative ways to help them find joy and have fun. It’s easier in elementary school when they find joy in everything. Once they get to middle school it's a little harder. Those parts are tricky.
Would you rather… (this is a game we love to play during morning advisory)
First day of school or last day of school? First day, definitely
Lunch duty or recess duty? Lunch
If you could get on a plane today and go anywhere for two weeks, where would you go?
Europe
If you weren’t an educator, what would you be?
Nurse. But I’ve always wanted to be a teacher!
What’s something you enjoy doing outside of school?
Spending time with my kids and the rest of my extended family
Fun Fact about you…
I have four kidneys (no joke)!
Classroom Corner
TEAM VOYAGER (Grade 5):
During the month of March, 5th graders focused on COMPROMISE. Students discussed specific school scenarios, common conflicts, and compromises that would be especially successful for these scenarios where everyone feels satisfied with the result.
In Science and Social Studies students have begun building ecocolums to replicate the connection between organisms within and across ecosystems. Each model has an aquatic chamber and a terrestrial chamber. We are looking forward to observing fish, snails, and insects in their mini habitats! Students continued to collect sap these last few weeks from the three trees they tapped and were able to conclude the process with almost 15 gallons of sap!
Additionally, our 5th graders have been doing a spectacular job with respect, responsibility, and safety and earned an ice cream sundae celebration! Lastly, we have begun preparations to attend the STARBASE program and we are looking forward to sharing updates regarding this exciting opportunity!
TEAM ODYSSEY (Grade 6):
This month in advisory, Odyssey students have been focusing on self-discipline, good judgment, fairness, and honesty.
In social studies we wrapped up our Ancient Greece unit. Throughout this unit students learned about the Minoans and Mycenaeans, Athens and Sparta, and did an inquiry activity where they looked at primary sources to determine if they thought Ancient Athens was truly democratic, based on what we know about democracy today.
In math students have been working on tasks that involve the measures of center (mean, median, and mode). They have been looking at actual data to make decisions about outcomes. Next week we will be looking closely at box-and-whiskers plots, one of my favorite statistical representations.
In literacy class, students have been diligently working on analyzing nonfiction articles for information and credibility. We have also set our focus on online safety when navigating the web and building on students' internet sleuthing skills while searching for credible sources. One highlight of this unit so far was seeing students work in groups to come up with compelling research questions using the QFT; question formulation technique. The discussions we had around open versus closed questions were quite impressive. This is all in preparation for an individualized research project students will embark on in the upcoming month.
At our March Community Meeting students learned some strategies to help them while testing. Ask your student to demonstrate them for you! We also played an entire grade version of rock, paper, scissors, which Jayden won for his team!
TEAM HORIZON (Grade 7):
In ELA, students have started literature circles based around historical fiction novels; we’ve focused on skills such as: note-taking, summarizing, comparing and contrasting, vocab enrichment, and more. Many students have enjoyed discussing and reading both within the classroom and outside of school.
In science, students have been learning about cycles of matter including the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle and water cycle. Students also spent time learning about different types of biomes, the various roles that organisms have in their habitats as well as behavioral and structural adaptations in animals. Starting April 9th, students will embark on a sustainability project in both science and social studies classes that will continue for multiple weeks with the end goal of students designing and constructing solutions to combat some of Earth’s most challenging environmental issues.
In math, students will be solving for x. Balancing equations with x on both sides. To solve the equations students will be combining like terms and use the distributive property. We will be putting numbers in for x and solving equations.
In social studies, students have been learning about the African continent. Students will study the geography of Africa and learn where all the countries are located, and eventually be assigned a specific country to specialize their knowledge in. Students will also begin a project on sustainability in science and social studies. Students were introduced to sustainability in social studies by reading about desertification and deforestation in Africa, but this project will move closer to home. Students will start thinking about sustainability and environmental issues impacting communities close to them.
TEAM ENDEAVOR (Grade 8):
This is a busy time of year to be an 8th grader! We started April with VTCAP testing. 8th graders took tests in Math, ELA, and Science. We are all so proud of the work 8th graders put into these testing days!
Coming up next, we have the Boston day trip on April 18th. We are super excited to participate in this out of classroom learning experience with our 8th grade community. We are going over expectations and trip information in our morning meetings leading up to the trip. If your child is attending, remember to get your child to school by 6:00 am on April 18th. And don’t forget to check the weather that day for how to dress appropriately for the trip. We will be outside walking around Boston rain or shine. Here are a few more reminders!
Counseling Connections
Topic of the month: Accept responsibility!
It’s about more than just saying “I’m sorry!” It’s common for us to find it frustrating when someone struggles to admit when they made a mistake. Learning to take responsibility for our mistakes is a lifelong process and as parents and teachers we can help support our students and provide much needed guidance in this area.
A trusting relationship is key! Young people will be more likely to admit when they have made a mistake if they feel like they can trust us and that we won’t blame them for their mistakes. Making mistakes is a part of learning! We all make them. Even us adults! And we have the ability to model for young people how to make mistakes and accept responsibility for them. We can teach our students through modeling what it means to own up to our mistakes, apologize for our behavior and the impact that it had on others as well as through showing how to repair those relationships when things go wrong.
Here are some tips:
1. Model Responsible Behavior
Actions speak louder than words and students notice more of what we do than what we say.
Demonstrate an attitude of problem solving rather than complaining when faced with a challenge.
Own up to mistakes rather than blaming or making excuses.
2. Teach how to be restorative/repair
Teaching young people how to be restorative is about taking responsibility for your own actions by understanding how you impact others. When students are able to discuss their behavior in a non-threatening, no blame context they are more likely to take responsibility. Repairing relationships also helps strengthen them!
3. Reinforce Responsibility
When students own their behavior, give them specific praise and link it to how they feel about themselves. Example: ‘you must be proud of yourself for owning up to not completing your work. You took responsibility for your behavior’.
4. Teach Students To Problem Solve
Teach your children to problem solve issues that arise and work together to identify solutions and even put them into practice.
It is really hard to admit when we’ve made a mistake, especially when we may have negatively impacted someone we care about. This takes practice. Sometimes role playing with your child can help them to practice a really hard skill.
And name it for them: “It is really hard for me to admit when I’ve made a mistake, especially when I know my mistake has negatively impacted someone I care about. But it will hopefully make me and that other person feel a lot better about our relationship!”
Career Challenge Day - Opportunity for Middle School Students in Grades 6-8
Burlington Tech Center (BTC) in collaboration with VT Works For Women is hosting their annual Career Challenge Day on May 8th for 6th-9th grade girls and gender-expansive youth. Marisa Monette (School Counselor) has the opportunity to take a small group of students to this event. We will plan to depart BFA at 11:00am and return around 2:40pm. This event exposes students to careers that are non-traditional for women and gender-expansive individuals so that they can make informed decisions about high school course selection and their own career pathways. Students visit BTC classrooms, participate in hands-on activities, and meet teachers, staff, and current students.
Students will visit the following BTC programs: Digital Media Lab, Design & Illustration, Homeland Security/Criminal Justice, Education Leadership & Training, Health Science Academy, and Intro to Health Care.
Space is limited, please let Marisa know if your student is interested in attending as soon as possible so we can register you.
8th Grade Families:
Keep an eye out in your mail for a draft of your 9th grade schedule at the end of April. Don’t hesitate to contact your high school counselor with any questions:
Student Last Name A-L
Linnea Jahn
ljahn@fwsu.org
https://calendly.com/linneajahn
Student Last Name M-Z
Katherine McElroy Welch
kmcelroy@fwsu.org
Athletics and Activities
Thank you to everyone who attended our Middle School spring “Meet the Coaches Night” on April 9. The excitement and enthusiasm were palpable. Not only do we have a knowledgeable and skilled roster of new coaches for our softball, baseball, and track and field teams, but we also have the highest participation numbers in our grades 7-8 sports programs in years! Games and meets will begin upon our return from April break. A reminder that all game and meet schedules can be found on the BFA Fairfax website at www.bfafairfax.com under the Athletics tab. We hope to see you on the sidelines!
Geri Witalec-Krupa, Director of Activities
Student Leadership Committee (SLC) News:
Unfortunately, we had to reschedule the Middle School Coffee House due to poor weather and low performer interest. We recognize that this was really disappointing for everyone involved, but we are exploring partnering with the high school and joining their coffee house on June 2nd. More details to come! Stay tuned!
The SLC will be meeting in the coming days to also decide what final fundraiser of the year they would like to participate in. Assisting others in our community and beyond has been an important part of the SLC. We plan to brainstorm ideas around helping others through a fundraiser or other option at our next meeting.
Save the date for the next 7th and 8th grade semi-formal dance, being held on May 17th from 6:30-8:30.
Nurse's Office
Spring sports season is here!
Please help our students remember the role that nutrition plays in their performance during their activities as well as their overall health. Eating a well balanced diet can help your student feel their best, both on and off the field.
Here are some nutrition tips to keep in mind for all of our students:
1. **Eat a balanced diet:** Make sure to include a variety of foods in their meals, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
2. **Stay hydrated:** Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially before, during, and after practices or games. Dehydration can affect their performance academically as well as their recovery from workouts.
3. **Fuel up before and after exercise:** Eat a balanced meal or snack containing carbohydrates and protein. This will help fuel their brain and muscles and support recovery of muscles after the activity.
4. **Snack smart:** Choose healthy snacks multiple times a day to keep energy levels up. Smart snacks include: fruits, nuts, yogurt, or whole-grain crackers.
5. **Snacks to Avoid:** Snacks high in sugar or full of caffeine can cause drastic crashes as our bodies metabolize the snacks.
Remember, nutrition is a key component to our students' success in sports and in life. By making healthy choices, they’ll be setting themselves up for a strong and successful remainder of the school year and sports season.
Additional Resources about Nutrition:
https://myplate-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/2022-04/TipSheet_18_HealthyEatingForTeens.pdf
https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/nutrition-age/teens/tweens-and-teens
Courtney LaCasses, BFA Middle School, clacasse@fwsu.org
From the Land of Music, Art, Physical Education, and World Language
ART: Students have been working hard in the art studio! They have been exploring painting, sculpture, collage, wire, drawing, and more. Many students have been combining materials to create unique works of art. During Open Studio, student artists brainstorm their own ideas, practice, problem-solve their way through creation of their project, and reflect on how it went.
Student artists will have the option of choosing one or more of their works of art from this year to go in the BFA school-wide Art Show in May. See the information below. We’d love for all families to join us on May 9th for the reception!
Spanish: In Spanish class, we have started reading a short, comprehensible book completely in Spanish! The book is called <<El capibara con botas>> (The Capybara with Boots) and follows a capybara named Carlos and teaches about his life in the Amazon Rainforest. When we are done with this, we will be talking about a new song from the Señor Wooly website called “¿Cómo estás?”. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out via email at flenahan@fwsu.org
MANDARIN: This month we learned about subjects and clothes and reviewed colors and numbers. We also learned to sing a Mandarin song and how to use chopsticks.
TECHNOLOGY: Since students have been using technology quite a bit lately during standardized testing, we wanted to find an activity that allowed them to disconnect for a time. So, we have been working in small groups to create popsicle stick bridges which we will test the week before the April break. The students are competing in 2 areas: highest weight held and most efficient bridge (a ratio of weight held to bridge weight).
BAND: Thanks to everyone that participated in our candle fundraiser! Some students were able to completely cover the cost of their trip, which is phenomenal. A reminder that permission slips are due next Monday, 4/15. If your student is participating in the VMEA District I Music Festival on 5/3 and 5/4, please make sure those permission slips get in by 4/19. Also, if your student is in 5th Grade Band, don’t forget that the date of that concert has been changed to 5/22 at 6:00 PM in the high school gym. Arrival time for grade 5 band performers is 5:30 to the band room. Concert clothes are white on the top, black on the bottom. If this is a hardship for your family, please do the best you can. Our band students are really sounding great and I can’t wait to hear how well our performance is!
CHORUS: We are hard at work preparing for our May concerts: grades 6,7,8 on May 21st at 7:00 and 5th grade on May 22nd at 6:00 PM in the High School Gym. Additionally, the Trills and Thrills festival is coming up (grades 6-8, May 31st). Permission slips and money are due by April 15th. Here is the info in case you missed it:Middle School Trills and Thrills Festival
GENERAL MUSIC: GM students did an amazing job writing melodies. We learned how to create a melody that moves by steps and small skips and some of us even added bass clef to our composition. We are also reviewing the instruments of the orchestra and identifying them by sound. Students have been doing a great job and have persevered through this sometimes tedious work.
News from the Library
The Vermont Golden Dome Book Award voting will take place in May. Students must read five of the books on the list to vote.
We are starting the process of packing up for our temporary move. The current library space will be closed from the end of June until the end of October to install a sprinkler system, new ceiling and new entryway. A selection of books will be set aside to provide students with reading material in September and October. The public library will be moving to a temporary location and continue to provide services.
Middle School Reading Challenge 2024
The challenge had a total of 69 participants and they read a total of 887 books! The competition was most fierce in the 5th and 6th grades and the class that read the most read a total of 265 books! The students reported that the pizza parties were awesome and they couldn't wait to do it again next year!
Joy Mercer
School Librarian
Upcoming Events and Dates
IMPORTANT DATES:
April Break: April 22-26
Early Release: May 15
BFA K-12 Art Show Reception: May 9, 5:30-7pm
SAVE THE DATE:
Grade 7-8 Dance: May 17th (more info to come)
Music Concert (grades 6-8): May 21 at 7pm
Music Concert (grade 5): May 22 at 6pm
8th Grade Recognition Ceremony: June 13 at 5:30pm
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