October 2009

Dear Parent/Guardians,

The months of September and October have seen the Fredonia Middle School get this school year off to a terrific start. It is always great to see students and parents at Open House, Activity Night, Parent Teacher Conferences and athletic events. During the months of September and October FMS students were involved in a cancer walk, a beach cleanup and several other important and meaningful projects. Our fall sports teams are completing successful seasons and have performed exceptionally well. Most importantly, as we finish the first ten weeks of the 2009-2010 school year, students in all grades have been performing at a high level and taking part in the many worthwhile educational activities that our enthusiastic and caring teachers have planned for them.

The coming fall and winter months can be a difficult time for kids as some of the luster of the new school year begins to wear off. Shortened periods of daylight can affect students' moods as well as adults. Students may miss school because of illness and get behind in their work. Kids will sometimes, procrastinate, develop bad habits or display immature behavior as schoolwork becomes less review and more challenging new material.

If your child is out sick from school or absent for any reason, work can be sent home with a sibling, neighbor or classmate or picked up in the office. Calls requesting homework for sick children should be made as early in the school day as possible. When a sick child has fully recovered and does return to school they need to bring an excuse to the secretaries in the FMS office. Please remember to use the blue absence and excuse notepads sent home with students. It is much easier to check a symptom or an illness and sign a form than it is to write a lengthy and detailed excuse. Scores of these pads have been printed and more are available in the office if you need them.

To make sure we do not see a great drop in students' performance, as we enter the second quarter, it is important that we continue to support our kids as much as possible. Ask your child how he or she is doing. Check your child's assignment book. Look at your student's grade records and homework papers. Don't hesitate to call your child's teacher or guidance counselor if you have questions or concerns.

On a more personal note, I will be having surgery in mid November. Mrs. Jenniffer Hall will be the acting administrator during my absence. Mrs. Hall is a certified administrator who interned with me just two years ago. As a certified administrator, a former intern and a respected faculty member, Mrs. Hall is very familiar with the workings of the middle school. I have no doubts that she will do an excellent job in my absence.  One of our excellent certified substitute teachers will fill Mrs. Hall’s position while she acts as interim principal. Please know that I do not like to be away from our school and I hope to be back in my position very quickly, most certainly no later than January 4th, 2010. 
 
The faculty and staff of our school do many things to support kids and help them learn. Some of the activities we have planned for November and December are listed on the back of this letter. I encourage you to become involved in our school by joining the PTC and/or attending the activities listed on the enclosure. I look forward to seeing you at these events. Please remember that here at the Fredonia Middle School we are committed to making sure your children have a safe, successful and fun learning experience. Please also remember that a copy of this letter and other very important information can be found on the Middle School portion of the district web site. If you ever have a question or a concern you are always welcome to contact me at school 679-1581 extension 2730 or at home 673-9285.

Sincerely,

Andrew T. Ludwig

Upcoming FMS Events

11-4 Backpacking Parent Meeting 7:00PM Cafeteria
11-5 Zap a Snack Fundraiser Product Pickup 2:20-5:00PM
11-6 End of the First Quarter
11-6 Grade 7 French Trip Old Fort Niagara
11-6 Activity Night 7:30PM – 9:00PM
11-7 Backpacking Parent Meeting 9:00AM Cafeteria
11-10 Grades Due By 8:00AM
11-10 Grade 6 Incentive Day
11-10 BOE Meeting 6:30PM
11-11 No School Veterans’ Day
11-12 Grade 8 I-Max Theatre Filed Trip
11-18 Site Based Team Meeting 5:30PM FMS Office
11-24 No Unnecessary Travel Day
25-27 No School Thanksgiving Break
11-30 No School for Students Inservice Day
12-8 BOE Meeting 6:30PM High School Room 636
12-10 FMS Winter Concert 7:00PM District Auditorium
12-11 Second Quarter Five Weeks
12-15 Five Week Grades Due 8:00AM
12-16 Site Based Team Meeting 5:30PM FMS Office
12-22 Curriculum Council 3:30PM High School Library
12-22 BOE Meeting 6:30PM High School Room 636
12-23 Holiday Assembly 1:30PM
12-24 to 1-3 No School Christmas Break
1-4 School Resumes