My apoligies to you all for difficulties keeping up with the Principal Blog - things have been very busy (including snow day confusion!).
This morning I want to congratulate the parents who organized last night's first Family Art Night, including the painting of leaf shapes to be put on our fence. It was a remarkable example of the community feel here at Maplewood! More reports, and photos, to come!
Here are the Principal Notes that went home yesterday.
MAPLEWOOD IN SESSION? – YES on Tuesday but NO on Wednesday. To explain: Maplewood school is a Trimester School, and all the other schools in the Wilson Cluster (even middle and high schools), except for Capitol Hill, will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 30th, but Maplewood is open for students this coming Tuesday. The next day, (Wednesday, Jan. 31st) is an all-district Professional Development Day, and there will be no school on this coming Wednesday.
SCHOOLS CELEBRATE! – Interested in looking at school options for middle school, or want to find out about our kindergarten program? These are just some of the reasons to go to this annual event, where all schools and programs will have an information table. Where? - at the Portland Expo Center from 10 to 3 on Saturday, Feb. 3rd. Maplewood will have a table there, as well, hosted by myself and our two kindergarten teachers, to give information about our programs here. Free childcare is provided for kids 4 and over. Go to http://www.pps.k12.or.us or call 503-916.6308 for more information.
FAMILY MATH NIGHT - Do you like mathematics? Do you wish you knew more about the mathematics your children are learning? You’ll enjoy our activities on Tuesday, Feb. 6th starting at 6:00 p.m. in our gym, where you’ll hear about the foundations of our math curriculum, and get a chance to have your children work on some math activities with you! Please bring the whole family!
SCRIP UPDATE – Check out the new SCRIP BULLETIN BOARD in the hallway outside the kindergarten classroom. Here you’ll find your weekly order forms, the schedule of direct sales, and even information on how SCRIP works. There’ll be rotating displays with changing information, including future classroom SCRIP sales contests! Keep an eye on the display showing the amount that SCRIP raises for the Maplewood Foundation - watch and help it grow week to week! Thanks, Pat Zwartjes
YEARBOOK SAMPLES – Past copies of the Maplewood yearbook are in the library for viewing in the library only. They cannot be checked out. They are located at the end of the librarian's desk above the magazines. Order forms for the 2006/2007 yearbook coming soon! Thanks very much, Jelena Mrdjan
WANT A GREAT BOOK? – Look for the fourth grade fabulous top picks! Some students from Ms. Stanich and Mrs. Looney’s classrooms are reading Newberry awards, classics, and other really great books!!! They are labeling their selections with bright orange maple leafs to show that a summary is inside the back pocket.
WILSON YOUTH LACROSSE – Online registration is up and running! You just need to go to www.wylax.net and register via Pre-Enroll link. Registration deadline is February 14, 2007. All Wilson District boys (3-8th grade) and girls (5-8th grade) are invited to register.
Our current LIFESKILL is Initiative. To quote Henry Ford, “If you think you can, or if you think you can’t, you’re right.” These commanding words provide guidance to parents, teachers, and other adults playing a part in children’s lives because our reactions and feedback help to shape their self-image. Our words help paint the picture of
~Initiative~
We will be investigating the LIFESKILL of Initiative and searching for ways to incorporate this LIFESKILL into our daily lives by:
· Reading stories about people who take initiative
· Welcoming any newcomers to our classroom and school
· Understanding the place initiative occupies in the business world
· Volunteering to work on a school or neighborhood project (for example, collecting food items for the upcoming food drive in March, helping the Student Council’s efforts to become a “Green School”)
Your family can support the LIFESKILL of Initiative by encouraging your child to:
· Create, start, and finish projects
· Be an original thinker, a new-idea person
· Think for himself or herself and not blindly follow any group
· Welcome new children in the neighborhood
Please share with your child some of your experiences with the LIFESKILL of Initiative, both while growing up and as an adult. Together, our school and your home are shaping the thinkers and doers of the 21st Century.
Upcoming Events:
Jan 26 - Family Art Night 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Jan 31 - Professional Development Day – NO SCHOOL
Feb 3 - PPS School Celebration 2007 – 10:00 – 3:00 pm
Feb 6 - Family Math Night – 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Feb 8 - Kindergarten Information Session @ 3:00 pm
Feb 8 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30 pm
Feb 12 - Author Visit – Roland Smith
