Falcon Ridge Elementary Newsletter
May 2020
Important Information:
Office/Main Line: 952-758-1600
24/7 Attendance Line: 952-758-1605
FR Nurse: 952-758-1606
Fax: 952-758-1699
- Nutrition Services: 952-758-1774 and Lunch Menus/Times
- Transportation: 952-758-1480 and FR Drop Off/Pick Up
- Campus Portal: Campus Portal and Instructions
- FeePay: link to FeePay (various payments)
- 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
- Parent Advisory Committee (PAC): FR PAC
- Facebook: Like Falcon Ridge Elementary on Facebook.
- Twitter: Follow FalconRidge721 on Twitter.
- Instagram: Follow FalconRidge721 on Instagram.
- Website: https://www.npaschools.org/falcon-ridge
Principal's Perspective
Falcon Ridge Families,
It feels strange to write this newsletter, as there are so many unknowns in the way that our school year is wrapping up. The roller coaster that was March, April, and what is to come in May has left us at Falcon Ridge struggling to bring adequate closure to what has been a great school year.
There are many unknowns that we have as we head into the summer. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on the way that we have gone about teaching and learning these last few weeks. Our staff has focused on prioritizing the standards and content that is most important for our students to learn, and we also realize that time would not allow for us to get to reach every standard that we would in a typical year. Please know when you receive your child's report card, that while the format will look the same as it has in the past, the overall number of standards and learning targets that are assessed will likely be less. Even thinking through what our last week and final day of school will look like seems strange to think about. What we don't know is what our local and national leaders will decide on how our schools and education will be impacted when we return in the fall. Time will tell on the way we welcome our students in the fall of 2020.
What I do know is that the staff in the New Prague Area Schools and at Falcon Ridge will be there to partner with our families and to create a positive learning environment for all of our students. Whether we need to look to Distance Learning at some point in the future, or we return back to our buildings permanently in the way that we have known in the past, we will continue to do what is right for our students and support their academic, social, and emotional growth. We are hoping for a great month of May as we conclude the year, and wish all of our Falcon Ridge families a great summer.
Sincerely,
Dave Giesen
(952) 758-1601
April Trojan Tickets
- April 17 - Alexis Erhart, Bo Westall, Max Blank, Fisher Kruger, Cameron Fowler, Ingrid Smith, Vanessa Lynch, Lexzi Sydness, Joe Neumann, Mahpiyah White, Cayla Longanecker, and Rainbow Smith
- April 24 - Sydney Herod, Summer Stackhouse, Parker Myers, Nik Verhoeven, Drew Haroldson, Eleanor Peterka, Blake Everson, Ben Cernoch, AJ Brown, Beck Swanepoel, Orelia Slavik, and Spencer Bahn
Staff Perspective - Dan Wagner, Physical Education Teacher
Summer Fishing Challenge is Getting an Early Start!
When you live in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” you have year-round opportunities to enjoy the benefits of fishing. For nine years, we have been holding a summer fishing challenge where we encourage students to go fishing over the summer months, take a picture, and bring it into the physical education department, where it is displayed for the entire school to see. The smiles on their faces and the conversations they have with their peers, while talking about the fishing experience, is awesome. As the pictures are rolling in, it reminds me of when I was younger and the valuable family and friend time it provided.
With distance learning and COVID-19, we have decided to start the fishing challenge early for the summer of 2020! Get outside, stay active, and enjoy some family time fishing. I am currently accepting pictures of students proudly showing off their “best catch,” no matter how big or small.
Positive benefits of fishing include:
an opportunity to “get away” from stress
a reason to be on your feet
an opportunity to teach water safety
much needed Vitamin D from sunshine
promoting responsibility and planning prior to a trip
a low-fat, high-protein diet source from fish that is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
improved concentration and patience
It’s a fun lifetime activity!
I want to thank the New Prague Sportsman’s Club and the LeSueur County Sheriffs Youth Project who provide funds for these challenges. With their support, we are able to provide each participant with a fishing-related prize. Students can stop by my office at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year to claim their prize (one prize and picture per student).
9th Annual Falcon Ridge Summer Fishing Challenge
What:
This is a fishing challenge for all students and staff at Falcon Ridge Elementary. It is once again supported and funded by the
New Prague Sportsman’s Club and
The LeSueur County Sheriff’s Youth Project.
When:
Starting NOW and ending the last day of summer vacation!
Why:
We encourage our students to get outdoors as often as possible over the summer months. Fishing is a great leisure activity that teaches self-reliance and bestows patience in a fast-paced world. This is also an opportunity for our students to spark conversation with their peers at the beginning of a new school year, as the pictures are displayed for all to see.
Challenge:
Go fishing with an adult over summer vacation or during distance learning. Take a picture of you and a fish you caught. Bring it to Mr. Wagner at the start of the 2020-2021 school year or send it via email to dwagner@isd721.org. The picture of you and your fish will be displayed in front of the PE office. Be proud of the fish you caught and show it off! Year after year, participation continues to grow. Have fun, be safe, stay active, and have an awesome summer!
***Pictures will not be returned to students when the bulletin board is removed.
***Each participant will receive a fishing related prize! There will also be some larger prizes (examples are a rod and reel, a tackle box, etc.) given to the “best photos” selected by a committee of local, passionate fishermen.
2019-2020 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)