Hello Fridley Middle School Families:

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate the challenges of the school year! We could not be more proud of our learners who have met these challenges with flexibility, adaptability and resilience. Our students in both learning models- in person and online- have been outstanding with the changes they have faced this year! We know that they will always remember this school year and will have learned new skills as a result.

We are excited to welcome our in-person learners back into the building on Monday, May 3 after a short time in full-distance learning. As we enter the last 6 weeks of the school year, help us keep our students learning in the building by continuing to keep your student home if they are showing any symptoms and getting tested regularly.

Let's finish the year strong! Go Tigers!

Dr. Cochran

Principal

May 11: Information Night for this fall's incoming 5th Grade students and current 5th Grade distance learners

May 12: Information NIght for incoming 5th Grade students/families

May 12: MCA Reading Testing

May 19: MCA Math Testing

May 20: 6th Grade Inventors Fair

May 31 - No School - Memorial Day

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!

Help us thank them as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week- May 3 thru May 7. This has been an extremely challenging year and our teachers would love to hear from you! Send them an email, a card or an extra smile to celebrate them this week!

Due to adjustments to schedules that occurred when the school shifted to distance learning, we have rescheduled our MCA test dates to better support students as they return to in-person learning. This new testing schedule will maximize learning for students while they are at school and ensure that they are not testing each day that they are back. In addition, our Online Academy (distance learning) students have also had their days rescheduled due to the in-person learning shift. Our new plan for MCA testing is below:

In Person Learners:

• Testing will be offered on Wednesdays for students who wish to take the MCA Math and Reading Assessments
• Students who do not wish to take the MCA assessments will continue to access distance learning materials on Wednesday for their encore classes and homeroom
• Reading MCA will be offered on Wednesday, May 12 from 10:15 am - 3:00 pm
• Math MCA will be offered on Wednesday, May 19 from 10:15 am - 3:00 pm
• For both Reading and Math MCA tests (students who sign up will be signed up for both tests):
• Transportation will be provided
• Lunch will be provided
• Students must sign up through the link below by Wednesday, May 5

Online (Distance) Learners:

• Testing will be offered on Wednesdays for students who wish to take the MCA
• Students who do not wish to take the MCA test will continue with their Edgenuity/Distance learning materials as usual
• Reading MCA will be offered on Wednesday, May 12 from 10:15 am - 3:00 pm
• Math MCA will be offered on Wednesday, May 19 from 10:15 am - 3:00 pm
• For both Reading and Math MCA tests (students who sign up will be signed up for both tests):
• Transportation will be provided
• Lunch will be provided
• Students must sign up through the link below by Wednesday, May 5
• Distance learning students who signed up to the take the test are already scheduled and do not need to do anything else. If you have not signed up to take the MCA and would like your student to do so, please fill out the attached form, or sign up at the link below.

Sign up link and additional information for both learning models:

• Although distance learners and in person learners will be testing on the same dates, students will be in small groups separated by learning models while testing.
• Students and staff will be required to wear masks at all times and we will follow social distancing.
• For those who opt out of the MCA test, please know that we will still plan to assess student learning through the AMath and AReading assessments during the last week of May. These assessments measure achievement and growth in Math and Reading and parents will have access to their students assessment scores.

All students will need to bring their Chromebooks, chargers, and headphones to school on testing days. Please remind your student to bring these items along with them to school and to charge their Chromebook the night before testing. We have a limited amount of extra Chromebooks to loan students so it is critical that they bring them to school.

Thank you for your flexibility and support.

The spring meeting of the District (Parent) Advisory Committee will be held on Wednesday, May 19th, from 5:00 - 6:00 PM. The purpose of the District Advisory Committee is to ensure active community participation in all planning for instruction and curriculum affecting Minnesota Academic Standards. The Committee’s role is to make recommendations and give feedback regarding school district-wide standards, assessments, and program evaluation. If you are interested in attending, please contact Kathy Backstrom at the district office at 763-502-5021 to RSVP.

You may read this message in: Arabic Hmong Somali Spanish

Beginning the 2021-2022 school year, all parents/guardians will need to have a Parent Portal account in Campus. The Parent Portal provides secure access to your child/children’s information such as class assignments, attendance, calendar, and grades. You can also use Parent Portal to pay for meals, fees, or school supplies.

There are many advantages of signing up for and using your Parent Portal account. It is convenient and easy to use, and gives you instant access to important information:

Nutritional Services: Manage your child/children’s meal accounts

· Make online payments using checking, savings and/or credit/debit card to pay for your student’s meals.

· Families can also set up automatic payments to pay for meals.

· Check current balances and see any purchases made on your child’s account.

Meal Benefits Application: Annual renewal is now easier

· Apply for Meal Benefits Application in Parent Portal

· Parents/Guardians must apply each year to qualify for free and reduced priced meals.

· By applying, you also help the district receive additional funding to support classroom learning.

Activities & Athletics & School Store: Now includes shopping for school supplies

· Sign up and pay for Activities and Athletics fees for your child

· View and shop for your child/children’s school supplies

Transportation: Access important updates and information

· Access your child/children’s transportation information on the Parent Portal.

The district will be sending parents/guardians additional information soon on how to sign up for or reactivate Parent Portal accounts.

Download the parent portal mobile app for up-to-date information on your child's progress. See the attached flyer for more information.

Every month students are awarded Student of the Month by their teacher for showing our IB Learner Profile Traits and showing GRIT. Congratulations to all our March Student of the Month award recipients!

Deyontae Sparks

Kingsley Tester-Akpan

Haley Held

Karar Jassim

Melissa Juarez-Best

Adian Keeler

Nadir Mohamed

Please enjoy some lovely artwork done by our students by clicking on the following link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x2cFM-bgypioYz13LBLvyu3U5WrpspGc/view?usp=sharing

Due to COVID protocols, there will not be an 8th grade recognition ceremony for parents to attend. Please see the flier below for information on the 8th grade party on June 10. it will be held at Commons Park during the last two hours of school for both hybrid and distance learners completing 8th grade (students only).

AVID Applications are being sent to students. If they are interested in taking the AVID Elective in 7th and 8th grade, they will have a google form application to complete.

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. AVID is an elective course that focuses on the student skills necessary for further success in current classes, high school, and beyond. We investigate colleges and careers, while focusing on note-taking, organization, reading skills, inquiry, and collaboration.

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Gruhlke, the AVID Coordinator gruhlke@isd14.org

The 6th grade Inventor’s Fair will be held on Thursday, May 20th from 5:00 – 6:30. Details regarding this event will be announced on Campus Messenger and teachers will be giving more information to your 6th grade scholar as the date draws closer.

Other important 6th grade reminders:

• Recess – outside for 15 minutes, unless it is raining (dress accordingly!)
• Cell phones – off and put away from 8AM-3PM
• Attendance – please make sure to call-in if your scholar will be absent for the day, even if it’s an “at-home” day
• Water bottles – our water fountains are off, so please make sure that your scholar is packing a water bottle!
• aReading and aMath testing will take place over the next few weeks, please make sure to have chromebooks, charger, and headphones (if able)!

Our 5th Grade distance learners have been invited to a special Google Classroom hosted by Dr. Cochran, Mr. Carver, and our Student Support Services Team. We will be hosting many different activities, fun discussions and Google Meets to get to know you, help students get to know the Middle School, and to hang out with your peers.

This week our 5th Grade Distance Learners were able to hear from three 8th Grade students who shared their experience at FMS and answered many questions!

If you have a current 5th Grade Distance Learner, please encourage them to accept the invitation to the Google Classroom and stay tuned for discussion posts, fun activities, Google Meets, and more!

Incoming 5th-grade students/families will be invited into the building for an evening of fun activities, meeting 5th-grade teachers, touring the middle school, practicing lockers and more! See the attached flyer for more information.

Current 5th Grade distance learning students/families to join us on May 11th for a fun evening of activities, meeting the 6th-grade teachers, practicing lockers, touring the middle school and seeing the classrooms! See the attached flyer for more information.

Please remember that all 5th-12th graders can pick up a one day meal bag from the school cafeteria at the end of the school day on Tuesday to eat on Wednesday when they are learning from home.

Please see the chart below for information on One Day Meal Bags and Five Day Meal Bag Pick Up times. PLEASE NOTE: the Wednesday Meal Pick Up time has been updated to: 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM.

A few COVID-19 safety reminders

• Free home saliva testing is now available for all Minnesotans. Click here to request a free test.
• Students can now drop off their saliva test at school. Please call the main office for drop off dates for saliva test.
• If someone in your household tests positive, please report the case to the school’s health office immediately.
• If your child or someone in your household has been advised to isolation/quarantine, please call the school’s health office immediately.
• Close contact to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 – Student must quarantine for 10 days without testing, but may return after day 7
• If your child is identified as a close contact, they must quarantine for 10 days without testing.
• A student who is a close contact could come back to school after 7 days if they test and receive a negative test result. Testing must occur on day 5 or later, during the quarantine period (click here for additional information from CDC).

After quarantine

· Continue to monitor your child for symptoms until 14 days after exposure.

· If symptoms occur, please contact your doctor and call the school health office immediately.

· Please continue to encourage wearing masks, and frequent hand washing.

Immunizations

We are missing a lot this fall as a result of the pandemic. As a school, we are required to collect school immunizations on each student. Please connect with your child’s clinic for reassurance that it is safe to return to your clinic for vaccinations and well-child check. Per our district policy, all immunizations must be current. Please call the health office at (763-502-5426) if you have questions.

The Transportation Department is already planning for bus transportation routing for the 2021-22 school year. As we prepare for a new school year, we want to share the following reminders with families:

• Any 2020-2021 transportation requests for home, alternate address, or daycare will be honored and maintained during the 2021-22 school year.
• If you did not request transportation this school year and wish to have transportation for your child for the 2021-2022 school year, please submit a Click here to complete the Transportation Request Form.
• You can also submit the Transportation Request Form if you want to switch your child’s transportation from a daycare/alternate address to your home.
• In addition, if your child/children have switched daycare, or your child/children need a stop at an alternate address (within the Fridley School District boundaries), please complete the Transportation Request Other Than Home Form. You may include all siblings who will be riding a bus in the "Comments" section of the form.
• 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.

The Transportation Department is available all summer so please call or email us if you have questions, or any changes in your transportation needs.

FRIDLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

Phone: 763-502-5151 | Email: transportation@fridley.k12.mn.us

Fridley High School Class of 2025 Welcome Week

Summer Transition Program

Your first step towards high school

August 23-27, 2021

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• Introduction to FHS
• Connect with staff and upperclassmen
• Build a 9th grade community
• Expand on college and career planning
• Field trip opportunities
• and so much more.......

Contacts:

Mr. Justin Reese reese@isd14.org

Mr. Matt Kiefer kiefer@isd14.org

Ms. Nura Hussein hussein@isd14.org

Click here to sign up.

Are you looking for a summer program that will keep your kids entertained, challenged and moving all summer long? We are currently enrolling new students to join our Tiger Club Childcare Summer 2021 program! (For children ENTERING grades K-6)

This year’s Summer 2021 theme is: It’s a Global Getaway Summer! We provide lesson plans of summer theme “getaway” units, where students will learn and explore: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, South America/Central America! In addition, Tiger Club provides daily activities for students, surrounding art, literacy, math and science, as well as daily gym/playground time, creative and guided group activities, weekly open swim, plus much more!

COVID-19 Response:

Tiger Club will continue to follow all CDC and Minnesota Departments of Health and Education COVID-19 guidance for Childcare providers.

• Children and staff will be placed in consistent groups (or pods)
• Masking, social distancing, cleaning and health screening procedures in place
• Field trips will be limited to outdoor locations and on-site presenters
• All Aquatics and Transportation department prevention guidance met

Summer 2021 Tiger Club information:

• Days & Dates: Monday through Friday; June 21 - August 27
  *CLOSED JULY 5
• Hours of operation: 6:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m.
• Registration fee: $25 per child, required at time of registration. (Non-Refundable)
• Schedule Options & Tuition Rates: Consistent weekly set schedules, Registration is for entire summer, No vacation credits. *We accept County Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP)
• 5-day / Monday-Friday / $230 per week
• 4-day / Monday-Thursday / $184 per week
• 3-day / Tuesday-Thursday / $138 per week
• Tuition Includes: All daily activities & meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Snack)
• Escorting to/from Summer Activities: Tiger Club staff will escort children to and from FPS Learning Academy (bus provided for elementary age) and Fridley Youth Enrichment activities within walking distance from the Fridley Community Center that are scheduled during their time with us. It is parent/guardian responsibility to communicate enrollments in these programs with Tiger Club so that coordination or care and safety measures can be in place.
• Registration: New registration is required every summer regardless of school year attendance.
  Families can register online at: https://fridley.ce.eleyo.com
  To begin the first week of summer, registration deadline is May 28, 2021
  Classroom schedules, menus, and special events calendar will be available as summer start approaches
• For information or questions regarding Tiger Club Summer contact:
  Jordan Wright (Tiger Club Secretary) at 763-502-5107 or jordan.wright@fridley.k12.mn.us

• 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

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!

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.

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