Falcon Ridge Elementary Newsletter
April 2020
Important Information:
Office/Main Line: 952-758-1600
24/7 Attendance Line: 952-758-1605
FR Nurse: 952-758-1606
Fax: 952-758-1699
- Nutrition Services: 952-758-1774 and Lunch Menus/Times
- Transportation: 952-758-1480 and FR Drop Off/Pick Up
- Campus Portal: Campus Portal and Instructions
- FeePay: link to FeePay (various payments)
- Calendar/Dates to Note: Falcon Ridge Calendar
- School Supply Lists: Falcon Ridge School Supply Lists
- MN Dept. of Revenue K-12 Tax Benefits: K-12 Tax Benefits
- Parent Advisory Committee (PAC): FR PAC
- Facebook: Like Falcon Ridge Elementary on Facebook.
- Twitter: Follow FalconRidge721 on Twitter.
- Instagram: Follow FalconRidge721 on Instagram.
- Website: https://www.npaschools.org/falcon-ridge
Principal's Perspective
Falcon Ridge Families,
It goes without saying that the month of March brought on very unexpected changes to our school and schools across the nation. Your students are missed, and things simply are not the same without their energy and smiles present in our building. We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted all of our families and their typical day-to-day routine. The support, patience, and understanding that we've received from our Falcon Ridge community has been tremendous.
Our staff has worked tremendously hard in an attempt to continue to deliver high-quality instruction to our students through distance learning, a format for learning and teaching that is entirely new to all of us. I am proud of the work that has been done. And while not everything will be perfect, please know that we'll continue to do our very best for our students and families.
Additionally, our current reality has brought about numerous positives as well:
- Nearly 300 meals are being served at Falcon Ridge to those in need each day.
- Childcare service is available each day at Falcon Ridge for those in the medical, military, and essential worker fields.
- Chromebooks were successfully dispersed to students in grades 2-5, along with ipads to students in grades K-1 to help support distance learning.
There is plenty that we don't know about the weeks to come, and when our return to "normal" will be. For the time being, all of our school-scheduled events for the month of April and up through May 4 have been cancelled. We also learned last week that the MCA assessments have been cancelled for all 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. What we're going through won't last forever, and we're hoping to return to normal whenever it is safe to do so. Until then, please let me or any of our staff know if there is something we can help you with.
2020-2021 Calendar Changes
As we look ahead to next year, please know that our Fall Assessment Conferences for ALL elementary students have been moved up one week to August 25 and 26. The first day of school for all students in grades K-5 will be on Wednesday, September 2. At the conference, you will be able to meet individually with your child’s teacher, pay for lunches, meet with the school nurse, have your child’s school picture taken, along with having your child complete assessments with his/her teacher. This will enable our staff to use the data to plan for instruction at the very beginning of the school year. The assessment conference will take approximately 30-40 minutes. A detailed letter or email will be coming home with more details this summer.
Sincerely,
Mr. David Giesen
(952) 758-1601
Grades 3-6 Science Fair
Coronavirus/COVID-19 and Falcon Ridge
Staff Perspective - Tyler Glynn, Kindergarten Teacher
The last few weeks have been unlike anything we have seen in recent memory. It seems as though the entire world has been put on hold. Staying home is about the only place we can go. Fear, uncertainty, confusion, and sadness are just a few emotions that many of us may be feeling as of late. Things are changing by the hour, and we are all hopeful that life will be back to normal sooner rather than later.
Friday, March 13 was the last day teachers saw their students. Nobody knew what was going to take place in the coming days, weeks, and months ahead. Teachers and staff did not have a chance to say goodbye or to have students grab some essential items that they need to complete school at home (other than March 17). Since that day, I have been into school to grab a few items I had left there and walked the halls a few times to just reflect and take everything in, trying to understand everything that has transpired. The halls were dark and eerie, with the sounds of the custodians working tirelessly to clean and sanitize every corner of the building. It is emotional not knowing when the halls of Falcon Ridge will be filled with joy, laughter, staff, and students again.
As we all enter this time of distance learning, please give grace to each other. This is uncharted territory for teachers, staff, students, and families. We are all working very hard to understand and prepare for this new normal of teaching. We may fail at times, and knowing that it is okay will be important to remember. It will take everybody’s support and patience to get through this, but we will get through this because of the great community and staff that we have at Falcon Ridge. I feel grateful to be a part of such a caring school community. Take care of yourself, your family, and others. We are going to be okay!
2019-2020 Falcon Ridge Monthly Character Traits
R-espect (September)
E-ffort (October)
A-ttitude (November)
P-ride (December)
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C-ooperation (January)
A-ssertion (February)
R-esponsibility (March)
E-mpathy (April)
S-elf Control (May)