Principal
As many FRSD families may have heard by now, the U.S. Department of Education recently denied the Oregon Department of Education’s request for a waiver of summative testing for the 2020-2021 school year. Due to this decision, the Fern Ridge School District is currently beginning the process of readying our staff and students for state assessments.
ODE’s window for state assessments is April 13-June 11, however, each individual school will set their own testing dates within that window. Due to the nature of this school year, ODE has shortened the blueprint and the time each assessment takes, as well as reducing the number of required assessments at each grade level. The table of required assessments, optional assessments, and approximate test time frame is below. All students will have the opportunity to take all available grade level assessments.
If families do not want their child(ren) to participate in state assessments this year, the link to opt-out of the Math and ELA assessments is below. Please fill out and return to your child’s school as soon as possible. They will be accepted until the day before testing begins (dates vary by school). Science has a separate student exemption procedure. See note below for an explanation of that process. If you are not opting your child out, your child will participate in the required (not optional) state testing with their grade level. If you wish for your child to participate in the optional assessment opportunity, please contact your child’s teacher and/or school.
Thank you for your continued support!
Oregon Department of Education Summative Assessment Administration Information:
| Grade Level | Required Administration (except students opted-out of ELA and/or Math per ORS 329.479 or exempted from Science per OAR 581-021-009) and Approximate Testing Time per ODE (Hrs: Min) | Additional (Optional) Assessment Opportunity and Approximate Testing Time per ODE (Hrs: Min) |
| 3 | English Language Arts (ELA) (1:10) | Mathematics (1:00) |
| 4 | Mathematics (1:00) | ELA (1:10) |
| 5 | Science (1:20) | Mathematics (1:00)ELA (1:10) |
| 6 | ELA (1:10) | Mathematics (1:05) |
| 7 | Mathematics (1:05)ELA (1:10) | N/A |
| 8 | Mathematics (1:05)Science (1:20) | ELA (1:10) |
| 11 | ELA (1:00)Mathematics (0:50) | Science (1:30) |
Opt-Out Link for ELA & Math Assessments:
https://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/?page_id=6919
If choosing to opt-out your child from state testing, please fill out and return to your child’s school before the start of the testing window (as designated by your child’s school).
Information on Exemption from Science Assessment from ODE’s Website:
Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 581-022-1910 allows school districts to excuse students from a state required program or learning activity, including state testing, to accommodate a student’s disabilities or religious beliefs. This rule governs exemption requests for the state tests in Science and Social Sciences, the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA21), and the Kindergarten Assessment.
- Are there eligibility requirements? Yes. Parents may request exemptions under OAR 581-022-1910 based on the student’s disability or religion.
- What is the process for a parent to make this request? The authority to exempt students from state testing belongs to local school districts. In order for a school district to excuse a student from testing under Oregon law, the student’s parent or guardian must submit a written request to the school district listing the reasons for the exemption and proposing an alternative individualized learning activity for the student that meets the same goals that would be accomplished by participation in state testing. Appropriate school personnel must evaluate and approve the parent request.
Congratulations to our students who earned Student of the Month for March! As we navigate through this unusual year, we are proud of students who are working hard every day!
Kindergarten Information Night for 2021-2022
Tuesday, April 13th, 2021
Elmira Elementary is excited to offer a virtual evening of information for our incoming Kindergarten families.
For many children, kindergarten is the beginning of their education and their first steps outside the familiarity of home. For many parents, it’s the start of a relationship with their public school system.
In Kindergarten, students develop a love for learning. They begin to feel comfortable in a new environment as they develop basic skills, working with others, how to listen and share among many other important academic and social skills.
Elmira Elementary strives to give parents and students the right start in education by caring for and understanding each child’s needs and each parent’s concerns. We encourage parents to contact us whenever they have questions or concerns.
Time
6:00-7:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://fernridge-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/81071693065
Information
Kindergarten Presentation Materials
- PowerPoint presentation of What to Expect in Kindergarten
- Preparing your child for Kindergarten
- Transition tips
- Time for questions
Please contact me if you have any questions!
Ann Oxenford Paris Hood
aoxenford@fernridge.k12.or.us phood@fernridge.k12.or.us
541-935-8214
Michelle Marshall mmarshall@fernridge.k12.or.us
Let’s give a SHOUT OUT to our EES February Students of the Month! Keep being AWESOME! 
Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,
It is with both excitement and sadness that I write this letter to inform you that as of June 30, 2021, I will be leaving the position of principal of Elmira Elementary School. In July, I will transition into a new position as Director of K-12 Programs for the Fern Ridge School District. Although I will miss my work with our school family, I look forward to helping our students, families, staff, and community on a district level. I am excited for the opportunity to support ALL of the students in FRSD!
It has been a pleasure to serve as the principal in our beautiful little school for the last 5 years. I have been fortunate to experience a wonderful partnership with the students, staff and families in our community.
I would like to personally thank you for the opportunity to serve you, your children and this outstanding school community and hope you know I am especially proud of our students (families and staff too). I look forward to hearing great things about their accomplishments as they continue their education in FRSD and beyond.
To all of our EES students I would like to wish you nothing but success as you continue at EES or move into middle school at FRMS next year! It has been an honor to be your principal! I hope that you continue to love and care for our school as much as I do!
A HUGE thank you to all the families and staff (past and present) that have supported and continue to support Elmira Elementary and myself. It has been my pleasure getting to know you all and I am going to miss being here on a daily basis. I am particularly going to miss all my daily smiles from students!
Please know that the district has put together a strong team to begin the work of finding our next amazing principal to lead EES. I know this team will work diligently to find someone to continue and improve upon the work that we have been doing. Our goal is to complete the hiring process prior to the end of the school year.
Thank you so much for your support during this transition! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email!
Respectfully (and with lots of love too),
Mrs. Marshall
PTA
