From the Principal...
Greetings!
We have school this week Monday through Thursday. Friday, October 6 is what is called a data analysis day for staff. We have three of these days, one a trimester, scheduled throughout the year. Teachers work with colleagues from across the district for part of the day engaging in professional learning and data review specific to their content area (for example, math teachers work with math teachers, science teachers work with science teachers etc.). This year the high school and middle school calendars are aligned making it easier for us to work across levels as well aligning curriculum and instruction vertically from grade 6 through grade 12. The remaining part of the day is spent collaborating in building around data specific to students and programs at Falcon Ridge Middle School. Although I know days off of school can be inconvenient for some, these days are exceptionally valuable for the professional educators in the building to plan, review, and reflect on instruction. We look forward to these days and the impact they have on programming for students.
Other news items with more detail below:
- Picture retakes will be Monday, October 9. Picture packages will be distributed through advisory this week.
- Falcon Academy targeted academic support begins Monday, October 9. Applications for Falcon Academy are available in the office. Students need parent permission and teacher recommendation to join.
- Vision screening this week on October 5 (details below)
- Fill out the educational benefit application to receive support with extra-curricular, and in-school programming.
As always, please reach out with questions.
Best,
Becky Melville - Principal
Falcon Academy applications open - begins after school October 9
Who: All 6th, 7th and 8th graders
What: Support with academic skills and homework assignments
When: Monday through Thursday.
Where: FRMS Media Center
Time: 3:15-4:50pm
Parents should pick up their students by 5:00 pm. All students who live in the FRMS attendance area can board the activity bus at 4:55pm with the assistance of a teacher.
Applications are available in the main office. Advisors can assist in obtaining application forms and teacher referrals. Students must have parent permission and a referral from a teacher to qualify for this targeted service program.
Vision Screening - A notice from Nurse Kim
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Please read the following on Vision Screenings: The state of Minnesota recommends that students have their vision screened during certain intervals throughout their academic career. These screenings are performed by your child’s school nurse annually during kindergarten, third, and seventh grade.
This year’s 7th grade vision screening will be on Thursday, October 5
This grade level vision screen will be supported by the LIONS club of Minnesota KidSight Program (https://www.lionskidsightusa.org/). Lions KidSight USA is a nation-wide program that brings Lions clubs across the country together to ensure our children receive eye screenings and follow-up care when needed. 1-in-3 young children have poor but correctable vision - often just needing eyeglasses. Their team of volunteers use the Spot Vision Screener which is a handheld, portable device designed to help users quickly and easily detect vision issues on patients from 6 months of age through adult. Spot screens both eyes at once from a nonthreatening 3-foot distance.
The LIONS club does not keep any personal identifiable information from students. The only data collected is total number of students screened and the percentage of student referrals.
The whole process takes about 3 seconds per student.
If your student does not pass the vision screen, a letter detailing your student’s results will be mailed home with a recommendation for a formal vision exam by an eye doctor.
If you choose to opt-out, please email the school nurse Kim Sikkink at kimberly.sikkink@district196.org.
Educational Benefit Application 2023-2024 - more than just lunch!
2023-2024 EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
*A NEW application is needed EVERY School Year.
* Complete one application per household; per economic unit.
*Quick and easy step by step application process.
*Worry free, your information is safe, secure, private and expedites the process.
Your student(s) may qualify for School Year 2023-2024
Apply online for faster results.
Families who qualify for educational benefits may be eligible for reduced prices on items listed below.
· iPad Protection
· Transportation
· Athletic participation
· Community Education Courses
· Academic Testing (ACT, AP, PSAT, SAT)
· College application fees
· Additional funding for your school
· Increased access to technology resources
· Family benefits may include free or discounted fees for cable and internet services
Quick Tip Reporting - Open on all school websites.
We always welcome and encourage students to say something if they encounter anything that makes them feel unsafe but sometimes reporting in person can be a challenge. Quick Tip is an anonymous form for students to report potential threats, alcohol and drug abuse, safety concerns and other issues at schools. There is the option to include the reporter's name if you would like follow up from the report.
School officials receive the reports and are able to respond accordingly. The form is located on the Contact page of all secondary school websites in District 196.
Click here for the Contact page on FRMS website.
Procedure for dropping off student items in the front office
When you arrive at school, please grab a post it note and label your child's item. Place it in a cubby on the shelf right by the main office front desk. Let our staff know the student and what item is being dropped off.
- You are welcome to send them a Schoology or email message and let them know that the item is in the office and they can come up during passing time to retrieve the item, or ask for a pass from a teacher. No worries, we'll give them a pass if they need time to get to class from a passing time stop in the office.
- We will also send a Schoology message to your child to let them know that the item is in the office. Unless it is an emergency item, we will not call and interrupt the class instruction to have them come to the office. We will remind students to check Schoology messages frequently throughout the day. They are easily accessible on a student's iPad.
**Reminder!
We do not allow deliveries of restaurant food whether that be from Door Dash or from parents to the lunchroom.
Spirit Wear Store is Open
Reporting an absence
We strive to have all of our students in attendance as often as possible. Of course, there are times when your child is not feeling well, or has an appointment and you need to excuse them from school. When that happens, please use the attendance reporting form. The form is located on the Falcon Ridge website, or you can click here and bookmark it for future use. You could also call our attendance line at 952-431-8764.
Please fill out the form ahead of time for appointments and we will give your child a pass to leave class at the time you specify on the form.
When you get to FRMS to pick them up you may either come in and sign them out, or you can call in, we will verify your identity through the phone number and our records in infinite campus, and we will send them out to you in the parking lot.
Becky Melville - Principal of Falcon Ridge Middle School
Email: becky.melville@district196.org
Website: https://frms.district196.org
Location: 12900 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN, USA
Phone: 952-431-8759
Twitter: @BeckyMelville