Whitford Newsletter

Dear Whitford Families and Students,

In just a few short weeks, Whitford will be hosting Student-Led Conferences on Wednesday, October 16 from 5:45 – 8:15 and on Thursday, October 17 from 8:15am – 8:15pm.

Our conference structure this year will be different from year’s past where families will be participating in a “Modified Arena Conference” structure. Permit me to describe in general terms how this conference will proceed:

• Eight different families will sign up for a 25-30 minute time slots and will “conference” the same large room.
• Students will have a pre-prepared presentation that will include reflections of their performance so far this year and look to set goals in the areas of behaviors, attendance, and academics for the balance of the year.
• Together families will work to identify how they can work together to accomplish these important goals.
• Your child’s CORE teachers (math, science, language arts, social studies, and PE) will roam among the conferences and touch bases with each of the families.
• For obvious reasons, the time available to visit with a particular teacher will be limited.

If you feel that, at this time, you do not need to discuss your child’s behavior and academic progress with his/her teachers right now, you are also welcome to review the goals and reflections created by your students at home too as an “in-home conference”.

Beginning early next week, a teacher from your child’s teaching team will be sending you a ParentSquare message where you will be able to schedule a conference with your child’s teachers. These conferences will be scheduled in a “First Come, First Served” process. Our elective teachers and other teaching and learning specialists will also be at school during conference hours where families may “drop in” either before or after your scheduled conference to visit with them.

We look forward to meeting with as many of you as possible during our conference times. Thank you in advance for your participation and commitment to your child’s learning.

Respectfully,

Zan Hess

Our 7th and 8th grade AVID students spent the day and part of the evening at University of Portland's AVID Night. The Whitford AVID students were able to eat lunch in the dining hall, play college prep games and activities, tour the campus, listen to college presentations, and enjoy a soccer match between University of Portland and Sacramento State. University of Portland creates a wonderful day for AVID students around the area. This is a yearly tradition for our students. We learn so much about the University and have a great time bonding with our AVID family!

Teachers encourage students to wear College or Trade gear on Fridays. Show what your future could be.

MESA is an equity focused, college preparatory program centered around STEM challenges. If you love science, engineering and coding this is the club for you!

MESA uses Human Centered Design to solve the world's problems. This year's theme is "Designing for Environmental Sustainability." Students will form their own teams to brainstorm ideas, build and test prototypes and ultimately present their ideas at PSU during our culminating event MESA Day in the spring! In addition to utilizing their STEM skills students also work with individuals in STEM careers and participate in college and career visits through the MESA program.

MESA club will be meeting Tuesdays from 4:15-5:05 in the library.

Check out this short video to learn more! https://bit.ly/4dtEgFq

If you are interested in joining MESA please fill out one of the enrollment forms linked below:

• Online English: tinyurl.com/MESA-enrollment-english

• Online Spanish: tinyurl.com/MESA-enrollment-spanish

If you have questions, find Mrs. Laing at lunches or in the library during other times of the day. You can also email her at lindsay_laing@beaverton.k12.or.us

Students will be using Lexia during some of their WIN time. Each student will need an inexpensive set of earbuds to use with their Chromebook. Please ask your student if they need you to get them a set of earbuds.

Additionally students are using spiral notes books for all classes. Check with your student to see if they need some supplies.

Whitford welcomes Urban Gleaners market. We are thrilled to announce that Whitford will be a site to distrubute food from Urban Gleaners. We will offer the market every other Monday. Check out Urban Gleaners web page for more information Our next market day is October 7th at 4:15

https://urbangleaners.org/who-we-are/

Our 8th grade WEB Leaders enjoyed their September Meet Up with their 6th grade small group. Students had opportunities to get to know more about each other, work as a team, and have fun. Here is a one minute video showing the results of their collaboration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAWfyAVZOlQ

We are looking forward to the next WEB Leader Meet Up in October!

With the addition of teams at Whitford, Ms. Miller works with the students to teach them team work while in the classroom.

-Thank you for helping your students turn in their library books from last year! We still have many books out from last year; please remind your student to check their account and turn in any BSD library books they may have at home. We accept returns from any BSD school.

-The library will be open during conferences! Stop in and choose a book with your student. We can also help you get started on SORA, the ebook and audiobook platform used by BSD and our local public libraries.

Our yearbook cover will be designed by our students. Must be horizontal on white paper, colorful, have Whitford Middle School 2024/2025, and portray Whitford in a positive way. See attached flyers. Submissions due by October 23rd. Any questions, please contact Alex Wakeham.

https://fundrazr.com/Whitford_TechConnect_24-25?ref=ab_AVCVIwOu0bwAVCVIwOu0bw

Help our CTE lab create modules that appeal to female students

https://fundrazr.com/Whitford_Adire_24-25?ref=ab_AVCVIwOu0bwAVCVIwOu0bw

Help Ms. Cavarino get funding for an indigo dying unit.

https://fundrazr.com/Whitford_SpanishBooks_24-25?ref=ab_AVCVIwOu0bwAVCVIwOu0bw

Help Ms. Vejo get Spanish books for her class to read.

It’s calling season! Between October 7-15, over 300 Beaverton School District high school students will volunteer their time and energy to reach nearly 20,000 community members during the Beaverton Education Foundation’s annual student-volunteer calling event.

Students participating in Answer the Call enhance and refine communications and marketing skills during all five call nights. These practical life and work skills are a bonus that students and future employers both value.

If you see “Beaverton Education Foundation” on your caller ID in October, please answer the call!

Donations Welcome

Each day at lunches, we celebrate one 6th, one 7th , and one 8th grade student who was In Class and On Time the entire previous day of school. Students then get to choose from a basket of prizes. These are usually chips, candy, or a drink. We like to stock items that are approximately movie theater-sized, something with enough to share a little. This helps make it popular to be an In Class and On Time winner. If you would ever like to contribute prizes, you can bring new, sealed items to the main office. In the past, Taki's, Cheetos, and sour candy have been amongst the most popular items. Thank you for thinking of us!

Ms. Shah's math class worked with Mr. Livingston to explore real life simulation to enhance their math unit on rigid transformations and congruence. Who said math was boring?

Oregon law requires that all K-12 students as well as day care/childcare attendees are up to date based on their age or grade. Students who are not up to date (or do not have an exemption) by Feb. 19, 2025, will not be able to attend their school or day care until they are up to date or have a valid exemption.

Children attending school require a Tdap vaccine (booster) at age 12. For most students this occurs during 7th grade. Do not wait! Please schedule a well-child checkup with your child’s medical provider. More information can be found at the Washington County Health Department's Immunization page.

Parents, please remember to update your child's immunization information records. You may enter the information via your ParentVue account under "Family Updates". (See flyer for immunization clinic on 10/25)

If parents/guardians, students, or teachers have a concern about a student’s ability to see or hear, a district nurse or health assistant will provide a screening and resources for follow up if needed.

Abraham Eom earned a spot as one of 300 semi-finalists for the national science fair!

The Effects of Interaction Dependency in Activities and 40 Hz Auditory Stimulation on Cognitive Performance

Congratulations Abraham!

EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR WHITFORD COMMUNITY

Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program

If you shop at Fred Meyer, did you know Whitford PTO can benefit? By linking your Fred Meyer digital account to Whitford PTO, you can help us earn donations that fund programs like art literacy, teacher grants, school events, and more! Plus, you can invite grandparents, family, and friends to join the program—together, we can make an even bigger difference!

Here’s how to get started:

1. Sign in to your Fred Meyer digital account.

2. Click on “Community Rewards.”

3. Search for Whitford Middle School PTO.

4. Select the Whitford Middle School PTO from the list and click “Save”.

Your selected organization will also display in the Fred Meyer Community Rewards section of your account. If you need to review or revisit your chosen organization, you can always do so under your account details. (See https://www.fredmeyer.com/hc/help/faqs/community-rewards/general if you have more questions).

BoxTops For Education

BoxTops is another easy way to contribute. The program is fully digital through an easy-to-use app! Just scan your shopping receipts, and the app will automatically find and credit any qualifying purchases. To participate, go to https://www.boxtops4education.com/s/, and download the app. Be sure to select Whitford Middle School (ID 576173) as your school.

Want to make an even bigger impact? Invite friends and family to join too! There’s a special deal this month where both you and your referral earn extra points!

BoxTops Coordinator Position Open: A big thank you to Karen Wolff, who has been serving as the BoxTops Coordinator and in many other roles. We are looking for someone to take over this position, which can be done remotely whenever is convenient for you. If interested, please send us an email at whitfordvolunteers@gmail.com. Thank you!

• President: Taylor Coakley
• Vice President -- Still Needed
• Treasurer and co-treasurer: Jennifer Willis and Cat Gerstenshlager
• Secretary -- Still Needed
  
• Fundraising Coordinator and co-coordinator: Amy Mitchell and Jenny Lee Berry
• Communications Coordinator: Andi Luke
• Teacher Grant Coordinator: Jena Carter
• Community Building Coordinator: Paige Dommels
• Volunteer Coordinator -- Still Needed

The PTO welcomes and encourages parents and guardians of Whitford students to actively participate in our school community. Whether you can volunteer your time, contribute ideas, or support events, your involvement is vital in creating a thriving educational environment. We are urgently seeking a Volunteer Coordinator, and would also greatly appreciate having a Secretary and Vice President to support our efforts. Your participation not only benefits the students but also helps build a strong, connected community. Join us in making a positive impact!

PTO meetings are the first Tuesday of each month.

OCTOBER

Mon 10/07, 4:15 pm • Urban Gleaners Market

Tue 10/08, 5:45 pm • School Board Work Session/ Meeting

Fri 10/11 • Staff development day --No school

Wed 10/16, 4:30 pm - 8:15 pm • Parent Teacher Conferences

Thu 10/17 • No School for Whitford Students

Thu 10/17 • Parent Teacher Conferences 8AM-8PM

Fri 10/18 • No School for Whitford Students

Mon 10/21, 4:15 pm• Urban Gleaners Market

Thu 10/24, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm • Fall Choir Concert

Fri 10/25 • Grading Day - No Students

Tue 10/29, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm • Picture Retakes

Wed 10/30, 10:00 am - 11:00 am • Superintendent's Coffee Chat

NOVEMBER

Mon 11/04, 4:15 pm • Urban Gleaners Market

Tue 11/05, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm • PTO Meeting

Mon 11/11 • Veterans Day - Schools/District Closed

Here are a couple of upcoming events at the Beaverton City Library

The Beaverton City Library has two events in October and November!

• During October the library is offering a scary short stories contest. Students in grades 6-12 are challenged to write a one-page or less scary short story. There are $100, $50, and $25 Powell’s gift cards for the top three winners in both middle and high school divisions. Stories can be submitted by Oct. 31 at www.BeavertonLibrary.org/2024ScaryStoriesContest.
  
  
• The 22nd annual Teen Art Show at the main library is just around the corner! Student artists can submit their work at the main library Oct. 31 – Nov. 2. The show will open with a reception on Wednesday, Nov. 6 and remain open during normal library hours until Nov. 10. The show is generously sponsored by Blick Art and the Friends of the Beaverton City Library. Visit www.BeavertonLibrary.org/TAS for full guidelines and to preregister artwork.

HOMEWORK HELP available at Beaverton City Library

Mondays 4-6 p.m

Homework Help | Beaverton City Library, OR - Official Website (beavertonlibrary.org).

Southridge Basketball Youth Tryouts Information

• 5th-8th grade boys (4th graders allowed to try out for 5th grade team). The number of teams for each grade will be determined by registration numbers as well as coach and gym availability.

• Tryout dates (players should attend both sessions for their grade):

· Sunday, October 27

· 3:30-5:00 PM: 5th & 7th grades

· 5:30-7:00 PM: 6th & 8th grades

· Sunday, November 3

· 2:00-3:30 PM: 5th & 7th grades

· 4:00-5:30 PM: 6th & 8th grades

• CLICK TO REGISTER

5th-8th grade girls (4th graders allowed to try out for 5th grade team). The number of teams for each grade will be determined by registration numbers as well as coach and gym availability.

* Tryout dates (players should attend both sessions, if possible:

* Saturday, November 2

* 10:00am-12pm all ages

* Monday, November 4

* 6:00pm-8pm all ages

Use the QR Code to pre-register:

If you have any questions, feel free to email Coach Bergmann at michael_bergmann@beaverton.k12.or.us

It's never to early to start talking about college with your students. A great way to do this is by attending sporting events. PSU has created discount codes for Whitford students and families to attend Women's Volleyball games and Football games.

- WHITFORDVIKSVB

- WHITFORDVIKSFB

Women's Volleyball

- Schedule: https://goviks.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule

- October 10th Vs. Northern Colorado; Pink Out! Shirt Giveaway

- October 18th Vs. Sacramento State; Hat Giveaway and Homecoming

- October 31st Vs. Eastern Washington; Spooky Vik Night

Football

- Schedule: https://goviks.com/sports/football/schedule

- October 5th Vs. UC Davis; Welcome Back/ Thunderstick Giveaway

- October 19th Vs. Montana St.; 80's & 90's Night and Homecoming

- November 9th Vs. Idaho; Salute to Service and Army game

- November 23rd Vs. Northern Colorado; Senior Night