Dear Farnsley Families,

As we kick off this new semester, the new year offers a natural reset and a renewed opportunity for students to refocus, set goals, and strengthen habits that will help them power through to the end of the year. Our mission at Farnsley is to support every student in achieving academic, social, and emotional success. To do this well, we lean into what we know about adolescent development.

Middle school brains are growing at a rapid pace, and during this stage, students rely on adults to help guide and shape the lifelong habits that lead to success. You may notice that our teachers provide frequent, daily reminders about organization, deadlines, expectations, and social interactions. These are not simply “Farnsley rules”—they are intentional scaffolds designed to help students build independence, responsibility, and confidence for their future.

While we provide grace and consistent reminders as habits are developing, we are equally committed to maintaining the high expectations that make Farnsley a great place to learn. This balance of support and structure creates a safe, predictable environment where all students can thrive and reach their next level.

We also ask families to take a moment to review our Attendance policy, which is outlined below in this newsletter. Regular attendance plays a critical role in student success, helping students stay connected to learning and school routines.

How You Can Help at Home:

Discuss routines: Ask your student about their daily habits that help them be successful at school.

Reinforce PBIS: Talk with your child about how individual behavior contributes to the positive culture of our building.

Stay connected: Check PBIS Rewards, Infinite Campus and Wildcat Cards together and celebrate the positive growth and choices your student is making.

We are so grateful for the energy, enthusiasm, and determination our students have brought back this semester. Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to help every Farnsley student reach their full potential.

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 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.  

     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.

     All notes should be turned in to the main office.

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 2 (Day 4-6) yesterday (December 16, 2025) 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.

January 19-- No School for Students

February 4-- 6th grade Explore Showcase

February 12-- School Dance

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/

Over the past two weeks, our Healthcare students have been exploring the important role food plays in overall health and wellness. Students learned about nutrition, making healthy food choices, and how balanced meals support both physical and mental well-being. As part of this learning, students applied their knowledge by designing healthy menu options for school lunches and restaurants, thoughtfully considering nutrition, variety, and student preferences. This hands-on experience helped students build real-world skills while reinforcing the importance of informed choices that support lifelong health.