Fern Ridge School District

Tammy Boren has been selected as our March employee of the month!

An employee of our district since September of 2004, Tammy worked for eight years as head secretary of Elmira Elementary School, and seven years as head secretary of Elmira High School.   Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year she accepted a position as the district’s special education secretary.

Tammy and her husband Mark have lived in Veneta for nearly 30 years.  They have four daughters and a son who all attended school here and graduated from EHS. Both Tammy and Mark are supporters of high school athletics helping out in many capacities.  Tammy takes care of the books for both girls and boys varsity basketball and is a constant presence on the sidelines cheering for the Falcons!  Outside of school, Tammy loves spending time with her family (and is looking forward to grandbabies!). During the summer months, she spends as many days as possible kayaking around the area with both family and friends and also enjoys working in her flower beds.

In her new position with the district, Tammy has excelled at the challenge of learning this new position.  A few of her daily jobs include maintaining confidential special education student files, data entry, assisting the district special education staff in each building, and submitting district reports to the Oregon Department of Education. She loves the “pay attention to detail” aspect of this position and enjoys the people she gets to work with.

We are fortunate to have Tammy in our district and appreciate the work she has done to benefit so many of our students.  Thank you Tammy!

 

 

Currently, the risk to the general public from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus is very low.  In the past few days, however, there have been a couple of cases in Oregon.  The virus is being closely monitored by Lane County Public Health, the Oregon Health Authority, and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)  These links provide a wealth of information to families that are looking for it and are updated regularly.  The Fern Ridge School District follows the recommendations provided by Lane County Public Health when addressing health-related matters.

Below are a couple additional resources for our families and staff

Watch a video of a LCPH nurse explaining the virus.

Fact sheet from the Oregon Health Authority. (PDF)

Like all viruses, the basics are important:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick
  • Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.

The district will continue to monitor this virus and take appropriate action, if needed, as recommended by our local and state health authorities.

Gary Carpenter, Superintendent, FRSD 28J

Thank You with Colorful CirclesClassified Employee Appreciation Week is celebrated every year during the first full week of March.

The education of our youth is essential to the future of our community, state, country, and world.  Our classified employees are the backbone of our public education system.  Our classified staff work directly with students, educators, parents, volunteers, business partners, and community members.  They support the smooth day to day operation of offices, the safety and maintenance of buildings and property, and direct instruction of students.

Our community depends upon and trusts classified employees to serve the diverse talents and needs of our students.

On behalf of the Fern Ridge School District School Board and all staff in the district, I want to thank our classified staff for their dedication and the work they do each and every day.  You are appreciated.  Please join me in observing and recognizing the hard work of these individuals!

Gary Carpenter, Superintendent, FRSD 28J

Below is a letter that will be in the front office of all schools tomorrow.  Please read, share and pass along.  The topic is youth suicide, and how together we can support students and families.  The link at the bottom is to a document that has contact information for a wide variety of services in Lane County.

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

In our district there has been a great deal of conversation and concern about suicide recently.  We cannot comment on any specific students or events, but we do know that some students and parents may find this very distressing.  Since the subject has been raised, we want to take this opportunity to make sure that parents have the information they need to understand how to support their children and get them connected to helpful resources.  In addition, we want students and families to know that district staff are here to support them in any way we can.

Suicide is a very complicated act. No one single thing causes it. But in many cases, a mental health condition is part of it, and these conditions are treatable. It’s really important that if you think your child is not feeling well and is potentially thinking about suicide, that you check in with them and encourage them to reach out for help and share how they’re feeling. Asking your child if they are suicidal will not put the idea in their head.  It will actually provide significant relief to them if they are feeling that much pain.

I am including some resources that may be helpful to you in discussing suicide with your child and information on local behavioral healthcare providers. Members of our Crisis Response Team are also available to meet with students individually today, as well as over the coming days and weeks.  Please contact the school office if you feel your child is in need of additional assistance. If you or your child needs help right away, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the Lane County Child’s Crisis Response Program 1-888-989-9990.  These programs can be sources of information and provide helpful services for parents. If you feel there is an imminent threat dial 911, or take your child to the nearest emergency department.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me, or the professionals at the school.  Each building’s contact information is below.  The following link shares a wide range of resources:  PARENT RESOURCE LINK-CLICK HERE

Professionally,

Gary E. Carpenter, Jr. Superintendent, FRSD 28J

 

FRSD Superintendent Gary Carpenter, 541-935-2253 ext 1201 gcarpenter@fernridge.k12.or.us

EHS Principal, Rick Gardner, 541-935-8200 rgardner@fernridge.k12.or.us

EHS Counselor, Brittany McMillan, 541-935-8200 bmcmillan@fernridge.k12.or.us

FRMS Principal, Olivia Johnson, 541-935-8230 ojohnson@fernridge.k12.or.us

FRMS Counselor, Ryan Chamber, 541-935-8230 rchambers@fernridge.k12.or.us

VES Principal, Lisa Leatham, 541-935-8225 lleatham@fernridge.k12.or.us

EES Principal, Michelle Marshall 541-935-8214 mmarshall@fernridge.k12.or.us

 

 

 

The district continues to work on our Student Investment Account Application.  After receiving input from numerous constituent groups, conducting a survey, and a thorough review of our data, the FRSD School board reviewed the first draft of our planned activities (expenditures) at the board meeting last night.

There are still several unknowns, and the goal will be to address those unknowns over the next month or so.  If you have feedback on the proposed plan, please do not hesitate to contact me at gcarpenter@fernridge.k12.or.us, or any of the FRSD Board members. Click here for Fern Ridge School Board Member Contact Information.

You are also welcome to attend the school board meeting on Monday, March 9 at 6:30 pm if you would like to address the board on this topic.

In the link below, there is a very simplified summary of the current plan that identifies different areas of spending, the anticipated cost, and “unknowns”.  Thanks to everyone for their continued participation in this process.

FRSD.SIA.PLAN.2-10-20  

National School Counseling Week 2020 (#NSCW2020) is Feb. 3–7, 2020.  The week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Take a moment to thank your local school counselor(s). Follow #NSCW2020 on social media. 

Here in Fern Ridge, we are lucky to have have two excellent school counselors, Mr. Ryan Chambers at FRMS, and Mrs. Brittany McMillan at EHS.  Thanks to both of them for all they do for the students, parents and staff of Fern Ridge.

To learn more about National School Counseling Week, visit www.schoolcounselor.org/nscw

 

Sheila Upton and Pam Zellers have both been chosen as the employees of the month for February.  It would be very hard to imagine Elmira Elementary without these two incredible instructional assistants!

Sheila has worked in our district since January of 2004.  She and her husband Scott have been married for 33 years.  They have two daughters, a son and a new grand baby!  Sheila enjoys working with horses, cooking, baking and thinks that family camping trips are the best!

Pam has been an employee since November of 2005.  She and her husband Tom have been married for 30 years, have four girls, one cat and two adorable chihuahuas.  Pam loves to backpack with her friends (who also happen to be her co-workers) and she especially enjoys reading a book while outdoors in a new place.

Sheila is one of the many staff members who greet students first thing in the morning as they arrive at school.  She teaches reading to small groups and also helps with math intervention.  Pam spends most of her day teaching math and reading to students in small groups.  However, both of these ladies do so much more.  They are always ready to step up and meet any need in any capacity.  Whether that means arriving early, staying late, or rushing back from a professional development training to make sure that there is adequate supervision on the playground.

Pam and Sheila tell us one of their favorite things about their job is how positive and supportive the staff at Elmira are,  “We have the best staff.  We share the same sense of humor and really support one another.  It is fun working with the kids and watching them grow in so many ways.”

Both of these ladies help organize food boxes and donations for EES families in need during the holiday season.  Pam has helped organize an after-school workout group and Sheila helps organize the EES Holiday Bazaar. Essentially, both in and out of the classroom, these two are a vital part of the team who make EES such a special place for staff and students every day.

Congratulations Pam and Sheila!  Thank you for all that you do for our EES staff, students and families!

feedback written in chalk on a chalkboardOver the past several months, the Fern Ridge School District has solicited input from a wide range of constituents regarding our upcoming Student Investment Account Application (due April 15th), and how best to meet the requirements of HB 3427 while addressing the needs of our students.

We have done this through a review of data, surveys, and “listening/input sessions” with parents, community members/groups, certified staff, classified staff, students and targeted student groups.  This data has been compiled reviewed and our initial DRAFT application is beginning to take shape.  That draft, will first be shared and discussed at our 6:30 PM school board meeting on Monday, February 10th.

The district will consider all feedback given over the following month until our board meeting on March 9th.  We hope to approve the final application at the March 16th school board meeting.  The best way/opportunity for all constituents to provide feedback will be to attend a board meeting on Feb 10th or March 9th to hear about the plan and speak during the public portion of the meeting if you would like to share your thoughts.

Thanks to those that have been participating, and those that continue to do so in the months and years to come.

The FRSD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative      Action/Veteran’s Preference employer.

 

The district does not discriminate on the basis of  race, religion, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, sex or  age in its programs or activities.

 

FRSD Title IX Coordinator

Michelle Marshall 541-935-2253 Ext 1220

FRSD ADA Title II Coordinator

Gary Carpenter 541-935-2253 Ext 1203

FRSD 504 Coordinator

Rilke Klingsporn 541-935-2253 Ext 1301

88834 Territorial Rd.

Elmira, OR 97437

            

ODE Fall 2023 Title IX Sexual Harassment Training August 2023

Title IX Review & Refresh

Title IX Sexual Harassment Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

 

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