Friendly Friday Update

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We are excited to welcome our students back into the building, and begin working with them in the classrooms! We hope that everyone had an excellent summer and is ready to return to school.

We have changed our open house format for 2023-2024, and our 6th-8th grades open house will take place on Tuesday, August 29 from 4-6 p.m. Our 5th grade open house will be on Wednesday, August 30 from 4-6 p.m. You can meet teachers, see classrooms, put items in lockers, walk through your schedule, and get ready for school at this event. There will not be any formal presentations at this event, with the main focus being meeting teachers and getting organized for the start of school.

The first day of school for 5th grade will be Tuesday, September 5 and the first day of school for grades 6-8 will be Wednesday, September 6. The school day begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m.

I look forward to seeing you as you return to school!

Chris

• August 29 - Grades 6-8 Open House, 4-6 p.m.
• August 30 - Grade 5 Open House, 4-6 p.m.
• September 5 - First Day of School (Grade 5)
• September 5 - 5th Grade WEB Orientation Day
• September 6 - First Day of School (Grades 6, 7, 8)
• September 11 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
• September 18 - Picture Day
• September 30 - Warrior 5K, 9 a.m. to noon at Two Rivers High School

District guidelines require parents/guardians to review the Internet and Electronic Resources Acceptable Use and Safety Policy with their student(s), sign, and submit the agreement attached below. Although the agreement states this is only required for certain grade levels, we are asking for parents/guardians of all Friendly Hills students to sign and submit this form.

Please note: a school iPad will not be issued to your student

until this form is turned in to the office.

Cell phones are valuable and important communicative devices in today’s world. However, use of cell phones during the instructional day seriously impedes and distracts from the learning process. Friendly Hills Middle School will not allow the use of cell phones during the school day (8:45 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.). Students should leave their cell phones in their lockers, or at home. Below are the procedures that will be used by Friendly Hills staff if a student has their cell phone out during the academic school day:

1st time- The student will be asked to turn the phone off and put it away.

2nd time- The student will be asked to bring the phone to the office and pick it up after school.

3rd time- The student will be asked to bring the phone to the office, a parent will be called by school administration, and the phone will remain in the office for the remainder of the school day.

4th time- A meeting will be held with the student and family. An alternate plan will be put in place (e.g. leaving phone in office for the school day upon arrival, leaving the phone at home.)

All phones will be kept in a secured location if they are collected by a school administrator.

- Parents can contact their student(s) by calling the school’s main office at 651-403-7600. Office administrative assistants will connect the student via the school’s phone system.

- Students can contact parents by using a phone located in the main office.

-Students will not be able to use their cell phones during the school day. If there is a medical need or other circumstance where a cell phone is needed, please contact the school.

*Personally-owned devices are brought to school and used by students at their own risk; Friendly Hills Middle School and District 197 accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personally-owned devices brought to school by students.*

If you and your student(s) cannot attend the open house events on the evenings of August 29 and 30, the building will be open to bring school supplies in and pick up a copy of the class schedule on Wednesday 8/30, Thursday 8/31, and Friday 9/1 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All students must be accompanied by an adult.

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 PTA is sponsoring a school supply drive and non-perishable food drive. Please consider adding a few extra items to your cart the next time you are shopping to support our students and families. Items may be dropped off in the main office during the open houses on Tuesday, August 29 from 4-6 p.m. (grades 6-8) and Wednesday, August 30 from 4-6 p.m. (grade 5).

If you have any questions, please contact friendlyhillspta@gmail.com

Recent legislation has passed the Free School Meals bill into law. This will take effect for the 2023-24 school year. This provides one free breakfast and lunch to all students.

While meals are now free, District 197 is still encouraging all families to complete the Application for Educational Benefits. Discounts are available in other beneficial categories including: middle and high school athletics, college applications and admissions tests, school fees for band instruments, and home utilities and internet access.

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