FFSD Family Resources

Family Resource Links

Searching for books with a corresponding Renaissance Accelerated Reader 360^® quiz is easy with Accelerated Reader Bookfinder^®. Students, teachers, parents, and librarians can search in English or Spanish using criteria such as ATOS book level or a Lexile™ measure, interest level, title, author, fiction/nonfiction, subject, award-winners, state lists, CCSS Exemplars, and more.

College and Career Planning Guide

The College and Career Planning Guide presents important information about programs and courses offered to the students of the Ferguson-Florissant School District. With the help of parents, school counselors, and teachers, students complete an Individual Career & Academic Plan (ICAP) most appropriate to their personal career goals, post-secondary planning, and individual pathway options.

Galileo Benchmark Assessment Growth Calculator

Galileo Benchmark Assessment Growth Calculator

Ferguson-Florissant School District uses Galileo K-12 as a benchmarking assessment tool. The Galileo benchmarks are administered four times a year. Each assessment is aligned to the Missouri Learning Standards from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Data from the benchmark assessment tells the teacher which standards students have successfully mastered. Galileo gives a score for each student that focuses on ensuring all students are on track to achieve at least one year of growth or more.

Parents and students can track their learning progress through the Galileo Growth Calculator.

If you know your student's latest Galileo Benchmark Developmental Level (DL) score, this calculator will show the current achievement level of the student and what their goal is for the next Galileo Benchmark Assessment.

*Galileo Benchmark Developmental Level (DL) score can be seen in the ‘Assessments’ section on the Parent Portal.

MOCAP

Standards-Based Learning

Following a successful pilot program, we are pleased to announce that all elementary schools in our District will be using Standards-Based Report Cards this school year for students in grades K-5. Over the past year, Ferguson-Florissant School District has been working towards establishing a consistent format regarding assessment and grading.

The new standards-based grading practices are a result of our efforts to communicate an accurate picture of student learning. The new format will communicate how students perform on a set of clearly defined learning targets called standards. The purpose is to identify what a student knows or is able to do, in relation to the given learning targets - as opposed to simply averaging grades/scores over the course of the grading period, which can mask what a student has learned or has not learned.

Standards-based report cards:

List the most important skills students should learn in each subject area at their grade level.
Provide the most recent achievements and feedback regarding students’ progress towards meeting the end-of-the-year grade-level standards.
Ensure consistency from grade level to grade level.
Report effort/work habits separately from academic achievement. Students are graded on what they know and what they have learned and separate social and behavioral skills from academic skills.

To help families understand how student progress will be reported, we have created a Parent Guide ( English) Parent Guide (Spanish)to answer many frequently asked questions and answers regarding standards-based grading. We appreciate your continued support and partnership.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or building principal.

Back to School

Back To School Resources

We’re excited to kick off another great year in Ferguson-Florissant! Whether you’re a returning family or joining us for the first time, this page has everything you need to start the school year strong. From school supply lists and calendar dates to transportation info and enrollment support, we’ve gathered all the essentials in one place. Think of it as your one-stop shop for a smooth and successful start to the school year. Let’s make it a great one—together!

Hazel Health

Trauma Informed Schools Information

More Information

Pursuant to Missouri Senate Bill 638, Section 161.1050, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has established the “Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative.”

For the purposes of this initiative, the following terms are defined as follows:

“Trauma-informed approach” - an approach that involves understanding and responding to the symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma and traumatic stress across the lifespan
“Trauma-informed school” - a school that:
a. realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery
b. recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in students, teachers and staff
c. responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into its policies, procedures and practices; and
d. seeks to actively resist re-traumatization

The implementation of a trauma-informed approach is an ongoing organizational change process. A “trauma-informed approach” is not a program model that can be implemented and then simply monitored by a fidelity checklist. Rather, it is a profound paradigm shift in knowledge, perspective, attitudes and skills that continues to deepen and unfold over time. Some leaders in the field are beginning to talk about a “continuum” of implementation, where organizations move through stages. The continuum begins with becoming trauma aware and moves to trauma sensitive to responsive to being fully trauma informed.

Portal Links

Infinite Campus - Student Portal

Student Portal

The Infinite Campus Student Portal is your go-to tool for staying connected to your education. With just a few clicks, you can check your grades, assignments, attendance, and schedule—anytime, anywhere. It’s designed to help you take charge of your learning, stay organized, and plan ahead. Whether you’re tracking your progress or just making sure you didn’t miss an assignment, Infinite Campus puts the power in your hands.

Infinite Campus - Parent Portal

The Parent Portal is an internet ready program that allows parents to access and update/verify their child's registration information and view timely information about their child’s progress in school via their web browser. With a click of the mouse, parents will have access to selected information including grades, attendance and assignments. To access the portal, click on the below link. If you are not registered to use the Parent Portal, you may contact your child's school to do so.

Canvas

School Closing information

Inclement Weather Procedures

Ferguson-Florissant School District's goal is to ensure the safety of all during inclement weather events while minimizing the disruption to student learning.

If weather conditions or other unexpected, short-term events make it unsafe for students to attend in person, the District may use one of the following options:

School may start two hours late. (Delayed start)
Students may be released early. (Early dismissal)
Students may learn during a 'virtual learning day.' (Asynchronous or Synchronous learning day)
In-person classes may be canceled entirely. (A regular snow day)

What options will the District consider when weather conditions are severe?

Two-hour delayed late start - A two-hour delayed start will be used to allow staff additional time to get to school and prepare the grounds and facilities (i.e., clearing ice, sidewalks, etc.). Also, conditions and visibility often improve later in the morning. The school day will begin two hours later. All schools will end their day at the regular time. A complete list of delayed start times is listed below:

Middle (6-8) - 9:25 a.m.

High (9-12) - 10:05 a.m.

Intermediate (3-5) - 10:50 a.m.

Primary (Pre K - 2) - 11:20 a.m.

Early dismissal - In the case of developing weather conditions, the District may call for early dismissal of students. In this case, there will be no evening activities or classes.

Virtual learning day (AMI) - During a virtual learning day, in-person classes are cancelled. Students will take part in independent learning activities virtually at home through Canvas or with online teacher support.

School closing - Closing school, is necessary when the weather forecast and current conditions indicate that a late start is not possible. School closure is usually a result of snow and/or ice. This will be a traditional 'snow day' with no in-person or virtual classes.

How are parents/guardians notified of school closings?

Any decision to close schools due to weather will be announced using Ferguson-Florissant School District’s automated messaging system (email, text, and/or phone calls). Announcements will be made on local television stations, the District website, and FFSD’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. When possible, announcements regarding inclement weather days will be made before 10 p.m. the day before or at approximately 5:30 a.m. the day inclement weather is expected.

District website: www.fergflor.org provides notification of school closings and cancellations.
Email, Phone Call, FFSD App & Text Message: Phone, email, and text messages are sent to school families and employees when classes are cancelled, delayed, virtual, or students are released early.
Social Media: Information will be posted on the District’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Radio & TV: Local stations share announcements on air and on their websites.

NOTE: If you are a parent/guardian and did not receive a phone call on a day when school is closed due to weather, please contact your child's school office to ensure the District has the correct contact information on file for your family. You can also update or change your contact information in the Parent Portal.

Extreme Cold

How does temperature affect the decision to hold school?

When very cold weather strikes we receive many questions from families and staff asking whether school will be closed due to cold temperatures alone. The answer is yes. Under certain conditions, outlined below, extreme cold may cause school to be closed for the safety of our students and staff.

The Ferguson-Florissant School District considers a set of internal weather guidelines to help determine whether temperatures are safe to hold classes. Our weather guidelines state that if the wind chill temperature is ABOVE (warmer than) -17 degrees at 5 a.m., schools are generally open. If the wind chill temperature falls BELOW (is colder than) -18 degrees at 5 a.m., schools are more likely to be closed. These guidelines take into account the amount of time it takes for exposed skin to develop frostbite and the average amount of time it takes for students to walk to school or wait at bus stops. Of course, other factors may also be considered, but these parameters provide a general guide. Click here to view a National Weather Service (NWS) brochure on wind chills to learn more.

When temperatures do not warrant closing, families should help their children to be prepared for the weather to make sure that they stay as safe and warm as possible as they make their way to and from school:

Dress them warmly, in layers; with a hat, scarf, gloves and appropriate footwear.
If your child generally walks to school, consider giving them a ride or having children from your neighborhood carpool together.
If your child rides the bus, dress them warmly, but also consider waiting in the car with them at the bus stop, or having one person in your neighborhood maintain a warm car by the stop.

Just like our families do when school is in session during very cold weather, the District makes some adjustments in response to the weather to ensure our students and staff are safe and as comfortable as possible:

Our transportation department begins preparing district buses as early as 4 a.m. to make sure the engines start and heaters work so that students have as warm a ride to school as possible. Drivers are careful to arrive at bus stops as close to “on time” as possible.
Custodial and maintenance staff ensure temperatures inside our classrooms are comfortable and are on standby to respond to any facilities issues that can arise due to frigid temperatures outside.
Recess and all gym class activities are held indoors.

Because instructional time is so valuable for all of our students to be able to achieve at the highest levels, we wish for all students to be in school as much as possible. However, ultimately, families decide what is best for their children based on individual circumstances. We hope that this information is helpful for our students, families and staff to know more about our decision-making process and the steps we can all take to continue our teaching and learning even when it’s very cold outside.

Extreme Heat

Administrators and teachers will make adjustments in school activities to insure the safety and comfort of our
children when periods of extreme heat develop. In general, it is the District’s policy to remain open for
a full day of school once classes begin each day. Extreme heat sometimes create conditions changing
the normal routines of the school day such as recess or after-school activities like football practice.

Summer:

The National Weather Service and the Missouri Department of Health issue warnings of extreme heat events
during the summer months. Administrators and teachers will adjust student activities during these periods to
ensure the health and safety of our students.

The National Weather Service’s Heat Advisory/Warning is based on a term called the Heat Index and the length
of time the extreme heat lasts. The Heat Index is a complex formula that simulates what it “feels like” to
humans given a certain temperature and relative humidity.

Heat Advisory is issued when the heat index is expected to be at least 105 degrees for 3 hours or more
with a minimum heat index of 80 degrees during a 24-hour period.
Heat warning is issued when the heat index is expected to be at least 115 degrees for 3 hours or more
with a minimum heat index of 80 degrees during a 24-hour period, or when the heat index is to be in the
105 degrees to 114 degrees (or higher) for at least 3 days.

The Missouri Department of Health also issues Advisories/Warnings for extreme heat events. They are called:

Hot Weather Health Advisory or a Hot Weather Health Warning.
Hot Weather Health Advisory is issued when the heat index is 105 degrees or greater.
Hot Weather Health Warning is issued two days after a Hot Weather Health Advisory continues and if
the forecast calls for the heat to continue for 48 more hours.

Precautions To Take:

On any given day, when the heat index is 105 degrees or higher, all outdoor athletics/activities should be
postponed or moved inside to air conditioned facilities.
When the heat index is 95 degrees – 104 degrees, athletics/activities may take place outside with the
following conditions: hydration, breaks, and rest every 20 minutes. In addition, an early stop time may
be given by the Athletic Director for athletic practices and after-school activities. The Athletic Director
will communicate with coaches regarding these precautions.