Friendly Friday Update

The weekly newsletter for the FHMS Community - 11/15/24

Mr. Hiti's Message

Hopefully your routines are established and you have time set aside each night to converse with your student about their school day, and you have an opportunity to review any assignments they are working on or overdue homework they need to complete. You could also do a quick check to see what your student is currently reading, and get a quick synopsis of what the read is about.

Overall, students have done an outstanding job in the classroom this year! We continue to help and encourage them to 1. Be on time to class, 2. Complete their schoolwork, and 3. Ask questions.

The honor roll was posted yesterday, congratulations to all of our honor roll students. This is a tremendous accomplishment and we are proud of you and the excellent work you did during 1st quarter!

Upcoming Dates

November 14-16 - Two Rivers Fall Play (Robin Hood)
November 27-29 - No school, Thanksgiving break
December 2 - Coffee with the Principal, 9 a.m.
December 10 - 9th Grade Registration Information Night
December 20-January 1 - No School, Winter Break
January 2 - School Resumes

A Note from the Health Office

There have been a couple of reported cases of head lice here in school so I wanted to share some helpful information with you all so please read through this attached fact sheet for information regarding head lice. With the weather getting colder and hats being worn, we would like families to be diligent about checking. There are no restrictions for staying home from school with lice, but there is great guidance on how to prevent, what to look for, and how to treat.

Here are some important bullet points from the fact sheet:

If you think your child has head lice, tell your childcare provider or call the school.
Treat your child for head lice and check the child's head and remove nits daily.
It takes at least 2 weeks to get rid of lice.
If all nits within ¼ inch of the scalp are not removed, some may hatch and your child will be infested again.
Check everyone in the house for head lice.
Treat only household members with head lice, and treat them all at once.

Does my child need to stay home from childcare and school?

No, but it is recommended that your child be treated for head lice. Your child should be encouraged to avoid head-to-head contact with other children.

Please reach out to me with any questions.

Thank you so much for your support in keeping our students well.

Rachael Jackson

Licensed School Nurse

rachael.jackson@isd197.org
651-403-7602

Unlock Discounts & Support School Funding: Apply for Educational Benefits

We encourage all families to apply for Free and Reduced-Price Meals benefits to help maximize resources for our students and school community! Submitting an Application for Educational Benefits each year ensures that our schools receive vital funding and enables qualifying families to access additional discounts. Although the Free School Meals for Kids Program remains in effect for 2024-25, providing all students with one free breakfast and lunch each day, completing this application can qualify eligible families for additional benefits like reduced fees for sports, college applications, discounts at local museums, and more.

Apply by December 5 using the current year’s form for School District 197 to take advantage of these opportunities. Apply for benefits here.

Homework Help

If your child is struggling to catch up on any missing assignments this quarter but is looking to get caught up, please consider them attending the Homework Help After School Program. We will now offer Homework Help on Mondays through Thursdays after school for ALL 5th-8th grade students.

This program is for students who are falling behind and want to be able to catch up. Homework Help is not a time for students to hang out with friends, use phones, watch videos, or play online games. We also have expectations for our students to follow while they're in Homework Help:

Please report to Upper Red (room 263 for 5th and 6th grade; room 262 for 7th and 8th grade) and check in at Homework Help. Check in is required before 3:26, unless you have a pass from the office or teacher. Bring all things with you - there will not be time to go to your locker.
Sign in on the attendance sheet. Know how you are getting home (4:20 p.m. activity bus or parent pick up).
While at Homework Help you are to be working on completing assignments and getting help. Socializing and hanging out with friends is not what Homework Help is for.
Snacks - personal only; be considerate of those with allergies.
Please help at the end of Homework Help by stacking or pushing in chairs and cleaning up areas around you.
At the end of Homework Help, you will line up in the classroom and then at the Upper Red Commons’ Doors. You will be escorted by a teacher to the bus and front doors for pick up.

A Homework Help bus will be provided but parent pick up is always encouraged. If you do plan to pick up your child, please wait for your child in the front entrance of the school. (If your child does plan to take the bus, make sure your child knows their home address so they can tell it to the bus driver or write it on paper for them to hand to the driver.)

Dakota County Winter Clothing Swap

On Saturday, November 23rd, Dakota County is hosting an outdoor winter clothing swap for the community. Find out more information by following this link.

Native American Heritage Month Celebration

The Two Rivers Native American Student Group invites all School District 197 families to celebrate Native cultures, histories, and contributions on November 20, 2024, from 5:30 - 7:00 PM in the Two Rivers High School Cafeteria. Join us for fry bread tacos, art activities, games, a drum group, and a potato dance, as we honor the strength and resilience of Native traditions, emphasizing that Native American heritage is a living and vibrant part of our world today. Please register by November 15 here.

Neighbors, Inc. Thanksgiving Distribution

Looking for a Thanksgiving meal? Stop by Neighbors, Inc. on Monday, November 18th from 2-3 p.m. for a distribution of Thanksgiving meal supplies. No appointment necessary!

Winter Gear Needed!

We are in need of winter jacket donations for our students in sizes Men's Small/Medium or other middle school-aged sizes (please, no elementary sizes.) Donations may be dropped off to the main office, thank you for your generosity!

Notebooks Needed!

We are in need of notebooks (with lined paper) for our students to use in their classes. Donations may be dropped off to the main office, thank you for your generosity!

School Procedures

Friendly Hills Clubs, Teams, & Activities

Cultural Liaisons & Interpreters

Friendly Hills Sideline Store - Buy Your FHMS Gear HERE!