Bird's Word for September 19, 2024
September 19, 2024
The Week in Pictures
School Joined Kindergarten to Celebrate Color Days
School Safety and Emergency Drills
As part of our district-wide efforts to familiarize staff, students and families with the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), you will find the language we use during drills and emergencies below.
Students and staff are NOT in danger when a DRILL is called. In efforts to reduce worries that young people may have, the Kindergarten teachers share a social story with students prior to the drill to familiarize students with what we do and the why. This week we conducted our first fire drill. Next Monday we will conduct a Lockdown drill. Again the Kindergarten teachers will be sharing a social story with emphasis on how the adults are here to keep them safe.
Lifetouch School Pictures
Lifetouch has sent an update letting us know that students' picture proofs should be arriving in about a week. They will be sent home with students and you can order at that time. If students need a picture retake, that will happen on October 24th.
Falcon Families for Equity and Justice (FFEJ) is a group of caregivers committed to learning, growing, and working together in solidarity to create a more equitable, safe, and supportive environment for all students.
We’d love your input on topics and events you would be interested in attending and are always open to new ideas!
Please complete this survey if you are willing!
https://forms.gle/4GHoNkNqV4huzczy7
We hope you can join us to learn more at our kickoff event on October 23rd at 7:00 pm. We will be meeting in the Media Center.
Also, we are looking for more volunteers to help with planning our Family Service Fair! It’s a great event where we set up service projects to work on as a school community. We then donate them to various community organizations. We need help with planning activities and organizations to support, collecting donations, and ordering and preparing supplies. We will be meeting before the kickoff meeting on October 2nd at 7:00 (location tbd). Please email if you are interested!
More information to come for the rest of the year! If you have any questions in the meantime feel free to email us at falcon.families.for.equity.justice@gmail.com or check out our website
PTA Message
WHOA! We are wowed by the generosity of all of the families on the school celebration donations! As of this morning, we are at $1407 of our $1400 goal. Even though we’ve met (and exceeded!!!) our goal, we will be accepting cash/check donations and online donations through the end of September and look forward to recognizing everyone’s generosity at our October 7th PTA meeting.
Looking forward to October, there are two opportunities to dine out to raise funds for Falcon.
On the first Tuesday of every month, Parkway Pizza Roseville on Lexington and Roselawn donates 5% of all sales to Falcon. Last year’s sales earned us over $800 from Parkway! Thank you to Lee and the Parkway Pizza Roseville team! The next date is Tuesday, October 1.
On Wednesday October 9th from 4-8pm, we have a fundraising dinner at Chipotle (on Snelling and C in Roseville). After $150 in sales, the school receives 25% of sales that use our code when ordering online or show our flyer in the restaurant. Thank you to Carol Brill for organizing this fundraiser! We hope to see you there!
All our best,
Lindsay Matts-Benson, Maria Gjerdrum, Deidre Rice-Pardo and Katie DeGrio Channing
FH PTA Board
Update re: New Transportation Routing System
Roseville Area Schools implemented a new transportation routing system this summer to enable easier route updates, fewer delays, and streamlined communications with families. During this conversion we have also been shifting some bus stops to corners within a reasonable distance while considering student safety.
The conversion hasn’t occurred without challenges. We are aware we inadvertently have stops on busy streets that don’t meet our standards. Many daycare or alternate addresses did not convert from the old system to the new one and these addresses had to be set up manually. We have also encountered difficulties with some of our specialized transportation. Add to this an exceptional amount of ongoing road construction and it has made for the perfect storm.
We ask for your patience as we address and resolve the remaining issues. If you need to request a change to a bus stop or if you no longer require transportation services, please email us at transportation@isd623.org or call us at 651-635-1638. Please be prepared to provide the following information:
• Student Name
• Student ID
• Reason for the request (for example, relocation, change in transportation needs)
Please note that we are processing requests as quickly as possible. You will receive updates and information about any changes via email, so please ensure that your contact details are current. This includes verifying that your most recent telephone number and email address are on file to ensure you receive all necessary communications promptly.
The safety of our students is our highest priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this transition.
Attendance Matters
School success goes hand in hand with good attendance. Research shows that consistent attendance at school correlates with student achievement. Therefore, we want to do all we can to ensure children are in school as much as possible. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time every day is important. Good attendance will help children graduate from high school and do well in college and at work. Our hope is to partner with families to remove barriers so students can be in school as much as possible.
We also know there will be days when your child will miss school, especially if they’re sick. Missing school when you’re sick is OK. In fact, children should stay home when they are sick. The goal is for students to be in school 95% of the time. That means your student would miss 8 days or less for the entire school year.
Here are some things you can do to help:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
- Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomachache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.
Here are some additional reminders regarding attendance:
- If your child has a doctor appointment, please bring them back to school after the appointment if possible.
- Excused absences include, but are not limited to: illness, doctors appointments, religious holidays, family emergency, and funerals.
- Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to: oversleeping, missing the bus, no transportation.
- There are also times students miss school due to family events. Some examples include cultural celebrations, weddings, funerals, graduations, and vacations. Up to five Family Event days will be excused. Day 6+ would be unexcused. Families could choose to take students out of school for family leave, but these days would be unexcused absences.
Thank you for all you do to support getting your child to school each day. Higher attendance equals higher student achievement! Thank you in advance for your support and partnership.
Attention Native American Families!
Do you identify as Native American? Are you receiving messages from Gabriella Carroll, American Indian Education Program coordinator, or Savannah Rojas, Native American cultural liaison? If not, please contact Gabriella at gabriella.carroll@isd623.org or at 651-359-0572 to be included in Roseville Area Schools’ American Indian Education Program. The Roseville American Indian Education Program is a district-wide program with a goal of promoting cultural awareness, academic advocacy, and community connection for our American Indian students and families. The Roseville American Indian Education Program serves all Native American students regardless of tribal affiliation or blood quantum.
Speaker Series for Parents/Guardians Sponsored by Advanced Academics and Talent Development
Local Psychologist Dr. Teresa Boatman will be offering a 3-part speaker series to parents and guardians of Roseville Area students in PreK through grade 12. The presentations are focused on the social-emotional needs of students. Dr. Boatman is a very engaging and relatable speaker with deep understanding of advanced students and their intellectual, academic and social-emotional needs. All parents are invited to participate in any or all of her presentations this year.
The first event will take place on Monday, September 16, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. It will be held in the Fairview Room at the Aŋpétu Téča Education Center (1910 County Rd. B West). Dr. Boatman will present from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. and an optional family connection time will run 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. Sorry but childcare is not provided.
To learn more about this free event, please CLICK HERE.
Limited Edition Apparel - Support Community Ed! 👕 🎉
Looking for fun Roseville Area Schools apparel? Choose from this selection of limited edition shirts! Your purchase will support Roseville Area Schools Community Education programs and services.
🔺 Heather black long sleeve ($20)
🔺 Heather red long sleeve ($20)
🔺 Gray short sleeve with school mascots ($15)
These shirts are a soft, comfortable tri-blend fabric (50/37/13 poly/cotton/rayon) in a unisex fit. Sizes are available in adult S - 3XL and youth S - XL.
Orders are due by October 4, 2024. ⏰ 🗓️ Shirt orders will arrive near the end of October! To place an order, call 651-604-3770 or CLICK HERE.
Fall Theater Club with Character Kids Drama! 🎭 🎶
Sing! Dance! Act! Join Character Kids for a fun-filled after school theater club! During this 10 week session, students will learn the basics of acting, singing and musical theater dance while having a lot of fun! No experience necessary. Parents are invited to a special performance on the last day of class. Focus is put on developing imagination, social skills and a positive self image through the performing arts.
Thursdays, Oct 3 - Dec 19 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Grades 1- 8 | $189
Location: Falcon Heights
Drawing Palooza with Young Rembrandts 🖍️ ✏️
Got a little artist at home turning every corner into their personal gallery? It’s time for their creativity to meet the vibrant world of Young Rembrandts! Watch in awe as their pencils whirl across the paper, drawing everything from yummy taffy apples to charming seasonal scarecrows, and bunnies full of sass. We are even sprinkling a bit of Van Gogh magic with some vibrant sunflower sketches. Embark on an artistic adventure filled with colors and imagination they’ll absolutely adore.
Offered for grades K- 6 at all elementary schools this fall! Dates and times vary by school.
FREE Toy Lending Library! 🚂 🧩 📖
Do you have children ages 5 and under? Check out the Roseville Early Childhood Program's FREE toy lending library! 😊 Individuals, families, and childcare providers can check out a wide variety of toys, books, puzzles, and parenting resources at no cost. Borrow the items for a few weeks, then return them and check out new ones!
This library promotes sustainability, increased access to toys and resources, and healthy child development. ♻️ These toys can help children practice social-emotional skills, fine motor skills, literacy and more - all while saving caregivers from constantly buying new toys as their children age and outgrow them. ✅
The toy library can be found in our Early Childhood Center at Parkview (701 County Road B W, Roseville). 📍