Fridley Public Schools PHONE: (763) 502-5020
Communications Office FAX: (763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive E-MAIL: [email protected]
Fridley, MN 55432 WEB: www.fridley.k12.mn.us
A rundown of news and events from Fridley Public Schools
SCHOOLS AND DISTRICT NEWS
FRIDLEY STUDENTS AND STAFF PARTICIPATE IN REIMAGINE MINNESOTA CONVERSATION
On March 9, 2017 in the Mounds
View Community Center, students,
parents and staff of Fridley Public
Schools joined similar groups of
stakeholders representing Anoka,
Columbia Heights, and Spring
Lake Park school districts for a
community discussion on equity
and achievement. A total of 40
school districts joined together for
a world café themed “Reimagine
Minnesota” for discussion on how
to reduce the achievement gap and
raise academic success for all
students.
Fridley High School students who
attended served as facilitators of
small group discussions and shared
some of their thoughts about the
event and what would make
schools and school districts more
successful for all students. The
recurring message from students
was a need to diversify school staff
to be representative of the students
who attend those schools, train
teachers and staff on cultural
competencies, provide a safe and
welcoming school environment and
climate where everyone is
welcomed and valued, implement a
culturally relevant curriculum,
personalized learning for all
students, and decrease the
achievement gap between white
students and students of color.
At a later meeting, area
superintendents and representatives
from their respective school
districts gathered to review the
opinions, thoughts, suggestions and
recommendations shared during
Reimagine Minnesota. The
information gathered will be key in
creating an action plan that will be
used to better serve Minnesota
public school students.
Fridley Public Schools PHONE: (763) 502-5020
Communications Office FAX: (763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive E-MAIL: [email protected]
Fridley, MN 55432 WEB: www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
ALC STUDENTS GAIN MORE THAN A HISTORY LESSON AT MILL CITY
A group of twenty students from the Area Learning Center had a fun history lesson that included cookies on February 22, 2017. The students traveled to the Mill City Museum in downtown Minneapolis. The museum, on the banks of the Mississippi River, is built into the ruins of the Washburn “A” Mill from years past. At one time, it was the largest flour mill in the world. The ALC students learned more about the history of Minneapolis and what working in the mill would’ve been like. They also noted the importance of the Stone Arch Bridge and the river being a key part of industry over a century ago. The trip led to more than just education, however. “While the purpose was history, what ended up happening was a lot of group work and some new relationships with classmates,” said Jenny DeMars, ALC teacher. “Getting into a setting outside of school brought out the best in most students! It was really interesting to see new friendships form that carried back to a positive school climate upon return.”
Before the students departed, they baked cookies using five different
types of flour and made advertisements for the cookies.
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT STUDENTS TOUR HIGH BRIDGE PLANT Seven students from Fridley High School’s Junior Achievement group received an opportunity to job shadow and tour Xcel Energy’s High Bridge facility in Saint Paul on March 28, 2017. Work-based learning teacher Stephanie Warner invited students based on their interest in engineering, manufacturing and technology. Students were able to see a variety of potential positions, from engineering to maintenance. They also discovered Xcel employs its own team of meteor-ologists who determine when systems need to be adjusted due to weather.
Xcel also has apprenticeships positions that were explained to the Fridley group. “Even if they start out working in building maintenance and grounds, they can eventually shift into some-thing else,” said Warner. “They would be able to gain on-the-job training and move into something different they would like to do.” The tour gave a glimpse of how the entire plant operates and electricity is generated. “They found it very inter-esting,” Warner said. “Xcel offers
scholarships to high schools students, so possible placements with the com-pany is very exciting.”
Fridley Public Schools PHONE: (763) 502-5020
Communications Office FAX: (763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive E-MAIL: [email protected]
Fridley, MN 55432 WEB: www.fridley.k12.mn.us
KEY CLUB TAPES TEACHERS TO POSTS, RAISES MONEY
It wasn’t malicious or against any rules when Fridley High School’s Key
Club affixed two teachers to posts in the cafeteria with duct tape. It was
a noble and worthy cause.
The Key Club held its annual ‘Tape a Teacher’ fundraiser on March 28,
2017. The club raised $63 for the Children’s Miracle Network.
Senior class dean Jim Cummings and math teacher Christine Nalepka
were this years ‘tapees.’ Fellow staff were on hand at all time to ensure
the placements were not permanent.
NHS BLOOD DRIVE
Fridley High School’s chapter of
the National Honor Society held
its annual blood drive March 10,
2017. 106 pints of blood were
donated via the American Red
Cross to aid patients around the
country.
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
Fridley Public Schools PHONE: (763) 502-5020
Communications Office FAX: (763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive E-MAIL: [email protected]
Fridley, MN 55432 WEB: www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
Fridley High School Variety Show - February 10, 2017
RL Stevenson 4th Grade Choir Concert - February 16, 2017
Fridley High School Improv Troup Laugh 2 Death - February 17, 2017
Fridley Public Schools PHONE: (763) 502-5020
Communications Office FAX: (763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive E-MAIL: [email protected]
Fridley, MN 55432 WEB: www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
Fridley Middle School’s Dear Edwina - February 24, 2017
Fridley Middle School’s Dear Edwina - March 23, 2017
Fridley Middle School’s James and the Giant Peach - March 24, 2017
Fridley Public Schools PHONE: (763) 502-5020
Communications Office FAX: (763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive E-MAIL: [email protected]
Fridley, MN 55432 WEB: www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENT
FRIDLEY HIGH SCHOOL’S KHADAR WINS NATIONAL ART AWARDS
Amir Khadar, a
senior at Fridley
High School, has
again placed high
in fine arts
competition; this
time on the
national level.
Khadar received a
record-setting six national awards from
the national Scholastic Art & Writing
Awards. His winning pieces are:
Black Barbie Beauty Project.
Gold Medal, Digital Art
Unsolicited Advice to a Gay Boy
in the Back of a Classroom Who
Can’t Say No. Silver Medal,
American Voices Medal Poetry
WitchCraft. Gold Medal, Poetry
Safety Pin Solution. Silver Medal,
Editorial Cartoon
That is Not My Job. Gold Medal,
Editorial Cartoon
Trump’s Presidential Cabinet.
Gold Medal, Editorial Cartoon
Out of the over 330,000 works
submitted, less than one percent are
recognized at the national level. The
awards include 29 categories, such as
poetry, photography, sculpture, humor,
editorial cartoons, and video game
design. Alumni of the prestigious
awards include Andy Warhol, Truman
Capote, Sylvia Plath, Stephen King,
Richard Linklater, Zac Posen and Lena
Dunham.
With the national recognition, Khadar
has been invited to the National
Ceremony on June 8 at Carnegie Hall in
New York City.
Amir Khadar’s Gold Medal winning piece, Black Barbie Beauty Project.
A sampling of Amir Khadar’s other work on display in the high school media center.
Fridley Public Schools PHONE: (763) 502-5020
Communications Office FAX: (763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive E-MAIL: [email protected]
Fridley, MN 55432 WEB: www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
FRIDLEY JUNIOR LONDON-BOUND FOR INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
WORLD CONFERENCE
A wonderful surprise was waiting for
Stevenson Elementary teacher Andrea
Erichsrud the morning of March 16,
2017.
WCCO television’s Kim Johnson
surprised Erichsrud with the news
station’s Excellent Educator Award.
She was nominated for the award by
the parent of one of her students, only
to find out later a second parent also
tried to nominate her.
Erichsrud was taken off guard by the
presentation. “I love these kids like
they’re my own,” she said. “It was my
grandmother who pushed me and said
this is what you’re meant to do. It’s
truly the relationship with kids that I
love.”
Erichsrud currently teaches 3rd grade,
but takes part in looping – meaning
she’s had the same group of students
since 2nd grade. Next school year, she
will start with a new class of 2nd
graders and see them through 3rd grade
again.
Congratulations, Andrea!
Fridley High
School is one
of two
schools from
Minnesota
that will be
represented
at the Inter-
national Bac-
calaureate
World Stu-
dent Confer-
ence in London, England.
Fridley High School junior Nicolas
Fite was chosen by the Minnesota As-
sociation of International Baccalaure-
ate World Schools (MNIB) as one of
two Minnesota representatives. MNIB
will cover his travel and lodging, along
with others costs associated with the
trip. In addition, Fite will be speaking
at the first annual MNIB Association
meeting in September about his expe-
riences.
On finding out that his application was
accepted, Fite immediately ran to the
high school’s IB office where coordi-
nator Jessica Baker celebrated with
him.
“I got an email saying
‘Congratulations, we’d like to inform
you your application has been accept-
ed,’” Fite said. “I was excited. I was
frantic!”
The application process included infor-
mation about community service
hours, awards received, a parent state-
ment and a letter or recommendation
from Baker.
Baker noted how the MNIB scholar-
ship is becoming more competitive. In
her letter of recommendation, she
highlighted Fite’s history of leader-
ship, including serving as student
council vice president, captain on three
athletic teams since his sophomore
year, sitting on the panel to choose the
new high school principal, and ap-
pointment in a leadership position with
Youth in Government for the past
three years. His grade point average,
as well, is an exceptional 4.19.
“He models the IB learner profile,”
said Baker. “He’s engaged in service,
works hard academically, is motivated,
cares about people… and he’s inclu-
sive. He wants everyone to be part of
things.”
The IB World Student Conference will
take place August 6-12, 2017 at King’s
College London. The theme for this
year’s conference is ‘Well-being in a
healthy world: personal responsibility
and global health.’ Students from
around the globe will explore and dis-
cuss how individual actions define
their own selves, affecting mind and
body, and impacting the health of peo-
ple across the globe with a focus on
how to work together and improve the
well-being of the world’s most vulner-
able people.
To that end, Fite said, “I’m excited to
learn and get perspectives from people
around the globe. I think it will be an
amazing experience to meet all these
different people, hear the speakers and
explore a new world.”
Fite’s parents will be traveling to Lon-
don to join him for a family vacation
the week after the conference.
Congratulations, Nic!
STEVENSON TEACHER NAMED ’EXCELLENT EDUCATOR’ BY LOCAL NEWS STATION
Fridley Public Schools PHONE: (763) 502-5020
Communications Office FAX: (763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive E-MAIL: [email protected]
Fridley, MN 55432 WEB: www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
HISTORY DAY AT MIDDLE SCHOOL MARKS CULMINATION OF PROJECTS Fridley Middle School’s annual History Day took place February 16, 2017. Eighth grade students displayed their history re-
search projects for family, friends and staff to see. The students then gave presentations on their topic to volunteer judges.
Fridley Public Schools PHONE: (763) 502-5020
Communications Office FAX: (763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive E-MAIL: [email protected]
Fridley, MN 55432 WEB: www.fridley.k12.mn.us
Younger athletes stepped up this year
for Fridley High School’s swimming
and diving program, and will continue
to build on what they gained this year
for next season.
Daunte Williams, a sophomore, took
Section 4A Diving Champion recogni-
tion with a score of 333.95. He went
on to place 18th in his first run at a
state title. Williams’ highest 6-dive
list score this season was 233.6, and a
highest 11-dive list score of 378.75 at
True Team.
“Daunte is so
naturally able
to complete
his dives and
what he’s
asked to do,”
said Kari
Reiter, diving
coach.
“We’re
working on
getting closer
to the board, which has improved dra-
matically this year. And finding the
bottom of the dive; getting in clean
and vertical. But he absolutely be-
longs at the state level.”
On the swimming side, coach Greg
Pokorski noted the influx of freshmen
and sophomores in pivotal roles. “The
greatest success as a team was we had
a lot of younger athletes, who had not
previously seen themselves as great
contributors in terms of scoring points
or team success, move into the section
roster, score points and realize the
possibility that in the next couple years
they could be participants at the state
level,” Pokorski said. “The sopho-
mores, in particular, saw a lot of
growth as leaders.”
In state competition, sophomore An-
drew Akermann came in 13th for the
100-year butterfly and 12th for the 200-
yard freestyle; Ivan Pugachov, also a
sophomore,
placed 11th in
the 500-yard
freestyle;
Farrque Hus-
sein, a junior,
took 9th in the
100-yard
breaststroke
and 16th in the
200-yard in-
dividual med-
ley. Hussein
also set a
team record
in the 100-yard backstroke.
Competing in team relays were An-
drew Akermann, Ivan Pugachov, Gra-
ham Hoglund, Farrque Hussein, Chad
Haugstad, Jake Johnson and Colton
Bielawski. The 200-yard medley relay
team placed 14th and set a team record.
“Being a member of the swim team
provides the boys an opportunity to
use their energy in a productive way
that helps them maintain focus during
the day and evening,” said Pokorski.
“It provides them with a competitive
outlet to channel efforts toward a tan-
gible goal and see those results quick-
ly.”
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
DIANE POLSKI NAMED MARCH 2017 DISTRICT EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Fridley Pub-lic Schools March 2017 Employee of the Month is Diane Pol-ski, assistant to the prin-cipal at Fridley Mid-dle School.
Over her tenure as assistant to three
principals, Diane has become the foun-dation upon which the middle school thrives. Her selfless service and com-mitment is abundantly appreciated by all who work with her - students and staff alike. The calming force at the middle school, she supports all who come to the office. She never says ‘no’ to those who need help, and always helps in a positive way. She cares about every-one in the building and takes time to
check in. She is warm and friendly at all times. “She is the first person many people go to when they have a need or question,” said Principal Matthew Boucher. “She has a seemingly unflappable compo-sure, and a demeanor that welcomes all questions.”
Congratulations, Diane!
DIVER, SWIM TEAM ENJOY SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF MOVING UP TO STATE COMPETITION LEVEL
Daunte Williams
Front row, left to right: Ivan Pugachov, Mike Yocum, Colton
Bielawski, Andrew Akermann and coach Kari Reiter. Back
row, left to right: Coach Greg Pokorski, Chad Haugstad, Gra-
ham Hoglund, Jacob Johnson and Farrque Hussein.
STUDENT SUCCESS EXPO
FRIDLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM FRIDLEY HIGH SCHOOL. 6000 WEST MOORE LAKE DR., FRIDLEY, MN
Join us and learn more about:
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING: Raising social emotionally well adjusted children.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: Increasing academic achievement for your child through parental involvement.
TRANSITION: Helping your child transition successfully from one school level to another.
JOBS & INTERNSHIPS: Is your child ready to work this summer?
For elementary school, middle school and high school students
and their families. All Fridley Public Schools parents and
families are welcome to attend! No registration required.
FRIDLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Invites all parents and families to a district-wide
STUDENT
SUCCESS EXPO
Information Resources Opportunities For parents of our elementary school, middle school & high school stu-dents.
Parents can choose and attend as many sessions as they would like.
Great opportuni-ty for high school students too!
All are welcome!
SESSION I: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Raising socially-emotionally well-adjusted children
(for parents of elementary school-aged students)
Transition: helping middle school students transition
successfully to high school (middle/high school)
Increasing student achievement through parent engage-
ment (high school)
Fridley’s student support system (all schools)
SESSION II: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Increasing student achievement through parent in-
volvement (elementary school)
Raising socially-emotionally well-adjusted children
(middle school)
Ready for a job or internship? Resume, application
process, and interviewing to get hired. (high school)
Fridley’s student support system (all schools)
SESSION III: 11:00 AM – NOON
Transition: Helping elementary school students transi-
tion successfully into middle school (elementary/
middle school)
Increasing student achievement through parent engage-
ment (middle school)
Raising social-emotionally well-adjusted children
(high school)
Fridley’s student support system (all schools)
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Early Childhood Screening – (Children ages 3-5 years old)
STUDENT SUCCESS EXPO
Saturday, April 22, 2017 | 9 AM - 12 PM
High school clubs will be on hand to share more infor-
mation about their activities! Plus community resources
available to our students as they prepare for summer!