Elmira High School

We know that this spring has created much uncertainty for our students and their families.  This has been especially true for our seniors.  We have been honoring our seniors each Friday night by turning on the lights at the stadium at 20:20 (8:20 PM) for twenty minutes, but we know this is no replacement for graduation.  On that note, we are pleased to announce that we are moving forward with a plan to hold graduation on its scheduled date of June 5th.  We are working on the details of this event, but it will involve vehicles and a ceremony that will take place outdoors.  We are in the process of planning this event in detail and will have more information to share with families next week.

Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate these unprecedented circumstances and we will post a more detailed plan next week.

May 4 to May 8 is the week set aside to recognize teachers for the extraordinary work they do with our students.

Great teachers do more than teach reading, writing, and math.  They help set our children up for success in life.  Whether students enter into a trade, go to college, or jump into a career, they are more prepared for life because of the teachers who guided and supported them along the way.

Even when faced with the incredible task of educating students virtually on a moment’s notice, our Fern Ridge teachers have shown they are dedicated to their students, no matter the circumstances.

Now more then ever we want to recognize the teachers who step into the lives of their students and make a positive impact.  Please join me by thanking all of our Fern Ridge teaching staff!

Beginning on April 27th you may start dropping off packets on the same bus routes that deliver lunches.  Please refer to the attached list of bus routes.  In addition to these routes you are welcome to drop off packets directly to the high school.  Buses will be returning after lunches have been delivered to pick up packets, packets will not be picked up during lunch drop off.

Packet Drop Off Delivery Sites

Elmira High School will be asking students to come clean out their lockers beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22nd.  The building will be accessible from 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM for the rest of the week for students or their parents.  After Friday, April 24th any materials left in lockers will be either thrown away or donated.  In addition Chromebooks are still available to any student who would still like to check one out for the remainder of the school year.  Please call the front office at 541-935-8200 if you have any questions.

During this school closure we want to remind the community that our fields and athtletic facilities are also closed to the public.  The one exception to this is our track.  However, in order for the public to continue to utilize the track we ask that you follow these policies:

1. Social distancing guidelines as outlined by the CDC must be followed when using the track.
2. No bicycles allowed at anytime on the track surface or infield.
3. No dogs allowed at anytime.

We understand the need to provide a safe space for walking and jogging and we would appreciate your help by abiding by these guidelines.

Elmira High School’s office will be closed on Friday, April 17th due to a planned power outage for EPUD maintenance work.  Teachers and administrators will be working remotely that day and will be available by e-mail from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.  The voicemail system will be down from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

Elmira High School is committed to making our distance learning for all available digitally to our students as widely as we can.

Elmira High School will begin our Chromebook Loan program this week.  The first round of Chromebooks will be made available to families that indicated a need for a device in our Household Technology Survey.

Our first round of handouts will take place from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Wednesday, April 15th.

In order to receive a Chromebook on this first date you must have either completed the technology survey that was completed last week or have called the school by 10:00 AM Tuesday morning to indicate your need.

Families that have not completed the survey or called can still receive a Chromebook on Thursday, April 16th from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  We do ask that if you haven’t completed the technology survey that you call 541-952-7022 to share your information with us or complete the survey on Thursday when you come to get your device.  Chromebooks will be available at the front of the high school and we ask that you maintain proper social distancing while waiting to receive your Chromebook.  A use agreement will be included with the device and is also available for you to view on Covid-19 Closure page on the FRSD Website.

April 13th is quickly approaching and our staff has been hard at work preparing for distance learning for our students.  We know that there will be growing pains as we work through this and our teachers will be providing students with lots of flexibility around due dates, and we are working hard to make sure that the work load is reasonable.  This post is to provide you with some important information for next week and the weeks ahead.

1. All EHS teachers have created a Google Classroom for your students’ classes.  This will be the primary place for your student to receive and submit their work.  For families with challenges related to technology we will provide packets, but we are hopeful that this platform will be accessible for the majority of our students through either a computer, tablet, or smart phone.
2. Teachers will be communicating weekly with your students using a conferencing platform called Google Meet.  Expect an invitiation for meetings that will begin sometime next week for some classes, full implementation of Google Meet will start the week of April 20th.  Students can call into this meeting with any telephone.  These meetings will happen during set times every week by class period.  The schedule is in the attachment below.
3. We are close to wrapping up our technology survey, once that data is compiled and we have protocols in place we will be distributing Chromebooks to families that need them.  This should happen sometime late next week.  In addition, we will be providing tech suppport for you as we move further along with our distance learning plan.  Please look for more information on our website next week,  in the mean time please call the high school with your questions.
4. If your student has received an invitation for a Google Classroom from their teacher please accept that invitation.  Many teachers are already posting announcements to their classroom in preparation for Monday.
5. On every teachers’ Google Classroom and in every packet, teachers will post a weekly plan that they will discuss during their weekly meetings.  Included in this plan will be learning goals, assignments, and tips for parents.  Teachers will have office hours every day from 8:00 AM – 4:0o PM so do not hesitate to reach out via phone or email if you have specific questions of your students’ teacher.
6. Please be patient with us as we roll out this process.  We know this will be messy at first and our initial goals are primarily to get your student comfortable with this new style of learning.  In a perfect world we would be together in class.  Our teachers are committed to providing their students with a quality experience during this time and are excited to get back to regular interactions with their students.  Please grant us the same patience and grace that we will be granting your children as we navigate this challenging time.
7. Homeroom teachers will be calling on Friday, April 10th to check in and see if you have any questions and need any help as we prepare for Monday.
8. Please do not hesitate to call if you have questions.  We are available everyday to answer your questions.

Distance Learning Class Schedule

Rick Gardner – Principal, Elmira High School

After Governor Brown’s announcement yesterday stating that K-12 schools will be closed for the rest of the school year, OSAA followed later in the afternoon with their announcement that the 2020 spring sports season also will unfortunately be canceled.  This also means that our district facilities will also be closed. We will be offering three options for the spring sports fee:

Option #1:  A full refund of the balance paid. The check will be mailed.

Option #2:  A credit of the balance paid to your student’s school account to be used at a later time for class fees, fall sports, field trip, etc.

Option #3:  Donate the balance to EHS Athletics.

In the next week, you will receive a phone call from a staff member at EHS that will ask which option you would like to choose for the balance of this sports fee. If you haven’t heard from anyone regarding your refund by Thursday April 16th, please feel free to contact our bookkeeper Julie Bothel at 541-935-8200 extension 2210 or email her at jbothel@fernridge.k12.or.us .  Coaches should be communicating with you and your athlete about time to come to get personal equipment, while maintaining safety with appropriate social distancing, from the softball and baseball facilities soon. Also, OSAA still needs to decide about the status of summer activities and so that announcement will be at a later date. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me also at 541-935-8200 extension 2202 or swartenbee@fernridge.k12.or.us.  I hope everyone is safe and healthy.

Of course the weather is beautiful and the fields look great.  Thank you for all of your hard work everyone! Stay safe.