Howdy Falcon Ridge Families,

I hope you are enjoying these beautiful spring days with your family. There are MANY activities in the coming weeks. Be sure to read the newsletter for dates, times, and coming events.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. This is a great time to write a special note of thanks to your child's teacher for the care and expertise they demonstrate each day.

We finished this year's Kuna Pop-Up Library in partnership with the Kuna Public Library. We have been so blessed by their willingness to provide this opportunity for Falcon Ridge.

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

The character trait this month is integrity. 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

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week. Let’s make our teachers at Falcon Ridge feel all the love and gratitude. They have worked diligently all year to help our kids grow and deserve the best. Please remember to fill in those cards sent home with your student and send it back with them to give their teachers. Keep in mind they have more than one teacher. Don’t forget music, science, and for club. The office has a box of extra cards if you need more.

We are in the home stretch. Only 3 more weeks of school. We have our monthly board meeting on Thursday, 5/8, and 6:00pm. We will be going over our success from this year, what we were able to do with the funds raised, and what our goal is for next year to help improve our school. It is also PTO Board elections. If you are interested in running please email your letter of intent to PTO.frc@gmail.com no later than end of the day on 5/7. All applicants must be approved by school administration.

Upcoming Events
5/5-9 Teacher Appreciation Week
5/8 Monthly Board meeting

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: 95.85%

K - 95.00%
1st - 95.86%
2nd - 97.93%
3rd - 98.62%
4th - 97.57%
5th -98.18%
6th - 96.66%
7th - 97.50%
8th - 99.39%

5/5-5/9 - Teacher Appreciation Week

5/6 - PTO meeting @ 6:00pm

5/9 - 1st and 2nd grade field trip

5/12 - Open House for new and incoming 6th graders @ 6:00pm

5/13 - Board meeting @ 6:30pm

5/14 - 3rd grade field trip

5/16 - Elementary students birthday celebration

5/16 - Middle school choir concert @ 2:15pm

5/16 - Drama Club spring play @ 6:30pm

5/20 - 3rd grade field trip

5/21 - 8th grade field trip

5/21 - Kindergarten graduation @ 9:30am

5/22 - 8th grade graduation @ 11:00am

5/23 - Field day

5/23 - Last day of school

Email: cjorgensen@falconridgecharter.org
Twitter: @coach_jorgensen