Falcon Ridge Elementary Newsletter
September 2023
Message from Principal Giesen
Falcon Ridge Families,
I am excited to welcome everyone back for the start of another school year. The 2023-24 school year will be my twenty-sixth year in education, and I have spent twenty-four of those years in the New Prague district. I began my career by teaching fifth grade and serving as dean of students at the former New Prague Intermediate School. I also taught sixth grade for three years at the New Prague Middle School. After spending two years in Farmington, at Boeckman Middle School as an assistant principal, I am excited to work with all staff and students in my thirteenth year as principal at Falcon Ridge Elementary.
As a building, we are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for everyone. Falcon Ridge is home to students in Grades K-5. Our core subjects revolve around the areas of reading, math, science and social studies. All students will receive specialist instruction in music, art, media and physical education. Additionally, our staff places a strong emphasis on the P.B.I.S. and Responsive Classroom philosophies, which support students in making responsible choices and being a part of a school-wide community. Falcon Ridge staff are also engaged as members of Professional Learning Communities, working collaboratively to use student data to better guide our daily instruction and classroom decisions. We take a great deal of pride in providing a safe and welcoming environment for our students to learn each day. I look forward to the opportunity to work together with parents and make a positive difference for our children. Please do not hesitate to call or email when a question arises.
A few notes and reminders to share:
- Check out our 2023-24 Falcon Ridge Calendar, along with our 2023-24 NPAS District Calendar.
- Social Media - As a district, we ask that you please come to us with concerns, instead of sharing on social media. Thank you in advance for your help and understanding!
- School Safety Drills - Every school district in the state is required to conduct a specific number of drills every year in three areas: fire, weather, and lockdown. Each drill is important for preparing our students to respond in one of these unlikely situations. Our teachers and staff approach each drill in an age-appropriate manner with our elementary students, providing just enough information for students to understand the importance of practicing, without adding unnecessary stress to the situation. Tomorrow (Wednesday morning), we will have our first school wide lockdown drill. Knowing this allows you the opportunity to discuss the drill with your child in advance, and after it has occurred. We also encourage you to limit this to an age-appropriate explanation, without using unnecessary details for your child. At school, we emphasize that following an adult’s directions will ensure that everyone is safe. Please reach out to your child’s teacher or me, if you have any questions.
- Levy Information - Over the next few week's, you will be receiving information regarding our NPAS “Proud Tradition AND Promising Future” levy campaign from myself, district wide sources, and via social media. Please take advantage of these opportunities to become informed regarding the upcoming vote. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions!
Sincerely,
Mr. Dave Giesen
Falcon Ridge Elementary Principal
(952) 758-1601
Important Information
Office/Main Line: 952-758-1600
24/7 Attendance Line: 952-758-1605
FR Nurse: 952-758-1606
Fax: 952-758-1699
Location: 1200 Columbus Avenue North, New Prague, MN, USA
- Drop-Off/Pickup/Visitor Info: D/O, P/U and Visitor Info
- Nutrition Services: 952-758-1774 and Lunch Menus/Times
- Transportation: 952-758-1480 School Bus Information
- Campus Portal: Campus Portal
- NPAS Parent Handbook: Parent Handbook
- Calendar/Dates to Note: Falcon Ridge Calendar
- School Supply Lists: Falcon Ridge School Supply Lists
- MN Dept. of Revenue K-12 Tax Benefits: K-12 Tax Benefits
- Facebook: Like Falcon Ridge Elementary on Facebook.
- Twitter: Follow FalconRidge721 on Twitter.
- Instagram: Follow FalconRidge721 on Instagram.
- Website: https://www.npaschools.org/falcon-ridge
Blended Learning Days
Though we believe inclement weather days may not happen for many months, we want to provide you with information on our Blended Learning Day expectations here. A Blended Learning Day will be in effect if and when we have a second day of school canceled due to inclement weather; the first day canceled due to inclement weather will not incur learning activities.
Club's Choice Fundraiser
We are holding another fundraiser this year, Club's Choice. The Club's Choice Fundraiser will take place Tuesday, September 26 - Tuesday, October 10, and the fundraiser items will be delivered on November 13.
Thank you for your support!
FR PAC
Picture Retake Day
Picture retakes will be held on Tuesday, October 3 during school hours.
Student Drop-Off and Pickup
2023-24 Parent Advisory Committee
If you are interested in being a part of the Parent Advisory Committee this school year, please fill out the yellow sheet of paper that you will receive during Fall Assessment Conferences. PAC Meetings for the 2023-24 school year:
- December 7
- January 11
- March 14
Community Education
Join us for an October class!
10/9: Youth Wrestling (PreK-6)
10/12: Tech Academy: Game Coding-Nintendo Characters (grades 2-4)
10/19 & 10/20: Conquer Ninja Parents Day Out (ages 5-13)
10/24: Jr. Trojan Girls Basketball (grades K-2)
10/28: Creepy Cupcakes (grades 1-8)
Red Carpet Welcome
We had our Red Carpet Welcome on Friday, September 1. The New Prague High School Band played music for us that morning, as well.
Walk and Talk September 8th - December 15th
Parents of K-2 Grade, please check out this amazing opportunity to get in steps while connecting with other adults that have young children! Click on the picture for more details!
Everyday Fundraising for Falcon Ridge
In working with our Falcon Ridge PAC, I want to make all of our families aware of some easy ways to support our students at Falcon Ridge by using a few simple steps with businesses that you may already be spending money with:
- Shutterfly - Simply click on this Shutterfly link and start shopping. A percentage will go directly to our Falcon Ridge PAC.
- Coborn's School Rewards - Coborn's, Inc. is committed to donating $150,000 to local entities during the 2019-2020 school year. The points your school earns will help grow their share of the $150,000 total. It's like a pie; the size of your school's slice will depend on how many points they have received. Schools should encourage their supporters to register for their location at moreRewards.com: 1. Go to moreRewards.com, 2. create a login, 3. proceed to login, 4. go to "manage my membership," 5. choose school rewards, 6. select Falcon Ridge, and you are done! It is just that easy! You can also easily add it through the More Rewards phone app: 1. go to rewards, 2. slide the school rewards button to green, 3. below the button there should be an option for you to change to your school, 4. search for Falcon Ridge, and 5. select Falcon Ridge.
2023-2024 Falcon Ridge Monthly Character Traits
R-espect (September)
E-ffort (October)
A-ttitude (November)
P-ride (December)
------------------------
C-ooperation (January)
A-ssertion (February)
R-esponsibility (March)
E-mpathy (April)
S-elf Control (May)