Forks Middle School
121 South Spartan Avenue ● Forks WA 98331 (360)374-6262 Fax (360)374-2362
January 3, 2024
Dear Families and Students,
Happy 2024! We are excited to have students back to continue to make growth academically, behaviorally and socially. As you know, middle school is a pivotal time for growth development. Our team will continue to help students navigate the challenges they face, while helping them learn the academic standards necessary to succeed in the next grade level.
One of the district’s focus areas this year is to improve attendance. If students are not at school they miss out on the opportunity to learn. You may already know that beginning on Monday, January 8th, parents will have 48 hours to notify the office to request that an absence be excused. If we do not hear from you within 48 hours after the last day of absence, it will be considered unexcused. Please see the attached document summarizing our truancy policy and procedures. You may call our attendance secretary, Jan Luong, at extension 535 to excuse an absence.
FMS continues to implement our school improvement plan that supports student progress. Some of these procedures are as follows:
Sending bi-weekly progress reports home with students.
Holding Behavior Intervention Meetings with families for students that receive more than four unresolved major referrals in a month.
Referring students to academic support at least once a week for students who are failing two or more classes for more than two weeks. Parents and Teachers can refer for this support and students can self-refer.
Planning to hold parent conferences in February for students who do not make progress on I-Ready and/or fail more than 30% of their core classes (ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science, Humanities, CTE).
Refer students to social skills groups such as Why Try, Second Step and other interventions.
Other individualized interventions and supports as needed.
Here are some upcoming events to keep in mind.
I-Ready Testing: January 8-19 in ELA and math classes. Please encourage students to take this assessment seriously as we use these scores to refer students for specific intervention groups.
Drug Awareness Assembly: January 24- Presentation from the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office that raises awareness about the dangers of Fentanyl, Opioids and other drugs. (Presentation will only be delivered to 7th and 8th graders.) If you prefer your students be opted out of this assembly please call the office at extension 539.
Progress reports sent home with students: January 11 and 25 February 15 and 29.
Quarter 2 Ends: January 31- Teachers will communicate the final due dates for late assignments to be turned in for credit.
Missoula Children’s Theater: January 15- Auditions will be held, practices after school for students who get a role and performances on Saturday, January 20.
Thank you and as always, reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Elena Velasquez, Principal
(360) 374-6262 ext 359