Fridley Public Schools Did You Know? E-Newsletter is a newsletter designed for Fridley families, staff members, and community members. This e-newsletter will be distributed bi-weekly on Thursdays during the school year to all parents, guardians, staff members and community members who have joined the distribution list. If you would like to add your email to the Did You Know? distribution list, click here. November 19, 2020 Dear Fridley Families and Staff,
Fridley Public Schools' students currently enrolled in a hybrid learning model in the district's preschool and elementary schools will transition to full-time distance learning on November 30. Secondary school students previously participating in hybrid learning have already transitioned to full-time distance learning.
Fridley Public Schools works very closely with the Minnesota Department of Health and its Regional Support Team to monitor and evaluate COVID-19 positivity rates in the county. According to the MN Safe Learning Plan for reopening schools, elementary and secondary school students are to transition to full-time distance learning when positive rates of COVID-19 reach 50+ per 10,000 residents in the school district's county. School districts monitor the 14-day trend of this data. The latest positivity rate in Anoka County has reached 50+ per 10,000 and to comply with the requirements of Minnesota Safe Leaning Plan aimed at keeping students and staff safe, all students at Fridley Public Schools will be learning online beginning November 30. We may be teaching and learning differently than we have done in the past, but we are still committed to supporting our students and families. We encourage parents to reach out to their child's school if they have questions or concerns and if their child needs additional support.
For additional information and resources, please click here to visit the district's COVID-19 webpage. Not even a global pandemic that has wreaked havoc on social events and minimized commemorations of long held traditions could prevent Fridley Middle School (FMS) from paying homage to veterans. The 34th annual ceremony was held virtually on November 11, 2020. The annual program serves as an opportunity to teach students about the dedication and sacrifice of military service members.
"The annual Veterans Day program has been a historical event at FMS," said FMS Principal Amy Cochran. "It is an event that we look forward to hosting each year for our students and community members. Although we were unable to hold the ceremony in person this year, we still wanted to take time to honor the sacrifices that have been made." The ceremony featured five FMS 8th grade students who each spoke about veterans in their lives and their admiration for those who have served the country. While they were too young to cast a real ballot during the November 3 Election Day, our 4-year-old scholars nevertheless learned the importance of voting. Fridley Preschool students participated in a mock election to select their favorite fruit, voting for either an apple, banana or orange. As an International Baccalaureate World School, Fridley Preschool promotes agency, where students have active ownership of their own learning, which encourages leadership and independent decision-making skills. "Each of us has a voice and a choice, and they all matter," said Preschool teacher Jaime Finch. "This lesson teaches our preschoolers that, when they show up and participate, it makes a difference!"
According to Finch, the preschoolers took great pride in voting, as they were eager to get into the voting booth and share what their favorite fruit was. "And they were all very excited to receive the "I Voted" sticker after they finished!" she said. This project helps our young learners to make connections with the world around them, and someday, when it is time for them to practice their civic responsibility, they will be prepared!" After all the votes were tallied, the apple was elected as the class favorite with seven votes, while banana came in at a close second with six votes, and orange received two. October Employee of the Month: Fatima Alnizami Congratulations to Fridley Public Schools' October Employee of the Month, Fatima Alnizami! Alnizami has served as the Fridley High School (FHS) Administrative Assistant in the Student Support Services (SSS) office for three years.
"Fatima is always extremely positive, caring, and helpful and gives her full attention to every situation, providing individual attention to each student and family," said FHS Principal Patty Hand. The students love her, and the staff respect her hard work, dedication and professionalism." A colleague of Alnizami's noted, "Fatima carries herself with such smooth poise, yet her work is done with urgency. No matter how big or small the project, she makes the tasks at hand a priority."
November Employee of the Month: Jordan Wright Congratulations to Fridley Public Schools' November Employee of the Month, Jordan Wright! Wright serves as the Tiger Club Childcare Secretary, a position she has held for one year. From state-mandated Emergency Care in the spring to current Critical Kids Care service in the fall, Wright has proven to be an invaluable member of the Fridley Community Education team.
Tiger Club Coordinator Sally Leone is quick to praise the value of Jordan's role and her hard work. "When someone comes into a newly created position it is never easy," said Leone. "However, Jordan has been a seamless addition which has everything to do with her and what she brings to the table."
"She is a thoughtful team player that not only supports what we already have in motion, but is always looking ahead for ways to improve and streamline our processes as well."
Her colleagues describe her as the hub of communication, and that she performs her responsibilities with great care and balance. "Her ability to juggle large amounts of data into an organized color-coded spreadsheet is nothing short of amazing," said Christine Haubach, Tiger Club Program Manager. "I am constantly impressed with the reassuring and thorough way she shares information with our families over the phone, and I use her as a role model for patience and kindness."
"I also want to acknowledge that she has been a pillar in the storm through all of Tiger Club Childcare's twists and turns throughout the past year," said Leone. "She is always willing to help out and has remained consistent as we navigate through childcare during a global pandemic."
Congratulations, Jordan, on earning the honor of district Employee of the Month, and thank you for your service to Fridley Public Schools! Free Meals For All Students! Fridley Public Schools Nutritional Services is continuing to provide FREE meals to all children ages 18 and under.
As we shift to districtwide, full-time distance learning, all meal bags will include 5 lunches, 5 breakfasts and 5 snacks. Free meals will continue to be offered through the end of the 2020-21 school year.
Next Week Meal Pick Up Dates: Tuesday, Nov. 24 and Wednesday, Nov. 25 ONLY
Due to Thanksgiving holiday break, there will be no Meal Pick Up on Thursday, Nov. 26. Families who typically pick up on Thursdays are invited to pick up their meals on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at Fridley High School from 4:30-6 PM OR Wednesday, Nov. 25 at Fridley Middle School from 11:30 AM -1:30 PM. All families are welcome to pick up meals, free of charge! Meal bags include 5 lunches, 5 breakfasts and 5 snacks and are available for all children, ages 18 and under. If you have any questions, please contact Nutritional Services Director Renee Arbogast at 763-502-5022. Please remember to wear your mask when picking up meals to help keep our nutritional services staff safe! Thank you to all our families who have been picking up meals! Give to the Max Day in Minnesota is TODAY, Thursday November 19, 2020! Give to the Max Day is Minnesota's giving holiday - It is a special 24-hour period highlighting the work of nonprofits and schools, and a time for Minnesotans to give back and support causes and organizations.
Fridley Public Schools is excited to announce the Fridley Schools Foundation is participating in Give to the Max Day. All donations are tax deductible and directly support our Fridley students. The Foundation's mission is to enrich educational opportunities within Fridley schools. Our district has a rich heritage of excellence in education and the Foundation is committed to seeing that tradition grow. The Fridley Schools Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation independent of the Fridley Public Schools.
Click the button below to donate today! Fridley Public Schools We are proud to offer the full IB Continuum 6000 West Moore Lake Drive, Fridley, MN 55432
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