Falcon Ridge Elementary Newsletter
February 2024
Message from Principal Giesen
Falcon Ridge Families,
The Falcon Ridge Yearbook deadline is today - Thursday February 29. Order ASAP to secure a yearbook! Cost is $20.25. A few extras will be ordered that will be first come, first served but when they are gone, we cannot reorder. Here is the link that can be found on Jostens.com Order a yearbook! or order from the button below.
As has been communicated in recent months, our district’s failed levy will unfortunately result in changes that will impact our school district in the years to come. Based on recent NPAS school board recommendations, we will be facing a $3.5 million reduction for the 2024-25 school year. The details on these reductions will be more in the weeks and months to come, and it goes without saying that we appreciate the continued support that we see on a very regular basis. For more information, please visit our Planning for Success website.
Parents of students in grade 3-5, please see the dates and times below for our Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs), which serve as our annual statewide standardized assessments. We ask that you make attempts to not schedule outside appointments during these dates/times.
5th Grade
Science: April 9-12; 10:25-11:50
Reading: April 16-19; 10:25-11:50
Math: April 23-36; 10:25-11:50
4th Grade
Reading: April 16-19; 11:05-12:05, 1:00-2:15
Math: April 23-26; 11:05-12:05
3rd Grade
Reading: April 16-19 9:30-10:40
Math: April 23-26; 9:30-10:40
Sincerely,
Mr. Dave Giesen
Falcon Ridge Elementary Principal
(952) 758-1601
February Highlights
During the month of February, we take time at Falcon Ridge to focus on the importance of reading. We also took time to celebrate having fun with reading by holding weekly dress up days, all school reading times, mystery classroom readers, hosting readers from our NPHS athletic teams, and classroom reading bingo opportunities. Additionally, we were fortunate to host local author Patrick “Packy” Mader on Monday, February 26. Packy spoke to our kids about the process of writing books, and the passion that drove him to write about many of our Minnesota Olympians. Thank you to our FR Parent Advisory Committee for sponsoring this event!
Students of the Month
Congratulations to the February Students of the Month
Order a Yearbook
Online Book Fair
Shopping for our online Book Fair opens February 28th. Also, make sure to stop by in person during our Spring Conferences! Hours for the Book Fair are:
March 5th & 7th: 4:30-7:30 pm
March 8th: 10:00-4:00 pm
Veseli Youth Baseball
Food For Families Program
Community Ed Classes/Events
Community Education
Arts & crafts
Abrakadoodle: Crazy about clay (Grades K-5)
Brain Boosters / STEM
Chess (Grades K-5)
Tech Academy: Multiplayer Master Builders (Grades 1-5)
Tech Academy: Nintendo Game Coding (Grades 1-3)
Tech Academy: Minecraft Mod Dev-Lucky Blocks & Ores (Grades 2-6)
Tech Academy: Game Coding with Star Wars (Grades 3-6)
Sports & fitness
Parent/child Ninja (Ages 5+)
Intro to Ninja (Ages 5-9)
Conquer Ninja Rec Team (Ages 6-13)
Non-school day activities
DASH Sports: Multi-sport camp (Grades K-5)
Emergency Outfitters: Babysitting 101 (Ages 10-13)
Upcoming Events
March:
- 5 - K-5 Conferences and Book Fair, 4:30-7:30 pm
- 7 - K-5 Conferences and Book Fair, 4:30-7:30 pm
- 8 - No School K-5, Conferences and Book Fair
- 11 - No School K-12 (Staff Development)
- 25 - 29 - No School, Spring Break
April:
- 8 - Grade 4 Choir Concert 6:00 pm
- 9-12 MCA Science Testing (Grade 5)
- 11 - Grade 1 Choir Concert 6:00 pm & 6:45 pm
- 16-19 MCA Reading Testing (Grades 3-5)
- 23-26 MCA Math Testing (Grades 3-5)
- 24 - Grade 2 Field Trip to Stages Theater
May:
- 3 - ACES in the Sun
- 7 - Grade 5 Band Concert NPHS
- 10 - Grade 5 Track & Field
- 17 - Grade 4 Egg Drop
- 20 - Grade K to Memorial Park
- 20 - Grade 3 to MN Landscape Arboretum
- 21 - Grade 5 to Southside Park
- 22- Grade 2 to Heritage/Northside Park
- 22 - Grade 4 to Memorial Park
- 23 - Grade 5 to Fitness & Aquatic Center
- 23 - Last day of school
Frequently Asked Questions/Information
Office/Main Line: 952-758-1600
24/7 Attendance Line: 952-758-1605
FR Nurse: 952-758-1606
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.
- Artsonia - use the Artsonia link to login and connect to your child's artwork. The Artsonia website allows parents to purchase keepsakes with your children's artwork. A portion of your purchase goes directly to help purchase materials and supplies for students to use in the Art room at Falcon Ridge.
2023-2024 Falcon Ridge Monthly Character Traits
R-espect (September)
E-ffort (October)
A-ttitude (November)
P-ride (December)
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C-ooperation (January)
A-ssertion (February)
R-esponsibility (March)
E-mpathy (April)
S-elf Control (May)