Wolverine News
February 8, 2021
West Orient Middle School
Website: gresham.k12.or.us/woms
Location: 29805 Southeast Orient Drive, Gresham, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 663-3323
Twitter: @WOMSwolverines
Dear Families,
Brrrr! It's going to get cold this week. It is looking more and more like we may get a bit of inclement weather. This is just a reminder that while the district remains in its current Comprehensive Distance Learning Model (CDL), there will be no "snow days" for inclement weather. Teachers will continue their CDL instruction and students will continue their online learning. The office may be closed for In-person appointments, but reachable by phone.
Here are some important Dates for the month of February:
- Presidents Day, Feb 15, No School
- Q3 Progress Reports, Feb 24, No School
Have a great week and stay warm!
Sincerely,
Ms. Elise Catanese
Principal
WOMS is EPIC (Engaged, Persistent, Intentional, Career & College Ready)
Quarter 2 Honor Roll
Way to go, Wolverines! MISSION POSSIBLE!
Click here for a complete list of quarter two honor roll students.
Wolverine Students of the Month
Each year staff members recognize students who promote success in and out of the classroom with an award called Student of the Month. Students are presented with a certificate of achievement with a personalized message from their nominating teacher. Student of the Month nominees demonstrate the following EPIC characteristics;
- Academics - class participation, work completion, self-motivated, and going beyond basic expectations
Effort - works hard and is persistent
Character - displays initiative, honesty, respect, responsibility, and compassion
Behavior - no behavior concerns or referrals
Social Relationships - leadership, willingness to help peers, shows respect
Attendance - good daily attendance and no excessive tardies
Congratulations to our January 2021 Wolverine Students of the Month!
6th Grade: Ulises Chavoya Galindo, Nolan Harrop, Asher Keene, Daniel Ostapenko, Cassidy Sippel, Piper Topaum
7th Grade: Avery Andersen, Lilli Chism, Isaiah Gardner, Jazmin Lopez, Devion Palmer-Rivas, Jade Pelayo, Chelsea Rae, Abby Richard
8th Grade: Michael Bliatout, Angel Garcia-Jasso, Emilee Godfrey, Gracie Hendrix, David Krivoruchenko, Marisol Romer-Ruiz, Jocelyn Lopez-Salazar, Cole Schmidt
Mission Accomplished!
Springwater Trail Applications - Due Friday, February 26
8th Grade Students & Families,
It's that time of year to start thinking about your high school plans. Are you interested in a small high school experience right here at home? Springwater Trail may be the school for you! Please review the important dates & information below:
Applications are accepted now through Friday, February 26th and will be entered into their lottery. Contact Ms. Kinder or the Main Office if you have any questions. Be EPIC in your goal planning and consider being a Springwater Trail Titan!
Update: Student Immunizations
Just a reminder that the Immunization Exclusion Date is Feb. 17. Given that we are in CDL students without up-to-date immunizations can continue in CDL, but will NOT be able to attend any on-site learning. This means that students who will qualify for Limited In-Person Instruction (LIPI) and who do not have up-to-date immunizations, will NOT be able to start LIPI until their immunizations are up to date.
Locations for Immunizations: Click here!
New Reynolds Health Clinic: Click here! Spanish version Click here!
New Student Health Center
There is a new Student Health Center that just opened at Reynolds High School. The center welcomes all K-12 youth who live or go to school in Multnomah County.
More information is available here: https://www.reynolds.k12.or.us/rms/new-health-center-rhs
NEW! Library Connect
I have some very exciting news to share with you!
Gresham Barlow School District has partnered with the Multnomah County Library system to automatically provide all of our students with a Multnomah County Library account!
That’s right, your child now has a Multnomah County Library card. They don't have to do a thing to request a card - it’s already been done for them using their student ID number. Library Connect is free and there are no late fines. There are never fees for digital materials. Contact the library if items get lost, or if fees are stopping you from using the library. They can help!
With their new library cards, students can access all that the library has to offer:
Books and materials from any Multnomah County Library location.
Amazing digital materials including ebooks and audiobooks.
Ebooks in multiple languages including Chinese, Russian, Spanish and others.
Digital magazines.
Stream music, movies and quality television programs from sources like PBS, History Channel, and National Geographic.
Mango language programs.
TumbleBooks animated storybooks with audio.
Live homework help from tutor.com.
To get started with Library Connect, students should visit Multnomah County’s Library Connect webpage. They’ll find a link to the Library Connect page on Clever. There’s also a link on our GBSD Library Resources page, found under the parents tab. And of course, they can always just Google “Multnomah Library Connect”
Some of the library’s apps will require students to sign in. Logging in to Library Connect is SO easy! Student’s card numbers are 1-0 and their student ID numbers. And their passwords are their birthdays in number format: 2 digit month, 2 digit day and the 4 digit year.
If you or your student has any questions about using the new Library Connect accounts, contact your school library. Your building’s library media assistant is a Library Connect expert - and ready to help with Library Connect accounts anytime!
Your family can learn all about Library Connect accounts from a tutorial video on our GBSD website, Library Resources page, found under the parents tab.
Together, let’s keep kids reading!
Oregon state assessments and 2020-21 opt out information
Every year, students throughout Oregon take state assessments prescribed by the Oregon Department of Education. The purpose of these assessments is to show individual student growth over time and to provide student-specific data that teachers can use to ensure each and every child is on track and achieving learning goals. Results are also used to inform course placement and to provide focused feedback to students and parents.
Oregon state law requires us to inform you that a form is available from the Oregon Department of Education that allows you to opt your child out of state assessments for the 2020-21 school year. Should you wish to opt out your child, please fill out the form and submit it to the main office at your child’s school. The form can be accessed in English at
https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/assessment/Documents/Opt-Out_Form.pdf
or in Spanish at
https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/assessment/Documents/Spanish_Opt-Out_Form.pdf
Additionally, the Oregon Department of Education has sent us the following information regarding the state’s application for a waiver to pause state testing in English Language Arts and Math:
Under the Student Assessment Bill of Rights, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Oregon’s school districts must provide families with a “Notice of Statewide Tests and Opt-out Form” 30 days before the start of statewide testing.
This year, school has been significantly disrupted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. In response, ODE plans to ask the United States Department of Education for a temporary pause (also known as a “waiver”) in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math testing. A pause is also being requested for science testing, but science testing is not subject to this opt-out rule.
· If this waiver request is approved, then statewide ELA and Math testing will not happen this year, and there will be no need for parents to submit opt-out forms to their child’s school.
· If the waiver request is not approved, test windows will open on April 13, 2021.
ODE will update your district regularly with news about the waiver.
(Click this link to view the letter in Spanish: https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/assessment/Documents/Spanish_Opt-Out_Form.pdf )
If you have questions or want more information about state assessments, please contact our Assistant Principal, Tadd Gestrin.
iReady Winter Assessments Begin February 1st
READING
2/1 - 2/5
Begin iReady Reading Diagnostic
2/8 - 2/12
Finish iReady Reading Diagnostic
MATH
2/15 - 2/19
Begin iReady Math Diagnostic
2/22 - 2/26
Finish iReady Math Diagnostic
Wednesday Social Time
On Wednesdays students have an opportunity to meet with friends, hangout, and have fun in a supervised virtual setting. Staff members host social times and provide breakout rooms in which students can gather and socialize. Ideas include games, book clubs, topical conversation groups, and general conversation.
Students will receive information through their advisory classes in Google Classroom. Once students join the class, they’ll be able to go to that class and get the meeting links to enter the weekly social time on Wednesday.
6th Grade: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
7th Grade: 11:30AM - 12 Noon.
8th Grade: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM.
Let’s make this a fun time to see friends and reconnect!
WOMS Counseling Center
Hello again, Wolverine Students & Families!
Our "new normal" continues to impact us and those around us in many different ways. Whether it be housing, bills, food, mental health, or other needs, I am happy to help connect you to those resources. The links below are by category and can be translated to your home language. Other specific resource links can be found on the WOMS Counseling Website.
Please don't hesitate to contact me! Students & Families can always email me or submit a Request Form.
-Ms. Kinder
School Office Hours
Distance Learning Resources for Parents
Do you need Technology Help?
If I have further technology related questions, where can I get help?
For further technology questions, please contact our school at 503-663-3323. Our school will work to get you in touch with a staff member who is able to assist you, or pass along further information to the Technology Department. You may now also get in touch by calling our Family Tech Assistance Line at 503-258-4733.