Week of August 27th - August 31st...ITS A GREAT MONDAY TO BE A T-REX!

WEEKLY MESSAGE
We are off to a great start at Fossil Ridge! The first two weeks have seen numerous successes and celebrations of teaching and learning...our new 6th graders have even figured out where all their classes are! :) We have worked hard to ensure that school-wide expectations, classroom expectations, and learning expectations have been clearly communicated with each one of our 920 students. One of our school-wide goals/challenges this year is to find the "Hidden Gems" among us at Fossil Ridge, to seek out the stories of our kids, and to ensure that ALL 920 feel important and loved. Learning begins with relationships. Relationships are critically important at Fossil Ridge, and are at the heart of everything we do...because that's How We Do Things at Fossil Ridge Intermediate!

"Every Kid Deserves a Champion"-Rita Pierson (YouTube 8min)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Monday, August 27th...PLC Early Out Day (school ends at 11:45AM)
Tuesday, August 28th...REACH Math Priority Day
Wednesday, August 29th...Picture Day (Science Classes), School Community Council Meeting (9:30AM), and REACH Science Priority Day
Thursday, August 30th...REACH Language Arts Priority Day
Friday, August 31st...REACH Social Studies & PE Priority Day and School-Wide Reading
Monday, September 3rd...NO SCHOOL (Labor Day Holiday)

   Weekly "T-REX" Students with Fabulous Social Studies Team

SHARING, LEARNING, CELEBRATION OF SUCCESS

                 Weekly "Get Your Brain On" Students

               Weekly "PLINKO" Students with Mr. Howell

"How Collaborative Teams Improve Instruction" Solution Tree 

Richard DuFour: "Groups vs Teams" (YouTube 3 minutes)

Ms. Trammell teaching Gratitude with a Read-Aloud!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

BE EXCELLENT!!

WELCOME BACK!! August 20th-August 24th, 2018

WEEKLY MESSAGE
Welcome Back to School... “It’s a Great Day to be a T-Rex!”  At Fossil Ridge Intermediate School we are passionately committed to the fundamental purpose and benefits of the Professional Learning Community Framework.  We believe our everyday focus should rely on our PURPOSE (core beliefs and commitments), PASSION (relentless desire), and INTENTIONAL EXCELLENCE (continued growth and reflection)!

Our shared Purpose at Fossil Ridge is doing “whatever it takes” to Ensure High Levels of Learning for ALL Students, no matter their background, special circumstances or abilities. As a result, we have worked diligently to align our Purpose, Beliefs, and Daily Practices to meet the unique needs of all our students. This process, dedicated teachers, and hard work has created a culture of collaboration and teamwork, which defines the “way we do things” at Fossil Ridge Intermediate.  Due to this well established culture our students and teacher teams have soared.  We have seen an increase in our end of level test results (SAGE) in each of the last six years.  The teacher teams at Fossil Ridge are responding to the “Big 4” questions of a high functioning team and school through ongoing collaboration to answer and reflect on the following:

• What do we want our students to learn?  
• How will we know if students learned it?
• How will we respond when students don’t learn it?
• And what will we provide to those students that have learned the necessary concepts and skills?

At Fossil Ridge Intermediate School, we look forward to an EXCELLENT year, highlighted by positive relationships, a laser-like focus on learning, high expectations for success, measurable growth, and celebrations of achievement. Lets make it a GREAT YEAR TO BE A T-REX!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Monday, August 20th...REACH: Safety, Cell Phones and Technology

Tuesday, August 21st...REACH: Planners and REACH Expectations

Wednesday, August 22nd...REACH Science Priority Day and Leadership Team Meeting (2:10PM)

Thursday, August 23rd...REACH Language Arts Priority Day

Friday, August 24th...REACH Social Studies & PE Priority Day and School-Wide Reading

Monday, August 27th...PLC Collaboration Early Out Day (School Ends @ 11:45AM)

Wednesday, August 28th...School Pictures

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SHARING, LEARNING, AND MOTIVATION

"Do What You Can" (YouTube...1min)

"We vs. Me: The Power of Teams" (ASCD Article)

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

BE EXCELLENT!!

January 29th - February 2nd, 2018

HELLO FOSSIL RIDGE

ITS A GREAT WEEK TO BE A T-REX

WEEKLY MESSAGE
What is it that drives you? What is it that gets you out of
bed each morning?  What is your purpose? WHY DO YOU
DO WHAT YOU DO?  At the heart of everything we do we
will find the "why of the work."  That thing that drives us
toward EXCELLENCE.  That sense of purpose that continually
moves us forward through difficult and frustrating times.  That 
commitment that pushes us toward greatness in all that we do.
So, what is your "WHY"...What gives you a sense of "PURPOSE?"
Please take a few short minutes to watch the following clips...
Kevin Carroll's "Red Rubber Ball" and "Amazing Grace" before
and after the "why." Enjoy!

"The Red Rubber Ball" -Kevin Carroll

"Amazing Grace: What's Your Why?"

STUDENT, FACULTY AND STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Happy Birthday Mrs. Wiese...January 28th

Happy Birthday Mrs. Drake...February 1st

Mulan opened on Friday, January 26th and 27th to big crowds.  Congratulations to 

the Cast, Crew, Mrs. Bosen, and Mrs. Sheeran for an EXCELLENT show.  Tickets

are still available for this week's performances on Friday, February 2nd and

Saturday, February 3rd.  If you haven't seen the show yet, you are in for a treat!!

Congratulations to this week's "Plinko" students, our "T-Rex" students,

and Mrs. Stevens for being EXCELLENT!!

Mrs. Snow's Science 6 Students testing out their home-made insulators :)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Monday, January 29th...PLC Early Out Day (School Ends @11:45AM)

Wednesday, January 31st...Mulan Matinee Performance for Elementary

Friday, February 1st...Mulan Performance @7PM/FRIS Theater

Saturday, February 2nd...Mulan Performance @7PM/FRIS Theater

Wednesday, February 14th...2nd Trimester Celebration Party

Monday, February 19th...NO SCHOOL (President's Day)

HAVE A GREAT WEEK FOSSIL RIDGE

BE EXCELLENT!

Week of January 22nd - January 26th

Hello Fossil Ridge...

Its a Great Week to be a T-Rex!!

"If you were to choose between being right, or being kind, always choose KIND."

     -"Wonder"             

WEEKLY MESSAGE

As the Principal of Fossil Ridge Intermediate School I have the opportunity

to get to know faculty, staff, and students on a more personal level.  As a

result I may have information or experiences that others may not.  I am

aware of the struggles, hardships, health issues, disabilities that our students,

faculty, and staff deal with on a daily basis.  It is impossible for me to "walk

in the shoes" of others, or comprehend the trials they are able overcome. After

47 years, and 25 years as an educator, I believe I have finally come to realize

that no one is perfect, we are all different, and we all overcome our own

trials whether big or small.  Some of us are old, some of us have brown hair,

some of us have physical disabilities, some of us speak a different language,

some of us have anxiety, some of us come from poverty, some of us are tall,

some of us like country music, and some of us need extra help and support.

We need to embrace our differences, no matter what they may be, instead of

using our differences to label one another.  There is no way for us to ever 

know what it's like to be someone else. It is impossible to truly understand

what others around us struggle with on a daily basis. We may never know

the power of our words, positive or negative.  Our words may add to 

someone's trials, may even make their day even more difficult, and even worse

may cause that person to sincerely question their self worth. On the other hand,

our words will lift the spirits of a person, will be the highlight of their day, will

build confidence, and will make people feel loved.  I challenge everyone to

understand we are different, to avoid making judgements based on our 

differences, and simply...BE KIND to one another.  

--Jonathan

STUDENT, FACULTY AND STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Great Teaching, High Levels of Student Learning, and Student Celebrations

 at Fossil Ridge! We have the most FABULOUS Students, 

Faculty, and Staff anywhere...STAY EXCELLENT😃

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

**Fossil Ridge Theater Presents Mulan**

     Opening Night Friday, January 26th--7PM/FRIS Theater

     Saturday, January 27th--7PM/FRIS Theater

     Monday, January 29th--7PM/FRIS Theater

     Friday, February 2nd--7PM/FRIS Theater

     Saturday, February 3rd--7PM/FRIS Theater

EDUCATIONAL LEARNING AND SHARING

"Be Kind"  (YouTube clip)...notice how small acts of kindness create 

a domino effect of people "paying it forward"

"20 Things We Should Say More Often: Kid President"  (YouTube clip)

HAVE A GREAT WEEK...

BE EXCELLENT!

Week of January 8th - January 12th

WEEKLY MESSAGE
We are certainly "back in the saddle" at Fossil Ridge after
our first full week of the new year! It was another "Great
Week to be a T-Rex!"  Recently, I had the opportunity to 
attend a training that focused on Classroom Management
and Student Engagement. The training was very well done,
and myself and Mrs. Iverson (Reading Interventionist & 
Learning Coach) returned to Fossil Ridge with some great
information and instructional strategies to ensure high 
levels of learning for ALL students.  On a side note...I sit
in trainings or conferences and feel inadequate, start to
reflect on my own strengths and weaknesses, and realize 
that the pursuit of excellence never ends, we can't ever settle 
for mediocrity. 

Anyway, one of my "take-aways" from this particular training
was the critical important of RELATIONSHIPS.  Nothing in a
school setting will ever be successfully accomplished without
positive relationships.  Education is not about programs or
the newest "fad", its about people.  The greatest joy I see
on a daily basis is the interaction, and relationship building
that goes on between students and teachers, students to 
students, and teacher to teacher. I know that the faculty
and staff at Fossil Ridge sincerely care about our students,
and have built relationships that allow students to feel
important and loved.  I also know that our students 
reciprocate that love, soar higher, and taste more
success because of those relationships. May we all continue
to maintain and foster positive relationships that impact our 
lives for the better. Have a Great Weekend...BE EXCELLENT!
--Jonathan

Mrs. Graft's REACH Class

STUDENT, FACULTY, AND STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Welcome to Fossil Ridge Mr. Jensen (7th Grade Counselor)!

Congratulations to our weekly T-Rex Students and Teachers!!😃

Congratulations to our "Plinko Kids" of the week!!😃

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Monday, January 15th--Civil Rights Day NO SCHOOL

Fossil Ridge Theater Presents Mulan

     Opening Night Friday, January 26th--7PM/FRIS Theater

     Saturday, January 27th--7PM/FRIS Theater

     Monday, January 29th--7PM/FRIS Theater

     Friday, February 2nd--7PM/FRIS Theater

     Saturday, February 3rd--7PM/FRIS Theater

EDUCATIONAL LEARNING & SHARING

"Every Kid Deserves a Champion"--Rita Pierson (8 minute clip)

BE EXCELLENT!

     

Happy New Year...January 5th, 2018

WEEKLY MESSAGE
HAPPY NEW YEAR FOSSIL RIDGE FAMILY...HERE'S TO
A SUCCESSFUL, PROSPEROUS, AND HEALTHY NEW
YEAR!💥  

As we look back on 2017 at Fossil Ridge, we
have many things, people, and accomplishments to 
be proud of, and celebrate.  We have seen teachers
recognized with district, and state awards. We have
seen students soar in local, district, and state competitions
like Math Counts, Show Choir, Band, Orchestra, Musical
Theater, Visual Arts, and Lego League.  We have celebrated
student learning and academic growth in individual classrooms, 
REACH Time, and State End of Level Assessments (SAGE).  
Data from SAGE continues to provide evidence of high levels
of learning for our students, making Fossil Ridge a top Mid-Level
school in Washington County School District, and the State of Utah.
In 2017, our students, faculty, and staff were recognized by national
education organizations for student achievement. Solution
Tree recognized Fossil Ridge as a "Model PLC School"
(http://www.allthingsplc.info/evidence/details/id,507) and
the National Association of Secondary School Principals
(NASSP) named Fossil Ridge a national "Breakthrough School",
an honor shared with only 26 other schools across the country!
With all of our success, we are not satisfied, nor do we have
the luxury of becoming complacent...we will continue to 
be driven by our Purpose of "High Levels of Learning for ALL
Students."  At Fossil Ridge, we are committed to "chasing perfection", 
with the understanding that we can always grow and become an
even better school for our students, faculty, staff, parents, and
community. Our work as educators at Fossil Ridge never ends,
we are constantly searching for improvement and ways to have
an even greater impact on student achievement. Here's to a 
fantastic 2018, let's ALL work together to make it "A Great Year
to Be a T-rex!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Saturday, January 6th...Lego League Competition @DSU (12PM)

Wednesday, January 10th...WCSD Math Counts Competition @FRIS

Thursday, January 11th...Community Council Meeting @ FRIS (9:30AM)

Monday, January 15th...Civil Rights Day NO SCHOOL

EDUCATIONAL LEARNING and SHARING

"We Are All Mentors of Children" --Kevin Honeycutt TED Talk (8 minutes)

BE EXCELLENT!

September 25th - September 29th

WEEKLY MESSAGE
Today the Utah Office of Education released SAGE results and 
Comprehensive School Grades for the 2016-2017 school year. We
would like to congratulate the students, faculty, staff, and parents
for another successful year at Fossil Ridge. We are much more
than a SAGE score, or a School Grade, yet it is also important
that we celebrate individual and collective success on state end 
of level testing. With that said, the entire Fossil Ridge community
should be very proud of the 2016-2017 results. Fossil Ridge, its
students and faculty have once again earned a USOE School 
Grade of "A"! Fossil Ridge is one of only four schools in the 
WashingtonCounty School District to earn an "A" grade, and is a 
top five mid-level school in the entire state! One of the aspects of 
academics that we preach at Fossil Ridge is the critical 
Importance of student and teacher growth. This is certainly an 
area were our kids continue to excel. We will commit to have high 
expectations of our students, we will continue to challenge ALL 
students, and we will celebrate individual and collective growth at 
Fossil Ridge. "Every Child.Every Day. Whatever It Takes!"

FOSSIL RIDGE EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Monday, September 25th--Early Out PLC Day (School Ends at 11:45AM) and
Mrs. Lund-Fuller Birthday
Tuesday, September 26th--REACH Math Priority Day
Wednesday, September 27th--REACH Science Priority Day, Mrs. Sherratt Birthday
and Parent Teacher Conferences (4PM-7PM/Commons Area and Gym)
Thursday, September 28th--REACH Language Arts Priority Day, School
Community Council, and Parent Teacher Conferences (4PM-7PM/Commons and Gym)
Friday, September 29th--REACH Social Studies and Reading Priority Day

A new Bow-Tie from the twins for "Bow-Tie Tuesday!

FOSSIIL RIDGE INSPIRATION STATION AND LEARNING

"Challenges are what make our lives interesting, and overcoming them

is what makes life meaningful." --Joshua Marine

Show off your #TREXCELLENCE...Last week's "Get Your Brain On" Students

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Students and Teacher (Mrs Randall) caught being #TREXCELLENT...

Congratulations to our "T-Rex" students and Mrs Randall!

--Weekly Dose of Educational Learning and Sharing--

"Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance"  (6 min. Angela Duckworth. TED Talk)

"Helping Students Develop Growth Mindset" (ASCD...short article)

HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEK!

BE #TREXCELLENT!