NEW BUS BEGINS MONDAY, FEB. 1ST
CHECK THE SCHEDULE FOR YOUR NEW TIME AND BUS NUMBER!
Our fourth bus route will be added, and begins on the morning of Monday, February 1st; to prepare you and your child, it is HIGHLY important that you:
1. Look at the hard copy of the bus schedule we sent home with these notes, or go to the same schedule at http://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts-c/bus/index.php and click on the drop-down menu with the school name in it and choose Maplewood.
2. look at the schedule in #1 above, and look up your stop name, and it will tell you what times the bus picks up and drops off, and what the bus number will be.
3. help your child keep their new bus tag secure in/on their backpack (we’ll send home the new bus tag with your child during the day on Monday, Feb 1st).
4. If you do not see your child’s bus stop on the new route list, please call Kathy in the Maplewood office.
5. As in the beginning of the year, make sure you are out at the stop to meet the bus at least 5 minutes earlier than time on the schedule (as it always takes a few days for the driver to get used to the route and the timing).
As we mentioned in previous messages, we’re very happy to have the new bus, as it will now make our longest rides be shorter than any of our previous rides, and should decrease the number of students on each bus. To accommodate the new bus, we’ll lose 3 of our parking spaces; please watch for signs for expanded area for no parking, as well.
KINDERGARTEN FOR FALL 2010? - We are beginning plans for our Kindergartners for next fall. We really need to know how many, and which, students may be coming to our Kindergarten. We will be holding our annual Parent Information/Round-Up Session on Wed., Feb. 10th from 3:00 to 4:00. This session is for adults only, and will be set up to give you details about our programming and a chance for you to ask questions, see our current classrooms and teachers, etc. Please call the school office as soon as possible to help us know how many students (and classrooms!) we should be preparing for!
HARVEST OF THE MONTH - On January 13th and January 27th roasted Rutabagas will be served for Harvest of the Month in the school cafeteria. The same farmer who has grown parsnips, beets and cabbage for our Harvest of the Month Program in the past will be providing rutabagas for us this month. These yummy rutabagas were grown by Hilltop Farms located in Troutdale and their family has been farming on the same land for over 100 years. Please help us support local farms and local purchasing.
FROM THE LIBRARY:
Overdue Books and Renewals (on line)
Visit www.library.pps.k12.or.us Log in using your child’s 6-digit eSIS ID number and you can see what they have checked out and renew books online! Books are checked out for a two-week period. While you are there you can search the Maplewood book collection (thank you PTA for your additional funding each year!)
Battle of the Books (grades 3-5)
A record 94 students are participating this year!
Battle schedules are posted in the library and will be distributed to participants (battles are held during lunch recesses.) The final grade level battles will be held in the gym, February 23 from 12:30-1:30. Family members are welcome to attend battles.
Parent Volunteers in the Library
Half of the library classes have parents checking out books! What a wonderful outpouring of support. I have been delighted be fielding dozens of questions, helping students find a "just right" book. The following classes have spots for parent volunteers if you are interested: Scherlie, McIntyre, Savage, Hawes, McClenaghan, and Stanich. Parents report that it is “fun”, and a “nice way to get to know the children.”
As more parents are now checking out books, if a book comes home that you find “inappropriate” (too difficult, scary, or whatever) please contact me immediately, return the book and we’ll find something better!
Elin Kordahl, Maplewood Teacher-Librarian, Kordahl@pps.k12.or.us
CLOTHING FOR YOUR CHILDREN - As a reminder (especially if your children may be getting some new winter clothes during the break: I’d highly recommend you write your child’s name in them, as we’re trying to continually improve our ability to “reunite” children with their coats! Thanks, by the way, for the great help you gave us by sending all the warm clothes with your children during this last week of very cold weather!
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN TO RAISE FUND FOR ONE OF OUR SPECIALIST TEACHER POSITIONS! - We are beginning our annual campaign today, as noted on the letter being sent home today! Please consider ways you can contribute.
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
PARENTS NIGHT OUT FOR VALENTINES!
Wilson Trojan State Champion Cheerleading is offering neighborhood parents and friends to bring their children to a Spend some Valentine time with your Sweetie night in the preschool and surrounding rooms at Wilson HS on Friday, February 12th, 4-8pm. Take advantage of quality child care in a safe and fun environment while you actually get to enjoy a rare date with your spouse and/or friends! Your children will enjoy games and stories with the cheerleaders and adult supervisors and will get to design and create as many Valentine's as they'd like to take home for loved ones. They might even get to learn a cheer or two from our WHS 2009 Oregon State Champs!
Cost is $4 per hour, per child with a family maximum of $12 per hour. Ages infant to 9 years are welcome and will be grouped according to age for appropriate activities. This is a fundraiser for Wilson Trojan Cheer and you only pay for the hours you use, but we encourage you to take advantage of this bargain for the full 4 hours if possible! Please also invite your friends and neighbors! Please contact Maureen at reenb@q.com 503.246.1474 for questions or to obtain a registration brochure.
