Howdy Falcon Ridge Families,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! We are entering the busy time of the school year, including field trips, special classroom projects, and spring academic testing.

Interested in getting more involved at school? Consider running for the Falcon Ridge board. It is time to submit letters of interest for the upcoming year. Please utilize the board application found in the link below.

Another way to get involved is through our active PTO. Please check out the flyer for application information. Also, the Spring Carnival is right around the corner! Be sure to check out the PTO Corner for the details.

Speaking of spring, please review the student dress code as we enter the warmer months. This will prevent students from needing to call home for a change of clothes.

Our middle school Lead for Change class has been organizing the Lost and Found. Here is the Lead for Change link for that information.

Next week we will be honoring our school bus drivers. Please feel free to have your student write a thank you note or make a card for their bus driver. A kind word goes a long way!

The character trait this month is honesty. Be sure to check out the newsletter for family resources to help teach honesty at home.

Lastly, don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for the latest parent resources, including helpful research on technology and vaping awareness.

Your partnership makes all the difference!

Sincerely,
Dr. Jorgensen

State testing season is right around the corner, and we know how much time and effort you put into preparing your students for success. Your dedication makes a lasting impact, and we appreciate you! To help make this testing season a little smoother, we’ve put together a few simple strategies to support both you and your students.

Healthy Habits for Test Days

• Remind students to get good sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast.

Boost Student Confidence

• Use positive reinforcement and encourage a growth mindset. Reinforce the idea that intelligence and skills can be developed through effort. Encourage students to see the test as a challenge rather than a threat, emphasizing progress over perfection.
• Train students to recognize positive patterns by having them reflect on past successes. Have them recall times they overcame academic challenges to build confidence in their abilities.

Our goal is to provide an academic environment free of distractions that is conducive to learning and a social environment that supports the development of kind and respectful relationships. Use of any electronic devices, such as cell phones or smart watches (any screened watches), must be turned off and kept in the student’s backpack at all times. Earbuds or similar devices are not permitted at school except for certain educational purposes with teacher approval.

Any student using their phone or any electronic device during unauthorized times will have the device confiscated. Confiscated devices will need to be picked up by a parent or guardian. However, students may use their cell phones in the office with permission. If a student needs to contact a parent, they should come to the office. Conversely, if a parent needs to contact a student, they should contact the office.

This year, our theme is Cowboy Up: Raising the Rigor. We are committed to holding our students to the highest standards, not only in their schoolwork and homework but also in their manners and behavior. At Falcon Ridge, we are passionate about shaping responsible, respectful, and well-rounded citizens. Together, we will ensure that every student leaves our school ready to excel in all areas of life.

As part of our continuous commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all our students, we kindly remind you of our designated student pickup protocol.

For the safety of our students, we ask that you please adhere to the following guidelines during the student pickup process:

Designated Pickup Spot: Please arrive at the designated pickup spot indicated by the school. This helps streamline the pickup process and ensures a smooth flow of traffic.

Teacher Supervision: Our teachers will be present at the pickup spot to assist with safely escorting students to your vehicles. This also allows us to verify that the student is being picked up by an authorized person.

Communication: If there are any changes to the pickup routine, such as a different authorized person picking up the student, please inform the school office in advance. This will help us avoid any confusion and ensure the safety of your child.

Patience and Courtesy: We kindly ask for your patience during the pickup process, especially during peak times. Your courtesy towards fellow parents and staff is greatly appreciated.

By adhering to these guidelines, we can collectively maintain a secure environment for all students. We sincerely thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for your ongoing support in prioritizing the safety of our students.

We are so excited that the sports season has begun! Here is some important information regarding practices and home games:

• Elementary students and siblings must be accompanied by an adult and can come to games when doors open

• Siblings of students can not stay after school during practices due to not have staff to supervise students who are not participating

• The main doors will be unlocked at 3:30 for home game guests

Get your calendars out and mark April 25th 6-8pm as a night for friends, family, fun, games, and prizes. Falcon Ridge PTO is excited to bring you the Spring Carnival!! We have some games lined up, face painting, bounce house, yummy food, and so much more. There will be 2 food stand options: The Rusty Dog- gourmet corn dogs, as well as our very own Mrs. Lopez’s Lucia’s Cafe. Trust me, you won’t want to miss either of these. Please come join us. Flyers and preorder forms went home with your student(s) last week.

PTO board elections are still open. If you would like to serve our school and teachers please refer to the email and consider applying.

As always please consider downloading and participating in Box Tops for Education. It is an easy, free way for you to earn money for our school.

Upcoming Events
~ 4/25 Spring Carnival
~ 4/30 PTO board applications due
~ 5/8 Monthly PTO meeting and PTO board elections

Impact on Mental Health

There are also growing concerns about the impact of excessive technology use on children’s mental health. Overuse of social media, for example, has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation among high school students. Constant exposure to the carefully crafted lives that other kids share on social media can lead to negative effects on self-esteem and body image, especially among teenagers who are in the critical stage of developing their identities.

New research also suggests that technology may be hindering kids' social skills and having negative effects on their social emotional development. The constant use of digital devices can reduce face-to-face interactions, which help children learn empathy, emotional regulation, and interpreting non-verbal cues.

Distraction and Shortened Attention Span

Technology can be highly distracting due to its interactive and instant nature. Notifications from apps and games can make it difficult for children to focus on homework, reading, or even play. The constant switching between tasks and rapid pacing of digital content may reduce a child's ability to focus on a single task or think deeply about complex problems.

If you find that your child struggles to sit through a storybook or stay focused during homework, consider limiting their screen time and spending time on other activities such as playing games cooking a meal together.

Why is this important? Classroom instruction and learning happen when students are present. Also, Falcon Ridge receives funding based on average daily attendance. Thank you for your support!

YTD: 95.80%

K - 96.66%
1st - 97.24%
2nd - 95.86%
3rd - 95.17%
4th - 98.18%
5th -95.75%
6th - 94.84%
7th - 98.43%
8th - 97.27%

October 9th

October 23rd

November 6th

November 20th

December 11th

January 8th

January 22nd

February 12th

February 26th

March 12th

March 26th

April 9th

April 23rd

4/15 - Drama Club @ 3:00pm-4:45pm

4/17- Drama Club @ 3:00pm-4:45pm

4/22 - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

4/22 - Drama Club @ 3:00pm-4:45pm

4/23 - STEM Club @ 3:00pm-4:30pm

4/24 - Drama Club @ 3:00pm-4:45pm

4/25 - Elementary Student Birthday Celebrations

4/25 - PTO Spring Carnival

Email: cjorgensen@falconridgecharter.org
Twitter: @coach_jorgensen