Skyline K-8
September 13, 2019
From the Principal
Happy Friday! If the rest of the school year goes as well as our first few weeks, this school year promises to be the best year ever! On behalf of the staff, I would like to communicate how grateful we are to be part of this incredible community. We are looking forward to playing an important role in your child’s life this school year and will promise to give our very best!
Thank you to everyone who came to Cornfest on Friday. Our 49th annual Cornfest was an amazing success thanks to our Cornfest Chairs Kitty Nolen and Liz Ascher along with all of our amazing volunteers. A big shout out to Duycks Peachy Pig Farm for donating organic, local corn.
On Monday morning Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Sammons and Ms. Arias drew Golden Eagle tickets from their classroom containers and the winners went outside for an extra 10 minute recess with me. It was so much fun!!
We also had a visit from our TAG Facilitator, Kim Bertelsen. Skyline K-8's Parent TAG Information Night is on October 3rd during Back to School Night. Some upcoming dates to put on your calendar will be shared as well as all new TAG qualifications, nomination forms and identification process. We will also discuss how we support our TAG students at Skyline. If you are unable to attend the TAG meeting, please feel free to reach out to out TAG facilitator, Melissa Dunn at mdunn2@pps.net.
On Tuesday, Chandra Cooper, Director of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports), Naomi Montelongo, MTSS Program Administrator and Katie Melcher, MTSS TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) came to Skyline to give us information about their department and how they will be supporting schools this year. A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework focused on prevention and problem solving for all students using decision making based on data. MTSS uses evidence-based instruction, intervention, and assessment practices to ensure that every student receives the appropriate level of support based on their level of need. Attention is focused on creating and sustaining Tier 1 supports (universal), Tier 2 supports (targeted group), and Tier 3 supports (individual) systems to help eliminate barriers to learning and enable every student to successfully reach their full potential.
Skyline K-8 has a team of six staff members; Bianca Arias, Julie Melton, Melissa Dunn, Allie Penix, Melody Hiser and BG Aguirre attending the PPS MTSS Coaching Academy on October 24th and 25th. To learn more about MTSS, please check out the MTSS district website https://www.pps.net/domain/5007.
On Wednesday, we had our first Skyline K-8 Family Group Activity. It is always so nice seeing our middle school students serve as leaders and role models. Please ask your child which family group they are in, what family group they are paired up with for this year and what they did together on Wednesday.
This week we continued with our PLC (Professional Learning Committees) work. Specialists met and looked at the Program of Inquiry, or Year Long Plan, for our K-5 teachers. The collaboration between our specialists and K-5 teachers adds an important element to our IB program. Specialists are able to see the units teachers are teaching and be able to build the connection between students' classrooms and each special they attend throughout the week. Classroom teachers are also able to see the instruction each specialist is providing and support back in their classrooms as well.
In our Kindergarten-Second Grade PLC, teachers brought in beginning of the year writing assessments written by their students. We were able to look at the student work, identifying strengths and weaknesses for each student, helping teachers begin to develop instructional plans that will support all students moving forward in their writing this year.
In our Third - Fifth Grade PLC this week we looked at the beginning of the year MAP data for Math. Teachers were able to look at instructional groupings and we started the process of designing interventions and extensions for all students within their classrooms.
Our Middle School teachers continued their PLC meetings this week. As their days are different than the K-5 teachers, they meet before school. Within their PLC meetings all middle school teachers look at student data, behavioral and academic, as well as their programs of inquiry within their classrooms. Within this PLC meeting time teachers also focus on aligning the middle school program to best support the students as well as streamlining communication with students, families and the community. This week Middle School teachers looked at ways to refine old practices within their programs to be able to provide a more comprehensive middle school experience for all middle school students.
Back-to-School Night is coming up on October 3, 2019. Site Council elections will take place in the library on Back to School Night for our 3rd and 4th parent spot. Thank you to Sarah Coleman and Shannon Garcia-Shinn for serving on site council. Our first site council meeting is October 16.
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.
All the best,
Mrs. Aguirre
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:
Staff Safety Meeting 8:00 a.m.
Weekly 1:1 Principal Meeting with School Counselor 9:30 a.m. - 10: 30 a.m.
Weekly 1:1 Principal Meeting with IB TOSA 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Weekly 1:1 Principal Meeting with Media Specialist 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Staff Meeting 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Teacher Tom’s Room
Wednesday:
Staff PBIS/Climate Meeting 7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. in the library
Staff Instructional Leadership Team Meeting 7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
IB/PLC Prep 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 am.
Specialist Professional Learning Committee 1:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
Thursday:
Principal Cohort Meeting 7:30 a.m. - 10: 30 a.m. - Melissa Dunn will sub for me
Middle School PLC Meeting 7:45 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
PTA Meeting 6:00 p.m. in the library
Foundation Meeting 7:00 p.m. in the library
Friday:
Tentative Middle School Meeting 7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
K-2 PLC 1:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
Upcoming Events
* Sept. 19- First PTA Meeting
6:00 PM
*Foundation Meeting will follow around 7:00 PM
Sept. 19- Picture Day
Sept. 25- PBIS/IB Assembly Open- Minded
8:45-9:15 AM
Oct. 3- Back to School Night/ TAG Information Night
6:00-8:00 PM
* Oct. 7- Clothing Closet Volunteer Days (Marshall High School)
Oct. 9- Family Groups
8:45-9:15 AM
Oct. 16- Site Council
3:30-4:30 PM
Oct. 23- PBIS/ IB Assembly Caring
8:45-9:15 AM
*PTA Sponsored Event
New Safety Procedure
Skyline Cell Phone Policy
IB Corner
Library
Be sure to check out the updated Skyline Library website! We have links to Reading and Research Resources, as well as links for online reading sites. Be sure to look for Mrs. Hiser's upcoming link to her Must-Read Blog site.
Grades 3-5 just finished reading their first ORCA book together, Her Right Foot by Chris Eggers. It is an amazing book which gives the lesser known story of the Statue of Liberty's right foot. Not sure about it? Ask your student! And be sure to check out more ORCA reads!
If your family has a Multnomah or Washington County Library Card, don't forget you can read online through Overdrive/ Libby.
PTA NEWS
A heartfelt thank you to Liz Ascher and Kitty Nolen for organizing Cornfest this year!!! Many, many thanks to all those who arrived to help set up, roast corn, prepare and serve food, clean up AND MORE. It was wonderful to see so many members of our staff, too, enjoying themselves and connecting with our community. This annual tradition of food, music and fun would not have been as successful without ALL of your support. Thank you!
September PTA Meeting! MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
All are encouraged to come to this year's first PTA meeting of the year---Thursday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m., in the library! We've an agenda packed with important information and announcements, including the approval of the 2019- 2020 budget!
Here's a link to the agenda (which is subject to change): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yKYm-g9OOxGfaxnyY-4MnHk6c3fDvM-oQsE3db6-4y4/edit?usp=sharing
PTA offers FREE childcare and pizza for the kids. Please RSVP by email so that we know how much pizza to get: skylineschoolpta@gmail.com.
Remember, only PTA members can vote. Become a member today! https://skylineschoolpta.com/about-pta/
PPS Clothing Closet – Volunteers Needed on October 7, 2019
Two times per year, Skyline sends a group of volunteers to PPS’s Clothing Closet at Marshall HS in SE Portland, to help families shop! Our first volunteer day is Monday, October 7. Contact Abbey Poizer, at: abbeypoizer@comcast.net, if you would like to sign up for this most rewarding of volunteer experiences.
This Week’s To Do
Join Skyline’s closed FB Group! This is a private group for parents, guardians, teachers and staff. Request to join, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SkylineSchool/
With gratitude, Clarissa Kearns, Skyline PTA President, skylineschoolpta@gmail.com
Shop Amazon Smile and Skyline PTA gets FREE money. Link your account today! https://smile.amazon.com/
Shop at Fred Meyer? Link your Rewards Card to Skyline School PTA! Select Program #94079 for Skyline PTA. https://www.fredmeyer.com/topic/community-rewards-frequently-asked-questions
WE NEED YOU!
(1) Used Book Sale Chair(s): This is one of PTA’s biggest fundraisers of the year! We’re looking for one or more people to run this spring’s Used Book Sale! This is a perfect position to share with someone else. Book collection will be from April 7-10, and the sale will be from April 13-16. You’ll advertise the event, collect and organize books, delegate tasks to others, oversee the sale, and help with clean up. Please contact Abbey Poizer, our Volunteer Coordinator, with interest: abbeypoizer@comcast.net.
(2) Move Nights: Organize just ONE family movie night this year! You pick the date, clear it with the school, fill out the CUB form, advertise, select the movie, and host the event! Just once! We’re sharing the load (or love!) this year by asking that parents and guardians step up to organize just one movie night. It’s easy, and we’re here to help guide you through it. Help us keep this great community engagement event alive! Please contact Abbey Poizer, our Volunteer Coordinator, with interest: abbeypoizer@comcast.net.
(3) Join Our PTA Board!
Seeking President Elect, Treasurer Elect, and Secretary Elect:
Our PTA Board needs a new Prez, Treasurer and Secretary beginning next year (for the 2020-2022 term). You'll shadow me, Amber Anderson or Carly Mersereau this year, and take over next year! This is a great opportunity to meet new people and become more involved in your child(ren)’s education. Please contact Abbey Poizer, our Volunteer Coordinator, abbeypoizer@comcast.net, if you’re interested in joining our amazing and FUN team.
DID YOU KNOW?
Skyline has a closed FB Group for parents, guardians, teachers and staff!
Stay on top of the latest road conditions and closures; bus delays and schedules; school, PTA and Foundation news and announcements; extra-curricular opportunities at Lincoln HS, West Sylvan, and elsewhere; and MUCH MORE!
Request to join and answer a couple of questions regarding your affiliation with our school, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SkylineSchool/
With kindness,
Clarissa Kearns,
Skyline PTA President, skylineschoolpta@gmail.com,
Learn more about our PTA! https://skylineschoolpta.com
Join PTA today! https://skylineschoolpta.com/schoolforms/
Join Skyline's private FB Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/SkylineSchool/
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 & entertainment and raise funds for our PTA!
Skyline + The Meating Place
Friday, September 20
6495 NW Cornelius Pass Rd.
The Meating Place is generously donating 50% of Butcher Shop sales to Skyline School on 9/20. Check out their amazing meat selection in their expanded new space! Butcher Shop open 9am-6pm. Stock up & grill out for Skyline! Mention Skyline School or show the attached flyer on your phone, no physical flyer needed.
Skyline + Papa's Pizza
Wednesday, October 9
15700 NW Blueridge Dr., Beaverton (near Nike campus)
50% of sales back to Skyline School! Enjoy yummy pizza and indoor kids play area at Papa's Pizza in Beaverton on October 9. Make dinner easy and tire the kids out! Thank you for supporting this local business. Mention Skyline School or show the attached flyer on your phone, no physical flyer needed.
Skyline + Bella Organic Pumpkin Patch
Corn Maze ticket fundraiser
early September thru October 31
16205 NW Gillihan Rd., Sauvie Island
Purchase corn maze tickets through Skyline School and Bella Organic will give 50% of sales back to our PTA. Contact Nicole Anderson at nicoleoanderson@gmail.com / 614-975-9942 to arrange ticket pickup at school. Checks may be made to Skyline School PTA or pay via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/skylinepta and type "corn maze" in notes.
Adult tickets: $8
Children 6-12: $6
Seniors 65+: $6
Under 5 free, no ticket needed
Note: Haunted corn maze tickets are sold through Bella Organic. Our fundraiser is for the family corn maze only. The 2019 maze theme is Equality: The Time Is Now. Please visit Bella Organic's web site for corn maze hours and a listing of their fall activities: https://bellaorganic.com
Volunteers Needed with the Skyline Soccer Club
Soccer is a team sport and so is running the Skyline Soccer Club (SSC). SSC is a volunteer run organization, with volunteer coaches and board members. We are always in need of volunteers.
Currently we are actively seeking new board members who can help the club administratively update the website, help with registration and communicate with members. There are also short-term responsibilities available (help promote Spring registration, deliver equipment, etc)
If you are interested in serving on our board of directors or getting involved in any way, please contact Alissa skylinesoccerclub@gmail.com
Mad Science After School Classes
Thursdays, October 10-November 14
Mad Science will be offering a class for students in K-5 called "Planes, Cranes & Awesomemobiles." It's a 6-week program on Thursdays; it will run from Thursday, October 10, 2019 to Thursday, November 14, 2019, from 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM in Room 209.
Click here to register!
https://register.madscience.org/portland/afterschool-register.aspx?action=search&org=1048