Friendly Friday Update

As I pop in and out of classrooms during the day, I frequently ask students what they are learning as I enter the room. Students are more than excited to share with me what they are learning in class at the moment, and excited to explain how to do it. I sometimes use Bloom's Taxonomy to see what level I can get to by just asking students basic questions. I am frequently getting to level IV (analyzing) and often get to level V (evaluating) with grades 7 & 8. This tells me that teachers are doing a great job explaining their lessons, and students are understanding what is being taught.

Please remember to drop and pick up your student curbside. We are trying to keep students out of traffic and prevent damage to your vehicle. If you need more time for drop off or pick up, please feel free to use one of the parking spots in the lot to assist you with getting your student ready to go.

• October 9 - Coffee with the Principal, 9 a.m.
• October 10 - Conferences (in-person), 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• October 11 - LGBTQ+ Parent/Guardian Meeting, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
• October 12 - Conferences (in-person), 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• October 17 - Picture Retake Day
• October 17 - Conferences (virtual), 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• October 19 and 20 - No school, Education MN Convention

Conferences will take place twice per year and we offer the option to attend in-person or virtually.

In-Person Conference Dates: October 10 and 12, 2023 from 3:30-7:30 p.m.

Virtual Conference Dates: October 17, 2023 from 3:30-7:30 p.m.

If your student is in...

Grade 5/6: book a conference with your student's homeroom teacher only. You may choose in-person or virtual, but either way you will need to book an appointment using the teacher's calendar appointment links (in the document below and sent to your email.) Please indicate if you will need interpretation.

Grade 7/8: conference with any or all of your student's teachers. In-person conferences will be drop-in style anytime between 3:30-7:30 p.m. on October 10 and 12. If you want to conference virtually, you must book an appointment with any or all of your student's teachers using the teacher's calendar appointment links (in the document below and sent to your email.) Please indicate if you will need interpretation. If your student has the same teacher for two subjects (for example: PLTW and Science, or AVID and Social Studies), please book 2 separate virtual appointments.

Please see this document for more information.

Teacher Calendar Appointment Links Here

School District 197 is seeking voter approval for two levies this fall. One levy would renew an existing technology levy that funds nearly all of our district's educational technology, and the other would invest in a new operating levy to maintain class sizes and avoid cuts to programs and staff. These levies will be on the ballot for the November 7, 2023 election. Learn more at isd197.org/vote2023.

The community is invited to the district’s in-person community information sessions, where you can gather information and ask questions about the 2023 levies.

October 12, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Two Rivers High School

1897 Delaware Avenue

Mendota Heights, MN 55118

October 25, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Two Rivers High School

1897 Delaware Avenue

Mendota Heights, MN 55118

*Interpretation services will be available.

Food delivery orders of any kind (Direct restaurant delivery, Door Dash, Grub Hub, Uber Eats, etc.) are not permitted. This goes hand-in-hand with our policy that students are not allowed to use their cell phones during school hours of 8:45 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.

School breakfast and lunch is available every day for all students at no cost.

Registration for winter sports begins this Friday, October 6th. All students must have a physical on file with the nurse's office (current within 3 years) in order to be eligible to register and participate. More information about middle school sports is available here.

Middle School Dance Team registration is open for 5th and 6th grade students through October 13th or until the team is full. You must have a physical on file with the school in order to register. Click this link to learn more and begin registration. Practices begin October 17th after school at Friendly Hills.

All Student Council members will be meeting on Wednesday, October 11th in the multi-purpose gym during homeroom (8:45 - 9:05 a.m.) The meeting is to discuss the upcoming school-wide event of Unity Day, a national event taking place in schools and communities encouraging people to wear and share orange uniting for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Questions? Email Ms. Quinn or Ms. Guscetti

If you or someone you know would be interested in being a guest speaker for 7th and 8th grade AVID students, please reach out to Shannon Guscetti for more information. AVID classes are afternoons daily, beginning at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Participants are needed for a University of Minnesota study about teen mental health. Adolescents from 13-18 years old and their parents are invited to participate in individual interviews about their thoughts on teen mental health and how to help teens feel happier & less stressed. Participants will receive a $50 Visa gift card for their input. Click here for more information or email youthmentalhealthUMN@gmail.com

Please see the attached PDF for more information about FAST testing.

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