From The FSD Februrary 2024
FSD Mission Statement
We provide learning environments for every student to assure they are prepared for work, citizenship and change.
Message From The Superintendent
2/16 - No School for Students; Staff Professional Development Day
2/19 - No School for Students and Staff - Presidents' Day
2/20 - Board of Education Meeting 5:00 pm Truman Auditorium
February Celebrations
Black History Month
Career and Technical Education Month
2/2 - National Heart Disease Day - Wear Red
2/5 - 2/9 - National School Counseling Week 2024
2/14 - Valentine's Day
2/15 - National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
2/16 - Random Acts of Kindness Day
2/26 - 3/1 - National Public Schools Week
February Black Knight Spotlight - Washington-Franklin Elementary
Growing Green: FSD's Tower Gardens Foster Learning and Community
In an innovative move to blend agriculture with education, several classrooms across the Farmington School District are now home to thriving tower gardens, thanks to generous grants that have made their purchase possible. Community member, healthy living advocate, and substitute teacher, Mrs. Dawn Fuemmeler has been integral in helping introduce the tower gardens to FSD staff. This green initiative is engaging students from elementary to high school levels, integrating hands-on agricultural practices into the curriculum and fostering a sense of responsibility and community among students.
At the high school, the agriculture department, led by Mrs. Tracy Stroud, has embraced the tower gardens with enthusiasm. "We are mainly growing lettuce at the moment," Stroud shares. "It's been a journey of trial and error, but the students have taken ownership of the project, leading to a successful lettuce harvest last semester." The harvest was celebrated with a "salad party," with leftovers donated to the school cafeteria, highlighting the project's community spirit.
The initiative extends beyond agriculture classes. Jefferson Elementary's library hosts a tower garden utilized by the Super Seeds Garden Club, while Mrs. Albee's seminar class at Farmington High School experiments with growing various types of lettuce, basil, and kale. "The project has particularly resonated with students who are typically less involved in other activities," notes Albee, "allowing them to take the lead in caring for the garden."
Perhaps most notable is the involvement of the PAGES program for gifted students, where tower gardens have introduced young learners to the principles of aeroponics, the science of pH levels, and the importance of nutrients in plant growth. "Our first seeds were planted in November, and we've already enjoyed multiple harvests," says Mrs. Suzanne Ross, the PAGES teacher. The program has even incorporated salad tastings to educate students on nutrition and encourage them to try new foods.
This initiative not only teaches students about sustainable agriculture and healthy eating but also brings them together in a unique, hands-on learning environment. "It's incredible to see students of all ages taking an interest in gardening, from tending to the plants to enjoying the fruits of their labor," Ross adds.
As tower gardens continue to flourish in classrooms across the district, the Farmington School District is setting a precedent for integrating sustainable practices into education, proving that when it comes to learning, the sky—or in this case, the tower—is the limit.
Kindergarten Screenings and Registration - Welcome Class of 2037
Two Easy Steps To Kindergarten Enrollment
Step One: Before students can enroll in Kindergarten at the Farmington School District, they need to participate in a Kindergarten screening. Students in our PreK program and local daycares will be screened during school. All other children must be screened on March 7th or 8th by appointment only—call (573) 701-1370 to schedule your student’s appointment.
What to Expect At Screenings:
- Parents/Guardians will need to submit a valid email address
- Parents/Guardians will complete a health questionnaire and household information paperwork, it may be helpful to have immunization records with you.
- Students will participate in the Dial 4 Developmental Screening
Step Two: Kindergarten registration will be held at the Black Knight Fieldhouse on March 19th, 20th, and 21st by appointment only. Students must be screened before registration. (see Step 1) The student will need to be present with the parent/guardian at registration. Students will complete additional screening activities with current Kindergarten staff, and parents will complete online registration. Schedule your student’s appointment by calling (573) 701-1370. The Black Knight Fieldhouse is located at 1 Black Knight Drive in Farmington.
What is Required At Registration?
- Official State Birth Certificate
- Immunization Record
- Proof of Residency (property tax, utility bill, rental agreement, phone bill, etc.)
Students must by 5 years of age before August 1, 2024
FSD Board of Education Approves 2024-2025 School Year Calendar
At the January Board of Education meeting the FSD Board approved the calendar recommended by the FSD calendar committee and Superintendent for the 2024-2025 calendar year. This calendar reflects our commitment to boosting student attendance and providing valuable professional development opportunities for our staff.
Our calendar adheres to state regulations, with the first day of school for students set no earlier than 14 calendar days before the first Monday in September. To ensure quality education, we've allocated time for a minimum of 1,044 hours of student attendance, excluding summer school.
Additionally, our collaborative approach to calendar planning involves input from staff, ensuring it aligns with our community's needs. We are pleased to share the calendar now with the community as part of our "Future Focused" commitment. To view the calendar visit our website via this short link: https://t2m.io/FSD2024-2025
Thank You Sgt. Weekley, Officer Vandiver and Officer Helton!
Tackling Winter Challenges: Farmington School District's Operations Department
As winter descends upon Farmington, Missouri, the Farmington R-7 School District's Operations Department is hard at work, addressing the unique challenges posed by extreme cold weather. We spoke with Mr. Josh Hoehn, the Director of Operations, to gain insights into how the department ensures the safety and well-being of students and staff during the winter months.
Mr. Hoehn highlighted some of the key challenges they face during extreme cold weather conditions: "One of our main concerns is frozen pipes and the risk of water lines bursting. We also focus on maintaining heat in classrooms, kitchens, storage areas, outdoor facilities, and aging HVAC units. Buses can be finicky in cold weather, so ensuring they start and run smoothly is another priority." Preparation is key, and Mr. Hoehn explained, "We start preparing well in advance by adding or rerouting heating sources and vents to vulnerable areas. Thermometers help us monitor these spots and ensure they receive enough heat to prevent freezing. Daily building checks are performed, especially on non-school days."
For the safety of students using school transportation during extreme cold, Mr. Hoehn emphasized, "Our Transportation department conducts regular and preventative maintenance to keep all route buses equipped with reliable heating. Extra drivers and warm buses are on standby in case of breakdowns or accidents during severe cold snaps."
To maintain reliable heating systems in schools during cold weather, Mr. Hoehn shared, "We adhere to routine and preventative maintenance schedules to keep HVAC systems running efficiently year-round. In case of issues during extreme cold, we have backup heat sources to bridge any gaps."
When addressing the food service department's challenges during school closings or early dismissals, Mr. Hoehn noted, "On early release days, kitchen staff adjust menus, prep times, and serving schedules, which can be a logistical challenge. Unscheduled school closures affect various kitchen areas, impacting menus, food prep, delivery schedules, and inventory."
Mr. Hoehn praised the maintenance department's role in winter preparedness: "Our maintenance staff works diligently to prepare for winter weather. They pretreat parking lots and driveways with salt, clear snow and ice, and monitor buildings and equipment to prevent issues with frozen plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems."
Reflecting on a recent extreme weather event, Mr. Hoehn shared, "In a recent January cold snap, nearly a third of our bus fleet refused to start in wind chill temperatures as low as -20°F. Thanks to the dedication of our bus mechanics, Keith and Jon, we got the fleet back on the road as soon as conditions allowed. This experience prompted us to make adjustments in our preventive maintenance checklists for future extreme weather readiness."
The Farmington School District's Operations Department is committed to ensuring the safety of students and staff during extreme cold weather. Their proactive approach and dedication enable the district to continue its operations, providing students with a quality education, even in the most challenging winter conditions.
TEENS TEACH Program: Empowering Students Through Peer Education
The Farmington R-7 School District has joined forces with Prevention Consultants of Missouri to launch TEENS TEACH, a pioneering initiative designed to mitigate substance misuse and enhance student well-being through peer education. Dr. Ashley Krause, Associate Superintendent of Schools, champions the program for its strategic alignment with the district's broader health and wellness goals. She emphasizes the importance of peer-led education, stating, "This program perfectly complements our wide-ranging goals concerning the prevention of substance misuse and the promotion of overall well-being."
The initiative's first session saw participation from 50 students across various schools, including Farmington High School, under a volunteer leadership model for grades 9-12, aimed at promoting wellness and preventing substance misuse. Dr. Krause highlights the program's inclusive approach, focusing on empowering students to lead in wellness education and substance misuse prevention.
As part of the program's forward-looking strategy, these student leaders will conduct educational sessions for middle school and Lincoln Intermediate students throughout the year.
Mrs. Amy Greif, the high school social worker who participated in the training, underscores the effectiveness of this peer influence, especially on critical issues like vaping and substance misuse. “Middle school students are likely to connect with peers from the high school and listen to them on these issues,” she notes, pointing out the impactful role of high school students in shaping younger students' perspectives.
Dr. LaMonds, Principal at Farmington High School, adds further insight into the program's reach and potential impact, highlighting the open invitation to all high school students to participate, with 18 out of 25 applicants attending the training. "Our objective is to collaborate with Middle School Health teachers, enabling our trained high schoolers to apply their learning in these classrooms," Dr. LaMonds explains. She stresses the impact of peer-driven programs, adding, "Peer influence is powerful, and this initiative also fosters connections with future high school students."
Kudos to the FHS students who participated in TEENS TEACH! We are excited about the potential of the program, promising a significant shift towards peer-led education in substance misuse prevention and student well-being.