At Patterson we respect and value each culture represented (as well as those that are not) and we aim to provide a learning space that welcomes and supports each family in our community. As different holidays arise, we are working to both teach and educate, as well as celebrate. Next Monday is Halloween and Tuesday and Wednesday are Dia de Muertos. Each class will likely have themed activities integrated into their learning throughout these days, as well as a celebration at the end of the day. Here are some guidelines for making this a safe and fun space for everyone:

• Costumes or book character costumes are welcome
• No masks and/or pretend weapons (knives, guns, shooting or hitting/clubbing items)

• Costumes need to be appropriate for an elementary school setting
• Please do not send food and/or candy to school

If your family does not celebrate or you would like them to do an alternative activity, please reach out to your child's teacher. We also welcome information about the holidays your family celebrates.

Here to serve,

Jamie Lentz

Principal, Patterson Elementary

• October 24 - HSD Black Family Village Advisory Committee, 6-7:30 pm (see flyer below)
• October 28 - Family Restaurant Night at Panda Express (see flyer below)
• November 4 - New Library Book Celebration & Preview, 5-6 pm
• November 4 - Family Bingo Night, 6-8 pm
  
• November 10 - No School, Teacher Work Day
• November 11 - No School, Veteran's Day
• November 21 & 22 - Fall Conferences, Save the Date

Social Awareness defined by CASEL reads as “the ability to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts.”

• Taking others’ perspectives

• Recognizes strengths in others

• Empathy & Compassion

• Understands & expresses gratitude

• Identifying social norms; both just & unjust

• Awareness & appreciation of diversity

While there are many important aspects to social awareness, developing empathy and compassion for others is the highest priority. It's not through a focus on ourselves that we grow; It's through a focus on others. We can support this in our students through supporting their empathy lens..

Empathy is the skill of attempting to understand others’ feelings, thoughts, and actions. To develop this skill, our students need to see others through a new lens, or imagine themselves walking in their shoes. Instead of leaning towards judgment, they can move towards wondering about how someone might feel in a situation, or why they feel the way they do. How might their experiences have impacted them to feel or act as they are? True empathy happens when our students engage in curiosity,

Questions that help support the use of social awareness skills:

• How are you an active listener?

• How do you listen and communicate with partners when you disagree?

• Why is it valuable to listen to classmates with different thinking from your own?

• What is your learner identity? How is it similar or different from your classmates?

• What qualities do you bring to your group, and what qualities do you need from your classmates??

• How do you help classmates when they are stuck?

We have several upcoming volunteer opportunities at Patterson. Follow the links below for more information and to sign up. You need to be an approved volunteer through HSD before signing up. Below is additional information to get you started if you haven't done so already. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Patterson Volunteer Opportunities

Family Bingo Night Volunteer Opportunities

Background Check Info

Staff Wish Lists:

Henningsen Kinder Wish List

McCoy Kinder Wish List

Gurske First Grade Wish List

Volk First Grade Wish List

Portinga Second Grade Wish List

Giard Second Grade Wish List

Godsey Third Grade Wish List

Delplanche Third Grade Wish List

Merritt Fourth Grade Wish List

Wear Fifth Grade Wish List

Lewis Library Wish List

Awad Spanish Lit Wish List

Thank you,

Patterson Booster Club

Now that we are back to a more normal school year, we have returned to the state's regular attendance requirements. Our attendance team meets once per week to review student absences. Our goal is 97% attendance, which equals approximately one missed day per month. If students continue to miss days, we will reach out to check on your child/family and offer support. The next steps include attendance letters and home visits/meetings from a Northwest Regional ESD representative. Our goal is to support your child in attending school and/or finding a way to support your family if there is something preventing them from attending in person. If you have any questions about this process, please reach out.

Please join Superintendent Mike Scott for a series of Coffee Chats in the coming weeks. There will be a virtual session in Spanish, and four in-person sessions at coffee shops around the District’s attendance area.

• Friday, Oct. 28, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the South Store Café* (24485 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Hillsboro 97123; 503-628-1920)
  

• Tuesday, Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the downtown Hillsboro Insomnia* (317 E. Main St., Hillsboro 97123; 971-245-6176)

*Spanish interpretation available upon request by calling our Language Liaison Team (503-844-1429) at least 24 hours in advance.

These casual, no-host, drop-in events are designed to give parents and community members an opportunity to meet Superintendent Scott, learn more about the important activities going on in the District, and ask any questions they may have.

For more information, please contact Communications Officer Beth Graser at 503-844-1772 or graserbe@hsd.k12.or.us.

• background check
• fingerprinting
• COVID-19 vaccine (exception process is outlined on the website linked below)

Please begin this process by filling out forms located on our district website here.