J G Parent News
March
Principal's Message
State assessments start in April. While one test can't possibly define your student or their academic performance and growth, we do like students to put their best efforts in to taking these tests. Our problem solving skills are always something we are working on and these skills will help us tremendously on these tests. In addition to that the computer format these assessments are delivered in take some getting used to as well.
If you have any questions or concerns about the assessments for third and fourth graders coming in April please don't hesitate to contact either me or your teacaher.
Mr. Fisher
Drop Off and Pick Up
In years past we have requested cars that are picking up students not turn left into the car line during pick up time (roughly from 2:15 - 3:15). Please begin to only turn right into the car line during pickup. The car line begins to fill up around 2:15 and goes out the lot and down 18th to the west. For several blocks cars are waiting on the side of 18th to the West waiting to get into the parking lot. If you are picking up in a car please join this line. While I know that pick up may seem a little like a gong show, it runs better than any of the schools I have been a part of as a principal or a parent. Almost every day all students are picked up and the last car has left by 2:55. This is only 10 minutes after school dismisses.
Thank you for your patience and your support in contributing to a successful traffic pattern.
PTO
The PTO also has a PTO board consisting of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. These positions are open for next year and we need your help to fill them. Please ask a current board member or me about each of these rolls. They may sound like they take tremendous amounts of time and effort, but together the time commitment does not overburden.
The staff and students here ask for your help in filling these positions. If you have a desire to consider these PTO board positions or have any questions please contact me. Thank you in advance for filling these important rolls.
Corona Virus Communication from our Superintendent
Dear FGSD Families and Staff,
Over the weekend, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) confirmed several new presumptive cases of COVID-19.
The unfortunate reality is that COVID-19 is in our county. Updated guidance from OHA is that closing schools may not be an effective method for stopping the spread of the virus. This is the same stance currently being taken by many school districts in other communities around the country and around the world.
The best prevention is still practicing good hygiene habits - washing your hands frequently, covering your cough or sneeze, getting plenty of rest and eating a healthy diet - and avoiding contact with people who are symptomatic. The best way to limit spread is staying home when ill.
I know you likely have many questions and we will attempt to answer some of them below. Additional information about COVID-19 can be found at healthoregon.org/coronavirus or by calling 211.
Please know that we are doing everything we can to keep our students and staff healthy and safe. We are continuing sanitation efforts at all schools. Our custodial staff is concentrating efforts on highly traffic areas such as health rooms, door knobs, light switches, desks, busses etc. Thank you for your partnership in that effort.
Respectfully,
Dave Parker
Superintendent
Frequently-Asked Questions
Q. Why wouldn’t you close schools to avoid having so many people in one place?
A. Updated guidance from the Oregon Health Authority is that, because COVID-19 is in the community, closing a school may not be an effective method of stopping the spread of the virus. There is concern that people would not actually remain in their homes for 14 days, and in the case of children, depending on who their caregiver is, having them home may put that person at greater risk of contracting the virus.
Our schools are not only places where learning can continue, but where our students can be supported, supervised, and fed, which is a necessity for many families.
We will continue with enhanced cleaning efforts, reinforcing health hygiene expectations with students, and asking students and staff to stay home if they are ill. Those actions are thought to be the most beneficial in keeping people healthy and stopping the spread of the virus.
No School Days Coming Soon
March 19 - Conferences
March 20 - No School
March 23-27 - Spring Break
Website
Free Breakfast and Lunch
School Hours
Doors open - 8:00 AM
Breakfast Starts - 8:00AM
Gate to Classrooms open - 8:15AM
First Bell Rings - 8:20AM (at this time students that are not done with breakfast are asked to take their food to the classrooms so they don't miss instructional time)
Please be here no later than - 8:25AM
Late Bell rings - 8:30
School Dismissal - 2:45
Upcoming Events
March
13 - No School (grading day)
17 - St. Patrick's Day
18 - Conferences
19 - Conferences
20 - No School
23-27 - Spring Break
30 - K-2 hearing screenings
April
3 - Spirit Day (Mix it up and Crazy socks)
3 - Student of the month assembly
4 - Swimming event 4:30 - 6:30
9 - 2nd grade music program
12 - Easter
20 - State testing begins (3rd and 4th grade)
20 - 24 - Book Fair
24 - Spirit Day (tie dye)
24 - Student of the Month Assembly
We are the Jaguars
Class Paw Prints
Lit Night
About us
Email: tfisher@fgsd.k12.or.us
Website: https://josephgale.fgsdk12.org/
Location: 3130 18th Avenue, Forest Grove, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 359-2482
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joseph-Gale-Elementary-School-605126379617545/