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FAPS #WeAreFenton Community Update
August 8, 2022
Welcome Back! Exciting Year Ahead!
Dear Fenton Community and Families,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at Fenton Area Public Schools! I hope that you had an opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy the summer break. If you are new, welcome to what I consider an end destination, where every student can find the resources and supports they need. If you are returning, welcome back! We are ready to start our race on a great school year! We are hoping the information in this newsletter helps prepare you for this momentous race!
As a school leader, there is no better feeling than the start of a new school year. Regardless of your role or title, we are all part of the FAPS family and share in the excitement and anticipation that comes with getting our students back in the classroom.
In this newsletter you will find some information to help transition from summer recess to an awesome school year. Our district also has many exciting things ahead, and we've shared some of those in this newsletter as well.
I look forward to the excitement of the new year, and I thank you for your dedication to our district, our community, and the students and families that we serve.
I wish everyone a great first day and an awesome school-year!
Sincerely,
Heidie Ciesielski
Superintendent
2023-24 School Year
We will kick-off this exciting year for students on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. As we near the start, your student's building administrators will be communicating out important information that is relative to where your student is attending in Fenton. Please check our the FAPS website for further information to detail the start of the 2022-23 school year.
2023-24 Open House Dates & Times
- Y5/K-5 State Road, North Road & Tomek - August 21, 2023 from 5:00-6:30 p.m.
- World of Wonder Early Childhood - August 21, 2023 from 6:00-7:30
- Fenton High School - September 6, 2023 6:00-7:30
- AGS Middle School - September 7, 2023 6:00-7:30
FAPS Athletics and Fall Sports kicks off on August 7, 2023. Please contact Ed Uhrik, FAPS Athletic Director or Renee Dailey, FHS Athletic Assistant
Calendar for 2023-24 is linked directly below! Check out how nice the December Holiday Break is this year!
New #WeAreFenton Tigers
We are welcoming a few new staff members to FAPS this fall. Please help me formally welcome and congratulate the following individuals on joining or serving in a new capacity the WeAreFenton Family
Online Registration Reminder
ParentVue and Synergy
Preparations are in full swing for the new school year as we approach the first day of school on August 22nd. Part of that preparation is completing the 2023-2024 CURRENT Student Information Update task in the Online Registration feature of the ParentVue portal for each of your students.
Confirming/updating your student’s information is REQUIRED by the start of the new school year for ALL students attending Fenton.
Using the ParentVue portal, parents and guardians have the ability to electronically sign Handbook Acknowledgements, Acceptable Use and Chromebook Policies; as well as update student Demographic Information, Emergency Contact Information, Medical and Health information, and transportation needs. This process takes about 10 minutes per student. It is important that we have current information for each student enrolled, especially for planning bus routes.
Building and Classroom Placements at Y5/K-5
Our building principals and office staff are busy getting all of the enrollments processed and placed in Synergy. Please know that 23-24 placements will not be finalized until August 18th @ 4:00 p.m. While you may see the process unfold in Synergy - it's important to check after this date and time to confirm.
Chromebooks for 6th and 9th Graders
As a reminder, this form must be printed and signed prior to receiving a Chromebook at the 6-12th grade level. Copies will be available at schedule pickup. Most students still have their Chromebook from last school year; however, if you are new to a building or the district please ensure we have one of these on file.
Transportation Department Information
Please let our transportation department know if you have moved or have an address change. For more detailed transportation information can be located on our website link included below.
State Road Road Project
We have been informed by the City of Fenton, that State Road will remain one way for the first few months of school. The city is working with our district on suggestions to get around the area, and we will update you all on the August 18th on a strategy for accessing the area. The city wants the next few weeks to work as diligently as possible and then to gauge how best to go about a strategy to avoid as many headaches as possible.
FAPS Board of Education to call for November 2023 School Bond Election
Monday August 7, 2023 our school board voted to call for a -0- mill increase school bond on the November 7, 2023 Election. After the district conducted Strategic Planning Process and a Facilities Study the board has listened to our stakeholders and is exploring all avenues to update facilities for our students and community. The district has created an informational portion of our website that we will continue to update with information, ballot language as well as FAQ's. Please see the button link below regarding information for our FAPS November 2023 Bond. Also, stay tuned for informational sessions that will be taking place in the first few months of school.
FAPS Parent University for 2023-24 School Year
SAVE THE DATE
The Department of Teaching and Learning is excited to offer several opportunities for parents to hear from local experts around topics that may be impacting their families. Below are the topics and dates throughout the year. More info regarding time and location as we get closer to each event.
Location@ FHS - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Oct 17- When to worry about your child's worries – Dr. Aimee Kotrba
Dec. 5-Stress management for tweens and teens – Meghan Carmen, LMSW
Feb 7-School refusal – getting and keeping your child in school – Molly Schofield, M.S.
April 4-Supporting your child with executive functioning weaknesses – Hannah Hamilton, LLMSW
Child Find Notice
Child Find is an active process for identifying students suspected of having a disability. The first step requires providing information to the public regarding the availability of special education services.
These notices must be posted annually to ensure all districts continue their efforts to seek out children and students who may need special education and related services.
When a parent, educator, doctor, other individual suspects a child may have a disability, a request for a special education evaluation can be made to the student’s teacher, counselor, administrator or Special Services Office.
Parents can request an initial evaluation of a student suspected of having a disability, and before any formal evaluations take place, the district will provide written notice and, when necessary shall request written consent to evaluate.
The district will provide information about your family rights and procedural safeguards. Upon receipt of signed consent, a district may evaluate the student and determine if there is a need for special education and related services. Child Find evaluations are conducted at no cost to the parents.
Powerful Ted Talks by an Awesome Kid!
For those of you who have little ones in your family, this is a powerful reminder of some simple ways to ensure optimal development!
Pancake Breakfast - Save the Date
Board of Education Meeting August 7, 2023
Our school board held the regular monthly meeting on August 7, 2023. The Board of Education has been very busy this summer. Working through welcoming our new board member and getting ready for a school bond in November have been top priorities. See our Board of Education Website for more information. https://www.fentonschools.org/page/board-of-education