FES: Monthly Newsletter

With 2024 coming to an end, we are so proud of everything that our students have accomplished this year. It is always important in the middle of the year to remember everything that goes into keeping our children and staff safe throughout their school day.

Safety Drills: Each year, our students and staff practice fire drills, lockdown drills, and also tornado drills. Our teachers talk with the students before the drills and then they reflect after the drills are over. All of our Falcons have done a great job practicing this year.

Front Parking Lot/Bus Lot: Just a reminder that our front parking lot is our bus parking lot. With two dismissal and arrival times, this parking lot needs to be kept clear during certain time periods of the day. Also, traffic only should be going one way in and one way out. This is a safety concern if cars are parked in this lot and go against the bus traffic. If buses are in the lot, we ask that you wait in a parking spot, until all buses have pulled out. This allows our drivers to start their route, and to get our students to school and home safely. Our morning drop off periods are from 7:15-7:30 and then again from 8:30-9:00. Our afternoon pick up times are from 2:10-2:35, and then again from 3:30-4:10. During those time frames, we ask that you use an alternative lot, or wait patiently in a parking spot until buses pull out.

Winter Weather: Heading into winter always leaves us with little predictability with our weather. One of the ways that we are able to keep students safe is to provide consistency with winter gear and recess. If the feels like temperature is 39 degrees or below, students will need to have coats, and other gear is optional depending on what the students plan to do at recess. We highly encourage students to bring all winter gear if they plan to be in the snow. Students will only be in the snow if they have boots on, as we don't want them to be uncomfortable during the day if they get their shoes wet. Between 40-54 degrees (feels like), students will need to have long sleeves on, and 55 and above, students can wear what they are most comfortable in. If your child is need of a winter coat, please reach out to our front office. We will go outside as long as the feels like temperature is above 5 degrees. Our staff will use best judgement on the wintery conditions on those days, if we need to have indoor recess. Our goal is our student's safety when they are outside playing.

Pick up and Drop Off: Please check out the maps below for a reminder on pick up and drop off.

End of Day Messages: If you need to get messages to your child in regards to changes in their end of the day schedule, please make every attempt to do so at least 30 minutes before their dismissal time. This will allow our front office staff to relay that message in a timely manner to your child.

Medication "At School" Reminders: Please click here for reminders about medication at school.

We appreciate your support when it comes to our building safety. The saying is that it takes a village, and when it comes to the safety of our staff and students, that phrase is so accurate. I am so fortunate to be a part of this village. Have a joyous holiday season!

Sincerely,

Your Proud Principal

Mrs. McKenna

Thank you to our 6th Grade Student Leadership Group for planning some winter and holiday fun for the students and staff at the Learning Center and Elementary School. Check it out!

Important Reminder:

For purposes of this policy (5330), "medication" shall include all medicines including those prescribed by a physician and any non-prescribed (over-the-counter) drugs, preparations, and/or remedies.

Important information about medication administered at FCSD:

• Before any medication or treatment may be administered to any student during school hours, a written prescription from the child's physician accompanied by the written authorization of the parent is required. Both must also authorize any self-medication by the student. This document will be kept on file in the main office at the child’s school. All medication requires a physician signature, this includes but is not limited to ibuprofen, tylenol, cough drops, etc.

• Only medication in its original container; labeled with the date, if a prescription; the student's name; and exact dosage will be administered. Parents, or students authorized in writing by their physician and parents, may administer medication or treatment. FCSD will not alter from any prescription or prescribed dosage amount.

• Parents are responsible for transporting all medications to and from school (includes any product that contains medication- cough drops, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.) Children are not permitted to bring medication with them.

Authorization for Medication At School- Please note that a physician’s written authorization is required for all medications.

Each day our 6th graders record elementary news on "The Falcon Nest." You can check out our news by clicking below!

The Falcon Nest

For Pick Up: Please make sure that you are not parking in the areas with Xs. Thank you in advance!

5th and 6th Pick Up and Drop Off Times

Drop Off Time: 7:15-7:35 a.m. (Doors to the cafeteria will not open until 7:15 and students should not be dropped off prior to that time.)

Pick Up Time: 2:25 p.m.

2nd and 4th Pick Up and Drop Off Times

Drop Off Time: 8:25-8:50 a.m. (Doors to the cafeteria will not open until 8:25 and students should not be dropped off prior to that time.)

Pick Up Time: 3:50 p.m.

Please take time to read about pick up and drop off and also look at the maps for specific information so that we can maintain safety for all of our staff, students and families.

🎄Greenery Sale Pick Up: TOMORROW- November 26th from 5-7 PM in the FES Parking Lot.

🌟 Reminder: Frosty Shoppe opens the week of December 2. 🌟

Don't forget to check out these documents for more information, send your children with their gift tags and $ for the shoppe.

2024 FES Frosty Shoppe Schedule

2024 Frosty Shoppe Information Letter

2024 Frosty Shoppe Shopping List and Tags

📱 Virtual PTO meeting Dec. 3rd at 6:30 - email freelandptoeslc@gmail.com for meeting call in information.

💓 Save the Date! Dances for boys and girls will be the weekend of Feb.
7-8th! More details to come!

The Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) school program is a national initiative that encourages fathers and father figures to engage with their children and schools, creating a positive impact on students and communities. By volunteering at least one day a year, dads and male role models actively participate in various school activities, offering support in classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds. This presence enhances school security, fosters positive relationships, and provides students with strong role models. With thousands of participating schools nationwide, Watch D.O.G.S. is dedicated to promoting father involvement and strengthening family and school connections. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. McKenna at mckennak@freelandschools.net.

WATCH D.O.G.S. Program Information

PBIS: What is SOAR? The acronym PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Intervention Supports. This tiered framework supports all students academically, behaviorally, and social emotionally. It is a way to create positive, predictable and safe learning for all. We all want them to SOAR to their highest protentional, and we do that by working together to support the whole child.

SOAR stands for:

S-Show Respect

O- On Task

A- Always Safe

R- Responsible

FCSD Food Service Upcoming Menus (Menus also available on Nutrislice)

December 2-4: Frosty Shoppe Shopping!

December 3: December Monthly PTO Meeting (Virtual)

December 18: FCSD School Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. @ HS Auditorium

December 23-January 3: Winter Break- Enjoy time with friends and family!

January 6: Welcome back to school!

January 7: January Monthly PTO Meeting

January 8: FCSD School Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. @ HS Auditorium

January 16: Half Day for 5th and 6th grade

January 17: Half Day for ALL grades

January 17: End of First Semester

January 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL for students.

January 27: Semester 1 Grades will Post to Skyward

Kali McKenna, Principal, mckennak@freelandschools.net

Lauren Hall, Secretary, halll@freelandschools.net (PM Only)

Meghan Maxwell, Secretary, maxwellm@freelandschools.net (AM Only)

Annette Moore, Secretary, moorea@freelandschools.net (All Day)

5th/6th Grade Information

Doors Open: 7:15 a.m.

First Bell: 7:25 a.m.

Official Start Bell: 7:35 a.m.

Dismissal Time: 2:25 p.m.

2nd-4th Grade Information

Doors Open: 8:25 a.m.

First Bell: 8:50 a.m.

Official Start Bell: 9:00 a.m.

Dismissal Time: 3:50 p.m.

Freeland Community School District Website