Sexton Mountain Elementary
2/October/2020
Dear Families,
This has been the quietest September ever at Sexton Mountain. The building feels very empty without students. As we begin October there are many things we are still working on as we adjust to online learning. We want every child to be successful and we must acknowledge it is a different experience to be part of a virtual classroom. I encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher for clarification and support if your student is struggling.
During this challenging time we also need to celebrate all the hard work that is happening. I have started popping into classes. I feel energized by listening to students talk about their learning and seeing their smiling faces.
I want to thank the PTC for starting us off with the Fun Run. One of the things staff missed in the Spring was school celebrations. Fun Run marks the kick off of Fall. The Fun Run is an important event for fundraising. The PTC funds a variety of things for students and staff throughout the year. During this difficult time, events like the Fun Run, assemblies and other school events give us the opportunity to come together as a community. I always tell everyone that Sexton Mountain has the best staff, students, and families. Together we will figure out Comprehensive Distance Learning. In the future when COVID is a distant memory we will savor our time together gathering, learning and creating new memories at Sexton Mountain.
Make a donation or check out how your class is doing here!
Change in schedule
Please note that the District will follow a different student schedule next week. Students will have a regular synchronous learning day on Wednesday, October 7, as opposed to an independent asynchronous learning day. There are no scheduled classes on Friday, October 9.
For your planning purposes, the following Wednesdays also will be traditional synchronous learning days: January 20, February 17 and June 2.
Sexton Mountain Library
How families request books:
There are several ways you can choose books:
Browse the Sexton Mountain Library catalog to see all the books we have and place a hold. The only information you need is a student ID number and password. For more information on how to place holds, check out this video.
Complete a Google form, requesting a specific title or some general subjects.
Email dawn_kimball@beaverton.k12.or.us with a title or subject.
How do I know when to pick up my books?
When a book is available for a student, we'll email adults to arrange a pick up. Here are the curbside pickup options:
- Mondays -- 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
- Wednesdays -- 7:00 am to 8:30 am
- Fridays -- 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Please arrive at pickup only after you have received a confirmation email from the LMA and set up a time. If these times don't work for your family, email dawn_kimball@beaverton.k12.or.us, and we'll arrange something.
Coming Soon...
School reopening announcement
Dear BSD Community,
At last night’s School Board meeting, administrators announced plans to extend Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) through the end of first semester (February 8) for grades 4-12. We continue to consider extending CDL through February 8 for grades Pre K-3.
Grades 4-12
We’ve been watching the county and state COVID-19 metrics closely. While the Beaverton School District is located in Washington County, we’re linked with Multnomah County because more than 10% of our employees live in that neighboring county. To be able to start hybrid learning (part in-school/part CDL) for grades 4-12, the following metrics would have to be met:
- 10 or fewer cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people in Washington (and Multnomah) County over 7 days for 3 weeks in a row
- Test positivity of 5% or less in Washington (and Multnomah) County over 7 days for 3 weeks in a row
- Test positivity of 5% or less statewide over 7 days for 3 weeks in a row
Given the trajectory of the health metrics, we don’t believe that we’ll realistically meet those numbers by November 16, the end of the first quarter. We have previously communicated that we’d be making the decision to continue in CDL on a quarter-by-quarter basis.
Grades Pre K-3
As established by Governor Kate Brown, the criteria for starting hybrid learning with Pre K-3 students is different:
- 30 or fewer cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people in Washington (and Multnomah) County over 7 days for 3 weeks in a row
- Test positivity of 5% or less in Washington (and Multnomah) County over 7 days for 3 weeks in a row
- COVID-19 is not actively spreading in the school community
Again, current health metrics aren’t trending in a positive direction. However, we’ll wait until October 19 to make a final decision for the quarter.
Know that if we were to see a drastic change in metrics or the Oregon Department of Education/Oregon Health Authority changed the guidance, we could alter our decision. Our goal is to provide you with as much information as possible so that your family can make plans accordingly.
Thank you for your continued support.
Chromebook broken? Are you a new student? Email the Help desk!
Food resources
The district has updated the Community Resources on our Return-to-School webpage to include a number of food resources for families, including the District's partnership with Urban Gleaners and four school-based food markets (open to all families) sponsored by the Oregon Food Bank.
- Go to our BSD website > Return-to-School > Community Resources > Free Food
Also we've expanded our USDA Free Food Box program that starts on October 7. It now includes 3 sites every Wednesday:
- Aloha HS: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Beaverton HS: 12-1 p.m.
- Southridge HS: 12-1 p.m.
Calendar
October 2-October 9- FUN RUN!
October 7- Regular day of school.October 9-Staff development day- No school for students
November 11- Veteran's Day-School closed
November 13- Grading day-No students
November 25-27- Thanksgiving Holiday
Sexton Mountain Elementary
Email: Cherie_reese@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: sextonmountain.beaverton.k12.or.us
Location: 15645 Southwest Sexton Mountain Drive, Beaverton, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 356 2470
Facebook: facebook.com/ourschool
Twitter: @ourschool