Newsletter
Issue 3: November 2021
Mark Your Calendar
Some important dates for November!
November 2: No School - Staff Development Day
November 12: No School - Evaluation/Planning Day
November 25 and 26: No School
December 3: Picture Retake Day
Save the Date: 5-11 years-old COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic!
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Registration is now open for the 5-11 years old COVID-19 vaccine clinic. Since our district is hosting this event, first priority registration has been given to the 5-11-year-old children of our families and staff. This first priority registration is from November 3-8 for Fridley. After that date, registration will be open to other school districts. The vaccine clinic will be held at Fridley High School on Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.
Please consider the following information when registering:
- All children receiving a vaccine must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- For more information about the vaccine, please refer to the attached Fact Sheet.
- A child who is on quarantine or isolation on the day of the clinic cannot be vaccinated. Parents will need to schedule another opportunity when the child is no longer in quarantine or isolation.
- Registration to the clinic is on a first-come, first-served basis. If there are no appointments available, the clinic is full.
·The vaccine clinic may be rescheduled or canceled if unforeseen circumstances cause shortages, or delay delivery of vaccines.
- The second dose clinic will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Fridley High School.
- If you need assistance, please call 763-324-4250.
Parents must register their children for the vaccine. Use the link below to register with the Anoka County Health Department if you would like for your child to receive the vaccine:
Registration Link: https://acappt.co.anoka.mn.us/appointment/en/reg/2265914061
Arrival Times
Breakfast Time
Mid-Term Report Cards
Fridley Public Schools uses a standards-based philosophy for grading and reporting student achievement and progress. This approach reports scores as an indicator of a student's level of mastery of a criteria-related learning objective, instead of assigning grades based on work completion or individual assignments. The scoring at Fridley Public Schools is directly related to International Baccalaureate objectives.
Midterm progress reports will not be mailed home. Families should check Infinite Campus Parent Portal for the most up to date student progress. Friday, November 12 is midterm grading and reporting day and would be an excellent time to reach out to teachers with any questions regarding your student's progress.
Please see the attached information about the grading practices at Fridley Middle School.
Nutritional Services
Hello Families,
If you have not completed your 2021-22 Application for Educational Benefits, please complete by November 15, 2021. Applications can be completed online at https://www.fridleyschools.org/about-us/departments/nutritional-services/meal-applications or by completing a paper application and returning to Kathy Backstrom. The application must be completed every year and the school district receives additional funding to support our reading interventionists, paraprofessionals and other support staff. We need all families to complete the 2021-22 Application for Educational Benefits.
Renee Arbogast RDN LD SNS
Director of Nutritional Services
6000 West Moore Lake Drive
Fridley, MN 55432
Office: 763-502-5022
Health Services
21-22 SY Important Immunization Reminder!
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 will continue to be 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
Covid 19 Updates and 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.
District Treat Policy
Please see policy below-
Fridley Public School District Policy 533 Student Wellness prohibits parents and families from bringing birthday or celebratory treats such as cupcakes, cookies, cake, chips, and juice into the school. Instead, to celebrate special events, parents often send non-food items, such as stickers, pencils and erasers that their child can share with his or her classmates.
Fridley Middle School Winter Sports
Please click on the following link for lots of information including sports schedules and how to register for sports and fine arts activities.
*If you have any questions please contact either:
Matthew Engelhardt, 763-502-5413, matthew.engelhardt@fridley.k12.mn.us
Michael Reynolds, 763-502-5418, michael.reynolds@fridley.k12.mn.us
Student Learning during School Building Closure
As we 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.
Dressing for the Cold Weather
Coats from Cops
When: November 10 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Fridley Fire Apparatus Bay (7071 University Avenue NE)
This will be a drive-up event. Please follow the signs to the designated waiting area on the east side of the Fridley Fire garages and remain in your vehicle. Items will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. No pre-registration needed, but you will be required to fill out a request form at the event prior to receiving the items.
Resources 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!
Jaimie Beran – Fridley Middle School Social Worker
Phone: (763) 502 – 5400 ext. 5575 | jaimie.beran@fridley.k12.mn.us
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.
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