Fridley Middle School Families:

It has been an amazing start to the school year! Our scholars are doing amazing work and having an awesome start to their year. Our days of open house and orientation were met with great success as we saw hundreds of families in and out of the building meeting with teachers and preparing for the new year. We hope that you have found a smooth start and high levels of engagement.

We have a few reminders for families as we start the school year.

1. On-time arrival at school is crucial for our scholars to make the most of their learning experiences. We encourage you to help your child arrive promptly each day (we will continue to support on time arrival with our buses), as this sets a positive tone for their day and ensures they don’t miss important information. School starts at 8:00 am. Please be sure they have enough time to put their belongings in their lockers, grab breakfast and get to class on time.

2. All FMS scholars are required to use a binder and student academic planner this year. Binders are an organizational tool that helps our scholars keep their schoolwork and notes in one place, and they help our scholars develop organizational skills for high school, college, and career pathways throughout their lives. We have binders and planners for sale in the main office or online. Please help remind your scholar that binders and planners need to come to school and class each day.

3. We have had a very strong start to the year with our new cell phone procedures. Our teachers have noted the high levels of engagement in the classroom with cell phones put away for the day. We appreciate your partnership in helping remind scholars of the expectations to keep electronic devices "away for the day".

Your commitment to ensuring that Fridley Middle School provides the best learning environment to our students is appreciated. Together, I know we will continue to make this school year one of growth and achievement for all students! If there is anything we can do to support you or your student during this time, please reach out to your student's teacher or main office at 763.502.5400.

Go Tigers!

Dr. Amy Cochran

Principal

763.502.5401

cochran@isd14.org

Matt Engelhardt

Assistant Principal

763.502.5403

engelhardt@isd14.org

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!

Sincerely,

Brenda Lewis, Ph.D.

Superintendent

Scholastic Book Fair!

• October 10th -October 16th (Will take place during Conferences)
  

Fall Conferences

• Thursday, October 10th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

• Tuesday, October 15th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

• Wednesday, October 16th from 7:15 am to 11:15 am

Indigenous Peoples' Day

October 14

Unity Day- Wear Orange

October 15

No School

October 16, 17 and 18- MEA Weekend

Picture Re-take Day

• Tuesday, October 22nd from 8:00 am to 11:00 am
  
  

Holiday Band/Choir Concert

• Tuesday, December 10th at 7:00 pm (FHS District Auditorium)

FMS Bingo Night

• Thursday, December 12th from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm

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

Fridley Middle School has an upcoming Scholastic Book Fair! The book fair will be (October 10th -October 16th). We really need volunteers to assist with the book fair.

If you are interested in volunteering at our book fair, please contact Ms. Loconto at 763-502-5429 or via email at locontok@isd14.org

On Monday, October 14th, Fridley Schools students and staff are observing Indigenous Peoples day through discussion, learning and projects though out the district.

Fridley’s Land Acknowledgement Statement: We collectively acknowledge that Minnesota is located on the traditional, ancestral, contemporary and occupied lands of the Ojibwe Anishinaabe and Dakota Oyate Indigenous peoples.

We make this acknowledgement to honor and respect the Dakota Oyate and Ojibwe Anishinaabe people, the original stewards of lands and waters, their ancestors, descendants, traditions as well as the land itself. We have a moral responsibility to advocate and be in alliance with our Indigenous communities as we continue our equity and inclusion journey.

We look forward to November’s Native Heritage Month events and activities.

• As we continue to move to an “AVID School wide” model, our students will no longer be allowed to carry backpacks throughout the day. Instead, all students will be required to carry binders to all classes throughout the day. All students will be assigned a specific locker with a designated locker combination. All backpacks must be stored in the locker for the entirety of the school day. Placing backpacks in lockers will teach our students valuable skills about organization management, material responsibility as well as reduce distractions throughout the day.

• Cell phones and all electronic devices will not be allowed throughout the entire school day. In previous years, our 5th and 6th Grade students were not allowed to use cell phones throughout the entire school day and our 7th and 8th Grade students could only use them at passing time and lunch. This year, all students will need to have their cell phones put away and out of sight for the entire school day. Similar to backpacks, cell phones should be stored in student lockers and cannot be used at any time (including lunch and passing times). Please see the attached additional information provided as to why this change is being implemented.

Let's talk about AVID Binders!

• Have you checked your student's binder?
• Is the pencil pouch stocked?
• How are the divider tabs?
• Do you need more loose leaf paper?
• Is the binder locking and securing academic sheets properly?
• How is your school planner? Do you need a school planner?

Lets all work together as a team to ensure student's binders are working efficiently for our students!

7th grade is going on an inaugural overnight field trip to Long Lake Conservation Center in Palisade, MN. We will be exploring the great outdoors while learning ecological concepts and building community among our 7th grade class. We are so excited for our students to have this unique opportunity!

Dear Families and Caregivers,

Welcome to the new school year!

This year, your student will study an English language arts curriculum called Wit & Wisdom®. Great Minds® created Wit & Wisdom with the belief that every child is capable of greatness. Your child will be challenged, positively and productively.

They will build knowledge of the world and develop English language arts skills. Wit & Wisdom students read and study award-winning fiction and nonfiction texts, famous works of art, videos, photographs, and more. These texts awaken and expand students’ curiosity. Wit & Wisdom students also learn about compelling topics such as the five senses, outer space, the Great Depression, and more. Through their work with these topics and texts, students hone their abilities to read challenging texts and to write and speak clearly, logically, and effectively.

Wit & Wisdom students build strong knowledge and skills. We provide downloadable Family Tip Sheets for families and caregivers. These tips correspond with each module, or unit of study. Each tip sheet gives an overview of what your student is studying and offers ideas for learning outside of school. Wit & Wisdom prepares students to succeed in English language arts and beyond. If you would like to learn more, please talk to your student’s teacher, and go to greatminds.org.

Sincerely,

The Wit & Wisdom team

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

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 will be updated at open house.

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

This program is supported by Neighborhood HealthSource and is funded through a grant with the Anoka County Children Family Council (ACCFC). This year we will have two team members supporting our district. If you need support, please click the flyer below. We so excited we can offer this support again this school year.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Minnesota Statute 121A.335 requires public school buildings serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12 to test for lead in water every 5 years. Fridley Public Schools has historically conducted and continues to conduct Lead in Drinking Water testing per the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines. If found, the District remediates lead levels following the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines and completes retesting prior to use.

For more information on Fridley Public Schools’s lead reduction program and testing results, is located on the District website here: https://www.fridleyschools.org/about-us/departments/buildings-grounds/quality-monitoring-management-plan

Our Dean of Students offer support to students, their parents, and staff to ensure that students have the best educational experience. Please reach out to them for support or any questions you have. They are here to help and look forward to an awesome school year!

Office: 763.502.5438

Text: 612.405.9823

Office: 763-502-5403

Text: 612.361.6658

Office: 763-502-5418

Text: 612.351.0815

Office: 763-502-5590

Text: 612.440.6242

Below you will find school supply lists for each grade level.

Student at Fridley Public Schools utilize Chromebooks.

The Chromebook is a web-based device that provides access to Educational Resources and is managed by Fridley Google Apps for Education. Along with a login for the device, Fridley Google Apps provides online tools for writing, calculating, presenting, drawing and many other applications. Your child may use these tools for a variety of purposes for classroom assignments. Fridley Google Apps can be accessed with other devices that have an Internet connection. Parents can choose to receive updates and learn about their student’s classes.

We will have Parent/Guardian Chromebook Agreement form to sign at Open House.

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.

All Middle School 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

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

· Make online payments using checking, savings and/or credit/debit card to pay for your student’s meals.

· Families can also set up automatic payments to pay for meals.

· Check current balances and see any purchases made on your child’s account.

Meal Benefits Application: Annual renewal made easier

· Apply for Meal Benefits Application in Parent Portal

· Parents/Guardians must apply each year to qualify for free and reduced priced meals.

· By applying, you also help the district receive additional funding to support classroom learning.

Activities & Athletics & School Store: Now includes shopping for school supplies

· Sign up and pay for Activities and Athletics fees for your child

· View and shop for your child/children’s school supplies

Transportation: Access important updates and information

· Access your child/children’s transportation information on the Parent Portal.

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.

Fall Registration:

Fall sports registration is now open through the Infinite Campus Portal. Fall middle school sports will begin after school starts. If you have questions, please contact Kayla Bryson-Rivera at brysonrivera@isd14.org.

The sports that are available for middle school scholars:

Middle School Sports:

• Boys Soccer (6-8)
• Girls Soccer (6-8)
• Girls Volleyball (7-8)

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: cochran@isd14.org
Website: Fridley.k12.mn.us
Location: 6100 West Moore Lake Drive Northeast, Fridley, MN, USA
Phone: 763.502.5400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FridleyMS