Trail Guide
September 16th, 2024
October 23, 2026 Trail Guide
Important Dates
October
October 26: PRIDE Ticket Drawing
November
November 2: PTO Restaurant Night @ Vitales Ada
November 3: Band Concert 7:OO-8:0 PM @ FAC
November 9: Early Release (1:45 Dismissal)
November 19: PTO Meeting 6:30 PM
November 25-27: No School (Thanksgiving)
November 30: PRIDE Ticket Drawing
December
December 1: Optional Adolescent Health Parent Curriculum Review (More information to come)
December 1-3: Reading MAP Testing
December 2: Combined Band-Orchestra-Choir Rehearsal 9-10 am
December 3: Orchestra Concert FAC 7pm
December 7: PTO Restaurant Night @ Noco Provisions
December 8-10: Math MAP Testing
December 14: PRIDE Ticket Drawing
December 14: Winter Choir Concert FAC 7pm
December 15: NED Show (More info to follow)
December 16-18: 1/2 day - Dismissal at 11:55
December 16-18: Adolescent Health (More information to come)
December 21-January 3: Winter Break
News and Notes
Communicating Academic Standing
Dear Huskies,
One of our building goals based on parent experience data is to improve our communication around your child's academic standing. We're excited that with our change in JK-5 curriculum and piloting our 6th grade resource, we have a report that is able to offer another data point for where your child is performing and some potential action steps to support from home.
In your child's Friday Folder, you will receive a DIBELS report and a parent letter explaining the report. This first report is from the beginning of the year and is a single data point. You will be receiving more up-to-date reports throughout the year. These will provide you with another point of contact for where your child is at and how to best support them from home. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher.
Due to where 6th grade Spanish Immersion is in the piloting process, and the nature of DIBELS, we intentionally did not have them take the test. If your child is in that program, they will not be receiving this report.
Helpful links and information below:
- DIBELS district letter (you can use this since it's our first time sharing these reports).
- mCLASS Parent Guide Flyer (linked in letter)
- mCLASS Caregiver Site (linked in letter)
REMEMBER TO ORDER A YEARBOOK
Please kindly remember to order your student's yearbook.
To ensure your student receives a copy at the end of the school year, please purchase one through Geskus using your student's personal Web Code, which was sent home on a postcard after photos were taken. If you are unable to locate your code, feel free to contact the school office, and we will be happy to assist you in retrieving it.
Link to start your order: https://gpi.portraitpics.co/login
Husky Harvest Festival!
Harvest Festival Friday, October 30th
We are excited to bring new fun to our Harvest Festival this year!. During the party, the students will go down to the gym for 40 minutes of games, then over to the cafeteria for 20 minutes of snacks & drinks. Our huskies are allowed to change into their costumes for the party as long as they are school appropriate. We need parent volunteers to help run the games and supervise our huskies. Families, check out this link to volunteer to support our Huskies’ party time!
Hall A: 12:30-1:30: Sweers, Okoba, Bailey, Lockman, Methner
Hall C: 1:10-2:10: Florek, Sharma, Zhao, Redmond, Morey, Tuller
Hall D: 1:50-2:50: Roderique, DeGeer, Rosema, DeJong, Du, Burdick
Hall B: 2:30-3:30 Grant, Riley, Cortes, Clark-Carnes, Domeier, Vicente
Adolescent Health
Your student(s) will be offered the opportunity to participate in learning sessions on the risks and prevention of communicable diseases including HIV and AIDS, as required by state law. These lessons are aligned with the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs) for health education.
A hard copy of the parent letter will be coming out on November 13th in the Friday Folders. Please see the link if another copy is needed.
You are invited to attend an optional meeting for parents/guardians to review the health curriculum. This meeting will be held in the Northern Trails Media Center on December 1, 2026 from 5:30-6:30 pm.
FHPS Implements a New Digital Visitor Management System Coming in November
-A Safer, Simpler Check-In
FHPS Implements a New Digital Visitor Management System Coming in November
As part of our ongoing commitment to safety and security, FHPS is introducing a new visitor management system in all of our schools this November. The system keeps track of who is in our buildings at all times, so we can continue providing a safe and welcoming environment for students, staff, and families.
When you visit any FHPS school during the school day, there are two important things to remember:
Always enter through the main entrance and check in with the office staff.
If your visit will take you beyond the main office, for example, to volunteer or read to a class, bring a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID.
If you’ll be going beyond the office, here’s what to expect when you arrive:
Enter the secure vestibule area inside the main school entrance. Press the security door buzzer, and proceed to the main office. Scan your ID using the designated iPad and follow the directions posted at each iPad kiosk. If you need assistance, an office member can help you.
Scan your ID at the kiosk each time you visit.
The system reads your name, photo, and date of birth from your ID. It then runs a brief background check against the sex offender registry and any flags or local alerts entered by school personnel.
Once you’re cleared, the kiosk prints a visitor sticker. Visitors must wear their sticker where staff can easily see it throughout their visit, so staff knows you’re an approved visitor.
Before you leave, return your sticker to the front office and quickly scan out.
The entire check-in process typically takes less than 30 seconds.
Not every visit requires scanning in. If you’re stopping by briefly to drop off or pick up a student, or to make a delivery, you won’t need to use the system. FHPS employees also won’t scan in, because all district staff are already required to wear their FHPS ID badge at all times, enter through the main office, and check in with office staff before going further into the building. Furthermore, for larger school events, the check-in process will be more streamlined and communicated to families prior to these events, such as class parties or school fundraising walks, to name a few.
Behind the scenes, the new system replaces paper sign-in sheets with a secure digital process. It keeps a real-time record of everyone on campus, including when each visitor arrives and leaves. It also connects with PowerSchool, our student information system, and can generate reports for building administrators. If a visitor is flagged, the system immediately alerts an administrator so they can respond quickly and discreetly.
Most importantly, remember to bring your government-issued ID every time you plan to go beyond the school office. Our front office staff is always willing to assist. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe and welcoming for everyone.
The PTO Post
Thank you to NT PTO Sponsors
Harvest Festival Friday, October 30th
We are excited to bring new fun to our Harvest Festival this year!. During the party, the students will go down to the gym for 40 minutes of games, then over to the cafeteria for 20 minutes of snacks & drinks. Our huskies are allowed to change into their costumes for the party as long as they are school appropriate. We need parent volunteers to help run the games and supervise our huskies. Families, check out this link to volunteer to support our Huskies’ party time!
Hall A: 12:30-1:30: Sweers, Okoba, Bailey, Lockman, Methner
Hall C: 1:10-2:10: Florek, Sharma, Zhao, Redmond, Morey, Tuller
Hall D: 1:50-2:50: Roderique, DeGeer, Rosema, DeJong, Du, Burdick
Hall B: 2:30-3:30 Grant, Riley, Cortes, Clark-Carnes, Domeier, Vicente
Ongoing Volunteering Opportunities
PTO committees for Staff Appreciation & Talent Fair still need members! Please consider signing up HERE to join these committees so we can start planning for the spring.
Recess & Lunch Volunteer
Media Center Volunteer
Stay Connected
Checkout our communication avenues through the NT PTO WEBSITE or by joining our Facebook Group. Our PTO meeting minutes can be found on the website. We’re excited to partner with more families to make next year amazing! Questions, comments, or suggestions? You can also reach out via email at FHnortherntrailspto@gmail.com.
Additional Opportunities
Cannonsburg School Punch Card Program
Cannonsburg School Punch Card Program
Punch cards offer discounted lift tickets for families with students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Parents can purchase cards for the whole family when purchasing one for their student. Punch cards also offer discounts on rentals and private lessons. If there is enough interest, we will hold Thursday after-school meet-ups at Cannonsburg.
Email info@cannonsburg.com with questions on punch cards. Email punch card sponsor, Kathryn von Maur, at kvonmaur@fhps.net with interest in Thursday meet-ups.
Reminders/Helpful Links
- 26-27 Northern Trails Welcome Handbook
- Home/School Communication Guide
- 25-26 FHPS Elementary Student/Family Handbook
- Tech Tips for Parents (Navigating FHPS and Parental Support)
- SORA (Our ebook and audiobook library)
- NT School-Wide Level Donation List
- NT PTO Volunteering
- Lunch/Recess Volunteer
- Media Center Volunteer
- 2026-27 Volunteer Consent Form
Hand2Hand!
Northern Trails is excited to offer Hand2Hand to our students! Hand2Hand provides free weekend food bags to students who could use a little extra food support at home. There is no cost to families to participate.
To sign your student up for Hand2Hand, complete the Digital Permission Slip here:
https://forms.gle/MkYnELfT8AvnmqNRA
To learn more about Hand2Hand, visit www.h2hkids.org.
Northern Trails Office Staff: 616.493.8990
Mrs. Bridget Bissell, Head Secretary: bbissell@fhps.net
Ms. Mckaila Hacker, Registrar: mhacker@fhps.net
Mrs. Amy Hallead, Counselor: ahallead@fhps.net
Mr. Josh Traughber, Supervisor of Student Support Systems: jtraughber@fhps.net
Mr. Bill Cataldo, Principal: wcataldo@fhps.net