Fridley Public Schools Did You Know? E-Newsletter is 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, and staff members, as well as community members who have joined the distribution list. If you would like to add your email to the distribution list, click here. September 16, 2021 Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! Welcome back students, staff, and families! Fridley Public Schools began its 2021-22 school year on Sept. 9, with orientations and open houses preceding the first day. Through our district theme, Returning Through Relationships, our school staff members are excited to welcome our students back to in-person learning across the district. We wish all our students and families a successful school year! Click to read more about Fridley First Days
Grade Span Change Referendum 2021 To support the academic and social emotional growth of our young learners, Fridley Public Schools is proposing a K-5 grade-span change. Currently, the district's middle school is a grades 5-8, while the elementary schools are grades K-4.
The Fridley School Board voted to place a referendum on the Nov. 2 ballot at its June 15 meeting. The proposed referendum would allow the school district to construct additional classrooms at each elementary school to support moving 5th grade from Fridley Middle School to the district's two elementary schools, Hayes and R. L. Stevenson Elementary. If voters approve the levy, the district will begin construction in 2022 with anticipation that the 5th grade change will be complete by the 2023-2024 school year. Click here to learn more about the levy or click below to watch the informational video: Latest Headlines Fridley Public Schools invests in Solar Energy With no upfront cost to the school district, Fridley Public Schools has begun the installation of solar energy panels at each of its schools and buildings. This green initiative will save Fridley Public Schools an average $36,635 per year, with $407,572 savings in 10 years and $1.17 million in 20 years. Through this initiative, the district will be generating its own free energy after 20 years.
Fridley Lions Club contributes to elementary teachers In what has become a significant annual tradition, the Fridley Lions Club donated $150 giftcards to every Fridley elementary classroom teacher in the school district on Sept. 1. The Lions Club has a rich history of generously supporting the students and staff of Fridley Public Schools, contributing over $50,000 to Hayes and Stevenson teachers in the past eight years.
Lions members Jo Young, Don Holum, Greg Gardner, Jeff Hood, and Shannon Melham visited both schools to offer their praise and thanks to Fridley teachers, and to personally deliver each giftcard for the purpose of purchasing classroom supplies.
Fridley High School, Get Ready host new 'Welcome Week' for incoming freshmen To support successful transition into high school, Fridley High School and the Get Ready College and Career-Readiness program hosted a new 'Welcome Week' from August 23-27, 2021 for incoming freshmen. The week-long, supplemental summer program allowed participating ninth grade students to acclimate to the high school setting prior to the start of school.
Drive-thru Back-to-School Resource Fair serves Fridley families Even through the challenges of a pandemic, the Fridley Public Schools community and staff continue to ensure that all students are prepared for a successful school year. To maximize social distancing, the 8th annual District Back-to-School Resource Fair was held in a drive-thru format on Saturday, Aug. 21.
Saying Goodbye to a Fridley Legend: Bob Barnette Remembered as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, educator and city council member among many other titles, the Fridley Public School District remembers Robert "Bob" Barnette as a passionate, caring and well-respected advocate for its students. One of Fridley High School's first teachers, Barnette passed away on July 15. He was 89-years old. Staff News Fridley High School Football Coach Justin Reese named Minnesota Coach of the Year Congratulations to Fridley High School Head Football Coach Justin Reese, who has been named Minnesota High School Coach of the Year by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA). The honorary award was presented during the Association's 55th Annual Football Hall of Fame Banquet held on Aug. 13 in St. Louis Park. Reese is the first African American coach to win this award in Minnesota, and the fifth Class 4A coach to receive the honor.
Fridley High School welcomes new Assistant Principal Fridley Public Schools welcomes Mr. Lamii Zarlee as the new Fridley High School (FHS) Assistant Principal. Zarlee replaces former Assistant Principal Kelly McConville who now serves as the district's Principal of Alternative Services. Zarlee began his new role at FHS in July 2021.
2020-21 Employee of the Year: Linda Snyder We are proud to congratulate Linda Snyder, Fridley Public Schools' 2020-21 Employee of the Year! Snyder is the District Nurse and served as the COVID Coordinator during the 2020-21 school year. In this role, Snyder maintained the overarching response to the COVID-19 pandemic, working closely with district leadership, Anoka County, and the Minnesota Department of Health. Snyder was integral in tracking, analyzing, and disseminating new and updated public health guidelines across the district, and monitored the district's preparedness activities, protocols, and responses throughout the school year.
2020-21 Teachers of Excellence Fridley Public Schools is proud to recognize the 2020-2021 Teachers of Excellence! Five teachers, who represent each of the district's schools (including an Area Learning Center/Fridley Preschool group), include: Chris Fischer (Hayes Elementary), Abby Jensen (Stevenson Elementary), Emily Latzka (Fridley High School), Jessica Mularie (Fridley Middle School), and Elizabeth Schweitzer (Fridley Preschool).
Fridley Public Schools honors 25 Years of Service recipients Congratulations to Fridley Public Schools' 25 Years of Service employees! This year, five individuals reached the milestone of serving the district for 25 years: Chandra Hanke, Sue Hanson, Sheila Johnson, Angela McShane and Dan Terebayza. Click below to read more about each individual and their service and contributions to Fridley Public Schools. Upcoming Events Register now for Fridley Schools Foundation Walk Fundraiser With your registration this year, you will receive a pair of socks printed with the Fridley Foundation logo. In addition, another pair of plain socks will be donated to a local homeless shelter.
Registration fees are $20 for an individual walker, $50 for a family of 4, $10 for additional family members, as well as an option for an additional donation. All proceeds benefit the students and staff members of Fridley Public Schools through student scholarships, teacher innovation grants and various district and school initiatives.
All participants must register online through this form: Click here to register. Payment can be made by sending a check to Fridley Schools Foundation or online: Click here to submit payment online. Minnesota's first and only school district to provide the full E-12 International Baccalaureate Continuum |