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

PTA News

Den Leaders in Action

Several of our Den Leaders stayed after school this week to make a banner for No Place For Hate. Students signed hand cut-outs signifying their commitment to making our school a bully-free zone. These hands were incorporated into our No Place for Hate Banner. When you're at our school, check out the banner in our rotunda.

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

Looking for a part-time job while your children are in school, working with great people and making a difference in children's lives? Come work at Tualatin Elementary! We are hiring a Food Service Assistant! Our food service assistant works 3.5 hours a day assisting Aggi in the cafeteria, preparing and serving nutritious food to our students.


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

Did you sort through clothes over Winter Break? Do you have gently-used clothing that you are planning to donate? Please keep the health room in mind. We are especially short on small (sizes 5-8) elastic-waist pants and underwear, although we are happy to accept all sizes! (And remember--for tax purposes, this may be an "in-kind" donation to the school!)
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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

Exploring a wide variety of cultures together is a fantastic way for kids to learn about traditions they may not have encountered before and to feel that their backgrounds and identities are seen and appreciated in their learning spaces.



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

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Free PAX Tools Class

Glad the kids are back at school? Bring the family together this new year with TTSD's PAX Tools on Tuesday, January 24 at 5:30 p.m. at CFT.
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Winter Festival at Tigard High School

The Inner-Club Council at Tigard High School has been busy planning a Winter Festival for children and families in the TTSD community. This FREE event will take place at Tigard High School on Friday, January 27th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Families will participate in different fun winter-themed activities such as snowflake making, face paint and photo booths!
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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.

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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?

https://getvaccinated.oregon.gov/

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


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.

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

subject to supply chain disruptions

Titan Website

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