Falcon Wings Weekly
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Principal's Corner
Testing season is upon us. Each year during the Spring, many of our students are asked to take exams to show what they have learned and how they are progressing. This includes the annual Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs). 10th graders take reading and science tests and 11th graders take a test in math. The results of these exams provide schools with helpful information about what students have learned, what they didn't learn, and what steps schools should take to improve outcomes for all learners.
While we don't consider these MCA exams to be "high stakes" for students, we do want them to try their best so we get accurate feedback on their learning. Parents and Guardians can help us by ensuring the following things happen:
- On the morning of your child's MCA exam send them to school with a fully charged iPad and a pair of non-wireless earbuds or headphones (if you don't have any earbuds we can provide some).
- Encourage your child to do their best and to "show what they know" on the exam.
- Ensure they get a good night sleep the night prior to the exam.
- Ensure they eat a good breakfast the morning of the exam (or get to school early enough to eat breakfast there).
- Make sure they either leave their cell phone at home that day or have a plan for where to put it during the test (main office, locker, etc.). Phones/smart watches are allowed in the testing area.
While the feedback these tests give us is important, we know your child has learned a lot this year and shown tremendous resiliency, persistence, determination, and resourcefulness. We don't need an exam to tell us what we see every day. And no matter what the test results are, we will continue to be very proud of each of our students.
Mr. Jamie Bente
Principal - Faribault High School
Upcoming Calendar; Important Dates
Tuesday, April 27 - MCA State Reading Test for 10th graders; Cap and Gown delivery for seniors
Thursday, April 29 - MCA State Math Test for 11th graders
Monday, May 3 - Decision Day
Tuesday, May 4 - MCA State Science Test for all Biology students
Friday, May 7 - Mid-quarter day for 4th quarter
Saturday, May 15 - Senior Appreciation Night and Grand March
MCA Testing in Reading, Math, and Science To Begin This Week
Students in grades 10 & 11 will be taking the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) in the coming days. The MCAs are tests designed to evaluate district, school, and student progress toward learning Minnesota state standards in reading, math, and science.
- The MCA Reading test will be administered to all 10th graders on Tuesday, April 27th. Last names A-K will begin testing at 9:10 AM. Last names L-Z will start at 12:39.
- The MCA Math test will be administered to all 11th graders on Thursday, April 29th. Last names A-K will begin testing at 9:10 AM. Last names L-Z will start at 12:39.
- The MCA Science test will be administered to all students currently taking Biology (mostly 10th graders with some exceptions) on Tuesday, May 4th. Last names L-Z will begin testing at 9:10 AM. Last names A-K will start at 12:39.
- Students who are absent on these days will be able to make up the exam when they return.
These exams are expected to take between 1 ½ - 2 hours each. Students will be excused from class and report to the gym area to take the test. School will continue as normal for all students not taking the exam during those times. Here are some other important details:
- Students must bring a fully charged IPAD the day of their exam. All tests are done on the school issued devices.
- Students should bring a pair of non-wireless headphones/earbuds to use. They must be able to plug into the IPAD. No Bluetooth (ex. Air Pods) devices will be allowed. If students don’t have their own, the school will provide a pair.
- No cell phones or smart watches are allowed in the testing area. Students should either leave these at home, place them in their locker, or turn them into the main office for safe keeping while they are testing.
In this strange past year that saw your child go from distance learning – to hybrid – back to distance learning – back to hybrid – and then fully in person, it is important for us to know what students learned, how deeply they learned it, and what they didn’t learn. We ask for your help in making sure students take this exam seriously and simply do the best they can. You can help by:
- Talking about the MCA at home and offering encouragement for them to try their best.
- Making sure they come to school with a charged IPAD and non-wireless headphones that plug into their iPad the day of the exam.
- Making sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before the exam.
- Making sure your child gets a good breakfast the morning of the exam or is at school early enough to eat at school.
At this time, distance learners are not required to come to school to take these tests but are welcome to if parents/guardians would like to get an update on the progress of their learning. If you are the parent of a distance learner and want your child to take the MCAs, please call the school at 507-333-6100 to let us know.
For more information about the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, please contact District Assessment Coordinator, LeeAnn Lechtenberg at 507-333-6017.
FHS to Host Grand March and Senior Appreciation Event on May 15
In lieu of a traditional prom this year, FHS will be hosting a Grand March and other events at Bruce Smith Field. The plan for the night is to begin the Grand March at 7:30 PM. There will be a fireworks show beginning at 9:00 and games will continue until 11:00.
This is a seniors-only event (no juniors, no one from a different school, or older dates). And it is FREE! Thank you for the many local businesses and community partners who donated to this cause.
Seniors must register no later than April 30th. Please use this link to make sure your senior is registered if they are interested. This is a formal/semi-formal event (prom dresses, dress shirt/slacks, etc.). There are no high heels allowed on the football field
FHS Personal Finance Team Competes at State Championships
Weekly Leadership Class Focuses on Servant Leadership
FHS Theatre Troupe Puts on Impressive Showing in Spring Musical
Speech Team Impresses at Section Competition
The Faribault Falcons Speech Team competed in the Section 1 AA Speech Competition on Thursday, April 15. Congratulations to Madeline Avila for placing 4th in Dramatic Interpretation and to Amairani Rosas for placing 7th in Extemporaneous Reading.
The second-year Speech Team, led by Head Coach Isaac Heins has had an exceptional year. Congratulations to all of our 2020-2021 Speech Team participants and award winners.
FHS Recognizes LGBTQ Day of Silence
FREE Dental Clinic at FHS on May 13th
Faribault High School, in partnership with HealthFinders Collaborative, will be offering a free dental clinic on Thursday, May 13th. The clinic is available free of charge to high school students with either no dental insurance or state-funded dental insurance. Service includes (but is not limited to) cleaning, sealants, fluoride treatment, X-rays.
Appointments are available from 10 am-6 pm. To schedule an appointment contact the FHS school nurse, Terra Boyd at tboyd@faribault.k12.mn.us or 507-333-6286. The deadline to sign up is Monday, May 10th.
LiveMore Today Shares FHS Student Survey Results; Startling Findings Regarding Youth, Screens, and Sleep
FHS and LiveMore Today are continuing to focus on the important issue of sleep! We recently received the results from a FHS Student survey LiveMore conducted this spring. The data shows that we have work to do to ensure students are prioritizing sleep over screens.
Here is a 6 minute video of LiveMore addressing the issue of sleep that will inspire you to create a healthy sleep routine for your teen! As a reminder, we have created a sleep guide for you to review with your teen. If you haven’t had the chance to look at it yet, here is the link again.
Let’s do what we can to protect sleep for our kids...and for ourselves!
Best,
KK Myers and Maree Hampton
LiveMore ScreenLess
Faribault Daily News to Feature Graduating Class of 2021
The Faribault Daily News will be publishing its annual special section featuring area high school graduates. They will be celebrating the seniors two ways:
(1) They will publish a printed section in the paper AND (2) they will feature a special online version where seniors can create and personalize a page of their own with photos, videos, and additional information to share with friends and family.
There’s no cost to be included in either section. All you need to do is submit a photo and some information about you by going to the Daily News website (bit.ly/3t6yEL3). They will not accept paper submissions; all submissions must be done online.
The deadline for graduate submissions is May 6.
For more information, contact FDN Regional Managing Editor Suzanne Rook at 507-333-3134 or editor@faribault.com.
Somali Dance Workshop in May; All Students Are Welcome To Come and Learn Somali Dances
The workshop meetings will be held from 3:15-5:15 on Tues May 18, Thurs May 20, Tues May 25, and Thurs May 27. Students should plan to attend all four sessions. Transportation home will be provided after each session. All participants will be 6 feet apart and masked, as the dances do not require any physical contact.
Watch this video for a preview of the workshop and more details: https://youtu.be/hC_4wPg3xmM. Students can express interest in participating in the workshop by filling out the Google Form at this link: https://forms.gle/fD1ULDioiuVQvgAk9.
Is Your Child Graduating This Year and Interested in CNA, Welding, Carpentry, Pre-Social Work and/or Child Development? See the Flyer Below For FREE Opportunities!
How YOU can support Faribault students through FAPSETA and FEEP
Since 1986, the Faribault Area Public Schools Educational Trust Association (FAPSETA) has awarded over $1.2 million in scholarships to Faribault students. You can learn more about FAPSETA and how you can contribute here.
The Falcon Educational Enrichment Program (FEEP) is a subsidiary of FAPSETA. FEEP’s mission is to secure financial support for specific classrooms and learning opportunities that are beyond regular classroom support. Since 2019, FEEP has funded over $20,000 in grants that have enriched the educational experience for our students. They have funded grants that have supported projects focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), literacy, robotics, and cultural awareness.
You can support these projects with every Amazon purchase you make. All you have to do is go to smile.amazon.com, sign in, and select Faribault Area Public Schools Educational Trust Association as your charitable organization. For all future Amazon orders, go to the URL smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of the price of eligible purchases to FAPSETA.
FHS Recognizes Wonderful Administrative Assistants
Administrative Assistants Appreciation Day was last week and it gave FHS to pause and thank the amazing people that keep things running smoothly each day.
"Shawn Behrens keeps things running efficiently and is such a great partner to have in the Activities Office!" -Activities director Keith Badger
"The secretaries at Faribault High School are truly the unsung heroes of our building. The work that Deb Meyers, Jenny Halvorson, and Karyn Breitenfeldt do with our students and families are second to none. We could not meet the needs of our families and students without them. Thank you to all of our Secretaries at FHS!!!" -Principal Jamie Bente
The School is Open on Wednesdays for Drop In Student Support
Distance Learners and In-Person Learners can come to the high school between 8:00-3:00 on Wednesdays to work in a quiet area, access the school's wifi, or work with an academic specialist on schoolwork. The RISE room is also open for any students to visit.
Virtual Homework Help Available on Wednesdays for All Students
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Connect With Us
Email: speck@faribault.k12.mn.us
Website: https://fhs.faribault.k12.mn.us/
Location: 330 9th Avenue Southwest, Faribault, MN, USA
Phone: (507) 333-6100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faribaulths
Twitter: @frbo_falcons