Maplewood Memo
October 25, 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Greetings Maplewood Families,
I hope this newsletter caught you and your kids reading for the read-a-thon this week! We have had so many great ways to celebrate reading in the last two weeks. What a great fall focus. Thank you to everyone who helped with organizing these two reading weeks. This Friday will be the culmination of the read-a-thon and our focus on reading. As you likely have heard, we are asking students and staff to dress as a book character. The aim is to have a homemade feel to the character costumes, rather than premade Halloween costumes. HERE are some simple ideas to help your child get ready for this event. Thank you for your support!
Site Council met last night and we had some great discussions. Thank you to the three parents who showed up. HERE are the notes from the meeting. We would love to have more join us - the more the merrier! Here is a list of the next meeting dates. Mark your calendars:
2nd Meeting - February 12, 2024
3rd Meeting - June 3, 2024
4th Meeting - June 24, 2024
I will deliver a state of the school address to review fall data and our goals for the year. I will pick a date for this meeting once we know the outcome of the possible strike.
Thank you for all of your support in the myriad of ways that make Maplewood such a special place.
Warmly,
Kit
* "Please click view entire message to read the entire news memo"
SAVE THE DATE
October 26
Picture Day
October 27
Book Character Dress Up
Kindergarten to Pumpkin Patch
October 27
Online Swag Sale & OBOB Book Fundraiser (Annie Blooms)
November 3
No School - teacher planning day
November 10
No School - Veteran's Day Observed
November 20 & 21
Conferences - No School for Students
November 22, 23, 24
No School - Happy Thanksgiving
STAFF NEWS
COUNSELING
Hello Maplewood community!
If you are trying to find some ways to help out or engage at Maplewood, here are some ideas:
* WeWgive out prizes each day to students working on specific goals. If you have little items around the house that could live a second life as a small prize for a kid (think matchbox cars, little fidgets, action figures, party favors, fancy pencils, etc.) please send those my way! If you'd like to buy something off Amazon for either prizes, HERE is a wishlist.
* We keep a mini food pantry of specific, easy-to-eat items that need no/minimal cooking or refrigeration. We could really use donations of protein/granola bars, heat-and-eat soups, protein drinks in aseptic packaging, peanut butter, chips and crackers, apple sauce packets, etc. If you'd like to donate any of these items, please bring to the main office.
Thanks so much for your support!
Kendall Cunningham and Kate Knochel
FROM THE LIBRARY
If you liked…
In the library when students are struggling to connect with a book, I ask, “What is the last book you read or had read to you that you loved?” This helps guide me. If they are reading a series, they often only want to read the next book in the series. If the book is not present in our library (or checked out), I will get a copy at the public library, or purchase a copy asap.
In my experience, students want to read what they want to read. If they are interested in fictional talking cats, that’s going to be their reading journey for a while.
When I research for “books like”, I enter “If you like (insert title here)” into a search and then read several links that appear.They always point to the same good suggestions.
Here is one list (and never hesitate to contact me for lists like this for your child).
If you like Wings of Fire, you might like:
Warriors series (Erin Hunter)
The Menagerie series (Tui. T. Sutherland)
Land of Stories series (Chris Colfer)
The Last Kids on Earth (Max Brallier)
Dragon Egg Princess (Ellen Oh)
Aruh Shah (Roshani Chokshi)
Dragon Rider (Cornelia Funke)
How to Train Your Dragon (Cressida Cowell)
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Grace Lee)
Fire Within (Chris D’Lacey)
Redwall (Brian Jacques)
Jumbies (Tracey Baptiste)
Then, make a stack from suggestions (feel free to come take home extra books from the Maplewood Library)! Hopefully one book will spark their interest.
And, there is always pointing your child to other books by the same author.
PE
Megan Weatherill
OFFICE
Maria (mbelgrav@pps.net) works Monday through Thursday.
Shannon (sriley@pps.net) works Tuesday Through Friday.
Please be sure to include both of us in your communications regarding your children's plans.
Late Student
The morning bell rings at 7:55am and the tardy bell rings at 8:00am. If your child arrives after the 8:00am bell, please be sure they enter the school through the front entrance doors. All doors will automatically lock at 8:00am. If your child is late they will need to get a tardy slip from the office to take to their teacher so they are not marked absent and parents do not received the automated call.
Volunteering at Maplewood
Volunteer Needs
- Picture Day: Thursday, October 26th, 8-11 a.m. 2 volunteers needed - volunteers get a voucher for free photos (Package C)!
- Ongoing academic support, Monday through Friday morning at Maplewood
- Ongoing social/emotional support, Monday through Friday morning at Maplewood
Hi Community,
Maplewood needs volunteers, even (maybe especially) during this rough time.
Most urgently, we still need two volunteers to help with picture day this Thursday (October 26th), from 8 am to 11 am. BUT! Volunteers get a voucher for free pictures! :)
Needs have also shifted this year. Last year, with two grades combined at each lunchtime, volunteers were needed to help keep the ruckus to a minimum. This year, lunches are single-grade and much calmer.
The school has asked that, rather than so much help at lunchtime (though you can of course still do this, don't worry!), we volunteers provide direct one-on-one support to kids.
The two ways to do this are: academic support (reading and math), and social/emotional support (giving kids a break when they need it).
All of this is reflected on our Signup page - we would LOVE if you would sign up to help with these things, if your schedule and bandwidth allow. :)
Here is the link and thank you, friends: https://signup.com/group/39552102021
Please sign up for Maplewood School Volunteer Central activities on SignUp.com today!
Choose your SignUps for Maplewood School Volunteer Central today! No login or passwords needed and receive automated reminders for your spots!
We have a new Volunteer Handbook this year. Click HERE to check it out.
SCHOOL NEWS
Report Cards
New Report Cards:
Please visit THIS site to check out information about our new report cards.Strike
Strike:
HERE are some resources to help you discuss the strike with your child(ren).
Reach out to the PTA if you need assistance.
PPS has added bargaining days so hopefully this will all be resolved and we can avoid the strike.
Reading
Reading:
Parent Reading Information Night slideshow HERE with speaker notes.
What should K-3 students be able to do in reading by the end of the year: Check THIS out.
If you would like your child to practice reading books at their level, ask your teacher for the sign in code for Reading A-Z. It has “decodable” books which help them practice the skills they are learning in school.
Health in School:
Please see the Family Guide: Preventing Illness and Contagious Disease in School - 2023-24 so you are aware of what individual- and school-level preventive measures can be taken to keep students healthy and in school.
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 at Maplewood!
OBOB is a statewide reading competition spanning 3rd to 12th grade. Each year new book titles are chosen by the state OBOB committee and they are always amazing! Grades 3-5 can participate in elementary school (3rd has 8 books, 4 & 5 have 16 books). Students form teams, read books and compete game show style answering questions about the books. It's a great way for kids to be exposed to a variety of great books, practice reading comprehension and demonstrate their sportsmanship.
Maplewood students have already started forming teams and reading books! We hope to have the teams finalized by November 10th. Team forming will be facilitated by teachers and Ms. Kordahl when needed. We will hold battles during recess time starting in February with the goal of sending our winning 5th grade team to regionals!
The book list for this year is available in the library or on our new OBOB webpage. Below is the new official Maplewood OBOB website, as well as Ms. Kordahl's padlet page, both contain all sorts of great info. Teachers will be discussing OBOB in class and the kids will also learn about it during their library time.
If you or your student(s) have questions please reach out to Ms. Elin Kordahl or the parent mOBOB committee.
Your Parent mOBOB Team,
Heather J, Manda B, Darcie G, Lauren C and Christy W
MW OBOB site:
https://www.maplewoodpta.com/obob/
Ms. Kordahl’s Padlet:
BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENUS
School Health Center Information
Elementary and Middle School SHC Informaiton
Student Health Centers are like having a doctor’s office at school. Students can get regular or sports physicals, school immunizations, mental health services, COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, prescription medication refills, and lots of other health services. There are no out-of-pocket costs. The following links describe how students can access their closest MCHD Student Health Center and the Benson Wellness Center at Marshall.
Please click on the following links for more information on Student Health Centers (here and here) and Multnomah County Health Department's ongoing, free Immunization Clinic.
PTA
PTA Current & Upcoming Events
Fall Maplewood Spirit Wear / Swag Sale - Our online spirit wear starts now! Maplewood t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats are available to order via our Maplewood Store. Perfect for the holidays. Delivery of swag items will be in early November. Thank you for showing your school spirit! Want swag as a gift? No worries, pickup options are available. Please email with any questions.
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.
Maplewood Volunteer Opportunities
We still need a few more Book Fair and Pie Sale PIckup Volunteers! For more details or to sign up visit Volunteer at Maplewood.
Participate in our friendly ARTS CONTEST at Maplewood!
Students can submit their individual, completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
Deadline for submissions is December 1st 2023
More information and submission form available here [link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12zdvsopMhiCdsB2WALiMX6u0biwFEsccLXeJIswOxwQ/edit?usp=sharing ]
For any question, please contact Maplewood PTA at: maplewoodptareflections@gmail.com
FOUNDATION
Dear Maplewood Community,
Ways to Support Foundation
Donate to the auction
This year's auction will be on March 2nd, 2024. We welcome (and greatly appreciate) donations for our annual spring auction. Please consider donating a service, item, beer, wine, spirits, experience, or vacation property. Our team works very hard to procure amazing donations for the annual auction and welcomes your support. We are also always looking for sponsors for the event Please email us at maplewoodfoundation@gmail.com if you have donations or would like to sponsor or help plan the auction.
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.