Dragon News
Findley Elementary School
January 15, 2021
Message from the Principal
1.15.2020
Greetings Findley Families,
Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the long break with family. I hope the break from school offered your family the time to enjoy each other’s company, reconnect and recharge.
I am in constant awe and amazement of our students and teachers. In light of the events at the Capitol building last week many of our teachers held space for our students so that they could have an open and safe dialogue, if needed. Teachers acted as facilitators while steering clear of partisan or political pronouncements. Of course, these opportunities for discourse were developmentally appropriate and centered on our students, making sure they felt heard and supported. Teachers reported having very insightful conversations with their students.
By now, you have likely read the news that BSD has started the planning for our return to school. There will be much more information about this in the upcoming weeks, stay tuned. As we start talking about returning to school, I want to offer the following perspective; while we have not physically been in the school building, we have been in school since September 14. Although we are all eager to see our kids in person, teachers and staff are working hard to ensure Comprehensive Distance Learning is rigorous and relevant. Our virtual classrooms are filled with wonder, joy, and resiliency. Teaching and learning IS still happening. We are “in” school.
We have some upcoming opportunities for families to connect. First, our third Parent Partnership is scheduled for January 25 at 7 PM. Please RSVP using the link included in this newsletter. Our second general PTO meeting is scheduled for February 8 at 7 PM. The principal from new MS on the Timberland campus will be joining. Finally, February 25, I will host a Kindergarten Q & A for incoming families.
Enjoy your long weekend, Dragons!
Sherry Marsh, Ed.D.
Principal
FIndley Elementary
Links to Common Causes
Common Causes:
● Stomach Bugs – Tips for stopping the spread
● Headaches – When to call the pediatrician
● Toothaches – Access to low-cost dental care
● Sore Throat – Common infections
● School Avoidance – Tips for concerned parents
● Depression – How can parents help
Findley’s Parent Partnership Presents:
Peace and Productivity
A parent night focused on strategies to tap into your child’s motivation and increase joy!
Please join us on Tuesday, January 27th from 7:00-8:00 PM as we welcome presenter Kris Damiano, Beaverton School District’s Social Emotional Learning TOSA.
Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to ask specific questions, problem solve, and hear valuable information on how to foster peace and productivity in this current learning environment.
Please RSVP to receive the zoom link to this event. We look forward to seeing you there!
Questions? Email: Emily Gotfried, School Counselor Or Susan Hargrave, Student Success Coach
Support for Children and Families for Grief and Loss
The Dougy Center provides support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. They offer services in English and Spanish. Please click here for more information. Also, please feel free to reach out to our school social worker Sarah Healy for more information or other community resources.
Thanks,
Sarah Healy
Beaverton School District | Behavioral Health and Wellness Team
Aloha Huber, Bethany, Findley, Jacob Wismer, Kinnaman and Oak Hills Elementary
District School Social Worker
Phone: 503-356-5067
TAG & SUMMA UPDATES
Dear Families,
Thank you for your patience as we navigate TAG/Summa testing during the 2020-21 school year. The following updates have been made to our current Identification processes to reflect comprehensive distance learning and research on test score stability.
TAG/Summa Testing
TAG testing for students nominated by parents or teachers will occur in the spring
Current 5th graders will have the opportunity to qualify for Summa by testing in late spring/summer
Outdoor testing opportunities for TAG/Summa will also be available in early summer
Current 3rd and 4th graders will take reading and math achievement tests (ITBS) in the fall
Current 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders will take a cognitive ability (CogAT) screener test in fall
In addition to national norms, local norms will be explored for TAG/Summa identification
Summa Qualifying Tests and Criteria
No change in admission criteria, only tests used
Results from full version CogAT tests (composite score ) in grades K-5 can be used to qualify for Summa
Results of achievement tests in grades 3-5 can be used to qualify for Summa
Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) Language Arts and Math tests
ITBS/Logramos Reading and Math tests (total scores)
Communication
Testing opportunities will be posted on the BSD TAG page as they become available
Invitations to test will be sent via School Messenger prior to testing dates
Summa eligible students will be notified before January 15, 2021
Please direct questions to Heidi Hanson, heidi_hanson@beaverton.k12.or.us or 503-356-4548.
Resolve to Be More Active
Reading & Writing Links
Here are links to some helpful Reading & Writing info pages.
Shannon Bauck she/her/hers
Intervention Teacher
Fees / Fines
We need your help!
Please search for overdue and lost items: library books, textbooks from last school year and school-issued devices (iPads, Chromebooks) that your student isn’t currently using. Search your in-box, too, for any emails from noreply@intouchreceipting.com or do-not-reply@nwresd.k12.or.us, which will indicate that your student has a missing item.
Then return that item to any BSD school. You have several options: (Please arrive in a mask.)
- Return items to your school during regular school hours. Some schools also may offer evening drop-off hours. Check with your school’s newsletter for additional drop-off hours and directions.
- Return items to any Library Book Bus stop. See schedule and map for days and times.
Pay lost fine through the district’s Online Payment System.
Thank you for helping us get resources back to our schools so that they can be re-distributed to those students who need them.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
What's happening in our classroom?
5th Grade Meets New Principal
She talked with them about Choosing a Name - School Colors and a Mascot. What an exciting time for our 5th graders.
Principal O'Neil will be attending the next PTO meeting on Feb. 8.
Community Resources
Findley PTO
Findley PTO: Supporting our students by connecting parents, staff, and the community!
Visit our website at www.findleypto.com or email president@findleypto.com.
Art Literacy
Findley Art Literacy is developing fun art lessons to add some creativity to your month! Check out our CDL page.
There is still time to submit your December "Overlapping Handprints" artwork to be included in our Virtual Gallery! Please see our website for further detailed information: https://sites.google.com/site/artlitfindley/home
Stay tuned for the NEW January lesson announced at the assembly.
Thank you for supporting Findley Art Literacy! artlitfindley@gmail.com
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tBHVQpTZFV96nzUzAJgljVC_vpxoYPA--A8MW8kKmQQ/edit?usp=sharing
Passport Club:
Dear Findley Passport Club members,
We are so happy that students are joining the virtual Passport Club at Findley!
We are now moving our way into the November countries, but it is still NOT too late to do September and/or October as well!
Here is a summary of the steps to get in on the fun with more detailed instructions below:
1. Download this month's maps (We are moving to November this month)
2. Visit this month's virtual classroom
3. Learn this month's maps
4. Take the quiz when you are ready
This is a whole new experience and we understand that there will be a lot of questions, learnings and changes as we navigate this new virtual Passport Club.
Please rest assured that we are dedicated to making this the best that we can under the circumstances and ask for your patience and understanding as we all go through this process together.
With that being said, let's have some fun and travel the world together!
In addition, here is a reminder in regards to Passport Club:
Passport Club is a volunteer-run geography enrichment program offered at Findley to 2nd – 5th grades. This is an optional program and is not mandatory.
· Please practice with your child for several minutes a day to help them get ready!
Grade Level Clarification:
· 2nd-4th grade students have the option of 5 levels of study to choose from. However, students are encouraged to learn all the items in each level up to grade level.
Grades Grade level
2nd Grade Level 1 and Level 2
3rd Grade Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3
4th Grade Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4
5th Grade Special Itineraries (SI) study maps
For example, a 2nd grade student would be asked to learn the following for the month of November:
* Level 1: Algeria, Mongolia, Canada, Panama, Turkey
* Level 2: Mali, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sweden, Uruguay
Sincerely,
Vothy Heang and Xiao Shi
Passport Club Leads
Step #1 Download this month's maps
Maps (password = findleypassport)
Step #2 Welcome to the virtual classroom
Step #3 Learn the Map for this month
There are lots of fun ways to learn each month's maps!
* Use Quizlet - Quizlet-November Passport Club Flashcards
* Color the maps - On the virtual classroom there is a password protected map that has suggestions on how to color each level's countries (password = HelloWorldDL)
* As always, the best way is to study with your parents
Step #4 Take the quiz
When you are ready, decide what level you want to test for this month. Here are the links:
Level 1
Level 2 (Includes Level 1)
Level 3 (Includes Level 1 and Level 2)
Level 4 (Includes Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3)
Level 5 (Includes Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4)
Up Coming Events
LIBRARY BOOK PICKUP DAYS AND TIME
Mondays 11am - 12 noon & 2pm - 4pm
Fridays 10:30am - 12:30pm
Bus Stop Wednesdays.
1:32 - 2:02 Bannister & Hamel Dr.
2:07 - 2:37 Skycrest between Spuceridge & Eagleridge
2:42 - 3:13 - Blackcomb & Whistler
3:16 - 3:46 - Tunstin Ranch Dr. North of Yvonne Ln.
January
13th - Book Bag pickup 11am-1pm
18th No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
20th - Synchronous Learning Day
22nd - Virtual Assembly - Hat Day
February
5th - Grading Day No Students
8th - Semester 2 starts
12th - Spirit Day - wear as many colors as possible or one for the whole class
12th - Progress Reports posted to ParentVue
15th - Presidents Day No School
17th - CLD - Synchronous Learning Day
25th - Kindy Roundup Q & A 4-5pm Virtual