FMS Newsletter
Issue 9: May 2022
Mark Your Calendar
May 11: 5th Grade Orientation- for incoming 5th Grade students/families
May 12: 6th Grade Science Fair
May 30: No School - Memorial Day
June 2: Fridley High School Graduation
June 9: Last day of school for students
Attendance Matters
Teacher Appreciation Week!
The week of May 2 thru 6 is National Teacher Appreciation week. Thank you to all of our amazing Fridley Middle School teachers who work so hard to meet the needs of all our learners each and every day. We have the best teachers at Fridley Middle School!
IB Continuum
Fridley Public Schools offers an IB Continuum framework for teaching. One of the consistencies in each program is through the Learner Profile Characteristics. We encourage you to think about and have conversations about how these characteristics are present in your life.
Nutritional Services Updates
Nutritional Services is providing free breakfast and lunch to all students this year according to the USDA waiver for the 2021-22 school year. Please encourage your student to try a new menu item or to eat meals with us. Menus can be found on the district web site. Please note that all students are required to take a 1/2 cup fruit or vegetable at breakfast and lunch per the USDA regulations.
If your child just wants a milk to drink with their cold lunch, that has a cost of $0.55 and your student needs to have money in their lunch account. Students must also have money in their lunch account to purchase Ala Carte items at the Middle and High School. Cash or check can be turned into the school's main office or given to Kathy Backstrom in the District Office or paid online using a credit or debit card on the Campus app or website.
Even though breakfast and lunch are free this year, we still have families with an outstanding meal debit from previous school years. Please check your students lunch balance and it you have questions, please contact Kathy Backstrom.
Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions. Have a great day.
Masks
New guidelines regarding masking will be in place beginning Monday, March 7. Since sharing this update, we have learned that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also removing masking requirements for school buses. Below is an update to our plans for masking in Fridley Public Schools and on school buses.
The following guidelines will be used regarding mask wearing in Fridley Public Schools began on Monday, March 7:
Masks strongly recommended:
- K - 12 students, staff and visitors to buildings, including on school buses.
Masks required:
- All students under the age of 5 and staff working with students in pre-K and early childhood, including on school buses.
- Students and staff returning to school on days six through 10 following a positive COVID-19 test.
Health experts believe the most effective protection from serious COVID-19 illness remains vaccination. As always, students and staff should stay home when they are ill. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 rates in our community, and decisions to reinstate masking requirements will be made building by building and dependent on the current level of spread in an individual school.
Thank you to our entire community for everything you have done to keep our schools healthy places to learn.
Health Office Updates
Immunizations
Per our district policy, all immunizations must be current. Please call the health office at (763-502-5426) if you have questions.
Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
- Stay home if you have cold or flu-like symptoms and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
COVID-19 alert
Common question
Should children get their routine vaccinations during COVID-19?
*Children who are not protected by vaccines may be more likely to get diseases like measles and whooping cough. As communities are opening up, it's important for parents to work with their children's doctor or nurse to make sure their children stay up to date on routine vaccines.
For additional information on vaccines for children, please click on link below:
What is AVID?
AVID Updates
- Emails and updates have been sent out to families regarding the Community Service hours students need to serve for semester 2. In May, students can sign up in the few remaining spots for Feed My Starving Children on May 24th or Help with the Stevenson carnival on May 20th. Questions? Email Ms. G or Ms. Mulville.
AVID APPLICATIONS for the 2022-23 school year
- Newly added for next year = 6th grade AVID Elective!
- If your student is interested in joining AVID at FMS, applications were handed out in 5th and 6th grades. 7th and 8th grade students have online applications in their Science class google classroom
AVID - stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination
We're looking for students in the academic middle that have the determination and motivation to gain better skills in the academic world to promote their success in all classes in Middle School and Beyond!
See what our students have to say about AVID - What is AVID? (2022)
6th Grade News
6th Grade Updates:
The 6th graders will be having a Science night on May 12th.
- Please be on the lookout for more information about the project they will be working on and the times of the event!
- Please make sure scholars are bringing their CHARGED chromebook to school every day.
- If they have lost their chromebook, please have them tell their homeroom teacher right away.
- Scholars have received a class contract to sign for 6th grade with a list of GRIT expectations. Scholars will be held to these expectations and should return their signed contract as soon as possible.
8th Grade News
Band and Choir News
6th Grade Band and 6th and 7th Grade Choir will have a Spring Concert on Monday, May 16th at 6:00 PM in the District Auditorium. Band and Choir Members should wear a white shirt and black (dark) pants if possible. Warm up for Choir will be at 5:30 PM in the High School Choir Room. Warm Up for the Band will be at 5:30 PM on stage in the Auditorium.
7th Grade Band will have a Spring Concert on Monday, May 16th at 7:30 PM in the District Auditorium. Band Members should wear a white shirt and black (dark) pants if possible. Warm Up for the Band will be at 7:10 PM on stage in the Auditorium.
8th Grade Band and Choir will have their Spring Decades Concert on Tuesday, May 17th at 7:00 PM in the District Auditorium. Students are to wear clothing that represents the 70’s or 80’s. Warm-up for the band will be at 6:40 PM in the High School Band Room. Warm-up for the Choir will be at 6:20 PM in the High School Choir Room.
All Band Members need to return school rented instruments for an inventory and repair check by May 20th. Students who want to rent an instrument for the next school year and have their instrument over summer will need to return a rental form to receive their instrument by
June 3rd. Contact Mr. Berger if you have questions.
East Coast Tour Trip Update
Current 6th and 7th graders will have the opportunity to sign up for the East Coast trip for June 2023. If you have any questions about the trip you can contact Mr. Reiland, East Coast Trip Coordinator.
Phone: 763-502-5527
Accessible Excellence: College and Career Preparedness
Cooperation between Get Ready, College & Career Readiness, and the Media Center seeks to get scholars thinking about their paths after high school by foregrounding their curiosity, exploring traditional and non-traditional pathways, and engaging them through student-led activities. Check out their Google Sites by clicking the links!
Spring Sports
How to Register:
Make sure you have a current physical on file at the High School - you can check on this in your Campus Portal. You can also call Sue Hanson at 763-502-5606 to check.
Sign Up Instruction:
1. Log into Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
2. Click on School Store Tab.
3. Click shop Fridley Middle School
4. Choose Activity, add to cart and check out.
5. Add payment method and submit.
If you registered for a fall or winter sport and completed the forms and returned them, you do NOT need to do it again. Once per year is all we need. If this is your first sport season this year you will need to complete and return the forms.
If you have any questions, please contact Michael Reynolds:
Phone: 763-502-5418
Transportation
Hello,
Transportation Department in the process of getting all students who request transportation routed for the first day of school. As we prepare for a new school year, we want to share the following reminders with families:
- All Students are required to request transportation.
- Any 2021-2022 transportation requests for home, alternate address, or daycare will be honored and maintained during the 2022-23. Tiger Club needs to be updated annually when your contract is signed.
- All 5th grade (4th grader 21-22) Pre-school, Kindergarten are required to submit new request.
- If you did not request transportation this school year and wish to have transportation for your child for the 2022-2023 school year, please submit a Transportation Request Form. (See below for the link)
- In late summer you will receive a message that the transportation information is set for the first day of school. Once you receive this notification, please log into your Parent/Student portal to access your information.
- If you move, change phone number or email please let us know so we can update your new contact information.
- All transportation request is due by July 31st., to guarantee the transportation on the first day of school .
The Transportation Department is available, please call or email us if you have questions, or any changes in your transportation needs. Thank-you and have a great summer.
FRIDLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Phone: 763-502-5151 | Email: transportation@fridley.k12.mn
Help is 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.
- Even during distance learning, our district-wide backpack program is up and running! If you are in need of additional food resources, please reach out to Ms. Beran and 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
Tiger Club Childcare - Summer 2022
Fridley Tiger Club Childcare is accepting new enrollments for its Summer 2022 program! Are you looking for a summer program that will keep your kids entertained, challenged, and moving all summer long?
Look no further! Tiger Club Summer Program is for children ENTERING grades K-6.
Each year, Tiger Club Summer activities and curriculum are planned around an overarching theme. Join us for It’s a “GO TEAM” Summer as we explore units and lessons on what it means to be part of a team and different ways to be an effective and supportive team member.
Our Tiger Club students will also enjoy trips, events and activities that will challenge the mind and body and have us all cheering each other on! Every day is a new adventure! We offer:
- Mini-Adventure Mondays
- Open Swim Tuesdays
- Fieldtrip Wednesdays
- Open Swim Thursdays
- Summer Fun Fridays
Dates: Monday - Friday, June 20 – August 26 (Closed on July 4)
Hours: 6:30 am – 6:00 pm
Schedule Options: Consistent weekly set schedules, Minimum 3 days per week; Minimum 8 weeks registration to join summer program.
- 5-day / $250 per week
- 4-day / $200 per week
- 3-day / $150 per week
*We accept County Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP)
Will your child be enrolled in Fridley Learning Academy OR participate in Youth Enrichment programs?
Tiger Club staff will escort children to and from FPS Learning Academy (bus provided for elementary age) and Youth Enrichment activities within walking distance from the Fridley Community Center.
To begin the first week of summer, registration deadline is May 27, 2022.
Get Ready Mental Health workshop
Register now!
FREE Online Family Engagement Workshop: Mental Health and School Success
Get Ready, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota's Extension program, is offering a free online family engagement workshop for Fridley High School and Fridley Middle School families on Tuesday, May 10 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. called Mental Health and School Success.
This event will provide parents and guardians tips on how to support their children and increase their mental well-being to succeed in school. Topic discussions will include: the meaning of mental health, how mental health influences others, the connection between well-being and learning, and how to help your children to succeed at school.
Register today at: https://tinyurl.com/GetReadyMN9
Help Raise Money for your School with Shutterfly
Fridley Middle School has a custom online storefront where you can shop the extensive Shutterfly collection of photo books, gifts, premium stationery, keepsakes, home décor and so much more—and for every purchase made, Shutterfly will donate 8% to our organization.
It’s easy to support us:
1. Visit our Shutterfly Storefront at: fridleymiddleschool.ShutterflyStorefront.com
2. Click through to start shopping!
3. Purchase thoughtful gifts and keepsakes for friends, family and especially yourself.
4. That’s it! For every purchase made, 8% of the proceeds will go toward helping our organization.
It’s that easy. Plus, you can even use applicable Shutterfly discount codes to save on your entire order.
Please feel free to share this email with your friends, family and co-workers—the more orders we receive through our Storefront, the more our organization earns!
Parent Portal Mobile App
Peachjar
Fridley Public Schools uses Peachjar, an online flyer management service to share flyers to Fridley families. School approved flyers are now sent to parents electronically and posted on the school website. Parents can simply click flyers they receive through email or click the Peachjar button or icon on each school's homepage.
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.
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