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. October 14, 2021 Dear Fridley families and staff, It is mid-October already and fall is here with its beautiful colors and colder weather. Across the district, conferences will be taking place this week and next. Schools have sent out conference sign-up information via email and through their parent newsletters, which can be accessed below.
The district would also like to remind you that there is NO SCHOOL for all PreK - Grade 12 students from Wednesday, October 20 - Friday, October 22 due to the MEA (Minnesota Educator Academy) break. We hope you enjoy the MEA break and continue to have a successful school year! Links to School October Newsletters Your Input is Needed - ARP/ESSER Plan Fridley Public Schools seeks input from staff members, students, families and district residents on its ARP/ESSER plan. The ARP/ESSER federal grant funding has been made available to states to help public schools' recovery during the pandemic. The district is seeking input from stakeholders through November 12, 2021. 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 Tiger Pride: Fridley High School celebrates Homecoming Fridley High School (FHS) celebrated its homecoming week from September 27-October 1, 2021. FHS Student Council organized spirit-themed dress-up days for students and staff, as well as after-school activities, such as the annual powderpuff football game and homecoming door-decorating contest. The homecoming festivities culminated with a school-wide homecoming pep fest on Friday, Oct. 1, where the homecoming royal court was crowned.
FHS leaders partner with Fridley Preschool A new partnership opportunity is connecting Fridley High School (FHS) students with the youngest students in the district, Fridley Preschoolers. As part of the high school's Leadership class, grade 9-12 students visit the Preschool weekly to interact and play games with our youngest learners, and gain leadership skills as they build meaningful relationships.
According to FHS health and physical education teacher Anthony Branitski, the purpose of the partnership is to offer opportunities for students to lead in the community. "In my career, I have witnessed the most impactful lessons from equipping my students with leadership opportunities," said Branitski. "The development evolves organically and it's amazing to see students discover themselves through servant leadership." District Highlights Springbrook Nature Center visits Fridley Preschool Springbrook Nature Center visited Fridley Preschool on October 8, 2021. Our youngest learners enjoyed a lesson on life cycles, connected with nature, and gained a deeper understanding of the world around them. During the visit, a Springbrook Naturalist outlined life cycles of several creatures - including mammals, amphibians, and plants.
College Knowledge Month at FHS All month long, Fridley High School (FHS) students are celebrating College Knowledge Month! The goal of College Knowledge Month is to provide students with the preparation, opportunity, and support needed to apply to college. Students participate in a variety of college exploration and planning opportunities organized by the Get Ready College and Career Readiness program and Student Support Services Office. Throughout the week of October 11-15, representatives from colleges and universities visited during lunch hour and were able to answer questions and share information about their collegiate programs. In addition, college-related activities include: Advisory lesson presentations, in-school College Application Day and workshops, FAFSA completion workshops, games, plus more!
Fridley Middle School AVID Highlight Seventh graders in Fridley Middle School's AVID program took part in a fun activity on October 8, 2021 as part of the final phase of the Focused Note-Taking Process, 'Applying Learning.' The students followed detailed notes of directions, measurement and minute details to create homemade ice cream from scratch! By practicing what they learned, students were able to engage and process information more effectively, meeting their note-taking objectives.
Fridley Nutritional Services introduces Local Minnesota Thursdays Fridley Public Schools' Nutritional Services department has introduced local Minnesota Thursday across the district. On the first Thursday of each month, our cooks will serve menu items that were exclusively grown or sourced in the state. On October 7, 2021, the locally-sourced menu featured turkey burgers from Ferndale Market, whole grain bun from Pan-O-Gold Bread, apples from Pine Tree Apple Orchard, vegetables from The Good Acre, and milk from St. Paul Beverage Solutions. The purpose of Minnesota Thursdays is to educate students about where food comes from, how food items are grown and sourced, and how to help local economy. Staff News September Employee of the Month: Katie Brown Congratulations to Fridley Public Schools September 2021 Employee of the Month, Katie Brown! Brown, a 2014 graduate of Fridley High School, has been serving as the secretary to both the Preschool Principal and the Director of Finance and Operations for over three years at the Fridley Community Center.
October Employee of the Month: Cami Herder Congratulations to Fridley Public Schools October 2021 Employee of the Month, Cami Herder! Herder currently serves as the Preschool Childcare Program Manager, a role she has held for four years. She was first hired by the district in 2013, and previously served as an Infant/Toddler Classroom Instructor in Tiger Club. Upcoming Events Wear Orange on Unity Day - Tuesday, October 19
The Anoka County Children and Family Council invites you to an Online Community Conversation. There will be two separate sessions held on October 27, 2021. Click the session links below to register for one of the two sessions: Session 1: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Session 2: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. WHO SHOULD COME? Click here to view the event flyer. Questions? Requests for accommodations? Contact Tammy Schmitz at tammy@tammyschmitz.com or 612-750-2306. Minnesota's first and only school district to provide the full E-12 International Baccalaureate Continuum |