Conestoga Back to School & CDL Info
Fall 2020
Important Dates to Remember
9/3 - Middle School Boundary Meeting 6:30 - 9:00 (Virtual)
9/7 - Schools Closed - Holiday
9/8 - 9/11 - Teachers will connect with families
9/10 - 9/11 - Drive Thru Event & FOOD DRIVE (Info below!)9/14 - First Day of School
A Message from our Principal
These last six months have certainly been interesting ones filled with stress, strive, uncertainty, and fear. I think for many, the approaching school year is a chance for some new beginnings. Just yesterday as I was leaving school, I ran into some Conestoga kids who were riding around the parking lot.... each stated how they couldn't wait to return to school and, in one student's words, "start doing stuff that is important." They didn't even care about how school was going to be. They just wanted and needed school to be part of their life!
We are excited to share how this year will look. There are, as you might image, some things that are still not decided, but to "wet your whistle," this note will share with you what we do know at this time.
May I start by saying welcome back!? I want to extend a special welcome to our 6th grade students and families. We are so happy that you are part of our learning family. We have created a tradition of excellence in everything that we do and we will expect you to continue with that tradition by learning about and applying four important words to your schooling and life. We will expect you to ENGAGE fully in your education. INQUIRE about what you are learning and explore your curiosities. PERSIST when things are hard and you want to stop. And last, but not least, ASPIRE to be excellent in everything you do. As a school and a community, we too will embrace these key ideas and provide you opportunities to inject these ideas into your life.
I think it is clear that this year will be like none other. It will be different. It will be challenging. It will be amazing as we overcome whatever may come our way.
Every student here in Beaverton will begin the year in Comprehensive Distance Learning beginning on Monday, September 14th through November 13th. This decision was made to ensure that students and staff are safe while COVID challenges continue to permeate our society. We are prepared and ready to begin Hybrid learning as soon as it is deemed safe. At that time, students and families will then be able to determine if they would like to return to school in a Hybrid model OR remain in Comprehensive Distance Learning from home.
We have such an outstanding staff and we are excited to begin this year with you. Like you, we are feeling many different emotions, but the most powerful emotion is one of love! We love serving this community and we love working with your children. We thank you for trusting us with your children's learning. It is a responsibility that we never forget.
I hope that the next few weeks before school starts is one that is full of great memories and relaxation prior to some very busy weeks and months of school.
Respectfully,
Zan Hess
What to Expect
- We know that positive relationships are the most important part of a student's experience!
- Students will always be supported by our teachers, counselors, and staff.
- Students and families have access to support for social emotional well-being from our world class counselors and Advisory classes.
- Students and families can access a system of support to obtain resources (school supplies, access to internet, food).
- Students and parents deserve to receive timely and ongoing feedback from teachers and school staff about student progress and participation.
- Students and parents will be able to use Canvas as a tool to access learning activities and feedback from teachers.
- Student learning is best when regular interaction and collaboration occurs between teacher and classmates.
- Student learning will occur five days a week with attendance and participation being a priority.
- Students will participate in classes that are a blend of teacher facilitated learning/instruction and independent work time
- Students will experience a balance of synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities.
- Students will receive report cards with letter grades upon the completion of each term.
What will your child's day look like?
Advisory class every day Monday - Friday
AND
4 Core classes - Humanities, Writing, Science, and Math
PE/Health Class
Encore/Elective Class
These classes will be offered 4 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) with on-line instruction each day. Wednesday will be reserved for independent work so that teachers will be able to check in with individual students and families. Some variability will occur in this schedule for students who receive specialized instruction like ESL or Special education OR are part of our AVID elective courses.
The school day will begin with Advisory from 9:20 - 9:50 with the balance of the classes beginning at 10:00 and concluding at 3:50.
Chromebook Distribution - Change of Plans
New devices purchased through the 2014 Bond have just arrived, and our IT staff is preparing the devices for distribution. Students should continue to use the devices that were issued in the spring for now. Here's what you need to know:
- Middle school students will receive new Chromebooks. We anticipate beginning the exchange process in late September. Incoming 6th grade students should continue to use the device checked out to them.
If your student's device is not working or your student did not check out a device in the spring and now needs one, please email our Student Help Desk at shd@beaverton.k12.or.us for assistance.
Admin and Counseling Team
Here is our Admin and Counseling team:
Zan Hess, Principal
Natalie Labossiere, Asst. Principal
Becky Talus, Student Manger
Elizabeth Williams, 6th Grade Counselor
Stephanie Twellman, 7th Grade Counselor
Susie Jacobson, 8th Grade Counselor
9/10 & 9/11 Drive Thru Event & FOOD DRIVE!
Times will be staggered by last name in order to accommodate traffic lines. Please join us at the time listed below for your students last name:
9/10 9:00am - 10:00am - A - B
9/10 10:00am - 11:00 - C - D
9/10 1:00pm - 2:00pm - E - G
9/10 2:00pm - 3:00pm - H - J
9/10 3:00pm - 4:00pm - K - L
9/11 9:00am - 10:00am - M
9/11 10:00am - 11:00am - N - Q
9/11 12:00pm - 1:00pm - R - So
9/11 1:00pm - 2:00pm - St - Wi
9/11 2:00pm - 3:00pm - Wo - Z
Student Enrollment Verification
This required annual process ensures that your child’s student information is up-to-date in our system. We encourage parents to complete the required annual process before school begins. If you don’t complete this process before the start of the school year, it doesn’t mean your child isn’t enrolled in our schools. Verification simply allows you to double-check important information.
Click on the “Family Updates and New Student Enrollment” tab in the top right-hand corner and “Verification and Family Updates” from the drop-down menu on the next screen to start the verification process. A message will display in your parent portal with a link to the online verification screens for your review. Those who have an address outside of the District boundaries, such as interdistrict transfers, will not be able to verify online and will receive a paper form from their school.
If you have not activated your ParentVUE account or if you have access concerns, please contact your school (not the District’s Central Office). If you have forgotten your ParentVUE password, please follow these instructions to reset.
Helpful links for more information:
Thank you for ensuring that our schools have the most accurate information on your student.