Black Bear Bits
January 13, 2023
Important Dates
1/16: No School - Martin Luther King, Jr Day
1/17: PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m. in the school library
1/19: 4th Grade Music Performance 6:30 p.m.
1/21: FTTS Masquerade Gala and Auction 5:30 p.m.
1/23: Art Lit Volunteer Training 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
2/2: Vision Screening
2/2: End of Quarter 2
2/3: No School - Teacher Work Day
In this Edition
- Message from the Principal
- School Community Need
- PTA Fundraisers
- PTA News
- 4th Grade Music Performance
- Job Openings
- Memory Book Submissions
- Verify Your Information in ParentVu
- Health Room Clothing Needed
- FTTS Masquerade Gala and Auction
- Celebrate Diversity Year-Round
- Free NAMI Mental Health Class
- Free PAX Tools Class
- Winter Festival for Tigard High
- Art Rutkin Elementary News
- Flu and Covid Information
- Volunteering at Tualatin Elementary
- Important Links
Message from the Principal
Black Bear Families,
This Monday, we have the honor of celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. On February 4th, 1968, Dr. King delivered a sermon talking about his purpose in life. He wanted to be remembered as one who “tried to give his life serving others … to love and serve humanity.”
One inspiring part of this day is the focus on volunteering in our communities. Helping others is a gift not only to those who benefit from the support, but also to our students who see the positive impact we can make in our communities. Volunteering can be as simple as helping a family member with a task, helping a neighbor with something in their home, or finding an area of your neighborhood to improve.
Next week, we are hosting our PTA meeting on Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the school library. Also, we are having our next music performance, this time for 4th grade, on Thursday. Our performance begins at 6:30 PM, with our doors to the school opening at 6 PM. Hope to see you there!
I hope you all enjoy your three day weekend.
Working with you for kids,
Jim
School Community Need
We are sad to report the passing of three year old Abraham Torres Hernandez over our Winter Break. The Torres Hernandez family has been a part of our community for the past decade. In order to assist the family, we’ve created a Go fund me for the family, and are sharing the link with our community to help cover expenses. Thank you for your consideration!
PTA Fundraisers
Order a dozen (or two) original glazed doughnuts and treat your family to the freshest doughnuts in town AND 50% of the order will be donated back to Tualatin Elementary PTA! From now until January 16, you can get your dozens using our fundraising sales page below. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for Tualatin Elementary PTA How it works: purchase your dozens online, visit your nearest Krispy Kreme store & redeem using your code. Dozens are redeemable nationwide, so feel free to share this page with other doughnut lovers! | BottleDrop Fundraiser You can drop your blue bags of bottles off at any BottleDrop location anytime from here on and the funds will go straight to the Tualatin Elementary PTA! Additional bags can be picked up at the school. Feel free to take a bag to work and collect those cans in your offices and lunchrooms! Save the environment and support Tualatin Elementary at the same time! |
Order a dozen (or two) original glazed doughnuts and treat your family to the freshest doughnuts in town AND 50% of the order will be donated back to Tualatin Elementary PTA!
From now until January 16, you can get your dozens using our fundraising sales page below.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for Tualatin Elementary PTA
How it works: purchase your dozens online, visit your nearest Krispy Kreme store & redeem using your code. Dozens are redeemable nationwide, so feel free to share this page with other doughnut lovers!
BottleDrop Fundraiser
Feel free to take a bag to work and collect those cans in your offices and lunchrooms! Save the environment and support Tualatin Elementary at the same time!
PTA News
PTA Meeting Join the PTA on Tuesday, January 17th at 7:00 p.m. for their monthly meeting in the school library. Everyone is invited! | ArtLit Volunteer Training Art Literacy Volunteer Training: Monday, January 23rd, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Join Irene DeGiovanni as she introduces Jacob Lawrence as the featured artist for February. Read more about him here. | Read-a-thon Committee MeetingsWe have only had three committee members active so far, and the more help we have the easier it will be for us to throw a successful fundraiser - so please sign up, and invite your friends! Next Read-a-thon Committee Meeting: Thursday, February 9 · 7:30 – 8:30pm |
PTA Meeting
ArtLit Volunteer Training
Join Irene DeGiovanni as she introduces Jacob Lawrence as the featured artist for February. Read more about him here.
Read-a-thon Committee Meetings
We have only had three committee members active so far, and the more help we have the easier it will be for us to throw a successful fundraiser - so please sign up, and invite your friends!
Next Read-a-thon Committee Meeting:
Thursday, February 9 · 7:30 – 8:30pm
Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/amn-swtr-yen
Den Leaders in Action
Fourth Grade Music Performance
Our fourth-graders have been hard at work preparing for their annual Oregon Trail Concert! In fourth grade, students learn Oregon history, participate in an Oregon Trail re-creation, and present a fabulous musical extravaganza! Join them on Thursday, January 19th at 6:30 p.m.
Mark your calendars for upcoming musical performances this year.
5th grade music concert Feb 9, 2023
2nd grade music concert March 2, 2023
All concerts will be from 6:30-7:00 p.m.
Job Openings
If you are interested in this position, reach out to the office for more information (503-431-4800) or apply directly here.
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Packed with Pride is hiring for two part-time positions!
Details about each position can be found here:
Heavy Lifter, Food Handout Nights
Food Bank Assistant, Part-time
If you have any questions or you are interested in applying, please email packedwithpridecommunity@gmail.com and include the job title in the subject line.
Memory Book Photo Submissions - Deadline March 5th, 2023
Happy 2023 Staff and Families! We hope you all enjoyed the holidays and time with your loved ones. With the New Year here and the printing date for our Memory Book nearing, it is time to start wrapping up our photo submissions. Please see below for specifics on the photo submissions we are now accepting and note our submission deadline date of March 5th, 2023. Your contributions will help make this year's Memory Book extra special!
Order forms for Memory Book purchases will be distributed at the end of January/beginning of February, so please keep your eyes peeled for those in the upcoming weeks, along with the opportunity to purchase a 5th Grade Tribute for your 5th grader. More details coming soon.
We are now accepting the following photos:
Spirit Week/Days (Hat Day, PJ Day, etc.)
1st Grade Music Informances*
Classroom Field Trips
Art Lit*
Winter Holiday Family Night
Garden
Are you volunteering in the school?...what a wonderful opportunity for you to document school happenings while our memory book volunteers can't be there. Please snap some pics and send them our way.
Please send your photo submissions to tualatinschoolphotos@gmail.com AND label with the following information: student's grade, teacher's name, student's first and last name and the name of the activity, i.e. 2nd grade, Fossati, John Smith, First Day of School.
Have other memory book questions, please reach out to Ashley Young at tualatinememorybook@gmail.com.
Verify Your Information in ParentVue
We have opened up the opportunity for parents to update their information we have in our system (Synergy) via ParentVUE.
It will remain open through the end of the school year. We ask that all parents review the student health information, email, phone, student cell phone, etc. that we have on file to ensure we have the best method for school to home communication.
Parents will have 5 opportunities to dismiss this reminder in ParentVUE before they are forced to review and update this information.
Health Room Clothing Needed

Foundation Masquerade Gala and Auction
The Foundation for Tigard Tualatin Schools (FTTS) is having their first-ever Masquerade Gala + Auction on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Washington Square! Proceeds go to the Foundation's school grant program, which pays for extra part-time teachers at ALL 16 district schools, including ours. Get dressed up and get your tickets for a fun night!
Celebrate Diversity Year Round
As the world becomes smaller and increasingly diverse in its cultures and experiences, it is crucial that all children have access to books that serve as both windows and mirrors. Kids who see their own experiences reflected in books gain self-confidence, while reading about experiences that differ from their own helps kids develop healthy curiosity and empathy.
Visit the Stories for All Project™ often to explore the ever-expanding selection of diverse books and help your kids grow as readers, individuals, and citizens.
Download a FREE School-Year Calendar identifying month-long observances, religious holidays, and additional dates of cultural or historical significance.
Free NAMI Mental Health Classes
Do you want to learn more about youth mental health, and how to support the children in your life? The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Washington County is offering a free class starting on January 25th. NAMI Basics is a 6-session education program for parents, caregivers and other family members who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms. It's taught by a trained team with lived experience raising a child with a mental health condition. They know what you’re going through because they've been there too.
When: Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30pm, January 25th - March 1st
Where: Countryside Community Church in Sherwood. 18810 SW Kruger Rd, Sherwood, OR 97140
Link to register: https://bit.ly/BasicsSherwood

Free PAX Tools Class

Winter Festival at Tigard High School

Art Rutkin Elementary - New TTSD Elementary School in Tigard
Please contact Jamie Kingery, Art Rutkin Elementary principal, for information about TTSD's new elementary school opening fall 2023. Current information about the school's location, attendance area boundary and enrollment can also be found in this Frequently Asked Questions document - Art Rutkin Elementary FAQ - and these slides from recent elementary school presentations at Alberta Rider, Deer Creek and Mary Woodward. Contact information: 503 431-3508 or jkingery@ttsd.k12.or.us.

Flu and Covid Season is here!
With colder weather, comes more opportunity to spread cold, flu, and Covid-19 germs. We are seeing all three at Tualatin Elementary and ask you to do your part by following these recommendations:
- Please monitor carefully for the following primary COVID and Flu symptoms, and keep your student home if they exhibit any of the following:
Cough
Temperature of 100.4 or higher
Shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Sore throat
Nasal congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
- Please contact the school for assistance with the following:
Information on testing – We have at-home tests available at the school
If you test positive for COVID-19
If you have questions regarding symptoms and exclusions
- Wash hands often, especially after coming in contact with body fluids. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer
- Cover coughs and sneezes
Where Can I Get a Flu Shot?
The Washington County website has a list of locations offering the Flu Shot and other Vaccinations.
Where Can I Get a Covid Vaccine or Booster?
Volunteering at Tualatin Elementary
We love our volunteers and are excited to welcome you back into the building this year! To volunteer at Tualatin, please follow the steps below. When your application is completed, you'll receive an email from the front office and you'll be able to schedule volunteer time at the school.
All volunteers must complete the checklist below to volunteer
- Complete a background check at: www.helpcounter.net/ttsd. (This needs to be renewed every three years.)
- Be vaccinated for COVID-19. Please provide vaccine documentation using the following link-TTSD Volunteer Vaccination Documentation or send a copy/photo of your card to the school office (athorderson@ttsd.k12.or.us)
- OR If you have a vaccination exception, please fill out the form that applies to you- Religious or Medical and submit to the following link- TTSD Volunteer Exception Documentation
When the above has been completed, contact me (athorderson@ttsd.k12.or.us or 503-431-4800) and I will send you links to the training materials.
Masks will be optional in the building for volunteers that are vaccinated. We ask that if you are sick or have any symptoms, that you postpone your volunteering until you are well.
Volunteers with a vaccine exception on file will be required to:
Wear a mask while on TTSD property OR;
Be given a rapid test at the time and location of their volunteer assignment.
Please contact Amanda Thorderson (athorderson@ttsd.k12.or.us or 503-431-4800) with any questions.
subject to supply chain disruptions
Pay for meals, see the school menu, apply for free and reduced lunch
Did you miss a past edition of the Black Bear Bits? Read them here!
Get information on school closures and delays.
See the approved calendar for the school year.