MAPLEWOOD FLAG – Did you know that we have a stitched flag made for us several years ago by parent Joan Wallace? We have people take this flag to special places all over the globe. Would you like to take it to a special place and have a photo taken (as an example, photo above was taken at President Obama’s Inauguration). This flag has been to the North Pole, South Pole, various places in Europe, and to the top of Mt. St. Helens, among other locations. Please let the office know if you would like to take the flag at any point; we have a calendar set up to coordinate it's trips!KAISER OFFERS FREE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR KIDS - Kaiser Permanente, in partnership with schools and the Multnomah Education Service District, is offering free health insurance to grade K-6 children attending Multnomah County public schools. The insurance is free — there is no premium — but families must pay a small co-pay for office visits and prescriptions. Once enrolled, children are covered through age 19 if they remain in school. To qualify, children must meet three main requirements:
Attend school – Children must attend a public school in Multnomah County. Charter schools and publicly funded alternative programs also qualify.
Grades K-6 – To enroll, children must be in grades K-6. Siblings can also be covered if they are age 3 or older (through 12th grade).
Income – Families must earn 250 percent or less of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, this is about $4,600 per month, or $53,000 per year.
Kaiser offers the insurance as part of its community benefit program, which, among other goals, seeks to expand access to medical care for the uninsured. About 4,000 children already are covered through this no-premium plan; Kaiser and MESD want to double enrollment by the end of the year. In addition to the Kaiser insurance, the Oregon Health Plan offers low-cost health insurance to children from families that earn up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level. According to the latest census data, 107,000 Oregon children — about one in nine — lacked health insurance in 2005-07, the latest period for which data are available.
For questions about the Kaiser program or the Oregon Health Plan, or to enroll, contact MESD: 503-257-1732, speterso@mesd.k12.or.us.
NOTES COMING FROM THE PARENT MEETINGS WITH PRINCIPAL - “Everything You’ve Wanted to Know About Maplewood But Were Afraid to Ask” was held twice this year; my goal is to write some notes about the questions and then post them on the website and to update my blog site so that people can see them! I appreciated the parent participation and their questions!
APRIL 24 – BOOKBAGGERS - My congratulations go to David Dacklin for his detailed, thoughtful organization of this great event. One of our honored station hosts was Pepye Ladd, who actually began this activity 25 years ago! We were sorry to hear that this may be the last year in which she will be able to participate, as she is keeping so busy with family and community activities. I have attended all these events since the 2001 event, and am continually amazed and pleased to see the community involvement and the emphasis on children and children’s literature.
Attend school – Children must attend a public school in Multnomah County. Charter schools and publicly funded alternative programs also qualify.
Grades K-6 – To enroll, children must be in grades K-6. Siblings can also be covered if they are age 3 or older (through 12th grade).
Income – Families must earn 250 percent or less of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, this is about $4,600 per month, or $53,000 per year.
Kaiser offers the insurance as part of its community benefit program, which, among other goals, seeks to expand access to medical care for the uninsured. About 4,000 children already are covered through this no-premium plan; Kaiser and MESD want to double enrollment by the end of the year. In addition to the Kaiser insurance, the Oregon Health Plan offers low-cost health insurance to children from families that earn up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level. According to the latest census data, 107,000 Oregon children — about one in nine — lacked health insurance in 2005-07, the latest period for which data are available.
For questions about the Kaiser program or the Oregon Health Plan, or to enroll, contact MESD: 503-257-1732, speterso@mesd.k12.or.us.
NOTES COMING FROM THE PARENT MEETINGS WITH PRINCIPAL - “Everything You’ve Wanted to Know About Maplewood But Were Afraid to Ask” was held twice this year; my goal is to write some notes about the questions and then post them on the website and to update my blog site so that people can see them! I appreciated the parent participation and their questions!
APRIL 24 – BOOKBAGGERS - My congratulations go to David Dacklin for his detailed, thoughtful organization of this great event. One of our honored station hosts was Pepye Ladd, who actually began this activity 25 years ago! We were sorry to hear that this may be the last year in which she will be able to participate, as she is keeping so busy with family and community activities. I have attended all these events since the 2001 event, and am continually amazed and pleased to see the community involvement and the emphasis on children and children’s literature.
BIKE FAIR - Southwest Neighbors Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee invites you, your family, and your bike to a Bicycle Rodeo and Safety Fair on Saturday, May 16th from 2:00 p.m.-4:00pm at Bridlemile Elementary School, 4300 SW 47th Drive (under the covered basketball court). Please join this committee for a fun-filled afternoon that includes a safety training, bike rodeo for kids and teens, bike swap, and inspection. At this event, participants will learn about the rules of the road, effective signaling, and how to share the road with other vehicles. Kids and teens will navigate their way through an obstacle course and improve riding skills. Attendees are invited to bring their old bikes, accessories to a buyer-direct exchange based on availability with no commissions. Volunteers at the fair will perform inspections of bikes. It's a free event and refreshments will be available. We are also looking for volunteers to help assist with this event. For more information, contact Jan Weston, organizer at 503-293-4301 janweston@comcast.net; Nancy Hand, Committee Chair at 503-452-9483 enchand@hotmail.com.
SWINE FLU - Like many of you, I have been watching the news reports about swine flu, and today received this message from PPS, which I think covers the most important messages. I've cut and pasted it below:
Swine flu information
As you have likely heard so often, please take this opportunity to remind your children and others about the following prevention measures:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Stay home if you are sick. Influenza is most often passed through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
A PARENT'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTS (from an article in the Wilson H.S. Newsletter) - (Dave Garnand is an ex-member of our Maplewood Site Council)
Ever wondered where our young students get their talent? Just look at our parents. A perfect example is David Garnand (photographer) - parent of Isaac (Wilson), Tom Wilson), and Isabelle (Maplewood), and husband of Liz Garnand, president of Wilson Area Arts Council. David's first solo abstract nature photography show opened last weekend at Multnomah Arts Center and runs through May 27 (MAC Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-9:30pm and Saturday 9am-12:30pm). In addition to this exhibition, two of David's photographs were selected by the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts 2009 Artist's Vision Juried Show, and he also generously donated one of his photographs for the recent Wilson Auction. David states that his dad always had a camera with him when they traveled. "He loved taking scenic pictures, vistas, beautiful nature scenes. When he gave me his Kodak Instamatic I looked through the viewfinder and saw a whole other world." So stop by the Multnomah Arts Center and take a look at David's exhibit. Check out his website at: http://www.davidgarnand.com. Congratulations, David!
REGISTER FOR K - This year there have been several parents who have indicated that they felt there would not be a pressing reason to enroll for kindergarten soon. But in fact, it would be very advantageous to register as soon as possible. There is no longer a need to put down a deposit for the Fee for Service, (Full Day) program. But having our enrollment numbers be as “up-to-date” as possible will help us have the best program and best teachers be prepared for the fall!
WISH LIST - We could use some help with repairing our stage curtain. We have received offers to help with rebuilding stairs to stage and re-painting the benches.
Upcoming Events:
May 4-8 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7 - Book Sale, Party Boards, and Hanging Plant Pick-
Up (Picnic only if weather is nice) 5:00 – 7:30 pm
May 8 - Family Dance Party in the gym 6:00 pm
May 13 - PTA Meeting 6:15 pm
May 18 - “Run to the Music”
May 25 - NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day
May 27 - Field Day
June 3 - Junior Rose Festival Parade
June 4 - 5th Grade vs Staff Basketball Game
June 10 - Last Day for Students!
May 4-8 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7 - Book Sale, Party Boards, and Hanging Plant Pick-
Up (Picnic only if weather is nice) 5:00 – 7:30 pm
May 8 - Family Dance Party in the gym 6:00 pm
May 13 - PTA Meeting 6:15 pm
May 18 - “Run to the Music”
May 25 - NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day
May 27 - Field Day
June 3 - Junior Rose Festival Parade
June 4 - 5th Grade vs Staff Basketball Game
June 10 - Last Day for Students!
Summer - Installation of new modular with two classrooms
