November 2023
BFA Fairfax Middle School
Family Newsletter
Embedded Files
From the Principal:
I want to start this newsletter by giving a heartfelt "thank you" to all our veterans for their service to our country.
It’s been a busy few weeks as we finish the first trimester of the year. Thank you to all the families who participated in family-teacher conferences over the past few weeks. We know that a strong school-home partnership is integral to a student's success in school.
Trimester 1 closes this Friday, November 17th. Report cards will be mailed home the first week of December. On your student's report card you will see their academic scores (based on academic proficiency in each subject) as well as their Learner Habits scores. Learner Habits transcend specific subject areas and are the skills and habits that successful learners use. We assess five Learner Habits in the middle school: collaboration, self-direction, persistence, responsibility, and reflection. If you have any questions about your student’s report card or progress in class, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student's teacher.
Congratulations to all our students, staff, and families who were part of Little Shop of Horrors! It was an incredible production and a number of 7th and 8th grade students demonstrated their talents on the stage and behind the scenes bringing the production to life.
Warmly,
Heather Baron, Middle School Principal
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
We are adding a section to our Middle School Family Newsletters to highlight our incredible staff! The first staff member we are highlighting is Jerry Bailey, our 6th grade (Team Odyssey) math teacher. This is Jerry’s 30th (!) year teaching math at BFA Fairfax middle school. During his first five years he taught 5th grade math, then moved to 7/8 grade math for 24 years, before returning to 5/6 math this year. He’s identified this year as coming full circle and a year of “renewal and refuel”.
He attributes his love for math teaching to his 7th and 8th grade math teacher (Mrs. Scales - yup, her actual name!), who saw something in him. He said she was tough, but inspired a passion for math in him. She expected the best in her students and she inspired him to want to be a middle school math teacher.
In addition to being a great math teacher, Mr. Bailey has played a pivotal role in bringing the incredible BFA drama productions to our students, our school, and the community for the past fifteen years. If you had a chance to see Little Shop of Horrors, you were able to witness Mr. Bailey’s passion and commitment to students and the dramatic arts as the Producer of the show. He shared that he loves working with the students who want to be part of something, no matter how much work it is. Little Shop of Horrors was on Mr. Bailey’s top three bucket list for musicals, along with Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins.
We finished our interview with some fun questions for Mr. Bailey. Here are his answers!
Q: What’s the best thing about being a Middle School teacher?
A: Connecting with kids
Q: What’s the hardest thing about a Middle School teacher?
A: Creating connections w/kids!
Q: Would you rather… (this is a game we love to play during morning advisory)
Q: First day of school or last day of school?
A: Last of school! Summer is a time to recharge and refuel and to seek out other things we are passionate about.
Q: Lunch duty or recess duty?
A: Recess duty - It's a chance to hang out with kids and connect in a different atmosphere. Lunch is too chaotic for that to happen!
Q: If you could get on a plane today and go anywhere for two weeks, where would you go?
A: Tokyo - I need to visit the Disney Park in Tokyo!
Q: If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
A: Working for Disney Parks and Rec!
Q: What’s something you enjoy doing outside of school?
A: Hanging out with friends
Mr Bailey receiving the Educator Recognition award from Ms. Baron and Mr. Tague
From the Dean of Students:
We have had a strong start to the school year and are coming into our first break. There are a few things that we are seeing that still need work. Cell phones continue to present challenges in the school. I’ve attached below our guidelines for cell phones from our Student Handbook:
Electronic Devices
Electronic devices are prevalent in today’s society. It is important that these devices be used to enhance learning and not take away from learning occurring in the classroom. As such, the following guidelines apply to personal devices, including but not limited to: cell phones, smartwatches, blue-tooth or connected listening devices, etc.
Students in Grades Pre-K-8 will not access their personal devices during the school day. They should not be visible or in use from the beginning of the day until dismissal.
Students in Grades 9-12 can access their personal devices between classes and during lunch. They should not be visible or in use in classes unless they are specifically needed for a teacher-approved learning activity.
Students will be provided with electronic devices that may be used in academic classrooms when needed for learning.
Any personal electronic device that is brought to school is the responsibility of the student; the school is not responsible for its safekeeping. Students are expected to use electronic devices in accordance with the above. If a student fails to do so, then the student will be asked to relinquish the device to school personnel. The device shall be returned to the student/parent/guardian at the end of the school day. Any student who fails to relinquish an electronic device upon request shall be considered insubordinate and disciplinary actions may occur.
The end of the trimester is upon us. I have been seeing a lot of great work coming out of classrooms, and students have been working really hard to finish this trimester in a strong way. I hope conferences were informative and successful for all of you and you were able to gain insight into how your students are doing.
Dana Gore, Dean of Students
Classroom Corner
TEAM VOYAGER (Grade 5):
During the month of October, fifth graders focused on the theme, RESPECT. Students learned about ways to show respect in all aspects of their days. Team Voyager celebrated the success of our students at our monthly assembly by recognizing students for respectful behavior and their efforts in Unified Arts classes and Content areas. We had a great time when we traveled to Ethan Allen Homestead to learn about Colonial Life which connects to an upcoming Social Studies unit. Students also participated in some fun activities on Halloween to practice their skills while also using their creativity, including some pumpkin math and catapult building! 5th Graders continue to do a wonderful job adjusting to Middle School! We are so proud of all of them!
TEAM ODYSSEY (Grade 6):
This month in advisory Odyssey students have been focusing on courage and self-esteem, as well as identifying emotions.
We have wrapped up our Mesopotamia unit in social studies and have recently begun our first science unit for the year: Matter and its interactions. Students have been enjoying the hands-on activities that we have been able to do, including determining solubility by mixing (or attempting to mix) several substances, and determining if mass is the same whether an item is a solid or liquid by melting ice, butter, and chocolate.
In literacy class, we wrapped up our Personal Narrative Unit and are focusing our attention on theme. Students have been demonstrating a strong understanding of universal themes in various texts. Additionally, students have also completed a word study unit on the six different syllable types with a quiz showcasing their learning. This past week we have begun a whole class study on Gary Paulsen’s novel Hatchet with read alouds and group discussions about the book. Next week, I will be introducing theme tracker graphic organizers to students. We will be working on finding specific textual evidence in support of one theme in the novel.
In math, we paused our study of fractions, decimals, and percents last week with a unit assessment on Friday. This week we began a study of 2-dimensional geometry to include area, perimeter, and other characteristics of shapes.
TEAM HORIZON (Grade 7):
The trimester is coming to a close and Team Horizon has been busy! Students have created a creative narrative in ELA, studied geography and vocabulary in social studies, created geometric coloring books in math, and examined cells in science.
In science class, students worked hard over the last few weeks to create some virtual cells and then had a chance to put on the virtual reality headsets to fully immerse themselves inside the cells! It was a fun and engaging project for all!
In math class we have been scaling up pictures of animals and made coloring books for the pre-k and kindergarten students.
As the weather gets colder, please remember to send your child to school with warm weather gear. A 30 minute recess feels like forever without coats, gloves or hats! We’ve recently had a couple of days that required inside recess. While we would much rather spend time outside, the kids really enjoyed some exciting games of ping-pong!
TEAM ENDEAVOR (Grade 8):
In US History students are wrapping up a unit about the American Revolution. We are working on writing skills including describing historical events from different perspectives, developing claims about historical events, and writing with authority and voice.
After determining weather, location and timing patterns of hail storms, students have completed several investigations to help figure out how these precipitation events take place. During the past month, eighth graders collected sunlight and temperature data at various locations around the school and tracked the flow of energy in a soap bubble and bottle system as well as a heated balloon.
In math, we have completed unit 1 on Linear Relationships. We are now moving on to exploring exponential growth and working with exponents to describe very large and very small quantities, called scientific notation. We are also focusing on using a graphing calculator app on our ipads - Desmos. Desmos helps us visualize the mathematics!
Counseling Connections
Topic of the month: Vaping, what’s the big deal?
You may have seen or heard about kids in your school or town using e-cigarettes. Some teens assume that using these devices—also known as vaping—is safe. After all, e-cigarettes can come in flavors, so how bad can they really be? The truth is that vaping exposes you to very real—and very scary— health risks. These include exposure to dangerous chemicals, as well as other drugs such as nicotine, CBD and even marijuana, which can harm your brain and lead to addiction.
How do I keep my kids safe?
Have conversations! *See the link below: How to talk to kids about vaping
Some students say they vape because their friends do— either to feel cool or because they’re afraid to say “no.” The best way to reduce your exposure to the health hazards of vaping is to say “no.” What would you do if another kid offered you an e-cigarette?
Here are four ways to handle the pressure—and stay safe:
Say “No, thanks,” or “Nah, that’s not my thing.”
Make a joke or change the topic.
Say you’re supposed to be somewhere and walk away.
Talk to a friend, parent, or trusted adult.
How to talk to kids about vaping
Resource: The US Food and Drug Administration: Health Impacts of E-cigarettes
Athletics and Activities
Congratulations to all of our fall co-curricular participants! Whether demonstrating incredible talent on the fields and trails, on the dramatic arts stage, or in music ensembles, our students never cease to amaze us! We look forward to seeing all their talent and skill on display during our upcoming winter season.
The winter athletic season will begin during the first week of December. Any 7th and 8th grade students planning on participating in basketball, nordic skiing, or cheerleading should be sure to register via our Form ReLeaf platform prior to practices starting. Winter Sports Registration Link.
We also will be having our Middle School Winter Athletics Information Meeting for athletes and families on Wednesday, December 6 at 5pm in the Elementary Gym. Any interested athletes and an adult family member should plan on attending this meeting to meet the coaches, go over season and program expectations, and kick off the season on a high note.
Geri Witalec-Krupa, Director of Activities
Student Leadership Committee (SLC) News:
Members of the middle school SLC will be teaming up with BFA high school students for another food drive this year! The food drive will benefit families living in Fairfax, through a partnership with our local food shelf and Operation Happiness. Members of the SLC will learn about food insecurity and present a slideshow to their peers about what they learned. On December 13th, we will deliver the food we collected and assemble boxes to support families in our community! This is a great opportunity for service learning and giving back! Fliers about the food drive will go home to families after the break.
Nurse's Office
Winter weather has arrived (a little early for some of us I know 🙂)
With the cold winter weather slowly moving in this is the perfect time to start preparing your winter clothing.
Please help your child remember to pack or wear items that will help keep them warm during recess and throughout the day.
Here are a few items we highly recommendation:
Winter Hat
Gloves
Winter Jacket
Snow Pants
Winter Boots (with sneaker in backpack)
Extra pants, shirts and socks
We have officially entered the inevitable cold and flu season.
The arrival of cold and flu season has inevitably started. While we can never completely prevent illness from occurring, there are a few ways we can do our part to help decrease the spread of germs.
Cold and Flu Prevention:
- Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
- Teach your child to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, using a tissue or their elbow
- Make sure your child gets plenty of rest, maintains a healthy diet and is hydrated to help boost their immune system
- Consider getting a flu shot for yourself and your family members who are eligible.
When to Contact a Doctor:
- If your child has a fever over 100.4℉ or is experiencing severe symptoms (such as difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, or chest pain)
- If your child has been sick for more than a few days without improvement
- If your child has a chronic medical condition, such as asthma, that may complicate their illness
Thinking about keeping your sick child home? The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests considering the follow questions:
Does the child’s illness keep him/her from comfortably taking part in school activities?
Does the sick child need more care, attention or extra rest?
Could other children/adults get sick from being near your child?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then the child should not go to school and please let the school know our child will be out sick.
Additional Resources:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/flu/preventing-flu
Thank you,
Courtney LaCasses, BFA Middle School, clacasse@fwsu.org
From the Land of Music, Art, Physical Education, and World Language
ART: In art class, we have been focusing on media exploration and idea generation. 5th and 6th graders practiced observational drawing using fall objects. They incorporated these into a final pastel drawing with a watercolor background. 7th and 8th graders brainstormed and developed their own compositions based on an interest or hobby they have. They focused on adding different values to their drawings using a media of their choice. Throughout this week, students in all grades will be adding these new completed projects to their digital portfolios. Ask them to show you all the hard work they’ve done!
Spanish: In Spanish class, students have been working on our numbers and calendar unit. They can now share their age in the target language as well as what day of the week it is. They even could sing you our days of the week song with the words “lunes, martes, miércoles, jueves, viernes, sábado and domingo”! There are plenty more Spanish songs on the way, as we just got a subscription to student accounts for Señorwooly.com. This website allows students to interact with a variety of Spanish music videos and comprehensive activities written by a former Spanish teacher, for Spanish language learners. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out via email at flenahan@fwsu.org
MANDARIN: This month, students in Mandarin class learned how to say 11 countries in Mandarin and ask and answer about nationalities. They also learned Mandarin words about Halloween, how to say the days of the week and describe different kinds of weather. What’s more, seven students from Grade 6 had an online meeting with Chinese students from Shun’an Middle School, which is my home school in China. The Chinese students sang an English song to BFA students and introduced the history, culture and ways of making dumplings. Our 6th grade students sang a Chinese song and talked about their Halloween costumes and explained how they celebrated Halloween to the Chinese students.
TECHNOLOGY: In the makerspace, students have been creating and coding in Gimkit. This is a tool that teachers have used as a practice/review type game, but the tool has recently opened up a creative studio component where students can create and code their own games. Students have also had experience designing as name plaque for the laser cutter/engraver and created 3D designs for a VR headset storage and charging stand.
CHORUS: Middle school chorus students are working diligently on music for our December 13th concerts. We are learning many new pieces and are very excited to share our beautiful music with everyone! Students can practice some of their music on their own by listening to their parts on Schoology under their Chorus class. It is such a pleasure to work with these enthusiastic singers! It is not too late to join us. Contact me at cmaynard@fwsu.org and we will work with guidance to see if we can make it happen! Our next full chorus rehearsal day is this Friday, November 17th.
GENERAL MUSIC: General Music students have been working on their music reading skills and playing instruments called Choir Chimes. Choir Chimes are similar to Handbells but a little more kid-friendly. Each student takes one or two pitches and plays along with a youtube video. My plan is to transition to playing songs while looking at actual music notation. The students are having fun with this and have lots of suggestions for songs to play! Here is a link of a group playing “Carol of the Bells” on Choir Chimes: Jackson Liberty H.S. Hand Chime Choir, Carol of the Bells
BAND: Our middle school band groups are the largest they have been in recent history, which is just a delight. It is great to have such enthusiasm from our young musicians. Students are learning new musical skills in each class, then learning how to perfect that learning as a team during full band rehearsals. As students improve, their range, endurance, and expressiveness increases. Our middle school band concert is December 13; this year, we’re splitting the concert into two separate performances. The first one will begin at 6 PM and feature our fifth and sixth grade musicians. After that, we’ll reset and present our seventh and eighth grade ensembles at 7:15 PM. We can’t wait to show the community how much we are learning!
News from the Library
Over the next few weeks I will be helping students get access to our wonderful selection of resources which include the Vermont Online Library research databases, Grolier Online Encyclopedia, our Destiny Library system and Sora, our audio and ebook collection.
Joy Mercer
School Librarian
jmercer@fwsu.org
Upcoming Events and Dates
IMPORTANT DATES:
End of Trimester 1: November 17 (report Cards will be mailed home the first week of December)
Thanksgiving Break: November 20-24
Winter Athletics Information Meeting for Middle School athletes and families: Wednesday, December 6 (5pm in the Elementary Gym)
Early Release: December 13 (students dismissed 12:50pm)
Middle School Band and Chorus Concerts: Wednesday, December 13th (Grades 5/6 @6pm and Grades 7/8 @7:15 pm in the HS gym)
December Break: December 22 - January 1
SAVE THE DATE:
Grade 7-8 Dance: May 17th (more info to come)
Grade 5-6 Dance: February 16th (more info to come)
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