Greetings!
Hello & welcome to the last full week of February! Time is flying:) I hope you were able to enjoy the snow. I have to say I am happy to see the sun rising a touch earlier and the temperatures warming up. Lots happening at Tamarack, with 4th graders supported by Intel and Portland Metro STEM partnerships for National Engineers Week; the last set of OMSI field trips coming soon and many classes digging into our newly adopted Social Studies units.
We will also begin ELPA (English Language Proficiency) state testing and then move onto SBA (Smarter Balanced Assessment) in grades 3-6th grade state testing. Below is information on the schedule and what the assessments are and how we utilize them.
Thank you for all you do to support our school, we appreciate you and hope your child’s school year feels supportive!
State Testing Information
Oregon Department of Education State testing is around the corner!
We start state testing with the ELPA (English Language Proficiency Assessment) in late February. Below are a list of the tests and a brief description. State Testing has no affect on your child's grades or progression through the grades, it provides the school with information on progress and areas to target for our growth and delivery of academic services. You can find more information here: Oregon Department of Education Statewide Assessments. Your child's teacher will let you know in advance so you can help support their test times by ensuring they get enough sleep the night before, have an hour off screens before bedtime, bring their water bottle to school and eat breakfast either at home or when they arrive here at Tamarack. We will ensure a stress-free, comfortable space that will support your child’s best efforts. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out, we are here to help!
Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) English Language Arts (ELA) & Math. The SBA is given to all 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade students. The ELA portion will focus on reading, listening, researching and writing. Math is a separate test and will focus on problem solving, communicating reasoning as well as general math fluency (automaticity of math facts and procedures). If you have questions regarding this assessment please contact me, Christy Walters waltersc@hsd.k12.or.us.
Additionally, the Oregon State Assessment of Science (OSAS) is provided to 5th grade only will touch on Physical, Life and Earth Sciences.
English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA):The ELPA measures and reports on students' English language proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and comprehension. All students who receive English Language Services, have a first language other than English, take the ELPA. IF you have questions regarding the ELPA, please contact Gabby Castro grades Kinder, 1st & 2nd castrog@hsd.k12.or.us or Sharon Angal grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th angals@hsd.k12.or.us, they can provide more information.
schedule
If you are intersted in opting out forms are below, you can also let her classroom teacher know and we can support printing the form below for you. Smarter Balanced ELA/Math Opt-Out Forms (for download/print)
SBA Opt-Out (ODE PDF Form) (English)
SBA Opt-Out (ODE PDF Form) (Spanish)
SBA Opt-Out (ODE PDF Form) (English Fillable PDF)
SBA Opt-Out (ODE PDF Form) (Spanish Fillable PDF)
OSAS Science and ELPA Summative
Exemption From Testing Forms (for download/print)
ELPA Request for Exemption Form PDF (English and Spanish)
ELPA Request for Exemption Form Online Form (English)
ELPA Request for Exemption Form Online Form (Spanish)
Science Request for Exemption Form PDF (English and Spanish)
Here is our testing schedule:
ELPA: February 24th-March 14th
SBA: April 7th-May 9th
Your classroom teacher will let you know closer to the date when testing will occur.
Volunteering
If you would like to volunteer at the school, know that it will take time due to the required fingerprinting. Here are the steps (also located on the district website). This is required for fieldtrips. I know it can feel like a long wait, but there is a link to check your status below.
Complete the district-wide volunteer application by clicking this link: Volunteer Application* *The information you provide will be used to complete a background check through the state's criminal records system and the Oregon Department of Education's sexual misconduct database. Begin the fingerprint background clearance process AT ANY TIME by clicking HERE. CHECK YOUR VOLUNTEER STATUS by clicking HERE
Expired application? Click HERE and select “RENEW…”
Need to update your personal information? Click HERE and select “UPDATE…”
Contact the school or your student’s teacher directly, either by email or phone, to see what opportunities they have available. Your volunteer application must be fully approved in order to begin volunteering. Also, note that some classrooms have a high number of volunteers, so we will rotate to try and give everyone an oppotunity as best we can.
Kindergarten Registration opens March 3
Have a neighbor with a 4 year old, soon to be 5? If you have a child or have a neighbor who has a child that will turn 5 by September 1st, please enroll any time on or after March 3. This helps us get a better picture of incoming numbers, to plan for classrooms and teaching postions.
Here is a link to the onlne registration:
https://www.hsd.k12.or.us/for-families/enrollment-process/online-registration
Kindergarten Orientation is on May 22th at 5:00-6:00pm, this will also provide families with a tour of the school. Here are the slides that will be presented:
Can't wait to welcome our new Otters to the Lodge!
Mark your calendar!
Hillsboro District School Calendar
February
27: Coffee Chat w/ Mrs. Walters @ 8:05 am Front Office
March
3: Kindergarten Registration Opens!
13: Red Robin Night-community Fundraiser! come eat with us!
20: Tamarack Community Group Meeting @ 5:30 Library
24th-28th: No School, Spring Break!
April
10: Coffee Chat w/ Mrs. Walters @ 8:05 am Front Office
11: No School, End of 3rd Quarter Prep Day
17: Tamarack Science Night @5:30-7pm
18: Día del niño*Children's Day! -all are welcome @ 5pm HilHi
24: Tamarack Community Group Meeting @ 5:30 Library
May
5-9th: Tamarack Staff Appreciation Week!
15: Tamarack Community Group Meeting @ 5:30 Library
26: No School, Memorial Day
29: Coffee Chat w/ Mrs. Walters @ 8:05 am Front Office
30: 2nd Annual, OTTER FUN RUN!
June
12th: 6th grade Promotion Ceremony @ 8:10 Gym
12th:Last Day of School Dismissal @ 11:20