Olivia Johnson
We have been able to coordinate with our partners at Chartwell’s, and our great local staff, to come up with a food service plan for today.
For today, buildings will serve a normal breakfast and lunch. Staff and parents are welcome to purchase lunches. Students that come are welcome to purchase, or receive their usual free breakfast/lunches!
Below are the times of the services, just for today, Friday March 13th.
VES: Breakfast 7:30 AM-8:30 AM Lunch 11:30-12:30 PM
EES: Breakfast 7:30 AM-8:30 AM Lunch 11:30-12:30 PM
FRMS: Breakfast 7:30AM-8:30 AM Lunch 11:30-12:30 PM
EHS: Breakfast 7:30AM-8:30 AM Lunch 12:00-12:30.
We are working on a plan for next week that will probably be more of a “drive-through” grab and go, and not occurring at every facility, although all kids regardless of which FRSD school they attend are welcome. Stay tuned for information regarding next weeks schedule.
Below is updated information. Please keep in mind that as we have seen over the past few days, things change rapidly. The district will continue to put out information here, through Superintendent Carpenter Facebook, and through the use of our phone dialer system.
- The Governor has ordered schools from Monday March 16th through Tuesday, March 31st, resuming Wednesday, April 1st.
- In Fern Ridge we are going a step further and closing today, Friday, March 13th. The primary reasons include:
- Staffing shortages for us to operate effectively
- To support the concept of social distancing immediately, rather than waiting.
- All FRSD staff will report to work today, Friday, March 13th. Schools and classrooms will be open for anyone that needs to come in and get anything they left in their classrooms, lockers, e.g. textbooks, personal items, etc… FRMS will be open from 7:30 to 3:00 for students to pick up anything they left at school.
- We will be working with our food service company to explore any opportunity we can to continue to provide services next week. More info on that coming.
- When schools are closed, all school activities are cancelled and any outside organizations using the facilities are cancelled as well.
Below is a message from FRSD Superintendent Gary Carpenter:
With guidelines and recommendations changing almost by the minute, the Fern Ridge School District wants our families and community to ensure you are doing what you can to simply prepare for the fact that the time may come when we are having to close our local schools. Currently, this is NOT the plan, we are doing everything we can to mitigate risk and stay open as the local and state authorities are recommending. However, if the time comes that we do need to close, for whatever reason, the turnaround could be quick. The more families can do to prepare for this possibility in terms of child care and other issues, the better. If the schools were to close, all school activities would cease. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to the particular administration at your school.
Gary Carpenter, Superintendent, FRSD
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Fern Ridge Middle School parent group meeting planned for Monday, March 30th will be cancelled. The next meeting will be Monday, April 27th at 6:30. Parents working on plans for 8th grade promotion will be posting updates and sharing information on the EHS Class of 2024 Facebook Page. Thank you.
From the FRSD website:
As a follow up to the previous post regarding Governor Brown’s order, below is a summary of that order as it relates to schools.
- Large gatherings (250+ people) are suspended through April 8th. This applies to organized public gatherings, not stores, malls, etc.
- Schools are not being closed, but non-essential school activities such as parent meetings, allowing spectators at sporting events, and field trips are cancelled.
- The Governor emphasized that school closure will be a last resort.
- The Governor emphasized that these measures are being taken to: 1. Slow transmission of COVID-19 and 2. Preserve hospital capacity for the most severely impacted individuals.
Below is what that will look like in Fern Ridge, at least for the next couple days or until guidance changes, or further guidance is given.
- All non essential school activities are cancelled or postponed. This includes auctions, dances, athletic competitions, performances and field trips.
- High School athletic practices will continue as an extension of the school day, and “social distancing” will be practiced.
- All athletic competitions are cancelled through April 8th.
- Our food service company, Chartwells, is researching any recommended changes to when and how we serve meals as an additional protective measure.
- Our staff will be reviewing ways they can integrate social distancing best practices at their buildings.
- For some essential school activities, such as school board meetings, we will be incorporating reduced agendas and the meeting location will likely be moved to a larger space. That information will be posted soon.
To be clear, we are taking every step possible so that we can continue to provide high-quality education and opportunities for all of our students and keep our schools open.
Due to the announced restrictions related to the Covid 19 virus, we will be cancelling both the dance scheduled for Friday, March 13th at EHS and the Staff vs Student basketball game scheduled for March 18th. It is our hope that at some point later in the year we can reschedule both of these events. Thank you. FRMS Staff
EHS Leadership class will be hosting a dance for FRMS students on Friday, March 13th from 7:00 to 8:30 at EHS. They will be selling water, Gatorade, chips, and small candy bags. Prices: $1 water, $1.50 Gatorade, $1 chips, and $1.50 candy. Admission to the dance is $4.
There were also be a trivia wheel with some prices and a dance-off planned.
Students must attend school all day on Friday in order to go to the dance that night.
Our Annual March Madness Staff vs Student Basketball Game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18th beginning at 6:30. Tickets will be $5 for adults and $3 for students. Concessions will be sold.
This game is one of our key fundraisers for field trips, so please come out and support our school. There will be a Staff/Parent vs Student Dodgeball game at half time.
The district continues to engage with the Oregon Department of Education, local health authorities, and other resources to ensure we are doing what we can to monitor and support the health of our students and staff. Below are some links that provide additional information on this topic, including a link to information that went out to all Fern Ridge staff today, around things the district is currently doing to assist in the prevention of illness.
ODE Information for Families (English)
ODE Information for Families (en español)
Oregon Health Authority Website
Lane County Public Health Website
Informative Letter to FRSD staff
Parent/Teacher Conferences are Thursday, March 5th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Conferences will be held in the Commons and do not require an appointment. Progress reports will be available to be picked up during parent conferences. We look forward to seeing you and hope that you will take advantage of this time to meet with your child’s teachers.
FRMS will not have school on Friday, March 6th in exchange for the evening conferences.
Please check our lost and found for any of your child’s belongings while you are here.