Dear Farnsley Families,

We appreciate your continued flexibility and support as we move through winter weather and the busy weeks ahead. This is a reminder that today is NTI Day 7. As always, students should complete all assigned NTI work, and staff members are available by email throughout the day to support students and families.

We also want to remind families to sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences if you have not already done so. Conferences are a valuable opportunity to connect with teachers, discuss student progress, and partner together to support continued growth. Information for signing up has been shared by teams, and we encourage all families to participate.

Additionally, please take a moment to complete the parent portion of the Comprehensive School Survey (CSS). Your feedback plays a critical role in helping guide decisions, strengthen programs, and improve experiences for students and families. We truly value your voice and appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective.

For our 6th grade families, we ask that you begin conversations with your student about their upcoming Pathway Choice. This coming week, students will complete a Pathway Choice Survey where they will rank their interest in Healthcare, Business, and Engineering from 1 (most desired) to 3 (least desired). We strive to place the majority of students in their first-choice pathway, and thoughtful family discussion can help students make informed and confident decisions.

Finally, we would like to wish a very Happy National School Counselors Week to Dr. Gunn and Ms. Embry! We are grateful for their dedication, guidance, and care for our students each and every day.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we remain committed to helping every Farnsley student thrive.

Warm regards,
Carolyn B. Smith
Principal

School hours here at Farnsley are 8:40 am -3:20 pm. Arriving after 8:40 am or leaving before 3:20 pm will result in a TARDY on Infinite Campus Attendance.

     Being marked at least 3 TARDY to school = 1 Absence*

     Any student who has 3 ABSENT days from school (unexcused) or TARDY (unexcused) more than 3 times, is TRUANT.

     Any student who has been reported as TRUANT two times (a total of 6 days or more) is HABITUALLY TRUANT.

     Students who reach 15 or more UNEXCUSED ABSENCES will result in the district reporting them for possible Court Interventions.

How to help your student:

     Parents may write up to 10 parent notes a year when their child is absent or tardy.  These unexcused absences/tardies will turn to excused.  Any beyond that will remain unexcused, regardless the reason. 

     There is NO LIMIT to doctor/dentist/therapy notes; these are noted as Excused.

     Be sure to turn in all doctor/dentist/therapy appointment notes after each visit. Lost in their backpacks or lockers do not get documented.

     All notes should be turned in to the main office.

     Check Parent Portal to see the attendance of your student, you may notice some discrepancies in the record that you can support in making right.  When parents are more aware, we are able to best support the student all around. 

     Contact the school for additional resources to ensure your student is compliant with the state attendance requirements; we would love to support.

Parents/Guardians: Please use the link below to complete your Comprehensive School Survey

Students were given hard copies of NTI work packet 3 (Day 7-8) on January 22, 2025 and packet 4 (Day 9-10) on February 2, 2026 to bring home. These should be kept in a safe place at home, in case the district designates an NTI day.  Notice of the district using an NTI day will be communicated via the local news, Thrillshare, and school email communication.  More often, advanced notices are based on the current conditions of our weather or community.  Please be mindful of that and follow accordingly.  Digital copies of the work received will also be posted on teacher's Google Classrooms the day of NTI, and will also be accessible through the button on the Farnsley.us homepage. More information can be found using the link below.  Teachers will be accessible via email during the school day based on the schedule outlined. Students have 24-hours to turn in their NTI packets to their teachers once once we are back in school.  This counts towards attendance AND academic grades. 

February 4-- Day 7 NTI

February 12-- School Valentine's Dance 5-7pm

February 16- Gold Day-- No School for students

February 17-- Parent/Teacher Conferences

March 9-- 6th grade Explore Pathway Reveal

For all Farnsley Athletics information, check out:

https://farnsleywildcats.com/

\It’s almost time for the Girls on the Run spring 2026 season! Girls on the Run is a girl empowerment program that combines physical activity with fun and inspiring lessons. Students, check out the fliers posted around the school or take a flier located outside the Youth Service Center’s (Mrs. Roberts) door. 

If you are interested, scan the QR code to sign up for the Interest Meeting scheduled on Friday 2/13/26.  Click the flier to view more information about the program and sign up for the interest meeting by clicking this link. This program is open to all girls grades 6-8. You must sign up in advance in order to attend the interest meeting on 2/13. 

If you have any questions, reach out to Mrs. McDuffie. 

Spring Sports Interest Survey Now Open 

Farnsley Middle School is preparing for the upcoming spring sports season, and we want to hear from our students. The Spring Sports Interest Survey is now open for any student who is interested in participating in a spring sport.

All students considering spring sports are encouraged to complete the survey using the link below:
https://forms.gle/DNYFBPxScYqthEXP6

Survey results will help our athletic department plan for the upcoming spring season, including team offerings, staffing, and scheduling. Completing the survey does not commit a student to a team, but it is an important step in helping us prepare and ensure opportunities are available for all interested student-athletes.

If your student plans to participate in spring sports, please be sure to complete the survey as soon as possible.

To say that Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander shattered multiple glass ceilings is an understatement.

The Philadelphia native was the first Black person in the nation to earn a Ph.D. in economics in 1921. Three years later, she earned a law degree and went on to become the first Black woman to pass the Pennsylvania bar and practice law in the state.

Alexander accomplished all this while often facing bitter acts of racial prejudice. As a first-year undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, she was told she couldn’t check books out of the school library. A dean at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law lobbied against her being selected to join the university’s law review. She persevered and made law review anyway.