Meadow Park News
September 21st, 2018
Principal's Corner
Hello Meadow Park Families,
Next week, we will begin our 5th week of school for the 18-19 school year. At this point, classes are in full swing, homework has started in many classes, and our expectations for student success over the course of the year are being solidified. This is also, generally speaking, about the time when we begin monitoring attendance and identifying when students are missing more than 10% of the school year.
Among the most impactful steps that every family can take during the three years of middle school is ensuring that their student is at school as much as possible. Attendance is a big focus at Meadow Park and our team works hard to get students in classes and learning. If your child is missing just 2 days of school during a typical month, they are considered to be chronically absent. If repeated over time, they will miss 10% or more (18 days!) of the school year and all of the learning that goes with that. This dramatically affects their ability to be successful academically while they are here. More importantly, the patterns that begin in middle school often carry over into high school. Significant research has shown that the two primary indicators of high school success coming out of the middle grades are GPA and Attendance. If your student is here regularly (missing 1 or fewer days each month) and earning As or Bs, they are much more likely to be successful when they reach high school. It is hard to earn As and Bs without being here regularly, so that is our first focus. Attendance Works, a national program, has put together some great information for families of middle school students. I would encourage you to look at the quick flyer in English or Spanish.
In the coming weeks, families will begin to receive phone calls, letters, and requests for conferences for students who are falling below or nearing the 90% attendance rate. Please know that we are taking these actions because, like you, we care a great deal about your student’s future success. If you are at all concerned that your student is missing too much school or need support to help them get here, please reach out to us! Our administrators, counselors, and staff are happy to work with you on improving attendance and will collaborate with community partners to assist you.
Let’s make it a great week 5!
Jared Freeman
Principal
For Your Calendars
- Every Wednesday - All Students Released at 2:20 pm
- Currently - Jog-A-Thon Pledge Collection - Collect your pledges now!
- Thursday, September 27th - AVID Family Night at 6:00 pm
- Friday, October 5th - Jog-A-Thon ALL Day! - Wear rainbow colors!
- October 10th & 11th - Fall Conferences (NO SCHOOL on October 11th & 12th)
Understanding MYP Assessment
The MYP requires schools to assess all students’ progress using assessment criteria and rubrics. Each subject provides feedback to students in four criteria. These four criteria vary slightly from subject to subject, but overall follow the pattern below:
Criterion A: Knowing and Understanding- Do you know it and do you understand it?
Criterion B: Planning and organizing- Can you organize and make a plan for what you know?
Criterion C: Communicating - Can you communicate what you understand about content and concepts?
Criterion D: Evaluate, Reflect, Apply- Can you apply what you know to make/reflect on decisions?
In order to provide students with opportunities to achieve the highest level of proficiency, MYP teachers develop rigorous tasks that embrace a variety of assessment strategies. The aim of MYP assessment is to provide students with feedback to inform, support, and improve their learning. The MYP approach to assessment recognizes the importance of assessing not only the products, but also the process, of learning. The Beaverton School District report card allows MYP schools to report summary judgements in these criteria.
Parents/Guardians can utilize ParentVue and students can use StudentVue to view current teacher grade books. https://parentvue.beaverton.k12.or.us/
AVID in Action
Partnering with our community to enhance learning!
Yesterday morning, firefighter Captain Sean Hoxie from the fire station classroom in Dallas, OR visited Meadow Park via Zoom Conference. He told stories about using drones to fight fires. He also explained how understanding the concept of thermal energy transfer can help firefighters, and those who fly drones, make decisions to keep people and equipment safe. He used fire maps and demonstrated infrared technology. The class showed Captain Hoxie how they were collecting data using drones and a fire map in class. They also had the opportunity to share their engineering design ideas.
This project supports district learning concepts related to the conservation of energy. It was also jump-started by pilot Hilda Pereyo's presentations to students in Summa Science, Spanish Immersion and the Independent Skills Center on the use of unmanned vehicles by NASA to map data from Mars and Earth. They also had the opportunity to fly drones in the West gym on a Mars map.
Drone
Modeling
Zoom Conference
Meal Benefits expire on Monday, October 8th, 2018
Breakfast: Elementary School $1.45 - Middle School $1.50 - High School $1.60
Lunch: Elementary School $3.05 - Middle School $3.25 - High School $3.60
Please complete an application for Free and Reduced Price Meals right away if you haven’t yet applied for the 2018-2019 school year. Applications are available in school cafeterias and school offices.
If you’d rather complete an application online, go to www.schoolcafe.com.
Please call the Meal Benefits Office at (503) 356-3957 if you have questions or need assistance in completing a new application. They are here to help!
6th Grade Lunch Volunteer Opportunity
RUN THE RAINBOW! - Jog-A-Thon 2018
•Has your child signed up for Pledge Star?
•Is your son or daughter collecting pledges?
•Jog-A-Thon 2018 Information - Spanish Version
•How to use Pledge Star - Please sign up and send to family & friends! - Spanish Version
•Does your company match your donation?
Don't forget...every student who raises $30 or more will have their name added to a drawing for prizes. Any student that raises $100 or more will have their name added to a drawing for grand prizes. We are tracking pledges through advisory classes - help your son or daughter win a class party!
CANVAS
Do you have questions regarding how to access CANVAS as a parent? If so, CLICK HERE. If your question is not answered, there are district level staff to help you. Email your questions. They are happy to help!
Calling all Future Apollos - TONIGHT!
Options Full Time Lottery & Admissions Timeline (2019-2020 School Year)
- Monday, October 15, 2018 - Lottery Opens
- Friday, December 7, 2018 - Lottery Applications Due
- Wednesday, December 12, 2018 - Lottery is Run, Notifications Sent
- Thursday, December 13, 2018 - 2nd Consideration Applications Available
- Thursday, January 10, 2019 - 2nd Consideration Applications Due to Schools
- Wednesday, January 30, 2019 - Deadline for Parents to Accept
- Friday, February 1, 2019 - Schools Submit Final List to Teaching & Learning
Looking for a job?
The Beaverton School District Nutrition Services Department is hiring for permanent and substitute positions! Work while your children are in school. Need flexibility? Work as a substitute and pick your shifts from available openings. All substitutes receive four days of paid training! Click here for more info!
About Meadow Park Middle School
Email: jared_freeman@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/schools/meadow-park/
Location: 14100 Southwest Downing Street, Beaverton, OR, USA
Phone: (503)356-2640
Facebook: facebook.com/meadowparkmiddleschool
Twitter: @mpmseagles