Newsletter
Issue 4: October 2021
Principal's Message
Thank you so much to each and every family at Fridley Middle School for all of your efforts in helping to kick off our school year. Our two days of open house were met with great success as we saw hundreds of families in and out of the building meeting with teachers and preparing for the new year. We hope that you have found a smooth start and high levels of engagement.
The safety of our staff and students is extremely important to us. We thank our families for being so diligent in ensuring that you are sending them to school with a mask on and keeping them home if they are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to others who are ill. If we all continue to do our part, we will make school a safe place for everyone.
Your commitment to ensuring that Fridley Middle School provides the best learning environment to our students is appreciated. Together, I know we will continue to make this school year one of growth and achievement for all students! If there is anything we can do to support you or your student during this time, please reach out to your student's teacher or main office at 763.502.5400.
Go Tigers!
Amy Cochran
Principal
Mark Your Calendar
Some important dates for October!
October 14: Conferences 4:00 - 8:00 pm
October 19: Conferences 4:00 - 8:00 pm
October 20: Conferences 7:15 - 11:15 am (No School)
October 21-22: No School
October 28: EL Family Night
ARRIVAL TIMES
BREAKFAST TIME
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Conference dates are:
Tuesday, October 14 from 4 - 8 pm
Tuesday, October 19 from 4 - 8 pm
Wednesday, October 20 from 7:30 - 11:30 am
Please join us for Parent-Teacher Conferences. In order to ensure the safety of our families and staff, we will be asking parents to sign up for conferences. Be watching for information to come from your students teachers about how to sign up. This is a great time to meet your child's teachers and hear how they are doing in classes.
School Picture Day
Picture Day has been rescheduled to October 29. If you are interested in ordering school pictures, you would go to the website mylifetouch.com and use our school's ID number EVTZBW3TN . You should have received a flier regarding ordering pictures in your Open House folder. If you did not receive a flier, we have extras in the main office. If you have any questions, please call the main office at 763.502.5400.
COVID-19 UPDATES & REMINDERS
Notification
Fridley Public Schools will continue its practice of notifying the Minnesota Department of Health of any lab confirmed positive case in its schools. Parents/Guardians will also receive direct communication if their child is identified as a close contact of a confirmed positive case. Notification will include the most current information on symptoms that parents can watch out for and monitor.
Health/Safety Reminders
- Please keep your child home if he/or she is not feeling well. Notify the school if someone in your household has been exposed to, has symptoms of, or has tested positive for COVID-19.
- Properly wearing a face covering/mask is a universal protection strategy that can help minimize the spread of COVID-19.
- Remember to send your child to school every day with a mask. They are required on school buses and inside our school/buildings.
- If your child is 12 years and older, consider having him or her vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are free and are available to all Minnesotans ages 12 years and older.
- COVID-19 Vaccines
- COVID-19 vaccines are currently available free of charge to all Minnesotans ages 12 year and older.
- Please follow this link to learn more, to schedule a vaccine for yourself, family member or child who is 12 years or older: COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 Testing
- COVID-19 saliva tests are available to all Minnesotans at no cost.
- Regular screening testing is an important mitigation strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools.
- Any parent/guardian who wishes to order a test kit for their children and/or family members can use this link to order a free COVID-19 saliva test kit through Vault Health.
Health Services
21-22 SY Immunization Alert!
There are two vaccines that are required for 7th grade; (Tdap and Menningococcal), and letters were mailed. These are required and need to be completed or a conscientious objection form must by notarized and given to the health office as soon as possible. A notification google text message is being sent to parents of students who are non-compliant with school vaccines for grades 5-8. The immunization form is on the District Web Page under Health Services. Please make an appointment with your clinic to get these immunizations completed as soon as possible. Per our District Policy, all immunizations must be current in order for your child to stay enrolled in school. Please help in making it a great start for your child's school year by getting this done.
Influenza Season is approaching!
Connect with your child's clinic to schedule a flu shot with your primary doctor. Good hand washing is the BEST PREVENTION!
Screening Tool
Masks
What do bring daily
Student Learning During School Building Closure
As we approach fall and plan for winter, we want to share this annual information with you regarding our procedure for school building closures and student learning when school buildings are closed.
Notification of school building closure
In the event that school buildings have to be closed, the school district will inform parents/guardians through multiple channels. District/school will send parents an email, text message and will also call parents directly. In addition, the closure will also be posted on the district website as well as local television channels. The district uses the parent contact information on the Campus Parent Portal to communicate with parents/guardians. Please make sure that your contact information is accurate on the Parent Portal.
School building closure due to inclement weather
When severe weather conditions create hazardous conditions that pose life-threatening risks for students and staff, the superintendent of schools may need to close school buildings and implement the district’s E-Learning Plan.
- The district’s E-Learning Plan will support learning for students in grades PreK-12 for up to five days a year when school buildings are closed due to inclement weather.
- There may still be a need for a traditional snow/cold day, but the district will make every effort to utilize E-Learning days to continue learning.
- An E-Learning day is considered an instructional day and attendance is taken.
- On an E-Learning day, students will learn from home through online instruction provided by students' individual teachers through SeeSaw (PreK-K) or Google Classroom (Grades 1-12).
- Students in grades 7-12 who are enrolled in the full-time Fridley Online Academy will have no change in their learning day.
- As we near winter, each school will share more information with parents/guardians prior to any school building closure.
School building/classroom/program closure due to COVID-19
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has approved the provision of short-term online learning to allow for flexibility in learning formats during the pandemic. In case of a COVID-19 situation that requires a school, program or classroom to temporarily transition to online learning, Fridley Public Schools will implement its MDE approved Blended Learning Plan for students.
- We will follow our district’s Blended Learning Plan that will allow students to continue to learn at home.
- Blended learning “blends” short-term online learning in place of regular in-person learning in the event groups/buildings need to isolate due to a COVID-19 spread.
- Students will learn from home through online instruction provided by students' individual teachers through SeeSaw (PreK-K) or Google Classroom (Grades 1-12).
- Our district has been provisionally approved to provide short-term online learning in order to allow flexibility during the pandemic.
- Each school will share more information with parents/guardians prior to any classroom/program or school building closure.
Nutritional Services
- If you have not completed the 2021-22 Application for Educational Benefits, please complete it soon. If approved for free or reduced priced meals, you may qualify for reduced activities fees. By completing this form it also provides funding to our school district for reading specialists, para support and other benefits. Applications can be obtained from your school’s main office or can be completed online at https://www.fridleyschools.org/about-us/departments/nutritional-services/meal-applications If you have questions about the application process, please contact Kathy Backstrom at 763-502-5021.
- We are providing a free breakfast and lunch to all students this year. Breakfast is offered in the hallway before school. Lunch is offered in the school café. In order to receive a free meal, your student must take a meal including ½ cup fruit or vegetable. If your student wants just milk, this is not free and costs $0.55. Please make sure you have money in your student's lunch account to cover this.
- We are using bar codes at breakfast and lunch so students are not touching the pin pads. Please remind your students to bring their lunch bar code to meals with them. For 7th and 8th grade students, they can use the Campus Student App on their cell phone to access the bar code or take a picture of it on their phone.
- We have menus planned for a month at a time, but please note that the menu can change. We are having trouble getting some of the items we use to make school meals. Just like you are seeing shortages in the grocery store, we are seeing issues with our manufacturers. Please be patient with us and we will be providing as many options as possible to our students.
If you have any questions regarding Nutritional Services, please contact Renee Arbogast at 763-502-5022.
Transportation Information
The Fridley Transportation Department would like to share a few reminders with you.
- Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.
- Your child is required to be at the scheduled stop 5 minutes prior to bus pick-up time.
- If the bus is more than 10 minutes late, your child should go home and call the assigned bus company (see below).
- Information about late busses is communicated through our messenger program, so please make sure that your contact information is accurate on the Parent Portal.
- If school buildings are closed due to severe weather, the district will communicate by email and phone, and on the district website, local news channels and district social media.
Our Bus Contractors:
· Route #’s 1 – 10: Voigt’s Bus Company 763-571-1241 (then select #2)
· Route #’s 20 – 35: First Student (Champlin location) 763-421-5785
· R & D Transportation (Vans) 763-767-1804 (then select #1)
· Halo Transportation (Vans) 763-432-6806
Thank you and stay safe.
Fridley Transportation Department
763-502-5151
Athletics and Activities Information
ACTIVITY EVENT GUIDELINES
There will be new guidelines in place for all Fridley High School events. Please see below for the updates:
1. A middle school or elementary student MUST be accompanied by their Parent/Guardian to any Fridley HS Athletic of Fine arts Event.
- Maximum of (2)children per Parent/Guardian
2. Game Procedure that must be followed:
- No Bags, backpacks, balls of any kind may be brought into the Fridley Tiger Stadium Venue
- Large purses will be checked
- All students must remain in the stands throughout the whole game.
- Students should be sitting in the student section in the bleachers.
- Concessions and restrooms are the only reasons to be out of the bleacher space.
- Return to the bleacher space once completed.
- Seek Fridley Event staff for help.
2021 Fridley Kids Apple Run
The 2021 Fridley Kid's Apple Run will be Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at Commons Park by the pavilion and playground. The race is free and no pre-registration is necessary. All runners can arrive 10-15 minutes before your race to sign-up at the pavilion, then race. All finishers will get an apple at the finish line, compliments of Bob's Produce and the Fridley Cross Country Team.
The first race will be the 5-6 girls at 4:00 pm, followed by 5-6 boys (4:15 pm), then 3-4 girls (4:30 pm), 3-4 boys (4:40 pm), and finally K-2 girls (4:50 pm), and K-2 boys (5:00 pm). Races should start approximately every 15 minutes (15 min. in between the 5-6 races, and 10 min. in between 3-4, and 10 min. in between the K-2 races). Event will end around 5:15 pm.
The Fridley 7-12 grade Cross Country team organizes and runs this great event with the support of Bob's Produce and North Suburban Striders. We hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Coach Fisher
Information on Advance Child Tax Credit Payments
Families Can Sign up for Advance Child Tax Credit Payments
Eligible families will receive monthly child credit tax payments from July through December 2021. The IRS Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant can help families decide whether they should register for monthly payments or file a regular tax return using IRS Free File. Eligible families can receive advance payments of $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 years and older.
Click here to determine if you qualify, or to access the Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant.
Advance Payments of the 2021 Child Tax Credit: The Basics
The 2021 Child Tax Credit: Three Steps to Getting Your Advance Payments
International Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate programs emphasize how to learn and teaching students to value learning as an essential, integral part of their everyday lives. There are many benefits of implementing the IB for all students in Fridley Public Schools.
An IB education:
- focuses on student-centered programs that promote healthy relationships, ethical responsibility, and personal challenge
- helps students to develop the attitudes and skills they need for both academic and personal success
- increases understanding of languages and cultures, and explores globally significant ideas and issues
- offers a curriculum that is broad and balanced, conceptual and connected
Grading and Reporting
Fridley Public Schools uses a standards-based philosophy for grading and reporting student achievement and progress. This approach reports grades as an indicator of a student's level of mastery of a standard or learning objective, instead of assigning grades based on work completion or individual assignments. Standards-based practices are rooted in a belief that grades are:
- Fair - students with the same performance receive the same grade
- Accurate - grades reflect the actual academic performance of the student
- Specific - students and parents know exactly what learning is required for students to improve
Please see the link below regarding grading and reporting in Fridley Public Schools.
Assessment Calendar
HELP IS AVAILABLE
- Are you staying with a friend or family member? Currently in a hotel, shelter, or car? Are you displaced and not sure of what to do next? We have resources for you! Under the McKinney-Vento Law, your student is eligible for transportation provided by the district. Please reach out to your school social worker via phone or email to connect about next steps.
- Whether in person or online, our district-wide backpack program is up and running! If you are in need of additional food resources, please reach out to Ms. Beran she will coordinate getting items to you. It might look a little different this year, but please do not hesitate to reach out. If you have students in other buildings, please feel free to reach out to the school social worker as well!
7th/8th Grade Math Resources
Hello Fridley Tigers! Welcome to our 7th and 8th Grade Math Resources Website. We have put together a variety of items that you can use to navigate your time with us at Fridley Middle School. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your current math teacher. The link is below
Parent Portal
PeachJar
This 'green' initiative will save our schools tons of paper and reduces copy costs by thousands of dollars. In addition, posting school flyers in this electronic backpack removes a significant administrative burden from teachers, office staff, and volunteers.
Community members who would like to submit a flyer for approval can find more information here on flyer approval criteria and process.
Shutterfly
Social Media
Fridley Middle School
Email: amy.cochran@fridley.k12.mn.us
Website: www.fridley.k12.mn.us
Location: 6100 West Moore Lake Drive Northeast, Fridley, MN, USA
Phone: 763.502.5400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FridleyMS
Twitter: @FridleyMSTigers