FMS Newsletter

As you are enjoying every last bit of summer, we are working hard at the Middle School preparing for your arrival and our new school year! Below is lots of information. Please read it carefully. If you have any questions that were not answered below, feel free to contact us (contact information at the bottom of the newsletter). We look forward to seeing you soon!

You are invited to the 2022-2023 Freeland Middle School Open House! The purpose of Open House is to provide students with an opportunity to get their schedules and Chromebooks, tour the building, visit their classrooms, find their locker and practice using a combination lock, meet their teachers, and learn about clubs and activities available to students. You may arrive at any time within the 90-minute window, and should plan on spending at least 30-45 minutes during your visit. Please use the Middle School entrance.

Monday, August 22nd

• 5:00-5:30 parent meeting (incoming 7th grade students & new to the district)
• 7th grade: 5:30-6:30
• 8th grade: 5:00-6:30

All other evening Open House schedules are listed below for your planning.

Tuesday, August 23rd

• ECSE/Y5/K: 5:00-6:30
• 5th grade: 5:00-6:30
• 6th grade (including possible orientation): 6:00-7:30
• 9th grade orientation 5:30-6:00
• 9th-12th grades 6:00-7:30

Wednesday, August 24th

• 1st grade: 6:00-7:30
• 2nd grade: 5:00-6:30
• 3rd grade: 5:30-7:00
• 4th grade: 6:00-7:30

By August 18th you will be able to print your schedule from Skyward. If you are unable to navigate to Skyward, or print your student's schedule, you may pick them up during Open House.

Chromebooks will be available for pick up during Open House. The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) form must be completed in order to receive your device. Here is a link for your convenience. Here is a hard copy of the expectations for your records. If you are opting for the Chromebook insurance plan, please be prepared to pay the $25 fee at Open House. Please make checks payable to Freeland Middle School.

Once students have their Fall class schedule, it will be important to find their classrooms. Even though we only have one hallway, students will still want to navigate the rhythm of their daily schedule. Practice walking from classroom to classroom until confidence and comfort levels are established for the first day of school.

If your student is new to the building, they will want to find their locker and practice using a combination lock. It may take them several times to get it right. We often encourage them to take their time and be gracious to themselves as they learn to master the unlocking of the lock! Right, left, right. Student locker numbers and combinations are located on their class schedules. If your student was here during 6th grade transition day, they made a locker sign which we put on their locker for them! If they were not here, they can make one at our Open House.

Teachers will be available in the cafeteria. Stop by and meet them. Did you know that teachers also get nervous about the start of a new school year? Well, they do. It's always great when they can see your face, learn your name and maybe even shake your hand if you're comfortable with that. So don't be shy, introduce yourself to your teacher... or at least go and hover around them until they introduce themselves to you!

There will be plenty of tables set up in the cafeteria for students to explore extra-curricular activities. We offer, Literary Art Club, Robotics, Athletics, Equestrian Team, Student Council, Math Club, Game Club, just to name a few. Find out more information about the clubs and activities when you visit the tables in the cafeteria during Open House.

There is something for everyone at Freeland Middle School!

• Open House: Monday, August 22nd from 5:00-6:30pm

• First Day of School: Monday, August 29th! Start time is 7:45 AM. We ask that students do not arrive any earlier than 7:15 AM. Parents dropping off and picking up their students need to do so at the High School entrance. The Middle School entrance is for buses only. End time is at 2:35 PM. Students are not allowed to remain after school unless supervised by an adult. Students who would like to attend sporting events are not permitted to stay after school unless supervised by an adult.

• Conferences: November 16th and February 1st - Both dates will be Student-Led Conferences. They will be held from 4:30-7:00 pm.

• Student Showcase: April 26th, from 4:30-6:00 pm. This will be a time for parents/guardians to come in and see what projects our students have produced during the school year.

• Picture Day: Thursday, September 14th

• Clash for the Cure Assembly and Game: Friday, September 10th

2021-2022 School Supply List.

• Please know that these lists are suggestions, NOT requirements. Here are the 7th and 8th grade lists

When purchasing clothes please be aware of just a few of our FMS Dress Code items:

• Jeans with holes are prohibited
• Spaghetti straps or strapless shirts/gowns are prohibited
• Shorts/Skirts must be with a finished appearance and extend below the length of the fingertips when arms are hanging at sides in a relaxed state
• Spandex, cut offs and jogging shorts are prohibited during school hours
• For a full dress code list, please visit our school website and search "student handbook"

The first day of school is Monday, August 30th.

School hours are: 7:45-2:35

The building will be open each morning at 7:15.

If students come to school early, they are to report to the south side of the cafeteria until the five minute bell rings (even if they are not eating breakfast). Students coming to school early are not permitted to roam the halls or sit in classrooms.

Picture Day:

Tuesday, September 14th

Picture Retake Day:

Monday, October 18th

If you have not already done so, please complete a transportation form for each of your students indicating whether or not they will need busing for next year (even if it is the same as last year). Below is a link to the Google Form, as well as the hard copy that can be emailed to our Transportation secretary, Karri Dill, at dillk@freelandschools.net or brought to one of the building offices.

Please complete either the Google Form OR the physical document.

All forms MUST be completed by Friday, August 6th to be added to the routes for the start of the school year.

Thank you!

Transportation Department

Skyward is our district's student management system for grades, schedules, family information & teacher/parent correspondence.

If you are new to the district, or do not have a Skyward account, please visit our school website and search Skyward. You can request family/student access from there.

• Schedules can be printed from Skyward starting the week of August 16th
• If you have a need for a schedule change please contact building principal, Jacque Chislea
• While in Skyward please update your personal information if it is inaccurate

• Barb Starr, the front office secretary at the middle school will be sending out announcements daily through the district app. Please make sure to download the Freeland Community School District App through your cellphones app store

• Mrs. Chislea, Freeland Middle School’s principal, utilizes Skyward messenger and our district app regularly for important school wide announcements. Please check these regularly for these updates!

Carrie DeShone: Math Course 2 deshonec@freelandschools.net

Hannah Foy: English foyh@freelandschools.net

Amber Furst: Student Support fursta@freelandschools.net

Mindi Hannon: World History hannonm@freelandschools.net

Paul LaFond: Science lafondp@freelandschools.net

Shannon Lloyd: Student Support lloyds@freelandschools.net

Kevin Townsend: PE/Health townsenk@freelandschools.net

• If you have specific questions about a grade or assignments please feel free to contact the teacher directly. Email is the best method of communication. Emails are also available electronically on the district app and district website

• If you have any concern about your student’s academic progress, contact the team of teachers to discuss a plan for success. You may also contact the middle school principal, Jacque Chislea at any time with concerns

• 7th Grade Team has 6th hour prep. Any parent meetings with the entire team will generally be scheduled for the time frame between 12:50-1:40

Janene Chisek: English chisekj@freelandschools.net

Amber Furst: Student Support fursta@freelandschools.net

Nicole Gotts: PE/Health gottsn@freelandschools.net

Mary Kay Heckman: Science heckmanm@freelandschools.net

Shannon Lloyd: Student Support lloyds@freelandschools.net

Stephanie Mehnert: Math Course 3/Geo Art/Health/PE mehnerts@freelandschools.net

Dawn Meitler: Algebra 1 meitlerd@freelandschools.net

Calli Ruffertshofer: English ruffertshoferc@freelandschools.net

Phil Schwedler: US History schwedlp@freelandschools.net

Carrie Wheatley: US History wheatleyc@freelandschools.net

• If you have specific questions about a grade or assignments please feel free to contact the teacher directly. Email is the best method of communication. Emails are also available electronically on the district app and district website

• If you have any concern about your student’s academic progress, contact the team of teachers to discuss a plan for success. You may also contact the middle school principal, Jacque Chislea at any time with concerns

• 8th Grade Team has 7th hour prep. Any parent meetings with the entire team will generally be scheduled for the time frame between 1:45-2:35

Progress reports will be posted electronically on Skyward the week after each of the marking period dates.

• First Marking Period 8/30/21-10/29/21

• Second Marking Period 11/1/20-1/14/22

• Third Marking Period 1/18/22-3/18/22

• Fourth Marking Period 3/21/22-6/10/22

It is my distinct pleasure to serve as your next Middle School Principal. I am so excited that I can barely contain myself. The people who know me best will tell you that being a middle school principal is something I’ve wanted for a long time, and have worked hard to achieve. When I first became a middle school teacher 15 years ago, I fell head over heels with the students and the school culture. As you know, adolescence is the second fastest growing developmental stage for humans, and it excites me to get a front row seat to this unique and incredible time in their lives. What a privilege and great opportunity it is to guide, teach, and coach students while they are solidifying their beliefs and values, growing socially and emotionally, sorting out personal relationships, exploring social issues, and developing who they are going to become! These transformative years are an exciting adventure!

I see the opportunity to serve others as a great privilege. I am fiercely dedicated to building strong relationships with staff, students, parents and community members. I am convinced that until you know your audience, you cannot serve or lead them well. I believe in an educational system where staff feel empowered to meet the needs of all learners. I am dedicated to modeling and encouraging a culture of lifelong learning amongst staff and students. I will foster a positive school culture where students and staff alike are excited about coming to school in a safe and loving environment. I support an equitable classroom model where all students’ learning needs are met. Connecting to people, having vision for their future successes, and expecting growth is a beautiful combination that cultivates leadership in others. I look forward to growing with the students and staff at Freeland Middle School, and our community as a whole.

Sincerely yours,

Jacque Chislea

Please feel free to contact any of us with questions!

Jacque Chislea (Principal)

Barb Starr (Administrative Assistant)

Pete Duley (7-9 Counselor)

Email: chisleaj@freelandschools.net
Website: https://www.freelandschools.net
Phone: (989) 695-4032