NFTN

Dear Falcon Families,

We survived the heat last week and are looking forward to hopefully cooler temperatures this week. Also, please be sure your Falcon is arriving on time for school each day. The gates close promptly at 8:25 am, there is a warning bell and students line up at 8:22 am, and students arriving after 8:25 am are tardy. If your student is absent, you must call the school office, or use the google form below, to clear their absence. Thank you for ensuring your Falcon is at school on time and ready to learn.

Just a friendly reminder to join our PTA. See the flyer below to become a member of our PTA. Students, parents, grandparents, and neighbors are encouraged to join our PTA. Our goal is 150 members this year and the cost is $12/member. As of today, 8/30/26, we have 100 members! We are getting closer to our goal. The class with the highest percentage of membership will win a pizza party. There is also a raffle basket. Each member will be entered into the drawing for the basket.

Please join us for our first Fern Foundation meeting on the year on September 1st at 3:15 pm in our school library. See you there!

Students running for Student Council will be campaigning this week. Check with your Falcon for ALL guidelines and timelines as they received this information at the election interest meeting. If you plan to help your student hang election posters each day, please note that you will need to follow the guidelines for hanging posters and exit campus by 8:20 am. Good luck to all our Falcons running for office!

Warmly,

Mrs. Lucas

Don't forget, there is a translation button at the top of this newsletter if needed.

Generally on the last Friday of each month we honor one student in every classroom with the Character Trait on the Month award. For the month of August, we practiced the trait of Respect and these Falcons were honored for demonstrating Respect in both the classroom and all around campus.

Way to go, Falcons! 🌟💚🌟

This Friday is our first RWALO event of the year! We plan to hold RWALO on the first Friday of each month from approx. 8:45-9:15 am, after our Friday flag assembly. Parents or family members are encouraged to come read with their Falcon either inside or outside of their classroom. You may bring a book from home or borrow one from our Foundation sponsored Book Cart.

Please wait for our students to exit our assembly and then meet them at their classroom. If you have multiple Falcons, you are encouraged to go to your youngest child's classroom and have their sibling join you. You are also welcome to split your time, 15 min/15 min, and read separately. You will need to keep track of your time. There will be an announcement made at the end of the RWALO session and you will need to exit campus at that time.

Thank you for taking part in this tradition we began last year! Go Falcons!

PTA is excited to provide this fall family picture opportunity this year and

it's doubling as a fundraiser to support our school!

Use the QR code to sign up today!

Attendance is key in student achievement and success at school.

Thank you for ensuring your Falcon attends school on time every day that they are healthy.

If your child will be absent, please use this google form to clear their absence. You may also call the school attendance line to clear an absence. Independent Study MUST be requested on THE DAY of the absence. For vacations, parents must request Independent Study TWO weeks before the absence.

Each week we hold a raffle for class attendance. Each day, if the class has 100% attendance, the teacher sends a raffle coupon up to the office. On Friday's we draw a primary and upper grade class winner. The winning class receives 3 class Gotcha's, a 10 minute extra recess and has the Falcon mascot in their room for the week.

This week's winners are:

Primary - Mrs. Valenzuela

Upper grades - Mrs. Price

September 1st ~ Foundation Mtg, 3:15 pm

September 4th ~ Read With a Loved One, 8:45-9:15 am

September 7th ~ No School, Labor Day Holiday

September 14th ~ FALL PICTURE DAY

September 17th ~ School Site Council Mtg, 3:15 pm

September 18th ~ PTA School Dance, 6 pm

September 21st-25th ~ Parent Conference Week

September 23rd ~ Non-Student Day

September 25th ~ Coffee with the Principal, 8:45 am

September 25th ~ Lunch With A Loved One, 12:15-1:00 pm

September 26th ~ Saturday School (1 of 3 for the year)

Fern Drive Student Handbook

2026-2027 FSD Student Calendar

Encore Registration Link

School Calendar on the website

Fern Drive PTA

Fern Drive Foundation

FSD Website

2026-2027 Executive Board

Welcome back, Falcons! We hope you had a wonderful summer filled with fun, family, and lasting memories. As we begin another exciting school year, the Fern Drive Foundation is thrilled to welcome back our returning families and extend a special greeting to those joining our Falcon community for the first time.

The Foundation is a nonprofit organization made up of dedicated parent volunteers, teachers, and staff who work together to enrich the educational experience for every Fern Drive student. Through fundraising events, corporate partnerships, and the incredible generosity of our community, we help provide educational programs, technology, campus improvements, and extracurricular opportunities that benefit all of our students.

There are many exciting events planned this year—including the Falcon Dash, our largest fundraiser! Whether you choose to volunteer, sponsor an event, or simply cheer on our students, every contribution helps make a difference.

Be sure to read the News From The Nest and follow us on Instagram (@ferndrivefoundation) for updates, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support our amazing school.

Here's to a fantastic school year filled with learning, growth, and Falcon pride.

Welcome back—we're so glad you're here!

Two organizations to support our students, two opportunities to get involved, one Falcon Family!

Reach out to our Foundation President, Kristen Jones, or our PTA President, Rachael Kaye

for more information on how to get involved.

Go Falcons!

Link to FSD website Nutrition Page

Lunch and breakfast will continue to be free for all students daily. We still do a lunch count daily so please discuss with your student the importance to take a correct lunch count.

Some students bring a lunch to school and then at lunchtime go get a school lunch. This results in some lunch shortages of the choice meal that day. Lunch options are still available and all children will be fed but often when this happens, the "lunch of the day" runs out. Please review with students the importance of this an accurate lunch count.

Email: julie_lucas@myfsd.org
Website: Fern Drive Elementary
Location: 1400 W Fern Drive, Fullerton CA 92883
Phone: 714-447-7710
Instagram: @fern_drive_falcons

Facebook: Fern Drive School Principal