Roadrunner Report
The rundown on Ridgewood Elementary - January 18, 2020
Principal Perspective - Taking Action
Martin Luther King Junior was an excellent model for taking action and making a difference. We honor his legacy by taking action against racism and injustices we see in the world. We use our ability to recognize our own identities, read, critically analyze and listen to other points of view to build empathy and understanding with those who are different from us. By teaching these skills and abilities and the value of taking action, we are preparing our students to make a difference in our world.
Yesterday we received more guidance from the state that will inform decisions about when we will be able to safely return to in person instruction. Once BSD Leadership has a chance to review these new guidelines we will be able to share an update with our community. At the same time, we anticipate access to a COVID-19 vaccine very soon for educators. This is a major step in our preparation for return. Please watch for updates from Superintendent Grotting in the coming days.
I have scheduled our next Principal Chat for Wednesday, January 27th from 3:30-4:30p.m. We will share the Zoom code in a reminder email. I will provide the latest update on our Return to School progress and answer any questions that I can at that time.
Enjoy this sunny cold week!
Resources for Families to Process Current Events in our Country
Supporting Marginalized Students in the Context of the 2020 Election: Tips for Parents (not specific to Jan. 6)
How to Talk to Kids about Violence at the US Capitol from the Denver Post
PBS Curriculum Resource from the Fatherly blog
When Bad Things are Happening from Teaching Tolerance
How to Talk to Your Kids about the Breach at the Capitol from the Motherly blog
The Breaking News by Sarah Lynne Reul - story about how we respond to Breaking News
A video update with survey opportunity.
Bingo Night & Spirit Day!
Please wear your favorite Ridgie gear on Friday as well!
Marathon Kids!
Did you get your Marathon Kids Account set up?
Parents received invitations in their email from a "Do not reply" sender inviting them to create a Marathon Kids account for their students. With this online account (there is no app for families) you can view your child's progress and submit the movement they do at home to Mr. Patton's approval.
Who To Contact?
Please contact the Ridgewood PE teacher, Jeff Patton, instead of your students classroom teacher if you are needing help.
Sincerely,
Jeff Patton
jeff_patton@beaverton.k12.or.us
Physical Education Specialist
Picture Day!
Turn your calendars in to your classroom Celebrate Reading Coordinator.
Open to all students!

From your Public Library
Hey parents! Monday, Jan. 25 at 7pm. In partnership with Lifeworks NW Promotoras, we will be offering a Mindfulness program completely in Spanish. This event will be on Zoom; please see this flyer for more information.
https://www.beavertonlibrary.org/DocumentCenter/View/6095/PDF-of-Atencion-Plena-12521
Library buildings remain closed to the public. At the main library, BCL To Go and Computer Lab are in service Monday - Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Friday - Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (closed Thursday). These are also the hours for Ask the Library phone service. At the Murray Scholls branch, BCL To Go is in service Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 1-6 p.m. (closed Monday, Thursday, and Sunday). If you would like to use BCL To Go curbside service at the main library, an appointment is required; make an appointment at www.BeavertonLibrary.org/BCLToGo. Drop-ins at both locations and appointments at Murray Scholls are walk-up only (no drive-up). The library continues to offer many services you can use from home - virtual events and recorded videos for all ages, eBooks and eAudiobooks, streaming video, and more. See a listing of our current services at www.BeavertonLibrary.org/BCLNow.
From our School Nurse - Eat, Sleep, Move!
Healthy habits and routines are important to manage and improve both mental and physical wellness, even when students are participating in distance learning. Healthy eating, sleeping and exercise are linked with improvements in behavior, attention, mood, safety, school performance and attendance, and boosting immune systems. Here are a few tips.
Nutrition
- Try to make half the plate fruits and vegetables
- Limit sugary drinks. Did you know that in 12 ounces of soda, there are about 40 grams of sugar? That is 10 teaspoons of sugar in just one can!
- Focus on eating more fresh foods and less packaged foods.
- Occasional sweets are fine, but try not to make dessert a reward
- Let kids stop eating when they feel they’ve had enough
- Nutrition Resources:
- BSD Meal Services
- https://www.choosemyplate.gov/
- https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn https://www.oregonfoodbank.org
Sleep
- According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, to promote optimal health:
- Children 3-5 years old should sleep 10-13 hours per 24 hours
- Children 6-12 years old should sleep 9-12 hours
- Teenagers 13-18 years old should sleep 8-10 hours
- Set bed and wake-up times at the same time every day
- Have a bedtime routine
- Remove electronics from the bedroom, keep it quiet, and at a comfortable temperature
- Avoid large meals and caffeine before bed time
- Sleep Resources: www.cdc.gov/sleep, Childhood Sleep Guidelines
Exercise
- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommend children and adolescents ages 6-17 do 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily.
- Make moving together a regular part of your family life. Walk the dog, have a dance party, do fitness activities during commercials, clean the house or yard together, and take the stairs!
- Exercise Resources: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-children https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/index.htm
Counseling Corner - Mrs. Mason
Dear Ridgewood families,
Happy 2021! Please read on for updates and information from the school counseling perspective.
Wellness Wednesday Unit: Resilience
This month, Ms. Shearer and I are wrapping up a K-5 Wellness unit on the important topic of resilience. We have enjoyed the thoughtful conversations and ideas that have been shared by students. Cultivating resilience in children from a young age helps them to cope and thrive through both good and challenging times - especially these days, with everything going on in the world!
At the start of each new Wellness unit, Ms. Shearer and I send parent newsletters through your child’s Seesaw Wellness class. In case you missed the latest update, click the link(s) below to read more about the resilience unit, and how you can help foster your child’s resilience at home.
Kindergarten & 2nd Grade Newsletter
Helpful Resources for Parents
BSD Covid Resources: This resource list was recently created by district social workers and nurses to use in supporting families impacted by Covid-19.
Lines for Life has launched the Racial Equity Support Line. The support line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism offering support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions,as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.
This line is available weekdays from 9am to 5pm, PST.
The number is 503-575-3764.
Lines for Life has launched a Safe+Strong Helpline. Safe + Strong Helpline, in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority, is an emotional support and resource referral line that can assist anyone who is struggling and seeking support.
Callers do not have to be in crisis to utilize this line and access supportive listening, compassion, and connection to resources.
Support is free and available 24/7 the number is 1-800-923-HELP(4357). Language interpreters are available.
Oregon Youth Line YouthLine is a free, confidential teen-to-teen crisis and help line. Contact us with anything that may be bothering you. No problem is too big or too small for the YouthLine! 1-877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839863. Available for ages ages 11-20.
Parenting Together Washington County: Search for great resources available to parents in Washington County. This includes parent education, child care resources, family-friendly activities, and web-based resources for parenting topics organized by the child’s age.
Pandemic Parenting Event and Resources: Washington County library has curated great resources to help parents support their kids during the pandemic.
A Psychologist on How to Keep Your Kids Focused During ‘Zoom School’
A Comic Just for Kids: How to Stay Safe From the Coronavirus
Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning: A helpful article for caregivers from Commonsense Media.
Live Tutoring for Students through Washington County Libraries: Click your child’s grade level, then scroll down to “Live Tutoring.” You need a library card to access the service.
Learn to Be: Free online tutoring for elementary students
Interns 4-Good: High school students available to provide free/low-cost tutoring
Ridgewood Food Backpack Program
The Food Backpack program is offered to all families in need at Ridgewood. Every other Wednesday, Ridgewood supplies families in need with backpacks filled with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food. The backpacks are supplemented with fresh food like milk, vegetables, etc. Apply here, or simply contact me with your interest and I'll sign you up.
Ridgewood Clothes Closet
Ridgewood’s clothes closet is stocked with a large supply of used coats, shoes, and clothing for ages 5 - 12. Please contact me at alexis_mason@beaverton.k12.or.us or 503-356-2444 if your family needs assistance this winter.
Reminder: Fun Friday Lunch Bunches for 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade
Is your upper grade child wishing for more connection during distance learning? If so, we have created an optional opportunity for socialization for students in grades 3-5: Fun Friday Lunch Bunches! This event is open to all third, fourth, and fifth graders. Check out the flier in Seesaw Wellness class for more information.
Counselor/Student Success Coach Office Hours
Ms. Shearer and I hold open office hours for parents on Mondays and Fridays from 2:30-3:15. Feel free to pop in during those times if you would like to talk about your child’s needs.
Zoom link, password: wellness
Take care,
Alexis Mason
School Counselor
New Library Books are coming!
Thanks to funding from our amazing PTC we are preparing a large order of new books for our school and we want your Please use this form to let Ms. Bergin know what specific genres, authors or books you would like to have in our library.
Ridgewood Library News
Happy New Year friends!
OBOB: We have a lot of OBOB books waiting to be checked out!. Click here: OBOB Info. Register here: Sign-up
WHAT KIND OF BOOKS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE LIBRARY?
HELP US CHOOSE! Fill out the form below.
Click on this link to see The many ways to get Library Books.
Last day to request books before winter break will be December 10th.
The Book Mobile We’ve added another stop!! I love seeing all the students!
You can also put specific books on hold through our online catalog.
This video will show you how to do that. Destiny Video or follow these written Instructions. Destiny-Catalog Instructions.
You will receive an email letting you know when they are available to pick up.
IMPORTANT: Do not add a book to a list when holding in Destiny. You must press HOLD IT button .I cannot see the list. The lists are for you.
Not sure what to read?
Fill out this form and Mrs. Bergin will put together a book bundle based on your responses. Ridgie's Drive Thru Library Allow 2-3 days upon filling out this form. You will then receive an email with instructions when to come pick up your books.
KEEP CALM and READ ON!
As always I am available to answer any questions. Carla_bergin@beaverton.k12.or.us
TAG (Talented & Gifted) Update
Thank you for your patience as we navigate TAG/Summa testing during the 2020-21 school year. The following updates have been made to our current Identification processes to reflect comprehensive distance learning and research on test score stability.
TAG/Summa Testing
TAG testing for students nominated by parents or teachers will occur in the spring
Current 5th graders will have the opportunity to qualify for Summa by testing in late spring/summer
Outdoor testing opportunities for TAG/Summa will also be available in early summer
Current 3rd and 4th graders will take reading and math achievement tests (ITBS) in the fall
Current 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders will take a cognitive ability (CogAT) screener test in fall
In addition to national norms, local norms will be explored for TAG/Summa identification
Summa Qualifying Tests and Criteria for Fifth Graders
No change in admission criteria, only tests used
Results from full version CogAT tests (composite score ) in grades K-5 can be used to qualify for Summa
Results of achievement tests in grades 3-5 can be used to qualify for Summa
Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) Language Arts and Math tests
ITBS/Logramos Reading and Math tests (total scores)
Communication
Testing opportunities will be posted on the BSD TAG page as they become available
Invitations to test will be sent via School Messenger prior to testing dates
Summa eligible students will be notified before January 15, 2021
Please direct questions to Heidi Hanson, heidi_hanson@beaverton.k12.or.us or 503-356-4548.
Ridgewood Calendar
See the full year calendar here.
January 2021
- Monday, 1/18 - No School, MLK Jr. Day
- Tuesday 1/19 - Follow Monday Specials
- Wednesday 1/20 - Instructional Wednesday, follow Tuesday Specials
- Friday, 1/22, 6:30-7:30pm - Family Bingo Night on Zoom
- Wednesday, 1/27 - Passport in Seesaw Wellness class
- Wednesday, 1/27, 3:30-4:30 Principal Chat
February 2021
- Friday, 2/5 - Virtual Science Festival
- Friday, 2/5 - No School, Grading Day
- Thursday - 2/11 - Picture Day! Details to come.
- Monday, 2/15 - No School, Presidents Day
- Tuesday, 2/16 - Follow Monday Specials
- Wednesday, 2/17 - Instructional Wednesday, follow Tuesday Specials
- Wednesday, 2/24 - No School, Staff Development, Passport in Seesaw Wellness class
- Thursday, 2/25 at 10:00a.m. - Kinder Q&A for 2021-22 Kindergarten families
March 2021
- Tuesday, 3/9 - PTC Meeting @ 6:30p.m.
- Monday, 3/22-Friday, 3/26 - Spring Break - No School
Ridgewood Elementary School
9:00-12:00 daily & by appointment