A couple key reminders as we welcome our students back to school:
- Be safe on the roads! Buses and bikes and kids will be moving around our community! Please slow down and drive safely, especially around schools!
- If your child is sick, please keep them home. Below is a guideline to use:
2021-2022-Illness-Guidelines-for-Parents-
Congratulations to our employee of the month, Callie Johnson! Callie was one of our super star staff members who went above and beyond to help teachers and students during summer school and KITS!
Callie has been an employee since September 5, 2017 and has helped to support students at all three levels: elementary, middle, and high.
She and her husband of 18 years, Mark have four kids Andrew, Julie, Porter and Max.
She tells us that some of her favorite things are Crumbl cookies, the roller coasters at amusement parks, hiking/swimming and being outdoors. She loves to bake, enjoys Harry Potter, flamingos, pineapples, math, learning new things and exploring. She is currently enrolled in college for finance/accounting and in her downtime (wait…..Callie, you have downtime! ☺️) she crochets.
When asked about her day she explained, “no two days are the same and no two children are the same. It’s so fun learning new ways to teach a child and how to connect with them. School is changing all the time, you need to be able to be flexible with whatever you are given. It’s a challenge at times but so rewarding.”
In her time helping in our front offices, she loves, “being able to reassure parent needs and helping them get the answers they are looking for. Being able to provide for the staff and help out the principals to make their jobs easier or to take on a task to help free up their time to do other things.”
Callie enjoys the relationships she builds with kids, hearing about their weekends and things they enjoy. She also loves to help them learn. If it’s a math problem they are struggling with, being able to explain it a different way and seeing their ‘ah-ha’ moment of understanding is pretty great.
Congratulations Callie and thank you for all of your hard work during the school year and during summer school. You rock!
As we approach the first day of school, the staff in Fern Ridge School District would like to share one more WELCOME BACK!
For the 2021-2022 school year, all meals will be served to all children ages 0-18 in the community at our daily Grab & Go pick up site in the back high school parking lot from 11:30 – 12:00 Monday thru Friday. You’ll also receive a breakfast for each child for the next school day. All meals are free of charge.
Student meals at school are also served free of charge with additional entrée items students at the middle school and high school may purchase.
We are excited and ready to open our doors to students in the coming days, we are also fully aware of the challenges we may face and need to be prepared for.
Please know that the continuing to provide in-person instruction is our top priority. To do that, keeping our students and staff as safe as possible is imperative! The best way parents can help support that is by keeping students at home when they are showing any symptoms of being sick. Below you will find resources that will be helpful in answering any questions you may have. We appreciate your support in reopening our schools and look forward to working together in the year to come.
- When to keep my student home?
- FRSD Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan
- Frequently Asked Questions for Families
- Schools and COVID-19 FAQ
- ODE Face Coverings in School
- K-12 Face Covering Rule One Pager
- COVID-19 Exclusion Summary Chart
Continue to check FRSD school and district websites for more information.
To Our Fern Ridge Students, Families, Staff, and Community-
We hope you have had an enjoyable Summer Break so far!
Both the State of Oregon and the Federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have released their new COVID-19 safety guidance for schools. You can read through the Resiliency Framework for the 2021-22 School year here.
As we prepare to open our doors and welcome back our K-12 students, we wanted to share our reopening plan. Follow the link below to see FRSD’s draft Operational Plan regarding fall 2021. This plan will be discussed with the School Board on Monday, Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m.
While trying to prepare for every scenario is nearly impossible, we feel confident that our district plan will create a safe learning environment for students and staff. The health and safety of our students and staff are our highest priority. To protect everyone’s health, we will open schools using safety measures that we have all grown familiar with:
- Physical distancing
- Face coverings
- Ventilation and airflow
- Hand washing
- Staying home if ill or exposed to someone with COVID-19.
We will continue to communicate with you as the new school year begins. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to building administrators or district office staff if you have any questions or concerns.
Below, you will find the FRSD Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan. Please contact Michelle Marshall at mmarshall@fernridge.k12.or.us if you have any questions or would like to provide feedback.
FRSD Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan
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Lane County Public Works wants to be sure that parents have a voice in potential herbicide use near school bus stops. You can enroll your child’s bus stop into the No Spray Area program by filling out a short form available on the Lane County website at www.lanecounty.org/vegetation or by calling 541-682-8521 to request a paper application.
Over the past three weeks, we have experienced nearly as many positive COVID tests with staff and students in our school community, as we have in the past 18 months. With each positive test, there are actions the district must take, and those are beginning to take a toll. Those have included disruption to summer school, quarantining for the student or staff member that is sick, and quarantining (for those not vaccinated) for anyone identified as a meeting the definition of a close contact.
Today we had a positive test within the EHS Football program. I just met with District staff and multiple football coaches to problem solve this issue. The nature of football, being a sport that requires significant amounts of “close contact”, it does not take much to meet the cumulative 15 minutes within 6 feet standard (when not wearing a mask outside), that defines a close contact. As a group we agreed the only reasonable course of action is to cease football operations for a total of 14 days. I have communicated with Lane County Public Health, and they agreed. We believe this action gives us the best chance of playing football this season. Football practice will resume on September 1st. Coaches and athletes that are vaccinated, may continue to practice, but should monitor themselves closely for symptoms. Coach Peeler and his coaching staff will be reaching out to families that have been most closely connected to the sick student. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to him. Coaches will also be meeting to discuss practices for those students that have been vaccinated, and do not need to isolate, as well as potentially some “virtual practices” or “classroom sessions” over Zoom.
As a reminder to all our student athletes, and staff as well, the best way to protect yourself is with a vaccine, and it is the ONLY way to avoid being required to quarantine when you have been identified as a close contact. Myself, the H.S. administration, and certainly our football coaching staff are devastated that we have to take this action, we hope for a quick recovery for the sick student, a quick return to football practices and the ability to have a football season this year. We believe this action gives us the best opportunity to achieve that goal.
Registration Information
Due to Governor Kate Brown’s mask mandate, masks are required at all indoor registration tables
Elmira/Veneta Elementary Schools
Wednesday, August 18th (New Students/Kindergarten) 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tuesday, August 24th (All Students) 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Wednesday, August 25th (All Students) 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Thursday, August 26th (All Students) 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Incoming Kindergarten and New Students: Please bring a copy of your student’s birth certificate, proof of residency, and current immunization information.
As in past years, Elmira and Veneta Elementary Schools will have a school supply fee of $30. The school supply fee covers all needed classroom supplies.
Elmira Elementary School: 541-935-8214
Veneta Elementary School: 541-935-8225
Fern Ridge Middle School
New and returning families can start the registration process online. Families will still need to stop by the school to pay the registration/activity/planner fee of $10 and purchase a PE shirt for $7.
Wednesday, August 18th (New Students/Incoming 6th Graders) 12:00pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, August 24th (All Students) 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Wednesday, August 25th (All Students) 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Thursday, August 26th (All Students) 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Families new to Fern Ridge will need to bring your student’s birth certificate, proof of residency, and current immunization information.
Fern Ridge Middle School: 541-935-8230
Elmira High School
Seniors: Wednesday, August 25th 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Juniors: Thursday, August 26th 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Sophomores: Wednesday, August 25th 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Freshman: Thursday, August 26th 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Elmira High School: 541-935-8200
EHS athletes and parents: As has been the norm for the past 18 months, changes are coming at us rapidly. However, we are confident we are prepared to implement all required safety protocols as we begin Fall Sports practices tomorrow, August 16th. Below is a summary of how we will be operating. Of course these are subject to change as we get new directives. The new rule, that took effect August 13th, can be read here: (OAR 333-019-1025)
OUTDOOR ATHLETICS: When athletes are outside at practice, we will continue to promote social distancing as much as possible, masks will be optional. When we have outdoor “contests/games” masks will be strongly recommended for fans that attend, but not required. Social distancing around the field and in the grandstands is encouraged.
INDOOR ATHLETICS: We have been given some leeway for athletics that occur after school, when athletes are inside. Athletes that are actively “practicing or playing” will have the option to wear a mask or not. When in team meetings (we will encourage outside team meetings when possible), on the sideline during a game, in the locker room, watching film etc…. masks will be required for athletes while inside. In addition, for all fans and game personnel (clock runners, announcers, officials) masks are required regardless of vaccination status as long as the state-wide indoor mask mandate is in place. Once lifted, we will re-evaluate this requirement.
OTHER SCHOOLS: When traveling to other schools/districts, we will abide by all of their local decisions related to masking coaches, athletes and spectators. Failure to follow the expectations set forth by FRSD, or when visiting other schools, may result in the loss of the opportunity to attend further events.
The School Board Meeting and Notice for Monday, August 16, 2021 to be held virtually at 6:30 pm has been posted. Due to a significant rise in COVID-19 infection rates both in Lane County and here in our local community, the Board will be meeting virtually for the August and September meetings, at which time a return to in-person meeting will be re-evaluated.
This meeting can be viewed on Zoom with the information below.
Public comment will be accepted via email at mcook@fernridge.k12.or.us. Please submit you email comments by 4:00 pm on Monday, August 16, 2021. Comments must be able to be read into record within the three minute time limit and include the full name and address of the sender.
Agenda items include: Flag Salute, Public Comment, Approval of Minutes, ART, Inc Report, Orchid Health Clinic Update, English Language Learner Report, Superintendent’s Report, West Lane Charter School Annual Review, Budge Committee Vacancies, OPTIONS Program Course Approval, School Board Meeting Adjustment for March 2021, Personnel: Licensed, Non-Licensed Personnel Report, Late Items/Closing Comments.
To access the agenda click here. This will take you to the Fern Ridge SD 28J BoardBook site where you can review board meeting agendas, attachments, and minutes. For more information contact 541-935-2253 Ext. 1203 or www.fernridge.k12.or.us.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://fernridge-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/84995702828?pwd=cUNyb1FmaUFCbzl0OU9FUmFTbWwzdz09
Meeting ID: 849 9570 2828
Passcode: 910482
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To: Oregon Superintendents and Principals
Date: August 12, 2021
Re: Parents and Families are Invited to Participate in a Town Hall with State’s
Top Education & Health Officials
Dear Superintendents and Principals,
We’re reaching out for your help and support to invite local parents and families to attend one of two Facebook Live Town Hall events next week, hosted by Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill, Oregon Health Authority Director Pat Allen, and State Epidemiologist Dean Sidelinger.
We encourage you to share the message below (in English and Spanish) with parents and families through your social networks and other communication channels.
Thank you!
Dear Parents and Families,
As a state and community, we have a shared goal to ensure that every student in Oregon is able to attend school in-person, every school day for the entire 2021-22 school year. In order to do so, we are prioritizing student and staff health and safety.
The Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority recently shared requirements for face coverings in K-12 schools. We know you may have questions about this requirement and as a community, we have an opportunity to join state education and health officials during one of two Facebook Live Town Hall events:
- Tuesday, August 17, 6-7 p.m. PST
- Wednesday, August 18 (for the Spanish speaking community), 6-7 p.m. PST
Please note that a Facebook account is not required to access these events.
Participants will be invited to share questions during the events and can also submit questions ahead of time by using this Google Form.
For Communicating with Spanish Speaking Families:
Requisitos para el uso de cubrebocas en escuelas K-12: Preguntas y respuestas en vivo en todo el est
Como estado y comunidad, nuestra meta es asegurar que cada estudiante en Oregon pueda asistir a la escuela en persona, todos los días escolares durante todo el año escolar. Para hacerlo, estamos dando prioridad a la salud y seguridad de los estudiantes y del personal de las escuelas.
El Departamento de Educación de Oregon y el Oregon Health Authority compartieron recientemente el cambio en los requisitos para el uso de cubrebocas en las escuelas de grados Kínder a 12. Sabemos que puede tener preguntas sobre este nuevo requisito. Invitamos a todos los residentes de Oregon a que acompañen a los funcionarios estatales de educación y salud en un evento de Facebook Live el miércoles 18 de agosto.
Invitaremos a las personas a que compartan sus preguntas durante el evento y también pueden enviar preguntas con anticipación mediante este formulario de Google: https://forms.gle/zfkSoiWKU3apCwxU6
Contact Information & Resources:
For general feedback – ODECovid19@ode.state.or.us
For questions about the events – morgan.zimmerman@ode.state.or.us
Visit the Ready Schools, Safe Learners webpage for the latest information on the 2021-22 school year.