The air quality has suddenly turned poor.  Current readings have us needing to go back to inside recess/activities.  More updates as needed.

Wildfire smoke is affecting the air quality in the Fern Ridge area. I have been, and will continue to monitor the quality of the air to ensure the safety of our students and staff.  The FRSD will be using the Air Quality Index site to give us up to date air pollution readings.  These numbers can then be used to guide activities using the Oregon Health Authority guide.  I have directed principals to utilize indoor recess for the first day of school, Tuesday, September 5^th and we will be evaluating the need to continue this practice each day.  In addition, there will be no classroom activities that will be taking place outside.

I have communicated with our District maintenance personnel who are confident that any outside air that is drawn into our buildings through the ventilation system will be adequately filtered. Maintenance staff will be double checking all buildings and systems first thing in the morning, and staff have been informed to let their building principals know if any problems arise.  At the High School, decisions around athletics will be made as early in the day as possible and posted to the school webpage.

The Oregon Health Authority advises that parents of children that are sensitive to air pollution should follow their health care providers’ advice about prevention and treatment of symptoms, and watch the forecast to decide when to limit their child’s activities. Children who may be more sensitive to air pollution include those with asthma, respiratory infection, lung or heart disease.

Gary Carpenter

Superintendent, FRSD

Please join me in welcoming the new principal at Veneta Elementary School, Mrs. Lisa Leatham.  Mrs. Leatham comes to us with a wealth of experience, K-5, right here in the FRSD where she has been a teacher in a variety of roles over the past 26 years.  A Committee of 8, made up of teachers, classified staff, board members, administrators and a parent, chose Mrs. Leatham after conducting interviews from a very strong pool of applicants.  We are all excited to have Mrs. Leatham on board in a new and challenging role for her.  I am confident that in the months and years to come she is going to be a tremendous asset to our students and families.

Staff and community members are invited to attend an open forum with the two finalists for the Veneta Elementary Principal position.

The one hour forum will begin promptly at 7:00pm at Veneta Elementary on Tuesday, August 8^th

All interested community members are invited to attend, hear from the candidates and leave feedback for the selection committee to consider.

Veneta Elementary is located at 88131 Territorial Rd., Veneta, Or 97487

Please call the district office at 541-935-2253 Ext 1203 if you have any questions

Fall Sports sign-ups will be here before you know it!  Sports Registration night at EHS is scheduled for Thursday, August 3rd from 5:30-7:30 PM.  Below is some information.

1. Fall Sports include:  Boys and Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Football and Volleyball.
2. Registration night is August 3rd—mark your calendar.
3. The first day of Fall Sports practices are scheduled for Monday, August 14th.
4. All paperwork must be turned in by noon on Friday August 11th in order to be eligible to practice on Monday.
5. If you need an updated physical for 17-18 (needed every 2 years), it is best to get scheduled early.  There is one “low-cost” option at FRMS from 10AM-4PM on the 14th ($20). Unfortunately, this is the only day the Dr. was available, so if your physical has expired and you utilize this option, you will not be able to practice until the second day, August 15th.

Go Falcons.

Visit the following link to check out a new video promoting the great things in our District.  Thanks to the EHS Film Club and their advisor Mr. Monegan for all of their work in creating this, as well as Mr. Bill Linn for the use of his drone.  Great job!

FRSD is on a 2 hour delay for today, Monday, March 6th.

All VES parents are invited to a parent forum TONIGHT, Thursday, February 16th from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM in the school gym.

A similar presentation will occur next Thursday, February 23rd for EES families, also at 6:30 (AT EES).

On the agenda will be a presentation from the Elementary Enrollment Balancing committee. This group, composed of staff from both elementary schools, has been looking into ongoing enrollment concerns; chief among them how to balance class size between the two buildings. With enrollment at Veneta projected to grow, keeping class sizes equitable between the two schools is a concern. Gary Carpenter, Fern Ridge School District superintendent, along with members of the Elementary Enrollment Equalization committee will outline what the enrollment problems are and some possible solutions the committee has been exploring. This is a great opportunity for parents to get information directly from the source and provide feedback that will help the district in finding an answer to this ongoing problem.

Great job by all the students that performed at the FRMS Talent Show, and a big thanks to the staff and parents that supported them.  There was lots of great singers, musicians, dancers and artists. Way to go!