Principal Notes 12-10-10

DEAR PARENTS, STAFF, AND STUDENTS,

     These last few weeks of school have been bittersweet for me – I’m so proud of the students, staff, and you parents. You have all been supportive of me, as well as supportive of your children. I have watched them eagerly greet Mrs. Mabbott, and yet also express their heartfelt feelings toward my departure in a week. What a wonderful community this is; Principals following me will be very fortunate to work here.

100 YEARS OF MAPLEWOOD SCHOOL APPROACHING! – There is a link to a “Memories of Maplewood” book on our website at http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/maplewood/194.htm . I was looking at it and have been aware that Maplewood first opened a school on these grounds in September, 1912. In looking at that history, I noted that in the 98 years of its existence so far, there have been 33 Principals (for an average of less than 3 years apiece)!

The previous record for Principal longevity here was 6 years. In my 10+ years here, I’ve had to admit that this job is not an easy one, in many ways. The teachers and staff here also know well that our school continually has to try to “so more with less” every year. And this is a building where the Principal and our wonderful Secretary Kathy have to handle many different roles (without an Assistant Principal and without unlimited funds!). These factors, and others, mean that your input into the future Principal will be very important – please see the notice below for a way for you to have your thoughts carefully considered.

WANTED:
Painting benches in gym – Our grey benches have paint chipped away on top, and even some splinters appearing. Can we have some volunteers to do some quick sanding for safety, and then repainting at least the top board with gloss enamel?
Dusting Art Shelves on art cart – The drying cart in our hallway that holds many plastic shelves for student art is getting dusty and making some of the artwork dirty. Can we have someone dust/wipe them off?
Stuffing Student Mailboxes on Fridays – Getting notices and student work into the students’ mailboxes can be a time consuming job; can we get some volunteers for teachers to come in to do that?

It would be best to contact Jill Brown-Young at jillyb4@me.com, volunteer coordinator for PTA, if you could do any of the above! Thanks!

PARENT COFFEE – MEET INTERIM PRINCIPAL JOANNE MABBOTT – December 16th at 8:15 a.m. We would like to offer parents an informal chance to meet Joanne Mabbott; she is inviting anyone to come and join the Thursday morning coffee group in the cafeteria that day.

PRINCIPAL SELECTION – STEP ONE :

Community Meeting

Maplewood Gym

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Day care sponsored by PTA being planned

Who: Staff and Community and Parents
Agenda:
a - Hear details about the Principal Selection Process
b – Give your input on what you think is unique about Maplewood that would influence who the next Principal would be.
     Our Facilitators of the meeting will be Michelle Riddell Asst. Executive Director of Human Resources, with our Deputy Superintendent Cynthia Gilliam and others. Joanne and I will not be present at the meeting, to allow open discussions. This is an important chance for you to let your Deputy Superintendent know your thoughts, to meet with other parents, and to discuss your perceptions of Maplewood and its future!
     If you are not able to attend that night, your written comments can be submitted via email to me at jblanck@pps.k12.or.us (starting January 3rd) or letters or on a form that will be available in the office and on school website.
Upcoming Events:

Jan 3 - Welcome Back!
Jan 5 - PTA Meeting at 6:00 pm
Jan 12 - 2 Hour Late Opening
Jan 17 - NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb 2 - PTA Meeting at 6:00 pm
Feb 3 - Kindergarten Info Session at 3:00 pm
Feb 9 - 2 Hour Late Opening
Feb 9 - Transfer Applications Open
Feb 18 - Family Art Night
Feb 21 - NO SCHOOL – Presidents’ Day

Best Regards, John

Meet our New Principal

Welcome to Joanne Mabbott, who begins here as Interim Principal. Here is her the text of her Letter of Greetings to the Maplewood Community:

 The most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
-  Helen Keller

12/10/10

Greetings to the Maplewood Community
From Joanne Mabbott

     Sharing your life with people is an opportunity to let them know who you are from the heart. My auto-biography may seem different then others because it won’t be about time and place, it will be about who I am and how I have become the person and educator that I am today. This is important as I immerse myself into your child’s education over the next six months.

When I was in middle school I walked a few steps across the field to the elementary school to work in the 2nd grade classroom everyday. Sitting on the floor with these little ones, reading, writing and singing songs created a feeling of absolute joy within me, a feeling a young adolescent girl doesn’t tend to experience on a daily basis. I loved to watch the teacher orchestrate the lessons. The students paid close attention to her every move and seemed to absorb the knowledge she was imparting with great interest. This was fascinating as I wondered what happened between elementary and middle school, because that wasn’t what was going on next door at the middle school.

Through-out high school and as I entered college I began to consider a career as a teacher. Somehow I knew teaching was my heart’s desire. I loved being with children, enjoyed the structure of a classroom, thrived on being organized (I even had a clean bedroom as a teenager) and most of all the learning part was so exciting. Even today there is something new in every lesson I experience. Upon finishing my Bachelors degree I was the recipient of a scholarship to get a Masters Degree in Education. I wasn’t the top of my graduating class; to qualify for the scholarship I had to go through an interview and writing process. When I was notified I had been selected, I knew I was on the right path, and being an educator was my calling.

My journey has been everything and more that I hoped it would be. I’ve taught 3rd grade through high school for 16 years, in Oregon, Texas and an amazing two year multi-cultural experience overseas in the Middle East. I have been a special education and general education teacher. I have a deep understanding of the learning process and the learning styles of students. My special education expertise is in the area of social, emotional, and behavioral development of children and behavioral intervention techniques.

The second half of my career has been in educational leadership. I began my first administrative position in another multi-cultural experience in bush Alaska. I was the Director of Special Programs and Grants. I flew around in a small plane over frozen seas to 15 villages, over 80,000 square miles. My job was to ensure that specific programs were in compliance and the special education needs of the students were being met. I supported the principals and teachers in the implementation of state mandates. I think they were also happy to see a new face bringing special treats after many dark days and nights of no sun.

Arriving back in the lower forty eight, I settled into an administrative position in the central office at the Northwest Regional Education Service District supervising K-12 school age programs. Three years later I moved to a building (within the same district) where I stayed as the principal for two different schools over a 10 year period. As I look back on my years as a principal, working closely with the students, parents and staff, I realize this is where I am most fulfilled as an educator. Remember my hearts desire? I love being with the children, enjoy the structure of the classroom/school setting, being organized (I still have a very tidy house), and find the learning part so exciting. Why did I leave? I believed at the time I moved to a central office position, first in the Hillsboro School District, then to PPS, that I could make a bigger difference in the area of special education at the central office level. However, after five years of struggling with a lack of federal funding, I realize the place where I can make the biggest difference for all students is at the school level.

My door is always open. Please let Kathy know if you would like to chat with me. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your children. My goal is to support and sustain the work that John and the great staff have been doing this year. I am also excited about working closely with the parent groups on fund raising and other work. The Maplewood community is amazing and it is a privilege to be a part of it. Have a wonderful holiday season and I look forward to serving as your interim principal.

Sincerely,

Joanne

Introducing Interim Principal Joanne Mabbott

This message from Carole Smith, Superintendent, contains the most pertinent information, so I'll pass it on verbatim; you will also be able to meet Joanne in person at the December 1st PTA Meeting, and at various days at school between now and my last day (December 17th). Here is the announcement that came from Carole:
     "I am pleased to announce some school and central office leadership changes that will bring veteran administrators into new areas.
John Blanck, principal of Maplewood K-5, will become interim director of principal hiring beginning Jan. 1, filling a vacant position. He will oversee the selection of all principals, vice principals and assistant principals. John will hold this position through June when he plans to retire.
Joanne Mabbott, director of special education and interventions, will become interim principal at Maplewood. Jennifer Jackson, associate director of special education, will become interim director of special education.
John trained in psychology with a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois, a master's in school psychology from Eastern Illinois University and his administrator's credential from Portland State University.
He started his career as a school psychologist in Illinois in 1976 and came to PPS in 1991, leading teams at the elementary and secondary school levels. John became principal at Maplewood in 2000. Among John's specialized areas of interest are bilingual and multi-cultural education, leadership strategies, and alternative education.
Joanne has a bachelor's in education from Oregon State University, a master's in education from Portland State University, and her administrator's credential from Lewis & Clark.
Joanne taught for 16 years in general education and special education in Oregon, Texas and overseas. She has also served for 16 years as an administrator – 10 years as a principal at alternative schools for the Northwest Regional Education Service District in Hillsboro, one year as a special education administrator for PPS in 2004-05 and five years as a director of special education in Alaska and Hillsboro and then, starting in 2008, at PPS.
Joanne will serve as interim principal at Maplewood through June. A principal search process will begin this spring.
Jennifer Jackson earned a bachelor's in elementary and special education from the University of Idaho, a master's in curriculum and instruction from Azusa Pacific University and her administrator's credential from the University of Phoenix.
Jennifer taught special education in several school districts between 1990 and 2000. She then became a senior consultant to the Colorado Department of Education until 2004. From 2004 to 2008, she directed the special education program for South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Pueblo, Colorado. PPS hired Jennifer in 2008 as assistant director for special education and in 2009 she became associate director.
Jennifer will serve as interim director for special education. A director search will begin in the coming months.
Please welcome John, Joanne and Jennifer to their new responsibilities.
Carole"

Leaving Maplewood earlier than planned

Dear Community,
Important change in plans for Principal succession at Maplewood:
     I am writing you to let you know that my plans for work this school year have just recently changed, and that it is important not to delay that message. My last 6 months of work for Portland Public Schools will not be as Maplewood’s Principal; I have just accepted the offer to serve in a temporary role as the PPS Director of Principal Hiring. Beginning this January, I will be in charge of the selection of all the Principals, Assistant Principals, and Vice-Principals for the whole school district (including Maplewood’s). This work will run from January through June, at which point I will truly begin my planned retirement. But during that 6 months, the school district will be placing an Interim Principal here at Maplewood between January 1st and June 30th.

This Interim Principal will be here for that period of time only, unless they apply for, and are selected for, the permanent Principalship that will begin in the fall. I do not know who that Interim Principal will be as I write this, but I know that plans have already been put in motion, and I believe that we will be told that person’s name as soon as next Tuesday evening. All indications are that this person is someone highly qualified, who will be delighted to work at this wonderful school.

I have been given assurances that I will have several opportunities to transition with my replacement several times between now on winter break, and I plan on having that person available to meet the school community during that time.

I am sending this out electronically now, but will follow-up on Monday by meeting with the students in the morning and by sending letters home at the end of the day.

Why is this happening?:

It is relatively unusual to change to a different Principal in the middle of a school year. But the District believes that selecting the right Principal for a school is of the highest priority, and that a current Principal, with a Principal’s perspective, is integral to that selection process. I have to be honest and admit that I have highly conflicting feelings about me taking on this job – I was honored to be offered this job, and when I think about this new role by itself, I am very excited and feel confident that I will provide an important service well. And yet this timing for my leaving Maplewood is not at all what I had originally pictured, and will deeply miss the time that I was planning to spend with you all this winter and spring.

What I ask of you:
Once again I am going to ask for your help and support in a number of ways:

• please give your children the reassurance this weekend that they will be well taken care of by their teachers and by the interim Principal. I am sure that both my temporary and my permanent successor will come here because they really like children and really want to be at Maplewood. Often children will want reassurance that they will be safe, treated fairly, and be loved, and that you and your teachers and the staff will continue to be that way for them.

• I will be in charge of the selection of the next Principal, involved in all phases; please be ready to give your input, when I call for it, into the qualities you desire in your school leader.

• be assured that the hard work and the outstanding educational efforts happening here will continue. When I informed the school staff yesterday (Friday) of this decision, they supported it, and yet evidenced admirable professionalism by their confidence in their ability to keep the prime focus on what matters to children. I am very proud of this staff and their strengths and skills in maintaining their excellent work. But please know that they will also need your continued support and patience during these times of resource cuts, and as they adjust during this new transition period.

Thank you once again for your support and trust that you place in me, and in the staff at Maplewood. I will send out more information as I receive it, on any plans for the next 5 weeks of school, and I look forward to working for you this spring in selecting the next Principal.

Sincerely yours, John

My Personal Plans for End of School Year

Dear Maplewood Parents and Families,

As many of you know, I use summer as a time to reflect, and to make plans, by heading into the wilderness and onto the mountains. This past summer, I did so again, and made an important decision that I want to share with you.  I have recently informed the District that I  will retire, effective at the end of this school year.

This was a difficult decision for me, because I cherish this community and this school. This will be the end of my 35^th year in public education, and my 11^th year at Maplewood as Principal. When I first began my work here, I was aware that there had been a lot of turnover, and promised that I would stay at least as long as my predecessors; little did I know that I would fall in love with this work, and end up staying here happily this long. The children, this staff, and this community constantly provide me with a fresh perspective on life to help me feel young, and excited to be here.

This work as a Principal has been the hardest in my life, but has absolutely been the most rewarding, as well. I have always been humbled by the importance of this work, and by the trust that you have shown me. I will certainly miss all of the children, and all of you, but I have decided that this is the best time for me to make this change, and believe this will be the right time to pass on the leadership of this school.

So, what happens now? First, I will be giving reassurances and attention to all the students for the next 9 months before I leave, so that they know they will be well-cared for. Secondly, our Human Resources leaders will want to hear from parents and teachers about our school needs. The usual method for this is to host a community meeting sometime this fall, where you can come and discuss this in person; they will also be sending out surveys for your input. At the meeting, they will explain the hiring process, including how members of the community can volunteer for the community interview committee.

Over the next few days, you might want to take a few minutes to tell your children. I know that change can be hard for some; your child may not be affected by this, and yet some of the kids may have a hard time with this type of change. I will be checking in with the teachers and with the students, and stay alert to those that may need more reassurance, or who have questions.

Lastly, and most importantly, I will be giving full attention to making this an excellent year for the students and a smooth transition to the new Principal. 

With warm appreciation, and my best regards,

 John                                          

Principal Notes 10-01-10

NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, OCT. 8^TH! – Statewide Inservice Day

BUSY START TO THE YEAR! - This year began with a record high number of kids enrolled here, and a record low number of staff. We are currently at 348 students, with our highest numbers at 30 and 31 in 4^th and 5^th; we now have the brand new Half-Day K class, which keeps our numbers in the Kindergarten classes at an average of 17; children continue to register!  Budget cuts over the summer meant that we lost our Music Teacher, and one full-time Educational Assistant for Special Education students. The end of our Oregon grant for P.E. meant that we moved from Full-Time P.E. to Half-Time this year. 

 

GRANDPARENTS/SPECIAL FRIENDS - This year, we are not able to provide a specialized, separate event for these folks. The large numbers of students, and the loss of our music program, have meant we’ll shift our focus. We would like to continue our support for having Grandparents and Special Friends being involved with your children’s education; we’d therefore like to extend invitations to have them come and visit the school or be involved in many of the future activities. For example, we certainly would invite them to come during the Carnival Oct. 15, or Spirit Week, or volunteering in the classroom, etc. A more complete list of dates and activities will be sent to you as reminders soon.

 

REMINDERS FROM NUTRITION SERVICES - Families are reminded to send lunch money to pre-pay for meals or send a lunch from home unless students qualified for free meals in the 2009-10 school year. Students are permitted to carry-over prior year eligibility through October 12, 2010, but families must re-apply each school year to continue to receive free or reduced price meals and fee reductions for other programs. Families are encouraged to use MyLunchMoney.com for convenient online meal payments.

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LIBRARIAN, ELIN KORDAHL! - who will receive her award October 8^th at a banquet downstate for Oregon Librarian of the Year!

 

CAMPAIGN SUCCESSFUL! - The last-minute budget cuts can’t hide my gratitude for the Annual Campaign; the funds you raised last spring helped save one half-time specialist; if we wouldn’t have had those funds, we would have lost three half-time positions. This fund-raising is so essential for our school.

LUNCH SCHEDULE NEEDED CHANGES - For several years, our lunchtime routine was to have students eat first, and then go out to lunch recess. There were suggestions that we should reverse that schedule, to make sure students didn’t rush through their lunch in order to get to recess. We set up that schedule this fall, and tried it for three weeks, but this past Monday I switched back the schedule; we don’t have enough staff to be able to adequately cover the intricate timing, and we had many students who didn’t get enough time to eat their lunch. So, at the present time, we’ll be on a schedule that has students eating, and then going out to recess. We will be able to let students stay to eat their lunch as long as they like. The staff will also watch the students closely, and make sure that they eat a healthy amount of food before they go out.

 

PARENT PLAYGROUND MONITORS - The PTA provided me with an initial list of parents willing to come help supervise on the playground at lunch-time. I’m now inviting more parents to volunteer to help us. In order to help supervise, you must take a 45 minute training session with me, and have a current background check. My next training dates will be on Tuesday, Oct. 12, and on Thursday, Oct. 14^th from 10:00 to 10:45. You can volunteer to come as often as you choose; we have a schedule of potential times; our recess supervision runs in 15 minute intervals from 11:15 to 12:15. Please email or phone John if you are interested.

 

PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF - I appreciate the help PTA members gave us on directing traffic; there are new parents, though, who continue to think they should park their cars in the drop-off zone in the morning. Please remember that you can drop your children off by driving by school in either direction; if coming from the South, you can pull into the drop-off lane and then continue northbound with a right turn. If coming from the North, simply pull up to the crosswalk and let your child get out of the car at the cones, and the Safety Patrol and Mr. Blanck will help them cross. Please, no U-turns, as it creates traffic hazards for the people walking. 

 

SKILLS AND ASSETS OF OUR CHILDREN - Write your wishes for “What I’d Like Maplewood to Teach Our Children” on the giant poster in the main hall.

 

LATE CALLS/LATE ARRIVALS - Late calls in the day can be unsafe; please make your after-school plans as early as possible and send a note, or at least make a phone call early in the day. Also, please aim for early arrivals (“Ready at Eight” means children ready to begin instruction, not just walking in the door). E-mails about absences or pick-up arrangements are not good ways to notify us (in case computers are down, and because we don’t monitor emails on a minute to minute basis).

 

MUSIC PROGRAM - We’re going to convene people to give advice on what we can provide children, given the loss of our music program. We are looking at raising money for Performances, Assemblies, or Residencies that would benefit all our children.

 

LOST AND FOUND - The pile grows again! Write your name on the inside labels of clothing, so we can help your children recover clothing that they forgot somewhere.

 

THANK TO THE PTA for the New Parent Meeting - It was good to see this enthusiastic new group of parents!

 

DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS Policy - “Under Board Policy 3.30.35 and Administrative Directive, schools may distribute information from certain non-PPS groups. The groups providing this information are not endorsed or sponsored by Portland Public Schools. District policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. BP 1.80.020. Not all outside groups comply with the District’s non-discrimination policy. Families are strongly encouraged to review all materials closely.”

Upcoming Events:

Oct 1 -    Hearing Screening – K and 1^st grade

Oct 5 -    Picture Day!

Oct 7 -    Walk to School Day

Oct 7 -    TAG screening for all 2^nd graders

Oct 8 -    NO SCHOOL – Statewide Inservice Day

Oct 12 -  Playground Supervision Training – 10:00 - 10:45 am

Oct 13 - 2 Hour Late Opening

Oct 14-   Playground Supervision Training – 10:00 – 10:45 am

Oct 15 - CARNIVAL!!

Oct 27 - Parent Meetings:  ELL Parents 5:30-6:00 pm;

               TAG Parents 7-8:00 pm (both meetings at Wilson HS)

Brief News for Start of 10-11 School Year

These are the bulleted topics I presented at the PTA Meeting tonight:

• Elin Kordahl will receive her award October 8th at a banquet downstate for Oregon Librarian of the Year!

• Record High Number of kids enrolled here this fall – currently at 348; highest numbers at 30 and 31 in 4th and 5th; we now have the brand new Half-Day K class; children continue to register!

• Record Low Number of staff working here – budget cuts meant that we lost Half-Time Music, Half-Time P.E., and one full-time Educational Assistant

• Campaign Successful! – The last-minute budget cuts can’t hide my gratitude for the Annual Campaign results from last spring, which helped save one half-time specialist; if we wouldn’t have had those funds, we would have lost three half-time positions.

• Lunch Schedule needs changes – I’ve been watching our lunchtime closely, and I will be making changes in it very soon to allow students more time to eat. I may have to revert to “Eat first, then Recess”.

• Lunch Supervision – I am asking PTA to provide me a list of parents willing to come help supervise on the playground at lunch-time. We’ll be asking the parents and the staff to do the supervision, and have the Conflict Managers concentrate on conflict management. Once I get the names of the volunteers, we’ll invite them to a training with me at 10:00 to 11:00 on Monday, Sept. 27th; trainees get their own volunteer badge!

• Pick-Up and Drop-Off – I appreciate the help PTA members gave us on directing traffic; there are new parents, though, who continue to think they should park their cars in the drop-off zone in the morning.

• Skills and Assets of our children - Write your wishes for “What I’d Like Maplewood to Teach Our Children” on the giant poster in the main hall.

• Late Calls/Late Arrivals –Late calls in the day can be unsafe; please make your after-school plans as early as possible and send a note, or at least make a phone call early in the day. Also, please aim for early arrivals (“Ready at Eight” means children ready to begin instruction, not just walking in the door).

• Music Program – We’re going to convene people to give advice on what we can provide children, given the loss of our music program. We are looking at music lessons that could be provided after school for a fee, with subsidies available.

• Lost and Found – The pile grows again! Write your name on the inside labels of clothing, so we can help your children recover clothing that they forgot somewhere.

• Thanks to the PTA for helping host the New Parent Meeting – It was good to see that enthusiastic new group of parents!

• Thank you for Everything! We can’t adequately express our gratitude for your kind words, patience, offers to help, money donations, and volunteer time!

• Dates -

o Next Tuesday 9/22 - Two Hour Late Opening; school will open doors at 9:50.

o Thursday 9/23 – Back to School Night : Used Book Sale opens at 4:00;Field will be available for picnics if you like; Open House begins at 6:30

o Mon 10/4 - Hearing Screenings for K and 1st graders

o Tues 10/5 - Picture Day

o Thurs 10/7 - Walk to School Day, and next PTA meeting

o Thurs 10/7 - TAG Screening of all 2nd graders

o Fri 10/8 - NO SCHOOL- Statewide In-Service Day

o Weds 10/13 – Two Hour Late Opening

o Fri 10/15 – Carnival

o Weds 10/27 – Grandparents Day in afternoon (Gray M.S. is in a.m.); activities are to be determined. We have traditionally done a music performance, but this year, we have no music teacher!

o Tues 11/2 – Picture Retake Day

o Weds 11/3 – PTA Meeting

o Fri 11/5 – NO SCHOOL – Planning Day

o Mon 11/22 thru 11/24 – Parent Teacher Conferences

half day update

Dear Parents of Maplewood Kindergartners,
This is an update from my email message yesterday: I have good news for all of you; our enrollment held at high enough levels to earn an additional half-time teacher from the district! As you may remember, the Portland District made a commitment to keeping class size in Kindergarten at 25 or less, and if we exceed that, we are directed to open another class. This means that we'll be shifting the half-day students out of their Full Day classrooms into that half-day class, giving everyone lower class sizes. I know that Ms. Patterson and Ms. Hawes became attached to ALL their students, and vice versa, but in the long run, everyone will benefit by the lower class size.

I am happy to announce that the teacher for Half-Day will be Mrs. Mag Savage. She taught Kindergarten here the last 6 months of the last school year, but we were not able to retain her due to the way that Kindergarten allocations are made. She is a fantastic addition to our Kindergarten team, and is anxious to get started. In fact, she was here in school within 10 minutes of the time that I received official approval Monday morning. Mrs. Savage has many years of experience in Kindergarten and in the primary grades, lives very close by, and has children in the Wilson Cluster Schools, and is really looking forward to working here this year!

SO WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? :
1. Mrs. Savage is currently busy gathering and rearranging room 110, which was one of our kindergarten rooms last year. She'll be making sure she has the materials, furniture, and equipment needed to get off to a good start with the students.

2. I'll be talking with Ms. Patterson and Ms. Hawes about how to transition the children to this new class (how to talk to them about it, and how to make arrangements in the next couple of days to have the students visit their new teacher and their new classroom). AT THIS POINT, THE STAFF IS NOT TALKING WITH THE STUDENTS ABOUT THIS UNTIL WE HAVE A SPECIFIC PLAN SET. DETAILS WITH THE KIDS (AT SCHOOL) UNTIL WE KNOW MORE SPECIFICS ABOUT THE TIMING.

3. Mrs. Savage wants to get started with her class as soon as possible; at this point, it will probably be Thursday morning, so that the kids can have a day with her prior to their weekend. But the exact time will depend on how quickly the room can be arranged and materials ready. We’ll likely do a “meet and greet” activity on Wednesday to have the children identify their new class.

4. I'll send out more information to you as soon as we know more! - Thanks so much for your patience and faith in our school staff!

Beginning of the Year Updates

Quick Updates to you - things are really at high gear for Kathy and I in the office! -


1. Please come to Maplewood this Sunday, Aug. 29th, at 11:30 - our annual Community Care Day is coordinated by the West Hills Friends Meeting Church, and we'll work on pulling weeds, trimming, some painting, and getting school looking its best for the start of school. If you have a wheelbarrow, please bring it, along with gloves. There is a pot luck immediately following the work!

2. The budget cuts made for the District over the summer meant that Maplewood had to make some cuts as well. We will not have music instruction as part of our program this year; Kathie McNett misses us, but will remain on medical leave. The staffing cuts mean that we won't be able to replace her. I will be working with the PTA on ideas for raising money to help subsidize some classes in music that could be offered here after school.

3. Our P.E. program will go from full-time to half-time this year, because the state grant we had for two years was ended.

4. Our Annual Campaign was a great success; it enabled us to keep at least half-time P.E., and enabled us to keep our computer classes. We would have had incredible cuts to our enrichment without the Campaign. Our enrichment offerings will then include half-time offerings in P.E., Library, and Technology.

5. Our enrollment continued to climb to record levels this summer; Kathy has enrolled about 21 new students in the last two weeks. Our 2nd through 5th grades average 29 in a class.

6. Our biggest grade is second grade, with 67 students currently; we are glad that we made plans last year to have a 1st/2nd grade blend, to keep the class sizes smaller there. I am also interested in hearing from any second grade parents who may wish to move into the blend to get a smaller class size (currently we have 27 in each of the second grades, but 22 in the blend; I'll want to keep the blend at a slightly smaller size). Call me if you want to know more about the possibility of moving your child.

7. Watch for PTA information on ways to volunteer here next year. We are planning to enlist parent volunteers who can supervise on the playground, for example, so if you like the outdoors and like playing with kids, let the PTA know that on the forms that will be coming home.

8. We will be hosting a New Parent Meeting for anyone new to Maplewood, on Friday morning, September 10th at 8:15 a.m.

9. Keep up the exercise for your students! Stay tuned for plans to offer an Run pledge drive this fall, to help us raise money to offer after-school music classes!

10. I am very excited about seeing you and your children again soon! This is an amazing community!

Budget Shortfall Decisions

 I wanted to let you know about some of the current budget issues that would directly impact Maplewood. Many of the specifics may already be well known to you, but I thought I'd pass on whatever I know, as well as some of my thoughts. At the end of my words, I've attached some of the broader main points that were written recently by Toni Hunter and Mark Davalos, Deputy Superintendents.

My information:
- The cuts that are being proposed will impact Maplewood by asking me to cut 0.77 from what we already have "on the books". This cut is based on two factors: staffing ratio was raised from 23.4 to 24.77 per fte (meaning we lose 0.59), and secondly, we currently predict 4 less students in the fall than the numbers that the staffing was based on from last spring(meaning we lose 0.18).
- Maplewood currently shows "on the book" that we have half-time P.E., library, and computer lab.
- My prediction is that the board will choose between two options: one is to cut P.E. entirely in elementary; the second is that they would cut a combination of music and art, or music and world languages or music and library.
- If the proposal to cut all elementary P.E. actually happens, I believe they will mandate that ALL schools eliminate P.E. Specialists entirely, and that they will not allow any school to try to buy it back by using Foundation Funds, for example.
- My plan is to use Foundation Funds (which I have been holding until the summer to better maximize their amount) to mitigate whatever cuts end up being required of me; depending on the new staffing situation, I predict I will be able to fund between 0.25 and 0.50.
 
Here are points that were brought up by Deputy Superintendents:

     As you know, we are faced now with a $19.4 million budget gap (or 4.3 percent of our general fund) on top of the $16 million shortfall we already had to absorb for 2010-11. We have worked hard with our employee groups to come up with a sound approach. But we are well beyond painless fixes. We acknowledge and regret the impact that these cuts will have on valued employees and programs.
     Following is the budget proposal the Superintendent took to the board Finance, Audit & Operations Committee on June 23 and then key points for your information and to share:

Overall approach: No one-time fixes

The Superintendent and the Portland School Board agree that one-time fixes are not appropriate. The budget the school board approved for next year already uses $16 million from our reserves. Another two years like that and our entire safety net of reserves will be gone.

So the principles that this budget proposal follows are:

•    Prioritize schools: Continue to take disproportionate cuts in the central office yet not dismantle vital support functions.

•    Preserve a universal core academic program.

•    Hold harmless Academic Priority Zone schools. While they will be required to make district-wide program changes described below, their overall FTE will not be decreased. The “zone” schools are BizTech, Bridger, Kelly, King, Sitton, George, Jefferson and Roosevelt.

Breakdown of cuts

Central Support and Operations: $3.1 million
•    Cut as many as 25 FTE as part of central departments’ directive to reduce their budget or staff by up to 10 percent. Positions will be lost in many departments.

Special Education: $3.3 million
•    Cut 38 FTE:  This includes 16 teaching positions and more than 40 special education aides, leading to a total that is equal to about 38 licensed teaching positions.

English as a Second Language: $1.2 million
•    Cut 14 FTE in ESL: This includes the 12 new teaching positions plus an additional 2 teaching positions.

Rationale for Central, Sped and ESL cuts
•    PPS has consistently cut central departments over the years, focusing our increasingly limited resources on schools and students. These latest central cuts will further impact services to schools.

•    ESL/Sped: We have been working hard to strengthen our services in these areas. Yet with the depth of the cut, these services, staffed centrally but delivered through our schools and special programs, must also face reductions.

School Cut: $11.6 million

Eliminate the equivalent of 126 teaching positions.

•    This year, to ensure all students have access to the same core educational program, we will provide specific direction on what schools should cut.

•    We plan to take a uniform cut to common program at the K-8 level so that all schools face the same challenges. For example, all K through 8 schools would cut PE or enrichments and library staffing. That is a way to try to maintain greater equity and more consistent programs across schools. The loss of PE instruction by specialists could be mitigated by having classroom teachers lead students in physical activity, or through other strategies.

•    The decision about how to approach cuts at the K-8 level will not be acted upon until we receive further clarity from the Board. 

•    High school staffing will be cut through attrition and layoff.  We anticipate that high schools will see significant increases in class sizes, particularly in core classes, although we will continue to build a common core program across the system. The staffing ratio for high schools (save for Jefferson, Roosevelt and BizTech, which are in the Academic Priority Zone) will go from 23.2 to 27.15.

•    High school staff cuts offset: We will mitigate layoffs and attrition by asking teachers to go from teaching five of seven class periods to teaching six of seven to protect offerings to students.

Rationale for school cuts

•    Why not let schools choose cuts: For many years, we have let schools wrestle with what to keep. This has allowed for some decision making tailored to individual school needs. But we are beyond where we can take a piecemeal, school by school approach that masks the depth of school cuts and only risks heightening inequity between schools. For these reasons, we will give schools a directive that protects the academic core and meets state and graduation requirements.

•    Why not shorten year/furlough days: Cutting the school year short and asking all school district employees to take unpaid furlough days are one-time, short-term solutions when what we face is a long-term budget problem.

•    Why not freeze pay:  The Superintendent and School Board considered freezing employee pay – for some employees for the second straight year. However, our contract with teachers includes a negotiated 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment, and the Portland Association of Teachers declined to re-open that negotiation to consider wage concessions at this time.

•    What about a reduction-in-force: Across the board layoffs and attrition is unfeasible because:
o    It jeopardizes our ability to keep a core program in place at different levels of the organization. 
o    Individual schools, particularly those with high concentrations of low income and struggling students, will most dramatically lose core program such as enrichments and electives. 
o    Class sizes across the board will be increased, potentially to unmanageable levels.

Next steps

•    The School Board process: Board members considered the Superintendent’s budget amendment proposal at the FAO meeting Wednesday June 23. A public budget hearing is Tuesday June 29 at 6:30 pm at BESC. The board must formally adopt a budget amendment on July 19.

Possible considerations

•    PAT: We remain open to conversations with teacher's union (PAT) about re-opening the contract.

•    State funding: PPS continues to push our state legislative and Congressional delegations for additional resources.  A special session of the Oregon Legislature is possible later this summer that would focus on prioritizing the budget reductions and possibly add funding (not enough to cover the shortfall) from reserves.

•    Federal funding: Additionally, Congress continues to debate whether to provide $23 billion in additional stimulus funds for education.  For Portland, this would mean approximately $16 million in additional funds.  It is not certain that this provision will make it into the final version of the current supplemental spending bill.

Safety and Security at Maplewood

Dear Community,   I wanted to let you know about two actions taking place, to address Kyron's (and all children's) safety at schools.
     The first is to pass on to you Carole Smith's Superintendent message  (which will be at the end of this message).
     Secondly, its to let you know that we are serious about safety of Maplewood children here, but we also want to carefully look at Maplewood's processes, as well. Starting today, families here will be getting phone calls if their child has an unexcused absence. I will be meeting with our staff, and the district's Informational Technology department, to review how an automated phone system would work for us, and when it might actually become operational. 
     I will pass on further specifics to you as it becomes available. Here are the Superintendent's words:

To the PPS community:

My heart, and the hearts of everyone who is a part of Portland Public Schools, goes out to Kyron Horman and his family.

We are all wishing for Kyron’s safe return as quickly as possible and we are grateful for the efforts of all the law enforcement agencies who have worked so tirelessly over the past 48 hours to determine the cause of Kyron’s disappearance, locate him and return him safely home.

The reported disappearance of a student from one of our schools is unprecedented and deeply troubling. Portland Public Schools is doing everything we can to assist the authorities in their effort to find Kyron.

I appreciate the many parents, students and school staff who have been providing information about Friday’s events - especially everyone who came to Skyline today to talk to investigators - and I encourage anyone who may have seen Kyron on Friday to come forward, if they have not yet done so. (If you think you may have information that could be helpful, you can contact authorities at: 503-261-2847)

Support to Skyline and all schools

In the wake of this event, we are taking several immediate steps to provide support to Skyline and its families, as well as families across our school district. In addition, we are also reviewing school district policies and protocols to strengthen and speed communication between our schools and our families.

Here is what we will put in place at Skyline elementary tomorrow:

* Our Crisis Response Team will be available to provide counseling support to Skyline students, staff and families all day on Monday and Tuesday. The school psychologist assigned to Skyline and Roosevelt High School will also be on site all day. Up to five professional counseling staff will be available in room 203 at Skyline.

* Two school resource officers will be in place to provide enhanced security at Skyline School.

Here are additional steps we are taking at Skyline and at all schools across the district:

* As of Monday, June 7, 2010, we are mandating the use of our automated attendance call system at every K-8 and K-5 school, so that families will be notified of any unexcused absence during the day the absence is recorded. (Because this policy is not currently in place at all schools, it may take a day or two to fully implement the automated system. Until the system is implemented, we are requiring schools that do not use the automated attendance system to call families directly when there is an unexcused absence.)

* We are re-emphasizing our existing policy requiring all school staff, contractors and volunteers to display their I.D. badges and for visitors to sign-in and wear name tags at every school, during school hours. Any visitors who refuse to sign-in and wear a name tag will be asked to leave.

* We have put in place a counseling hotline that is available to anyone who needs advice or support, in particular how to help children address the safety and emotional issues raised by this situation. That number will be staffed starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday morning. The phone number is: 503-916-3931.

* We are convening a team of school district leaders, including deputy superintendents, principals and school security services, as well as leaders of the Portland Association of Teachers, to review arrival and dismissal practices and identify ways we can ensure a smooth, well-coordinated transition of student supervision between families and teachers at the beginning and end of the school day.

As part of this effort, we will review our visitor sign-in practices for school events that invite large numbers of family members and community members into our schools.

We will continue to hope for Kyron Horman’s safe and speedy return to his family. In the meantime, Portland Public Schools will continue to do everything we can to aid law enforcement in this investigation and make every effort possible to ensure that students are closely supervised and monitored throughout the day at all our schools.
Carole Smith

Principal Notes 05-28-10

NO SCHOOL MONDAY – Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend!

LIBRARY RECORD NUMBERS REPORTED BY MS. KORDAHL - “Warning: this may only interest my diligent library parent volunteers…”
10,893 books have been shelved by parents September 2009 - April 2010
12,068 books were checked out this school year (Sept. - April)
477 holds were put on books (sophisticated library patrons!)
     I’m not sure what is going on this year. Parent and teachers must be encouraging reading more than ever. Yea!
Total library items checked out through April of the past 4 years:
7,883 -     2007       10,801 - 2008       10,870 - 2009       12,131 - 2010

Hearty thanks to the parents who shelve books every week. It makes a difference and you’ve clearly been working very hard!

SUMMER READING PROGRAM - Maplewood students have been signed up for the Multnomah County Summer Reading Program. Information and game cards will be distributed shortly!  Maplewood Library Books due June 1st!  The year is ending! The last week for checking out library books was May 24-28. All library books are due June 1. Dig through backpacks, look in your cars, scour the house, clean-out desks…  Thanks, Elin Kordahl.

READING FRIENDS PARTY/CELEBRATION - This Tuesday, June 1st, between 11:15 and 12:00, the Reading Friends and their students, will be having Pizza to celebrate their year of working together. If your child has been receiving this weekly help, you can help your child show appreciation to their Reading Friend (helping them write a note or a card or whatever?). Our Reading Friends volunteers are such an important, vital part of supporting our students by being with them at least weekly to help them enjoy their reading! I am so grateful to them for their warm, dedicated, thoughtful work here!

FAMILY SCIENCE & MATH NIGHT A FUN, EDUCATIONAL EVENT! -  Maplewood parent Tracey Scherban, accomplished scientist and chemist, and her many volunteers, hosted a wonderful  night of activities in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Math, and Environmental Science. The activities and displays were educational, engaging, and fun for a large crowd of science enthusiasts!

ELECTRICITY CHALLENGE IS OFF TO A GOOD START! - As you may remember, we are challenged to reduce our electricity usage by an average of 3% each month for a year. In our first month’s calculations (March of 2010 compared to March 2009), we reduced it by 12% - from 18,546 to 16,282 kw hours! This is a great start toward winning the $2000 challenge bet!

SITE COUNCIL - We are happy to announce that Dan Brown, father of Bridget in first grade, will be beginning a two year term on our Site Council. He will be replacing Brian Conkle, who is finishing his term as his daughter, Maddy, leaves us soon for Middle School. The other two parents on Site Council will be continuing next year (Lisa Sloan, parent of Amy in third grade, and Alexander Ben-Israel, parent of Zev in third grade).  Our Site Council is defined by State Law, that gives them the responsibility for looking over our annual School Improvement Plans.

LOST AND FOUND - Please check our Lost and Found in the main hallway now, (either yourself, or remind your child) as we have many items in it, including a sideline flag for soccer, shoes, water bottles, and many coats/sweatshirts. Our teachers show it to students, as well, but please come to look it over if you are missing some clothing! At the end of the year, any unclaimed clothing is taken to the Portland PTA Clothing Closet.

BE AWARE OF DANGER OF “BREATHING GAME” -  I wanted to make sure that parents are aware of a game here, and a much more dangerous game in Keizer, that involves students using “breathing” for physical effect.   Recently at our school, a student was “playing a game” that resulted in her fainting; she said that she and some other 2nd grade girls had been playing this game for the last couple of days where they try to hold their breath intently to make themselves red in the face; this particular girl did it so hard that she ended up fainting and falling down. I immediately let teachers know about this, but wanted to make sure you were aware, too.
    I just wanted to make you aware in case you see or hear of kids trying it. I was reminded today about a very recent, escalated type of game with some middle schoolers in Keizer, that has them trying to choke each other until passing out and then awakening with a "high" feeling - but it resulted in a middle schooler's death.  I’m not trying to unnecessarily alarm you, but to have you monitor this, or have you consider your child’s need to be cautioned about the risks of any type of unusual breathing games.

Best Regards,   John

Your Input on Class Placement for Your Child

At this time of year, I begin gathering information to help with the best placement of every child in a classroom/teacher assignment for the fall. The final decisions are made by me over the summer.
    You can get a link to the form that I use by going to the Maplewood website, and clicking on Placement and Goals Letter at http://cms5.pps.k12.or.us/.docs/pg/11619 .

Principal Notes 4-28-10

CELEBRATE NATIONAL POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY ON THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010 AT MAPLEWOOD! - Poems from pockets will be unfolded throughout the day at school. Please remind your child to wear clothing with pockets. There is a busy exchange of poems all day! Encourage your child to write their own poem. Original hand-written and decorated poems are the most swapped and prized exchange item. Poems will be available in the library, too. Questions? - contact Elin Kordahl in the library!

FAMILY SCIENCE & MATH NIGHT, THURSDAY, MAY 6th, 6-7:30 PM, MAPLEWOOD GYM - Be sure to mark your calendars for this fun, and educational event. Maplewood parent Tracey Scherban, accomplished scientist and chemist, is coordinating a night with activities in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Math, and Environmental Science. She has truly enlisted knowledgeable people to lead an impressive list of activities. “I am very much looking forward to this event and think this will be a great opportunity to inspire and enthuse our students about science and math. Please feel free to contact me any time with questions or ideas. For questions, you may contact Tracey Scherban at 503-244-2990”. “Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone.” Albert Einstein

WASHABLE TRAYS AND SILVERWARE COMING MONDAY, MAY 3RD! - The most recent update to me is that we’re targeting that day to begin the use of washable, permanent trays and silverware in the cafeteria. We are also going to eliminate the use of straws, and have students drink out of the cartons. I’ve asked the nutrition services people to come out and help staff with the planning and training of students/staff. We’re happy that we’ll be able to cut down the waste from using throw-away articles each day!

SITE COUNCIL NOMINEES SOUGHT - By Oregon State Law, each school must have a Site Council that is represented by 3 parents, 5 staff, and the Principal. Here at Maplewood, we have an active committee that meets monthly with me to discuss our School Improvement Plan, our professional development, and how our Foundation money is spent. We have two parents whose term is continuing for another year: Alexander Ben-Israel, and Lisa Sloan. But we are looking for a parent to take over for Brian Conkle, whose term is ending. This is a two year term, and we’d love to hear if you, or someone you’d like to nominate, would be interested. Please watch for a separate flyer, if you’d like more details. If you’re interested in nominating someone (or yourself), please contact me.

LOST AND FOUND HAS EXPLODED AGAIN - Please check our Lost and Found in the main hallway now, (either yourself, or remind your child) as we have many items in it, including a sideline flag for soccer, shoes, water bottles, and many coats/sweatshirts. Our teachers show it to students, as well, but please come to look it over if you are missing some clothing! At the end of the year, any unclaimed clothing is taken to the Portland PTA Clothing Closet.

SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS PLAN FOR HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM

Superintendent Carole Smith has recommended a plan for Portland Public Schools’ High School System that would provide “equitable access to a well-rounded education” as well as offer personalized learning options.
     "Together, we must work to improve outcomes for students throughout our system, in particular those students who have been left behind for too long,” the superintendent wrote in her plan. “This plan alone will not resolve these issues, but it is a strong and clear movement in the right direction and a necessary precondition to our success.”
     Major changes to the current system under the superintendent’s proposal follow.
Focus schools

• Marshall Campus schools - Renaissance Arts, BizTech and Pauling - would close at the end of the 2010-11 year. In fall 2011, a focus school would open. The school, whose focus has not been determined yet, would be available to all PPS students.

• Benson Polytechnic High School would, in fall 2011, become an advanced learning center for career-related and technical learning experiences. Juniors and seniors across the district could apply to spend half their school day or week at Benson and the remainder at their home school to pursue an in-depth career or technical program.
Community schools

• Eight current schools would become community high schools: Cleveland, Franklin, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Roosevelt and Wilson.

• Each community school would offer a guaranteed broad core curriculum, including advanced classes, support classes, music, visual, theater or dance, two world languages to the fifth year, increased counseling staff and libraries staffed with media specialists.

• Because of Marshall’s conversion to a focus site, high school students living within the current Marshall Campus boundary will be assigned to Franklin or Madison High School beginning in fall 2011. Those living in the Harrison Park K-8 School neighborhood will be assigned to Madison: students living in the Lane Middle School and Bridger, Lent and Marysville K-8 school areas to Franklin.

• Other high school attendance boundaries also would change beginning in fall 2011, affecting that year’s incoming ninth-graders (now in seventh grade). Four elementary neighborhoods would move to new high school assignments: Boise-Eliot PK-8 School neighborhood to Jefferson High School; Creston K-8 School neighborhood to Cleveland High School; Hosford Middle School students who live in the Buckman Elementary School neighborhood to Lincoln High School; and Sunnyside Environmental K-8 School neighborhood to Grant High School.

• Transfers among the community schools would be limited.

Other features of the plan

• By 2014, Jefferson High School would have a robust and rigorous middle college program, allowing students to graduate from high school having earned at least 30 hours of credit at Portland Community College. Students districtwide could transfer into Jefferson to take advantage of this opportunity.

• A new Academic Priority Zone system would offer support students at schools with the highest needs, from prekindergarten through high school.

• Six of the eight community schools would house language immersion programs, with students generally following the language program’s feeder patterns even if that took them to a community school outside their neighborhood.

Superintendent Carole Smith shared her recommendation with the Portland School Board on April 26. The school board will deliberate and vote on key aspects of the High School Action Plan in June. The new High School System would officially launch in fall 2011.

Summaries of the plan will be delivered to school offices this week. Also, families whose students would be affected by the changes will receive letters in the next several weeks.
     For information or to comment, send e-mail to highschools@pps.k12.or.us. Portland Public Schools also is staffing a hotline during regular business hours at 503-916-2801, with interpreters available in Somali, Russian, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese. Callers may leave a voicemail comment or speak with a staff member.
  The school district will sponsor two all-district meetings, both from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.:

• Tuesday, May 11, at Madison High School, 2735 N.E. 82nd Ave.

• Tuesday, May 18, at Roosevelt High School, 6941 N. Central St.

Additional meetings specific to individual schools may be scheduled as well. Families will receive information on those meetings as it becomes available.
To find the superintendent’s proposal and other information online, go to www.pps.k12.or.us.

Reusable Trays and Silverware coming May 3

We will begin using reusable lunch trays, and the donated silverware, in our cafeteria beginning on Monday, May 3rd. Our efforts will also include eliminating plastic straws ( will have students drink out of the carton), and will help us cut our consumption of styrofoam and plastic immensely! 

Spirit Week Activities for March 16-19

Maplewood Spirit Week! (Tues.- Fri.)

March 16th – March 19th

Monday March 15th – NO SCHOOL -Teacher Planning Day
Tuesday March 16th – Maplewood T-Shirt Day/Skate-Nite

 Spiritwear: Wear your Maplewood Logo to school,  then REPRESENT at the Rink

 Event: Skate-Nite at Historic Oaks Park Skate Rink

 Time: 6:30 to 8:30   Cost: $6.00 per person

 Event: READ ALOUD ATHON – Pledges for number of pages read will raise funds for PTA support of our school!

Wednesday March 17th – Go Green! It’s St. Patrick’s Day

 Spiritwear: Wear green!

 Event 1: the Portland Metro Concert Band plays in the gym

 Event 2: Donate a spoon and a fork to the Cafeteria.

 Note: It is a LATE OPENING DAY!

 Event 3: Laughing Planet Café – Dining for Dollars 11a-9p

 Thursday March 18th – Dress-Up Nice Day

Spiritwear: Wear your very best to school

 Friday March 19th – Pajama Day

 Spirit-wear: Wear your PJ’s all day long

 Event: MapleBars in the morning!

Principal Notes 3-5-10

2 HOUR LATE OPENING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17TH!
NO SCHOOL MARCH 15 – Teacher Planning Day because we are a school on a Trimester system, it is time for teachers to work on report cards.
TIME TO ENROLL FOR KINDERGARTEN FOR FALL, 2010 – We are now at the stage where we are planning for Kindergarten staffing and classroom space for next year; please send in your enrollment paperwork if you are going to enroll your child. Please do so, as soon as possible, to help us know how many students (and classrooms!) we should be preparing for!
CLOTHING LOST AND FOUND WILL BE EMPTIED SOON! – We have again picked up a lot of clothing in our lost and found pile. The PTA volunteer Kate Desommes, will be arranging the items in the hallway for people to identify, but on Thursday, March 11, the clothes will be donated to the PPS Clothing Closet, so check the table in the hall before then!
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN GETTING CLOSER TO OUR GOAL - But we still are in need of more families donating! On March 16th, I will be given Maplewood’s allocation of staffing, and I will only have about 7 school days to make the programmatic decisions. Please consider ways you can contribute to the campaign, to help retain Music, P.E., Library, and Computer Lab instruction!
SURVEY AVAILABLE FOR YOU RE: HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM DESIGN – PPS is encouraging people to take a survey online, available in English and Spanish. You can go to the PPS Home Page at www.pps.k12.or.us. It will ask your opinions to help them weigh decisions about attendance boundaries, community school locations, and other important factors that will affect you and your children. If you can’t participate online, we have hard copies of the survey on the community information shelf in the main hallway of school. The survey will close on Friday, March 19th.
HELP WANTED – UPHOLSTERY AND/OR SEWING? - We have some upholstered chairs in the library that are showing their age (worn or ripping fabric). Our stage backdrop fabric is also showing multiple tears. Do you have skills or resources in upholstery or in sewing to help re-upholster chairs or repair the backdrops? If so, please contact Elin Kordahl (library) or John Blanck.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BATTLE OF THE BOOKS COMPETITORS! – Elin Kordahl, our talented coordinator of this event, report to us!
Last October Maplewood students made teams of up to 5 players and divided up a book list among the players (16 titles grades 4/5, 6 titles for grade 3.) In February, students met in the library and battled, answering questions about the books as teams. There were 28 battles held during lunch recess times! To answer each question the elected team spokesperson worked with their team for 15 seconds and presented an agreed upon answer.
I am always impressed with the level of excitement about books, the discussion of the books, the excellent sportsmanship of the winning and losing teams and the general enthusiasm for reading good books by Maplewood students.
This year 93 students participated, breaking past participation levels.
The team “Fire-Breathing Devil Duckies of Doom” will represent Maplewood at the March 6 regional battles in Estacada. This team was the winning 5th grade team. It includes: Molly Girsch, Miranda Long, Elizabeth Sikora, Elle Stein and Molly Zwartjes.

Upcoming Events:


Mar 12 - Grading Periods Ends

Mar 15 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Planning Day

Mar 16 – 19 – SPIRIT WEEK!!

Mar 16 - Read-Aloud-Athon

Mar 17 - 2 Hour Late Opening

Mar 22 – 26 – SPRING BREAK!!

February is Campaign Month

This letter is one that was just sent out from a first grade room parent, addressed to the other parents in her child's classroom. I thought it had very clear and helpful suggestions in it, and wanted to pass it on.

Dear fellow parents in First Grade,

     Hopefully you have received information about the Campaign by now and even submitted the form with your donation. February has been designated as Campaign Month at Maplewood. Why? Because we LOVE our school and know that in order to fund staff positions such as the librarian, computer lab, physical education, and music teachers we must raise money to pay for them.
The school's campaign goal this year is $200 per family (or $16.67/month). I am writing to ask that each of you join my family and contribute whatever you can. While some of you may be able to give more, and the school is thankful for it, it is not important how much you give but that EVERYONE give something. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated. Honestly, $1 would be gladly accepted. Keep in mind that $5 a month is a Starbucks coffee or a fast food meal.
     How can you give? There are many options. Write a check payable to Maplewood or make your donation on a credit card – either the full amount at once or a recurring monthly amount. Greg and I chose this way so that we can think about spending that much less each month. Make a pledge to contribute a certain amount in future months, when your tax return arrives, for example. A donor form is attached to this email.
You may wonder why we have to raise money when Measures 66 and 67 just passed. Those recent tax measures will not cover the funding for the positions I mentioned. The dollars were already part of the PPS budget and would have been CUT if the measures failed. The passage just kept the funding where it was. The PE staff position has been covered by a grant that is good for another year, but the school is not certain the grant will be available in coming years. The other positions have relied on campaign funding to pay for them.
     Public School is not free. By giving to the campaign our children receive a well-rounded education. What is the value of these programs? Here's a breakdown of how much time our children benefit from these programs and teachers and the expense associated with it:

• Music - 2 times/week for 36 weeks = 72 times @ $200/yr = <$3/half hour. Standard music lessons are $25/half hour!
• PE - 4 times/week for 36 weeks = 144 times @$200/yr = $1.40/half hour. Other activities that promote physical activity are often 10 times that much for the same amount of time.
• Library - 1 time/week and staffed with a terrific resource!
• Computer - 1 time/week - A mom of a 5th grade student said her daughter recently learned to put a PowerPoint presentation together in computer lab. She was happy that she didn't have to teach her those skills!

     Stacey Pacheco, one of our very own class parents, is the Chairperson of the Foundation Committee. She took on the role because she has seen how her daughter and son benefit from the programs the foundation pays for. At a recent Foundation meeting, Mrs. Abel and Mrs. Lange were present to say why the Campaign means so much to them. When Mrs. Abel first came to Maplewood there wasn't a PE teacher, and she had to teach it. She said she didn't like teaching PE because she wasn't very good at it, and she had difficulty getting the kids to settle down afterwards and struggled with the transition to the next subject she had to teach. Thanks to the staff we have at Maplewood teaching PE, computers, music and running the library she has time to prepare her lesson plans and focus on what she does best. And the kids come back into the classroom ready to learn. She also mentioned how she'll send one or two children at a time to meet with the librarian who will help them find the right book for their interests and reading level.
Ask your children if they enjoy computer lab, music, PE, and library time. Mrs. Abel says we are truly lucky to have staff in all these positions! Let's keep it that way!!!
     The 1st grade Room Parents will be creating a class competition based on the highest % of families that contribute to the campaign. This is not the amount of money given but how many families participate in contributing to the campaign. I am confident that all of you will join me in giving something. I'm sure our kids would really appreciate a pizza party or social activity with a special guest thanks to our support of their school. We need everyone to give for the campaign to be successful! Your contribution is confidential. The school will keep track of who has contributed for the class competition, and I'll let you know how we're doing compared to the other classes.

THANK YOU for taking the time to read this and for your support of Maplewood!
Sincerely,
Kristen (Ben's Mom)

Principal Notes 1-22-10

NEW BUS BEGINS MONDAY, FEB. 1ST
CHECK THE SCHEDULE FOR YOUR NEW TIME AND BUS NUMBER!

Our fourth bus route will be added, and begins on the morning of Monday, February 1st; to prepare you and your child, it is HIGHLY important that you:

1. Look at the hard copy of the bus schedule we sent home with these notes, or go to the same schedule at http://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts-c/bus/index.php and click on the drop-down menu with the school name in it and choose Maplewood.
2. look at the schedule in #1 above, and look up your stop name, and it will tell you what times the bus picks up and drops off, and what the bus number will be.
3. help your child keep their new bus tag secure in/on their backpack (we’ll send home the new bus tag with your child during the day on Monday, Feb 1st).
4. If you do not see your child’s bus stop on the new route list, please call Kathy in the Maplewood office.
5. As in the beginning of the year, make sure you are out at the stop to meet the bus at least 5 minutes earlier than time on the schedule (as it always takes a few days for the driver to get used to the route and the timing).

As we mentioned in previous messages, we’re very happy to have the new bus, as it will now make our longest rides be shorter than any of our previous rides, and should decrease the number of students on each bus. To accommodate the new bus, we’ll lose 3 of our parking spaces; please watch for signs for expanded area for no parking, as well.

KINDERGARTEN FOR FALL 2010? - We are beginning plans for our Kindergartners for next fall. We really need to know how many, and which, students may be coming to our Kindergarten. We will be holding our annual Parent Information/Round-Up Session on Wed., Feb. 10th from 3:00 to 4:00. This session is for adults only, and will be set up to give you details about our programming and a chance for you to ask questions, see our current classrooms and teachers, etc. Please call the school office as soon as possible to help us know how many students (and classrooms!) we should be preparing for!
HARVEST OF THE MONTH - On January 13th and January 27th roasted Rutabagas will be served for Harvest of the Month in the school cafeteria. The same farmer who has grown parsnips, beets and cabbage for our Harvest of the Month Program in the past will be providing rutabagas for us this month. These yummy rutabagas were grown by Hilltop Farms located in Troutdale and their family has been farming on the same land for over 100 years. Please help us support local farms and local purchasing.

FROM THE LIBRARY:
Overdue Books and Renewals (on line)
Visit www.library.pps.k12.or.us Log in using your child’s 6-digit eSIS ID number and you can see what they have checked out and renew books online! Books are checked out for a two-week period. While you are there you can search the Maplewood book collection (thank you PTA for your additional funding each year!)
Battle of the Books (grades 3-5)
A record 94 students are participating this year!
Battle schedules are posted in the library and will be distributed to participants (battles are held during lunch recesses.) The final grade level battles will be held in the gym, February 23 from 12:30-1:30. Family members are welcome to attend battles.
Parent Volunteers in the Library
Half of the library classes have parents checking out books! What a wonderful outpouring of support. I have been delighted be fielding dozens of questions, helping students find a "just right" book. The following classes have spots for parent volunteers if you are interested: Scherlie, McIntyre, Savage, Hawes, McClenaghan, and Stanich. Parents report that it is “fun”, and a “nice way to get to know the children.”
As more parents are now checking out books, if a book comes home that you find “inappropriate” (too difficult, scary, or whatever) please contact me immediately, return the book and we’ll find something better!
Elin Kordahl, Maplewood Teacher-Librarian, Kordahl@pps.k12.or.us


CLOTHING FOR YOUR CHILDREN - As a reminder (especially if your children may be getting some new winter clothes during the break: I’d highly recommend you write your child’s name in them, as we’re trying to continually improve our ability to “reunite” children with their coats! Thanks, by the way, for the great help you gave us by sending all the warm clothes with your children during this last week of very cold weather!

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN TO RAISE FUND FOR ONE OF OUR SPECIALIST TEACHER POSITIONS! - We are beginning our annual campaign today, as noted on the letter being sent home today! Please consider ways you can contribute.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
PARENTS NIGHT OUT FOR VALENTINES!

Wilson Trojan State Champion Cheerleading is offering neighborhood parents and friends to bring their children to a Spend some Valentine time with your Sweetie night in the preschool and surrounding rooms at Wilson HS on Friday, February 12th, 4-8pm. Take advantage of quality child care in a safe and fun environment while you actually get to enjoy a rare date with your spouse and/or friends! Your children will enjoy games and stories with the cheerleaders and adult supervisors and will get to design and create as many Valentine's as they'd like to take home for loved ones. They might even get to learn a cheer or two from our WHS 2009 Oregon State Champs!
Cost is $4 per hour, per child with a family maximum of $12 per hour. Ages infant to 9 years are welcome and will be grouped according to age for appropriate activities. This is a fundraiser for Wilson Trojan Cheer and you only pay for the hours you use, but we encourage you to take advantage of this bargain for the full 4 hours if possible! Please also invite your friends and neighbors! Please contact Maureen at reenb@q.com 503.246.1474 for questions or to obtain a registration brochure.

Kathie McNett Retiring

KATHY McNETT ANNOUNCEMENT : Here is the text of yesterday's letter, that Kathie wanted to send out to staff and our community:

"Dear Mr. Blanck, staff, and Maplewood Families,
This is one of the hardest notes I've had to write. As you know, last year I was unassigned from working at Maplewood. Thanks to all of you , the Music program was saved! Due to an illness that I have had since childhood, I have decided to take some time off. Thanks to Mr. Blanck, my wonderful family and my doctors, taking a leave of absence will be helpful.
Mis Thompson, who I can't thank enough, will teach all the music classes. Miss Thompson taught at Wilson High School for many years so the students will be in great hands! Teaching at Maplewood for most of my thirty years of my professional career has been a wonderful experience!!!!! Working with Mr. Blanck, the staff and the Maplewppd community has been fantastic!! Thanks you all for THE BEST 22 YEARS EVER!!! Thank you again!! Kathie McNett"

It was with mixed emotions that I read this letter from Kathie McNett yesterday. Kathie has been an integral part of our school for the last 22 years, and we will really miss having her positive, laughing, love for music and children here. On the other hand, we all have affection for her, and can understand that her recent surgery added to her difficult string of medical issues these last few years; we therefore can understand her decision to retire from teaching and her need to fully heal, as soon as she can.
The plans for adjustment here at Maplewood will involve both immediate and longer term plans. We are fortunate to have Becky Thompson, a fantastic music teacher who has taught here before in addition to her previous teaching career at Wilson High. Becky is committed to teaching here through the end of the year, and will follow the current music class schedule, including choir.
NOTE: Band and Strings - We are making plans to continue to offer this for our 4th and 5th graders, but these will NOT be continued temporarily until we can make proper preparations for it; my prediction is that we will resume it within the next 3 weeks. I will send out a notice about this to you; in the meantime, don’t send the instruments to school with your children until further notice.
In terms of possible celebrations or ways of saying good-bye to Kathie, I will discuss this with PTA and parents and teaching staff, and let you know what may be planned.
In addition, our long term plans for continuing to staff music in the years to come will depend on the yearly staffing allocation, educational funding, and the success of our Maplewood Annual Campaign.
Please join me in welcoming Becky Thompson here again, and in wishing Kathie McNett the best of luck and happiness in her next life adventures.