Dear Whitford Parents and Families,

It is exciting to see the weather report finally suggest a day above 80 degrees in the not-so-distant future. Warmer temperatures, spring flowers, and longer days seem to remind us all the summer is coming and the end of school is quickly approaching. We have just a few short weeks left of school and there is so much left to do. The other day, I was attending a track meet for my high school daughter and I was reminded of an idea as I listened to a coach encouraging those that he was coaching. He used repeatedly the phrase, “run to the tape.” My interpretation of this is the reminder to “finish strong,” and don’t stop until you cross the finish line.

We have noticed that some of our students are being influenced by the warmer temperatures and longer days. The anticipation of the end of the year is there, but all of us need to remember to “run to the tape.” Expectations continue! Learning continues… and will continue through our last day in June. We welcome and invite each family to discuss the importance of finishing the year strong and cross the “finish line of the 23-24 school year” as powerfully as it was started way back in August of last year.

If you feel that there are things that we can do to continue to support your and your student here, we would welcome your ideas and suggestions. We are grateful to be entrusted with the responsibility to support you in the learning, growing, and development of “our” young people.

Your kids are super and amazing human beings with so much potential. We are fortunate to do what we do.

Thank you for entrusting them to us each day.

Respectfully,

Zan Hess, Principal

Congratulations to Owen Elkin, Julian Rincon, Austin Willis, and Jack Woods. The seventh graders placed first out of 77 middle school teams in the region who competed in The Stock Market Game for the Spring session. The Stock Market Game is an online simulation of the global capital markets that engages students grades 4-12 in the world of economics, investing, and personal finance. At the end of the game period they had turned $100,000 into over $111,000.

• Thank you to Bellagio's Pizza and Nicholas Roe, the owner of Bellagio's Pizza, for his generosity in giving the school a nice discount on the pizza for the Spring Social
• Thank you PTO for sponsoring the Spring Fling
• Thankyou PTO for a great staff appreciation week.

Yearbook will be on sale on Thursdays and Fridays every two weeks in May,

Cost is $15 cash or check

Next sales are May 9, 10, 23, 24

Tuesday, June 11

Our staff has made the decision to host an 8th Grade Recognition Assembly. We would like to say goodbye to all of the 8th grade class as they leave middle school for high school. We will also recognize students who have been involved in activities and/ or earned recognition in specific areas. Families are welcome. Please know we will be seating on the bleachers, with floor seating strictly limited to those with disabilities. School-aged children should remain at their own schools. At this time we expect the assembly to run from approximately 9:30 - 10:30 followed by a short outdoor reception. Please do not bring flowers/balloons/cards to the event. There is no good place to keep these, especially as 8th-graders will later be at the 8th grade party.

Both seating and parking are very limited. Please walk, take Trimet, or carpool as you are able, and limit guests to two. Please do not arrive before 9:15 am as our busses need full access to the lot to get our students to school.

Martes 11 de junio

Nuestro personal ha tomado la decisión de organizar una Asamblea de Reconocimiento de 8º Grado. Nos gustaría despedirnos de toda la clase de 8º grado que dejan la escuela intermedia para ir a la escuela secundaria. También reconoceremos a los estudiantes que hayan participado en actividades y/o hayan obtenido reconocimiento en áreas específicas. Las familias son bienvenidas. Tenga en cuenta que nos sentaremos en las gradas y que los asientos en el piso estarán estrictamente limitados a personas con discapacidades. Los niños en edad escolar deberían permanecer en sus propias escuelas. En este momento esperamos que la asamblea se desarrolle aproximadamente entre las 9:30 y las 10:30, seguida de una breve recepción al aire libre. Por favor no traiga flores/globos/tarjetas al evento. No hay un buen lugar para guardarlos, especialmente porque los estudiantes de octavo grado estarán más tarde en la fiesta de octavo grado.

Tanto los asientos como el estacionamiento son muy limitados. Camine, tome Trimet o comparta el auto como pueda y limite los invitados a dos. Por favor no llegue antes de las 9:15 am ya que nuestros autobuses necesitan acceso completo al estacionamiento para llevar a nuestros estudiantes a la escuela.

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Northwest Regional Science Expo (NWSE) at Portland State University on Friday April 5, 2024. Students went through a rigorous judging process at the Beaverton School District NWSE-Qualifying Science Fair on March 9 in order to qualify for this fair. And some of the students earned awards at the fair, too! The following participants are listed in alphabetical order - any awards earned appear in bold next to their name:

• Tchedre Ali-Napo, 8th grade, [Project title: Simulating the Standard Model of Physics]
• Zane Lukas Barash, 8th grade, 3rd Place in Earth Science [Project title: Soil particle size effect on river sinuousity]
• Reagan Burton, 8th grade, Honorable Mention in Consumer Products Testing [How does vinegar affect coffee stains?]
• Luch Dahl, 6th grade, [Project title: The effects of infill pattern on 3D printed objects' strength]
• Charlotte Douglas, 7th grade, 1st Place in Mathematics, [Project title: Stream + polyalphabetic substitution cipher with two keys and steongraphy]
• Abraham (Hwaeum) Eom, 8th grade, 1st Place in Medicine and Health Sciences and Tom Owen Award for Excellence in Statistics, [Project title: The effects of interaction dependency in activities and 40 Hz auditory stimulation on cognitive performance]
• Vivian Gee, 7th grade, [Project title: The effects of leaven in sourdough]
• Caden Hadden, 8th grade, Honorable Mention in Environmental Science, plus the NASA Earth System Science Award [Project title: The effects of mycoremediation on degrading plastic waste]
• Gayatri Raut, 7th grade, Honorable Mention in Consumer Products Testing [Natural dyes]
• Julian Rincon, 8th grade, [Project title: Use of water test strips on foodborne pathogens]
• Claire Socks, 8th grade [Project title: Does smell affect memory in a test setting?]
• Kylie Stevens, 7th grade, [Project title: How does the temperature of water that yeast is in affect the amount of glucose consumed by the yeast?]
• Alexandra Streifer, 6th grade, 1st Place in Plant Science, [Project title: Effect of protein on sundew curl time]
• Derica Theobald, 8th grade [How do different memorization techniques affect long term memory?]
• Ellie Tyler, 7th grade, 1st Place in Animal Sciences and Microbiology, [Project title: The effect of calcium, potassium, and magnesium on the growth of Physarum polycephalum]
• Jack Tyler, 7th grade, Honorable Mention in Computer Science and Robotics plus Office of Naval Research, US Navy and Marine Corps Naval Excellence in Science and Engineering Award [Using machine learning to identify body damage on cars]
• Jithuli Weerasekera, 6th grade, [Project title: What material prevents soil erosion the best?]
• Minula Weerasekera, 8th grade, 3rd Place in Energy, [Project title: Developing an organic redox battery]
• Bryan Wu, 7th grade, [Project title: Electricity generating shoe!]

6th Graders in Ms. Cavarino's classes are learning how to create visual texture using shadow and light. Students created beautiful textured animals on scratchboard. Oliver recreated his pet, Milo. Student artists Oliver, Maris, and Jecoliah.

In Visual Arts 2D, 7th students are using mathematical principles and the laws of physics to draw shadow and light. Students focused on drawing accurate proportions and highlights, reflected light, core shadows, and cast shadows. Featured 7th grade artists Layla, Mae, Katelyn, Edgar, Natalia, and Vivian C......more pictures to follow

Ms. Leibowitz's classes present Coral Reef pottery and Beast Prints.

WEB: Where Everyone Belongs

This week in advisory, 7th grade students learned about an exciting opportunity to become an 8th grade WEB Leader. To watch the presentation click HERE or to access the slide deck click HERE.

WHAT IS WEB?

WEB is a program that welcomes the 6th grade students on the first day of school and continues to support the 6th graders throughout their first year of middle school by pairing them with WEB Leaders. Most of your students experienced WEB last year as 6th graders and can build on this to make next year’s program even better!

A WEB Leader is a person at school who is kind, responsible, acts as a positive role model, possesses leadership qualities, and, most importantly, has a desire to build a caring school community. Is that your child? If yes, please encourage them to apply.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Being a WEB Leader is an important responsibility that we hope both you and your student will take seriously. In order to build the most effective program possible, we have a series of mandatory dates that all WEB Leaders must attend to be in the program. Before applying, please ensure your student can attend ALL of the required events.

If accepted into WEB, you will receive a Code of Conduct that students and parents will sign so that you understand and can support our expectations. Let’s be a team in building strong leaders at Whitford!

Mandatory WEB Events--Please confirm students can attend ALL dates before applying

• Tuesday, May 21: Interviews during 4-5 period (to determine which applicants will be accepted into WEB)

· students are responsible for communicating to their teachers and making up missed work promptly

• Thursday, May 30: Spring Play Day

· during school hours; students are responsible for communicating to teachers and making up missed work promptly

• Thursday, August 22: Training Day 1

· 9 am-2:30 pm students will need transportation to and from school

• Friday, August 23: Training Day 2

· 9 am-2:30 pm students will need transportation to and from school

• Monday, August 26: First Day for 6th graders

· 8 am-3:50 pm students need transportation to and from school. If your student is a bus rider, they can take the bus home (the afternoon only)

How to Apply

Your student should fill out the application and then visit Mrs. Laing and Mrs. Dietrich in the library to introduce themselves. Applications are due by Tuesday, May 14.

Application in English Application Spanish

If you have any questions about the WEB program, the application process, or have a conflict with the dates but your student still REALLY wants to be a part of WEB, please email: Mary_Dietrich@beaverton.k12.or.us and Lindsay_Laing@beaverton.k12.or.us

Recently our advisory honored Arab American Heritage Month by inviting two Whitford students in to teach the students how to write Peace in Arabic.

We also offered hummus and pita bread to kids who wanted to try a traditional Arabic food.

Electives for 2024-2025

Your current 5th, 6th, or 7th grade student should have filled out a google form to share elective preferences for next year. Ideally, this was done through the student's school email. If you would like to review this information, please sit down with your student.

Search their school email for Whitford Course Request. This should bring up a receipt email of their original choices. Contact mariah_mccarty@beaverton.k12.or.us if it does not agree with what you approved.

If this form has not been completed, you will continue to receive reminders through ParentSquare to complete it.

7th grade 24/25

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd05CyxbTDT-7CBbSwmbDboFjKkz58h7-O_QmPuhtIjwSWKtA/viewform

8th grade 24/25

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGZSE3Q6lkOuTW8mpdZAHay-g_-CiGmOCcWrNrAm52OzwzeA/viewform

Please help your student find and return any Whitford library books they may have at home. Books from other BSD schools can also be returned at Whitford. Many students have books that were due months ago, which prevents other students from enjoying the books. Your student can check their library account by following these instructions. There are no overdue fines, but there are charges for lost or damaged books. It is especially important for 8th graders to have clear accounts, as any outstanding books or fines may interfere with getting their high school schedules in the fall. Thank you for your help!

Students enjoying library time during lunch on those rainy days.

Attention parents of 6th grade students!

This is a reminder that children attending school require a Tdap vaccine (booster) at age 12. For most students this occurs during 7th grade. Please consider scheduling a well-child checkup for your child during the summer months. This will be a good opportunity to visit with your provider and to make sure they are up to date on all required immunizations before school starts next fall.

Whitford Upgrade students visited Raleigh Hills ES to read to students.

Seventh and eighth grade Spanish 1 students spent the last few weeks designing a clothing brand, creating an advertisement in Spanish, and designing and labeling various outfits. This week, they participated in a mock selling fair where they practiced negotiating prices, making change and counting their profits. Mr. Livingston was a great help, printing off t- shirts with their brand's logo and slogan. Great work Spanish 1!

May 2024

Thu 5/9 • Year books on sale at School

Fri 5/10 • Year books on sale at School

Fri 5/10 • Dental Sealants

Wed 5/15, 7:00 pm • PTO Meeting

Thu 5/16, 7:00 pm • Final Choir Concert

Fri 5/17, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm • Incoming 6th Grade Instrument Night

Tue 5/21, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm • BSU -- Final meeting

Thu 5/23 • Year books on sale at School

Fri 5/24 • Year books on sale at School

Sat 5/25 • Band Booster Club -- Panda Express Restaurant Fundraiser

Mon 5/27 • Memorial Day - Schools Closed

Wed 5/29, 7:00 pm • Mean Girls

Thu 5/30, 7:00 pm • Mean Girls - May 30

Fri 5/31, 7:00 pm • Mean Girls - May 31

June 2024

Sat 6/01, 2:00 pm • Mean Girls

Wed 6/5 • Seniors' Last Day

Wed 6/05, 7:00 pm • PTO Meeting

Thu 6/06, 7:00 pm • Final Band Concert

Fri 6/07, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm • Band Year End Celebration

Mon 6/10, 4:30 am • AVID celebration

Tue 6/11, 9:30 am - 11:00 am • 8th grade assembly

Tue 6/11, 1:15 pm - 3:50 pm • 8th Grade Celebration

Wed 6/12 • Field Day

Wed 6/12 • Last day of school

Thu 6/13 • Grading Day - No Students

Fri 6/14 •Staff Development/Workday - No Students

See below. Make sure to click on the links or attachments for more information.

Greetings Beaverton Basketball Families,

I hope this spring is treating you well and you are getting excited for summer break! I wanted to reach out and remind you that we are about a month and a half away from our summer youth basketball camp. I hope your son has been working on his skills and is excited to show us his improvements. I have a fun week of skill development and competition planned and I WANT YOUR SON AND HIS FRIENDS HERE FOR CAMP!

If you would share the camp flyer with friends and family, it would be greatly appreciated. BSD kids, private school kids, out of district kids are all welcome!! We want to grow our camp!

Registration Flyer

Online Registration

"The only program in Metro to make the State Tournament 4 years in a row"

*Please note this camp is for Boys. Our girl's program will be hosting a camp as well. For more information regarding Beaverton Girls Basketball please visit https://www.beavertongirlsbasketball.com/