Falcon Ridge Family Updates
October 18, 2021
News and Tidbits
I hope you had a wonderful week!
Tonight is the PTO Falcon Ridge Family Night at the Farmstead. Please see PTO flyer for more information about this exciting opportunity. We appreciate our PTO!
Research shows that when a student misses school it can negatively impact academic performance. Curious about Falcon Ridge Charter's attendance policy? Please spend time familiarizing yourself with the policy below. We want your student to succeed now and in the future!
Fall is in the air! Please remember to send warm clothing for the chilly mornings. Students will be enjoying the great outdoors during recesses and breaks.
Ms. Covell's 5th grade students have been invited to join Starbase Idaho this year. This program will provide field trip opportunities for our students to engage in inquiry based, hands-on, minds-on STEM activities at Gowen Field. (See PDF Starbase calendar at bottom of flyer)
Speaking of STEM opportunities, the Falcon Ridge Charter STEM Club has started. Mr. Wallas and Miss Heckathorn are leading this after-school opportunity.
This year's theme is "How Full is Your Bucket." We are learning ways to be bucket fillers through words and actions that demonstrate kindness and compassion.
Our character trait for October is excellence, which means "a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements."
We will share a weekly update of the number of students/staff who are either in quarantine due to a possible exposure of Covid, or who have tested positive for Covid. Please see the graphic at the bottom of the newsletter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jorgensen
Resources for Parents
Falcon Ridge Attendance Policy
ATTENDANCE POLICY (Policy 3050)
Parents are expected to call the school office prior to 9:00 am to report the reason for their child’s absence.
At Falcon Ridge Public Charter School, regular attendance and punctuality are a vital part of a student’s education. Teachers implement a high level of direct teaching and interactive learning and both students and teachers are held accountable to complete a set of standards and benchmarks. These teaching techniques do not allow students to simply make up concepts missed. Additionally, FRPCS’ mission is to develop students who will become exceptional employees and incorporate a school-to-work emphasis in all we do. As attendance and punctuality are essential qualifications for individuals in the workforce, so they will be for those who attend Falcon Ridge. In accordance with our charter, Falcon Ridge Public Charter School has a 96% attendance standard. Every effort and commitment should be made by students, parents and administration to ensure that students are in attendance and punctual every day. A school calendar is provided well in advance to allow families to schedule activities during breaks. Students are expected to attend classes regularly.
Tardy Policy
Students are considered tardy if they are not in the school building at the time school commences at the beginning of the day as established by the school calendar. All students arriving late must be signed in at the office to ensure accurate records and lunch counts. Students leaving and returning during the school day must be signed in and out by an adult. Each time a student accrues (3) unexcused tardies, the student will also be treated as having 1 unexcused absence. Examples of an unexcused tardy include, overslept, late walking to school, missed school bus, parent running late, etc. Students will not be considered tardy in the event of bad weather, if busses are running late, etc.
Excused Absences
The Administration and Governing Board recognize that there are special circumstances when a student may need to participate in another event or activity rather than attend class. An absence will be considered “excused” if a parent/guardian provides a written or verbal notification for the following reasons:
∙ the student could not attend class because he/she is ill
∙ a physician’s documentation of illness
∙ medical, dental, orthodontic appointments with a verifying note from the medical office
∙ bereavement for a death in the family
∙ wedding for a member of the family
∙ an immediate family member involved in State Tournament competition, 4-H competition, or graduation exercise at the high school, college, and military level.
∙ extraordinary circumstances (requires a review and approval of FRPCS administrator.)
Family trips or vacations are NOT considered extraordinary and are unexcused. The cumulative effect of regular class attendance is critical to the learning experience that Falcon Ridge Charter School offers, which the student misses even when the absence is excused.
Unexcused Absences
Student absence for any reason not specifically listed in the excused absence section will be considered unexcused. Absences (for any reason) not verified by verbal or written communication from the parent/guardian (within 48 hours of student’s return to school) will be considered unexcused.
Consequences for Excessive Absences
Students who accrue five (5) or more full-day unexcused absences or nine (9) full-day excused and unexcused combined absences in a semester may lose their seat. After the eighth (8th) full-day absence, the student and parent/guardian will be required to meet before the school board. After the ninth (9th) full-day absence in one semester, a note from parents is not sufficient. Written notification from a medical person, legal staff, or other pertinent persons of authority approved by the administrator verifying the student’s reason for missing school must be obtained by the parent/guardian. If the student does not have that documentation, the student will be withdrawn by the Administrator of Falcon Ridge Public Charter School and cannot apply for enrollment for 12 months. Administration reserves the right to extend this policy, after parent consultation, in extenuating circumstances. Parents have the right to appeal this decision to the Falcon Ridge School Board.
Average Daily Attendance
Kindergarten: 96.67%
1st grade: 98.97%
2nd grade: 100%
3rd grade: 97.59%
4th grade: 97.58%
5th grade: 96.06%
6th grade: 96.97%
7th grade: 96.36%
8th grade: 91.52%
ADA year to date: 99.13%
Important Bus Information
As you know, there is a state-wide shortage of bus drivers and Falcon Ridge is no different. We are short one bus driver this year and have consolidated the four routes into three.
In the event that one of our three drivers needs to be out, we will need to cancel a route for that day. If we need to cancel a bus, you will receive a text and/or email as soon as we receive notification from the bus company. Please be prepared to make other arrangements if this occurs. If the bus driver is sick, the notice may come as late as the school morning.
Please have an emergency contact available who can transport your children if you are unavailable.
Coming Events
October 8-22 - PTO Believe Kids Virtual Fundraiser
- October 18th 4pm-9pm - PTO Family Night at the Farmstead
- October 19th at 6:30pm- School Board Meeting
- October 22nd- End of 1st Quarter
- October 27th at 3pm- STEM Club for 6th -8th grade
- October 28th at 4pm- Girls Basketball game at Falcon Ridge
- October 29th- Student October Birthday Celebrations
- October 29th 6pm-7pm - PTO Trunk or Treat
- Early release days every Monday (1st-8th grades dismiss at 1:30 p.m.)
**Check out our website for the most updated information
5th Graders engaged in hands-on learning at Starbase Idaho!
Pumpkins Created by Mrs. Koski's 3rd Grade Art Class
October Character Trait: Excellence
PTO Corner
Before School Procedure
Self-Screening: If a student or staff member has any of the following symptoms, it indicates a possible illness that puts them at risk of spreading illness to others.
Symptoms requiring a student or staff member to stay home
A temperature of 100.0 degrees F or higher. Students and staff need to be fever free without the use of fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours before attending school.
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Sore throat with a fever greater than 100.0°. If they are diagnosed with Strep throat, then they should stay home until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours.
Excessive coughing, which could include a cough that is prolonged, lasting more than a few weeks; any shortness of breath; difficulty breathing or wheezing; cough associated with fever, chills, sweating, or ill appearance; chest pain or painful cough; coughing up phlegm that is green, yellow, blood-stained, or foul smelling.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis). Keep the child home until a doctor has given the OK to return to school. Pink eye is highly contagious and in most cases is caused by a virus, which will not respond to an antibiotic. Bacterial conjunctivitis will require an antibiotic; your doctor will be able to determine if this is the case.
Other symptoms where students or staff members may need to stay at home
New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing or for students with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Nausea
New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever
Parents and staff are expected to review these symptoms daily. It is up to the individual parent and staff member to determine if a person needs to stay home.
Dr. Jorgensen, Principal
Email: cjorgensen@falconridgecharter.org
Twitter: @coach_jorgensen