Community
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
2021 S.A.N.T.A Toy Giveaway
Saturday, December 11th, 9 am to 3 pm in the Veneta Elementary Gym
Participants are required to provide proof of residency in the Fern Ridge or Crow-Applegate-Lorane School Districts and proof of age for each child.
There is no income verification required.
Please Remember: No infants or children are allowed inside the gym during the giveaway so please make other arrangements for childcare.
Got questions? You can give Monica a call at 541-285-3100
Due to the low community donations to the Toys for Tots program, the application deadline has been moved to Tuesday, November 30 at 3:30pm.
If the deadline is extended prior to our distribution day we will post a notice here and open up the application window again!
If you or your family are interested in participating in the Toys for Tots giveaway fill out this application and bring to the district office by tomorrow at 3:30pm.
The Fern Ridge distribution day is December 18th from 10 am to 3 pm at Fern Ridge Middle School. This is a drive-thru event, you only need to bring picture id to pick up your gifts.
If you have any questions please reach out to Becky Dube at 541-935-2253 ext 1210 or rdube@fernridge.k12.or.us
Toys for Tots applications due December 4th
Families who are interested in participating in the toy program this year can complete the application (linked below) and email it to Becky at rdube@fernridge.k12.or.us or drop off at the district office located at 88834 Territorial Road.
Applications must be received by December 4, 2021 – unfortunately, late applications cannot be accepted.
The toy distribution for participating families through the FRSD Toys for Tots giveaway will be on December 18, 2021 from 10:00am to 3:00pm in the Fern Ridge Middle School parking lot. Please bring a photo ID for verification.
If any family needs assistance with delivery due to lack of transportation, let Becky know.
Help us continue to spread the word to anyone who could use a little extra help giving toys to their kids this holiday!
Click here for the fillable Toys for Tots application
Have questions? Reach out to Becky Dube at 541-935-2253 ext 1210 or rdube@fernridge.k12.or.us
In addition to the Lane County Public Health clinic being conducted at VES on November 23rd, ORCHID Health will be holding a 1st shot clinic on Thursday, November 18th from 4-7 PM.
While vaccinations are available for all ages, the primary focus of this clinic is for those 11 years and under. For all the information regarding this clinic at ORCHID Health, you can visit their page directly at: https://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/orchid-health-a-school-based-health-center/
Fern Ridge School District is partnering with Toys for Tots to help local families this holiday season.
Families who are interested in participating in the toy program this year can complete the application (linked below) and email it to Becky at rdube@fernridge.k12.or.us or drop off at the district office located at 88834 Territorial Road.
Toys for local families will be distributed at an upcoming date in December – qualifying families will be notified with more details in the coming weeks.
Please help us spread the word to anyone who could use a little extra help giving toys to their kids this holiday.
Click here for the fillable Toys for Tots application
Have questions? Reach out to Becky Dube at 541-935-2253 ext 1210 or rdube@fernridge.k12.or.us
There has been a recent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in our student population. As our goal is to keep kids at school for in-person learning, we have partnered with Lane County Public Health to offer a free “DRIVE-THROUGH” testing clinic this Saturday 10/16 from 10-2 in the Veneta Elementary School parking lot.
As the seasons change many of our students are coming down with ‘mild symptoms’ like runny noses, coughs, and sore throats. These can be symptoms of a ‘regular cold’ and can sometimes also be symptoms of COVID-19. We experienced students coming to school with minor symptoms for several days then ended up being COVID-19 positive this week. We’d like you to take the opportunity to do a free drive-through test this weekend if you or your child are having any cold-like symptoms or have been around anyone who has been sick. This clinic will also be available for anyone who is NOT having symptoms but would like to be tested “just to be sure”.
Anyone in the community can go to this clinic. The test is a swab in the nostril and the results will be called to you in 3-5 days. There are no insurance or ID requirements to get tested.
Soctober with Mid Lane Cares
Bring a donation of new socks to Orchid Health for the Soctober sock drive. For each pair of socks you donate, you’ll receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a gift card.
Socks can be dropped off in the office of the Orchid Health Clinic located at 24934 Fir Grove (near Elmira High School)
All donations stay in our community!
Join us on Thursday, September 23 from 6:00-7:00 pm to learn more about the what it’s like to work in the Fern Ridge School District!
