![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/u/backgrounds/custom_bg-59ad4f2cc724b60011b296ab-b6be71632566.jpg)
Dragon News
Findley Elementary School
September 18, 2020
Message from the Principal
Happy Friday Findley Families,
One week of Comprehensive Distance Learning down! This first week teachers have been busy building relationships with their students, connecting to families and setting up expectations and routines for learning. I hope it has been a positive experience for you and your family. We are grateful to you for your support at home.
As we move into the second week of CDL, you may notice slight adjustments to classroom schedules. Monitoring and adjusting instruction within a traditional classroom setting is evidence of a responsive learning environment. This should also be expected in distance learning, as teachers work to optimize instruction based on students’ levels of independence, the pace of instruction, and differentiation necessary to meet the developmental needs of each child.
As parents, we often feel the need to jump in and help out. But what if we didn't? What if our children were capable of more than we thought? What if a timer, visual prompt, or question could jumpstart their ability to try something new and find success on their own? This week, I would encourage you to think about what your child is capable of doing independently and what they are on the verge of being capable of. We look forward to hearing about the many ways learners are growing their independence during Comprehensive Distance Learning!
The Beaverton School District is committed to becoming an anti-racist school district — free from hatred and racism — and providing a culturally relevant, responsive and inclusive environment for all students. We recognize this work to be paramount to the success of our most vulnerable and marginalized students. As a part of this effort BSD will be launching a new social studies curriculum, not only in response to our current reality, but also due to updated social science standards which you can view here: 2018 Oregon Social Science standards. The first unit, teachers will be teaching is entitled “Identity, Culture, Race and Racism, and Change Makers (K-2) or Anti-Racism and Action (3-5)”. These interdisciplinary units were created by a collaborative team of teacher-leaders. They are meant to be responsive to this current moment, this movement, our racial reality, and to the evolving scope of Social Sciences education. Teachers will be communicating with parents when they plan to begin teaching these units.
Our annual PTO fundraiser is ON this year! This year’s Dragon Dash will be the week of October 5-9. Students will be challenged to do a series of activities designed to get them active and have some fun. Fundraising kicks off today. For more information please see the Findley PTO Dragon Dash website.
We will be having virtual Back to School Nights next week. Kindergarten, first and second grade will be Wednesday, September 23 at 6:15pm. Third, fourth and fifth grade will be Thursday, September 24 at 6:15pm. Teachers will be communicating directly with their families about login information for Zoom.
I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming weekend~
Sherry Marsh, Ed.D.
Principal
FIndley Elementary
Back to School Night
Wednesday, September 23rd K-2nd grade
- 6:15 - 7:15
Thursday, September 24th 3-5th grade
- 6:15 - 7:15
** All Back to School Night sessions will be recorded. Classroom teachers will send the recording to families who are unable to attend.
*********************************************************************************************
Kindy Start
September 21st: All students begin daily Comprehensive Distance Learning
Device Swap
Please Email Mr. Temple-Morris using this link. - I need a Chromebook. He will be happy to set a time to meet to make the swap.
Mask and social distancing protocol will be followed. Make sure to bring your old device with you.
Student Help Desk for IT Issues
***Free School Supplies***
If your student would benefit from these supplies, please contact Mrs. Gotfried or Mrs. Hargrave and they will make sure to have one set aside for you.
As we get closer to starting the hybrid model, we will have teachers let you know about additional items that would be helpful in the hybrid setting.
Beaverton School District Family Toolkit
For more information Visit the BSD Family Toolkit at: BSD Family Toolkit **Connect--Family Toolkit Kindergarten-specific Information: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/early-learning/kindergarten
Community Resources
Beaverton School District- Free Lunches for Children (ages 1-18) Through December 31
Free Food Boxes
Since March, in conjunction with our community partnerships, BSD has facilitated the distribution of 17,300 food boxes to Beaverton families. We plan to support those efforts for as long as possible.
Our partner Pacific Coast Fruit Company will continue to distribute food boxes at Aloha High School on Wednesdays from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. The company has two additional distribution locations within our district: St. Cecilia Church (Tuesdays at 2 p.m.) and Beaverton Foursquare Church (Thursdays at 9 a.m.).
In addition, our community partner Urban Gleaners will continue to distribute food boxes at Vose Elementary (Mondays at 11 a.m.).
If you’d like to support our efforts to address food and economic insecurities in our community, please consider a donation to the BSD Community Resource Fund.
Free Kid's Clothing
Whether they’re in school physically or not, we know that kids keep growing and growing out of their clothes. The district-run Clothes Closet will be reopening on August 24 to provide new or gently used clothing to any student who qualifies for free or reduced lunch.
Because of COVID-19, we’re moving to an appointment-only scheduling system. If you and your student(s) would like to select clothes for the upcoming school year, please sign up online. If you’re unable to access our online calendar, call 503-356-4322 to schedule an appointment. Please note: all Clothes Closet visitors will need to wear masks and gloves. If you don’t have your own, we’ll provide them.
Volunteering
Pantries - Clothes Closet - District Student supply & Assembly - Nutrition Services -Community Involvement
You are welcome to contact those programs directly to volunteer your services.
Please note, Volunteers are not allowed to bring their children or pets to district events.
Volunteers must follow safety protocols including wearing PPE and Face Masks
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.
Dragon Dash!!
Dragon Dash fundraising kicks off today, Friday, September 18th. The video link above was given to teachers to play for their classes on Friday the 18th to get them energized about fundraising! Our goal this year is much smaller than in previous years due to CDL.
Dragon Dash Video for Students
A couple quick facts about this year's modified event.
- The 2020 Dragon Dash event will be an entire WEEK from 10/5-10/9. Students will be completing a BINGO card of activities (at home) and are encouraged to take pictures/videos of them completing the exercise activities and email them to dragondashpm@gmail.com for a compilation to be shared later this year.
- All fundraising will be completely online at PledgeStar (pledgestar.com/findley). We're encouraging all donations through this medium since we are unable to collect physical donations due to COVID. The minimum donation ask for 2020 is $50 per student (was $145 in 2019). Donations will be accepted through Wednesday, October 14th.
- We will be tracking your classes progress via the Classroom Thermometers. They will be updated each Wednesday night for teachers to share with their classes on Thursday or Friday morning.
- All of the information contained in Flyers we sent home last year with students (including Fundraising levels and Prizes) can be found at Dragon Dash Info
- ANY and ALL questions you may receive from Parents (or that you might have) can be sent to dragondashpm@gmail.com
All of our usual paper communications have been condensed and the information can be found within our Findley PTO website, https://www.findleypto.com/fundraising/dragon-dash/
Math Olympiad for 4th and 5th graders
Please DO NOT contact the school office as they do not have any information.
Up Coming Events
September
18th - Dragon Dash Kickoff
23rd - Back To School Night K-2 6:15 -7:15 Zoom ID to come
24th - Back to School Night 3-5 6:15 - 7:15 Zoom ID to come
21st - Chromebook swap begins email Mr. Temple-Morris to setup a time.
October
10/5 - 10/9 Dragon Dash Week! - Pledge now!
9th Staff Development Day - No School
10/14 Dragon Dash Pledge collection ends.
November
9th - PTO Meeting 7pm Virtual meeting ID to come.