FJSHS Cardinal Corner

Dear Caregivers & Families,

As we approach winter break, we want to thank you for your continued support and partnership in making this semester a success. This is a wonderful time for students to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with loved ones after all their hard work. Please encourage your children to engage in activities that inspire rejuvenation and creativity over the break. On behalf of our entire staff, we wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday season and look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year.

In Cardinal Pride,

Principals Brusky and Schultz

Thank you to everyone who has shared the positive impact our staff members have had on your children. When sharing these with our staff members, there is are a lot of emotions that come up. One of the most common is surprised. Staff are working hard every day making a difference and that positive impact is not always communication. When it finally is, staff are surprised on how some of the smallest gestures can have the biggest effect. Please continue to share your perspectives on how our staff is making a difference in the lives of our future leaders.

Again, please consider recognizing one of our staff members whenever you hear the impact they have had on your student by completing the Staff Recognition Form.

Study Table has been started. This is an after school opportunity for students to take assessments, have a quiet space to work on homework, or get extra help on class assignments. This is open for any student to attend. The hours are below:

M & F: 3:15-4:30

T, W, & TH: 3:15-3:45

On Saturday from 8:00-11:00, there will be Math Help Center in S212. Students seeking math support or needing to make up an assessment are welcome to attend. Reach out to your child's teacher so materials can be ready for your child.

Open Door Health Center at Fairmont Area Schools is located at Fairmont Elementary School (across from the main office; enter through door #1 and call #507-344-5726 when you arrive to be escorted into the clinic). Students attending Fairmont Elementary or Fairmont Junior/Senior High School may receive care at this clinic; every student may receive care regardless of their insurance status. Open Door Health Center offers a Sliding Fee Discount Program for families who qualify (based on income and family size) regardless of current insurance status. Please call #507-344-5726 to schedule an appointment.

With the holidays upon us, we recognize finances can be tight. If your family needs assistance with food, please reach out to your school social worker for access to our school food shelf.

Additionally, if your child is in need of winter gear - coats, hats, gloves, etc., please let us know, as we do have extra available.

• Upcoming Counseling Events:

• Virtual Financial Aid Presentation for senior students & families:

• Wednesday, January 15th @ 6:00 pm

• Link to Join the Meeting: https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/97865651352

• Senior Class of 2025:

• Here is a link to the message sent to seniors & families on December 2nd:

• December 2024 Message to Our Seniors Class of 2025

• Junior Class of 2026:

• Here is a follow-up message and resources shared at Junior Planning Night on December 3rd: Junior Planning Night~Follow up Message

• PSEO Reminders:

• Spring PSEO schedules: If you register for Spring PSEO courses, please send your college schedule to Mrs. Schwieger so we can update your high school schedule accordingly.

• Book returns for MN West fall semester: When students finish their finals and are done with their books, those materials need to be returned to the counseling office. Deadline is Dec 20th at noon, after that date students are responsible for returning their books to the MN West Campus. Mrs. Moeller sent a message with the PSEO book return instructions on December 3rd.

Please be aware of the negative effects that screen time(especially social media) can have on your child's mental health/well-being. There are many studies that show a direct correlation between screen time and poor mental health. The more that screen time can be decreased, the better!

"Previous research on associations between screen time and psychological well-being among children and adolescents has been conflicting, leading some researchers to question the limits on screen time suggested by physician organizations. We examined a large (n = 40,337) national random sample of 2- to 17-year-old children and adolescents in the U.S. in 2016 that included comprehensive measures of screen time (including cell phones, computers, electronic devices, electronic games, and TV) and an array of psychological well-being measures. After 1 h/day of use, more hours of daily screen time were associated with lower psychological well-being, including less curiosity, lower self-control, more distractibility, more difficulty making friends, less emotional stability, being more difficult to care for, and inability to finish tasks." https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6214874/

Check out the December lunch menus for Korean inspired recipes.

Use the See Something, Say Something form to report Bullying, Discrimination, Threats or other Concerns that are associated with Fairmont Jr./Sr. High School.

SEE, SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING Form.