The Howler Vol. 32
May 19th, 2023
Greetings Grant Watts Community,
We are all trying to beat the heat and stay cool around Grant Watts, while still learning and enjoying beloved end-of-the-year traditions. Butterflies are hatching, third graders are working on Night of the Notables projects, we're getting ready for Small Fry Olympics, and a few popsicles have been enjoyed in the shade. We’ve got fans going, windows open, and all look forward to slightly cooler temperatures next week.
Please ensure your child has a change of clothes in their backpack, even just a pair of shorts and underwear. Accidents happen, as do spills, and we need more loaners in the office. Kids typically feel more comfortable in their clothing.
I’d like to thank those who could attend the GWPO Auction in person or supported by purchasing classroom books and special teacher experiences. It was amazing to see so many parents, community members, and even a few school board members, at the inaugural off-campus event. There was also an incredible turnout from both our teachers and classified staff, and I must say, this crew cleans up well! We appreciate the support of this wonderful learning community, and your generosity will make a significant difference for our students and staff.
Testing season is underway, with third graders taking the state assessment in reading and math and all students completing their final FastBridge benchmark tests for reading and math. A huge shoutout to Ms. Moga and her team for collecting this critical data showing our learners' growth and progress this year.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Principal Small
School Counseling Updates
Our May and June Focus is on “Leaders”
The character traits related to being leaders are; collaborative, humble, solution-focused, action-oriented, and civic minded . We will be working on these skills throughout the focus period and relating this back to our Positive Behavior Interventions and Support systems.
Our Readers with Character book focus for May is Up the Creek by Nicholas Oldland. Thank you to our parent organization, GWPO for supporting this project!
Up the Creek is a story about working together, solving problems, and working out solutions.
Summer FUN!!
I’ll be posting updates to this section as I receive them;
KIDS BOWL FREE-You can register your child to bowl 2 free games a day-www.KidsBowlFree.com
Camp Invention
Here is a link to a fun week long STEM focused camp held at Petersen Elementary
It is Book Fair Week!
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT OUR SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR: Students will be shopping during library classes–and we will be open after school on Wednesday until 3:30 and after school on Thursday until 6pm. You can check out our Grant Watts Book Fair Homepage here–you can set up eWallets here AND you can shop online if you can’t make it to the fair!! We still have several volunteer spots open either helping the littles shop or running the registers, PLEASE consider volunteering for our Spring Scholastic Book Fair: 5/24-5/25. CLICK HERE for the link to sign up! The proceeds for this book fair will support the updating of our non-fiction section–the kids LOVE these books and granting Teacher Wish Lists! Thank you so much for supporting our library!
RETURN YOUR BOOKS ON TIME AND YOUR CLASS CAN WIN A PRIZE!: Here are the leaders of week two:
Kindergarten: Mrs. V - 3 students with overdue books
1st Grade: Mrs. Ziels - 1 student with overdue books
2nd Grade: Mrs. King, Ms. Cordell, Mrs. Rodrique - 2 students with overdue books
3rd Grade: Mr. Bailey - 1 student with overdue books
LET’S FIND THOSE LOST BOOKS: Oh, my goodness, we found several “lost” books this past week and even more that were 30+ days overdue, that is so awesome! I know we can find more of them, let’s go book detectives. Just a quick reminder, if a kiddo owes more than $10 in lost/damaged fines, they will not be able to take home new books until they settle their account with either cash or a check made payable to Grant Watts. I don’t want anyone to have to pay, so let’s be super sleuths and find those books! 🤓
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?: you can always find more library information on our District Librarian Website and you can also explore all the books we have available in our libraries by going to Destiny Discover and typing in our location (Oregon) and then putting in the school library you want to search. If you ever have any questions, please reach out–I am here to help and be your partner in providing the best library experience for your children. Thank you!
We are having a party!!! To support the GWPO Auction, we will be having an ice cream social with outdoor water games on May 24th from 2-3:30. The cost is $20 per person. Sign up here. All money raised will go to buying books, field trips, and curriculum.
Last week, reading and math intervention classes came to an end. I am filled with joy looking back on the year and thinking about all of the progress that students have made!
For the next 3 weeks, my team and I will be assessing the entire school to collect our final data points. Results will be sent home with report cards. If you have any questions about the types of assessments that are given please feel free to contact me!
Megan Moga
1st Grade
The time for the concert is next week! Your student has been working very hard in class to learn their songs. Please help them at home by playing the slideshow for them and letting them practice along with the songs. There are several that they should also be doing hand actions as they sing (school song, The Garden Song, I Like to Singo). Ask them to show you. If your student has a reading part, please help them to practice that also. I am attaching the link to the information sheet for you that has last minute details you need to know for time, location, dress, etc.
GW First Grade Concert Reminders 2023
Please be on the lookout for stuffed animals that have a farm theme or some items that are used for gardening that would make good stage props/decorations. If you happen to have a farm themed stuffed animal, have your student bring it to the dress rehearsal the morning of the concert day. If you have garden themed items, send me an email to let me know what you have.
I am looking for a couple of volunteers to pass out programs at the concert and have not had anyone step forward yet. If you have an older sibling to your student who would be willing to do this job, please let me know.
Spring is here along with warmer weather. Please remember students still need sneakers for PE class. Flip flops, crocks, sandals, slip-on shoes, boots, heels are not safe or acceptable for PE class.
Coach Bruno and Coach Cole have been training students for the Small Fry Olympics. The students are excited to demonstrate all they have learned this year in PE. The Small Fry Olympics will occur on June 12, 2023. Grade levels will be split as follows: K/1 from 8:30am to 11:00 am, then 2/3 grades will go from 12:00 pm till 2:45 pm. Please come and sit under the trees to support your child in these non-competitive events.
We are always in need of extra pop up canopies for our students to sit under to have shade. If you have one we can borrow for this day please drop them off at the GWE main office on Friday, June 9, 2023. You will pick them up after the Small Fry Olympics.
This is a great video you and your child can watch and practice tying your shoes.
NOTE: Please do not send your child to school with sneakers to put on themselves if they can not tie. It is very time consuming for staff to have to tie shoes daily, and also distracts them from being able to supervise all students. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Scappoose Public Library "Library of Things"
Did you know that our local library has a variety of "things" besides books to check out?
STEAM Kits (Coding, electricity, blocks, bird watching, gears, magnets, telescopes and more!)
Kitchenware (ice cream maker, cake pans, food saver, yogurt maker, donut pans and more!)
Board Games (card games, too!)
Miscellaneous (Dog puzzles, exercise, musical instruments, technology, Tonie Boxes and tools)
Thank you Scappoose Public Library for providing our community with so many wonderful resources!
Curriculum Corner: The Great Body Shop
Each year, we share with families information about our district-approved health curriculum, The Great Body Shop. You may have seen some of the fliers going home from your child’s classroom, as there is an opportunity built into each issue to continue the discussion at home. Our materials arrived late this school year, so most classrooms are just getting started, and not following the attached schedule. You are encouraged to reach out to the school with any questions you might have, and may opt your child out of any/all lessons. Please note, the standards are written in adult language, but the student materials are developmentally appropriate by age/grade level.
The Great Body Shop Health Education Program
First Student Transportation
First Student Phone #: 971-290-4020
First Student Feedback Page: https://www.scappoosek12.org/bus
22/23 Bus Routes
22/23 Snow Routes
My MealTime Breakfast and Lunch Accounts
Parent Helpline: 800-755-0904
Apply for free and reduced meals HERE
