Embedded Files
Bookmark this website and/or add it to your phone's home screen.
Making Learning Come to Life
UPDATED 10/23/26
Daily HW and Info for Students & Parents - Scroll Down
The Best Way to Reach Me ► j.fawess@wi.k12.ny.us OR Parent Square Message ◀ The Best Way to Reach Me
The Best Way to Reach Me ► j.fawess@wi.k12.ny.us OR Parent Square Message ◀ The Best Way to Reach Me
DAILY HW & INFO:
DAILY HW & INFO:
10/23 - Next Wednesday, wear Red for Red Ribbon Week & Friday, wear Halloween costumes!
Have a nice weekend!
10/22
SS: Study/review your Early Civilizations notes presentation and vocabulary (5 mins).
Math: None
Sci: Study/review your Animal & Plant Cells - Organelles notes presentation (5 mins). Try the AI Space to explore organelles (if you find that helps you study)
*Extra help is cancelled for Wednesday after school!
10/20
SS: None
Math: None
Sci: Study for tomorrow's Assessment which focuses MOSTLY on Cell Theory, the scientists who worked with cells, and parts of a
microscope. Use your notes presentation, the parts of a microscope handout, and the post on unicellular organisms (amoeba,
paramecium, and euglena).
*The written question will focus on the difference between cell theory and modern cell theory as reviewed in class today!
10/19
SS: None
Math: Two-Digit Multiplication & Division Handout (All work shown in your notebook!)
Sci: Study for Wednesday's Assessment which focuses MOSTLY on Cell Theory, the scientists who worked with cells, and parts of a
microscope. Use your notes presentation, the parts of a microscope handout, and the post on unicellular organisms (amoeba,
paramecium, and euglena).
*The written question will focus on the difference between cell theory and modern cell theory
Old posted HW/Info is at the very bottom of this page (scroll down past the blue background).
Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year...
Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year...
Worried About Middle School? Here's How to Make the Transition Easy...
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...
My Priorities this Year...
Stay/feel safe.
Make you laugh.
Make you feel cared for.
Learn something.
Keeping it Real...
Keeping it Real...
I believe it is important to be honest. Be prepared the best you can for the following:
The rooms have air conditioning, 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 expect you to know your math facts! You can do it if you want to.
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...
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 (other than math facts!) and more understanding of concepts, processes, and applying your knowledge.
Hopefully, mostly enjoyable. (But not every topic is everyone's favorite.)
What Do You Need?
What Do You Need?
A good attitude.
Your Chromebook fully charged each day! You need to make a habit of doing 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.
A take-home folder to take home the occasional flyer from the school, etc.
An awareness of others. (Everyone has a different comfort zone. Respect that.)
*See our supply list at the top of this website
Optional...
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 around the school, but it is wise to have your own.
Classroom Themes/Beliefs...
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
OLD UPDATES/HW:
OLD UPDATES/HW:
10/15 - Wear Pink for Breast Cancer on Friday
SS: None
Math: Handout Page 28 Parallel Problems - All work in your notebook
Sci: Study Cell Theory Notes/Presentation and/or parts of a microscope (5 mins.)
10/14
SS: Study/review for the assessment tomorrow! Use all the notes/presentations and Blookets.
*Stone Age Social Media Project NOW due Monday at the end of the period.
Math: None... Or... Watch videos of lessons (Math Video Google Classroom) for how to mutiple or divide if you are still struggling
Sci: Study Cell Theory Notes/Presentation and/or parts of a microscope (5 mins.)
10/13
SS: Study/review for the assessment on Thursday. Use all the notes/presentations and Blookets.
Math: None... Or... Watch videos of lessons (Math Video Google Classroom) for how to mutiple or divide if you are still struggling
Sci: Study Cell Theory Notes/Presentation (5 mins.)
10/9 - Have a wonderful 3-day weekend!
Spirit Week is next week! Check out themes here: Spirit Week
10/8 - Tomorrow is BLUE & GOLD Day! Pep Rally Tomorrow!
SS: Study/review Digging Up the Past notes presentation - Slides 15-19 and/or New Prehistoric Notes/Presentation (5 mins)
Math: Page 24 Parallel Problems (Handout) - Show all work in your Notebook! *Answers are posted in the Google Classroom
*Assessment on tomorrow - topics: two-digit multiplication, area with two rectangles, division of whole numbers with and without remainders
Sci: None
10/7 - Tomorrow is Sports Jersey Day!
SS: Study/review Digging Up the Past notes presentation - Slides 9-14 (5 mins)
Math: Review/Practice two-digit multiplication, area with two rectangles, division of whole numbers with and without remainders.
*Assessment on Friday (on the topics above)
Sci: None (unless you need to finish up your Scientific Method Slides/Passion Project)
10/6 - Tomorrow is Hoodie Day!
SS: Study/review Digging Up the Past notes presentation - Slides 9-13 (5 mins)
Math: None (unless you still need to memorize your multiplication facts!)
Sci: Study/review Scientific Method, independent/dependent variables, control/experimental groups for your assessment tomorrow. Use the various notes posted in the Google Classroom. And if you are reading this, like you should (nice job!), I posted the completed drag-and-drop notes. I also posted an AI Space that practices scientific method style questions.
10/2 - Have a fantastic weekend! Don't forget next week is Spirit Week!! Monday is PJ Day!
10/1
SS: None
Math: Study and review for your assessment on Whole Numbers Multiplication & Multiples of Whole Numbers tomorrow.
Sci: Study your notes (5 mins) - Continue to study The 6 Steps to Scientific Method
*Your assessment on The Scientific Method is next Tuesday, 10/6
9/30
SS: None
Math: Page 20 Parallel Problems (Show all work in your math notebook neatly!)
*Continue to study your 36 multiplication facts... Mad Minute counts as an assessment tomorrow
*Your assessment on Whole Numbers Multiplication & Multiples of Whole Numbers is Friday, 10/2
Sci: Study your notes (5 mins) - Continue to study The 6 Steps to Scientific Method
*Your assessment on The Scientific Method is next Tuesday, 10/6
9/29
SS: None
Math: Handout Page 20 should already be done, but since we didn't check it yet... make sure it is done by tomorrow!
*Continue to study your 36 multiplication facts... Mad Minute counts as an assessment this week
*Your assessment on Whole Numbers Multiplication & Multiples of Whole Numbers is Friday, 10/2
Sci: Study your notes (5 mins) - Continue to study The 6 Steps to Scientific Method
*Your assessment on The Scientific Method is next Tuesday, 10/6
9/28
SS: Review/Study for the assessment tomorrow.
Math: Handout Page 20 if you didn't finish in class (REMINDER: This is NOT your Parallel Task)
*Continue to study your 36 multiplication facts... Mad Minute counts as an assessment this week
*Your assessment on Whole Numbers Multiplication & Multiples of Whole Numbers is Friday, 10/2
Sci: Study your notes (5 mins) - Continue to study The 6 Steps to Scientific Method
*Your assessment on The Scientific Method is next Tuesday, 10/6
9/25 - Have a windy and wet weekend - stay safe!
*No HW on the weekends, but... if you haven't been studying 5 mins a night the last two weeks, you may want to review a little :)
*NOTE: After reviewing next week, our counselors are doing a presentation with us Monday, and we have Student Council Speeches Assembly, which shortens the periods on Thursday. I am MOVING the Science Assessment to Tuesday, 10/6.
9/24 - Start with Hello Week! Check it out here: Start With Hello
SS: Study your notes (5 mins) - Review all notes
*Reminder: A Blooket was posted as another way to review (only studying from this is NOT the best way to study!)
*As discussed in class, your Geography assessment is next Tuesday, 9/29
Math: Continue to study your 36 multiplication facts... Tomorrow's Mad Minute counts as an assessment
*Your assessment on Whole Numbers Multiplication & Multiples of Whole Numbers is next Friday, 10/2
Sci: Study your notes (5 mins) - Continue to study The 6 Steps to Scientific Method
*As discussed in class, your assessment on The Scientific Method is next Wednesday, 9/30
9/23 - Start with Hello Week! Check it out here: Start With Hello
SS: Study your notes (5 mins) - My suggestion is what we did in class today... Latitude, longitude, cardinal directions, etc.
*Reminder: An additional Vocabulary presentation was posted to help you review/study
*As discussed in class, your Geography assessment is next Tuesday, 9/29
Math: Continue to study your 36 multiplication facts... Friday's Mad Minute counts as an assessment
*Your assessment on Whole Numbers Multiplication & Multiples of Whole Numbers is next Friday, 10/2
Sci: Study your notes (5 mins) - Continue to study The 6 Steps to Scientific Method
*As discussed in class, your assessment on The Scientific Method is next Wednesday, 9/30
9/22 - Wear GREEN tomorrow for Start with Hello Week! Check it out here: Start With Hello
SS: Study your notes (5 mins) - My suggestion is what we did in class today... The 5 Themes of Geography (Slides 6 & 7). "Mr. Help"
Math: "HW Page 16 Parallel Problems" Handout (also posted in Google Classroom). ALL WORK SHOWN IN YOUR NOTEBOOK, PLEASE!
*Continue to study your 36 multiplication facts... One more practice this week and one will count as an assessment this week.
Sci: Study your notes (5 mins) - My suggestion is what we did in class today... The 6 Steps to Scientific Method
*PS - the password is: popsicle stick (if you see this, don't tell anyone)
9/18 - Have an amazing three-day weekend! Start With Hello begins next week! Check it out here: Start With Hello
9/17 - Open House is tonight at 6:00 PM - Fawess and Hudson's classes both start in Rm. 211
*Give your parents the schedule for Open House that we completed in class today!
*Please bring in your box of tissues if you haven't done so yet
SS: None (Please do NOT work on the continent and ocean project at home - it is an in-class assignment)
Math: Study "The 36 Multiplication Facts That Make Your Life Easy" - Look to improve on each day's practice Mad Minute!
*We will count one as an assessment next week.
Sci: None
9/16 - Open House is tomorrow at 6:00 PM - the Team starts in Rm. 211
*Please bring in your box of tissues if you haven't done so yet
*Drama Production (Sound of Music, Jr.) Auditions Thurs. 9/17 & Fri 9/18 - Sign up on Mr. DeMaio's website
SS: None (Please do NOT work on the continent and ocean project at home - it is an in-class assignment)
Math: Study "The 36 Multiplication Facts That Make Your Life Easy" - Look to improve on each day's practice Mad Minute!
*We will count one as an assessment next week.
Sci: None
9/14
*Please bring in your box of tissues if you haven't done so yet
*Page 11 of agenda signed by you and your parernt if you haven't done so (was due 9/11)
*Drama Production (Sound of Music, Jr.) Auditions Thurs. 9/17 & Fri 9/18 - Sign up on Mr. DeMaio's website
SS: Study/review for Continents and Oceans Quiz on Wednesday (5 mins)
Math: Study "The 36 Multiplication Facts That Make Your Life Easy" - Look to improve on each day's practice Mad Minute!
*We will count one as an assessment next week.
Sci: "Fawess Favorites" is due tomorrow in class - work on if you feel you need more time (you will have 10 more minutes in class
tomorrow)
Click here to learn about your new teachers: Teacher Scouting Report
Please scroll down and read the BLUE section below before the first day of school!
Supplies for Team Fawess/Hudson 26-27:
Supplies for Team Fawess/Hudson 26-27:
*Amazon links are for convenience - you do not need to order from Amazon*
Fully-Charged Chromebook each day
Pens Link to Amazon
Pencils Link to Amazon
2 - Composition Notebook (ELA/Math) Link to Amazon
1 - Five-subject college-ruled notebook with dividers and pockets - If possible, please get the one that has fabric-covered coils, as it helps A LOT to get this notebook through the year. The regular spiral ones tend to fall apart. (ELA) Link to Amazon
Highlighters Link to Amazon
2 - Black Sharpie Markers (keep one with you; one will stay in the classroom)
Earbuds (wired is fine) OR Headphones (but students need to have them in class each day... keep in mind many don't like bulky headphones) Link to Amazon
2 - Plastic Folders (AKA - "Take Home Folder" & Math Folder)... so it holds up throughout the year. Link to Amazon
1 - 1/2 inch 3-ring binder (Math) Link to Amazon
Box of Tissues
2 - Large glue sticks
1 - Supply pouch Link to Amazon
Students will decide if they need any other supplies once the class routine is established (these are not needed for day one):
Mouse (Many students find it easier to manipulate the Chromebook)?
Personal Hand Sanitizer?
Thanks for setting up your child for success in middle school! We appreciate your help!
9/4 - Have a wonderful 3-day Labor Day Weekend!
Amazing second day! Loved meeting the rest of the team!
*Both students and parents need to read pages 1-11 in the Agenda and Sign page 11 by Friday, 9/11
*If you haven't already, please read through our websites (and see our recent ParentSquares) - thanks!
9/3
Fantastic first day! I can't wait to meet the rest of the team tomorrow when we follow our regular schedule! 😄
*Please complete the Health Card (Yellow) - front & back - by tomorrow if possible!
*Both students and parents need to read pages 1-11 in the Agenda and Sign page 11 by Friday, 9/11
*If you haven't already, please read through our websites (and see our recent ParentSquares) - thanks!
June 2026
Report abuse