Principal Notes Oct. 27, 2006

Mark Calendar for Nov 20!

This is a reminder that there is NO SCHOOL THE WHOLE WEEK OF NOV. 20^TH – 24^TH .

Most schools have school on a half-day on Monday, the 20^th, but we received a waiver to have NO SCHOOL on MON. NOV. 20 at all; this gives teachers more time for conferences with their large class sizes, and avoids a week of school where students would have only attended for a half-day.

Conferences are an important way to get to have teachers and parents get to know each other, and to focus their thoughts on helping the students! Please make every attempt to make the scheduled conferences that week to make the timing as efficient as possible.

NO SCHOOL NOV.1

Next Tuesday, all Portland Public Schools will be closed, as all staff will be in all-day training and professional development.
Voting

As I’ve mentioned in other communications, we know that teaching citizenship to our students also includes modeling good citizenship as adults. Taking part in voting is a great way to discuss with them your ways to make decisions. One of the measures you are deciding on is the Local Option. If you would like more information on the levy is posted on the Portland Public Schools website, www.pps.k12.or.us, under the "Local Option" link. That includes answers to these questions: How much would the local option cost me? How many teaching positions would the local option maintain at my school?

Also posted on the website: Local option information translated into Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and Chinese.

Work Party Sunday

This Sunday at 10:00, you can come out and enjoy the nice (?) weather and help our Garden Committee to renovate the grounds around our raised beds. We have landscape cloth and new bark chips, and need your help (and your shovels and rakes and wheelbarrows) to help with this!

During that time, Multnomah Presbyterian Church will be painting our Portables for us as a volunteer project for our school!

Thanks to Volunteers

Every year I feel badly that I can’t name everyone who comes and volunteers, either here at school or at home. But be sure that we couldn’t be NEARLY as effective here at Maplewood without your help!

If you have ideas or want to volunteer your time, feel free to contact your child’s Room Parent, or our Volunteer Coordinator, Kimmy Nadeau 503.245.9750

Reminders to Students
Costumes can be brought to school on Tuesday, but not put on until after lunch, for the 12:30 parade.
Reminders to Parents

Costumes – Please make sure they are not bloody, violent, or too mature. The PTA has had some costumes donated in case your student wants to dress up. See the office.

Ready at 8:00! - Our Tardy numbers are decreasing, which helps your child, and helps classes get off to a good start in the morning!

Wish List

• Powerwash this Saturday
• Repair Garden Bench
• Tennis Balls (used or new)
  

Next Week’s Highlights:

Tuesday

12:30 Costume Parade on playground (if it rains, in gym)

Wednesday

NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day

Upcoming Events

NO SCHOOL Nov. 9^th/10th

Planning Day Thursday and Holiday Friday

NO SCHOOL WEEK OF NOV. 20TH

Maplewood will NOT have school AT ALL during that week of conferences.

Picture Re-Takes Nov. 14th

PTA MEETING THURSDAY, NOV 16 6:15

NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, DEC. 8TH

On this Friday, Maplewood and Capitol Hill will NOT have school for a planning day, as we are on Trimester systems, but the other schools in our cluster will be in session that day!

Thank You For Safe Driving!

We are making special efforts this year for safety, which includes NO U-TURNS in and out of the pull-out lane – this avoids congestion and unsafe backing and turning for the kids.

I could use special help from people to make sure that you don’t park in any marked areas for no parking, such as bus zones or area across the street by the crosswalk.