Cooper Mountain Newsletter
November 16, 2017
Dear Cooper Mountain Families,
This week I want to share some ideas for supporting your child in becoming a life-long learner - someone who looks forward to new challenges and constant growth. In the adult world of work, new challenges and constant growth could equate to leadership and career promotions. How do we set our children up for that kind of success?
Model enthusiasm for learning something new. You already know that you, as parents, are the most influential adults in your child's life. Share a new word you learned, read an interesting line out of the newspaper, or share a cool way to remember how to spell calendar or grateful.
Show interest in your child's homework. Homework varies with grade levels here at Cooper Mountain, but every teacher expects children to read at home and to converse with their parents regarding the day's learning. If your child says s/he doesn't have any homework, hand them a book or read together - the discipline of homework can add value to the importance of school and builds lifelong habits of responsibility. And you'll have fun reading together.
Working on fluid math facts is ALWAYS appropriate homework! Primary grades should be able to add to 10, 20, 50, 100.... depending on the grade level. Intermediate grades should be fluid with addition and subtraction and know all their basic multiplication facts, at least 1-10. Knowing 6x7, as an example, automatically allows students to access other math knowledge thereby enjoying math so much more. It's helpful to know math facts through 12s to easily convert feet and yards.
Authentic writing - Find ways for your child to practice their writing skills in a real life way. Perhaps they could write a note of gratitude (our month's theme!) or a grocery list. Perhaps they could make a list of words and phrases they enjoyed from your reading together or that go with the month of November. The sky's the limit for ways you can work with words.
Homework doesn't have to be assigned by the teacher - you can create fun learning activities that feel like a game and still build that sense of ongoing learning and responsibility.
Enjoy your weekend together!
Kristin
Upcoming Events
Cooper Mountain Events
Family Movie Night 6:30-8:00 FREE!
One Book One School books come home with your child today. Our PTO funded the books and every family gets one to keep! Thank you, PTO, for adding to our sense of community through shared reading.
Wednesday, November 22-Friday November 24
Thanksgiving Vacation
NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, November 28
PTO General Assembly 7:00 in the Library
Monday, December 4
Principal's Chat 8:45 am
Friday, December 8
Gingerbread House Night 6:00-8:00
Cooper Mountain Elementary School
Email: kristin_lemon@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/schools/cooper-mountain
Location: 7670 SW 170th Ave, Beaverton, OR, United States
Phone: (503) 356-2070
Twitter: @CooperMtnES
Updates and Announcements
Parents, with winter approaching, please remember to update emergency plans in case we have an early closure due to snow or ice. You have the right to ensure your own child's safety, and sometimes parents check their children out of school when the snow starts falling - especially if you live on a hill! I would advise that you have a plan A and a plan B in case you get stuck somewhere too. Give us a call if you need help with this.
Parking Lot Safety
We have families that need the Handicapped parking spaces and more often than not, they cannot access the spots because someone without a legal tag displayed has parked in the designated spaces. This causes harm to others, and I am asking that you please leave those spaces open even when they don't appear to be used. It's the law.
There are only two lanes for through traffic in our parking lot. Either stay in the right lane for the pick up lane or the left lane if you are parking. There isn't room for squeezing through the middle and parents have expressed concerns for their safety. With the rain, we have increased car traffic, and we all need to exercise patience. Thank you for your understanding and concern for our children!
Holidays and Gifts
For many families, the season of celebrations and giving is near and we are fortunate that students and parents/guardians hold our teachers and staff in such high regard. At times, parents may wish to give a gift to a classroom teacher or other staff members.
Please keep in mind that all District employees are subject to Oregon ethics laws, and gifts to a teacher may not exceed a total of $50 in value from one family over the course of the year. We are so grateful for your generosity and your constant support!
A Personal Note from Mrs. LeMon
I am excited to tell you that I am expecting my first grandchild in late November! When she arrives, I will be taking some vacation time to support my daughter and her husband in new parenthood. There will be an administrator assigned to the school in my absence, and my supervisor, Brenda Lewis, will always be available, too. Just wanted to share!
Report Cards
The Beaverton School District has moved to a semester grading system, and progress reports will be sent home in February and June this year.
NEXT YEAR
What? Already?! I'm not talking about the New Year, I'm talking about 2018-2019. PLEASE NOTE that school for students begins on Monday, August 27th - a full week earlier than in the past. Please consider this as you plan your vacations for next summer! I apologize in advance that I will over-message this.
Breakfast at School - from our district
FOR NEWSLETTERS School Breakfast Facts A great breakfast program is offered at school every day! Here are some fun facts about school breakfast: It’s easy! Instead of running around in the morning trying to make sure your children eat a healthy meal, let us do the work. They can get a great breakfast at school, and there will be no dishes for you to wash! It’s affordable! If qualified, your child may be able to get breakfast at a reduced price or for free. If your child already eats a free or reduced price lunch, they automatically qualify for a free or reduced price breakfast. It’s tasty! Schools now have more variety to choose from when deciding what to offer your children for breakfast. Request a menu so you can view what your child may be eating at school. It’s good for the brain! Research suggests that not having breakfast can affect children’s intellectual performance (CDC).