District Announcements
Special Announcement
CSF Web Store & Cafe Prepay services to remain Open All Year Long!!
The Community Schools of Frankfort is pleased to announce that the new CSF Web Store and the new Cafe Prepay service will remain open all year!Parents and guardians now have the opportunity to make payments and deposit money into student's lunch accounts all year long!
CSF thanks you for using these new services!!
School Announcements
SIEGMAN'S VISIT TO FMS CONCLUDES WITH CLINTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SURPRISE FOR STUDENTS
In conjunction with Greg Forbes Siegman's visit to Frankfort Middle School, the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce is using the award-winning book based on his story to recognize some of FMS' top students.
To help kick off a year-long initiative to encourage FMS students to make a positive difference, Mr. McLaughlin invited Siegman -- a recipient of the Jefferson Award for Public Service -- to speak about community service with the school's 'high-achieving' students.
Following his speech, it was revealed that Clinton County Chamber of Commerce had ordered copies of The First Thirty by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson for the school. Honored as NSDLC 2007 Multicultural Relations Book of the Year, The First Thirty tells the story of one young person's efforts to make a small but meaningful difference in the community, his own experiences as a student which shape those efforts, and the lessons learned along the way. It is based on Siegman's true story.
Shan Sheridan personally attended the assembly on behalf of the Chamber. At his direction, half the copies donated to FMS by the Chamber will be given out to students who maintain the top attendance records during the early part of the school year. The other copies will be given to students recognized by school administrators for actively trying to make a difference in the community.
For more on Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, visit www.ccinchamber.org
Mr. Siegman's visit was made possible through the FMS PTO. They are a wonderful group of individuals making a difference.
To help kick off a year-long initiative to encourage FMS students to make a positive difference, Mr. McLaughlin invited Siegman -- a recipient of the Jefferson Award for Public Service -- to speak about community service with the school's 'high-achieving' students.
Following his speech, it was revealed that Clinton County Chamber of Commerce had ordered copies of The First Thirty by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson for the school. Honored as NSDLC 2007 Multicultural Relations Book of the Year, The First Thirty tells the story of one young person's efforts to make a small but meaningful difference in the community, his own experiences as a student which shape those efforts, and the lessons learned along the way. It is based on Siegman's true story.
Shan Sheridan personally attended the assembly on behalf of the Chamber. At his direction, half the copies donated to FMS by the Chamber will be given out to students who maintain the top attendance records during the early part of the school year. The other copies will be given to students recognized by school administrators for actively trying to make a difference in the community.
For more on Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, visit www.ccinchamber.org
Mr. Siegman's visit was made possible through the FMS PTO. They are a wonderful group of individuals making a difference.
FMS HOSTING VISIT BY GREG FORBES SIEGMAN on Monday, August 30th!
While in Indiana to speak at several private events, Greg Forbes Siegman will visit Frankfort Middle School to meet with some of the school’s civic-minded students and discuss the ways in which they can make a difference in the ‘world outside their window’.
Greg is the real-life inspiration for The Silhouette Man by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson. The book tells the story of one person’s efforts to make a difference, his own experiences as a student that shaped his efforts, and the lessons learned along the way. The First Thirty - the condensed version for students -was honored as NSDLC 2007 Multicultural Relations Book of the Year.
A former educator, Greg now spends much of the year speaking at schools, events and conferences. For his civic efforts, he has received some special honors including the Jefferson Award for Public Service and has been featured by media like Education Week and Good Morning America. His website is www.GregForbes.com
Try blogs, reviews & letters to get your middle schooler writing
Sure, your middle schooler may be tech-savvy and "wired." But that doesn't mean she shouldn't spend time working on some good old-fashioned writing! To encourage her to write:
- Invite her to blog. If your family keeps a blog, ask your child to post entries occasionally. Don't expect her to write huge essays. But do have her update friends and relatives on what's been happening at school and home lately. If she enjoys doing it, consider giving her a section of her own on your blog page. If your family doesn't have a blog page, see if your child would like to create one. She can start by going to www.blogger.com.
- Let her post online reviews. Is your child a big-time reader? Suggest that she log on to book-selling sites and write reviews of the best new titles. Is she a movie nut? Help her find a child-friendly site where she can add her two cents about the latest release. (As with anything online, make sure the sites are age-appropriate. Try www.commonsensemedia.org.)
- Give her stationery--and have her use it. Every so often, ask your child to write a letter to Grandma or Uncle Jim. Let her experience the rapidly fading art of letter writing. Although email and instant messages are quick and fun, they're no substitute for putting pen to paper!
Reprinted with permission from the April 2010 issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2010 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.
Soothe your child's homework headaches with routines, quiet
Research shows that studying at home can help your middle schooler perform better at school. Does your child have good homework habits? Now is a great time to reevaluate your child's homework routine.
To reinforce homework habits:
· Choose a central location. Whether it's a desk in his room or a spot at the kitchen table, pick a work zone for your child. Keep it quiet, well lit and stocked with supplies. If he works in the family room, enforce a "no TV or radio during study time" rule for others in your home.
· Stick around. Don't hover as your preteen works. But do be available to offer praise or encouragement. It'll show that his schoolwork matters to you.
· Set a limit. Allow a certain amount of time for studying each night--about 45–75 minutes for middle schoolers. No homework? He can use the time to study or read.
· Designate a start time. If possible, have your child begin working at the same time every evening. Just be flexible when necessary.
· Be a good role model. Use your preteen's study time to complete your own quiet activities. Read a magazine, answer email or balance the checkbook while he gets his work done.
Reprinted with permission from the March 2010 issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2010 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: Ray Burke, Ph.D., Ron Herron and Bridget A. Barnes, Common Sense Parenting: Using Your Head as Well as Your Heart to Raise School-Aged Children, ISBN: 1-889322-70-9 (Boys Town Press, www.boystownpress.org).
Motivate your underachieving middle schooler with support
Your middle schooler is smart, so why does he keep bringing home so-so grades? The issue may be motivation--or, rather, a lack thereof.
If that's the case, he's not alone. According to a U.S. Department of Education study, students' lack of motivation is a main cause of low achievement in school.
Of course, students become underachievers for different reasons. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the problem. There are, however, many strategies you can use.
To motivate your child:
· Talk to him. Find out what makes your child tick and what he enjoys most/least about school. Is he bored because the work is too easy? Is he overwhelmed because the work is too hard? Figure out your child's feelings and you'll be that much closer to solving the issue.
· Work with his school. Talk with your preteen's teachers regularly. Get their thoughts on how he's doing in class. Ask for suggestions about encouraging him to try harder.
· Believe in him. Your preteen may feel like the whole world is against him. So show him that you're always on his side. Knowing you believe in him may go a long way toward motivating him to do better in school.
Reprinted with permission from the March 2010 issue of Parents Still make the difference!®
