School Closure
As we prepare to open our doors for the 22-23 school year, there are some important details we would like to share with families in regards to our food services plan for this year. Please see below for more information:
- The free meal program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic has ended.
- FRSD 22-23 Breakfast/Lunch pricing information can be found on our website
- You may qualify for free or reduced meals and can apply online https://www.ode.state.or.us/apps/f
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- The district is happy to announce that we will be able to continue with FREE BREAKFAST K-12 for the 22-23 school year for ALL STUDENTS. We will be using a portion of our ESSER III $ to fund this for the upcoming year.
- Please do not let the free breakfast component deter families from filling out the free/reduced meal application, as this is still very important!
The district is preparing to launch a new communication tool. It is called Parent Square. This tool is an easy-to-use communication tool that combines multiple communication streams into one easy-to-use app for families and staff. More information regarding this tool can be accessed under the “PARENTS” tab on the District website, directly at this link: https://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/parentsquare/ . Tomorrow night, prior to the regularly scheduled board meeting at 6:30, Mrs. Marshall will be presenting a 30 minute virtual training (on zoom) regarding this new tool. The meeting will be from 5:45-6:15 PM and can be accessed at the following link: https://fernridge-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/88212696504
In addition, following a brief summer hiatus, the return of the community Q and A’s with Superintendent Carpenter will resume tomorrow at 5:30. Typically these are 30 minutes long, however due to tomorrow’s Parent Square training, this will only go from 5:30-5:45. The primary topic will the “visitor and volunteer” guidelines for the 22-23 school year. You can use the same zoom link as above to access this Q and A.
MEDIA/PUBLIC RELEASE
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has informed the district that Kelsey Boren, an instructional assistant at Veneta Elementary, has been arrested on charges related to child pornography. No children known to Boren through her employment have been identified as victims at this point.
As a result, the Fern Ridge School District has suspended her employment with the district. Boren will be barred from school grounds or having contact with Fern Ridge students pending the outcome of the case.
Any allegation of a crime against children must be taken seriously. Such allegations are extremely rare, and when one occurs, we take immediate action. As a district we provide regular training to employees about recognizing and preventing sexual crimes against students. Our staff members work diligently in teaching our students and ensuring that they are safe and secure in their school environment.
These allegations leave everyone in our district shocked and dismayed. Counseling and support services will be available for any students or staff members who need them. Please contact us at the district office if such support is needed. Questions about the criminal case should be directed to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.
Public schools remain under the restrictions and requirements of OAR 333-019-1030. Over the past several months, in conjunction with many partners, the district has finalized its plan for 22-23 in this regard. The plan is tied to the CDC community levels, and can be viewed under the Volunteer & Visitor Information section at the top of the page at this link: 2022-2023 School Information.
While circumstances may arise that require this plan to be updated, it is what we currently expect to be in place to start the 22-23 school year. To summarize, unvaccinated volunteers will need to submit an exception form, have it approved, and then sign an accommodation plan. The plans are tiered based on the Community levels as shared by the CDC. That community level guidance document as well as copies of the accommodation plans, can also be found at the link above.
The district remains committed to doing everything possible to ensure our doors can stay open for in person instruction. In the Spring of 2022, there were many days when due to large numbers of staff being out due to their own illness, or illness of their family members (with no substitutes available), the district was close to needing to close its doors for a period of time. Keeping our doors open remains the number one priority when in comes to COVID-19 protocols and requirements. If you have questions to not hesitate to reach out to the District Office or the administrator at a particular school.
Summer Pool Passes!
All FRSD students have 10 free visits to the Veneta Pool. Students are welcome to share their 10 passes with family/friends. No vouchers needed, pool staff will have a list.
For more information on pool hours and operation, please visit: https://www.venetaoregon.gov/ or call 541-935-4390.
Beginning June 25th, the pool will have free swimwear available for those that need it. Supplies are limited.
Today, Lane County became one of 3 counties in Oregon to move into the “RED” Category in regards to the CDC “community level” chart. As a reminder, this data can be found on the right hand side of this page, on the District website at this link: https://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/2020-school-year/
When a county moves to red, two of their recommendations are as follows:
- Wear a mask indoors in public
- Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness.
Because these are currently recommendations, and not requirements, at this time the district is simply putting out the information, and recommending folks wear masks indoors and that individuals consider further precautions based on your personal circumstances.
Tonight is graduation in the EHS gym. Masks are recommended, but not required. For our final week of school, absent any changes in the requirements, or significant changes to the COVID environment, I would expect this to remain unchanged.
There is no school for students tomorrow, May 27th (teacher work sample day) and in observance of Memorial Day there is no school for students or staff on Monday, May 30th.
Hope everyone has a great (and safe!) holiday weekend.
A quick update on our current COVID situation — we continue to deal with many staff and students testing positive for COVID-19. We currently have over 30 folks out district-wide including 10 staff members who are sick.
One of the most impactful ways you can help us maintain in-person instruction is by keeping your student(s) home when they are are not feeling well. We all need to come together and work to keep school open for these final three weeks.
Thank you for your continued assistance and partnership!
Recently the District removed some large fir trees. We have them stacked on some property immediately South of Elmira Elementary School. The district will be accepting sealed bids for them. All of the information can be found at the link below.
2022 English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Adoption
Dear Fern Ridge School District Students, Families, and Community Members:
This year, FRSD will be adopting a new language arts curriculum for K-12 students across the district, designed to meet Oregon’s state educational standards and align between grade levels. Curriculum includes the textbooks, materials, and digital resources that support student instruction. Teams from each school including administrators, classroom and special education teachers, intervention specialists, and English language development specialists have been researching programs from various publishers.
Following a rigorous evaluation process, we are excited to share FRSD’s recommended curriculum with our families. Feedback from community stakeholders is welcomed.
K-5: McGraw Hill – Wonders
6-8: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt – Into Literature
9-12: Savvas – My Perspectives
If you would like to stop by the District Office to view the materials in person, ask questions, or share your opinions, please feel free set up an appointment.
This FRSD ELA Curriculum Review.pptx outlines our review process and contains links so you can explore additional information, view publisher videos, and more. After reviewing the materials, please complete this survey to share your thoughts.
Thank you for sharing your perspective and partnering with us as we work to adopt and implement the best possible curriculum to support FRSD students’ and teachers’ needs.
Michelle Marshall
Director of K-12 Programs
541-935-2253, ext. 1220
There is no school for students on Friday, April 8. This is a teacher work day for grading at the end of the first semester/second quarter.
Students – enjoy your three day weekend!
