Wednesday, April 22 is Secretary’s Day
Let them know how much they mean to your school, families and staff!
Lorie at Elmira High School
Tammy E. & Casey at Fern Ridge Middle School
Becky & Jessica at Veneta Elementary
Dawn & Rebekah at Elmira Elementary
Tammy B. at the Special Education Office
Good morning FRSD families,
Thank you for your patience this week as we rolled out many new things. In the weeks to come we will certainly improve at all that we are doing, as well as begin to expand in the ways we connect with our students and families. Below are some general updates on a wide range of topics. We will call it the Weekly “Top-10”.
- DISBURSEMENT OF CHROMEBOOKS: We have distributed almost 100 chromebooks to High School students. At this time it is our hope that nearly every household that has a High School student, has a device with which to use. If not, please contact the school. This next week will be asking our Middle School families to complete a survey, and disbursement of devices to Middle School households that would like one, will begin.
- WI-FI: The High School parking lot now has an area that has wifi coverage. For the network name, wifi password, and the location (click here).
- FREE MEALS: We are serving anywhere between 1000 and 1300 meals a day. PLEASE continue to access this! For more information regarding meals and “bus-stop” locations visit the Food Service / Meal info link on the COVID-19 Closure tab at the top of the website.
- END OF YEAR EVENTS: The district continues to look at options for many end of year celebrations/events and how those can occur either in a different way, or at a different time. Those include 5th and 8th grade promotion, H.S. graduation, FRMS and EHS Awards nights, and possibly even holding a 6th grade outdoor school for our 2020 5th graders. All are very early in the planning stages, just be aware at this time ANYTHING is possible and we are working on all of these things, and more, to assess the feasibility.
- TURNING IN OF WORK: Stay tuned for more information regarding this (visit school websites). In the coming days we will have drop-off possibilities for families at schools, and may expand to collecting work via bus routes by the week of April 27th.
- HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH A TEACHER: Just a reminder that all teachers are maintaining regular workdays and are available by phone or email from the list on the COVID-19 Closure page. The direct link to their contact information can be found by clicking here.
- ASPIRE FOR 12TH GRADERS: A reminder to EHS 12th graders that Mrs. Sandie Smith is available regarding any questions you may have regarding college admissions or financial aid. Her email is sandieevo@aol.com. You can also contact EHS Counselor Mrs. Brittany McMillan through here email, or at 5441-935-8200 ext 2220.
- 20-21 CALENDAR: The school calendar is in final draft stages and will go before the school board at their May meeting. Right now, it is looking like the first day of school in Fern Ridge will be Tuesday, September 8th. Once this is finalized, it will be posted and shared.
- SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS: For the foreseeable future, FRSD School Board meetings will be held virtually. To access the meeting to listen/view it you can find the information in the agendas posted here. If you need further assistance, you can email Michelle Cook at mcook@fernridge.k12.or.us. If you would like to make public comment at a school board meeting you may do so electronically by submitting an email Ms. Cook.
- THANK-YOU: Again, a final thank-you to all of our staff working to make all of these things happen, and to our students and parents for their patience as we navigate through these uncharted waters.
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.
You can visit the 12th grade information link on the COVID-19 Closure page for updated information for our 12th grade students: (CLICK HERE)
Despite these challenging days, we want to recognize Forrest Cooper for his outstanding contributions to our district! Mr. Cooper has been an employee since August of 1995. He and his wife Sherry have two sons, Ian and Jeremy. Both Sherry and Ian are instructional assistants at Fern Ridge Middle School. Jeremy is a recent Oregon State University graduate.
Mr. Cooper cheers on the Oregon Ducks, enjoys playing guitar/singing, outdoor activities, remodeling, hunting, steak dinners, gospel fellowship, and almost any kind of pie! However, he is not a fan of cold, wet winters or virtual meetings.
This year, he teaches six different classes, including two advance placement courses in math, social studies, and computer technology. He serves as a local officer in the teacher’s association and also dedicates 20 hours a week as the state board regional officer for the Oregon Education Association.
When asked what he enjoys the most about his job and he said, “the kids, always the kids in my classroom, and I miss them right now!” He also appreciates the dedicated staff he works with and the district leadership team. “We work well together because we all understand that our first priority is educating and nurturing the kids in our community.”
Mr. Cooper is a leader both in and out of the classroom. He brings many gifts and talents to our Fern Ridge community and we want to thank him for his many years of dedication.
SCHOOLS CLOSED: At a 1:00 PM news conference, the Governor of Oregon closed our “physical schools” for the remainder of the school year. Schools are now fully charged to provide “Distance Learning” through the rest of the 2020 school year.
PATHWAY TO GRADUATION FOR OUR SENIORS: The state just released this 25-page document, that outlines the pathway to a diploma for our senior students. If you would like to review the document, I have attached it here (click here). Over the next 24 hours, I will be working on a 1-page summary of this document, along with EHS staff. I will post that summary tomorrow and will share our plan here in Fern Ridge, which is aligned with the requirements of this document.
9TH-11TH GRADE GUIDANCE: ODE has not released this specific guidance yet. As soon as they do, we will share this information.
DISTANCE LEARNING: This will begin next week, Monday the 13th. Teachers and administrators are working hard to roll this out. Having said that, now that we know we will be using this model through the end of the school year, we will be starting slow. It will look different at the various grade levels. We will get better at this with each passing day. Our staff is committed to serving our families and students for the next eight weeks or so with this model. We also understand that not only is this a challenge and heavy lift for our staff, but it is a heavy lift for our parents and families as well. We will work alongside our students and families in the days and weeks to come to meet your needs.
Gary E. Carpenter, Jr. Superintendent, FRSD 28J
Beginning tomorrow, 4/9/20, a new stop will be added to three of our routes. They are on Routes 2, 12 and 13. I will update the document that has the routes and times on the food service/meal info page, after today’s routes are complete. In summary, the changes are as follows.
Route 2: A stop has been added at Faulhaber and Warthen. This pushes out the last two stops a bit later at Evers and Fields.
Route 12: A stop has been added at Perkins & Oak Island. This pushes out the last two stops at Irenic/Placid and Lark/Perkins.
Route 13: A stop has been added at the end of the route at Muirland & Fleck.
AGAIN, ALL THESE ROUTE CHANGES/ADDITIONS WILL START TOMORROW, 4/9/20! Thanks! PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION.
As we begin to get our Distance Learning for All plan off the ground we understand that you may need access to books, supplies and other learning materials (including band instruments, PE clothes, etc…). Both FRMS and EHS will be allowing access to the building by student last names beginning tomorrow and Thursday using the following schedule:
A-C 9:00-9:20
D-F 9:20-9:40
G-K 9:40-10:00
L-M 10:00-10:20
N-P 10:20-10:40
Q-S 10:40-11:00
T-V 11:00-11:20
W-Z 11:20-11:40
Please do your best to abide by the last names listed as we are charged with maintaining social distancing guidelines when students are present and we may have to limit access during these windows if we have a large number of students come to get books and supplies.
If for some reason you cannot make it during these times on Wednesday and Thursday please call the respective school and we can work to arrange another time.
FRSD Students and Families:
We made good progress this weekend regarding planning for our Distance Learning framework. Our goal is to have it ready to go by Monday, April 13th. Below is some general information for you to consider in the days ahead as we prepare for this rollout.
- WHAT IS REQUIRED?: As I have mentioned before, your level of engagement is entirely up to you, based on your student and personal circumstances. For some, what we roll out will be a lot to take in, and may be too much to support. If so, engage at the level you feel is appropriate for your family. For others, you may wish you had more. In those cases, reach out to your teachers, and they will work to support you and provide additional learning opportunities and supports.
- SENIORS: ODE is getting closer on the proposal for high school seniors. I do expect it soon. We are preparing for it and will be able to roll out what that looks like in Fern Ridge with a short turnaround.
- Distance Learning for K-8 students. For at least the first 3 weeks, this will be ONLY through the website and printable weekly plans, lessons, and packets in English (Reading and Writing), Math, and Physical Activity.
- Distance Learning for H.S. students. For high school students, this will be through an individual google classroom for various classes/subjects. All information will also be printable from the website
- TEACHER OFFICE HOURS: Teachers will begin to maintain regular office hours to receive and respond to emails and phone calls from home daily from 8 AM-4 PM. Many will respond and communicate before and after that, as well, if it works better for your families. They will respond within 24 hours, often much sooner.
- TECH SURVEY-DEVICES FOR HS. STUDENTS: We are in the process of conducting a “home technology” survey of our high school students at this time. Our goal is to have in place by Friday, April 18th, a plan for high school students to sign out a Chromebook for home use…maybe earlier.
- PRINTABLE PACKETS: These can/will be accessed one of 3 ways.
- Pick up from the school. The first day they will be available is Monday of each week, although you could pick up any day. IT IS A HUGE HELP FOR THOSE THAT CAN PICK THESE UP FROM THE SCHOOL
- We will mail them to you.
- In some cases, we can deliver to your door, either through buses or staff vehicles.
- ANSWER KEYS: As a standard, we will not be sending home “answer keys.” However, if you would like a specific answer key for a subject, please work with the individual teacher and or building principal and we will email or mail you one.
- TEXTBOOKS: At the high school and middle school level, we are still working on a textbook distribution model. For elementary students, while the physical Language Arts “Journeys” textbook isn’t needed for work at home (as we can send home the printed pages, and you can access the textbook online)…Language Arts books WILL be available for pick-up at the school as well, beginning Monday, April 13th. If you can’t make it to the school and want one delivered….we will make that happen as well.
- TURNING IN WORK: For the immediate future, work completed will not be turned in. However, we will be getting you a colored folder to collect/save the work. In the coming days/weeks, we will establish a process to turn work in, so be sure and save anything that is completed.
That’s probably enough information for now. Thank you for your continued patience and grace with district staff as we navigate through this. We have many folks working hard each and every day to provide meals for the community, daycare for essential workers, supplemental learning, and now distance learning.
Gary Carpenter, Jr. Superintendent, FRSD 28J