Dear Community – I wanted to first add some late-breaking news and reminders to you, in addition to posting today’s Principal Notes:
- NO SCHOOL MONDAY – As a reminder, Monday is Presidents’ Day, and all schools and offices will be closed.
- FALL KINDERGARTEN – Our Full Day Kindergarten already has a waiting list! – We set a new record for sign-ups for Full Day Kindergarten this year; our half day program still has openings, as far as we know, but it is important for us to know about any students out there who are planning to come in the fall. Please let your friends and neighbors know that if they are interested in Kindergarten here in the fall, to come to school as soon as possible. Also, we have scheduled Thursday, May 17th as our Kindergarten Open House, where students who know which class they will attend can come with their parents and meet the teacher, see the room, etc.
- Kathie McNett surgery – I am sorry to have to report that Kathie McNett, our beloved Music Teacher, had to undergo unexpected colon surgery this past week, and will be out at least another 4 weeks. At this time, we have cancelled the Spring Sing until we know more about her recovery and process. She is in typically positive spirits, I’m sure she would welcome any messages or cards to be mailed to her home at 18555 Goetz Road, Gladstone, OR 97027.
- Student Sicknesses and Handwashing – I just wanted to pass on a caution that handwashing is the best preventative for helping prevent and recover from the winter flu, and that there are reports that hand sanitizers do not work on this current virus – it should be washing with soap and water.
Scrip Pays for Staff
- Did you know that Scrip does not cost you anything - that if you pay $10 for a Scrip, it is good for $10 of merchandise?
- Did you know that the companies pay us a percentage on the gift cards that you purchase - that they pay us?
- Did you know that PROFITS FROM SCRIP PAY FOR OUR ENRICHMENT STAFF? - (it doesn't just go toward general funds or to PTA funds).
- Did you know that you can click go to our website at http://www.maplewood.pps.k12.or.us to get more information and a copy of the SCRIP ORDER FORM?
A reminder that the Leaf a Legacy committee will be hosting another evening of painting purchased Legacy Leaves on Thursday, March 1st at 7:00 PM in the schools cafeteria. Invite your neighbors and Maplewood Alumni to join us that evening and leaf their legacy.
Do you know someone who would like to buy a Leaf but not paint it? The “Leaf a Legacy” committee is kicking off a campaign to purchase a large size Legacy Leaf for every classroom so that all of the children will be able to locate a Legacy Leaf on the fence with their name on it. Please consider donating toward a leaf for the classrooms.
PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE - We are looking to recruit creative minds or folks that are just plain interested in fundraising efforts for the Playground Replacement Project. There will be a meeting Wednesday, February 21st at 6:30 PM in the Maplewood Library to brainstorm fundraising ideas. Please join us in this amazing effort to bring a new playground to Maplewood.
PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS CORE CURRICULUM - PPS will hold four meetings to discuss issues, myths and facts around our core curriculum. All meetings will run from 7-8:30 p.m. The schedule is:
Feb. 21 at Roosevelt High School-Cafeteria
Feb. 27 at Grant High School -Cafeteria
March 1 at Franklin High School -Cafeteria
March 13 at Wilson High School -Cafeteria
Also, the final public meeting for the Curriculum Materials Adoption will be March 7, at 7 p.m. at the BESC, 501 N. Dixon. Brenda Gustafson, Sr. Communication Officer 916-3155, bgustafs@pps.k12.or.us
THANK YOU MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY!! - For supporting the fourth graders! All of the See’s chocolate you purchased leading up to Valentine's Day will definitely help to decrease the cost of our Oregon Trail Overnight fieldtrip coming in April. We greatly appreciate your support! Thanks, Liberty Looney
BOOKBAGGERS - COMING YOUR WAY APRIL 27 - Love books? Have a hobby, craft idea or skill you'd like to share? The Bookbaggers Committee is looking for Bookbagger Station Leaders! If you are interested in hosting a literacy-based session on this Friday overnight, please contact Lori Matlock at lmatlock@ltk.com or 503-246-7151 for more information, or even better, to say "of course I'll do it!"
LIFESKILL FOR FEBRUARY - Remember the saying, “Patience is a virtue”? Patience is waiting calmly without complaint; steadfast; faithful; dependable – all excellent character traits in a family member, friend, and an employee. The next LIFESKILL topic for our school is
PATIENCE
As family members, you understand how demanding one child or a few children can be. In the classroom, where we have many more students, the LIFESKILL of Patience is an extremely important skill for both the teacher and the students to use. Some of the ways we will develop a deeper understanding of the LIFESKILL of Patience include:
· Brainstorming constructive activities that can be done while waiting in a line
· Listing many situations in which we might need to be patient
· Role playing situations that show impatience and then patience
At home, you can further continue our study of patience by:
· Insisting that children take turns
· Reading chapter books – one chapter per night
· Encouraging your child to set some long-term goals, such as saving for a pair of roller blades, a bike, or a movie ticket
Family members are their children’s best role models. Help your child to become a better learner by modeling a sense of perseverance, patience, and inner strength.
GOOD HAND WASHING - KEY TO STOPPING SPREAD OF NOROVIRUS (“WINTER FLU”) I received the following notice from the County Health Department:
"Public health officials in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties have recently noted heightened community concern and awareness of viral gastroenteritis. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and small intestines, commonly caused by a group of viruses called Noroviruses. These illnesses were once called “the stomach flu”, or “winter vomiting disease”.
“Norovirus is a common virus and does not pose a serious threat to most people,” states Gary Oxman, M.D., health officer for Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. “It is of most concern to the elderly and people with serious existing health conditions,” People can avoid getting Norovirus infection by taking these steps:
• Wash your hands often, especially after using the toilet or changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food.
• Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters before eating them.
• Using gloves, thoroughly clean and disinfect surfaces immediately after contamination with feces or vomit by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
• Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens contaminated with feces or vomit (use hot water and soap).
• Flush any vomit or feces down the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is clean.
"It is always important for people to use good hygiene, including hand washing - even when they are not ill," adds Oxman. "People who have the infection should not prepare food for others while they are ill and for three days after they recover. People should be careful handling diapers, and always wash their hands thoroughly afterwards. Day-care center or nursing home workers should pay careful attention to hygiene, especially when attendees have had diarrhea.” No medicine can cure Norovirus and there is no vaccine to prevent infection. Antibiotics do not work because they work to fight bacteria, not viruses. By drinking fluids such as juice or water, people can reduce their chance of becoming dehydrated.
For further information, contact the communicable disease program for your county:
Clackamas County: 503-655-8411
Multnomah County: 503-988-3406
Washington County: 503-846-3594 Additional information is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_norwalk.htm
Upcoming Events:
Feb 21 - Playground Committee Mtg – 6:30 pm, Library
Mar 1 - Legacy Leaf Painting – 7:00 pm, Cafeteria
Mar 2 - Read Across America!!
Mar 5-9 - Project 2nd Wind Food Drive
Mar 8 - Read-Aloud-Athon – AM, All Grades
Mar 8 - PTA Meeting – 6:15 pm
Mar 16 - Teacher Planning Day – NO SCHOOL
Mar 19-23 - Maplewood Spirit Week!
Mar 26-30 - SPRING BREAK
Have a great, three-day weekend! - John
