• Brianna Bjorge - IMC Coordinator
• Stacey Haas - Administration
• Collin Klagmann - Grades 7/8 ESL
• Amy Lombardi - Grades 7/8 Language Arts
• Amanda Mahlstedt - Grade 6 Science
• Ellie McElhenny - Grades 5/6 ESL
• Shannon Guscetti - Grade 8 Social Studies
• Michael Seal - Special Education
• Tom Raymond - Grade 8 Spanish
• Austin Rudoll - Grade 8 Social Studies
• Chris Sjogren-Almen - Grade 6 Language Arts

To accommodate the needed three-tier bus model for this school year, Friendly Hills Middle School's start and end times have changed.

Friendly Hills School Hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Friendly Hills has a new and very much improved parking lot. There will be safety videos and parking lot protocol videos coming out soon.

There are two parking areas:

• Main Parking Lot: The main parking lot which houses staff parking and is also used for student drop-off and pick-up. There is also new space for parents to park during the school day to drop off materials, and pick up students before the school day ends.
• Bus Lot: The bus lot, located behind the school, is used in the morning and afternoon for students that ride the school bus.  It will also be used for after-school event parking (concerts, plays, etc..) to alleviate parking on Mendota Heights Road.

As construction wraps up at Friendly Hills, please be aware of some outside projects finishing up.  These projects may involve heavy equipment, or vehicles with trailers that have a hard time staying in parking spots, or making turns in the parking lot.

All vendors have been asked to stay out of the parking lot area during morning drop off and afternoon pick up, but sometimes their availability does not allow them to work within those timeframes.

Photos coming soon!

Free meals are now available to all children in School District 197 (ages 1-18). The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will waive all fees for school meals through December 31, 2020 (or earlier if funding runs out). This is an extension of the summer meals program that provided meals to families throughout distance learning last spring and into the summer. For more information, click here.

How will my student get their free meals?

When learning in-person at school, breakfast and lunch will be available at no cost to students. Students may purchase a carton of milk for $0.50 to go with a breakfast or lunch brought from home, as milk by itself is not free. When learning at home (either as part of hybrid learning or full-time distance learning), a free breakfast and lunch bundle will be available for families to pick up between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at every School District 197 school. Free meals will only be provided for scheduled school days. Meals will not be provided on holidays or scheduled days off. Breakfast and lunch menus are available on the district website.  The menus apply to meals served in school and picked up curbside.

Please hang onto the barcoded PIN card you recently received in the U.S. Mail. Students will need these once schools resume normal breakfast and lunch service.

What are the benefits of school meals?

School meals offer students:

• Age-appropriate calorie limits and portion sizes
• Daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables (Note: all students must take at least one 1/2 cup serving of fruit/vegetables with their lunch meal and at least 1/2 cup juice or fruit with their breakfast meal)
• White or flavored fat-free milk or 1% white milk
• Whole grain breads, pastas, and grains
• Lean proteins from meat and non-meat sources
• Options with reduced sodium and limited saturated fats

Do I still need to fill out a Free & Reduced Application (FRP) form

Even though meals are free for the first few months of school, you still need to fill out your Free & Reduced Application form. This ensures you’ll have help paying for meals after December 31 (or earlier if funding runs out), and also helps you cover costs for other school-related activities. In addition, it grants our district access to state funding to support our schools. Complete the 2020-2021 Free & Reduced Meal Application online here or request one by calling 651-403-7320.

Please Note: Families MUST fill out a new application for benefits at the beginning of each school year or benefits will expire on October 22, 2020.

Grades 5 and 6
2020-21 Friendly Hills Daily Schedule
*Sample Schedule*
Specialist and FLEX will be the same hour for all students
(not all students will have same order of other classes)
**BOOST will be a new lesson, or extension of a lesson from two of the four core classes: Math, Science, Social Studies and Lang. Arts.

Grades 7 and 8
2020-21 Friendly Hills Daily Schedule
*Sample Schedule*
(not all students will have same order of other classes)
 

Whole School Daily Schedule 
All Distance Learning
(students will be completing work remotely)
This is to help provide support for families and communicate expectations and teacher availability for each hour.

2019-2020 8th grade students who still have their school-issued iPads can return them to the main office at Friendly Hills between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  You can also make an arrangement by calling the main school office at 651-403-7600.

Plans are being made to distribute any course specific materials students may need for distance learning.

Students will be able to view their class schedules beginning Wednesday, September 9 at 12 noon in their Infinite Campus account. As a reminder to all students, you will not be able to view your course schedule until you have your iPad and are logged into your Infinite Campus account.

August 2020

Dear  Friendly Hills 5th Grade Families and Students,

On behalf of our entire staff, welcome to Friendly Hills!  We are really excited for you to begin your middle school journey. We will have numerous opportunities for you to become connected with our school in the next four years, and we encourage you to try as many of these opportunities as possible.  We are looking forward to learning all about you!

Friendly Hills is currently wrapping up phase 2 of our two-year construction project.  As I write this, we are hoping our office staff will be able to be back in the building beginning the week of August 24 in order to assist our students and families in a more consistent manner.  The changes we have made to our grounds and facility are outstanding and will allow each of our students to become inquisitive learners in some new and exciting spaces.  In many ways, our building looks like a brand new school with all of the structural and cosmetic changes.  We think you will really love it!

This will be a unique start to the 2020-2021 school year.  As we wait to find out which platform we will begin the school year using;  Hybrid, Distance learning, or in person.   Friendly Hills has been working all summer to prepare for each of the scenarios in order to provide students with the best education possible.  We prefer in person, but we are confident that we will be able to educate our students at a high level, no matter the setting. More information will be coming out from the school district and Friendly Hills as the decisions are made.  Most of the information you will receive will be electronic, as that is the quickest and most efficient way for us to get information to you as it is released.   

We are trying to plan an open house for 5th grade families so they can walk around their new school and possibly meet some of their teachers and staff in person.  I will be sending out further communication on that as everything unfolds in the next few weeks.  Our school supply list is posted on our school web page.  If you have questions please contact the main office at 651-403-7600. 

We are looking forward to working with you and are excited to have you join our wonderful school community.  I can’t wait to meet each of you in person when the opportunity presents itself.  Enjoy the last weeks of summer and look for more specific communication in the upcoming days in regards to the start of the school year.

Sincerely,

Chris Hiti
Principal

5TH GRADE IPAD PICKUP

Families can pick-up their child's iPad on Tuesday, September 8, 8:00 a.m.-12 noon or Wednesday, September 9, 1:00-6:00 p.m.  The process for iPad pick-up will be drive-through style with families staying in their vehicles. Click on the flyers to open the PDF file. 

5TH GRADE ORIENTATION

All incoming 5th graders are invited to attend a half-day, in-person orientation from 9:30am-1:00pm on either September 10th or 11th.  Students with last names A-K will attend on Thursday, September 10 and students with last names L-Z will attend on Friday, September 11. Bus transportation will be arranged for students that ride the bus to school.  This orientation is designed for 5th grade students to attend without family members.  Students must bring their iPads. Orientation activities will welcome students to Friendly Hills and familiarize students with their teachers, their peers, the school, and technology that will be utilized during distance learning.  A virtual option will be made available for students that do not attend.  Further information to come. Click on the flyers to open the PDF file.

Information regarding orientation and iPad pick-up for new students in grades 6, 7, and 8 will be made available as soon as details are finalized.

If your child runs into any problems with their technology (iPads, etc.) while learning, please contact Jim Szalay at james.szalay@isd197.org.

In lieu of our traditional fall middle school sport season, we will be offering an in-house recreational option for our students at Heritage and Friendly Hills. Students with the last name beginning with A-K will participate on Mondays & Tuesdays. Students with the last name beginning with L-Z will participate on Thursdays & Fridays. Students will need to find their own transportation to and from school. Current sport physicals are required for participation. Registrations are done online through Affinety.

Session 1 Options: (Students with Last Name A-K)

Co-ed Cross Country Running Club
Days: Monday/Tuesday
Dates: 9/21-9/22, 9/28-9/29, 10/5-10/6, 10/12-10/13, 10/19-10/20, 10/26-10/27 (12 total meetings)
Grades: 6-8
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Heritage Students Last Name A-K: Participate at Heritage E-STEM Magnet
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Friendly Hills Students Last Name A-K: Participate at Friendly Hills M.S.

Co-ed Ultimate Frisbee/Football
Days: Monday/Tuesday
Dates: 9/21-9/22, 9/28-9/29, 10/5-10/6, 10/12-10/13, 10/19-10/20, 10/26-10/27 (12 total meetings)
Grades: 7-8
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Heritage Students Last Name A-K: Participate at Heritage E-STEM Magnet
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Friendly Hills Students Last Name A-K: Participate at Friendly Hills M.S.

Co-ed Soccer
Days: Monday/Tuesday
Dates: 9/21-9/22, 9/28-9/29, 10/5-10/6, 10/12-10/13, 10/19-10/20, 10/26-10/27 (12 total meetings)
Grades: 7-8
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Heritage Students Last Name A-K: Participate at Heritage E-STEM Magnet
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Friendly Hills Students Last Name A-K: Participate at Friendly Hills M.S.

Co-ed P.E. Variety of Games
Days: Monday/Tuesday
Dates: 9/21-9/22, 9/28-9/29, 10/5-10/6, 10/12-10/13, 10/19-10/20, 10/26-10/27 (12 total meetings)
Grades: 7-8
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Heritage Students Last Name A-K: Participate at Heritage E-STEM Magnet
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Friendly Hills Students Last Name A-K: Participate at Friendly Hills M.S.

Girls Tennis
Location: Henry Sibley H.S. Tennis Courts

Days: Monday/Tuesday (Heritage Students)
Dates: 9/21-9/22, 9/28-9/29, 10/5-10/6, 10/12-10/13, 10/19-10/20, 10/26-10/27 (12 total meetings)
Grades: 6-8
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Heritage Students: Participate at Henry Sibley High School Tennis Courts

Days: Thursday-Friday (Friendly Hills Students)
Dates: 9/17-9/18, 9/24-9/25, 10/1-10/2, 10/8-10/9, 10/22-10/23, 10/29-10/30 (12 total meetings)
Grades: 6-8
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Friendly Hills Students: Participate at Henry Sibley High School Tennis Courts

Session 1 Options: (Students with Last Name L-Z)

Co-ed Cross Country Running Club
Days: Thursday/Friday
Dates: 9/17-9/18, 9/24-9/25, 10/1-10/2, 10/8-10/9, 10/22-10/23, 10/29-10/30 (12 total meetings)
Grades: 6-8
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Heritage Students Last Name L-Z: Participate at Heritage E-STEM Magnet 
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Friendly Hills Students Last Name L-Z: Participate at Friendly Hills M.S.

Co-ed Ultimate Frisbee/Football
Days: Thursday-Friday
Dates: 9/17-9/18, 9/24-9/25, 10/1-10/2, 10/8-10/9, 10/22-10/23, 10/29-10/30 (12 total meetings)
Grades: 7-8
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Heritage Students Last Name L-Z: Participate at Heritage E-STEM Magnet 
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Friendly Hills Students Last Name L-Z: Participate at Friendly Hills M.S.

Co-ed Soccer
Days: Thursday/Friday
Dates: 9/17-9/18, 9/24-9/25, 10/1-10/2, 10/8-10/9, 10/22-10/23, 10/29-10/30 (12 total meetings)
Grades: 7-8
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Heritage Students Last Name L-Z: Participate at Heritage E-STEM Magnet 
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Friendly Hills Students Last Name L-Z: Participate at Friendly Hills M.S.

Co-ed P.E. Variety of Games
Days: Thursday/Friday
Dates: 9/17-9/18, 9/24-9/25, 10/1-10/2, 10/8-10/9, 10/22-10/23, 10/29-10/30 (12 total meetings)
Grades: 7-8Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Heritage Students Last Name L-Z: Participate at Heritage E-STEM Magnet 
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Friendly Hills Students Last Name L-Z: Participate at Friendly Hills M.S.

PARTICIPANT SCREENING

Parents or guardians should monitor their student participants for signs of infectious illness every day. Students who are sick should not attend meetings. It is the expectation that all students, coaches, and support staff screen for illness before attending any meeting. 

According to the MN Department of Health, the following is a current list of COVID-19 symptoms: 

• New onset of cough or shortness of breath by themselves 

OR at least 2 of the following: 

• Fever (100.4ºF or higher)
• Chills 
• Muscle pain 
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Congestion
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea 

MITIGATION STRATEGIES

The first week will focus on implementing effective protocols and routines for pre-participation screenings, effective social distancing, compliance with all health recommendations, establishment of pod limits of 25 or less, and additional actions that mitigate the spread of disease and enhance safety of students and coaches. 

• Schools will not provide water bottles.
• Student participants may not share water bottles.
• Face coverings will be worn when not training and/or competing and social distancing cannot be followed.
• Face coverings worn by coaches and support staff at all times.

CONFIRMED AND SUSPECTED COVID CASES

Programs must follow the identified protocols for students or coaches who have tested positive, are experiencing symptoms consistent with a COVID-19 diagnosis, or have had exposure to an individual who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Families need to report a positive test to the athletic director ASAP and within 12 hours of diagnosis.

A person who tests positive will need to be isolated for 10 days after the diagnosis.

Someone who tested positive can return to play after 10 days provided they have been fever free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication and their symptoms have greatly improved.

Any person who was in *close contact with a COVID positive person needs to be quarantined for 14 days.

If a student participant comes to a meeting with symptoms of COVID-19 or any other illness; the student will be assessed and the parent or guardian will be called and they, or an emergency contact, will be expected to pick up their student within 30 minutes of notification. 

*Close Contact as defined by MDH: Spending 15 minutes of time less than 6 feet from someone who has COVID-19 disease.

Helpful Resources from Dakota County:

• COVID-19 is a reportable disease.  Labs/clinics/hospitals are mandated to report positive COVID lab results to the Minnesota Department of Health.
• Decision Tree for People with COVID-19 Symptoms in Youth, Student, and Child Care Programs
• What To Do if You Have COVID-19
• What To Do if You have Had Close Contact With a Person With COVID-19
• What To Do if You’re Waiting for COVID-19 Test Results

For questions, please contact Middle School Athletic Director: Christian Lawver, christian.lawver@isd197.org

Click on a teacher’s name to view their video introduction.

 In the Office

5th Grade

6th Grade

7th & 8th Grade

Specialists