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Greeting Frost Middle School families,
This was an emotional week at Frost Middle School. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the last 72 hours following the verdict in the Derek Chauvin case earlier this week.
I know that our families, students, and staff have been carrying a lot with us, especially with the trial and its events being played non-stop for the better part of a month. I also know that there may have been anger, frustration, grief, and sadness as we listened to the testimonies and were subjected to numerous recounts of George Floyd’s murder on a constant loop. There may also have been mixed emotions after the verdict was announced as well. I want you to know that you are not alone in your feelings. I want to remind you that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay if you need space to process your emotions. We provided opportunities, time and space for our staff and students to process if needed. If you need resources to support your family or your student, please reach out to a counselor or an administrator. We are here to help.
We remain focused on ensuring that we have a strong finish to the school year. We are in the home stretch with about 7 weeks left to go in the 20-21 school year. We are focusing on instruction, preparing for the testing season, and starting to plan for the end of the year and next school year as well!
We are excited to welcome back a good portion of our in-person student population for four days of in-person instruction beginning next Tuesday. The admin team worked collaboratively to ensure we maximized staffing and capacity to have as many of our students as we could. As you know, I would have loved to have all of our students back for in-person instruction; however the number of students that Frost MS had receiving in-person instruction at the outset and a host of limiting factors precluded that outcome.
This week we celebrated a special group of people on Wednesday, April 21st , our AMAZING Administrative Professionals. Frost Middle School owes a debt of gratitude to Robin Pickholtz, Elena Rodriguez, Mary Berlin, Leslie Grottle, Emily Cheng, and Susan Morningstar. These hard-working Falcons keep the building running smoothly (which has been a colossal undertaking during this unique year). One day (or week) is not enough time to honor them!
Finally, please mark your calendars as May 3-7th is Teacher Appreciation Week! I know we are all excited to show our appreciation for the hard work, dedication, perseverance, love, care, and devotion our teachers have demonstrated this year!
I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! As always, “We are #ONEFrost!”
All the best.
Anthony
May 10, 17, 24 SOL Dates – More Information is Coming
May 31 Memorial Day
June 11 Last Day of School
- The calendar will be updated with additional dates for parent/community events as they become available.
2020-21 End of Year Grading Flexibility for Middle School Students
During the current 2020-21 school year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has adopted a grading policy change to provide flexibility for students in middle school to designate their current school year courses as “Pass” or “No Mark” status instead of a letter grade for their final mark.
As you review your middle school student’s third quarter report card, please consider the flexibility that will be applied to final marks:
- Students receiving a final mark of “D” or “D+” in any course will be automatically assigned a mark of “P” (pass) as the final mark at the end of the school year.
- Students receiving a final mark of “F” in any course will be automatically assigned a mark of “NM” (no mark) as the final mark at the end of the school year.
- Students may select a mark of “P” (pass) for any courses for which a passing grade is earned for the final mark. ○ Action Needed: Should you wish to designate one or more courses as Pass status for anticipated grades of “A” through “C-”, the Pass-No Mark Status Form linked here: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se358.pdf must be submitted to your school counselor/Student Services by May 10, 2021.
- Students and families are encouraged to carefully consider the option to request a Pass instead of a passing letter grade or final mark. Additional information including considerations and frequently asked questions are available at the following link: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/grading-and-reporting/secondary
An additional option is available for high school credit bearing classes taken in middle school. High school credit-bearing courses will be reflected on the middle and high school transcripts. In accordance with Virginia state regulations, FCPS Regulation 2408 permits parents of students who take a high school credit-bearing course in middle school to request that the grade be omitted from the student's high school transcript and the student not earn high school credit for the course. Parents must make this request no later than the end of the first nine weeks of the school year following completion of the course. The request to expunge as well as guidelines and the procedures for expunging grades for high school courses taken in middle school can be found at the following link: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/is104.pdf
You can reach out to your child’s counselor if you have additional questions.
Student Intention Form
For students who will NOT be attending Frost, Woodson, or a boundary FCPS high school next year, please complete the Student Intention for the Next School Year form, https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/it110.pdf, and return it to Emily Cheng in the Frost Student Services office, or via email ECheng@fcps.edu.
This includes students who are transferring to:
- Another FCPS school other than Frost or Woodson or boundary HS
- A private school in Virginia or out of Virginia
- Another Virginia public school division outside FCPS
- Another state public school outside of Virginia
- A school outside of the United States
Virtual CAD and Programming for Middle School Students
The Thomas Jefferson High School FTC Robotics team worked with middle schoolers last year on Saturdays to teach about robotics using LEGO robotics kits. Unfortunately, these in-person sessions were not possible to organize this year, so the team has been working on developing their own curriculum for a free, virtual, school-year camp for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. The only resource needed to access these camps are an FCPS laptop. The camp will be split into two curriculums: 1) classes on Computer Aided Design (CAD), for students to learn how to virtually design their own robots; and 2) robotics-related programming taught in the programming language Python.
Students may choose to participate in one or both classes. Each class will last for 6 weeks, making both a total of 12 weeks from March 27th to June 12th. These sessions will be on Saturdays and take place from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Students will be emailed a Blackboard Collaborate link to join at these times, similar to how one would join a regular school-day class.
Although the CAD camp has already started, they have posted recordings of the sessions in their Google Classroom (this information will be sent in an email to those who sign up) so students can watch those if they wish to participate in the CAD classes now. They can also sign up for the Programming course, which will be starting on May 1st. More information can be found on the following website: https://www.robotuprising.org/camps/. You may also Register Here.
Student Services Quarter 3 Newsletter
School Counselors are an important resource to students, families, and staff. Check out Frost’s Quarter 3 Newsletter to see what our counselors have been up to. Additional resources are also available on the Student Services Google Site.
Frost Quarter 3 Newsletter.pdf
Connection Opportunities
Virtual Table: In lieu of traditional lunchtime socialization, Frost counselors have been offering various virtual tables to give students the chance to make connections in the virtual environment. Starting 4th quarter, the virtual tables offerings will be combined into one new Google Classroom (code: 4gglvvu). Students that participate can expect an array of games and music, with chat open to connect with others. Both virtual and in-person students are encouraged to attend. Schedule: A Lunch on Tuesday-Friday and D Lunch on Friday.
Walk & Talk: Frost counselors invite students to the blacktop behind Frost before school on Wednesdays and Fridays for safe socializing from 7:10-7:25AM. Students will have the opportunity to meet up with peers and make new connections, in an outdoor setting. Walk & Talk will be offered starting 4th quarter, weather permitting, every Wednesday and Friday, for in-person students. Students will be expected to maintain FCPS Covid-19 mitigating measures and arrive to class on-time by 7:30AM.
Eating Disorder Parent Information
Eating disorders are behaviors that can lead to serious health problems. These behaviors can begin as a child, and affect both girls and boys. When discovered early, eating disorders are treatable. In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system provide information to parents annually about eating disorders. This information is given to parents of students in the fifth through twelfth grades.
It is important to note that eating disorders are not identified based on weight changes as much as behaviors and attitudes. Signs of eating disorders may differ between males and females and in different age groups. Often, a young person may not recognize the signs that they might have an eating disorder. Parents/guardians and family members are in a position to notice behaviors that cause concern. It is important that a child with an eating disorder be treated early by someone who understands this type of care.
After reviewing the information below, if you think your child may be showing signs of a possible eating disorder, please contact your doctor, school nurse, or one of the resources listed below.
- Academy for Eating Disorders (AED)
https://www.aedweb.org/
- Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T.)
www.feast-ed.org
- National Eating Disorders Association
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Toll free, confidential Helpline, 1-800-931-2237
Additional resources may be found at:
- Virginia Department of Education
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/index.shtml, under the section titled, Eating Disorders
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are conditions that can have a serious effect on health. They are serious behaviors that affect every aspect of the child’s life. Eating disorders may be identified based on weight changes, but also based on behaviors and attitudes. Be alert for any of these signs in your child.
Key things to look for around food:
- Eating a lot of food that seems out of control (large amounts of food may disappear; you find a lot of empty wrappers hidden)
- Develops food rules—may eat only a particular food or food group, cuts food into very small pieces, or spreads food out on the plate
- Talks a lot about, or focuses often, on weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting
- Often says that they are not hungry
- Skips meals or takes small portions of food at regular meals
- Cooks meals or treats for others but won’t eat them
- Avoids mealtimes or situations involving food
- Goes to the bathroom after meals often
- Uses a lot of mouthwash, mints, and/or gum
- Starts cutting out foods that he or she used to enjoy
Key things to look for around activity:
- Exercises all the time, more than what is healthy or recommended – despite weather, lack of energy, illness, or injury
- Stops doing their regular activities, spends more time alone (can be spending more time exercising)
Physical Risk Factors:
- Feels cold all the time or complains of being tired all the time. Likely to become more irritable and/or nervous.
- Any vomiting after eating (or see signs in the bathroom of vomiting – smell, clogged shower drain)
- Any use of laxatives or diuretics (or you find empty packages)
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