Welcome!
Welcome!
FVMS 2025-2026 School Year Spring Edition
FVMS 2025-2026 School Year Spring Edition
Embedded Files
FVMS UP and Coming EVENTS
Dear Bengal Students,
As we approach the end of another incredible school year at FVMS, I want to take a moment to recognize each and every one of you for the hard work, growth, and resilience you have shown throughout the year. Whether it was in the classroom, on the athletic field, on the stage, or in our hallways, you have represented our Bengal Family with pride. You have truly embodied what it means to be Celebrated, Challenged, and Connected.
I am especially proud of the way you have supported one another, pushed through challenges, and continued striving for excellence. From academic achievements and performances to athletic competitions and daily acts of kindness, you have made this year one to remember. Your dedication to your learning and your willingness to grow have not gone unnoticed.
As we finish strong, I encourage you to stay focused, give your best effort on your End-of-Grade tests, and continue making positive choices each day. Remember, how you finish is just as important as how you start. Let’s continue to show what it means to be respectful, responsible, and committed to excellence.
To our 8th graders, we are incredibly proud of you and excited for the next chapter as you head to high school. You will always be a part of the Bengal Family.
Thank you for making FVMS such a special place. Have a safe, fun, and well-deserved summer break!
Let’s finish strong and as always, Go Bengals!
A BIG reminder to students:
You can and are expected to work at home if you don't finish @ school or are absent!
Finish Quarter 4 STRONG
Speed, Strength, and Spirit: Inside the Rise of Bengal Track
Following a strong showing in the 2026 races, the Bengal Track team entered this season with high expectations. Under the guidance of the FVMS coaching staff, athletes are pushed to achieve personal records (PRs) while maintaining the academic standards required for WCPSS student-athletes. Our runners are showing incredible speed in the short races and toughness in long-distance events. The team is looking strong in every event.
In a recent interview, FVMS track athlete Durga Nambiar shared some refreshing perspectives on what it takes to succeed on the track and within the team. While many see track and field as a grueling test of physical limits, Durga views it through a different lens. When asked if the sport is difficult, Durga shared a unique take: “Track can be easy if you make it easy.” This mindset suggests that success starts with a positive approach before anything else.
For Durga, raw talent is not the only thing that matters. In fact, skill without a drive to improve can actually be a setback for a team. “I think motivation is important because you can have the skill, but without the motivation to do anything, you’re just a liability,” Durga noted. This balance between talent and hard work is the secret sauce for the Bengals this year. Durga believes that while talent gives you a head start, you cannot reach the podium without putting in the work.
Beyond the stats, Durga is committed to the “team” aspect of track and field. When it comes to team culture, Durga values inclusion. If a teammate is being left out during practice or meets, Durga’s approach is simple: encourage them and pull them into the conversation. It is this combination of mental toughness and community spirit that defines the FVMS Track Team.
Spotlight on Student Award
Congratulations to Lakelynn for receiving the spotlight on student award. Lakelynn brightens every room with her joyful energy and laughter. She loves spending time with friends and never lets daily challenges limit her enthusiasm. Strong-minded and courageous, she has shown bravery far beyond her years since age three, becoming a source of hope and resilience for others. In the classroom, she works with focus and determination, never giving up when tasks are difficult. Her kindness, strength, and perseverance make her truly remarkable.
250 Years of America 🥳
By Mason Rivers, 6th Grade
About 250 years ago, a great nation was born. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted, marking the beginning of the United States of America. However, contrary to popular belief, most of the document was actually signed later, on August 2, 1776.
Several key leaders helped shape the nation during this time, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. These Founding Fathers played important roles in creating the government and freedoms we still value today.
Interestingly, July 4 also holds other historical significance. On the 50th anniversary of independence in 1826, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (the second and third presidents) died on the same day.
Today, Americans celebrate Independence Day in many ways. People enjoy fireworks, attend parades, and gather with friends and family. Some even travel to major cities like New York to experience large celebrations.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, it is a time to reflect on the nation’s history and think about its future.
What will you do to celebrate this historic milestone?
What Do You Know about Fuquay-Varina?
What Do You Know about Fuquay-Varina?
Do these photographs look🔎 familiar?
Do these photographs look🔎 familiar?
All pictures are from https://fuquay-varina-museums.org/historically-speaking/.
Check out the Fuquay Varina Museum at
131 S Fuquay Ave, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Play Gimkit and Learn More about Fuquay Varina & Fuquay Varina Middle School
Play Gimkit and Learn More about Fuquay Varina & Fuquay Varina Middle School
Fuquay-Varina Teen Council: Leading, Serving, and Making a Difference
Fuquay-Varina Teen Council: Leading, Serving, and Making a Difference
If you’re looking to make a difference in your community—and have fun doing it—the Fuquay-Varina Teen Council is the place to be. It’s more than just a volunteer club; it’s a group where local students have a real voice in how their town works.
What is the Teen Council?
The Teen Council is run through the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department. It brings together middle and high school students from across Fuquay-Varina, including those who attend public schools, private schools, and even those who are homeschooled.
The goal is simple: leadership and service. Members have the opportunity to help plan major town events, learn how local government operates, and represent the youth of Fuquay-Varina in meaningful ways.
What do members actually do?
This isn’t a club where you just sit in meetings. Teen Council members are actively involved in the community and take part in many of the town’s biggest events. You’ll often find them:
Running the Show: Assisting with events like the Haunted Trail, Easter Egg Hunt, and Christmas Tree Lighting.
Helping Neighbors: Organizing food drives and creating cards for seniors in local nursing homes.
Traveling: As a chartered member of the North Carolina State Youth Council, members can attend state conferences and connect with other teen leaders from across North Carolina.
The Fuquay-Varina Teen Council offers students a chance to lead, serve, and make lasting connections—all while making a positive impact on their community.
Why Join?
Why Join?
Aside from making the town a better place, there are some great personal perks:
College Resumes: It looks fantastic on applications and shows you’re a leader.
Service Hours: It’s a fun, consistent way to get those required volunteer hours for school.
New Friends: It’s a great way to meet people outside of your usual school circle.
How to Join
How to Join
If you want to have a say in your town's future, here is what you need to know:
Who: Any student in 7th through 12th grade.
When: Meetings are the 3rd Monday of every month at 6:00 PM.
Where: The Fuquay-Varina Community Center (820 S. Main Street).
Cost: It’s free for town residents (and only $15 a year for non-residents).
Ready to sign up? Head over to FVParks.org to fill out an application or just show up to the next meeting to see what it’s all about!
Indian Holidays and Festivals
By Riythanya Raja
Hello Bengals,
I was born in Tamil Nadu, South India. My family and I have many celebrations, such as Onam and other South Indian holidays. I know a lot about South Indian holidays because of my parents and grandparents.
In the southern part of India, where I am from, if there is a festival, the whole area becomes a huge celebration. We dance, eat a lot, and worship God. In my household, if a festival is coming, we clean our home so that the goddess Lakshmi can enter. This is what Hindus believe.
We also make delicious food and offer it to God. In the Hindu religion, we eat only after offering food to God. We draw rangolis in front of our house and go to the temple. Sometimes, we fast for God.
During festivals, we eat only vegetarian food and no meat. Before going to the temple, we wash our hair and do not eat meat because we must go to the temple clean.
In the Hindu religion, when we get a new house, we have a housewarming. We invite a priest to perform a pooja for good and positive things to happen in our home. If we get a new car, we take it to the temple for a car pooja. During this, we place lemons under the tires, decorate the car with flowers, and the priest draws a Hindu symbol on it. We do this for positivity.
These are some of the traditions my family and other Hindu families follow.
Thank you for reading,
Riythanya Raja
Other Celebrations Throughout India by Riythanya Raja
Hello, Bengals. India is a country rich in diverse cultures, traditions, and festivals. Different regions celebrate in unique ways, but all festivals bring people together with joy, food, and traditions. Let’s explore some popular festivals from North and South India!
Popular North Indian Festivals:
Popular North Indian Festivals:
Diwali – The Festival of Lights
Diwali is celebrated in October or November. It honors the return of Lord Rama, a Hindu god, after his exile. People celebrate by lighting lamps, setting off fireworks, and sharing sweets with family and friends.
Diwali – The Festival of Lights
Diwali is celebrated in October or November. It honors the return of Lord Rama, a Hindu god, after his exile. People celebrate by lighting lamps, setting off fireworks, and sharing sweets with family and friends.
Holi – The Festival of Colors
Holi takes place in March and is known as the “Festival of Colors.” People celebrate by throwing dry and wet colors on each other. This festival represents the victory of good over evil and is full of fun and energy.
Navratri
Navratri is celebrated in September or October. It lasts for nine nights and includes traditional dancing, such as Garba. In many regions, it ends with the burning of Ravana effigies to symbolize his defeat by Lord Rama.
Lohri
Lohri is celebrated on January 13th and is especially popular in Punjab. It marks the end of winter and is celebrated with bonfires, dancing, music, and traditional foods.
Popular South Indian Festivals (My Area!)
Popular South Indian Festivals (My Area!)
Onam
Onam is celebrated in August or September in Kerala. It is a ten-day harvest festival that honors King Mahabali. Celebrations include Pookkalam (flower decorations), Sadhya (a large traditional meal), and Pulikali (tiger dances).
Pongal
Pongal is celebrated in January in Tamil Nadu. It is a four-day harvest festival that gives thanks to the sun god. People boil milk in clay pots, take part in cultural activities, and honor cattle.
Ugadi
Ugadi is celebrated in March or April and marks the New Year for Telugu and Kannada people. Families decorate their homes, wear new clothes, and prepare a special dish called Ugadi Pachadi.
Chithirai Thiruvizha
This festival is celebrated in April in Tamil Nadu, especially in Madurai. It is a grand celebration of the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and lasts for several weeks.
Fun Facts About South Indian Festivals:
Festivals include special traditional foods. For example, Pongal (a rice dish) and Ugadi Pachadi, which have sweet, bitter, and tangy flavors to represent different parts of life.
Fun Facts About South Indian Festivals:
Festivals include special traditional foods. For example, Pongal (a rice dish) and Ugadi Pachadi, which have sweet, bitter, and tangy flavors to represent different parts of life.
Decorations:
Homes are decorated with Kolam or Rangoli (colorful floor designs) and mango leaves.
Festive Timing:
Many major festivals are connected to the harvest season, especially between January and April.
India’s festivals show how culture, religion, and traditions bring people together. Whether in the North or South, each celebration is full of meaning, joy, and community.
Thank you for reading!
Love to Act? Theatre Is for You!
Do you enjoy acting, singing, or being on stage? If so, theatre is a great way to get involved and show your talents! Our next school year musical, Cinderella, will include ballroom dancing, a missing shoe, evil stepsisters, and a magical fairy godmother. It’s going to be an exciting show—and you could be part of it!
Thinking about auditioning? Go for it! Theatre is all about expressing yourself, building confidence, and having fun. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1. Show Emotion
Bring your character to life! Use expression, energy, and feeling so your performance doesn’t sound flat or boring.
2. Practice Memorization
Learning lines can feel challenging, but it gets easier with practice. Read out loud, work with a friend, write your lines down, or record scenes to rehearse.
3. Manage Your Nerves
It’s normal to feel nervous, but don’t let that stop you. Be confident, take a deep breath, and show the audience who you are!
If you enjoy performing, don’t miss your chance—step into the spotlight and give theatre a try!
Check out OUR Website
Check out OUR Website
Supporting Student Wellness: April is Stress Awareness Month by Sanvi Jha
Supporting Student Wellness: April is Stress Awareness Month by Sanvi Jha
April is the month of mental awareness, and whether you just switched to Middle School or you're leaving for High School, stress is always there. We need to understand that our mind needs check-ups like our body. Mental awareness is when we understand mental health, recognize the challenges faced by people living with mental illness, and can discuss our mental health openly. Understanding our mental health is the first step, but knowing how to manage it is where the real challenge happens. Here are some simple strategies that can help you!
Manage the Load: The first idea is that if you have a heavy workload, work on the three most important things you need to finish. The best way to organize your workload is to use a planner!
Cool Down: If a test or a social situation feels overwhelming, breathe in for 4, hold for 4, and exhale for 4. This can cause your nervous system to “ cool down “.
Speak up or write it out: Another main step, which is easy to do and won’t take up much time, is talking about your feelings to a trusted adult who you are comfotable with it. If you aren’t ready to talk about it, the best idea is to write it down. Getting your feelings onto paper can stop them from occupying your head with negative thoughts. Journaling is very effective for your mind and is a great hobby as well!
Positive thoughts: Finally, one strategy we can use is replacing negative thoughts or feelings with more positive attitudes and thoughts. An example would be instead of saying “I’m so stupid for missing that question,” you should say “ I’ll get it next time; I’m still learning !”
At the end of the day, remember your mental health is just as important as your grade! By using these strategies, everyone can start feeling a little calmer and more relaxed.
Try Some New Summer Fun Activities
Try Some New Summer Fun Activities
Fuquay Varina Loves💘 to Read📖
Fuquay Varina Loves💘 to Read📖
Here are some websites with suggested summer reading lists for each grade level:
FVMS Cares About the Environment
FVMS Cares About the Environment
Congratulate Sanvi J.
The Winner of the
Earth Day Poster Contest
Life’s Essential 8 comprises: Health Behaviors and Health Factors
Life’s Essential 8 comprises: Health Behaviors and Health Factors
Check Out the link below for More Information: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/walking/art-20046261
More Than Just Steps!
Take Care of Yourself—It Matters!
Take Care of Yourself—It Matters!
by Emma Newell
Sleep is a big deal! Getting 7–9 hours of sleep each night helps your body grow, keeps your mind sharp, and gives you the energy to get through the school day. Staying up too late might seem fun, but it can make school a lot harder the next day.
Hygiene is just as important. Simple things like showering, brushing your teeth, and staying clean can help you feel confident, refreshed, and ready to learn.
And don’t forget—your education matters. Schoolwork isn’t always exciting, but it’s important for your future. Stay focused, get your work done, and respect your classmates by not interrupting lessons. The more effort you put in now, the more it will pay off later.
“Time spent among trees is never time wasted.”—Anonymous
“Time spent among trees is never time wasted.”—Anonymous
“The influence of teachers extends beyond the classroom, well into the future.” – F. Sionil Jose.
https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-quotes/310-no-matter-what-people-tell
Mrs. VanVield-
8th Grade Social Studies Teacher, Social Studies Department Chair, Student Council Advisor, and the FVMS Bengal Roars Creator
&
the FVMS Student Council
2025-2026
Meet just some of our Student Council Members, click through the pictures
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