Skyline K-8 News
December 13, 2019
From the Principal
Happy Friday! This week was an awesome week. In these last days of 2019, we want you to know that we are very grateful for the support given to us by our generous community. Your time, energy, attention and financial support make it possible for us to enrich the learning experiences of our students. Thank you!
We celebrated our IB Ambassadors at our first IB Ambassador Lunch on Tuesday. A huge thank you to Ms. Tilt for organizing the event. Thank you to Mr. Griffin, Melanie Hunt, Morgan Bors, and Debbi Gubbins for their help too.
Mrs. Hiser participated in the Portland Association of Teachers’ annual Teacher for a Day event, and we had the privilege of hosting Representative Jennifer Williamson (Oregon Legislature) at our school. She spent the morning touring the school, meeting staff and teaching with Mrs. Hiser.
Thank you to Mr. Grivel for leading the Middle School + Specialists staff meeting on Tuesday. This week’s meeting was centered around Middle School PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) in Middle School. A big shout out to Jackie George for providing all staff with yummy snacks this week.
Skyline K-8 had a team of six staff members; Bianca Arias, Julie Melton, Melissa Dunn, Megan Kindred, Sarah Barten and BG Aguirre who attended the PPS MTSS Coaching Academy on December 10th and 11th. We look forward to sharing what we learned with staff at our next two upcoming staff meetings in January. To learn more about MTSS, please check out the MTSS district website https://www.pps.net/domain/5007.
All the best,
Mrs. Aguirre
If you are not following us on Twitter @BGAGUIRRE1 and @skyline_ib, you are missing out! It has been so much fun watching all of our students engaged in learning while also being safe, respectful, responsible and IB ready. You can also follow Portland Public School at @PPSConnect!
NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE
Monday:
Weekly Office Meeting 10:00a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
IB/PLC Debrief Meeting 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday:
Safety Team Meeting 8:00 a.m.
No Staff Meeting - Staff Holiday Party
Wednesday:
ILT Committee Meeting 7:50 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
PBIS/Climate Committee Meeting 7:50 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. in the library
Golden Awards Assembly 8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Pastries with the Principal 9:20 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Specialist Professional Learning Committee 1:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
Thursday:
Middle School PLC Meeting 7:50 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
3-5 Professional Learning Committees 1:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
Friday:
OUT - Megan Kindred will sub for me
K-2 Professional Learning Committee 1:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
Upcoming Events
December
13- Milk and Bookies 5:00-5:45 PM (Library)
*PTA Movie Night (Gym)- The Grinch
6:00-7:00 PM
18- School PBIS/Climate Meeting
7:45 - 8:30 AM
18- IB Assembly - Thinker
8:45-9:15 AM
18- Pastries with the Principal
9:15-10:00 AM
18- *Parent Education- Earthquake Preparedness - Lydia and Steve Eberlein
6:00 - 7:30
23-Jan 3 - Winter Holiday Break
January
6- Welcome Back!
15-Site Council Committee
3:30-4:30 PM
16- *PTA Meeting 6:00 PM,
Foundation Meeting,
7:00 PM
20- Martin Luther King Holiday
22- IB Assembly- Principled, Marimba Assembly
8:45-9:15 AM
22- Pastries with the Principal
9:15-10:00 AM
22- Marimba Concert K-6
6:00 PM
27- Teacher Planning Day- No Students
*PTA Sponsored Event
Lunch Volunteers
We would love to continue to have lunch volunteers daily from 11:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. for our K-2 lunch and recess after winter break until spring break. Please email or call Debbi in the main office if you are interested in volunteering. Thank you in advance.
Lost and Found
Please take a moment to check the Lost & Found outside the main office when you are in the building!
Student Council
This morning we had our first election debate with our Middle School Student Council candidates. They were given one minute to introduce themselves and the platform that they were running on and then they all were asked a question that they had a minute to answer. I admire all of the students for getting up on the stage and presenting themselves to their peers. For many, it was very hard and yet all that spoke in front of the middle school class modeled all elements of being an IB student. They were incredible Risk-Takers who want to be part of a change in a school that they all value and love. I am very excited to work with all the candidates who won as well as the Student Council as a whole. The results from today’s election are as follows:
President
Aidan Halt
Vice-President
Dylan Schechter
Secretary
Alissa Kim
6th Grade Level Rep
Kaili Pierce
7th Grade Level Rep
Izzy Lamb
8th Grade Level Rep
Chase Kochis
Congratulations to all the candidates!
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, December 19.
If you have any questions or comments, always feel free to contact me!
Mrs. Dunn
TAG Corner
All TAG Nomination forms have been turned in! Thank you to all teachers and families who have turned in their forms. If you are a second grade parent/guardian, the 2nd grade Intellectual TAG test results are not in as of yet. As soon as they are in, I will notify teachers and they will send nomination forms home to all those who qualify.
If you have any questions please feel free to email me at mdunn2@pps.net or call at 503-916-5212.
State Testing
As we all look at our year ahead, I wanted to share some testing information. Our State Testing window opens for Science on January 7th, 2020. However, we do not begin testing our students in Science until later in the school year, April or May. The testing window opens for Math and English Language Arts on March 9th, 2020. Last year the staff and I looked at and reflected on best practices for testing. Testing should not be stressful, punitive or in any way cause a student to feel any amount of anxiety. Testing also should not cause teachers to lose excessive amounts of instruction. With the reflections from last year, and previous years, the staff and I are creating schedules, support and systems to ensure all students are feeling successful. Please know that all assessments provide teachers and schools with information to celebrate successes, student growth as well as improve on practices and instruction. If you ever have any questions or concerns always feel free to reach out to me. I will always share information that I receive from the district to best communicate with the Skyline Community.
Counselor's Corner
Happy December! Winter is almost here and I have been loving being in classrooms every week.
Within the K - 5 classrooms I have been focusing primarily on problem solving strategies, and that different strategies are appropriate for different settings. We have done a lot of role playing, and recently we practiced using “I messages” as a way for solving problems respectfully. We have also been learning about The Zones of Regulation (which is review for some), and I have been focusing on: helping students learn to differentiate between small/medium/big problems, teaching them the various emotions that belong in each zone, learning how to identify one’s own triggers, and then choosing an appropriate tool when you feel triggered. Now that we have worked on the building blocks of self-regulation, I will be focusing my lessons on inclusivity and kindness.
In middle school, I have been working with the 8th graders on forecasting for 9th grade in order to prepare them for their upcoming transition to high school. I have also taken on leading Unity Club, which is a place for students to connect and share ideas regarding safety, inclusion, and kindness. Our mission statement, created by the 2019-20 Unity Club members, is: The goal of Skyline Unity Club is to make sure all students feel safe and respected. We want to work towards making Skyline a better place through student-led projects that focus on inclusion.
Unity Club members helped me to design the questions on the middle school Bullying Prevention survey that I administered in October, and they are also working on posters that focus on inclusion and a possible attendance-optional skit in the future. Currently, Unity Club is only open to 6th - 8th grade students during their Wednesday lunch and recess time. However, we are looking into opportunities in the future for K - 5 students to learn more about or take part in Unity Club activities.
If you have any questions or would like to know more information, please call or email Allie Penix at apenix@pps.net or 503-916-5212.
Library/ Technology
MARIMBAS FOR SKYLINE STUDENTS- Half Way There!
Skyline students need one to one instrumentation for Music Class to learn rhythm, melody, harmony and ensemble musicianship. Marimbas can be played by all students K-8. They are simple enough for a young student and complex enough for older students. Music is fun, interesting and challenging when all students have an instrument to play in the Marimba Ensemble!
Help us raise $5,000 for a full classroom set of Marimbas. Make check donation out to Skyline PTA and deliver to the front office - Thank you for your generosity to Skyline Music Students!
Further Questions? Please email sbarten@pps.net
Watch our amazing students!
https://www.wevideo.com/view/1474324950
Donate https://www.schoolpay.com/
2019-20 Eighth Grade Information Nights
Dear families,
Eighth-grade students in Portland Public Schools will have a chance to see their future high schools when informational sessions are held throughout the district from October to January. Neighborhood, focus-option and alternative high schools will give students and families the opportunity to tour the campus, meet staff and learn more about the academic and athletic programs offered. The different nights are listed below and if you have questions please reach out to the high schools.
Benson Polytechnic High School
Tech Show, April 16 & 17, 2020 6-9 p.m.
Cleveland High School
“Bridging the Gap”
Thursday, Dec. 12, 7-9 p.m.
“Discover Franklin” High School
Wednesday, Dec. 4th, 6-8:30 p.m.
Lincoln High School- Please see attached info below
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6-8 p.m.
Timeline
Lottery/Transfer Application Timelines for the 2020-21 School Year:
- Middle & High School applications available November 5-December 3
- K-5 applications available February 5-March 6
Winter Weather Update
PTA Connection
Thank you to Cosette Posko, Nicole Fravel and Helen Leiser for organizing this past Saturday's fourth annual Holiday Pop Up Shops fundraiser! And to those families who participated in it as well as the school’s Scholastic Book fundraiser, THANK YOU! Your support is noted and appreciated. The more we spend at the Pop Up Shops, the more likely vendors will be to return next year. I've enjoyed watching from afar, impressed by it all. Well done, Skyline.
Friday, December 13
6:00-8:00 (doors open at 6, movie starts at 6:30)
Skyline’s Gym
*Parents/guardians to remain with their kids during the movie; this is not a drop-off event.
This is a PTA family engagement event! Wear pajamas, bring blankets and chairs, and prepare to enjoy a family favorite alongside your kids! Snacks and pizza slices available for purchase (cash, check to Skyline PTA, or credit card accepted). Doors open at 6 p.m., movie starts at 6:30 p.m. Parents and guardians, please enjoy the movie with your kids; this is not a drop-off event.
FREE Talk – Earthquake Preparedness
Wednesday, December 18
6:00-7:30
Skyline’s Library
*Free childcare & pizza dinner for kids available.
This is a PTA parent education event! Join us in the library for a free and informative workshop with Lydia Ledgerwood-Eberlein & Steven Eberlein of Tipping Point Resilience on the Cascadia Subduction Zone and earthquake preparedness. An earthquake is scary, but preparing for one shouldn’t be! Learn more about Lydia and Steven's story and work, here: https://www.tippingpointresilience.com/about/
PTA will offer FREE childcare during this talk! Please RSVP for childcare by sending an email to me: skylineschoolpta@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you!
Keep on keeping on, Skyline!
Clarissa Kearns Skyline PTA President
PayPal.Me/skylinepta
Fall PTA Cookie Dough Fundraiser
Cookie dough orders going home Tues the 17th! If your child had 4+ orders please come pick up in the gym. Reach out to Maria Nguyen with questions 503.348.9777
Can you help our kids get excited about STEAM?
AmazonSmile
STAFF APPRECIATION
We try to provide snacks for staff meetings every Tuesday Afternoon.
Please sign up for a day!
Contact Susan Heffernan is you have questions.
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30e0c44a9a92aa2f85-teacher1
Skyline Community Partnership Fundraising Events 2019-2020
Skyline Community Partnership Fundraising Events 2019-2020
Please support these businesses who are donating a portion of their profits back to our school. Enjoy the best of local food, shopping & entertainment and raise funds for our PTA! Questions? Contact Nicole - nicoleoanderson@gmail.com
Skyline + Sit Still Hair Salon (Bethany Village)
20% of haircut sales to Skyline families back to our PTA during the month of January! See attached flyer for details
Skyline + Sweet Tomatoes Beaverton
Thursday, January 9
20% of all Skyline sales back to our PTA. See attached flyer for details.
Skyline + Garnish Apparel
Thursday, February 20 - Sunday, February 23
20% of your purchase from this Skyline mom-owned women's boutique back to our PTA. Your perfect outfit for the Rock & Roll auction is here! The weekend will culminate in a Private Shopping Party for the Skyline community at 4pm on Sunday, February 23. Details to come.
Foundation Information
1. What does the money raised from Foundation pay for at Skyline?
A: The money we raise can only go directly to pay for (FTE) Full-Time Equivalent employees or staff.
2. How much support did Skyline staffing get for our current school year?
A: Last year’s auction raised enough to support .75 of an FTE and .45 of an (EA) Educational Assistant.
3. What are the ways I can donate to the Foundation?
A: You can sign up to donate online through fundforpps.org as a one-time or monthly giving, write a check made to “fund for pps” (memo -skyline), or come and support the auction in the spring!
4. Who are the members of the board and how can I contact them?
A: Our board members are:
Tiffani Torgeson – chair – torgesontiffani@gmail.com
Liz Ascher – co-chair – leezard85@yahoo.com
Erika Gustafson – secretary – emacy.gustafson@gmail.com
Michelle Ruppelt – interim treasurer – ruppeltfamily@yahoo.com
Morgan Bors – auction chair – skylineauction@gmail.com
Kristin Rader, local Skyline resident & Realtor donates $100 for every sale closed in the Skyline area AND $100 for any Skyline School family who refers a new client to her (when the sale closes). The numbers are great this year! So far $1400!! Yay! And there is still time to get in a few more!
We’re at a total of $5500 in just 6 years of this donation program ☺
Kristin Rader
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty Sunset Corridor
503-539-6946
Backpack Program
Hello Skyline Families –
Our wonderful school has an important program that helps fellow Skyline families that are in need of grocery help.
Usually, we get our food for the Backpack program from Sunshine Pantry in Beaverton. Sadly, they are in the midst of moving facilities and cannot help us right now.
I am asking that you, our awesome families, help us out until we can resume our regular food pick up.
I ask that you drop non-perishables at the school near the office. We are looking for pasta, sauce, fruit cups or squeezes, cereals, beans, veggies, canned meats. Anything your family would consume can be donated. Remember shelf-stable foods only.
Thank you,
Liz Ascher
Backpack Program Chair
Winter Session After School Bird Art Classes
Registration for the winter session of watercolor classes with Ronna Fujisawa is OPEN! Ronna has truly enjoyed getting to know our kids this fall, and can't wait to meet even more this winter. Teacher Tom has again graciously agreed to loan his room for Ronna's class!
When: Thursdays, January 9 - March 19, 2020
Time: 3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Price: 11 classes for $275 or drop-in for $35/class
Location: Room 217 (Teacher Tom's classroom)
All supplies and snacks included.
Register here: https://www.saltywaterart.com/sign-up-for-classes
Students will learn about local birds and their distinguishing characters, and how to paint them in watercolor using basic visual fundamentals and various techniques in watercolor painting. During the winter term the class will be looking at different styles of art through history. Join the fun! Open to all ages!
Financial assistance is available on a first come basis!
Scholarship: Ronna is offering one full scholarship for a family who needs assistance. Please email Ronna directly to inquire: ronnafujisawa@me.com.
Financial Aid: Ronna is also offering 2 spots for this class at a 50% discount. Please email Ronna directly to inquire: ronnafujisawa@me.com.
QUESTIONS? Email Ronna at: ronnafujisawa@me.com.
Hello Lincoln Youth Baseball Families!
We are excited to announce that Registration for Spring Baseball is officially OPEN! Coaches can register now too.
Please regsiter your player at: www.LincolnYouthBaseball.com
T-ball- Prek and Kindergarten
A-ball- 1st grade
AA-ball- 2nd grade
AAA/Minor's- 3/4th grade
Major's- 5/6th grade
Seniors- 7/8th grade
Please email us with questions: lincolnyouthbaseballsoftball@gmail.com
GO CARDS!