Friendly Friday Update

Our school counselors finished up their building wide kindness project that included several activities for students to complete. There are several displays in the building for students to see, and remind themselves of who they want to be for others, as well as what they need. Middle school years can be tough for a variety of reasons but our counselor team has done a very nice job of teaching, reminding, and pointing out how to be kind to others.

Don’t forget to talk to your student(s) about what they are reading! I have had some excellent conversations with students about their findings. Very impressive!

• November 6 - No school, Professional Development
• November 7 - No school, End of Quarter
• November 8 - LGBTQ+ Parent/Guardian Meeting, 6 p.m. @ Heritage
• November 11 - Big Friendly Fundraiser, 7-10 p.m. @ Mauer Chevrolet
• November 13 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m. @ Friendly Hills IMC
• November 21 - 8th Grade Visits Two Rivers High School
• November 22, 23, 24 - No school, conference comp & Thanksgiving break

One-Day Babysitter’s Training (Grades: 4-8) Register HERE

This course is designed to provide youth who are planning to babysit with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly give care for children and infants. This one-day certification course teaches participants to take care of themselves and others by exploring basic care of infants and children, basic first aid, emergency protocols, home safety, child behavior, developmental milestones, age-appropriate activities, professionalism, leadership, and more.

Participants will receive a digital copy of their Babysitter’s Training Certification and Babysitter’s Handbook via email the day before from Allison Curtis, please make sure your email is up-to-date. Please bring a nut-free bag lunch and drink.

Register Soon! Space is limited.

Coordinators of Odyssey of the Mind (a creative problem-solving competition) are opening up 7 spots for a FHMS team to participate. Students would need to bus over to Heritage for practices and then be picked up from there (activity busing may be available). Contact laura.webb@isd197.org for any questions. This is open to all students in grades 5-8.

If interested, email Ms. Webb a copy of the registration form (PDF) below to reserve a spot. The deadline to register is Thursday, November 9th!

Three times a year our students in grades 5-9 take FastBridge Learning assessments in math and reading which give teachers individualized information about a student's progress in mastering the skills they need to be able to learn at grade level. This year's fall assessments were given in September.

Please click here for more information about accessing assessment results.

School District 197 is seeking voter approval for two levies this fall. One levy would renew an existing technology levy that funds nearly all of our district's educational technology, and the other would invest in a new operating levy to maintain class sizes and avoid cuts to programs and staff. These levies, along with the school board election, will be on the November 7 ballot.

You can vote in person now or through the mail. It’s considered an “absentee ballot” if you vote before November 7. However, you no longer need a reason to vote by absentee ballot. To vote absentee in person, voters may do so at the District Office (attached to Two Rivers High School), the Dakota County Northern Service Center in West St. Paul, or the Dakota County Administration Center in Hastings.

Absentee voting hours at the District Office:

• Monday - Friday (through November 3) from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Thursday, October 26, from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

• Saturday, November 4, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Monday, November 6, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  
  

Eligible voters can also vote in person on election day, Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at their assigned polling location between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Find your voting location at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us. For more information about voting, sample ballots, and more, visit isd197.org/vote2023.

Friendly Hills Middle School is hosting a Winter Gear Drive from October 30th through November 21st. We are in need of clean items in good condition including coats, snowpants, boots, gloves, hats, scarves, and socks.

Bring your donations to the drop box in the school office. Thank you for your generosity!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Zuleyma at 651-403-7691 or zuleyma.torres@isd197.org

The Lost and Found bins are very full. The main bin is located in the rotunda between Lower Red and Lower Blue. There are additional bins in the boys and girls locker rooms near the Main Gym. Please claim your items by Tuesday, November 21st or they will be cleaned and donated to the Winter Gear Drive.

Haven't bought your tickets to the BFF yet? What are you waiting for?!

This is your chance to win great prizes while raising funds for the vital programs and activities that make Friendly Hills a great place to be for ALL students! Silent auction items include membership to Pool and Yacht Club, Minnesota Wild hockey tickets, theater tickets, wine class, priority reserved parking for FHMS concerts, and more!

Join us at Mauer Chevrolet on Saturday, November 11th from 7-10 p.m.

For more information and ticketing, email friendlyhillspta@gmail.com

The PTA is looking for volunteers to help with event set up and to staff games and tables on the day of the auction. Please take a look at the options and sign up where you can help. Thanks so much for helping make the BFF a success!

Two Rivers offers an opportunity for all 7th and 8th grade boys interested in participating in boys swimming and diving to join the high school program.

Practice starts on Monday, November 27th after school at the aquatics center at Two Rivers. Students can take the shuttle bus after school up to Two Rivers as well as accessing the 5:30 p.m. activity bus home when practice is over.

Students need to register online on EduTrak. Please visit TRWarriors.com for specific information, and for registration questions please connect with Dustin Boll.

Respect. Readiness. Relationships. Responsibility.

Friendly Hills Middle School educates students in grades 5-8 and is part of the tight-knit community of Independent School District 197.

Follow ISD197 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

#TogetherWeThrive197

Email: christopher.hiti@isd197.org
Website: friendlyhills.isd197.org
Location: 701 Mendota Heights Road, Mendota Heights, MN, USA
Phone: 651-403-7600
Facebook: facebook.com/FriendlyHillsMS

Instagram: @friendlyhillsmiddle