Freedom Elementary Newsletter

March brought some unexpected challenges and, at times, unwanted excitement. We experienced an increase in learner absences, and several staff members tested positive for Influenza A and B. In response, our Buildings and Grounds team took extra precautions—thoroughly cleaning desks, door handles, and shared spaces, similar to the measures taken during the COVID years. I want to sincerely thank each of you for your flexibility and understanding during this time, especially when we made the difficult decision to close school for a day. That is never an easy choice, but it was necessary to ensure the health and safety of both our staff and learners. Your support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

March also brought a very exciting opportunity. We welcomed 75 staff members from across the district to observe our Freedom teachers in action. This visit highlighted the incredible work happening in our classrooms every day. The focus included our use of Catalyst, small group learning, and how we use formative data to guide and strengthen instruction.

We are proud of the dedication of our staff and the strong learning environment we continue to provide for our students.

As we head into April, we are reminded that North Dakota weather can be very unpredictable. While afternoons may feel warm and pleasant, mornings and recess times can still be quite cold and wet. Please continue to send your child to school with boots, snow pants, and a warm jacket each day, as learners go outside throughout the day. We will be sure to send all winter gear home once the weather becomes more consistently safe—until then, it’s always best to be prepared!

This month also marks the beginning of our end-of-year testing window for students in grades 3–5. These assessments are an important opportunity for learners to show all that they have learned and the growth they have made throughout the year.

Families can support their learners at home in several meaningful ways:

• Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep each evening
• Limit technology at home
• Provide a healthy breakfast to help them stay focused
• Encourage a positive mindset and remind them to simply do their best
• Continue reading at home and practicing basic math skills
• Help maintain a consistent daily routine

Your encouragement and support make a big difference in helping students feel confident and prepared.

Freedom Families,

The time of the year is approaching when we begin planning for the next school year.

A great deal of time and effort is placed into developing our class lists. Classroom teachers and specialists study their students' personalities, learning styles, and educational needs. They look to see which students work well together and which students do not; which students have a positive influence on one another, and which have a negative influence; which students are outgoing and which students are quiet. They analyze reading and math abilities and other academic and social/emotional needs. Everything our teachers have learned about the students while working with them during the past year is taken into consideration.

Parents, as experts of your child's needs, may have legitimate reasons for a child to have a certain learning environment or teacher. No teacher is best for every student. It may be helpful to list information about your child’s personality, learning style, or unique needs to be considered when making class lists. This information will be viewed and analyzed more than the teacher name itself.

What we need to avoid is students collaborating with their friends and then influencing their parents to make requests simply for the purpose of guaranteeing combinations with their circle of friends. Serious consideration of more important factors must take precedence over comparatively superficial considerations. New combinations and new relationships are important growth opportunities. Please don't consider your children's request for reasons such as these. Children learn important skills when they face new situations. The start of each new school year, in a new classroom with new classmates and new teacher, help children learn to adapt and make new positive relationships.

Priority for placements will be as follows:
1. Equalizing placement of special education students
2. Teacher recommendations based on teaching and learning styles
3. Equalizing behavior needs
4. Equalizing gender ratios
5. Parental preference

We will do our best to honor your request but may be unable to do so in some instances so please know there are no guarantees in getting your preferred teacher. This process will be completed by the end of the school year and your child’s teacher for next year will be shared in August.

Notes:
- Please note that new teachers and reassignments are always a possibility.
- Due Friday,May 1st.

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April 3 - NO SCHOOL

April 6 - Snow Make Up Day - Students Attend

April 13 - PTA Meeting 7:00 Library

April 21 - Skate City Spirit Night

April 24 - 1st Grade Music Program

April 28 - PTA Fun Run Fundraiser Kick Off

May 7 - Kindergarten Music Program

May 14 - PTA Fun Run

May 21- Last Day of School

Freedom Elementary Families and Staff: The PTA needs your help. Are you willing to help lead the PTA? Submit a nomination (see QR code on image). Have questions? Email us at freedomflyerspta@freedompta.net

Freedom Elementary is a schoolwide Title I school. Each year, the administration and staff meet to review the school’s data to determine a focus for goals and activities for the school year. Information is collected from various sources, including, but not limited to, parents, staff, and student surveys, demographic data, achievement data, program data, and perception data. This is all compiled to review and make decisions. These plans are laid out in continuous improvement goals that Freedom Elementary staff has worked on throughout the entire school year. The following goals have been the focus for the 2025-2026 school year.

Reading Goal: By May of 2026, 60% of learners will meet an SGP of 35 or higher as measured by STAR Reading.

Math Goal: By May of 2026, 60% of grades 1-5 learners will meet an SGP of 35 as measured by STAR Math.

Wellness Goal: By May of 2026, 100% of K-5 learners will identify a trusted adult as measured by formative data 3 times a year.

Choice Goal: By May 2026, 100% of learners K-5 will have a set at least of one SEL or Academic goal.

You may also view Freedom Elementary Schools Parent/Guardian Compact at the link provided below:

https://www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us/Page/5037

Parents Right To Know

Through federal education law, parents have the right to request information on the professional qualifications of the teachers and paraprofessionals at our schools. If you are interested in learning this information, please contact the school administration office at (701) 356-5221.

Upon this request, you will receive a detailed explanation of the licensing, education, and experience of each of our teachers. You will also receive information regarding the names and qualifications of the paraprofessionals at our school.

The 2026 Fun Run Fundraiser starts at the end of the month! Here are some important details to know:

Fundraiser Timeline: Tuesday, April 28 - Friday, May 15

Fun Run Date: Thursday, May 14

Bounce Houses During Gym Class: Friday, May 15

Theme: Level Up!

Prize Details

Lots of PRIZES will be awarded to students on individual, classroom and school-wide levels for hitting fundraising amounts! This includes:

Individual Prizes

· $10: Sticker + Raffle Ticket

· $25: Slap Bracelet + Raffle Ticket

· $50: Level Up Pen + Raffle Ticket

· $50: Gamer Squishy + Raffle Ticket

· $100: Video Game Keychain + Raffle Ticket

· $200 Video Game Controller Sensory Toy + Raffle Ticket

Classroom Prizes

· $250: 15 Minutes Extra Recess

· $500: Class Video Game Tattoo Set

· $1000: Class Party

· $1500: Kona-Ice Party

School-wide Prizes

· $15,000: School-wide t-shirts for 2026-27 school year

· $20,000: Smash Net Equipment

· $25,000: Book Bike

· $30,000: Musical Items

The Fun Run is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Freedom Parent Teacher Association (PTA)! All dollars raised will support events and programming at Freedom Elementary including: Lego Robotics Club, Fit4Life, Student Leadership Program, Battle of the Books, Classroom Grants, Field Trips, Back to School Night, Muffins with Music, Boo Bash Dance, Turkey BINGO, and more!

Watch for details in the next Freedom Elementary newsletter, via Seesaw, and on the Freedom Elementary Flyers PTA Facebook page.

Have questions? Email freedomflyerspta@freedompta.net.

Our School Social Worker, Michelle Niemiste, is available to assist families with Housing Needs, Food, Clothing, Dental/Vision/Medical needs, Mental Health Support, and other Community Resources. If you could use support or referrals, please reach out to Michelle by completing this form https://forms.office.com/r/3AEgjTsR0K

West Fargo Public Schools Medication Administration Policy (ACBD- AP) requires a parent or guardian to pick up any unused medications at the completion of the school year, when discontinued or expired or if a learner has transferred to another school. Medications will not be released to a learner, except for those authorized to self-carry their medication. When medications are not picked up by the deadline, they must be destroyed.

Medications will be destroyed if not picked up by the end of day on May 21, 2026 unless alternate arrangements have been made with your school nurse or building designee prior to that deadline.

If your learner is attending summer school at another location and will need their medication(s) during that time, the parent(s)/guardian(s) are required to bring the medication to that location. Any medication(s) not picked up by end of summer school will be destroyed unless alternate arrangements have been made with the designated summer school nurse or building designee.

Please remember to have your students wear proper footwear for phy ed class and recess. This would be tennis shoes that are tied or possibly boots for the wet outdoors. Flip flops, slides and crocs have been resulting in injuries such as rolled and twisted ankles and skinned knees.

During our counselor lessons in April, students will be learning more about careers and gratitude. We just wrapped up our problem-solving unit where students got to practice our problem-solving steps and discuss different ways to solve problems. At the end of April, we will be reviewing all the skills we have learned over the school year!