mcook
Here are the initial bus routes for our elementary students:
There may be some changes over the next few days, once the routes are finalized, they will be updated here and published on our transportation page.
If you have any questions regarding bus routes or the plan for K-3 and 4-5 to return to in-person instruction, please reach out to your school office.
Elmira Elementary: 541-935-8214
Veneta Elementary: 541-935-8225
The FRSD Wellness policy can be found at: http://policy.osba.org/fernridg/E/EFA%20G1.PDF
Every three years (last done in the Fall of 2019) we do a triennial evaluation report, and post it to the website on the “District and State Reports” page: http://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/?page_id=5734
Parents that are interested in becoming more involved in the district’s wellness policy monitoring and implementation can contact building principals regarding becoming a member of the building ESSA teams. These teams meet monthly at each building and discuss a wide range of topics, including the District Wellness Policy.
In case you missed it!
Here’s the link to the community Q & A session with Superintendent Carpenter: https://youtu.be/gIaXrJhz-Lc
There was one question in the meeting that was unanswered, regarding the end of the Semester at the OPTIONS program, and a change in the availability of content. The OPTIONS staff will post information regarding this question on their webpage today. If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to call them at 541-952-7025!
January is School Board Appreciation Month. We want to thank our school board members who work hard to “providing excellence for every student so that each will reach their greatest potential.”
Julie Burton has been an employee with the Fern Ridge School District for 13 years! She started working in the district on September 4, 2007 and has been helping students ever since.
In a normal year, Julie runs the study hall at Elmira High School for seven periods a day. This year, being anything but typical, has found her scheduling online IEP meetings for the special education department and working alongside other EHS staff, keeping spirits up for our limited-in-person students. She is also the EHS Key Club advisor, holding weekly meetings and participating in various community events.
Here’s what she enjoys the most at EHS, “one of the best parts of my job is seeing such a variety of students. Seeing the excitement in their eyes when a topic sparks their interest. I’m used to kids thinking that I’m strict in their 9th and 10th grade school years and then leaving me in their 11th – 12th grade years because I have bugged them so much to turn in assignments that they’re on track to graduate (I call it the natural progression of high school).”
Julie has 5 children and 15 grandchildren. She and her husband Rod were married a year and a half ago at their favorite spot, Crane Prairie, Oregon with her daughter, Jami performing the ceremony.
When she is not encouraging students and supporting teachers, she loves camping, fishing, and a good book. Her newest hobby (addiction) is acrylic paint pouring and of course, she loves her Elmira Falcons!
Julie is an outstanding employee who is always wearing a smile. Her constant “strict” encouragement has helped countless students stay on track to graduate.
Thank you for your positive attitude.
Thank you for working hard to support our students.
Thank you for being a part of the Fern Ridge School District family for the past 13 years.
Limited-In-Person Instruction for around 200 students begins tomorrow, January 5th. Any student that is in this group has already been contacted by their school.
Below are the links to the updated bus routes:
Elmira Elementary LIPI Bus Route
Veneta Elementary LIPI Bus Route
Fern Ridge Middle School LIPI Bus Route
Elmira High School LIPI Bus Route
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your school administrator.
Congratulations to our December employee of the month, Elizabeth Skenzick!! 
Mrs. Skenzick has worked for the Fern Ridge School District since August of 2017 and is a first grade teacher at Elmira Elementary School.
She and her husband Nick have two children, Logan and London. Logan is a 5th grader and London is a 3rd grader and both get to attend the same school where mom works!
In addition to teaching, Mrs. Skenzick demonstrates her leadership both outside of the classroom by her involvement in many school committees including; Math, Every Student Succeeds, Wellness, and Art. She also serves as the Communication Liaison with OMBI for the Fern Ridge School District Staff Mindfulness Program.
When asked what her favorite thing about her job is, she had several answers:
- Fern Ridge’s sense of community and the feeling that we all support each other at the school and district level.
- Being part of an awesome 1st grade EES/VES team.
- Having a supportive and positive principal.
- Giving students the tools to track their own goals and progress, so that they feel excited to learn and proud of their growth.
- I love my students, and I miss them when they move on to the next grade!
In her spare time, she enjoys creating content for Teachers Pay Teachers (why are we NOT surprised!), writing, reading, gardening, playing games with her kiddos, paleo baking and cooking.
Thank you Mrs. Skenzick for your leadership in the classroom and for all of the ways you make Fern Ridge School District a great place for staff, students, and parents!
All FRSD schools are closed from Monday, November 23 thru Friday, November, 27
Enjoy your break and stay healthy!
While the focus is on the COVID-19 virus it is important to stay up-to-date to prevent other diseases. Students are required to have certain vaccinations to be at school. The State requires that all students, if they are in person or online, be current on their vaccinations.
Every year the State allows students time to get the vaccines before the student is not allowed to come to school. This year the exclusion date is February 17. This means a student must be up-to-date on their vaccination by that day or they will not be allowed to come to school on February 18.
With the restrictions for COVID-19 in place it may be difficult to get the required vaccinations so it is important to schedule an appointment with your medical provider.
Other options for vaccinations include:
Lane County Public Health can provide low or no cost vaccinations. Call Lane County Public Health at 541-682-4041.
Veneta Bi Mart is able to provide some vaccinations to ages 7 and up. They do have the Tdap vaccination that is required for all students in the 7th grade and higher.
The school will be sending letters home for students who are not current on their vaccinations. It is important that the student receives the vaccination to avoid being excluded from school in February.
Remember vaccinations are not just for children. It is important for adults to be up-to-date on their vaccines also. It is not too late to get the flu vaccine for this year. Other recommended vaccines for adults include the Tdap, pneumonia, Hepatitis A & B, and shingles.
If you need any assistance in getting the vaccines or have questions you can contact Nurse Teresa at tparsons@fernridge.k12.or.us.
Thank you,
Nurse Teresa