Helman News
October 28, 2020
WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK
Please take a few minutes to complete the Fall Family Survey (linked below). Your feedback is important to us and will help us continue to learn how to best support students and families during Distance Learning.
NO SCHOOL THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO SUBMIT YOUR DONATION FOR THE MOVE-A-THON!
THANK YOU to all who logged their movement minutes during last week's MOVE-A-THON!
Each classroom's drawing winner will receive a Helman T-shirt! T-shirts will be included in the next "home learning kit" pick-up. The school Grand Prize drawing winner receives a gift certificate to TreeHouse Books!
Classroom Drawing Winners:
Athena Ousley
Elijah Morgan
Takoda Walker
Livia Brecheisen
Amira Hagemann
Oliver Brabec
Josslyn Anderson-Barden
Isabella Loberg
Ruby Spangler
Lola Sorsoli
Vajra Soule
Sawyer Bernard
Brooklyn Malamitsas
Jack Ramseur Stroud
GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
Genevieve Welch
Helman PTA helps make possible programs such as after-school art classes, the science fair, playground equipment, reading support, technology, school improvements, field trips, basic school supplies, a broad range of classroom enrichment programs, and so much more!
Helman PTA
705 Helman St.
Ashland, OR 97520
The Helman PTA really supports our school - please consider asking for a generous pledge!
THE 12TH ANNUAL MONSTER DASH FOR EDUCATION HAS GONE VIRTUAL THIS YEAR!
What does that mean?
Register for the race of your choice, get your “in the bubble” friends and family together for your own mini-Monster Dash event! Run your own course, or one of the suggested courses we’ll be posting on our website, at a time of your choosing from Oct 23 to Nov 1.
Online Contests for registrants: Costume Contest for kids and adults – even your pets! You can submit your photos in different categories by age brackets. We’ll also have contests for best race or finish line photos, and best video submissions, too. We won’t be able to give prizes for fastest times, but just by uploading your time to the race registration site, you’ll be eligible for awesome prize drawings.
Online Auction! Check out the many gift cards and auction packages available for bid at the Monster Dash Online Auction (on event website beginning Oct 16) – even if you’re not participating in the race! Auction Open Oct 16-31.
Race Packets will be given out at our drive-up Packet Pick-up events. Everyone’s packet will include a race bib, crepe paper finish line, and finisher’s medal – plus kid’s packet will include some Halloween activities and a trick-or-treat bag of candy and Halloween toys.
Giveaways: Each youth is eligible to choose a science kit or realistic sea or land creature from Blue Marble! Adults: choose a hat from Sunday Afternoons, while they last.
Check out the website below for more info and ideas – we’re still adding details and ideas so check back often!
Register:
- Online at www.ashlandmonsterdash.com
- Youth 18 and under cost $10 for any race
Adult registration fees range from $15-$25 depending on race
Scholarships are available for low-income families. - Race t-shirts may be pre-ordered thru Oct 21
Website: www.AshlandMonsterDash.com
Email: asf@ashland.k12.or.us Phone: 541-482-8197
SITE COUNCIL AT HELMAN
We are currently seeking additional parents to serve on this committee. If you are interested, email me at michelle.cuddeback@ashland.k12.or.us.
We will meet via Zoom the third Tuesday of the month from 3-4 pm this school year. For security reasons, Zoom link will be sent prior to the meeting.
TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
If you need tech help, please reach out directly to our amazing Tech Department here to request help or give them a call 541-201-2600.
If you need to borrow a device from the District to access Distance Learning, please complete the recent survey emailed to you. If you already filled out the District survey, you should hear soon for a time to pick up a device. If you have not completed the survey or your tech needs have changed, please contact Malinda for assistance.
EXTRA HELP ON WEDNESDAYS
School ends at 12:00 on Wednesdays, but we realize your child may have learning to catch up on outside of that time.
Our skilled team of educational assistants are available 12:30-1:30 every Wednesday on Zoom for additional support.
To access this help, simply have your child log in to their teacher's Canvas Course and click on the Educational Assistant's Zoom link. Here they can access individual and small group help sessions.
OREGON BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
Attention 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade families: Permission slips for OBOB are due by November 10th.
What is OBOB? OBOB stands for Oregon Battle of the Books.
Interested 3rd-5th grade students read from a list of 16 books chosen for their diverse genres, content and reading difficulty. Readers of all levels are encouraged to participate! Teams will be competing in a series of quiz-like sessions with questions about the book content for all 16 titles.
You can see example OBOB questions and learn more about the program here: https://youtu.be/Y9GUMwt4oAI
We will be having our ‘battles’ via Zoom this year. Parent coaches are needed!
You can find the OBOB permission slip on the Canvas Helman Library course.
Click on the bright yellow OBOB button for more information.
$$$ FOR HELMAN
Please complete the Federal Meal Program application every year.
The income thresholds for qualifying have been raised. If you did not qualify before, you might now!
WHY?
Helman directly benefits from every family that qualifies! Without these funds we would see significant cuts in Educational Assistant positions, Math Intervention services, and Reading Intervention services. Thank you for your help!
- This information helps the district qualify for additional federal funds
- Helps qualify families for utilities benefits
- Helps us identify families in need when other benefits become available such as the gift cards that were donated and distributed to families in the Spring
Application for free or reduced meals can be found at: https://family.titank12.com
If you have any questions or concerns or need to set up a delivery for your children, please contact Nutrition services at nutritionservices@ashland.k12.or.us or call 541-482-2811 x 1116
HELMAN PTA FOOD BACKPACK PROGRAM
We at the PTA know full bellies help kids to learn and thrive. Sign up below for this PTA program and your child can receive a food backpack each Friday. The backpacks contain nutritious foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including soups, cereal, pasta, peanut butter, dried fruit or applesauce and, when possible, fresh produce, bread, and snacks. Though the program is intended to help those children whose families find it difficult to have enough food for the entire month, all children are eligible for this program.
To sign up and request a weekly backpack, visit:
If your family does not need a weekly food backpack but you would like to donate food or money to the program, please contact becky.sniffen@ashland.k12.or.us. The program is funded through the Helman Elementary School PTA and through generous gifts from the Ashland Food Co-op, Ashland Emergency Food Bank, the Maslow Project, and from contributions from our Helman community. Thank you!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, October 30 ~ NO SCHOOL, Teacher Inservice Day
Tuesday, November 10 ~ Helman PTA Meeting, 6:30-8:00pm via Zoom
Wednesday, November 11 ~ NO SCHOOL, Veteran's Day
November 25-27 ~ NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break
Helman Elementary
Vision: Helman school is a safe, loving community where each child is honored as an individual, challenged to take risks, develop friendships, reflect on their growth, push themselves to reach their potential, and embrace the wonder that leads to lifelong enthusiasm for learning.
Email: michelle.cuddeback@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: http://www.ashland.k12.or.us/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=45
Location: 705 Helman Street, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 541-482-5620
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Helman-Elementary-School-1557046364532003/