"Run to the Music" on Monday, May 18 . Remember to send your children with running clothes/shoes this Monday! (Weather should be nice!) And please consider helping them to get pledges to help raise money to be able to retain Music for next year. We are very near reaching this goal, but need to come up with close to $5000 to put us over the top (we’ve usually raised this money through a Run every year!). I believe local newspapers are going to come take photos and write a story about this, as part of story about parents raising funds to help out public education.
Meeting with State Legislators Monday at 7:00 - I am going to attend a meeting with Senators Burdick and Bonamici, and Representatives Greenlick and Nolan this Monday, and I’ve been asked to give a very short testimony to them on the effects of budget cuts on a school such as Maplewood. You are welcome to come, signaling with your presence, an indication of the importance you place on educational budgets. It will be held at the Temple Beth-Israel, 1972 NW Flanders St. from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Bike Fair Tomorrow! - 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.
Field Day Wednesday May 27 Field day is coming up and the parents need adult volunteers! K, 1 and 5th graders will participate in field day from 9:30-11:00 while 2, 3, 4 grades will participate from 12:30-2:00. We are looking for 10 volunteers in the a.m. shift and 10 in the afternoon shift. If you can help, please contact Kimmy at kimmy@easystreet.net. Thank you!
Calendar for Next Year - NOTE Changes! - There are some important changes for the school calendar next year! The first day of school for First through Fifth graders will be Tuesday, Sept. 8th (the first day after Labor Day weekend), and the first day for Kindergarteners will be Friday, Sept. 11th. ALSO, NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE REGULARLY SCHEDULED LATE OPENINGS FOR ALL SCHOOLS IN PORTLAND! On the third Wednesday morning of each month, except November, there will be a two hour late opening; Maplewood will begin at 10:00 that morning, instead of 8:00! This is part of a district-wide calendar recently approved by the School Board; these late opening hours were to replace the usual full-day Professional Development days (three) that were dropped from next year’s calendar. The calendar for trimester schools such as Maplewood can be found at http://www.pps.k12.or.us/news/events.php (click on trimester calendar).
Cafeteria Money Info - Any remaining account balances (positive or negative) on students’ meal accounts at the end of the year will be automatically held for students at their current school or transferred to students’ new schools within the district. If your student is leaving the district, then you may call Marci, our Cafeteria Lead at503-916-5219 to arrange for a refund.
Free and Reduced Lunches - I want to remind people that applying for Free or Reduced Lunch assistance can be done at any time during the year. If you believe that you may qualify for this assistance due to your income now, you can get an application through the school office. I believe, by the way, that school lunches will increase by 10 cents starting next fall.
"TAG Parent 101: For Parents of Newly-Identified Children" Wed, May 20, 2009 - BESC - Board Room - 7-8:30 PM All PPS parents and the general Portland community are invited to attend this meeting for an opportunity to have your questions regarding the TAG identification process answered, and what programs and services are available for your child. More TAG Info, including this message, can be found at http://www.tag.pps.k12.or.us/.docs/pg/10597
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 stitching up about 4 tears in our stage curtain.
Future Events
May Lifeskills Theme = Responsibility
Mon. May 18 - "Run to the Music!"
Mon. May 25 - NO SCHOOL Memorial Day
June 3 (Weds) Junior Rose Festival Parade
June 4 - Staff vs. 5th graders Basketball Game 1:20 in gym
June 9 - 12:30 End of Year Assembly for students, followed by 5th grader "Graduation" ceremony
