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Greetings Frost MS Families,
This week’s edition has a few more additions from last week. Since it was so dense, I’m resending it.
We are preparing for students to come back in March; 8th grade students on March 2nd and 7th grade students on March 9th. I hope you received the e-mail I sent out to you on February 5th. I sent a separate e-mail to families based on your preferences. If you have questions at this point, call the main office at 703-426-5700 if you are unclear if your student is slated to return to in-person instruction.
Return to School Listening Sessions:
We will hold a parent session to explain concurrent instruction tomorrow, Thursday February 18, 2021 at 6:30 PM. Use this link to join the session. We will hold additional, student specific orientation sessions during upcoming Falcon Focus.
Please submit your questions about “return-to-learn” on this Google form by 3:00pm tomorrow, Thursday February 18.
https://forms.gle/BUgDwD1jtzffHBRE8
In addition, I hosted a town hall on Return to School updates last Thursday. This session focused on the in-person learning procedures for families. Use this link to view the recording.
https://frostms.fcps.edu/node/5151
Monday Check-in reminder:
Please remember that students are required to complete the online check-in/attendance form on Mondays for the remainder of the year, even as some students transition to in-person learning. All FCPS schools are required to note attendance on Mondays. Students are expected to check in and work through asynchronous assignments each Monday. Teachers will report attendance and students will be marked with an unverified absence if they do not complete the form.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions, concerns, or feedback.
All the best!
Anthony
#ONE Frost
February 18 Parent Session on Concurrent Learning 6:30pm
February 25 Teacher Prep Day - Asynchronous Learning for Students
February 26 Teacher Prep Day - Asynchronous Learning for Students
March 2 8th Grade Students In-Person Start Date
March 5 Two-hour early release
March 8 Staff Development Day (No school for students)
March 9 7th Grade Students In-Person Start Date
- The calendar will be updated with additional dates for parent/community events as they become available.
Frost Minds Matter “Middle School Buddies” Event Today!
Our FMM Virtual Dance Party was a huge success last Wednesday! We had over 30 students and close to 20 VIP staff attend the event. Club members got to show off their dance moves, pose for pictures with their friends in our photo booth, and play silly Valentine’s games. We had a surprise treat from one of our FMM Student Leaders’ who made personalized Valentine’s cards for each club member! Club members also gave special “shout-outs” and shared their gratitude with teachers, counselors, and one another for participating in the event and making our school a better place! It was truly an event we will never forget. Mr. Lantis and I will have a difficult time topping this event, but know our creative club members will help us think of something.
Frost Minds Matter and the Food-4-Thought Program continued their partnership efforts last week to give back to our Frost community. We want to thank Sheryl Arenholz and the Frost alumni from Senior Girl Scout Troop 4339 for their generous donations. They truly embody the #OneFrost spirit! Thank you so much!
During today’s club meeting, Mr. Lantis and I will be hosting our friends at Lake Braddock and Poe Middle Schools for our “Middle School Buddies” event. We are thrilled to partner with our other middle school OMM clubs to foster student connections, fun, and of course, positive mental health. We want to give a big “thank you” to Laura Beth Levitt and Lauren Anderson from Our Minds Matter for donating OMM prizes for today’s event! With their generous donation, we can award over 30 club members prizes today! Thank you, OMM!
Here is the link for our meeting today at 3:30 p.m.: https://meet.google.com/lookup/hgcxnkeb57?authuser=0&hs=179
**Students need to be logged into their school email account to access the link**
Credit Exam for World Languages
The 2021 Credit Exam for World Languages will take place in March of 2021. Students who take the credit exam have the opportunity to earn up to three (3) credits, based on demonstrated proficiency.
Thirty (30) languages will be assessed via the FCPS Credit Exam. In order to offer the test in all languages while maintaining a safe testing environment, some languages will be tested online and some will be tested in person.
- These languages will be tested online between March 2, 2021 and March 10, 2021: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
- These languages will be tested in person on Sunday, March 14, 2021 and Saturday, March 20, 2021: Amharic, ASL, Bengali, Farsi, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Nepali, Pashto, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Somali, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu and Vietnamese.
Registration closes on Thursday, February 25, 2021. Late registrations will not be accepted. All students must register for the exam through their school counselor by completing this form: World Language Exam Registration Form
More information can be found at: FCPS Credit Exam for World Languages
Important Update on Return to School Plan
In preparation for students’ return, schools have created staffing plans based on the number of students who selected in-person instruction earlier this school year. Students who have already selected to return to in-person instruction will be able to do so two days a week. Due to social distancing requirements, schools may not be able to accommodate additional students who wish to change their selection from virtual to in-person instruction.
For parents requesting changes from full-time virtual to in-person instruction, principals will do their best to accommodate the requests, however, it may not be possible to accommodate changes if classes are at capacity.
February 16: Frost MS revised bell schedule will start and will be from 7:30-2:00
March 2: 8th Grade Students return
March 9: 7th Grade Students return
Updated Frost Middle School Bell Schedule
Beginning February 16, 2021
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Monday
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Tuesday - Friday
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Planning and Intervention Time
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Period
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Times
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Minutes
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Notes
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1/2
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7:30-8:55
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85
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Morning Announcements
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3/4
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9:05-10:25
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80
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SEL/intervention is 4th period
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5/6
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10:35-11:05
11:05-12:30
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30
85
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Lunch
Class
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7/8
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12:40-2:00
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80
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In-Person Student Key Technology Items to Remember
- Students are reminded to bring in their laptop everyday fully charged. They should bring their charging chords as well in the event the machine needs to be charged at school. Students will not be provided with “loaner” laptops. They will be provided alternate assignments by the classroom teacher and encouraged to remember to bring in their laptop each day.
- Students should have their own set of headphones in the event they need to use technology and software on their laptops that require headphones. Headphone use will directed by the classroom teacher.
- Students should remember to reboot their computers every day; clear their cache; and update Chrome.
In-Person Student Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast and lunch will be free to all students through the end of the school year. Both meals will be cold meals and will be grab and go. Microwave ovens will NOT be available. Students are reminded to bring a refillable water bottle every day, as fountains have been disabled.
If you wish to change your student's meal preference to requiring meals on in-person school days, please contact Susan Morningstar at sjmorningsta@fcps.edu
Reminder- Updated Bell Schedule and Family Version of our Return to School Calendar are on the Frost MS website
https://frostms.fcps.edu/node/5151
Family Guide for 2020-2021 Return to School
Fairfax County Public Schools have published a guide to help families know what to expect as students return to school. The guide includes steps families will need to take at home in preparation for the return to school. Please download this document and take time to review the information.
Return to School Family Guide 02-2021.pdf
Health Commitment Form
Parents/caregivers of students who are returning to in-person instruction on March 2 or March 9 are being asked to acknowledge a Health Screening Commitment form before their student(s) return to school buildings. This document confirms that a parent/caregiver/guardian will complete a daily health screening and will keep their students home when they are ill.
If you have already submitted your health commitment form, either through ParentVUE or with a paper copy, thank you!
If you have not yet had the chance to do so, the Health Commitment form can be submitted electronically through in ParentVUE (PVUE). Or you may print the form, below, and scan and email it to Susan Morningstar at sjmorningsta@fcps.edu. If you need a hard copy, please call the school at 703-426-5700.
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/HealthScreeningCommitment.pdf
Frost Spelling Bee 2021 Results
The 2021 Frost Spelling Bee, led by Mr. Verbicar, was a stunning success, despite the challenges of distance participation. Twenty-seven Frost students participated and demonstrated a level of competency that surpassed previous years. The top five winners were:
5th Place – Juliet P.
4th Place – Shivan K.
3rd Place – Moubon K.
2nd Place – Victor G.
1st Place – Aniket N.
We are so proud of all our participants and winners. A special shout-out to Aniket, who will be representing Frost MS at the Fairfax County Bee on March 14. We are wish her all the luck and good spelling!
Welcome to Our New Student Resource Officer Brian Sehrer
We welcome PFC Brian Sehrer to Frost Middle School! PFC Sehrer has been with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) for over ten years. He spent much of his career working on patrol, but also has direct experience with investigations. He has served as a school resource officer in Fairfax County Public Schools and brings that experience with him. Prior to joining the FCPD, PFC Sehrer graduated with a B.A. in Criminal Justice Administration.
TJHSST Applications Closes on February 26
Interested in applying to TJ? Read on for an important Admissions Update:
On January 7, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology posted an update to their Freshman Application webpage, https://www.fcps.edu/node/42685, announcing the Application Window will begin on February 1 at 8:00 am and close on February 26 at 4:00 pm. It is anticipated that additional information will be posted beginning next week. Visit https://www.fcps.edu/node/42685 for up-to-date information. This information has been shared directly to Frost MS students as well through their grade level Google Classroom.
TJHSST Admissions Policy Update
The Fairfax County School Board voted to enact several changes to the admissions policy for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). The Board sought to develop an admissions policy that recognized and addressed cultural and socioeconomic barriers to access while maintaining the high standards for which the school is known.
The new criteria, which will be used to select the class of 2025, is based on a holistic review aimed at improving diversity and access at the school. The changes to the current process include the following:
- Increase of the capacity of each admitting class to 550 from 480;
- Elimination of the Quant-Q, ACT Aspire Reading and Science tests;
- Elimination of the application fee;
- Elimination of the teacher recommendations;
- The top 1.5 percent of eighth-grade students at each public middle school who meet the minimum standards will be offered admission
The holistic process will evaluate students on 1) grade point average (GPA); 2) a student portrait sheet where students will need to demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes and 21st Century Skills; 3) a problem-solving essay; and 4) experience factors – which include provisions for economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, special education students, and/or students who are currently attending underrepresented middle schools. The new admissions policy also includes recruitment communications to all eligible students and targeted recruitment of students from such disadvantaged groups.
The Board also approved several follow-on motions to further strengthen the admissions policy including the administration of the essay and student information sheet to all eligible students at their middle schools. This change will be effective for the 2026 class and opts eligible students into the application process. The School Board also voted to establish a process, effective for the 2027 class, that will proportionally allocate seats to the top eligible 8th grade students in each of Fairfax County’s middle schools.
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