Principal
Due to continuing icy and dangerous driving conditions, FRSD and all activities are cancelled for today, Tuesday December 14th.
Out of an abundance of caution, the School District in consultation with First Student, is announcing a 2-hour delay for tomorrow, Tuesday the 14th. Typically we will wait until the morning when the weather pattern is uncertain, however Accuweather is showing an “expected” pattern in the morning that is problematic. At 4AM It is expected to be 32 degrees, and then get cooler as follows: 5 AM: 31 degrees, 6 AM: 30 degrees, 7 AM: 30 degrees, 8 AM: 29 degrees.
When the driving conditions turn dangerous after 5:30 or 6:00 AM, it is difficult for the District to change course as parents and students are expecting buses to be there to pick up students. While there certainly is the opportunity for the roads to be fine in the morning, the District will be operating on a 2 hour delay–based on the forecast and roads that are currently very wet. Any changes or updates will be shared here. Please pass along this information. A phone dialer will go out this evening to all families and FRSD staff.
It is with great regret that I share with you that an EHS student died on Thursday. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the student’s family, friends and our entire community. We cannot share further details at this time. We ask that community members not speculate on the circumstances at this time and encourage everyone to focus on caring for themselves and one another. As we develop our district wide response, we will share further information with you.
All students were given the news of the student’s death by staff this morning.
Given that this death occurs on the heels of another student death, we encourage all Fern Ridge community members to check in with one another and their children to discuss how their feeling, how they’ve been impacted by these deaths and talk about suicide. Children who are already vulnerable may be at greater risk of suicide due to the exposure of the suicide or sudden death of a peer so it is especially important that you check-in with your child.
Heavy feelings of anger or sadness are normal during tragic events. These conditions are treatable. It’s really important if you or your child are not feeling well in any way to reach out for help.
Members of our Crisis Response Team and staff from neighboring districts are available to meet with students individually and in groups 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), call 911, or take your child to the nearest emergency department.
Information about the funeral service will be made available as soon as we have it. If your child wishes to attend, we strongly encourage you to accompany them to the service. If the funeral is scheduled during school hours, students who wish to attend will need parental permission to attend.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or one of the school counselors.
District Office 541-935-2253
Elmira High School 541-935-8200
Fern Ridge Middle School 541-935-8230
Elmira Elementary School 541-935-8214
Veneta Elementary School 541-935-8225
Sincerely,
Rick Gardner
We are excited for the return of basketball and wrestling to Elmira High School this winter. Our goal is to provide our student athletes and fans with a positive experience throughout the season. Part of that experience includes continuing to follow the health and safety rules around masking and social distancing due to Covid-19. The indoor mask mandate will be enforced for all spectators at basketball games and wrestling matches. If you have any questions about the requirements please refer the links below for more information.
Elmira High School is pleased to announce that we will be participating in the City of Veneta Light Parade on Thursday, December 9th. This will take the place of the Homecoming Parade that we were unable to have in October due to high Covid-19 rates in the community. In addition, we will have The Snowcoming Dance on Friday, December 17th from 9:00-11:30 PM. We are excited to offer these fun activities for our students.
In late October and early November Elmira High School students held a clothing drive to support the GoTo Truck that helps provide clothing and supplies for the homeless in our region. This drive was organized by the EHS Interact Club and provided over 600 donated items. KEZI News was here yesterday to do a feature about our students and their efforts. Please checkout the link below to hear more about this great event.
The annual S.A.N.T.A. Toy Giveaway is Saturday, December 11th from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Veneta Elementary School. Please refer to the attached flyer for more details.
Winter sports begins on Monday, November 15th. Registration for winter sports will open on Monday, November 1st in Family ID. Please contact the front office if you have any questions.
Senior Students and Parent/Guardians:
EHS Counselors, Brittany McMillan and Court Wirth, will be hosting an info session tailored for seniors planning to apply to 4-year colleges. The session will be offered twice, this Thursday, October 28- first at 3:30pm in the theatre, then the same presentation virtually at 7:30pm that evening on Zoom, for parents/guardians and any students (especially athletes or students who ride the bus) who can’t make the 3:30pm event. Each session should last about 30 minutes, plus time for questions. If you are considering attending a 4-year college next year, we hope to see you there!!
Interested in attending the Zoom 7:30pm session? Here is the Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95429289287?pwd=VFVRZWp3UzRuSGRtejBFOXN5anJzQT09
If you have additional questions please contact your student’s counselor Ms. Brittany McMillan (last names A-K) at bmcmillan@fernridge.k12.or.us and Mr. Court Wirth (last names L-Z) at cwirth@fernridge.k12.or.us
UO SAIL Financial Aid Night, for students and parent/guardians, on Thursday, Nov. 4th from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Spanish interpretation is available. This session is hosted by the University of Oregon, however, it is intended to be a general financial aid session for all 2-year and 4-year colleges your student is considering.
Click the link to join: https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/95957680927
If you have additional questions please contact the SAIL office at 541-346-4668
