Falcon Ridge Elementary Newsletter
August/September 2022
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 and FR Drop Off/Pick Up
- Campus Portal: Campus Portal and Instructions
- 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
- NPAS COVID-19 Information: https://www.npaschools.org/COVID-19
- Facebook: Like Falcon Ridge Elementary on Facebook.
- Twitter: Follow FalconRidge721 on Twitter.
- Instagram: Follow FalconRidge721 on Instagram.
- Website: https://www.npaschools.org/falcon-ridge
K-5 Assessment Conferences
Assessment Conferences and Picture Days:
- Tuesday, August 23 and Wednesday, August 24
- Meet your child’s teacher and drop off supplies.
- Sign up for a conference time online at PTC Fast by Monday, August 22.
- Jostens will be taking student pictures on these days in the main gym. Online ordering will not take place prior to photos being taken.
New Prague Area Education Foundation Summer Social
- Thursday, August 25, 2022
- Next Chapter Winery, 5 pm
- $50/person: live music, food and 1 drink ticket
- Fundraiser for the New Prague Area Education Foundation
2022-23 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 2022-23 school year:
- September 22
- December 1
- January 12
- March 16
Student Drop-Off and Pickup
- Drop-Off and Pickup Procedure
- Student End-of-Day Pickup/Walk/Bike Request Form: If applicable, please fill out this online form out as soon as possible.
Welcome Back Picnic
All of our Falcon Ridge Families are invited to join us for an evening of fun on Wednesday, September 7 from 5:30-7 pm. We will have free inflatables and five food trucks available for purchase.
Club's Choice Fundraiser
We are trying out another new fundraiser this year, Club's Choice. The Club's Choice Fundraiser will take place from September 22-October 5, and the fundraiser items will be delivered on November 14.
Thank you for your support!
FR PAC
Message from Principal Giesen
Falcon Ridge Families,
I am excited to welcome everyone back for the start of another school year. The 2022-23 school year will be my twenty-fifth year in education, and I have spent twenty-three of those years in the New Prague district. I began my career by teaching fifth grade and serving as the 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 twelfth year as principal at Falcon Ridge.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and following all of the local sports teams. I'm married to Kerry, and we have three boys who keep us busy: Tyler (12th grade at NPHS), Wyatt (10th grade at NPHS) and Ryan (6th grade at NPMS).
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. We take a great deal of pride in providing a safe and welcoming environment for our students to learn in each day. Please do not hesitate to call or email when a question arises.
A few notes and reminders to share:
- Check out our 2022-23 Falcon Ridge Calendar, along with our 2202-23 NPAS District Calendar.
- School Supplies - School supply lists can be found here. You may bring supplies with you during the Fall Assessment Conferences.
- Visitors/Volunteers - Please see these links for more information: Visitor/Volunteer Information and/or Return to School Guide.
- 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!
- Nutrition Services - More information about meal prices and how to apply for free or reduced-price meals is available at https://www.npaschools.org/food-service.
- Student End-of-Day Pickup/Walker Request Form - If applicable, please fill this online form out as soon as possible if you plan on picking up your child(ren) or they will be walking/biking after school on a consistent, routine basis.
- Assessment Conferences and Picture Days:
- Tuesday, August 23 and Wednesday, August 24
- Meet your child’s teacher and drop off supplies.
- Sign up for a conference time online at PTC Fast by Monday, August 22.
- Jostens will be taking student pictures on these days. This year, online ordering will not be done prior to pictures being taken.
Sincerely,
Mr. Dave Giesen
Falcon Ridge Elementary Principal
(952) 758-1601
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.
- Amazon Smile - when you shop online at Amazon. This will help raise money for the Falcon Ridge PAC, which supports all students and all staff! Again, it's easy to do so: 1. Sign in to smile.amazon.com in your desktop or mobile phone browser, 2. from your desktop, go to "Your Account" from the navigation at the top of the page, 3. select the option to "Change your Charity" from the options at the bottom of the page, 4. choose Falcon Ridge Elementary PAC. For every eligible purchase you make on smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate 0.5% 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.
2022-2023 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)