Principal Notes April 27, 2007

RUN FOR THE PLAYGROUND - Was a huge success and lots of fun!!! We have already collected $6514.00 out of a projected $14,500.00 (get out there and get those pledges collected!) The kids were fabulous--running and walking their hearts out! Many, many thanks to all the volunteers. This is an event that doesn't happen without you (setting up, tallying laps, cheering, dancing...)! Thanks also to the teachers--who motivated, reminded and some even trained--their kids for this event. We even had a neighborhood couple come in, baby in arms, to donate $100 to the playground. Equally received are the allowances kids have given up to the Run and the $1.77 in beach flower sales! Remember to get those pledges collected. We would love to have them all in by Wednesday, May 2nd!

WRITE ON!! - Maplewood Students Win Writing Awards: Congratulations to Gavin McMinn and Perry Taylor for winning First Place awards in the Tryon Creek State Park "Tall Tale Contest." The topic: "How Skunk Got Its Smell." Gavin won top honors in the Third Grade division, his second straight selection in this annual competition. And Perry won in the Fourth Grade division, the third straight year he's been among the winners.

This is no small deal as more than 300 grade school students from around the region and state submitted story entries. That's more than 50 for each grade level! They read their tall tales last Sunday, Earth Day, April 22, at a Tryon Creek State Park celebration and they’ll read their stories on the air at radio station KBPS 1450 AM. So congratulations to Gavin and Perry -- and of course, to the Maplewood teachers, who have helped them, and all the other students, write clearly, creatively and colorfully!

SUPERINTENDENT LEAVING PORTLAND – I was taken totally by surprise, as were you, by Vicki Phillips’ announcement yesterday that she would be leaving the district July 1^st. I am disappointed that she is leaving so soon, as change like this can make you feel anxious about what happens to the district in the meantime. After reflecting for a day about this, though, I look at this particular school and know that the staff here, with parent and student support, will concentrate our efforts on what we CAN control, which is what and how we interact and teach our wonderful students each day. I am absolutely certain that we will keep our energies keenly focused on our education here at Maplewood, while I work to keep an eye on the larger picture and “the road ahead” so that we will be prepared for any actions that will affect us. To that end, I’ll also specifically suggest that you do two civic-minded things:

1. School Board Election - Pay attention and get information related to the School Board candidates: you can attend Portland Public School Board Candidate Forum, April 26: Candidates for four positions on the Portland Public School Board will appear on Thursday, April 26, at 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the Blanchard Education Service Center, 501 North Dixon Street, Portland, in a forum co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Portland Education Fund, the Portland Council PTA, Community and Parents for Public Schools, and the Portland Schools Foundation. The forum is free, and the public is invited to attend. All six candidates for Portland Public School Board positions have been invited to participate. Portland Public Schools Television Services will record the forum for later broadcast on Channel 28. The broadcast schedule will be posted on the League's web site (www.lwvpdx.org). For more information, call the Portland League office at 503-228-1675. Another forum is set for Voter’s Forum at Multnomah Arts Center on Monday evening, April 30^th. The candidates for School Board from our region will be there to discuss their positions, and a discussion will also be held about the ballot measure on changing the structure of city government.
2. Site Council Nominations Sought– Maplewood’s Site Council is set up by Oregon State Law, that mandates that 3 parents serve on the committee of 10, along with staff and the Principal, to meet monthly. There are two openings for people to serve two terms beginning in the fall. Why is this important? This committee represents our school community in setting the direction for the educational focus of our school, including helping decide and write the annual School Improvement Plan. They also give guidance on what types of Professional Development should happen for staff; they have approved some important decisions in the past such as offering both full- and half-day kindergarten, and scheduling on a Trimester calendar. Simone Frank and Dave Garnand are finishing the end of their second year, so we need two or more nominees to serve next year along with parent Darryn Sikora. Please let John know immediately if you have interest in serving on this monthly Council meeting or want to nominate someone to provide this important input to our learning.

TWO IMPORTANT, FUN EVENTS CLARIFIED - Remember that there are two separate events being sponsored by parents soon: On Friday, May 4^th there is the third Leaf Painting Party. Then two weeks later, come to the May 18^th event below:

Spring Celebration! May 18^th, 2007 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.

Live Jazz!

Books, Movies, DVDs!

BYOP!! Bring Your Own Picnic and blanket and enjoy a meal with friends.

Activities and games, Tour the Wildwood, Learn about “Green” events in your school and neighborhood.

Used Book Sale!! Donate books, then come and “find your treasure”!

Sponsored by: Maplewood PTA Family Resource Committee

Upcoming Events:

Apr 27/28th - Bookbaggers

May 4^th - Legacy Leaf Painting @ 6:00 pm Cafeteria

May 7^th - 11^th Teacher Appreciation Week!

May 10^th - PTA Meeting @6:15 pm

May 13^th - Mother’s Day

May 15^th - “A Musical Tour of the Americas” Bochinche Grades K- 5, 12:45 – 1:45 pm

May 17^th - Kindergarten Open House @ 3:00 pm

May 18^th - Spring Gathering/Used Book Sale

May 28^th - NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day

Principal Notes April 20, 2007

RUN FOR THE PLAYGROUND – This event is Tuesday, April 24^th, with the pledged money going directly to the new playground (did you see the demolition of the old equipment going on this week?) Please bring in pledges as soon as possible; we’re planning on having the Run happen rain or shine (too rainy means we’ll run in the gym).

WANTED: Plumber Help - Do you know a good plumber that likes to work pro-bono or at a reduced rate for a really great cause? The Playground Replacement Committee needs your help in identifying a plumber that would be interested in installing a year round outdoor drinking fountain near the new playground. The fountain has been specified and has been included in the project budget so the work needed would all be related to installation. If you know someone or have someone in mind please contact Jim Battan Jim@battan.com or Joan Stein joan@joanstein.net. Thank you in advance for your help.

STATE REPORT CARD - You will be getting two copies of the official State Report Card – one for Maplewood and one for the District. This report card is mandated by state law, and includes some categories that can be very misleading unless you look closely at the definitions of the categories. Please let me know if you have any questions about them.

CLASS PLACEMENTS PROCESS FOR NEXT FALL - For those of you new to Maplewood, or who may have wondered about the process that we will be following for determining the class rosters for next fall, I want to give you a brief set of information to avoid any confusion you may feel.

This process will be very similar to the one I have used for the last 6 years; I take this sorting process very seriously, and give it a lot of time and thought. This Next Week: I will be sending home, on Monday, a letter to you asking about your plans for returning to Maplewood. Please give your best guess about the information there, to help me know what numbers of students at different grade levels will be. In May: I will be giving you a form that you can fill out that will describe your goals for your child next year, and what types of learning experiences fit your child best. You will not be able to indicate a particular teacher on that form. I will also ask teachers to give me lists of students with their indications of the student’s current academic levels, and special characteristics. June: I will go over all of the above information, and combine it with my updated knowledge of the teaching staff assignments, and make balanced class rosters. The decision for the placements is mine, so please do not ask your current teachers to make that decision. July: At the very beginning of the month, I will send out a letter to the families describing the teacher placement, class list, school supplies, and any other updated information to help you get ready for the fall.

Thanks for your support and cooperation with this process; if you have any questions along the way, please feel free to contact me.

Upcoming Events:

Apr 24th - Run for the PLAYGROUND!

Apr 27/28th - Bookbaggers Overnight

May 4th - Legacy Leaf Painting @ 6:00 pm Cafeteria

May 7 - 11th Teacher Appreciation Week!

May 10^th - PTA Meeting @6:15 pm

May 13^th - Mother’s Day

May 15^th - “A Musical Tour of the Americas” Bochinche Grades K- 5, 12:45 – 1:45 pm

May 17^th - Kindergarten Open House @ 3:00 pm

May 18^th - Spring Gathering

May 28^th - NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day

Principal Notes April 6, 2007

GOOD NEWS ABOUT OUR STAFFING! – You may have read the article in this month’s Multnomah Post, that indicated I was told to plan for a loss of 0.39 FTE - almost a half-time specialist – for next fall. (As you may have heard, the 0.39 drop in FTE was based on a drop in average enrollment of only 9 students from the previous year)! At that point, a collaboration of parents here met with me and we came up with a plan to re-allocate money from the playground to make up for the staffing. HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS – While this was happening, the School District met with me several times on a plan to keep Maplewood strong and to support us, and they agreed to return that additional 0.39 to us! This was based on the rationale that the recent disruptions of closures and boundary changes, as well as the district commitment to provide stability and enrichment support for all schools, all combined to make the support for our staffing vital. When we received that good news, I then brought up several possible courses of action for what to do with this unexpected help. At this point, I urge you to attend an Important PTA Meeting this coming Thursday at 6:15! The PTA will be voting on two motions: to approve the return of the $14,000 back to the PTA, as well as the approval of an exciting design and plan for a new playground! By the way, I noticed that this month’s Lifeskill being taught our students is “Problem-Solving”, which was demonstrated so well by our PTA, Playground Committee, Site Council, and Foundation Campaign volunteers; they should be congratulated on their collaboration and willingness to thoughtfully address problems as they arise.

PTA MEETING THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 12^TH AT 6:15 – Come to this meeting to participate in a vote for the playground design, as described above!

2007 READ-ALOUD-ATHON SUMMARY - The totals are in for this year's Read-Aloud-Athon; our readers read 4,134 pages and in so doing raised $4,959.55 for the Maplewood PTA. Congratulations to the Maplewood Community for a very successful fund raising effort. All of the students received a participation prize. In addition, Mrs. McClenaghan's students -- with 70% of the class returning paid pledge forms -- will enjoy a pizza party with Mr. Blanck. Individual prizes were awarded as well. Thank you to Stephanie Coren, Susan Barimo, Joan Wallace, Renae Conkle, Glen Wallace, Jim Battan, Cindy Collins-Taylor, Theresa Fowler, Shannon Riley and Kaari Misclevitz for assisting in the classrooms on the day of the event. Thank you especially to the students, their sponsors and the classroom teachers for participating in this fund raising effort and making it a success.

REMINDER! - MAPLEWOOD IS IN SESSION THIS COMING THURSDAY, BUT NOT ON FRIDAY – This coming Thursday, April 12, is one of the two days this year when quarterly schools are not in session, but Trimester schools such as Maplewood ARE open. But Friday, April 13 is a Professional Development Day, and all PPS schools will be closed.

GRAB YOUR BIKE, SKATES (DON’T FORGET THAT HELMET!) OR JUST PUT ON YOUR WALKING SHOES AND JOIN US WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11^TH FOR OUR FIRST MAPLEWOOD WALK TO SCHOOL DAY

For those who would like to walk from Multnomah Village, gather outside the Multnomah Arts Center at 7:00 am rain or shine. We will be leaving from there at 7:10 am and walking through Gabriel Park. For those who would like to walk from the west, gather with Mr. Blanck at the corner of 60^th and Miles St at 7:30 rain or shine, and we’ll walk through April Hill Park to school. Parents, please join your kids on these walks. All the students that participate will be entered in a raffle for helmets, blinker lights and other safety equipment. Raffle prizes donated by; Doernbecher Children’s Safety Center, ThinkFirst Oregon and Foot Traffic. Hope to see you all out and about. Please contact Julie Luisi Harp with any questions luisihar@ohsu.edu or 503-332-1014.

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!"

MAPLEWOOD ALUMNI IN PLAY! - I am writing on behalf of Robert Gray Middle School to tell you about an exciting production in the works. R.G.M.S. presents the play, "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown." This is a family friendly event for all ages. Performance dates are May 17 (6:30pm), May 18 & 19 (7pm). Four Maplewood alumni have parts in the production, and a variety of others are helping out in the stage crew. Watch 7th grader Nora Helfand as Snoopy, 7th grader Nate Hansen as Woodstock, 7th grader Karly Heirendt in the ensemble, and 6th grader Austin Mahar as good ol’ Charlie Brown. Adult tickets are $7, and student tickets are $5, or you can get a family pack of 5 tickets for just $20! Christy Caton will be at school next Thursday, April 12th selling tickets after school right near the scrip table. After that, tickets can be purchased in a variety of ways. You can contact Rosemary Schwimmer via email at rjschwimmer@comcast.net and she will place tickets in “Will Call” for you, or simply look for ticket order forms in the Maplewood office. Complete the order form, attach a check, or cash, and your tickets will be delivered to your child’s teacher within a few days! If you have any questions, contact Christy Caton at christycaton@msn.com or by calling 503-246-0891. We hope to see you there!

Upcoming Events:

Apr 11 - Walk/Bike to School Day

Apr 12 - “Mask Works” Imago Theatre @ 1:00 pm

Apr 12 - PTA Meeting @ 6:15 pm

Apr 13 - NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day

Apr 14 - Plant Sale

Apr 16 - “Windows to the World” Will Hornyak @ 9:00 am

Apr 24 - Run for the PLAYGROUND!

Apr 27/28 - Bookbaggers

May 4 - Legacy Leaf Painting @6:00 pm Cafeteria

Happy Spring Break!

SPRING BREAK NEXT WEEK!!

NO SCHOOL - 3/26 THRU 3/30

PARENT INVOLVEMENT SURVEY - Want to have your opinion count? Your voice heard? The Office of Student, Family and School Support, in conjunction with Community & Parents for Public Schools (CPPS), is conducting a Parent Involvement Survey. CPPS is an organization made up of parent volunteers throughout the District who care about parent involvement. Information gathered from this survey will help shape future policies and programs concerning parent involvement in Portland Public Schools. All parents are encouraged to take the survey, no matter how involved you are! We hope to gather a wide range of opinions from many different voices. Take the survey on-line at http://www.cppsportland.org and have your opinions really count. If you don't have access to the Internet or wish to take the survey in a language other than English, stop by the school office and pick up a paper copy of the survey (available in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, or Vietnamese). Completed surveys should be returned to the school office by April 13, 2007.

APRIL 12 IS A SCHOOL DAY FOR MAPLEWOOD, but not for other cluster schools - This is one of the days this year when our Trimester Calendar means that we are in session, but the quarterly schools have a planning day.

PROJECT SECOND WIND - We reached our Project Second Wind goal…and then some! In one week we collected 995 pounds of food and $97.10 (which is enough to buy 582 pounds of food). This brings our total “pounds” collected to 1,577!!! Thank you to our Student Council and parent volunteers Kath Axline and Theresa Fowler for helping with the annual food drive, and a big thank you to our generous students, families, and staff. The food and money collected will go a long way in helping fight hunger in our state! Jenny Morgan, Character Education Specialist

WALK/BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY COMING APRIL 11 - Keep this date on your calendar, when you and your children will be encouraged to walk or bike to school that day. There will be ideas and help, such as signs, on best routes to come to school, that will encourage us to be as physically active, and to keep carbon burning, at a low level that day. More specifics will come out after Spring Break.

LIFESKILL OF THE MONTH PERSERVERANCE - We have begun to study the LIFESKILL of Perseverance. The development of the LIFESKILL of Perseverance in childhood is critical because it is the basis for curiosity, determination, stamina, steadfastness, and academic achievement. Some ways that we will learn about this LIFESKILL include setting short- and long-term goals and reading stories about people in history or characters in fiction that have persevered. As this study begins, you can review some stories with your child about when he/she was a baby – stories that show how he/she persevered then to master an important skill plus some examples of ways your child perseveres now. Also share times in your life that this LIFESKILL has supported what you were doing. You can also brainstorm ideas for problem solving when your child seems “stumped” about what to do next.

CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK MINUTES AVAILABLE - We have now finished four public meetings around the core curriculum framework. We have promised the participants that the minutes will be available at the schools. To view the minutes, you may see a copy in Maplewood’s office, or visit the website http://www.otl.pps.k12.or.us/.docs/pg/11907. You can click on this and you can download the minutes from these meetings. Thanks and call me if you have any other questions. BrendaGustafson, Sr. Communication Officer, 916-3155, bgustafs@pps.k12.or.us

PARENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE - Parents for Public Schools is hosting its 6th annual conference on Saturday, April 21, from 8 am to 12:30 pm at Benson High School. Come network with parents from across the District, learn how others schools are increasing parent involvement, and get ideas you can bring back to your school! At the end of the morning, dialogue with PPS superintendent Vicki Phillips about what support parents need to help their children succeed. Co-sponsored by Portland Public Schools & the Portland Schools Foundation, this event is free. Childcare and translation services are available. Register On-line at http://www.cppsportland.org starting April 1 or contact CPPS at 503/220-0577.

Upcoming Events:

Mar 23 - Report Cards Come Home!

Mar 26-30 - SPRING BREAK

Apr 11 - Walk/Bike to School Day

Apr 12 - “Mask Works” Imago Theatre @ 1:00 pm

Apr 12 - PTA Meeting A 6:30 pm

Apr 13 - NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day

Apr 14 - Plant Sale

Apr 16 - “Windows to the World” Will Hornyak Storyteller@ 9:00 am

Apr 24 - Run for the PLAYGROUND!

Apr 27/28 - Bookbaggers

May 4 - Legacy Leaf Painting @6:00 pm Cafeteria

Spring Will Be Here - Spirit Week Next Week!

NO SCHOOL FRIDAY - REMINDER: Maplewood students do NOT attend school Friday, as we are on a Trimester schedule and have a Teacher Planning Day. The rest of the Wilson Cluster Schools are on a quarterly system (except for Capitol Hill), so those schools will have students, but not Maplewood.

MAPLEWOOD WEEK STARTS THIS MONDAY WITH PAJAMA DAY! - Our Spirit Week will have people wearing Pajamas to school, and getting Maple Bars on Monday. Students and staff will be allowed to wear their pajamas that day, if they chose to; it will also be the traditional day that students/staff will be served a maple bar baked good. Mark your calendars for Tuesday being Good Deed Day and Maplewood Skate Night. Do a Good Deed and bring in something for a Towel Collection. Roller Skating is at Oaks Park from 6:30 to 8:30 pm; siblings and friends are welcome – we have the place to ourselves! The admission with proceeds going to Maplewood PTA. Wednesday is Maplewood Wear Day. Everyone is encouraged to wear clothing that displays Maplewood’s name on it (it can be hand designed as well as a commercially printed shirt, if you like). Be sure to Dress Up on Thursday in your best dress up clothes. Friday will have people wearing Hats to school. So be sure to wear your favorite or silliest hat that day!

PORTLAND METRO CONCERT BAND GIVES MAPLEWOOD ANOTHER FREE CONCERT: MONDAY, MARCH 19 AT 10:00 A.M. – For the last several years, this accomplished group has donated their time to give our students a free concert, giving them “up front and close” a fine taste of concert band tradition; some of our students will again be performing with them in our gym. You are invited to attend as well!

AFTER-SCHOOL DRAMA WORKSHOP AT MAPLEWOOD THIS SPRING - Short Plays and Skits for Grades K-2. Tuesdays, April 17th-June 5th from 2:20-3:20 p.m. $85 per student. Students work with pantomime, short skits, storytelling and theatre games to learn acting skills. Registration forms were sent home, will be coming home again after Spring Break, or available for pick-up in the office. Register by Friday, April 13^th. For more information, call The Young Players at 503.624.7499 or http://www.theyoungplayers.com/

ROBERT GRAY MIDDLE SCHOOL'S 5TH GRADE PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT - Will be on April 26th, 7:00 P.M., Robert Gray Cafeteria, 5505 S.W. 23rd Avenue (off of S.W. 25th & Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy). Visit classrooms, meet the Sixth Grade Team, and find out about next year’s program! (503) 916-5676

SUNDBOM’S MOVING TO SWEDEN YARD SALE!!

7501 SW 51^ST Avenue(directly behind the portable building at Maplewood)

For Maplewood families only: Thursday, March 22 from 2:30-5:00pm

Open to general public: Friday, March 23^rd from 10am to 5pm; Saturday, March 24^th from 10am to 4pm; Sunday, March 25^th from 10am to 4 pm

25% of the total sales will go to Maplewood Elementary School, the playground fund or where it’s most needed!!

DO THE DOUBLE WHAMMY!! AN IDEA FROM A PTA MEMBER:

Here is an easy way to add money to our school PTA and Foundation funds. Though Albertson’s does not participate in our Scrip program, they do have their own school support program tied to their Preferred Card. Make sure your Preferred Card is linked to Maplewood. We will get a contribution each time you make a purchase with your Preferred Card.

Washington Mutual started their WaMoola for Schools program a few years ago. If you bank with WAMU, make sure your debit card is signed up and linked to Maplewood.

When you purchase groceries at Albertson’s with your Preferred Card and pay with your WAMU debit card, you have just scored a double whammy for Maplewood. Both companies contribute from one shopping trip!

Sandy Hunnicutt, PTA Member

READ-ALOUD-ATHON PLEDGE SHEETS - Please return Read-Aloud-Athon pledges by Monday, March 19TH. Prizes will be awarded on Monday, April 2nd. Thank you for your support of Maplewood. Lynn Barkley, Coordinator

Upcoming Events:

Mar 16 - Teacher Planning Day – NO SCHOOL

Mar 19-23 - Maplewood Spirit Week!

Mar 19 - Portland Metro Concert Band at 10:00 a.m.

Mar 19 - Pajama Day and Maple Bar Day

Mar 20 - Do a Good Deed Day and Skate Night

Mar 21 - Maplewood Wear Day

Mar 22 - Dress Up Day

Mar 23 - Hat Day

Mar 23 - Report Cards Come Home!

Mar 26-30 - SPRING BREAK

March 2nd Principal Notes

PROJECT SECOND WIND - Each month thousands of children in our state receive emergency food assistance through Oregon Food Bank Network. Project Second Wind gives students an important opportunity to aid their peers and learn about the issue of hunger. March 5 – 9^th, Student Council member are assisting their classes with collecting food and money for Project Second Wind. For every $1 donated, Oregon Food Bank can collect and distribute 6 pounds of food that has a $7 value and funds programs that address the root causes of hunger. Or you can help by donating needed food items like tuna, pasta, rice, canned beans, and canned fruit. Let’s make this year’s food drive a huge success!!

GARDEN COMITTE MEETING - The Garden Committee will meet Wed., March 7, at 7 p.m. in the library. Come and find out spring plans for the gardens (and teachers' ideas for the classroom beds). Green and brown thumbs alike welcome!

YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN! - Save the date and buy your tickets: Robert Gray Middle School students will present "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" on May 17 at 6:30PM, May 18 at 7:00PM, and May 19 at 7:00PM. This wonderful musical is made possible by a grant from the PPS Foundation's First Octave Fund and the RGMS PTA. The musical is appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for adults, or $20 for a family pack (up to 5 people). We highly recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance as seating is limited. Please e-mail Rosemary Schwimmer at rjschwimmer@comcast.net or call her at (503) 484-6921 to place your order.

REMINDER - MAPLEWOOD'S ANNUAL READ-ALOUD-ATHON THURSDAY, MARCH 8TH, AT 9 a.m. - Maplewood's Annual Read-Aloud-Athon will be held Thursday morning, March 8th, at 9 a.m. Students will read for 15 minutes and volunteers will tally the number of pages each student read and record the number on the pledge sheet. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR STUDENT BRINGS THEIR PLEDGE FORM TO SCHOOL NEXT THURSDAY, MARCH 8TH. If you have misplaced your pledge form you can: (1) pick-up a pledge form in the Maplewood office, or (2) email Lynn Barkley at lynn1122@earthlink.net and she will send you a pledge form, or (3) just write the name of your student and their sponsor(s) and the pledge amounts on a piece of paper and have your student bring it to school on Thursday, March 8th. Remember, all the money we raise will be used to help Maplewood. Thank you for your support.

BOOKS, TOYS, AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE – The SW Community Center, Clare Hogan, Merri Hansen (former Maplewood students) and PSU students are gathering donated items for the Portland Rescue Mission, Women’s and Children’s Shelter, and the Police Activities League. Please bring donated items (which can be things like toys, household goods, etc.) to Maplewood and put in the bin in the hall just inside the main doors or drop off at the SWCC. They will be collecting donations through March 9^th. Thank you!!

TWO ADDITIONAL DAYS IN JUNE – Please adjust your calendar, as the School Board has now made June 15^th the last day.

MAPLEWOOD ARBORETUM TREE CARE CLASS ON TUESDAY MAY 8^TH FROM 7:00 TO 8:30 PM - Your help is needed to care for the 16 newly planted trees at Maplewood Elementary School. Planted in Spring of 2006 these 16 trees need to be watered by the community this summer. We will be organizing the watering schedule as well as re-staking, mulching and labeling the trees on May 8^th. Please sign up to help tree care for these unique trees. Contact Maplewood Neighborhood Tree Liaison, Vittoria Palazzi, at 503-452-8154 for more information.

Upcoming Events:

Mar 5-9 - Project 2^nd Wind Food Drive

Mar 8 - Read-Aloud-Athon – AM, All Grades

Mar 8 - PTA Meeting – 6:15 pm

Mar 11 - Daylight Saving Time Begins

Mar 15 - Grading Period Ends

Mar 16 - Teacher Planning Day – NO SCHOOL

Mar 17 - St. Patrick’s Day

Mar 19-23 - Maplewood Spirit Week!

Mar 23 - Elementary/Middle School Transfer Deadline

Mar 26-30 - SPRING BREAK!

Principal Notes Feb. 16, 2007

Dear Community – I wanted to first add some late-breaking news and reminders to you, in addition to posting today’s Principal Notes:

1. NO SCHOOL MONDAY – As a reminder, Monday is Presidents’ Day, and all schools and offices will be closed.
2. 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 17^th 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

5. 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?

FAMILY ART NIGHT - Thank you to all of the families that purchased a Legacy Leaf on Jan. 26th. The purchases raised just over $3,300. The Playground Replacement Committee would like to send a thank you to the Parent Resource Committee for having us be apart of their wonderful event, to Mrs. McClenaghan for the use of paint brushes, to Art4Life for the use of painting smocks and paint brushes, and Miller Paint for the generous assistance with painting products and to the teachers that lent us their classroom easels for the night.

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 19 - President’s Day – NO SCHOOL

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 2^nd 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

Principal Notes Jan. 27, 2007

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. 30^th, but Maplewood is open for students this coming Tuesday. The next day, (Wednesday, Jan. 31^st) 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. 3^rd. 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. 6^th 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 (3-8^th grade) and girls (5-8^th 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 21^st 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

Feb 20 - President’s Day – NO SCHOOL

State Scoring Committee Work

OPB News

Dear Community, I will be serving on this Committee next week for three days - This report went out on OPB news yesterday, and thought you might find it interesting. As the article mentions, the possible consequences for the setting of the score cutoffs can have very significant effects.

Students In Limbo As State 'Re-Calibrates' Passing Scores For Tests

By Rob Manning

Since the federal No Child Left Behind act became law almost five years ago, schools have to worry much more about low test scores. If scores are low enough, for long enough, schools can face sanctions -- like paying for student transfers, or restructuring the school entirely. Now, the feds are asking Oregon to re-calculate what constitutes "passing grades" on state assessments -- and to do it immediately. Oregon officials talked today about how they're going to do that, as Rob Manning reports. Imagine you take a test on a computer. It gives you a three-digit score right away. But it doesn't tell you if that number means you've passed. That's the situation for kids all over Oregon, as they sit down to take state tests this year.
Christine Garcia: "We've tried hard to just say, 'You know, we don't know what the passing score is, but take the test, and we'll let you know as soon as we do.'" Christine Garcia is the principal at Alder Creek Middle School. Most of the seventh graders in this Alder Creek math class are finishing up tests they started in October. 12-year-old Michelle Phelps says the pass-fail mystery is not a big deal to her. Michelle Phelps: "I'm not like, really stressing over it because I have a whole lot of other stuff of mine that's more important, so I don't really care right now. But I'm pretty sure I have a passing grade because I'm pretty high, so it's not really bothering me that much." That conclusion didn't surprise Michelle's teacher, Laura Hilsenteger, who says the kids are following her advice -- to just do the best they can. But for Hilsenteger, not knowing the benchmark is a hassle. Laura Hilsenteger: "It would be nice, it would be nice to know your target before you start." Federal officials told educators in Oregon that because it has been ten years since the state calibrated its exams, it can't wait another year. The change won't affect the questions themselves, only what a passing score is. The implication, especially for elementary and middle schools, is that the passing mark will go up, and grade schoolers will have to get more questions right to pass. Laura Hilsenteger says higher standards will likely press teachers to think more about the tests than they do already. Laura Hilsenteger: "Yeah, when it comes down to the wire, in that second round of testing, and you got to get these kids to pass who didn't pass in the fall, you do find yourself doing more actual -- this test question revamped just a little bit. And I know my colleagues are doing the same thing, everybody does the same thing. Because you want your kids at that magic number -- whatever it is." Principal Christine Garcia says she can see some value in aligning standards that she says have been off for years. But she says making the changes in a year will have some serious consequences. Christine Garcia: "The fact that you'll have more kids failing than you did before. I think we will see the fallout from that when the test scores come out. It's going to be hard to look at your class and instead of having fifty percent of my kids pass this test, we're going to see twenty five. And I think that's a pretty good possibility." That may in turn lead to more schools facing federal sanctions, especially this next year, when schools are less prepared for the changes. In explaining the changes, state education spokesman Gene Evans, says that's a tough outcome from the federal timeline. Gene Evans: "It's kind of a tough love thing -- these are the accurate cut scores, and unfortunately, the targets moved this year, but you're still required to meet those targets that we set up under the No Child Left Behind plan." Educators do see a silver lining. They say they've known for some time that standards have been off. The current process is bound to make the tests more relevant, and a better reflection of what kids should know, and are learning. The process to re-calibrate scores begins next week, and will involve more than 300 people, mostly educators. The result will be new scores for a passing grade in math, reading, science, and the test for English among non-native speakers.