Maplewood Memo
February 14, 2024
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Greetings!
Maplewood is a busy place these days. It has been an adjustment having Markham with us, but everyone is positive and supportive so we are finding ways to solve space issues together. We were planning on having Markham for about three weeks, but with the latest update about Markham’s damage, it looks like Markham will not be ready for them to return this school year. I have not gotten official information about next steps about what the plan for Markham is, but it is my understanding there are some other options being discussed. We are hoping to hear the district’s plan about next steps soon.
Markham students are spread across three different lunch times so as to not crowd one grade with more than one class. This has created longer hot lunch lines. Please, if possible, pack a lunch from home if your child is running out of time to eat. I wish I could magically change the schedule and make lunches longer, but the domino effect of this is widespread and will impact the school in ways I would like to avoid.
On another note, this is the time of year when we get to celebrate all our amazing growth. Mid-year assessments are behind us and we have made great progress despite the many starts and stops to the year. Below is a brief overview of our growth so far this school year.
As we move towards spring, teachers will be using targeted interventions to boost those who may not yet be meeting benchmark. If you would like to learn more about the data, please join us at Site Council tomorrow at 5:30 online. Google Meet joining info: https://meet.google.com/gyp-dnpz-czw
We also received staffing information about next year. Many schools got deep cuts but we fared pretty well. PPS sent staffing information out to families yesterday. Check your inbox for this, and if you didn’t receive it, please let Maria know at mbelgrav@pps.net. We will also discuss staffing at our upcoming Site Council meeting.
On Monday we had a Lunar New Year parade around the blacktop. This was our first annual Lunar New Year parade and it was so fun! Mrs. Smith and some students make a dragon which led the parade and students carried lanterns they made and were dressed in yellow and red. We will have a Lunar New Year assembly on March 5th. Check it out HERE.
We have so many fun events happening around the corner. To celebrate Black History Month, teachers have been learning about great black leaders and changemakers in class. HERE is the slideshow the teachers are using for their lessons. Would you like to explore Black History Month with your child(ren)? Here are some great resources to get you started: Click here or here for a list of kid-friendly biographies of black leaders and click here for a list of black children changemakers. Teachers are also decorating their door in honor of BHM. Next time you are in school, be sure to check them out. At the end of this month, on February 27th, we will have our second annual Blues Assembly with Norman Sylvester. Parents are welcome to join this fun assembly!
On a different note, do you know any incoming kinders? I will be hosting an information session about kindergarten at Maplewood on February 28th from 3-4. We will also have PTA, Foundation, Champions, our counselors, our SpEd teachers, Nutrition Services and much more for parents to meet and ask questions.
To close, I would like to formally welcome Rose Flenniken back after her leave. Ms. Flenniken is our special education teacher and has transitioned from a male to a female recently. Students, families and staff have shown incredible support to her and I am so grateful we can support each other in our community. Thank you to those who have reached out to Rose to make her feel welcome and supported.
Warmly,
Kit Galloway
SAVE THE DATE
February 17
Parents Night Out 6-9pm
February 28
Kindergarten Connection - Incoming Kinder Families
Gym 3-4:00pm
March 5th
Coffee with Principal Galloway - Gym 8:00am
March 21
Class Pictures
April 6th
Auction
MAPLEWOOD AUCTION
New date, Same great theme, Same great people!
When and Where: April 6, 2024 (Sat), 5:30 pm at MJCC.
: Early bird ticket pricing is available NOW until Feb. 18
What’s new: Sponsor a staff or teacher ticket and receive a drink ticket as a thank you for your generosity!
You can purchase tickets here directly at: https://maplewoodfoundation.schoolauction.net/backtothe80s
Let’s go back to the 80s!
COUNSELING
Volunteers power our schools and communities! In the past we have had an emotional support educational assistant that has supported students by giving them breaks. With shifting budget priorities, we no longer fund this position so we need you VOLUNTEERS to step in. This is a really positive time to interact with students and get to know them better while providing them with a break from the classroom to help them regulate and focus.
Here are the time slots:
9:20-10:30 Monday and Thursday
1:00-1:45 Wednesday and Friday
Another opportunity is to volunteer to buy a needed item under $100 for a student at Maplewood. Most of the time this is an item like a coat or shoes in a specific size. You would be contacted by a school counselor and given the size, item needed and have a few days to provide the item.
Please contact Kendall Cunningham, K-3 School Counselor, kcunninghamparm@pps.net to let her know what day/time you can help or if you are able to provide an item for a student with need at Maplewood.
Thanks!
Ms. Cunningham
P.E.
We are beginning our throwing and catching unit! For overhand throws we use the cues: Side to target, upper case L, step-twist-throw. Ask your child to demonstrate for you! Remember, kids love throwing a football or other ball around with a friend or parent especially when it's beautiful outside!
Second grade has been enjoying swim lessons at the Southwest Community Center. If you'd like your children to have swim lessons outside of school at Gabriel Park, you can find more information HERE.
Ms. Weatherill
OFFICE SCHEDULE
Maria Belgrave (mbelgrav@pps.net) works Monday through Thursday.
Shannon Riley (sriley@pps.net) works Tuesday through Friday.
Julie Ries (jries@mesd.k12.or.us) Health Aid- Monday through Friday 8:00am - 2:30pm
Chris Khodadadian (ckhodadad@mesd.k12.or.us) School Nurse - Thursday 8:00a-12:00p
Please be sure to include both Maria and Shannon in communications regarding your children.
SCHOOL NEWS
Camp Invention:
Camp Invention® is coming back to Maplewood Elementary July 22-26, 2024. After earning rave reviews from campers, parents and educators, this action-packed program is returning with a brandnew program, Illuminate! Children in grades K-6 will collaborate with friends to take on fun, hands-on STEM challenges, from designing a light-up ball game to tackling global water challenges to starring in a prototyping game show! Each experience inspires creativity and boosts confidence. Secure your spot at invent.org/ mylocalcamp and use promo code SUM25 by 3/27 to save $25.
Volunteer Needs:
- One-on-one/small group academic support
- Social/emotional breaks for kids
*More information and sign-up spots are here: https://www.maplewoodpta.com/volunteer/. Or contact Lauren at Maplewoodvolcoord@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Lauren
Parents Night Out:
RESCHEDULED DATE: Saturday, Feb 17!
We hope you can still join us for a concert to benefit our school. Tickets are available through February 10. All tickets previously purchased are valid for the new date.
Join us for a night of rockin' fun and fundraising!
Groove to 'The Hard Maybes' - featuring Maplewood's Rod Thompson, dad to Isla (4th grade) and Owen (2nd grade), playing contemporary and classic rock hits! Tickets are limited, get yours today at the Maplewood Store so we can check you in at the door. You can sponsor a teacher's ticket too!
Date: Saturday, February 17, 6 - 9 pm
Location: Buffalo Gap Saloon Attic, 6835 S. Macadam Ave
Tickets: $30; https://maplewood-pta.square.site/?item=115#26
Let's support our school and make this event a blast!
ParentVue race update:
As we look at our school assessment data, we noticed that there are many students whose race is not correctly recorded in our system. Please be sure to update this information asap so our data reflects our true demographics.
Click on “Yearly Verification”
Click “Verify Online”
Follow the prompts to update your information.
OBOB - Oregon Battle of the Books:
I hope everyone is feeling ready to battle! I know kids are ready to get started but we need to make some timeline changes. As with most things this year, we need to adapt. We will be pushing back our battle start date to February 19th. We want to give everyone a little time to adapt to Markham sharing our building and we need a little time to adjust our battle locations. This new timeline allows time for all battles and a final battle date of March 12th, and regionals for our winning 5th grade team on March 16th.
Anyone that has signed up to help moderate battles: I have adjusted the dates for the battles, please take a look and see if you need to adjust your availability. I apologize for the pivot but we believe this will be for the best. If you are interested in volunteering to moderate battles, please check out the link below!
The teams are set and brackets will be posted soon for kids to check out. If you have any questions please direct them to your parent OBOB team maplewoodobob@gmail.com or Ms. Kordahl kordahl@pps.net. For more information please visit our new webpage maplewoodpta.com/obob.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4AA9AC2EA5F94-47081953-obob
Thank you from you parent OBOB team,
Heather, Manda, Darcie, Christy, Lauren, Katie and Megan
PTA
PTA Current & Upcoming Events
Oregon Battle of the Books PTA Book Fundraiser (3rd - 5th grade students) - The PTA has partnered with Annie Bloom's to make purchasing our Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) titles super easy! Books are available now to be ordered through our Maplewood Store and sent home in your child's backpack in early November. Want books as a gift? No worries, pickup options are available. Please email with any questions.
Please visit the PTA website and Maplewood Facebook page for all PTA events and information.
Upcoming Events:
Coffee and Pastries with Kit — March 5th in the Gym, First Tuesday of each Month
For After School classes - please visit the PTA site or Maplewood Facebook Page.
Thank you!!
Amber
FOUNDATION
Ways to Support Foundation
Monthly recurring donation
A monthly donation is the most convenient and effective way to give to Maplewood. Even small monthly donations make a big impact over time. Set up your monthly recurring donation here.
One-time contribution
This is a great option for grandparents, extended family, and loving neighbors to support your Maplewood student. Make a one-time contribution here.
By check
We are happy to receive donations by check made out to Maplewood Foundation and dropped off at or mailed to the school:
Maplewood Foundation
7452 SW 52nd Ave, Portland, OR 97219
Matching employer contribution
Ask your employer if they have a matching program for donations to non-profits. Click here for a list of already participating employers.
Fred Meyer Rewards Program Contribution
If you shop at Fred Meyer and are part of their rewards program, you may designate those reward savings to the Maplewood Foundation. It’s super easy and you can learn more here (sign in and search for Maplewood Foundation or IF500): https://www.fredmeyer.com/i/community/community-rewards.
BottleDrop Donations
Individuals can donate funds from their BottleDrop account balance to your Give account by logging into their account and using this link or connecting with the Foundation for bag tags.
STUDENT HEALTH
WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL
Please follow these guidelines to help all students stay healthy and ready to learn.
Please DO NOT SEND AN ILL STUDENT TO SCHOOL. The other page of this letter gives examples of when your student should not be in school.
If your student is ill, please CONTACT THE SCHOOL.
Please contact your health care provider about any SERIOUS ILLNESS or if you are worried about your student’s health. If you need help in finding a health care provider, you may contact the local public health authority.
Please notify the school if your child is diagnosed with a CONTAGIOUS DISEASE, including these: chickenpox, diarrhea caused by E. coli or Salmonella or Shigella, hepatitis, measles, mumps, pertussis, rubella, scabies, tuberculosis, or another disease as requested. The school will protect your private information as required by law. [OAR 333-019-0010; ORS 433.008.]
Please notify the school if your student requires MEDICATIONS during school hours. Follow school protocols for medication at school. If your student’s illness requires antibiotics, the student must have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours before returning to school, and longer in some cases. Antibiotics are not effective for viral illnesses.
Please notify the school if your student has an UNDERLYING OR CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITION. We will work with you to address the health condition so that the student can learn. With consent, the school nurse may consult with the student’s health care provider about the health condition and necessary treatments. To contact the school nurse or health office please call or email.
We want to support your student. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns.
FLYERS AND OTHER INFORMATION
YEARBOOKS $26.00