From now on, when you have accumulated three (3) unexcused tardies, you will be required to stay for an 80 minute administrative detention every time you are late (unexcused) for the rest of the year.

You will be marked unexcused when your alarm clock doesn’t go off, you miss the bus, you stay home to do homework, etc. Examples of excused tardies are: doctor or dentist appointments, illness and unforeseen circumstances like a flat tire or bad roads.

To be on time for your first class, Reading Quest, you should plan to be in the building by 7:30 am. This will give you time to get to class by 7:40 am.

Rebecca Babbitt, Kathy Dunham, Val Morris, Sandra Ogilvie, and Ellen Wilkins, for collating, stapling, folding and labeling the January FHTMS newsletter. And to Sue Hood for copying the newsletter on a monthly basis. Also to Margaret Pasqual and Sarah Beers for proofing and preparing the newsletter for final assembly. Plus a huge thanks to Ben Moses for delivering the newsletter to the Bulk Mail Center.

In today’s adolescent world there are a number of new risk factors that may not have been prevalent ten, twenty or thirty years ago. Styles of music, fashion, and language have all evolved; so have the illicit drugs that are currently being used. I would like to provide you with some helpful information about some of the illicit club drugs that are currently being used. Many club drugs are used at raves, which are high energy, all-night dances. The US Department of Justice states that, "Raves are found inmost metropolitan areas and, increasingly, in rural areas through the country." The parties are held in permanent dance clubs, abandoned warehouses, open fields, or empty buildings. Raves are often advertised as "drug free"; however, they are dangerously overcrowded parties where your child can be exposed to rampant drug use and a high-crime environment. Numerous overdoses are documented at these events. (Tips for parents: the truth about drugs).

Raves are one of the most popular venues where club drugs are distributed. Club drugs include MDMA (more commonly known as "Ectacsy"), GHB and Rohypnol (also known as the "date rape" drugs), Ketamine ("Special K"), Methamphetamine ("Meth"), and LSD. Because some club drugs are colorless, odorless, and tasteless, they can be added without detection to beverages by individuals who want to intoxicate or sedate others in order to commit sexual assaults.

Effects common to all club drugs can include anxiety, panic, depression, euphoria, loss of memory, hallucinations, and psychotic behavior. Drugs, traces of drugs, and drug paraphernalia are direct evidence of drug abuse. If you suspect your adolescent is abusing drugs, monitor behavior carefully. If you have evidence of club drug use, approach your adolescent when he or she is sober. Once the problem is confirmed, seek the help of professionals. FHT Middle School has the resources to refer your adolescent to the proper health care providers. Call & ask questions I’m here to help.

Melanie Freedman M.A.
Student Assistance Program Counselor
652-7062 or email MelanieF@sburl.k12.vt.us

Check the Ads! Language Arts students are completing heart shaped BOOK ADS about books they have read this year. Check the BOOK ADS in and around the library to learn about what students are reading.

Sam Hoar of the Why Not? Team was the winner in the FHT school Geo Bee competition held in the school library on January 11th. The Geo Bee is sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The winner qualifies to test into the state bee on April 5, 2002.

The competition was very tense and close. The runner-up was last year’s winner, Brandon Bycer from the Discovery Team. In third place was Brad Enos from the Phoenix Team.

The number of competitors was more than in 2001 and represented all grade levels at the middle school. Competitor were Tejas Borse, Laura Budd, Alyssa Crews, Chris Dominque, Charlie Hackett, Hannah Leavens, Kevin Li, Abby Mitchell, and Jeff Yang. All competitors did an excellent job and exhibited good sportsmanship and good humor in the face of some very difficult questions.

The FHTMS PTO is working with the New Directions Coalition to present two Dialogue Nights for the FHTMS parents, students, teachers and staff after the PTO meetings on March 6 and April 3. It is our hope that the topics for these two sessions reflect the concerns of the community at large. To achieve this, we are asking for volunteers to brainstorm topics and questions for each of these evenings. If you are interested in assisting, please call Dennis McBee at 651-4001 or Sarah Smith Conroy at 660-2507. Our community will be strengthened even more if we continue to work together! We look forward to hearing from you.

The FHTMS Newsletter strives to be fair and accurate. To notify the editor about a mistake, or offer a comment or ask a question, call Sheri Duff at 864-1546.

A big thank you to Chris Franzoni who has agreed to chair the Twin Oaks Social this year. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 16th from 7-9 pm at the Farrell St. location. Tickets will be available for purchase for $4 during lunch the week before; and at the door on Saturday night for $5.

If you are able to chaperone or provide baked goods for the bake sale (cookies and brownies are best), please call Chris Franzoni at 864-0664 or Sissel Ann Kristiansen at 658-6340 or email SAK0224@aol. com by March1st. Thank you.

The Odyssey Team has been extremely busy for the past few months, Getting to know each other has been very beneficial, and is now our number one priority. In science, the students have been busy producing yet another web page. This time, they researched VT mammals. Check the website at: www.sburl.k12.vt.us/fhtms/teachers/odyssey/wight/index.htm

The students have also engaged in miscellaneous ancient cultures. They will be producing visual displays, web pages, and the Standard 6th Grade, "Writing to Inform Piece."

On February 19, the Odyssey team will be hosting an Ancient Cultures Project Presentation and Technology Fair, where the students will be presenting both their science and social studies projects. A flyer will be sent home about the event.

Congratulations to our "Pat-on-the-Back Award" winners! They are Matt Moore, Andrew Kaufman, and Samantha Crocker. Other recipients are Jared Candib, Alex Gadway, Dan Healy Jessica Lowell and Brittany Patton. Keep up the excellent work!

In Language Arts, the students have been studying poetry. They did a wonderful job putting their own poetry into booklets. Also, we read Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse. The Odyssey Team recommends this book immensely!

The Odyssey team is also planning a trip to Montreal with the benefits from the Magazine Sale.

Abby Mitchell & Alyssa Crews

The upcoming newsletter deadline is Friday, March 8th.. Please have your articles to Margaret Pasqual in the main office by noon. Thank you.

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