The Best Way to Reach Me  ►      j.fawess@wi.k12.ny.us   OR  Parent Square Message    ◀ The Best Way to Reach Me 

Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year...                                  

Worried About Middle School?  Here's How to Make the Transition Easy...

• Please don't stress! One day at a time!  Students and parents have had to deal with starting middle school for years.  It just takes a few days to get used to it.  

• Be open to new ideas and new methods of learning.

• There will be difficult, annoying, and/or uncomfortable moments or days.  Accept that it will happen, but it will also pass.  

• Stay positive and have a sense of humor about it all. 

• You will get lost.  Read that again.  It's no big deal.  Tons of teachers and students in the halls to help you.

• You will not get detention.  Read that again.  You'd really have to want to get it if you get it in the first month of school.

• You will get your locker open.  I've never had a student not be able to learn how to work a lock and locker.  If you listen, you'll be fine.

• Pay attention to everyone during the first week of school.  It may be a bit boring or repetitive, but all of it is important and will make your experience at Beach Street awesome! 

My Priorities this Year...

• Stay/feel safe.  

• Make you laugh.

• Make you feel cared for.

• Learn something.

(In that order.)

Keeping it Real...

I believe it is important to be honest.  Be prepared the best you can for the following: 

• The room will have air conditioning now, so dress appropriately.   

• Fall/Winter - Windows will remain open a bit throughout the year.  So dress appropriately, please!  (I will discuss this more as fall/winter approaches.)

• You may bring an easy-to-use water bottle (no glass).

  • • Students take a drink as needed.

    • NO other drinks are allowed.  Water only.  (Why?  Because water spills are easy to clean quickly.  Other stuff is not.)

• I will always let you go to the bathroom or nurse.

  • I will explain sign-out procedures during the first week of school.

• I, personally, will not assign detention (unless I have to based on school policy/code of conduct being broken).

• I have high expectations for you...

  • • I expect kindness shown to all!

    • I expect you to do your best!  (Everyone's best is different.  Mistakes mean you are learning.) 

    • I expect quality work.  (I will explain this in class.)

• I focus on learning, not grades... but I must use them.  

  • • So think this for EACH assignment:  90's is excellent work, 80's good work, 70's average work, anything below needs improvement, 64 or below means you "failed" to complete most of the learning requirements.

    • For me, I get 90's in surfing, math, art, or maybe PE...   but 70's for hair braiding... and below 64 - "failing" - for singing.  No subject is more important than another.  We all excel at some things, and we all stink at other things.

    • If you want a higher "grade" or Honors -  that's great!...  You need to practice and perhaps find new ways to improve.  I will always be there to provide help!   

• Please avoid being a "portal stalker"...  a running average is going to go up and down constantly.  You don't know how many more assignments there will be, and different assignments have different percentages (set up by the district), so it is not an accurate daily picture.  At the end of the quarter, it tells you how you did on everything put together.  Again, I'd rather you focus on your skills, concepts, and learning...  then you'll improve your understanding of the material and your "grades" will increase as well.

  • • • In addition, you'll get your grade on your assignment back before I put it in the portal; therefore, it is silly to keep looking for it to show up on the portal.  I want you to see what you were successful with and what you did incorrectly so that you can talk with your parents about it.  NOTE to PARENTS:  Please ask your child to show you the assignment, rather than react to a portal grade.  (I will discuss this in detail at Open House.)

• Phones are to be off and kept in your locker as per NYS Law and school policy, but...  

  • • Your device is a powerful, effective learning tool that some of you may want to utilize in conjunction with your Chromebook to expand creativity or save time.  I support that and will allow it, at appropriate times, for those reasons.

      • If you wish to use your phone, you just need to ask me.  Do NOT text at your locker without permission!

      • Talk with your parents so you know what you may or may not install when the time comes.

        • Examples: Google Drive, Docs, Forms, Slides, Earthquake Apps, Tuning Apps, etc.  

The Learning...

• Quality.

• Your best effort.

• Lots of choice.

• Lots of "Passion Projects."

• Lots of learning the right tools for the task at hand.

• Lots of collaboration.

• Done over time.

• Less memorization, more understanding of concepts, processes, and applying your knowledge.

• Hopefully, mostly enjoyable.  (But not every topic is everyone's favorite.)

What Do You Need?

• A good attitude.  

• Your Chromebook fully charged each day!  You need to make a habit to do this every night!  We use them every period!

  • • I cannot move you to a seat near an outlet because it is unfair to others who cannot plug in.

• Some type of earbuds.  

• A pen.

• Some kind of folder to take home the occasional flyer from the school, etc.

• An awareness of others.  (Everyone has a different comfort zone.  Respect that.)

Optional...

• Notebook if you feel more comfortable writing down reminders, some notes, etc.

• A mouse if you do not like using the Chromebook trackpad

• Small individual size tissues

• Small bottle of hand sanitizer (optional)

  • • We do have some in the room and about the school, but it is wise to have your own.

Classroom Themes/Beliefs...

Altruism is a term used to describe behavior characterized by acts with no apparent benefits for the individual who performs them but is beneficial to others. Humans may designate a selfless love of others, that is to say, the wish that others find happiness and generosity expecting nothing in return. 

Connection is a term that describes a relationship or bond between people.

Flexibility is a term that describes the ability to change or modify; and an openness to compromise.

Grace is a term that describes being courteous and having manners; being understanding.

Positivity is a term that describes being optimistic or looking on the bright side of situations.

Sense of Humor is a term that describes being able to appreciate joking.

As we've learned over the last few years - although it has always been a classroom community procedure I've stressed - please wash your hands well (20 seconds) and sneeze into your elbow.  Stay healthy - eat right, get sleep, get exercise, laugh, and be creative!  And, of course, talk to your parents or me if you have any concerns. We are all here for each other!  We're better together!

With love,

Mr. Fawess