FHS Newsletter
November 2018
DATES TO KNOW!
December 13: Holiday Concert - The FHS Bands and Choirs are putting on their annual Holiday Spectacular Concert on Thursday, December 13 at 7pm in the FHS Auditorium! This concert features all of our musical ensembles, as well as a Silent Auction Fundraiser during intermission. Poinsettias sold during the fall fundraiser will also be available for pickup after the concert!
December 24-31: Holiday break - No School
PARENT/GUARDIAN MEETING RE: IB EDUCATION
Please join us for pizza, popcorn, and pop/water on Wednesday, January 9th, from 6:00-7:30pm, in the media center at Fridley High School, to learn more about the benefits and opportunities of an IB Education. You will leave with a strong understanding of the different pathways that students can participate in at the high school within our student choices of courses and educational pathways. Please RSVP to patty.hand@fridley.k12.mn.us or by phone at 763 502 5601 to ensure we have enough food for everyone to enjoy dinner. We hope to see you there!
THE BENEFITS OF AN IB EDUCATION
WHOLE CHILD LEARNING
Rigorous Academics
Character Development
Life Skills
Our IB Programme meets the needs of the whole child by setting rigorous academic expectations, character development through shared values, and the life skills necessary to be successful.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS!
Our goal is to have all students in class and learning.
If a student is late to class without a pass from another teacher, they are counted “Tardy Unexcused.” 6 unexcused tardies in a week will result in a lunch detention, to be served during the first half of our 49-minute lunch. Lunch detention and restriction slips will be passed out in advisory on Mondays starting on December 3, 2018.
We occasionally have “hall sweeps.” During a hall sweep, tardy students are addressed by a dean and given lunch detention which is to be served the very next lunch period (first half of lunch.)
If a student is more than 10 minutes late to class without a pass, that is considered an unexcused absence for the hour.
Please contact Sharon McClernan in the high school office if you know your student will be absent. HS Attendance Office: #763-502-5604.
STANDARDS BASED GRADING
Determining the current progress of a student primarily involves an analysis of their “Academic Achievement” scores. Teachers, students, and parents/guardians should consider both recent scores, as well as patterns that have emerged to determine the “best fit” score. If a clear score is not discernible, then it is advised that consideration be given to “Practice” scores as an additional source of evidence of the current performance of students.
SENIOR PARTICIPATION FEE
iBELONG
Beginning this 2018-19 school year, Fridley High School has implemented iBelong, a new component of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. Through iBelong, high school students take responsibility for themselves through their decisions and actions, and gain greater awareness of how their actions impact others.
The ‘B’ in iBelong stands for “Be the Real Me”. The students that walk through the doors at Fridley High School each bring a unique set of qualities and characteristics that we want to highlight in our classrooms. Our goal is to make students feel comfortable enough in the school to show who they really are and what makes them exceptional. Outside of the classroom, we also provide the students with many different student-led clubs that show our wide variety of interests our students express including Robotics, Board Games, Art Club, and SPAA (Spreading Positivity All Around). Students also have the opportunity to start new clubs if something they are interested in is not offered.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Student Support Services: Academic Deans
Our academic deans specialize in supporting students with any questions about academics, college, career, or personal/social needs.
The deans are located in the Student Support Services office. Students may request an appointment by stopping in the office to get an appointment and pass with Fatima, the secretary. Students can also send the dean an email or say hi in the cafeteria during lunch.
(by student last name):
A-F Jim Cummings jim.cummings@fridley.k12.mn.us 763-502-5617
G-M Nicole Kaiser nicole.kaiser@fridley.k12.mn.us 763-502-5610
N-Z Carrie Wrona carrie.wrona@fridley.k12.mn.us 763-502-5619
Credit Recovery
Students who have failed classes need to recover credits in order to be on track to graduate. The academic dean will meet with students to discuss a plan to make-up credits.
The Fridley ALC offers Extended Day school (formerly known as Night School). The next session begins on February 4th. Registration for Extended Day is completed by meeting with the Academic Dean. Students need to be 16+ years old to participate. All 12th graders need to recover all credits by mid-May 2019 in order to be eligible for commencement.
How to send a High School Transcript
All college applications will require the student’s high school transcript to be sent after the application is submitted and again after graduation. All transcripts are sent through our electronic service called Parchment. Students need to create an account. They will keep this account even after they graduate to request their transcript.
1. Go to the Fridley Parchment website: https://www.parchment.com/u/registration/118798/account
2. Create an account. Registration codes were to each student (Fridley gmail). If they do not use the code, students need to make sure they are linked to Fridley High School and choose the correct graduation year (2019).
3. Students may request a transcript. They search for the college, then click “Order”.
4. The order is not automatically sent. Our office secretary reviews the order, uploads the most current transcript, then sends the transcript.
5. Transcripts are almost always sent electronically. Students can log into Parchment and track the progress.
6. Colleges are sometimes slow to pull the transcript from Parchment and link it to the application. Please contact the college directly if you have questions about whether they have received the transcript.
7. Before graduation, we will ask students where they want their final transcript sent. Students may also log into Parchment over the summer or beyond if they want a transcript sent to their college or employer.
8. Transcripts are free while the student is enrolled at FHS. There is a small fee for FHS Alumni.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The FAFSA is the application through the federal government that must be completed in order for college students to be eligible for free aid (grants) and federal student loans. Some scholarships also require that the FAFSA is completed. The FAFSA opened on OCTOBER 1, 2018 and will remain open until next summer. This application is for students entering college for the 2019-2020 school year. In general, the earlier FAFSA is completed, the better. Most college financial aid offices recommend that the FAFSA is completed between October and February. Students complete the FAFSA every year they attend college.
If you have not completed the FAFSA before, it may seem difficult. The process is fairly simple and necessary for students to complete. Students need information from at least one parent/guardian, plus their personal financial information in order to complete the FAFSA.
FAFSA FAQ
Q: How do you complete the FAFSA?
A: Most people complete the FAFSA on the website, www.fafsa.gov . You create an account including an FSA ID.
Q: How long does it usually take to complete the FAFSA?
A: Typically 20-30 minutes, as long as you have all necessary materials with you.
Q: Where do I go to get help with the FAFSA?
A:. The FAFSA website is also a great resource. Any financial aid counselor at a college can answer questions as well.
Q: What documents/materials are needed to complete the FAFSA?
A: You need the following:
· Your Social Security card and driver's license.
· Your parents' Social Security number.
- W-2 Forms or other records of income earned.
- Your (and your parents, if you're dependent,) Federal Income Tax Return.
- Records of other untaxed income received such as child support received, payments to tax-deferred pension plans, veteran's benefits, or military or clergy allowances.
- Current bank statements and records of stocks, bonds, and other investments.
- Business or farm records, if applicable.
- Your alien registration card (if you're not a U.S. Citizen).
There are many great resources on the website below. It outlines everything you need to know about financial aid. http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=888
Scholarships
Many scholarship applications are available now and will continue to become available as the year continues. Students should pay attention to scholarships posted on the Google Classroom. These are scholarships sent to the school.
Wallin Education Foundation Scholarship: (NOW OPEN)
The Wallin is a local scholarship that has a partnership with Fridley High School and a few other schools in the Metro area. Please take a look and see if your student would qualify to apply. We usually have recipients from Fridley and the award is $4,000 up to 4 years ($16,000 total).
Due February 15, 2018
Scholarship Minimum Requirements:
· Minimum 3.0 GPA (unweighted)
· Minimum 19 ACT (composite)
· Have applied and intend to attend a private/public not-for-profit four-year college in MN, IA, SD, ND, or WI or any Historically Black College or University in the Nation immediately after high school (no gap year)
· Have a family taxable income of $75,000 or less, low-to-moderate assets, and have financial need with regard to financial aid (ex. cannot be fully funded)
· Application steps:
Complete online application (link below) including an essay
2 recommendation letters
Provide proof of income through FAFSA and tax returns
See http://wallinpartners.org/apply/wallin-education-partners/ for application and more details.
Other scholarship opportunities:
· Fridley Schools Foundation: Over $100,000 was awarded in scholarships to FHS students last year. We anticipate around the same amount in 2018. All FHS seniors will be invited to apply online in March. Scholarships are awarded in May at the Scholastic Banquet.
· Talk to the college (or search their website). Most colleges have scholarships that are either part of the application or have a separate application. Many local community colleges have scholarships as well.
· Employers: Check with your employers for scholarships (parent/guardian or student)
· National Scholarship search engines: Create an account and search for scholarships based on your profile. Search engines should always be free. Here are just a few reputable websites:
o FastWeb www.fastweb.com
o College Board https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
o https://www.scholarships.com/
Helpful tips about college planning:
1. Study, study, study
Keep your grades up and prep for the SAT or ACT. So, read, run flashcards, use time management, read some more, take practice tests, did I mention read?
2. Narrow your college list
Start homing in on several schools you’re interested in applying to. Then learn everything about them. No joke—everything.
3. Don’t give up on your extracurriculars
I’m repeating this, because it’s important! Sticking to your activities and showing commitment is both a good life skill and really valuable to college admission counselors.
4. Visit campuses
If you possibly can, visit all the colleges you plan to apply to. That shouldn’t be too many schools, but it is a pretty tall order, so if you can’t visit campus in person, you can try to mimic the experience by taking virtual tours and doing lots of research. The point is you want to get to know the school’s personality and what it would be like to actually be a student there.
5. Scout for scholarships
Be on the lookout for scholarships you can apply for and start looking into college financial aid.
ACT: All juniors will have the opportunity to take the ACT test on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at FHS for free. PSEO students will also take the ACT on April 24 at FHS. Ms. Wrona will send out addition information via email in February and March.
ACT Test Practice
It’s not too early to begin preparing for the ACT! Check out Minnesota Career Information System’s (MCIS) Test Prep to help with ACT prep. On the MCIS site, your son/daughter will have the opportunity to take full ACT tests and MCIS will give suggestions/courses for improvement. Students can also take career inventories to start thinking about future careers and researching college options. This is an excellent resource, look into it!
MCIS - How to create an account:
- Visit the link on the FHS website or go directly to https://mncis.intocareers.org
- Enter the FHS general log in: username = fhsmcis password = careers
- Click on Create My MCIS and create your own username and password. Save this information! You will use it every time you log on.
- Once you have created a user name, test prep can be found under the my portfolio tab.
Check out this ACT link for more ideas for test preparation: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation.html
ACT Prep class
· Save the Date—ACT prep class through Fridley Community Education after school in January
· Sign up with Fee Pay
Selective Service
· Males--Register for Selective Service when you turn 18
Almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service.
It's important to know that even though he is registered, a man will not automatically be inducted into the military. In a crisis requiring a draft, men would be called in a sequence determined by random lottery number and year of birth. Then, they would be examined for mental, physical, and moral fitness by the military before being deferred or exempted from military service or inducted into the Armed Forces.
Use the link below to register. Male students will be required to have this completed before submitting the FAFSA.
AVID
In AVID the ninth graders have begun to explore college language. We have begun to make a vocabulary book that will familiarize themselves with different aspects of college as they begin their journey of researching different colleges. The tenth grade class has been working on reading the book “What color is your Parachute?” It is a book that helps them discover interests they have that can help them in their search for interests they have that could lead to possible careers. The 11th grade has continued working on ACT techniques while preparing for their test. The senior class has now applied to colleges, began working on financial aid, and is starting to get accepted! It has been some exciting times with this great group of young adults!!!
FAMILY RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
Low Income Energy Assistance Program
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps pay for home heating costs and furnace repairs for income-qualified households. Energy conservation is an integral part of this program in helping participants by lowering their energy costs during the cold weather season. The program helps income eligible homeowners & renters with assistance toward their heating & electric bills. The Energy Assistance Program (season 2018-19) begins October 1, 2018 and ends May 31, 2019. Applications are due by May 31, 2019.
Income Guidelines for 2018-2019: http://www.accap.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/EAP-Income-Guidelines-2018.pdf
In Anoka County send applications to 1201 89th Avenue NE, Blaine, MN 55434
English Application for Anoka County: http://www.accap.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2018-2019-ENGLISH-Application.pdf
Spanish Application for Anoka County: http://www.accap.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2018-2019-SPANISH-Application.pdf
In Hennepin County send applications to CAP-HC, 8800 Highway 7, Ste. 403, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
English Application: https://www.caphennepin.org/files/8715/3910/9234/2018-19_Minnesota_Energy_Assistance_Programs_Application-_English.pdf
Spanish Application: https://www.caphennepin.org/files/1615/3910/9279/2018-19_Minnesota_Energy_Assistance_Programs_Application-_Spanish.pdf
ATHLETICS / ACTIVITIES
Athletic Highlights of the Month
Congratulations to the Fridley Girls Swim and Dive Team for a strong finish and Individual State Diving Champion , Ellie Gunderson!
New School records this season…
Ellie Gunderson (12) scored a 431.5 with an 11 dive list the week before state, breaking the previous team record of 385.45 set in 2006.
Nadya Pugachova (7) went a 1:09.86 in the 100 breaststroke, breaking the previous team record of 1:10.00 set in 2017.
Nadya Pugachova (7), Audrey Zeleny (12), Hailee Schalwig (12), and Taylor Morrissey (11) went a 1:43.65 in the 200 Freestyle Relay, breaking the previous team record of 1:44.25 set in 2017.
Our football team suffered a tough loss to our neighbors, St. Anthony Village. The team came up one game short in their quest for a fourth straight state tournament experience.
Individual awards for our remaining two Fall sports – Volleyball and Football
Volleyball
All-Conference VB - Courtney Frid (12)
ACHM VB - Summer Siedlecki (12), Caitlyn Rodero (11)
Football
Fridley All- District FB
Kaleb Blaha (11)
Casey Fisher (12)
Cooper Severson (12)
Luke Lamont (12)
Nick Phillips (12)
Fridley Honorable Mention All- District FB
Josh Franklin (10)
Micah Niewald (10)
Michael Ude (10)
Davion Mitchell-Curry (10)
Fine Arts Highlights of the Month
Fridley Musical Production, Shrek had a spectacular run of performances in November.
Our new One Act Director is Lydia Thoreen. Auditions for the competitive high school One Act will take place on December 10th at 3:15pm, beginning in the auditorium and then moving to the choir room. The director this year is Lydia Thoreen. The selection of the script in still in process.
Auditions - Monday, December 10th
Read Thru - Monday, December 17th
Speech coaches Tom Larson and Alexa Bailey will have their first meeting after school on Wednesday, December 5. It will be in the auditorium balcony. The speech meets themselves are Saturdays in February and March.
Upcoming Events:
12/1/18 57th Annual Don Meyers Wrestling Invitational
12/6/18 BSW @ Columbia Heights
12/7 /18 GB Home vs Breck and BB Tournament @ Duluth East
12/8/18 Fridley Tiger Dance Team Invitational
12/13/18 Holiday Concert, District Auditorium, 7:00
12/19/17 GB Home vs. St. Paul Central
For up to date schedules, go to trimetro.org and click on Fridley or Fridley-Tigers.com
Why We Play - What is it and what does this mean?
Why We Play is a philosophy that was adopted by the Minnesota State High School League (7) years ago. It redefined the purpose of Activities sponsored by the MSHSL. We (High Schools in Minnesota) are under an Education-based lens. This defines us, the experiences we provide high school students, and sets us apart from all other youth programs … AAU, JO, MYAS, and other state and national youth programs. Basically, what we believe is that activities are an extension of the classroom where learning and growth are the most important aspect of the students athletic, fine arts, or club experience. Winning is important, but it is not our purpose for sponsoring activities, nor should it ever be.
All certified head coaches in the state of Minnesota must attend a 6 hour, on site course focused on Transformational Coaching best practices and developing their own Personal Coaching Purpose. Every three years, each MN coach must complete an on-line set of mini seminars ensuring a continuation of our Education-based Coaching Focus. They are: Concussions & the Return to Play Protocol, Why We Play 2.0, Anyone Can Save a Life - Emergency Planning, Athletes and Asthma: The Coach's Role, Sport Rules Interpretation and Test - yearly.
The Why We Play Impact at Fridley
The impact of Why We Play at Fridley has made all the difference. It gave a structure to our mission and vision that connected us to a common language, platform, and purpose that allows our coaches to see past the daily grind of working with student athletes.
Knowing that your colleagues across the state are truly trying to work that same magic with kids helps strengthen the feeling of support from the decision makers at the administrative level. This tells coaches, “Yes, we get it. Wins and losses are important, but we value you for what you teach kids that the scoreboard doesn’t measure.”
Why We Play elevates all of us…coaches, students, parents, community members, and administrators. It has the ability to put us all on the same team. At Fridley, we still get tired, disheartened, and complain when, as coaches, we feel disappointed. The difference now is we look to ourselves to change the situation. We don’t blame the athlete, the parent, or the situation; Why We Play has empowered our coaches to understand that they can control the situation, and it is their job, their PURPOSE, to make the changes so students learn, grow, and feel successful.
At Fridley, “If you want to be a better coach, you have to become a better you.”
Dan Roff – Fridley Activities Director
SENIOR ALL NIGHT PARTY 2019
SENIOR ALL NIGHT PARTY INFORMATION
Meetings will be held the second Monday of each month at the FCC @7pm (dates and times subject to change)
Monday December 10th
Monday January 14th
Monday February 11th
Monday March 11th
Monday April 8th
Monday May 13th
Upcoming events:
12/22 Bag groceries at Fridley Cub—10am – 6pm
12/29 Bag groceries at New Brighton Cub—10 am – 6pm
3/9/19 Wine tasting at Fridley American Legion 6-9pm
4/20/19 Bag groceries at Fridley Cub—10am – 6pm
5/7/19 Delivery of plants for plant sale
Communication:
You can find us on Facebook at “2019 Senior All Night Party” or email Shirley Halgrimson @ shirlhalg@hotmail.com for more information
Fridley High School
Website: www.fridley.k12.mn.us/hs
Location: 6000 West Moore Lake Drive NE, Fridley MN 55432
Phone: 763-502-5600