Friendly Friday Update

It is great to have our students back in the building! The energy is amazing and it is always fun to watch and be a part of. Our WEB leaders did an excellent job introducing our new 5th grade students to Friendly Hills. They had an excellent day, and our entire WEB team was outstanding!

Please encourage your students to participate in extra- and co-curricular activities that are offered. This is a great way for students to become involved in our school and develop friendships with other students that have the same interests. Our goal is to have our students leave middle school knowing what they like, and dislike. This will help them develop their path more clearly as they enter high school, and it will help them invest in Friendly Hills and all it has to offer.

Drive slow and safe in the school parking lot!

• September 11 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
  
• September 13 - LGBTQ+ Parent/Guardian Meeting @ Heritage Middle School IMC, 6 p.m.
• September 18 - Picture Day
• September 30 - Warrior 5K @ Two Rivers High School, 9 a.m.
• October 2 - No school, Professional Development

Parents/guardians often question if students should stay home or attend school. The following guidelines are provided to help with this decision.

Fever over 100 degrees

Stay home for 24 hours after temperature returns to normal without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Vomiting or diarrhea

Stay home for 24 hours after last episode.

Excessive coughing

Child can bring cough drops to school and self-administer if parents send cough drops and a note granting permission for child's use at school.

Rash with unknown cause

Check with physician before sending to school.

Eye redness with green/yellow drainage

Check with physician before sending to school.

If you are keeping your child home for any reason, please call the attendance line (651-403-7607) in the morning. Give your name, your child's name, and their grade. Please tell us if your child has a fever over 100, vomiting or diarrhea, or severe upper respiratory symptoms as we track these during flu season.

Summit Singers is an extracurricular group open to ALL 5th-8th graders who like to sing. (If you are in band or orchestra and would like to sing, you are welcome! If you are 8th grader in AVID/Spanish and still want to sing, you can join!) We will meet Wednesday and Thursday mornings before school from 7:55-8:30 a.m. in the choir room starting in October. We will have two concerts with the Jazz Band and the Fiddlers: Friday, February 9th, Winter Small Ensemble Concert, 7:00pm, FHMS new gym, and Friday, April 12th, Spring Cabaret, 7:00pm, FHMS new gym. We will also perform at the elementary schools in May (during the day field trip). Please click this link to register. Contact Ms. Pearson with any questions you may have.

Jazz Band and Fiddlers are extracurricular groups open to Band and Orchestra students who have at least one year of playing experience. We will meet Wednesday and Thursday mornings before school from 7:55-8:30 a.m. starting in October. We will have two concerts with the Summit Singers: Friday, February 9th, Winter Small Ensemble Concert, 7:00pm, FHMS new gym, and Friday, April 12th, Spring Cabaret, 7:00pm, FHMS new gym. We will also perform at the elementary schools in May (during the day field trip). Please click on the following links to register. Contact Mrs. Booth (Jazz Band) or Ms. Svitak (Fiddlers) with any questions you may have.

Registration is still open for Middle School Fall Sports!

All participants MUST have a current Sports Physical on file at school in order to register. Physicals are good for three years. Download the MSHSL Sports Physical Exam form here.

Once the physical is cleared with the school office, complete registration online through SmartSchool.

Learn more about Middle School sports here.

Friendly Hills Middle School is looking for a parent representative to be on the District Curriculum Advisory Committee. A description is below. If you are interested please call 651-403-7600.

The School District 197 Curriculum Advisory Committee (CAC) works with the Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Department to respond to curriculum updates, student achievement reports, and instructional material recommendations. Members also learn about and discuss curricular areas under review. The group is made up of district administrators, parent representatives, and at-large community members. Contact: Cari Jo Drewitz, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Curriculum Advisory Committee Overview

PURPOSE
The CAC is designed to involve students, parents or guardians, and community members in decisions regarding implementation of the Minnesota Academic Standards and high academic achievement for all students. The role of the committee is to provide input and advice by making recommendations. The members of CAC include an equal mix of district parents, community representatives and school staff. The group meets four times a year.

2023 - 2024 Meeting Dates and Times

• October 9, 2023 (District Office Conference Room, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.)

• January 29, 2024 (District Office Conference Room, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.)

• March 11, 2024 (District Office Conference Room, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.)

• May 13, 2024 (District Office Conference Room, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.)

Student Council is starting soon! This is a group open to students in grades 5-8 that organizes school-wide activities including fundraising, spirit weeks, and community-building events. If your student is interested in being part of Student Council, please complete the application by Wednesday, September 13th. Students will be chosen based on the application and teacher recommendation.

English Application

Spanish Application

If your student will be absent from school, please call the attendance line at 651-403-7607.

If the line is not answered, please leave a message including the student's name, grade, date of absence, and reason for absence.

Early Pick-Ups

Please send a note with your student on the morning of the absence stating the date, time, and reason for the early dismissal. The student should bring the note to the office first thing in the morning. Office staff will send the student an ePass (to their school email address) to leave early and record their absence in Infinite Campus. At the time indicated on the pass, the student can leave and come to the office where a parent/guardian must come in to sign the student out.

Late Arrivals

No need to call the office to report a late arrival - send a note with your student, and the office will adjust their attendance in Infinite Campus.

Respect. Readiness. Relationships. Responsibility.

Friendly Hills Middle School educates students in grades 5-8 and is part of the tight-knit community of Independent School District 197.

Follow FHMS on Instagram @friendlyhillsmiddle!

Follow ISD197 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

#TogetherWeThrive197

Email: christopher.hiti@isd197.org
Website: friendlyhills.isd197.org
Location: 701 Mendota Heights Road, Mendota Heights, MN, USA
Phone: 651-403-7600
Facebook: facebook.com/FriendlyHillsMS