Newsletter
Issue 1: August 2020
Principal's Message
I am honored to be entering my 4th year as principal at Fridley Middle School and despite all of the challenges and uncertainty with the pandemic, I am still convinced that we will make this a great school year. This summer staff have been busy transforming classrooms, preparing for both in person and online curriculum, understanding what we need to do to ensure student and staff safety as we return to school and getting pumped up to welcome our students back. It is amazing to be part of this dynamic team!
I am also excited to welcome Jason Carver as our new Assistant Principal. Prior to joining Fridley, Carver served as the Assistant Principal and Dean of Students at Prodeo Academy in St. Paul and Minneapolis. While at Prodeo, Carver implemented Zones of Regulation, a school wide behavior system that involves social-emotional stability, and assisted in the implementation of academic, social and behavioral strategies that support the needs of students. He also created a school-wide universal screener to identify students with gaps in school values then facilitating group/individual Tier 2 interventions. As a member of the school’s Equity Leadership team, Carver helped facilitate professional development training on culturally responsive teaching, and was also the lead facilitator and coordinator of staff Professional Learning Community on behavior. We are so lucky to have him as part of our team and I know that he is excited to get to know our students and families.
With all the uncertainty with the pandemic and wanting you and your family to have clear communication from Fridley Middle School, we are going to use the back to school family S’mores newsletter to share up to date information over the next month. The information will be timestamped, in which you will be able to see, in order for you to see there has been an update to the information. Please check out this link every week, and please scroll all the way through the newsletter as there is important information throughout.
Thank you to all who helped prepare for the new school year. Your commitment to ensuring that Fridley Middle School provides the best learning environment to our students is appreciated. I eagerly look forward to greeting students and families again. Know that I have missed you all so much and cannot wait to support you all on your success this school year. Together, I know we will make this school year one of growth and achievement for all students!
Go Tigers!
Amy Cochran
Principal
Fridley Middle School
763.502.5401
Fridley Middle School Updates
Fridley Public Schools Reopening Plan
2020 -2021 Fridley Flex and Fridley Online Academy Calendars
Fridley Flex Hybrid Students: What to bring with you each day
School Supply Lists
Open House
Fridley Middle School open house will have a new format this year. We want to be sure that families and students get personalized information during this time and will be scheduling open house dates and times with each family. A teacher will be reaching out to you the week of 8/31 to schedule your open house time.
Fridley FLEX Hybrid Students
Each student/family will have an individual meeting with their homeroom teacher to make a connection, take care of all your back to school needs, turn in forms, receive your technology and become familiar with the various platforms.
Teachers will be calling you the week of 8/31 to schedule this time in a 1 hour time slot.
Dates:
Tuesday, September 8 - 10:00 - 6:00
Wednesday, September 9- 10:00 - 6:00
Thursday, September 10- 7:30- 3:30
Friday, September 11- 7:30 - 3:30
Fridley Online Academy Students
Students will pick up their chromebooks and turn in any back to school forms on Tuesday, September 8 from 10:00 - 6:00 and Wednesday, September 9- 10:00 - 6:00. Chromebook pick up will be done outside at Fridley Middle School in the back parking lot. Families will stay in their car for this. A teacher will be calling you for more information about picking up your technology.
On Thursday, September 10 from 7:30 - 3:30 and Friday, September 11 from 7:30 - 3:30 teachers will be scheduling 1 hour google meets sessions with each student/family to go over the Edgenuity platform and for students to make a connection with your online teacher/mentor. Teachers will be calling you to schedule this time.
Dates:
Distribute Technology- outside
Tuesday, September 8 - 10:00 - 6:00
Wednesday, September 9- 10:00 - 6:00
Meeting with teachers via Google Meets
Thursday, September 10- 7:30 - 3:30
Friday, September 11- 7:30 - 3:30
Chromebook Agreement
The Fridley School District will be issuing Chromebooks to ALL students in K-12. Devices will be used during in-person classroom learning and distance learning. Chromebooks will also be used to connect teachers with students and provide continuity of learning.
The Chromebook is a web-based device that provides access to Educational Resources and is managed by Fridley Google Apps for Education. Along with a login for the device, Fridley Google Apps provides online tools for writing, calculating, presenting, drawing and many other applications. Your child may use these tools for a variety of purposes for classroom assignments and distance learning activities. Fridley Google Apps can be accessed with other devices that have an Internet connection. Parents can choose to receive updates and learn about their student’s classes.
Parents/Guardians, please be aware of the following important information.
- Parents/Guardians must sign the Parent/Guardian Chromebook Agreement form before their child can receive a Chromebook.
- A link to the Chromebook Agreement is included in this communication below.
- Chromebooks will be distributed at your child’s school either in the classroom OR at a specified date and time and you will receive notification of the information.
- The student receiving the Chromebook must be present during distribution time to receive it.
Fridley Flex Hybrid Students
Fridley Online Academy Students
TECH TIP
In order to protect the security of our Students, they will start the new school year with a new Default Password and will be required to change it.
The Login instructions can be found on our new Student Online Support (SOS) website (https://sites.google.com/isd14.org/student-tech-resources/home), select the Login Grades 5-12 link: https://sites.google.com/isd14.org/student-tech-resources/login-grades-5-12
Parent Portal
Starting the 2020-21 School year, all Guardians will need to have an active Parent Portal Account in Campus. The Parent Portal provides access to secure and timely information for your student(s) including Assignments, Attendance, Calendar, and Grades. You can also view Announcements in the Message Center on the Parent Portal.
How to Activate your Parent Portal Account:
1. Go to Fridley Public Schools Home Page: www.fridleyschools.org
2. Select the Parents link in the top right-hand corner of the webpage.
Parent Portal Help:
If you have questions or need assistance, please email the Fridley Public Schools Service Desk at ParentHelp@fridley.k12.mn.us
Thank You,
Fridley Public Schools
Health Services: Emergency Health Forms
It is also important that we are told about any health conditions your child might have. This information is listed on the emergency sheet as well. If anything has changed over the summer, please call the Health Office about this.
Attention parents of 7th graders
There are additional immunizations that are required for 7th grade; Tdap and Menningococcal. These are required BEFORE starting school or a conscientious objection form must by notarized and given to the health office BEFORE school starts. Notification letters were mailed to parents in May. 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 to start 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 clinic to schedule a flu shot with your primary doctor. Good hand washing is the BEST PREVENTION!
Lifetouch Picture Day
Friday, October 2 for our Tiger 2 (Paws) students
Monday, October 5 for our Tiger 1 (Stripes) students
Distance learning students can sign up for a time slot on the afternoon of 10/2 or 10/5 for to come to school to get their picture taken. More information will be coming about how to sign up!
Transportation Update
Starting on August 17th, you will be able to view your student’s Transportation information on the Parent Portal. See information above on logging into your parent portal account.
Nutritional Services Resources
Nutritional Services Updates and Changes
We are looking forward to having students return to our Cafes for breakfast and lunch. There are a lot of questions and changes regarding Nutritional Services and Meals for all students including a new way to apply for Application for Educational Benefits, paying for meals, and changes due to COVID-19.
- Completion of Application for Educational Benefits: The school district mailed each household an Application for Educational Benefits in mid-July. If you did not receive one, they are available on the District Website at https://www.fridleyschools.org/about-us/departments/nutritional-services/meal-applications , can be completed online at https://fridleymn.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/fridley.jsp (you will need your Parent Portal username and password) or by contacting Kathy Backstrom at 763-502-5021. An Application for Educational Benefits must be completed every year, so if you received free/reduced priced meals last year a new application must be completed for the 2020-21 year to receive these benefits. If your income has changed due to job loss or change, please complete an application These applications also help the district receive additional funding for support staff and teachers, so please complete the applications. Even if your student is participating in Distance Learning Option, the district needs you to complete the Application for Educational Benefits. When completing the application, please include all people living in the household including infants or young children, college students, and older adults who may be living with you.
- New online payment system: The district has replaced FeePay with Infinite Campus Online Payment system. You are able to access the online payments through the district website main page. You will need to have your Campus Parent Portal username and password. Once you have accessed Campus Parent Portal, you will go to Food Service to add money to your students’ meal account using a credit, debit or echecking account. You can make a one payment or you can set up a reoccurring payment option. Money can still be sent to school with your student if you choose to pay with cash or paper check. Please include your student’s name, teacher’s name and lunch pin number on the envelope. If you are having trouble accessing the parent portal please email Campus.Parenthelp@fridley.k12.mn.us and someone from our Technology Department will assist you.
- New Nutritional Services System: The Nutritional Services Department has changed from PaySchools to Infinite Campus for our software. What this means for you, is that when you access the Food Service Tab in Parent Portal, you can see all your student meal purchases in one easy location.
- New Lunch Pins: Your student will be using their personal id number as their lunch pin number starting this fall.
- Use of Bar Code Scanners: All schools with be using bar code scanners at breakfast and lunch instead of students entering their lunch pin to decrease student touch points in the Cafe. Middle and High School students will be able to use their student id from last year or their cell phone using the Student Portal. More information will be coming on the use of the Student Portal ap for purchasing meals.
- Meals during Distance and at Home Learning Days: The district will be providing an option for parents to pre-order meals for their students to have on days that they are learning at home. For students who qualify for free/reduced priced meals, there is no charge for the distance and at home learning day meals. Students who are paid or pay full price for meals will be charged for lunch meals at $2.60 for elementary school and $2.85 for Middle/High School lunch. Breakfast is free to all students. The process for meal ordering and meal distribution/pick up is still under development, so please watch for additional updates on this. Meals will only be available for students who are enrolled in the Fridley Public Schools.
- Monthly Menus: Monthly student menus will be available on the Nutritional Services website at https://www.fridleyschools.org/about-us/departments/nutritional-services/lunch-breakfast-menus We will be posting breakfast and different lunch menus for Hybrid and Distance learning. Our menus will look different this year, we will continue to purchase locally grown produce, provide student favorites, and school prepared meals. We are committed to providing your children with health meal options for them to be successful in the classroom.
- Information on Nutritional Services Changes: Please check out our website at https://www.fridleyschools.org/about-us/departments/nutritional-services or the Nutritional Services Facebook page for changes or information. We will also communicate with you about how to order meals and meal distribution options for the fall.
- Menu options: We will be using more individually wrapped items and pre-portioned items for our students. The fruit and vegetable bars will not be the same this year. Students will not be using tongs to take the portions of food they want, we will be handing them the daily food options. We will continue to work with all local public health officials on best practices and how to keep your students safe.
- Food Allergies: If your student has a medically diagnosed food allergy or is lactose intolerant, please contact Sara Supplee RD, Nutrition Coordinator, at 763-502-5028 to discuss your child’s needs. There is some additional USDA forms that must be completed.
If you have any questions regarding Nutritional Services please contact Renee Arbogast at 763-502-5022 for assistance.
Meal Pick-Up Information
Welcome Back Families and Students
We are looking forward to serving you student breakfast and lunch this schoolyear. As we prepare for the start of school on September 14, I wanted to share the following updates with you. We will be doing meal pick up for at home learning days differently for the 2020-21 school year. Since students will be learning from home three to five days per week, we will be sending cold meal bags including reheating instructions home for students to pick up on designated pick up days.
Fridley Flex Stripes Group (In school on Monday and Tuesday):
Meal Pick Up: September 10 from 11:30-1:30 pm
Meal Pick Up Location This week only: Hayes Elementary School
Meal Bag Contains: 2 breakfast and 2 lunches
Starting on September 15 meal pick up will be every Tuesday night from 4:30-6:00 at Fridley High School for meals on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of that week
Fridley Flex Paws Group (In school on Thursday and Friday):
Meal Pick Up: September 10 form 11:30-1:30
Meal Pick Up Location: Fridley High School
Meal Bag Contains: 5 breakfast and 5 lunches (Meals for September 10, 11, 14,15, and 16)
Starting on September 17 meal pick up will be every Thursday night from 4:30-6:00 at Fridley High School for meals the following Monday, Tuesday and Wedesday
100% Distance Learning Academy
Meal Pick Up: September 10 from 11:30-1:30
Meal Pick Up Location: Fridley Middle School
Meal Bag Contains: 5 breakfast and 5 lunches (Meals for September 10, 11, 14,15, and 16)
Starting on September 16 meal pick up will be every Wednesday from 11:30-1:30 at Fridley Middle School
The USDA recently issued a waiver for free meals for all students. We are working with Minnesota Department of Education on how we will be providing meal service to our students. In the meantime, lunch accounts will be charged at this time for students who pay full price for meals. We will communicate more information regarding this as soon as it is available. Please contact Renee Arbogast, Director of Nutritional Services at 763-502-5022 if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Fridley Public Schools Nutritional Services Department
Athletics and Activities Update
Athletic and Activity Registration using Infinite Campus
The new Activity Registration and Payment Portal is now open under the School Store tab in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Infinite Campus Parent Portal Link . If you do not have a Parent Portal account, here is information on how to sign up for one: INFINITE CAMPUS PARENT PORTAL NEW USER. Once you have logged in, click on the School Store Tab and then on appropriate school (If you have students in more than one school you will see all of their school stores here). Then just click on the activity you wish to sign up for. Our new guideline will be that all participants in activities and athletics will pay their fee using the Campus Portal. It will be much more efficient for all of us. Thanks for understanding. If a student receives F/R lunch the system automatically calculates the correct fee for you.
The system is new and a work in progress. The forms for registering are live links -when you click on what you want to sign up for the form should populate in blue as live links toward the bottom of the information - you need to click on the form, download, complete, save and email them to sue.hanson@fridley.k12.mn.us to be fully registered after you make your payment. You can also print them out and bring them in to Sue Hanson at FHS or to Mr. Thurston at Fridley Middle School.
If you miss the form in the payment process, use the link below to get them. Make sure to save them before you send them back or they will be blank.
Middle School Fall Athletic Registration Form.
Remember – you must email them or print them and bring them in to be fully registered. Payments are now being accepted.
Although physicals are not required for MS only activities they are highly recommended. For 7-12 sports teams a physical is required every 3 years. When you are in the parent portal please check the date of your athlete’s last physical. If you are in doubt, please call Sue – 763-502-5606.
Thanks for your understanding and patience while we work to get registration underway using a new system.
Change for 8th grade Football Registration
Fridley Middle School will not be having a school 8th grade football team this fall due to the restrictions by the MSHSL. The 8th grade football season will be held in the spring along with the high school football season. Fridley Youth Sports Association will be having a fall season and will accept 8th graders for the fall league. A student can play both seasons.
Here is a link to the registration form for the fall season.
You can download the form and email it to John Swanson or print. Please contact John Swanson directly with any questions that you may have.
Virtual Walk/Run Fundraiser
Parent Student Handbook
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: 763.502.5401
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FridleyMS
Twitter: @FridleyMSTigers