Fergus Falls ISD 544 School News • Volume 41 • Issue 1 • August 2024 • 218-998-0544 • www.fergusotters.org
What’s Inside: Note from Superintendent Drake.......1,5 Superintendent’s eNewsletter...............1 Contact Info / Phone Numbers.............2 Locations...............................................2 Fergus Falls School Board....................2 Student Handbook (link to)....................2 What School is My Child Attending?.....2 Kindergarten Orientation.......................2 Open Houses........................................2 Teacher Assignments...........................2 Gym Uniforms.......................................2 School Supplies Lists............................2 ParentVUE.............................................2 New Students to the District.................2 2024-2025 Calendar.............................3 Chromebook Information......................3 Bus Information & Rules.......................3 Activities Information.............................4 Child Health Insurance..........................4 Curriculum Review Committee.............4 544 Education Foundation....................4 Otter Pride Night....................................4 Annual Parent Notice............................4 Payment Options...................................5 Notices...................................................5 Weather-Related Information................5 Meal Rates.............................................5 Suicide Prevention Information.............5 Peanut & Tree Nut Free Policy.............5 Fergus Falls Area Adult Education.......5 Special Education Services..................5 School Age Child Care..........................5 Community Education...........................6 Early Childhood Program/ECFE...........6 School Polices/Notifications............. 7-8 Educational Benefits/Application.... 9-10 Classroom Wish List & Form.........11-13
Fall 2024 School Begins: Kindergarten: Wednesday, September 4 Grades 1-12: Tuesday, September 3
2024-2025 School Times:
Lincoln.................... 8:25am – 3:07pm McKinley................ 8:25am – 3:07pm Adams.................... 8:25am – 3:07pm Cleveland............... 8:25am – 3:12pm Kennedy.................8:20am – 3:20pm ALC........................8:20am – 3:20pm
Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year Dear Otter Families, On behalf of the Fergus Falls Public School District, welcome to the 2024-25 school year! “The principal goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.” – Jean Piaget In this fast-paced and ever-changing world, the reality is that we are charged with preparing students with the Jeff Drake knowledge, skills and personal qualities Superintendent of Schools to successfully carry out essential work presently taking place while also enabling them to adapt to career opportunities that currently don’t even exist. That challenge is both daunting and exciting. That challenge has spurred several transformational changes in the district. LINCOLN SCHOOL: The catalyst for many of these changes is the completion of Lincoln Phase #2. In addition to housing Otter Preschool, Lincoln School will become home to kindergarten beginning this fall. The facility is the culmination of five years of visioning, problemsolving, hard work, perseverance (lots of perseverance!) and ultimately celebration. Lincoln School is a wonderful facility that was specifically designed to meet the needs of our youngest learners. The new kindergarten section boasts classrooms that are spacious and feature natural light. The school boasts a large maker-space area where students can develop their creativity, social skills and problem-solving skills. The playground is highlighted by play structures designed by the same company that provided equipment for Magnuson Park and will feature a poured rubber surface making it accessible for all children. We have also designed the school with outstanding instructional support spaces and have a very talented team of professionals at the site to ensure that all students get off to a great start in our school district. It was our goal to make Lincoln School one of the best facilities for young learners in rural Minnesota. We can’t wait for our community to see it; and most importantly, we can’t wait for our students to benefit from the learning environment it creates. Please join us for a public Community Engagement Event showcasing Lincoln School on Tuesday, August 27th from 6:00-7:30pm. The impact of Lincoln Phase #2 goes far beyond kindergarten. The move enabled us to reconfigure the grade levels assigned to each building. McKinley School and Adams School will each house students in grades 1-3. Moving 3rd grade out of Cleveland School allows us to move 5th grade out of KSS and into Cleveland where they will be paired with 4th grade. This change places 5th grade in a more appropriate elementary setting and creates several benefits for the middle school and high school as well. NOVEMBER 5TH ELECTION: VOTERS TO DECIDE ON A NEW GRADES 3-5 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: As a district, we remain focused on upgrading our school facilities to fully meet the needs of our students. The district will be bringing forth a variation of the 3-5 elementary school proposal that went to the voters last May. The new
plan is designed to address community concerns regarding project costs. The November ballot will be split into two questions. Question #1 is centered on the school building, parking lot, playground, etc. and reduces the annual tax impact on an average residential home valued at $250,000 from $100 annually (May election proposal) down to $86 annually (November election proposal). That’s less than 25¢ per day. Question #2 is centered on whether the community would support building a middle school soccer and baseball field on the site. If Question #2 were also to pass, it would add $4 to the annual cost on a $250,000 residential home which equates to another penny per day. The combined total for both questions is under $50 million dollars, reduced from the $54.8 million last May. Much more information will follow in the coming weeks leading up to November 5th. The first public forum on the proposed new elementary school will be: Date/Time: Tuesday, August 27th at 6:30pm. Location: Lincoln School (former Target Building) in the media center. ATTENDANCE: Another major focus area for our district continues to be student attendance. We realize that illness and life events happen, however, regular school attendance (95% or higher) is one of the most critical factors in student success. It is impossible to replicate what was missed in the classroom when a student is absent. The following anonymous quote succinctly captures the impact, “Your attendance shapes your academic journey.” Parents have the single most important and influential role in emphasizing the value of education. Daily attendance, studying and completing all assignments, and taking a challenging curriculum are all essential components if students are to meet their full potential. Setting that expectation on a daily basis creates the necessary foundation for students to enjoy success. It is my sincere hope that your children have an amazing experience in the Fergus Falls School District during the coming year. May our continued on page 5
Subscribe to Superintendent Jeff Drake’s eNewsletter! Newsletters, columns and district information will be sent via e-mail to all subscribed members. To subscribe:
1. Send an e-mail to supt_news+subscribe@fergusotters.org (the subject and body of the message can be left blank). 2. Wait a few minutes and check your e-mail. You will receive a confirmation e-mail from our system. 3. Please REPLY to the message you receive from us, keeping the subject line (with confirmation number) intact. Again, the body of this message can be left blank. 4. When your request is completed, you’ll receive a confirmation e-mail. If you have any trouble, please e-mail jthorstad@fergusotters.org
2024-2025 Classroom Wish List on pages 11-13
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