The community Q & A session has been cancelled due to Winter Break.
The next Q & A session will be held at 5:30 pm before the start of the January 24, 2022 school board meeting.
Tonight’s School Board Meeting will continue as scheduled at 6:30 pm and can be viewed by logging into the Zoom Webinar here or by dialing 1-346-248-7799.
Webinar ID: 856 2955 1270
FRSD Community,
The Fern Ridge School District has become aware today of troubling posts that have been shared widely around the country on the social media platform, TikTok. The posts refer to a threat to school safety for “every school in the United States” on Friday, December 17th. There has been NO threat to our local schools.
The post appears to be part of a national TikTok trend that did not originate in our school district, or even in Oregon. KVAL ran a short story on this topic today, that you can view here: https://kval.com/news/nation-world/schools-across-us-respond-to-vague-shooting-threat-circulating-on-tiktok.
All FRSD staff have been informed of this situation. In addition, I have been in contact with local law enforcement and there may be an increased presence around our schools tomorrow.
Last night the District held a forum with a panel of experts on the topics of grief and how to support the youth of our community during this difficult time. The primary guest speaker was Dr. Donna Schuurman of the Dougy Center in Portland Oregon. The Dougy Centers website contains a wide range of resources and can be found here: www.dougy.org
We have added the recording of this meeting at a link at the bottom of our Family Support Coordinator Page. That page is here: https://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/family-support-coordinator/
Over the last six weeks, two families and our school community have experienced tremendous loss with the deaths of two students. The district has been working with multiple support and partner organizations in recent weeks to support students, staff and families.
As a continuation of these services we would like to invite parents to attend a virtual meeting/forum on Wednesday, December 15th, at 6:30 PM. Our community is grieving and this informational and support night is intended as an opportunity to hear from experts in this field regarding how parents can best support their children who are coping with grief and loss. Please see the flyer below for all the information, and share with anyone you think may benefit from attending. Direct Zoom Webinar Link Here Passcode: 827232
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.
We have been informed of a vehicle accident past Noti. They have closed 126. For all of our families on Bus Route 1 (elementary) and Route 2 (FRMS/EHS). Please expect a phone call and plan to meet at Noti Market. Phone calls will begin with Elmira Elementary families and then proceed with FRMS and EHS families.
Winter weather/road conditions: Our transportation provider has just driven the highest elevation routes. At this time there is NO need to adjust our release time or routes this afternoon, as long as the temperature stays above freezing.
Please follow this page for any updates in the morning. If there is any kind of delay, routes get moved to “snow routes”, or school is closed, we try to make that decision by 6:30 AM and all information will be shared here, as well as “Superintendent Carpenter Facebook.”
For additional information on bus routes and times, please visit our transportation page.
Over the last six weeks, two families and our school community have experienced tremendous loss with the deaths of two students. The district has been working with multiple support and partner organizations in recent weeks to support students, staff and families.
As a continuation of these services we would like to invite parents to attend a virtual meeting/forum on Wednesday, December 15th, at 6:30 PM. Our community is grieving and this informational and support night is intended as an opportunity to hear from experts in this field regarding how parents can best support their children who are coping with grief and loss. Please see the flyer below for all the information, and share with anyone you think may benefit from attending. Direct Zoom Webinar Link Here
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