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Greetings Frost MS Families,
Today is February 26, 2021. Exactly two weeks to the date March 12, 2020 when our whole world was turned upside down and we all were in shock and amazement about something called COVID-19 and what was to come.
As we all are still engrossed in the global pandemic, and as some of us prepare to return to Frost Middle School for the first time since March 12th while others will step foot inside this building for first time, I thought it would be appropriate to remind us of what this time during the school year would typically entail (of which we have been denied for two straight seasons) and the challenges and opportunities we all have ahead of us as we embark on this new journey.
Usually at the end of February/ beginning of March, we are cruising along! Our 8th grade students are both excited and anxious to head off to high school! They would have already selected their courses, getting prepared for the end of year activities at Frost, getting geared up for the first SOL assessment, along with thinking of ways to properly thank their Frost Middle School teachers for the support they offered during their two years.
Our 7th grade students (or by this time, mini 8th graders!) have successfully figured how to navigate the school, mastered lockers, met new friends, and are already dreaming of becoming 8th graders (usually taller in their dreams)!
Our faculty and staff are in a groove as well! They have built relationships with students, we know who needs support academically, who needs encouragement socially, and who still needs help making friends after being at our school for a semester. We all would be (students, and maybe some staff :) ) constantly looking for snow around this time and, ironically, begin counting down the days to Spring Break!
As we all have moved through this week, we realize that we are experiencing August in March! And it seems as if it is times 400! There is information overload, communication exhaustion, excitement, and anxiety about getting started! You know, the typical beginning of the year jitters!
I remain confident that once Tuesday gets here, we will all breathe a collective sigh of relief and we will enjoy being back where we all want to be ultimately; back in the classroom helping our students to become critical thinkers and gifted collaborators, demonstrate their creativity and show their kindness. We get to watch them exhibit the tenets of #ONEFrost!
While there will certainly be challenges, I’m sure we could list, that would cover the entire main hall at Frost, let’s all be inspired of the possibilities that lie ahead!
We are not the same people we were on March 12, 2020! We are stronger, we are more resilient, we are global minded, we are resourceful, and we have equity at the center of our thoughts. We take the time to connect with others, we cook more often, we look to lend a hand, and we listen more deeply. I ask that we all take time to listen deeply to our students. They have so much wisdom and so much to offer. I will need to remind myself of this fact the most!
All the best. We are #ONEFrost!
Have a great weekend,
Anthony
March 2 8th Grade Students A – L In-Person Start Date
March 4 8th Grade Students M – Z In-Person Start Date
March 5 Two-hour early release
March 8 Staff Development Day (No school for students)
March 9 7th Grade Students A- L In-Person Start Date
March 11 7th Grade Students M – Z In-Person Start Date
- The calendar will be updated with additional dates for parent/community events as they become available.
Recording of Last Night’s Parent Town Hall
Here is the link to the February 25 Town Hall:
https://frostms.fcps.edu/node/5166
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.
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 be 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/about-us/frost-orientation
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
New Teacher
We are extremely excited to announce that we have hired a new addition to our Math department. Welcome to Robert Frost Middle School Mr. George Winslow!!!
“Mr. Winslow has 13 years of experience teaching mathematics. While most of his experience in traditional teaching is in teaching high school students, he has taught courses ranging from the middle school level to the college level, including terminal general education courses and up to Vector Calculus and a year of full-time experience tutoring at levels from first grade through college.
Mr. Winslow earned his Bachelor's degree in Mathematics at the University of Mary Washington, where he was a member of the Pi Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honor Society, along with being a two-time all-conference cross country runner and captain of the track team, and he has a Master's degree in Mathematical Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he also taught courses. In his free time, he enjoys running, playing video games, and spending time with his wife and two children. He loves teaching and helping students of all ages and levels to learn mathematics.”
Please welcome Mr. Winslow to Robert Frost Middle School!!
Spelling Bee Results
Recently, 27 students competed in the 5th Annual Frost Spelling Bee. There was thrilling competition. Congratulations to all our competitors!
The top bee finishers were Juliet P. (5th), Shivam K. (4th), Moubon K. (3rd), Victor G. (2nd), and Aniket N-D. (1st). Aniket's championship word was arugula!
Fingers crossed that Aniket does well at the Fairfax County Bee on March 14th and makes it on ESPN in May!!
So Many Thanks to our Fabulous PTA!
We were so thrilled to be greeted early Thursday morning with bright and inspirational welcome signs!
Then, we were served a delicious lunch of Jersey Mike subs and more snacks and drinks that we could finish in day! (And we are still enjoying them!)
Thank you so much Frost PTA!
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