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. March 11, 2021 Dear Fridley Families and Staff,
We hope you are continuing to have a successful school year! As you know, all Fridley Middle School (Grade 5-8) and Fridley High School (Grade 9-12) students who are currently participating in the hybrid learning model will begin their four days per week in-person learning schedule on Monday, March 15, 2021. Students will attend school in-person on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, while Wednesdays will remain as a distance learning day with opportunities for students to participate in some on-site activities.
We would also like to remind you that there will be NO IN-PERSON LEARNING on March 26, 2021. All students will participate in distance learning on this day. This is due to the district-wide Vaccine Clinic for all staff members. The clinic will be hosted at Fridley High School by Anoka County Public Health. For the fifth consecutive year, student leaders of the Fridley High School (FHS) African American Student Union (AASU) led a powerful breakout session at the annual Brooklyn Park Cities United Black History Month event on February 26, 2021. This year, the event was held virtually and centered around the theme Culture Creates Community.
FHS AASU leaders Meadow Gillispie, Jet Thammavongsa, Sarah Sibo, and Sumaiya Samat led the Fridley breakout session titled Our Voices Matter. "Our objective this year was to increase awareness of peoples' voices," said Thammavongsa, FHS junior. "We also wanted to let others see the importance of providing their perspectives into spaces to create change."
The Fridley students discussed their own experiences over this past summer in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. They spoke of the various ways they used their respective voices to encourage and invoke change. From exercising their right to peaceful protest and educating others through social media, to creating artwork through paintings, drawings and writing poems, the student leaders pressed the importance of stepping up to cultivate the change necessary to bring about better experiences for future generations. Click to read the full story... Fridley Middle School (FMS), in partnership with the Get Ready college and career-readiness program, hosted a Black History Month essay contest during the month of February. Students were prompted to write about world peace, describing what it looks like in the world today, and how students themselves would represent peace. "The intent of this essay contest was to give students an opportunity to express themselves," said district equity and inclusion specialist Aloda Sims. "I was amazed at every single student entry. Our students shared deep-felt thoughts on current situations happening in their own communities and around the world. We wanted to provide the opportunity for freedom of expression and have them share their inner wisdom, creativity and talents through this platform."
Four students were named winners of the essay contest:
Each essay winner will be honored for the next month and the winning essays will be featured in a display case at FMS. In addition, FMS 8th grade student Christelle Kotor created Black History Month artwork that was selected to be displayed in the showcase. Congratulations, and great work to our FMS students! A school-wide favorite, Stevenson Elementary students and staff enjoyed Storybook Character Spirit Day on Thursday, March 4, 2021! Check out some photos of our students and staff in their creative costumes! On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, Superintendent Dr. Kim Hiel testified in support of HF871, a bill that would retain funding for the state's Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and school readiness program. Speaking to Minnesota House representatives, Dr. Hiel outlined how the VPK program has supported early childhood learning and kindergarten readiness for hundreds of students in Fridley since its implementation in 2016.
Through this program, Fridley is able to provide a high quality 4-year old preschool at no cost to parents. In addition, Fridley's preschool is the first and only preschool in the state to offer all its 4-year-old students the rigorous International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). With state approved funding guaranteed for school districts, Fridley would be able to continue to provide a critical early childhood education that will ensure our 4-year old students are well prepared to successfully begin their primary education. Thank you to all the families who attended the virtual Hayes Elementary School Family Literacy Night event on Thursday, February 26, 2021!
Rather than a traditional in-person event, Hayes staff members lined the front of the school in storybook character costumes and greeted families as they visited in a drive-thru format. All students received literacy activity bags filled with goodies, then attended the event virtually - visiting "rooms" of storybook selections and fun projects. Highlights included:
Great job to the Hayes staff who worked together to host this fun event for our families! As our 5th - 12th grade hybrid students transition to learning at school four days a week on March 15, we have some important information to share regarding changes in meal pick-up procedures.
Beginning March 15, students currently enrolled in hybrid learning will not be able to pick up meals on Tuesday or Wednesday as they will be receiving breakfast and lunch during the school day. All 5th-12th graders can pick up a one-day meal bag from the school cafeteria at the end of the school day on Tuesday to eat on Wednesday when they are learning from home.
If you have any questions, please contact Nutritional Services
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! Fridley Public Schools We are proud to offer the full IB Continuum from Preschool to Grade 12. 6000 West Moore Lake Drive, Fridley, MN 55432 |