Principal's Update

Website: http://stweb.gresham.k12.or.us
Location: 1440 SE Fleming Ave, Gresham, OR, United States
Phone: 503-261-4600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringwaterTrail/
Twitter: @STHS_Titans

Hello Springwater Students and Families,

We are excited to see everyone next week! All 9th graders begin school this coming Tuesday, September 5th. Grades 10-12 will begin school on Wednesday, September 6th. Wednesday will be a 1-hour late start, similar to other Wednesdays throughout the school year.

Bus schedules are now visible in StudentVue and ParentVue. If you don't see a bus schedule, please call the office at 503.261.4600 and we can help problem-solve.

We have already begun scheduling all school and small group field trips! Please make sure you have completed the permission slip so your student will be able to attend these wonderful experiences.

Lastly, we have adjusted our cell phone policy this school year. We all see the value of technology, including cell phones. However, cell phones continue to be a significant distraction at school. We appreciate your support in reminding your student to use their phone respectfully and in alignment with school policy throughout the day. The full details of the policy are in this principal update. Below are 2 of the most important points:

• Please do not call or text your child directly during class time as this can disrupt the learning environment.
• In alignment with some of our neighboring high schools, there will classes where students must turn in their cell phones at the beginning of each class period. This is to maximize learning and minimize disruptions.

We look forward to another wonderful school year and will see you next week!

Ryan Blaszak

Springwater Main Office: 503.261.4600

blaszak@gresham.k12.or.us

Cell phones are an important part of students' lives and can be used for various purposes such as communication, education, entertainment, and safety. However, we also believe that cell phone use in the classroom can be a source of distraction, disruption, and disrespect; and cell phones can sometimes interfere with students’ learning and our school climate. Therefore, we have established the following cell phone policy to balance the benefits and drawbacks of cell phone use at school.

• Students are not allowed to use cell phones during class time without teacher permission. This includes texting, calling, browsing, gaming, social media, or any other activity that involves the use of a cell phone.

• There are classes that require students to turn in phones at the beginning of each class period.

• If students are allowed to keep their phone during class, cell phones must be stored away in a backpack or bag.

• Cell phones must be turned off or silenced and must not be visible to students and staff.

• Students may use their cell phones before school, at lunchtime, and during passing time. However, students must follow the school rules and expectations regarding appropriate interactions and respectful behavior when using their cell phones.

• We ask that parents call the school office at (503) 261-4600 if there is an emergency and they need to reach their child. The office staff will relay the message to the student or the teacher. Please do not call or text your child directly during class time as this may disrupt the learning environment.

If a student violates the above cell phone policy:

First offense: Students will be directed to stop using the cell phone/electronic device, turn it off/silence it and put it away/place it in the classroom cell phone storage center.

Second Offense: Students will be directed to stop using the cell phone/electronic device and the phone will be confiscated by the teacher for the remainder of the period. A disciplinary referral may be written and turned in to the administration. Students can retrieve their phone at the end of the class period. Parent/guardian will be notified.

Third and Subsequent Offenses: Students will be directed to stop using the cell phone/electronic device and it will be turned into the office. A disciplinary referral will be written and turned in to the administration. Parent/guardian will be notified. Progressive disciplinary action will occur which could include, but not limited to, loss of the cell phone throughout the school day.

Extenuating Circumstances: If a student has a medical reason for needing their phone (or another emergency situation arises), students/guardians should reach out to the office and/or talk with their teachers.

Unless requested by a staff member, students are encouraged to keep their cell phones with them at all times. Springwater Trail High School is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones or electronic devices.

Springwater Trail High will be providing Free Breakfast to all students this year. Students who are approved for either Free or Reduced-Price meals (FARMS) will also get lunch for free. Students who are not eligible for FARMS will be charged $2.80 for lunch. No student will be denied a meal for lack of payment.

Gresham-Barlow SD sent paper applications to your household address on file. You may also apply online at mymealtime.com in either English or Spanish. Paper applications are also attached below. Paper applications may be turned in to your school office or the Nutrition Services office, or mailed to Nutrition Services, 1331 NW Eastman Parkway, Gresham, OR 97030.

AT ALL SCHOOLS, a la carte purchases have a cost to the family and must be pre-paid by account or in cash. A la carte purchases include milk without a school meal, bottled water, chips, cookies, and other snack and beverage items that are not part of a school meal.

All students have a meals account that follows them throughout their career at GBSD. This account is accessed when getting a meal using the student ID number, which is also the child’s PIN. Money may be added to the account by sending cash or check with your student to the cafeteria in the morning. Checks should be made out to Gresham-Barlow Nutrition Services. You may also add money by credit card using mymealtime.com. MealTime charges a small transaction fee for online payments.

Parent Verification for the 2023-2024 School Year is now open!

Before the beginning of every school year, we request that parents/guardians review and/or update their family and student information.

Keeping your family's information up to date is crucial to receiving timely communication from Springwater Trail High School and Gresham-Barlow School District and ensures that you can be contacted in case of an emergency. This year all updates can be done online through your ParentVUE account.

After logging in to ParentVUE, click on the "Online Registration" tab in the top right-hand corner to start the verification process.

Don't have a ParentVUE account or have other questions? Please email Herreid@gresham.k12.or.us or call 503-261-4600 to obtain your activation code.

Below are this year's updated Rights & Responsibilities Handbook in English & Spanish. These documents are available on this page of the district website and will also be shared with you when logging into ParentVue. If you would like a paper copy please contact our office at 503-261-4600

Over the last few years, access to an internet connected device (such as a Chromebook or iPad) has become a critical part of your student’s education. We strive to provide access to technology in order to give students new and engaging learning experiences.

To continue providing a quality resource for students, we are instituting a fee when devices are lost, stolen, or damaged while in possession of a student. This fee will be used to offset repair costs and replacement, which will enable us to continue providing quality educational opportunities. The fee is a minimal charge to the student upon the first occurrence of a lost/stolen/damaged device because we know accidents happen. The fee will increase with each additional occurrence up to the full replacement value for a device.

If your student is issued a device to take home, please help them manage it appropriately. Please encourage your student to handle the device with care and keep it in a safe place. This includes setting it down gently and not putting heavy objects on top of it.

Your student’s device is important to their daily school experience and therefore it needs to be charged each night and brought to school each day. If you are concerned with the amount of screen time your student is exposed to, you can set limits on when and how the student uses the device at home. Students should always hold devices firmly or put them inside a backpack when transporting them. Please report any lost, stolen, or damaged devices to your school as soon as possible.

We firmly believe that investing in educational technology is critical for your student’s future. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we strive to provide the best educational experience possible for your student.

Springwater Trail High School is enrolled in the Fred Meyer Community Rewards program! Please link your Fred Meyer rewards card with our nonprofit number MU443. Fred Meyers will donate a percentage of your purchases every quarter to our program. This will NOT affect your reward points or fuel points. Last quarter we received $96.49, every little bit helps. This program helps pay for transportation to allow our students to attend events in the community. Below is the link to sign up.

https://www.fredmeyer.com/account/communityrewards/enroll