VISTA Education Center Newsletter

Important Contact Information:

• School Office: 763.502.5055
• Administrator: Dr. Danielle Thompson- Assistant Director of Special Services
• drthompson@isd14.org or 763.502.5012
• Sped Coordinator: Niki Krier
• krier@isd14.org or 763.502.5076

Go Tigers!

Dr. Danielle Thompson

Assistant Director of Special Services

No School: Monday November 4th or Tuesday November 5th

Family Fun Night: November 13th at VISTA 5p-7p

Students at Hayes Elementary, Stevenson Elementary and VISTA education center celebrated Unity Day on Tuesday, October 15 by wearing the color orange and spreading messages of inclusion and kindness.

Unity Day is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month created by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying.

Fridley Public Schools uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Fridley Public Schools is committed to providing an equitable and inclusive educational environment for students by ensuring that opportunities, access, and resources are aligned to support the growth and academic achievement of each student.

In accordance with Minnesota State Statutes Section 13.32 on student data privacy, school districts must notify families about the technology applications students use in schools that may collect or use students’ educational data. Fridley Public Schools will provide notice of the district-maintained list of approved tools annually, within 30 days of the start of the school year. You can click on the individual application within this list of approved tools to learn more about how it's used.

If you would like more information on any of these applications, please visit our website for

A Catalog of Curriculum Tools: Curriculum & Assessment

Student Online Support (SOS):Student SOS

Dear Families,

Thank you for a great beginning of the 2024-25 school year! I’ve appreciated the opportunity to meet many of you and your students. Our dedicated team appreciates partnering with you to ensure your student’s success in and out of the classroom.

As we move into the fall, I wanted to ensure I provided some additional information regarding an upcoming referendum for our school district. As you may have heard this summer, the Fridley School Board approved a resolution calling for an election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. On that date, community members will vote on two measures: an operating levy and a facility bond.

Operating Levy

Question #1 is a new operating levy that would enable the district to maintain stable funding and invest in programs and services for students. It would begin in 2025-26 and add approximately $1.165 million in new revenue, expiring at the end of the 2035-36 fiscal year.

This revenue would help stabilize the district’s finances and reduce the projected budget gap. It would also limit future budget reductions over the next several years.

An approved operating levy would have an estimated impact of $163 per year (or $14 per month) on a home with an estimated market value of $313,780, the average home value in Fridley.

Fridley school district residents can calculate their property tax impact using the tax calculator linked here.

Facility Bond

Question #2 is a $30 million facility bond referendum that would enable the district to move forward with a series of projects to address our most pressing facility and building needs. The projects would include:

• Renovations and improvements at all facilities

• Deferred maintenance improvements

• Safe and secure building renovations

Please click here to see a full breakdown of the project budget and costs.

If the bond is approved, the revenue currently taken from the general fund to cover facility renovations and repairs will be reduced by about $1 million per year. This will also help stabilize the district’s overall budget.

An approved bond referendum would have no tax impact on district residents due to other district bond levies ending. Additional information on this financial strategy is available on the facility bond page of our referendum website.

For more information, including answers to commonly asked questions, please visit www.fridleyschoolsreferendum.org.

As always, thank you for your support of the Fridley Public Schools and the students we serve!

Fridley Public Schools has access to a health navigator with our partnership with Neighborhood Healthsource to help you and your family with:

• Dental resources
• Housing resources
• Transportation resources
• Food resources
• Child immunizations
• Finding primary care services
• Applying for SNAP
• Applying for MNsure

Contact our Health Navigators at:

Erika: edenham@neighborhoodhealthsource.org or 612-287-2453

Ivan: iperete@neighboorhoodhealthsource.org or 612-260-5861

Date: November 9

Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Where: Fridley Community Center

Who: families with children birth to 5 (Whole family event!)

Cost: FREE

Photo booth, bouncy house, kids activities, crafts, face painting, winter gear exchange and more!

Register for the event below:

Friday, December 6: Ultraman Rising

Friday, Jan 3: Kung Fu Panda 4

The FREE movies will be shown at the Fridley District Auditorium at Fridley High School.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., movie starts at 7 p.m.

Inexpensive concessions available. Cash only.

Students without a high school ID will not be admitted unless accompanied by a parent/guardian.

For questions, call 763-502-5100

Dates: November 15, 16, 21, 22 & 23

Time: 7 p.m.

Tickets available online at
fridleydrama.org

Adults $10

Seniors $5

Students through HS $5

Fridley District Auditorium
6000 West Moore Lake Drive

Questions?

Email us at questions@fridleydrama.org or call 763-502-5631

The parent-student handbook will be available online only this year.. Please take a moment to read through the important contents at the attachment below

Nutritional Services Information

Welcome back families and students. We are looking forward to having your students eat breakfast and lunch with us. We hope that your students enjoy our new menu items along with their favorite items.

Completion of Application for Educational Benefits

The Application for Educational Benefits still needs to be completed even with the Minnesota Free School Meals Program. The school district will be mailing households a post card in mid-August encouraging families to complete the application. A copy of the paper applications are available in the schools’ main office or on the District Website at https://www.fridleyschools.org/about-us/departments/nutritional-services/meal-applications Applications can also be completed online at https://fridleymn.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/fridley.jsp (you will need your Parent Portal username and password). If you do not have a Parent Portal username and password, please contact Kathy Backstrom at 763-502-5021 or your School Main Office.

An Application for Educational Benefits must be completed every year. If your family receives SNAP benefits or you receive Direct Certification letter from the district, you do not need to complete an application. If your income has changed due to job loss or change, please complete an application. Students that have been approved for free/reduced priced meals may be eligible for Summer EBT benefits from the USDA. These applications also help the district receive additional funding for support staff and teachers. As a household, you may also be eligible for discounted internet services, reduced activity or athletic fees and reduced metro transit fares. When completing the application, please include all people living in the household including infants or young children, college students, and older adults who may be living with you.

Minnesota Free School Meals Program

Fridley Public Schools participates in the Minnesota Free School Meals Program. This program provides state reimbursement to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Students can have one reimbursable breakfast and one reimbursable lunch at no cost at school.

Breakfast

Breakfast is offered before school in the student’s classroom. We encourage students to eat school provided breakfast to enhance learning, improve concentration in the classroom and decrease trips to the health office. Students must take a reimbursable breakfast which includes a ½ cup fruit and two other items.

Lunch

Did you know that we make a variety of our meals from scratch? We also use locally sourced products when we can and encourage students to eat lunch with us. VISTA students will have lunch delivered to their classroom and they will choose from the high school menu options daily. We offer a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Students must take a least a ½ cup fruit or vegetable along with two other meal components for a reimbursable meal. We continue to expand our main entrée items to reflect our culturally diverse district.

Additional Meals, Milk and Ala Carte Items

Students purchasing just milk, or extra milk will be charged $0.55. Middle or High School students who want to purchase a second breakfast for $2.50 or an additional entrée for $2.75 must have money in their lunch account. Students are not allowed to have negative lunch balances when purchasing these items. Parents can see what their student is purchasing on the Campus Parent Portal.

Online Meal Payments

To add money using a credit or debit card to your student’s meal account please go to Infinite Campus Parent Portal https://fridleymn.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/fridley.jsp If you are paying online, we ask that the minimum payment be at least $10.00. If you are having trouble accessing the parent portal, please contact your School’s Main Office for someone to assist you.

Monthly Menus

For an interactive student menus including food allergy information can be found at https://family.titank12.com/menu/PLUZN8 . If you would like to print a monthly menu, those can be found at https://www.fridleyschools.org/about-us/departments/nutritional-services/lunch-breakfast-menus We are continuing to prepare more items from scratch and incorporate more locally sourced items.

Food Allergies

If your student has a medically diagnosed food allergy or is lactose intolerant, please contact Renee Arbogast RDN at 763-502-5022 or arbogast@isd14.org to discuss your child’s needs. There are some additional USDA forms that must be completed. If you have any questions regarding Nutritional Services, please contact Renee Arbogast at 763-502-5022 for assistance.

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf , from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632- 9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email: Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Application for Educational Benefits

Help is Available!

• 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.

• Whether in person or online, our district-wide backpack program is up and running! If you are in need of additional food resources, please reach out to Jean Hanson 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!
• jhanson@isd14.org or 763-502-5145

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Fridley Public Schools uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Depending upon the particular educational technology being used, our district may need to collect different types of student data, which is then shared with educational technology vendors through their online sites, services, and/or applications.

Under Minnesota’s Student Data Privacy Act, educational technology vendors are prohibited from selling or renting a student's information or from engaging in targeted advertising using a student's information. Such vendors may only disclose student data for K-12 school purposes and other limited purposes permitted under the law.

This act also requires districts to provide timely notice of the tool used, data collected, and contact information.

Download a spreadsheet that catalogs the full library of evaluated resources. If you have any questions or concerns about any digital resources used by your child, please contact your child’s teacher.

Tech Tip

All students will need to update their account information by enrolling in the district Password Portal system. The Password Portal provides the security REQUIRED to protect their Fridley account information from digital theft and other possible cybersecurity threats.

If you have login questions, please go to the Fridley Public Schools Student Online Support (SOS) page at the following address: https://sites.google.com/isd14.org/student-tech-resources/home?authuser=0

Access your students grades and attendance online!

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
• Meal Benefits Application: Annual renewal made easier
  
• Activities & Athletics & School Store: Now includes shopping for school supplies
  
• Transportation: Access important updates and information
  

How to Activate your Parent Portal Account:

1. Go to Fridley Public Schools Home Page: www.fridleyschools.org

2. Select the Campus Parent Portal Login link in the top right-hand corner of the webpage.

3. On the Parent Portal login page, select New User.

4. Enter the Campus Portal Activation Key provided here: <this is the GUID>

5. Choose SUBMIT.

6. You will be asked to create a Username and Password.

7. Choose SUBMIT.

8. Your Campus Portal account will be activated.

Emergency Sheets need to be updated and signed yearly. It is very important that we have the most current contact numbers in case of an emergency or illness. These forms were given out at open house. If you missed open house, they will be coming home with your student. Please sign and return.

It is also important that we are told about any health conditions your child might have. This information is listed on the emergency sheet as well. If anything has changed over the summer, please call the Health Office about this.

Attention parents of 7th graders

There are additional immunizations that are required for 7th grade; Tdap and Menningococcal. These are required BEFORE starting school or a conscientious objection form must by notarized and given to the health office BEFORE school starts. Notification letters were mailed to parents in May. The immunization form is on the District Web Page under Health Services. Please make an appointment with your clinic to get these immunizations completed as soon as possible.

Per our District Policy, all immunizations must be current in order to start school. Please help in making it a great start for your child's school year by getting this done.

Minnesota State Law requires all students enrolling in school to be immunized against certain diseases or file a legal medical or conscientious exemption. If these are not obtained, your child will not be able to start school in the fall. The MN Department of Health has an immunization form you may use to provide documentation of your child's immunizations. It has been attached to this message.

Check parent portal for immunizations your child may be missing, https://www.fridleyschools.org/

Here is a resource for other options for low cost vaccinations through the Anoka County Immunization Clinic:

https://www.anokacountymn.gov/2285/Immunizations

As our new school year approaches, the Transportation Department is already planning bus transportation routing for the 2024-25 school year.

Transportation for the 2024-25 school year

• All new families are required to submit a form if they need transportation. You do not need to submit a form if you had transportation last school year.
• Register for Transportation Link: Transportation Request Form
• You can also submit the Transportation Request Form if you want to switch your child’s transportation to a daycare/alternate address (within the Fridley School District boundaries).
• In late August, you will receive an email stating 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 or change your 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 need any changes in your transportation needs.

Fridley Public Schools contracts with First Student. First Student is looking for Drivers for our Fridley students. www.WorkAtFirst.com

Thank you and have a great summer.

Fridley Public Schools

Transportation Department Phone: 763-502-5151 | Email: transportation@isd14.org

This newsletter was created to give parents and students a place to check in for the most up to date information on multiple areas of our building. If you should have any questions, please reach out to us.

Email: drthompson@isd14.org
Website: https://www.fridleyschools.org/
Location: 1317 Rice Creek Rd NE Fridley, MN 55432
Phone: 763.502.5055