Stoller Weekly
January 10th, 2020
Calendar it...
- Thursday, January 16th 1st Period (9:15 - 10am) and 7th Period (3:05 - 3:50pm) 6th Grade Choir Showcase in the Cafeteria
- Monday, January 20th - No School/Holiday
- Tuesday, January 21st from 8:15 - 9am in the Library - Principal Chat
- Tuesday, January 21st from 5 - 6pm in the Library - Parent Awareness and Information Series (see article below)
- Wednesday, January 22nd from 8 - 9am in the Library - Parent Awareness and Information Series (see article below)
- Monday, January 27th - No School/Grading Day
- Tuesday, January 28th - Lost and Found Pickup (see article below)
Important News and Upcoming Events
Outdoor School Dates
We will share more information once all the details are finalized.
The District generally posts the announcement of delayed school opening or school closure by 5:30 a.m. All Portland Metro area media outlets announce the information on TV newscasts and online.
The District makes decisions based on the ability to operate school buses safely; the ability for students and parents to get to school safely, and the ability for employees to get to work safely and on time. The decision that is made will be for the entire District. As always, parents may choose to make different decisions based on their particular location.
The District will notify parents and staff via SchoolMessenger with a Non-School Hours Emergency message. Please manage your communication preferences in SchoolMessenger InfoCenter.
For the latest inclement weather information:
Log on to the District website and a page pop-up will be posted in the middle of the main page with the status of District operations.
Opt-in for SMS Alerts from SchoolMessenger
Subscribe to Flash Alert for email or text message updates
Like the Beaverton School District on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
The Beaverton School District Inclement Weather Policy and transportation snow routes can be found on the Public Safety webpage.
PreACT Message
Dear 8th Grade Parents,
A number of weeks ago, our 8th graders took a PreACT exam. We have received the results of the assessment and your students will be getting their individual PreACT Student Report on Monday during Core 1. The PreACT Student Report contains a lot of information about a student's skills, interest, plans, and goals. This information can and will make sure that a student is aware of what courses in high school should be on their radar as they prepare for post-high school ideas and plans.
The PreACT will share information that indicates the following:
- How am I doing so far? The PreACT will identify strengths and weaknesses in four subject areas that are important for success in college: English, math, reading, and science.
- What are my plans and goals after high school? When students took the PreACT, they were asked about high school plans, career interests, and post-high school plans. This information was gathered to provide some guidance as students prepare to make educational plans to meet their goals.
- Am I on track for college? The PreACT report shows students how well students are learning the skills needed for college. Our experience tells us that students have learned some skills better than others. Having this report will help students identify areas that need to still be strengthened and require some extra attention in the coming weeks and months.
Families can visit the website www.act.org/preact for more information about the PreACT Student Report.
We encourage you to spend some time with your child in the next week or so reviewing the Student Report together. If there are other questions that you might have as you review this document with your child, please don't hesitate to contact your Student's Counselor.
Starting in January, we will begin our final push toward high school for our 8th graders. Working together we will make sure that your student is as prepared as they can be for this important transition to High School.
Respectfully,
Stoller Middle School
Stoller Cell Phone Policy - Please Read
To review, we spent the first two weeks of September reminding students and explaining the need for the changes. For the following two weeks In September we continued to remind students using our weekly announcements and signage around the school to explain the upcoming changes. Overwhelmingly the students have done so well with this change.
"Off & Out of Sight" has been successful. We understand coming off of a break requires adjustments for all of us. From January 6th until January 17th students will be asked to take their phones/headphones to the main office, and will be able to pick up their device at the end of the school day. From January 21st to June 12th students with phones and headphones out, in ears, in sight, or being used will be asked to deliver their device to the main office and parents will be required to pick up the device.
New - Social Media Tips and Support for Parents
After the holiday break we see an uptick in new devices like cell phones and bluetooth devices. The excitement of having a new gizmo is a wonderful experience! Often times the new device has new and exciting apps for our families to explore, and with that comes the social aspects of this type of media whether positive or negative. To support our community we've attached a resource from Common Sense Media containing fantastic tips for table talks with your family regarding cyberbullying and other mean online behavior. Most kids will encounter mean behavior in their digital lives, so preparing them for that is an awesome responsibility for all of us.
Check out these 6 tips (click link below):
Safe Routes to School - Update
With colder winter weather, children spend less time playing outside. A nice brisk walk or bike ride to school will help achieve their recommended 60 minutes of moderate exercise every day. With some simple preparation your children can still be active and stay safe and warm during winter.
Wear a raincoat or poncho, and/or carry an umbrella.
Carry a plastic bag to store wet gear during the day.
Wear gloves and waterproof shoes. Carry (or store at school) extra shoes and socks to change into.
Find an under-cover area to park your bike if possible. If not, bring a plastic bag to cover the seat. We also have bike seat covers if any parent groups would like to provide some at the school for children riding bikes this winter.
Wear reflective gear and/or bright colors and use a light on your bicycle.
Only walk or bike in the rain if you’re comfortable, as roads are slick and visibility may be reduced. Always remember to stop at the curb or edge of the street, look in all directions before crossing and keep looking for traffic until you have finished crossing.
*A reminder that students should not be arriving or leaving through the front parking lot on foot or bike. This is a safety issue as there is a large amount of car traffic before and after school. Please see the Stoller Safe Routes Map for the suggested walking routes, to and from campus.
Auditions for the School Musical
Auditions for the school musical, Singin' in the Rain JR. are on January 30th and 31st, with callbacks on February 3rd. Audition material is outside the choir room in the galley hallway, and there is even more information on stollerdrama.com. Mr. Pounders will be holding a workshop to teach the audition songs on Thursday, January 23rd from 4 - 5pm in the Choir Room. Contact Ms. Tuck or Mr. Pounders with any questions.
Maker Monday Goes Green...Screen
Signal 2 Noise
Get a camera and gather your friends: Signal 2 Noise season is here! Projects done outside of Mr. Bush's or Ms. Aimonetti's Media Lab class are due to Mr. Bush by Tuesday, January 21st.
The best 15 projects from Stoller will be submitted to the festival.
Upload your final cut to Google Drive and share it with Mr. Bush. You also need to have a signed permission slip for everyone that appears in your video (see links here). For more resources and guidelines, please see the Signal 2 Noise website. Good Luck!
Parent Awareness and Information Series
We invite you to attend any or all of the Stoller Parent Awareness and Information Series to be held in our library. This series includes:
Teen Substances Use - Tuesday, January 21st from 5-6pm
Teen Substances Use - Wednesday, January 22nd from 8-9am
Stress and Emotional Regulation - Tuesday, March 31 from 5-6pm
Stress and Emotional Regulation - Wednesday, April 1 from 8-9am
Social Media Safety - Tuesday, May 12th from 5-6pm
Social Media Safety - Wednesday, May 13th from 8-9am
Many of you are now aware of the public health concerns regarding young people vaping, which have led the FDA to call the use of e-cigarettes among teens an epidemic. The first Tuesday's time together will be an educational forum to build awareness and helpful tips for parents regarding substance use. The goal of this evening is to support your children in making healthy choices and strengthen our school and community partnership.
(Click on "Stoller Clubs" above to visit our page on the Stoller Website)
6th Grade Dance Club (Red Roses)
*Please note that there will be a $15 club t-shirt available for purchase.
*please note that space in most clubs is limited and all clubs are first come, first served. Please turn in your parent permission forms as soon as possible.
Badminton Club - Session 4
Improve your badminton skills and then play challenging games. Get your friends to join with you. What a great way to start your day! Session four will start up the week of January 13th and the cost is $35. Please see the Parent Permission form for specific days.
Badminton Club Parent Permission Form 2019-20 - Session 4 (also available in the Main Office)
Payments can be made online or by check. We cannot accept cash:
Online: Pay online at https://or-beaverton.intouchreceipting.com. Complete registration form and turn in to the Main Office.
Check: Make checks payable to Stoller Middle School and staple to the registration form. Turn in registration form and check to the Main Office.
*please note that space in most clubs is limited and all clubs are first come, first served. Please turn in your parent permission forms as soon as possible.
GSA Club
We are always looking for and welcoming new students. The GSA Club is a safe place for LBGTQ+ students and allies to be and advocate for themselves and others. This club will meet on Thursdays from 4 - 5pm. If your child is interested, please have them fill out a GSA Club Parent Permission Form 2019-2020 (also available in the Main Office) and have them turn it in to the Main Office.
Jazz Band
Jazz Band will provide an opportunity for students currently enrolled in band classes to develop skills in jazz. This club will be before school on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:25 - 9:05am beginning on January 15th, 2020. If your child is interested, please have them fill out a Jazz Band Parent Permission Form (also available in the Main Office) and have them turn it in to the Main Office.
*Please note that participating students will need to purchase their own book “Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method” (less than $20).
*please note that space in most clubs is limited and all clubs are first come, first served. Please turn in your parent permission forms as soon as possible.
Clubs Full
Business and Entrepreneurship Club
Earth Advocates Club
Tinkering Club
You can always visit the Clubs Page on our Stoller Website for the most up to date information.
(Click on "Academic Competitions" above to visit our page on the Stoller Website)
Geography, History, and Science Bees
If your student registered for any of the Online Regional Qualifying Exams, they are scheduled for Monday, January 13th from 4-5pm in the cafeteria. Students will need to bring their Chromebook, as this is an online exam.
There are three different qualifying exams. One for Geography, History and Science. Each exam is 20 minutes long.
Students can prepare for the online exam by visiting the following links:
National/International Geography Bee - Sample Qualifying Exams and Answer Keys
National History Bee - Practice Resources Page
National Science Bee - Practice Resources Page
For more information about any of these competitions (ie. Regional and National dates and locations), you can visit the following websites:
National Geographic GeoBee
The National Geographic GeoBee Preliminary Competition written exam will be given on Thursday, January 23rd from 4-5pm in the cafeteria (please note that students will need to make their own transportation arrangements for when they finish testing). The competition is open to all students. Students can prepare for participation by going to the Study Corner of the National Geographic Bee website for geography activity ideas and study tips.
We need an idea of how many students will be taking the exam. So if your child is interested, please have them sign-up here. The deadline to sign-up is Monday, January 20th.
Please note that when you sign-up, you will receive a confirmation and an email detailing your responses.
The top 10 scoring students will be in the Final Competition at Stoller on Thursday, January 30th from 4-5pm.
The Stoller School Champion will then take an online qualifying exam the week of February 2nd.
The State GeoBee will be held on March 27th, 2020.
The National Championship will be held May 17th - 21st in Washington, D.C.
You Be the Chemist
Please note that when you sign-up, you will receive a confirmation and an email detailing your responses.
Study materials are available here.
School Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer at Stoller!
Interested in volunteering at Stoller? Visit www.StollerPTO.com/Volunteer to get started. If you are new to volunteering, you’ll find helpful instructions to create a volunteer account. If you are an existing volunteer, you’ll find a link to view current volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer Badges
Do you volunteer regularly at Stoller Middle School?
This year, we will be implementing new Stoller Volunteer badges for regular volunteers. Occasional volunteers and visitors may still use a visitor sticker obtained from the office.
If you are a regular volunteer who helps out during school hours more than 3 times a year, please provide a photo of yourself that meets the following criteria:
- Head-shot (photo taken from chest/torso to top of head, like a passport photo)
- Blank or neutral background (it could be taken against a wall in your home)
- File name is your full name as it appears in your volunteer profile: FIRST_LAST.jpg
Send photo to StollerPTOVol@gmail.com. If you prefer a nickname printed on your badge, please specify that in your message.
Completed badges will be available in the alphabetical file boxes by the volunteer sign-in computer.
All volunteers must have a volunteer profile on file. If you are new to volunteering at Stoller, please visit www.stollerpto.com/volunteer for information on how to apply for a volunteer account or how to add Stoller Middle School to your current profile.
Thank you!
Maker Space Donations
Are you looking for somewhere to recycle items you no longer need? The Stoller Maker Space is the perfect place to donate unused, everyday, ordinary items. We only ask that these items are usable and clean.
Students are welcome to drop off these items at our Maker Space Drop-Off in front of Stoller's Maker Space. The Maker Space is located at the entrance of Blue Hall in the Lower Forum. Your donated items will be organized and then made available to teachers and students for class projects and activities.
Currently, a 6th grade team is looking for some Maker Supplies for an Engineering Design project. They are in need of straws, tooth picks, pipe cleaners, solo cups, string, clothes pins, paper plates and bowls. Additionally, a 7th grade team is looking for some Maker Supplies for a Stop Motion Animation project. They are looking for Play Doh and no longer wanted LEGO pieces. Especially the LEGO mini figs.
The Maker Space Supply Drop-Off is open all year and we will update you with student projects and specific supply needs.
Newspaper Needed
Hello Stoller Families,
The Art Classes are in need of newspaper. We recognize that not too many people continue to get newspapers, but if you do, could you please save them for the art classes. We would love to recycle them in the art classes here at Stoller; the art students will definitely put them to good use! Thank you so much!
District News/Resources for Parents
Middle School Boundary Advisory Committee Meeting
Upcoming boundary meetings:
- Thursday, January 16th, 2020 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Highland Park Middle School (7000 SW Wilson Ave, Portland, OR 97008).
- Thursday, January 30th, 2020 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Meadow Park Middle School (14100 SW Downing Street, Beaverton, OR 97006).
Middle School Boundary Adjustment webpage
Lost and Found
Stoller Middle School
Website: https://stoller.beaverton.k12.or.us/
Location: 14141 Northwest Laidlaw Road, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: 503-356-2680
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stollermiddle/
Twitter: @StollerPOWER1