Mabel Rush School News

December 8, 2024

Our Mabel Rush Choir, under the direction of Mrs. McKennon performing at the Simply Christmas Bazaar...

Upcoming Events

-Progress Reports will be sent Home - December 11
-Food Drive - December 16 -20
-Book Exchange - December 16 - 20
-Winter Break - December 23 - January 7
-School Resumes - January 8

Spring Music Performances Dates!

April 3, 2025 - 4/5 Music Performance 6:30 PM
April 24, 2025 - 2/3 Music Performance 6:30 PM
May 8, 2025 - K/1 Music Performance 6:30 PM

Mabel Rush School Calendar

Follow the link above to see our school calendar.

Progress Reports Go Home on December 11

a graphic drawing of a backpack sitting in a hallway banked with lockers on either side. A student progress report is sticking out of the backpack.

We want to inform you that student progress reports will be sent home in backpacks on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

We kindly ask that you take a moment to review your child’s progress report, sign the envelope, and return it to school. Please keep the progress report for your records.

Food Drive to support Newberg FISH

Food Drive: December 16-20

Our school will be holding a Food Drive during the week of December 16.

The 5th-grade students are organizing this effort, and all food collected will be donated to Newberg FISH to support local families in need.

Please send non-perishable food items with your student to contribute. Thank you for helping us make a difference in our community.

A promotional graphic for a food drive featuring a large collection box filled with cans and bottles of non-perishable food items. Bold text at the top reads “FOOD DRIVE,” with additional details below: “December 16-20” and “Newberg FISH.” The design incorporates elements such as a hand holding a can, a pumpkin, evergreen trees, and a truck, all set against a warm orange background.

STEM Workshops This Week

Photo of a teacher in front of a group of students.

STEM Week with District STEM Teacher Lindsay Riley

This week, District STEM Teacher Lindsay Riley will lead STEM workshops for students at Mabel Rush. These workshops will include hands-on activities focused on engineering, science experiments, and problem-solving and will take place in our Maker Space.

This is a great opportunity for students to engage in creative and critical thinking while exploring STEM concepts.

District Wide Spirit Week - December 16 - 20

Get ready for Winter Spirit Week at Newberg Public Schools!

Mark your calendars for December 16-20 and join us in spreading school cheer with these fun daily themes:

Monday, Dec. 16: Pajama Day – Cozy up for the week!

Tuesday, Dec. 17: Sports Day – Rep your favorite team!

Wednesday, Dec. 18: Winter Wear – Hats, socks, scarves, and more!

Thursday, Dec. 19: Winter Sweater – Ugly or cute, it’s your choice!

Friday, Dec. 20: School Spirit Day – Wear your school’s gear!

Let’s make this week full of fun and excitement as we head into the holidays. We can’t wait to see your spirit!

“Winter Spirit Week flyer for Newberg Public Schools, scheduled from December 16 to December 20. Each day features a theme: Pajama Day (Monday), Sports Day (Tuesday), Winter Wear (Wednesday), Winter Sweater Day (Thursday), and School Spirit Day (Friday). The flyer includes colorful illustrations of pajamas, sports jerseys, hats, scarves, sweaters, and school-themed items on a crinkled white paper background.”

Book Exchange - Week of December 16

This image is a festive announcement for a “Mabel Rush Elementary Holiday Book Exchange,” featuring cheerful, holiday-themed decorations, including gift-wrapped books, candy canes, and a chalkboard-style background. Two students in cozy holiday attire are exchanging books, highlighting the event’s theme.

During the week of December 16th, we will be having our semi-annual book exchange in the library. The books provided have come from generous school and community donations, and from Wallace Books.

During the exchange, each student will have an opportunity to select a book to take home and keep. Having books at home is a great way to foster the love of reading!

Donations Accepted

If you would like to contribute, Mrs. Neiss will be collecting new and gently used children’s books to add to the exchange. If you have any questions, please contact Summer Neiss at neisss@newberg.k12.or.us

Child Find from the Willamette Education Service District

Alt text: Illustration of children engaged in various playful and educational activities, surrounded by toys and tools like blocks, balls, and puzzles. At the center, a magnifying glass highlights a child, symbolizing focus on individual development. The text reads “Child Find: Supporting Developmental Success!” and a website link, “www.wesd.org/childfind,” is displayed below.

Attention Families!

Did you know about Child Find? This important program identifies and supports children with potential developmental delays or disabilities.

Birth to 5 Years of Age

School districts throughout the United States and Oregon are required to continuously locate, evaluate, and provide services to children who have been determined to have needs in the area of cognitive, motor, social, behavior, speech/language, hearing, and/or vision from birth to 21 years of age. For children birth to five years of age suspected of having needs in one or more of the areas listed above, contact the Child Find Intake Specialist for the Willamette ESD at 503-385-4714.

If you have concerns about your child’s development or know someone who might benefit, visit the Child Find webpage for more information and resources: WESD Child Find

Check the Lost and Found

This image features a colorful reminder to “Check the Lost & Found,” with school-related items like backpacks, lunchboxes, jackets, and shoes prominently displayed. A school bus and building are included in the background, creating a vibrant, school-themed setting.

Check the Lost & Found Before Winter Break!

As we gear up for winter break, don’t forget to swing by our Lost & Found! It’s bursting with jackets, hats, lunchboxes, and more waiting to be reunited with their owners.

Before the holiday excitement takes over, let’s make sure all these lost treasures find their way back home.

Stop by, have a look, and reclaim your lost items. Let’s start the new year fresh and clutter-free!

Dress for the Weather

A cheerful winter weather reminder poster featuring children playing outdoors in a snowy setting. The children are dressed warmly in winter clothing, including coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots. Snowflakes fall gently, and a clear sky adds to the wintry atmosphere. The text reads, “Dress for the Weather! Stay Warm for Winter Recess!” in friendly, bold fonts. The design is colorful and inviting, emphasizing the importance of staying warm during winter recess.

Stay Warm and Ready for Winter Weather!

As winter weather sets in, we want to remind students and families to ensure children are dressed appropriately for outdoor recess. Daily recess is an important part of our schedule, and we encourage students to wear warm coats, hats, gloves, and boots to stay comfortable and enjoy their time outside.

Winter Clothing Items Available in our Resource Room

If your family needs support with winter clothing, our School Resource Center is here to help! We have an assortment of winter weather items available, including coats, boots, and other clothing essentials. Please reach out to the front office if you need assistance.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone warm and ready for outdoor fun!

Welcome Mr. Duvall

We are excited to announce that we have hired a part-time teacher to support our first-grade classrooms. Mr. Chase Duvall will join our team starting this week to provide additional help with reading, math, and writing instruction.

Mr. Duvall, who previously taught at Edwards Elementary and has been substituting in our building this year, will work with Mrs. Petersen and Mrs. Felizarta from 8:00 AM to Noon each day. He will be part of our “Walk to Reading” program and lead a math group, giving students extra support in these key areas.

We’re looking forward to the positive impact Mr. Duvall will bring to our first-grade team. Also, we thank our district leadership for working to make this happen and support our first grade students.

Mr. Duvall joins our first grade team this week...

Little Free Library Book of the Week

This image shows a white Little Free Library with a pitched roof, stocked with books inside. The library is placed outdoors on a wooden post, with a school building and a grassy area in the background.

Exciting News! Discover the Joy of Reading at Our Little Free Library!

We would like to remind students and families that our Little Free Library is open and ready for all students to explore and enjoy! Situated at the southeast corner of our building, our little library is stocked with a diverse collection of books just waiting to be discovered.

Get Involved!

Join us in spreading the love for reading! Feel free to donate books or simply stop by to see what’s new.

We hope this initiative helps foster a love for reading within our community and inspires students to explore the wonderful world of books.

Happy Reading!

Highlighted Title of the Week: A House, by Kevin Henkes

“A House” by Kevin Henkes

This beautifully illustrated book by Kevin Henkes is a celebration of simplicity, imagination, and what it means to create a space that’s truly your own.

With gentle words and whimsical drawings, A House invites readers to explore the idea of what makes a house a home. Is it the walls? The roof? Or maybe the stories, love, and dreams inside?

Perfect for young readers (and the young at heart!), this book sparks thoughtful conversations about belonging and creativity. It’s a must-add to any classroom or home library!

A vibrant and cheerful graphic promoting school attendance and punctuality. It features a smiling school building with a clock, children walking happily to school, and a sunny background with fluffy clouds. The text “BE ON TIME, EVERY DAY COUNTS!” is prominently displayed, along with a note below stating, “School Begins at 7:40.” Playful school-themed icons like pencils and bells add to the positive and welcoming tone of the design.

Attendance Matters!

Every day counts! Showing up to school on time and ready to learn sets the foundation for success. 🌟 When students attend regularly and arrive promptly, they stay engaged, build strong habits, and create lasting connections with friends and teachers. School starts at 7:40 am.

Did you know?

• Missing just 2 days a month can add up to 18 days in a year—almost an entire month of school lost!

• Arriving on time ensures your child doesn’t miss valuable morning instruction or activities that set the tone for the day.

Let’s work together to prioritize attendance and start each day strong!

How to Read Our Newsletter in Other Languages

We utilize SMORE as our newsletter tool. One nice feature of SMORE is the ability to translate our English newsletter into a wide variety of languages. The video below illustrates how to do so.

PIE (Partners in Education) Parent/Family Organization

Photo of the PIE Bulletin Board on display in the main hallway

P.I.E. is the short name for our family/teacher group "Partners in Education". PIE supports our school in many ways, including with their annual auction and with our Lion Walk jog-a-Thon fundraiser. They help fund our Resource Room and provide teachers with additional classroom resources.

Our next PIE meeting is set for Tuesday, January 7, 2025 - 6:00 pm in the school library. An online option will be available.:

Fred Meyer Rewards

Link your Fred Meyer Rewards card to P.I.E. to help our school earn funds every time you shop! Sign up here.

To learn more please visit PIE Facebook Page.

Newsletter Audio Version

Exciting News! Our Mabel Rush Newsletter is now available as a podcast! Catch up on all the latest updates, events, and highlights on the go. Listen anytime, anywhere – perfect for busy families!

Podcast Episodes: Link to all episodes