A bi-monthly rundown of news and events from Fridley Public

A bi-monthly rundown of news and events from Fridley Public Schools
SCHOOL EVENTS
FRIDLEY AWARDED EARLY LEARNING SCHOLARSHIPS - PATHWAY II
Fridley Public Schools has been awarded a $47,800 grant for Early Learning Scholarships for the
2014 fiscal year. The purpose of the Early Learning Scholarships Program is to increase access to
high quality early childhood programs for children with highest needs prior to kindergarten in order
to improve school readiness of all children.
RONALD MCDONALD CARE DENTAL VAN VISITING FRIDLEY
The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will be at the Fridley Community Center on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. Dental services are available for children 21 years of age and younger, pregnant
women, uninsured individuals whose income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and
individuals on MN Health Care Programs. Services include regular cleanings, fluoride treatments,
sealants and x-rays. No child will be denied services due to inability to pay. Contact Joan Lenzmeier
at 763-502-5124 to make an appointment or if you have questions.
FRIDLEY HIGH SCHOOL TO INDUCT NEW MEMBERS INTO NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Fridley High School will hold its 2013 National Honor Induction Ceremony on October 23, 2013 from
6:30 –8:30 pm in the school’s auditorium. The purpose of the National Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, promote leadership among the student body, and to help members become
good citizens of this community. To be eligible for membership, a junior or senior must have at least
a 3.4 cumulative grade point average.
Fridley Public Schools
Communications Office
PHONE: (763) 502-5020
FAX:
(763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive
Fridley, MN 55432
E-MAIL:
WEB:
Jael.mclemore@fridley.k12.mn.us
www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
FRIDLEY, SOUTH SAINT PAUL AND SCIENCE MUSEUM TEAM UP FOR RTTT GRANT
Fridley Public Schools, South Saint Paul Public Schools and the Science Museum have teamed up as
a consortium to apply for the 2013 Race To The Top (RTTT) federal grant. The district program
grant builds on four years of bold reform efforts at the state and local level to reduce barriers to effective teaching and create better conditions for learning. The competition provides an opportunity for
school districts to build upon local innovation, demonstrate how they can personalize education for
students in their schools, and lay a blueprint for raising student achievement, decreasing the achievement gap across student groups and increasing the rates at which students graduate from high school
prepared for college and careers.
FRIDLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS APPROVED FOR STATE ADSIS GRANT
Fridley Public Schools has been approved for an Alternative Delivery of Specialized Instructional
Services (ADSIS) grant. The purpose of this Minnesota Department of Education grant program is to
provide students with additional academic or behavioral support to succeed in the general education
environment as needed. The goal is to reduce the number of referrals to special education by providing supports early to struggling students. The implementation of this grant will allow the district to
do such things as increase the work hours of elementary school counselors, hire behavior intervention
specialists for each building and/or hire behavior paraprofessionals for each building.
EARLY CHILDHOOD SCREENING AT FRIDLEY COMMUNITY CENTER
A free early childhood screening event for children ages 3 1/2 and 4 years old will be held at the
Fridley Community Center on October 11, 2013. Early Childhood Screening looks at how a child is
growing and developing and can detect possible health or learning concerns early so that children can
get help before they start school.
Minnesota law requires every child to participate in an Early Childhood Screening prior to entry into
kindergarten in a public school. The screening includes a height, weight, vision, and hearing check, as
well as a developmental screening.
To schedule a screening appointment for your child, please call 763 502-5111 or email screening@fridley.k12.mn.us. If you email, please use "Screening" as the subject. You will receive a call or
email with an appointment time. This will be followed by an appointment time reminder by mail
along with forms to complete and bring to the appointment.
Fridley Public Schools
Communications Office
PHONE: (763) 502-5020
FAX:
(763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive
Fridley, MN 55432
E-MAIL:
WEB:
Jael.mclemore@fridley.k12.mn.us
www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
NEW CAREER PATHWAY ESTABLISHED AT FRIDLEY HIGH SCHOOL
The Food Technology program
at Fridley High School’s Family
and Consumer Science program
has got a new facelift this year.
With the support of school administration, the department established a relationship with the
National Restaurant Association
and the Minnesota Hospitality
Industry to sponsor the ProStart
Culinary program at the school.
ProStart is a nationwide, twoyear high school program that
unites the classroom and food
service industry to develop the
best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and food
service leaders.
This year will begin year 1 of
Prostart (Food Technology II)
that will include the ProStart
curriculum, offering the ProStart
National Exam, and establishing
a ProStart culinary team that
will compete in this year’s state
competition in spring 2014.
ProStart year 2 will be offered
next year with some of the curriculum imbedded in this year’s
Cultural Foods classes. These
nationally recognized certifications can be applied to future
culinary training, a job in the
food service industry as well as
other college related careers.
This year, Food Technology 1
class will also imbed the curriculum for the acquisition of the
ServSafe certification test which
is also nationally recognized in
the food service industry.
This pathway to the career in
restaurant/food service industry
will provide Fridley students
with valuable skills to ensure
their success in this career path.
It also can help them obtain jobs
while pursuing other career
paths.
Above: Students learn about food
preparation during culinary arts
class.
The department is looking for
food service/restaurant sponsors
for its ProStart culinary team or
donations from local food service/
restaurant establishments that can
help enhance this program. For
more information on how you can
help, please contact Marsha
Chizek at 763-502-5713 or email
at her:
marsha.chizek@fridley.k12.mn.us .
Fridley Public Schools
Communications Office
PHONE: (763) 502-5020
FAX:
(763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive
Fridley, MN 55432
E-MAIL:
WEB:
Jael.mclemore@fridley.k12.mn.us
www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL CHANGES
The Fridley School district has a new finance director. Matthew Hammer replaced
Rochel Manders as the district’s director of finance in mid September 2013. Hammer previously worked as the district accounting supervisor and has been with the
district in that capacity since 2007.
Matthew Hammer
“I am looking forward to the challenge,” said Hammer, “and continuing to move
the district forward to the best place it can be financially.” Some of Hammer’s
goals are to streamline finance and accounting processes, ensure that people have
the information they need readily and quickly to make decisions, and to increase
transparency.
Hammer is a 2008 graduate of Creighton University in Omaha Nebraska where he
also played baseball for the university. In 2013 he received his MBA from St.
Cloud University. Hammer and his wife reside in White Bear Lake.
When Michelle Cosgrove, the district’s human resources coordinator resigned in
September, Emily Carlberg was hired to replace her. Carlberg previously worked
as a human resource specialist for Xcel Energy.
Carlberg is ready for the challenge. “The staff members here are very helpful,’ she
said ‘everyone is patient and very willing to help through this learning process.”
Carlberg graduated with a double major in public relations and social science from
St. Mary’s University in 2008. She and her husband live in Fridley.
Emily Carlberg
OCTOBER FRIDLEY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATE CHANGED
The Fridley School Board meeting originally scheduled for October 15, 2013 has been changed to October 22.
School Board meetings are generally held on the third Tuesday of the month in the Fridley Council Chambers of
Fridley City Hall, 6431 University Avenue NE.
MEETING TIMES
5:30 PM - Work Session - Board Members review background information related to upcoming agendas or
other topics of general information. No formal action is taken at these "discussion only" sessions.
7:00 PM - Public Forum - Forum for two-way discussion between board members and district residents.
7:30 PM - Business Meeting
Fridley Public Schools
Communications Office
PHONE: (763) 502-5020
FAX:
(763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive
Fridley, MN 55432
E-MAIL:
WEB:
Jael.mclemore@fridley.k12.mn.us
www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
Fridley Public Schools
Communications Office
PHONE: (763) 502-5020
FAX:
(763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive
Fridley, MN 55432
E-MAIL:
WEB:
Jael.mclemore@fridley.k12.mn.us
www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
BENDER NAMED SEMIFINALIST IN NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Fridley High School senior Josiah Bender has qualified as a Semifinalist
in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program. He is one of approximately 16,000 high school seniors who qualify as a Semifinalist and will
have an opportunity to continue in the national competition for some
8,000 scholarships worth about $35 million to be offered next spring.
About 1.5 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the
2014 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2012 PSAT
qualifying test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The
nationwide pool of Semifinalists, which represents less than one percent
of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each
state. The number of Semifinalists per state is proportional to the state’s
percentage of graduating seniors.
To become a Finalist, Semifinalists must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school,
be endorsed and recommended by their high school principal and earn SAT scores that confirm their
earlier performance on the qualifying test. In addition, a Semifinalist and a high school official must
submit a detailed application that includes the student's essay and information pertaining to the student's participation and leadership in school and community activities.
Josiah’s contributions to Fridley High School have been well noticed through participation in both fall
and spring drama productions, Speech, One-Act, as well as Cross Country Team, National Honor Society, German Club, and notably his film, made in IB art class, entitled "Textual Relationship" that
earned accolades at the EDU Film Fest. He has demonstrated through rigorous course load as a full
International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate his commitment to education.
Finalists will be designated from the Semifinalist pool in February 2014 and National Merit winners
will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July.
Fridley Public Schools
Communications Office
PHONE: (763) 502-5020
FAX:
(763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive
Fridley, MN 55432
E-MAIL:
WEB:
Jael.mclemore@fridley.k12.mn.us
www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
FRIDLEY TO HONOR TEN DURING 4TH ANNUAL DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS CEREMONY
Fridley Public Schools will
host its 4th Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards on
Friday, October 25, 2013 from
5:30 pm in the high school
cafeteria. Ten Distinguished
Alumni and the Fridley High
School Key Club will be honored.
Each year, the Distinguished
Alumni Awards honors
Fridley High School graduates
under two categories: individually as Distinguished
Alumni and collectively as
Circle of Excellence group
honorees. The purpose of the
Distinguished Alumni Award
is to honor distinguished
alumni, to connect with our
past, and to generate interest
and support with current students and staff. The 2013 Distinguished Alumni honorees
are:
Michael Bjerkesett ‘65
President and CEO
National Handicap Housing
Institute Incorporated (NHHI)
Mark Helm ‘79
President and CEO
Dolese Brothers Company
Ann (Harris) Leaf ‘90
Front Line Manager,
Washington National Air
Traffic Control Tower
Dr. John Stark ‘67
Professor of Orthopedics,
University of Minnesota
Chris Meyers Janda ‘83
VP of Perioperative Services, University of Minnesota Medical Center
Steve Nelson ‘76
Athletic Director, University
of Wisconsin, Superior
Dr. Cheryl Trocke-Fowler ‘85
Respiratory Care Manager,
Children’s Hospitals and
Clinics
Greg Kurr ‘81
President and CEO
Kemp LCC
Michael Schroer ‘75
President and Co-owner
Bob’s Produce Ranch
Robb Whittlef ‘90
Creative Director
Rochdale Spears
Fridley Public Schools
Communications Office
PHONE: (763) 502-5020
FAX:
(763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive
Fridley, MN 55432
E-MAIL:
WEB:
Jael.mclemore@fridley.k12.mn.us
www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
LONG-TERM FRIDLEY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TO BE NAMED TO FRIDLEY HALL OF FAME
Gordon Backlund, long-term Fridley School Board member and
its current Chair, is one of five people who will be inducted into
the Fridley Hall of Fame during the 10th Annual Fridley Hall of
Fame Luncheon to be held November 2, 2013. The Luncheon
will be held at the Fridley Community Center from 1:00 pm.
Backlund was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and graduated from
Two Harbors High School. He graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering,
and an MBA from the University of Iowa. He worked for Collins
Radio in Cedar Rapids, and also managed the manufacture of
equipment for the Apollo spacecraft including the design and
manufacture of the tape recorder carried to the moon.
In 1985, Backlund was elected to the State Legislature to represent Fridley and served till 1986. Backlund was elected to the Fridley School Board in 1989 and has
served as Board member for 24 years. He was recently appointed to the Fridley Housing Redevelopment Authority. Since 1979, Backlund has played the trumpet in Zurah Shrine Band, playing in concerts and parades in community celebrations. In 1982 he joined the Fridley/Columbia Heights Rotary
Club, serving as President, and currently as Secretary. He is also a member of the Lions Club participating in projects and community events. In 1999 Backlund formed the Fridley Schools Foundation,
acting as first president. In addition, he has contributed to other community and metro-wide organizations.
The Fridley Hall of Fame was established in 2004 to recognize those who, through dedication, work,
and accomplishment have contributed most significantly to the growth and success of the city of
Fridley. Backlund will be recognized with four other honorees; Charlotte Fitzpatrick, Charlene and
Earl Hatten and John Meyer.
Fridley Public Schools
Communications Office
PHONE: (763) 502-5020
FAX:
(763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive
Fridley, MN 55432
E-MAIL:
WEB:
Jael.mclemore@fridley.k12.mn.us
www.fridley.k12.mn.us
News and events from Fridley Public Schools
FRIDLEY ALUM NAMED U of M 2013 ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
The University of Minnesota honored Greg Frankenfield with its
prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award on September 11,
2013. Frankenfield, a 1977 graduate of Fridley High School, is
the co-founder and CEO of Magenic, a technology consulting
firm focused exclusively on Microsoft technologies.
Frankenfield holds a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from
the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the Carlson
School of Management and has over 20 years of experience in
software development and consulting. Over the past 18 years,
Magenic has adapted with the rapidly changing technology platforms and grown into an international custom software development firm that employs 500 employees in 8 offices worldwide. Headquartered in St. Louis Park, Magenic has been
broadly recognized for its open culture and was recognized this
year as one of the top ten workplaces in Minnesota.
Prior to founding Magenic, he worked for Procter & Gamble and General Mills, managing projects
ranging from Research and Development information systems to large-scale SAP implementations.
Frankenfield’s involvement in charitable activities, includes the Board of Director position he holds
for Kim Valentini’s Smile Network. He frequents the theatre both on and off the stage, and has served
on the board of Mixed Blood Theatre and the Minnetonka Curtain Call Club. He has also served on
the board of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. In 2010, Frankenfield and nine other
Fridley High School alumni, were the first to be honored by our school district with the Distinguished
Alumni Award.
Fridley Public Schools
Communications Office
PHONE: (763) 502-5020
FAX:
(763) 502-5050
6000 West Moore Lake Drive
Fridley, MN 55432
E-MAIL:
WEB:
Jael.mclemore@fridley.k12.mn.us
www.fridley.k12.mn.us