Yesterday was the first day back for all Fern Ridge School District teachers. They will be spending the rest of the week getting prepared for our to students return! A reminder that the first day back for students in grades 1st-5th, 6th and 9th is Tuesday September 4th. Students in grades 1st-5th, 7th-12th will attend on Wednesday, September 5th (an early release day) all students grades 1st-12th will attend on Thursday, September 6th. The first day for our Kindergarten students will be Monday, September 10th. Bring on 18-19!
Over the last several months, folks at the Lane Education Service District have been working on a program that would fund driver ed training. This program could be particularly beneficial for rural communities like ours. We have received a grant from the ODOT Safety Division for Oregon residents.
The grant fully pays for tuition for the course. The course is 9 weekends long (both days) for a total of 18 days that includes classroom discussions, video presentations and hands on exercises. The only cost for participants is paying a $100 materials fee and a $10 criminal history check.
Successful completion of the course would make you an ODOT approved Driver Ed instructor. Every year thousands of Oregon’s teens become new drivers, and every year motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for teens aged 15-20. Oregon is facing a statewide shortage of ODOT approved driving instructors and fewer instructors mean more teens on the road without proper training.
Becoming an ODOT approved instructor is a nice way to make some extra income, it saves lives, and it helps parents. Questions can be emailed to trafficsafety@wou.edu. You may go to http://triwou.org/projects/tse/scheduleofcourses for more information and to register for the series of courses that take place in Eugene, beginning in late October.
All school offices are open and staff are busy getting ready for students.
Here is the registration information for all FRSD students:
*If you are unable to make it to the school office during the designated times please call the school office to make alternate arrangements.
Elmira Elementary and Veneta Elementary Registration Schedules
Kindergarten and students who are new to the District are invited to register Wednesday, August 15th from 7:00am to 7:00pm.
Please bring a copy of your student’s birth certificate, proof of residency and all current immunization data for any student who is new to the District.
Returning students may register on the following days:
Tuesday, August 21st 7am to 7pm
Wednesday, August 22nd 8am to 3pm
Thursday, August 23rd 8am to Noon
Elmira Elementary School Office – 88960 Territorial Rd Elmira, Or (541) 935-8214 dnorthey@fernridge.k12.or.us
Veneta Elementary School Office – 88131 Territorial Rd Veneta, Or (541) 935-8225 lhaffner@fernridge.k12.or.us
Fern Ridge Middle School Registration Schedule
Students who are new to the District are invited to register on Wednesday, August 15 from 8:00am to 3:00pm.
Please bring proof of residency and if you are coming from out of state or from a home schooling situation please bring immunization records and a copy of your student’s birth certificate.
(Registration will be held in the Fern Ridge Middle School library)
Returning Students may register on the following days:
Tuesday, August 21 11:00am to 7:30pm
Wednesday, August 22 8:00am to 3:00pm
Thursday, August 23 8:00am to Noon
Fern Ridge Middle School Office – 88831 Territorial Rd Elmira, Or (541) 935-8230 scornelius@fernridge.k12.or.us
Elmira High School Registration Schedule
(Registration will be held in the Elmira High School cafeteria)
FRESHMAN – Thursday, August 23 5pm to 8pm
SOPHOMORE – Wednesday, August 22 1pm to 4pm
JUNIOR – Thursday, August 23 1pm to 4pm
SENIOR – Wednesday, August 22 8am to 11am
Elmira High School Office – 24936 Fir Grove Ln Elmira, Or (541) 935-8200 tboren@fernridge.k12.or.us
Missy Hall, an instructional assistant at Veneta Elementary, is a natural choice for the Fern Ridge School District August Employee of the Month.
She has worked in the district for nearly 22 years! Her main assignment is in the computer lab, where she sees most of the students in the school on a daily basis. She has made a name for herself as a “go to” person when anything computer orientated needs to be accomplished. You will also find her out and about the school during recess duty, lunch duty and even selling yoyos occasionally. She is ready and willing to do anything that is thrown her way if it means that the staff and students at Veneta Elementary will benefit.
Missy has put her heart and soul into making Veneta Elementary a successful place for students and staff alike.
Congratulations Missy!
At the meeting of the Fern Ridge School District Board of Directors this past Monday, Mr. Jeb Flowers was selected to fill out the remaining year of the Position #1 seat vacated earlier this month by Ms. Twinkle Morton.
Mr. Flowers will be sworn in at the August 20th school board meeting. The district thanks everyone that took the time to apply and was willing to serve their community in this capacity. We look forward to working with Mr. Flowers in the months to come. Please join us in welcoming him!
The Elmira High School “Strong Start” program for incoming freshmen will be July 30th through August 2nd. It is a volunteer and no-cost program with a curriculum created at Stanford University and by Silicon Valley professionals. The goal is to give students decision making and problem-solving skills that will help them be more productive and achieve more throughout their high school experience and beyond. Students will also become familiar with the school and staff and work with upperclassmen to be better prepared for the first day of high school. Students do not have to come all four days.
For more information you can call 441-1706 or email sburgess@fernridge.k12.or.us.
Please click on the link below for information regarding the upcoming Football camp for incoming 2nd-8th graders.
The application deadline for the open school board position has been extended to this Friday, July 13th. Thanks to those that have shown an interest so far by submitting an application. The board will be reviewing the applications at their July meeting on Monday the 16th. A reminder that this position is a one year appointment through June 30, 2019. Applications can be accessed at: http://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/BOARD-application-final.pdf
The Fern Ridge School School Board 28J is currently accepting applications for a one year appointment on the school board for position #1. This appointment is through June 30, 2019. Registered voters who have lived in the District for at least a year are encouraged to apply. Applications are available at the District Office, 88834 Territorial Rd, Elmira or you can access the form here: School Board Application. Applications are due by Friday, July 6th and can be dropped off in person at 88834 Territorial Rd, Elmira or emailed to mcook@fernridge.k12.or.us.
This opening comes after the Board reluctantly accepted the resignation of Twinkle Morton. Citing the desire to focus more on her own health and family, Twinkle has resigned after 10 years of service on our School Board. It is difficult to adequately express our appreciation for all of the time and energy she has given to our district.
Twinkle was appointed as a school board member in 2008 and elected to position 1 in 2009. She has been a tireless advocate, serving as vice-chair three times and board chair four times. After a career in education, she brought a unique perspective to our school board including a deep understanding of the challenges that educators in the classroom face. She was constantly looking for new and innovative ways the Board could make a positive difference for staff, students and their families.
Thank you Twinkle for bringing your skills to work for our district, for challenging the status quo and for almost always including an “other.” You will be missed!
Traci Davis-Whiteley has been selected as our June Employee of the Month! Traci has worked for the Fern Ridge School District since October of 2010. She is married to Jeff and they have a daughter, Jayna.
Traci’s stepson recently completed his military duty so he, his wife and their 2 year old are living with Traci and Jeff temporarily. This makes things very busy at the Whiteley house but Traci is enjoying the grand-baby! In addition to spending time with her family, Traci loves horses, horses, horses and more horses, dogs and other critters.
In her position as a Teacher on Special Assignment for the Special Education Department this year she performs a variety of tasks. Currently, her case management list is made up of 12 students out of district and 30 students in district. She assists with extended assessments, behavior support, she helps out when needed with the Woodcock Johnson testing and other evaluations. She also recently completed coursework to add the autism specialist endorsement to her license. Traci is always willing to lend a helping hand where needed as the day progresses and loves the variety that her position brings each day. She does a lot for the students of our district and we are excited to recognize her hard work this year. Thank you Traci!