Rocketeer Newsletter
Rock Creek Elementary- April 30, 2020
Newsletter for Rock Creek Elementary School
Rock Creek is a candidate school for
the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme
"We empower all students to achieve post-high school success"
Principal Message
Hopefully, by now you have had the chance to read Deputy Superintendent Ginny Hansmann’s email about discontinuing PYP in Beaverton School District’s elementary schools. This information came as a huge disappointment but not a surprise given the financial situation schools are facing.
We know that our students and community have greatly benefited from our work with the Primary Years Programme. As educators, we see students who have agency over their learning, who have learned to work together in ways that they didn't before, students who care deeply about those around them. International mindedness is a component of the PYP that especially rang true for our incredibly diverse community. Our students learned to appreciate our differences and grew exceedingly by their deep work around taking perspectives of others.
I want you to know that our staff joins you in trying to come to terms with this loss. We are committed to our students. We will continue to give our best. When we are able to be together again, we will create a plan to move forward and share this with our community.
I am so proud of our school. We will continue to grow together and rise together.
Love to all,
TiffanyBirthday Zoom Time with the Principal Coming Soon!
Ms. Wiencken misses the special birthday lunches with students. Beginning the first week of May, she will will be holding special zoom meetings with students that have birthdays in March, April & May. Classroom teachers will send you the zoom invitation for the day that Ms. Wiencken is celebrating your birthday month.
From Rock Creek PTC-Staff Appreciation Week is Next Week - May 4-8
Staff Appreciation Week is Next Week - May 4-8
Rock Creek Staff are the best - Let's show them our love & appreciation each day next week!
Memory Monday - I will never forget that you taught me...
Terrific Tuesday - Celebrate #GivingTuesdayNow in honor of Rock Creek.
Wear it Wednesday - Wear your teacher's favorite color.
Throwback Thursday - How did a Rock Creek Staff Member make your first day special?
Freaky Friday - Share your pics and words of encouragement for all who are switching roles lately.
Post your pictures, videos and art to the Rock Creek PTC Facebook page or email them to leann_gentry@hotmail.com with subject line RC appreciation.
Additional details can be found in the attached flyer.
Schools are Closed/Trespassing
As per Governor Brown’s direction all schools are closed for the remainder of the school year. Community members continue to gather on school property – in parking lots, fields, and stadiums – and this is trespassing. District Administrators may contact law enforcement and report trespassers as needed. Approved events where community may come to schools include Wi-Fi access for families, Chromebook distribution, and other school led events.
From our Music & PE Teachers
Parents, if your child is using Google Classroom for their regular student learning, please have them check their Seesaw account as well. Specialists are posting lessons on Seesaw as a means of teaching Rock Creek Students. Thank you!
Student Plans for 2020-2021 School Year
To help us plan for next year please complete this short form to let us know if your student will not be attending for the 2020-2021 school year or if you are unsure if they will be attending. Student plans for 2020-2021
As we start to form classes for next year, grade level teams use a number of data points about each student. If you have input that will help understand your students specific needs please fill out this form by May 15th. Parent Input Form (This is our new electronic "blue" form and is not required)
From The Rock Creek Library
Hello from Mrs. Hilger. I have received a couple emails about having overdue books. The Beaverton School District knows that all books that have been checked out are overdue. Please don't worry. You don't have the opportunity to turn the books in, I am not sending out any overdue notices because of this. I am sure you are taking very good care of those books and there will be a date when we find out that they can all be turned in. Right now just keep reading them and all of the other books you have access to. Don't forget you can go to the Sora app and use your public library card to check out books online. The BSD online library page also has great information where you can do research and find articles to read. Looking forward to seeing you all again when we can.
Check out our Rock Creek Library Resource page. It has links to some wonderful resources.
Connie Hilger
Rock Creek LMA
Public Library News
The online public library is still open and ready to help your students! Below is a list of online resources:
- Students new to the District can sign-up for an eAccess card here: https://www.wccls.org/online-card
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And for those students that already had a library card, but have questions about logging in, they can email us at AskUsCMLB@wccls.org. While we are closed, we are responding to emails within 24 hours.
- Digital Library https://library.cedarmill.org/digital-library/
- Virtual Resources Beyond the Library: https://library.cedarmill.org/gathered-for-you/
- Information on our storytimes: https://library.cedarmill.org/events/kids/storytime/
Storytimes from Cedar Mill and Bethany Libraries are available on our Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/CedarMillLibrary
Link for the growing playlist of storytimes
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH43bK4eHMTsAOYh1g39Px5AzfzgMzjh8
These will grow over the next few months.
- TumbleBooks: animated books for pre-readers and beginning readers. Includes some in Spanish.
https://www.wccls.org/research/tumblebook-library
Borrow eBooks or downloadable audiobooks on their ChromeBook through their SORA account’s link to the public library. Most of these items are one reader at a time use, but it is possible to place holds on items in use.
- An example of a booklist of this type of material :
Booklist of picture books that nurture emotional intelligence and mindfulness (eBook or
downloadable audio formats)
https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1254719878_cedarmill_wiserkids/1623377849_emotional_intelligence_in_picture_books
- Kanopy – the online streaming video service includes not only movies and TV shows but also Weston Woods video readings of well known picture books (including Mo Willems’ Pigeon)
- https://www.wccls.org/streaming-video
- The “history” lineup in Kanopy Kids has multiple titles that fit a narrative nonfiction category. During this crisis time, kids materials on Kanopy are unlimited.
Check it Out! Rock Creek's Virtual Assembly
Please click the link for Rock Creek's newest virtual assembly!
Want to show your talent in upcoming assemblies?
See the guidelines below!
Counselor's Corner
During these challenging times, you may have noticed that your child is having difficulty handling the many changes that are happening all around them. If you think getting some professional counseling help for your child during this time would be helpful, our social worker can help connect you with a professional counselor. All you need to do is email our counselor, Michelle_Solberg@beaverton.k12.or.us. Our counselor will have the social worker contact you.
Also, remember that our counselor is available to talk with your student, too. All you need to do is email Michelle_Solberg@beaverton.k12.or.us to set up a Zoom meeting with your child.
Student Resources
My Mindfulness Book - mindfulness activities to do at home
My Feelings Workbook - action plan for big feelings
Mindful Activities - virtual learning materials for Yoga/Mindfulness/SEL
Parent Resources
Parent and Child Emotional Survival Toolkit - free interactive resources for parents and kids
How to Get Your Kids to Treat You Like Their Teacher - creating space and habits to keep kids engaged while at home
7 Guiding Principles for Parents Teaching From Home - understanding the why behind teaching practices
Identifying the Signs of Stress in Children
Children often react to stressful events differently than adults. How the child in your life reacts to COVID-19 will vary by age, their previous experiences and how they typically cope with stress. The graphic below shares signs of stress that you can watch for in preschool and elementary aged children and how to help them.
You can find resources and learn more about how to support children of all ages by visiting CDC’s Helping Children Cope website or the national Child Traumatic Stress Network’s (NCTSN) Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope.
Social Emotional Learning
Parents:
Article: A Message To Families During Covid 19 from a Stanford Educator
Kids:
Podcast: Big Life Kids Podcast
Assistance for Families
During these changing times, we are aware that some families may experience loss of income or a reduction in income.
Families can directly contact The Pantry
Their hours are Tuesdays 9-12 & 4-7
They are located at 4470 NW 185th Ave
Portland, OR 97229
Helpful Tips
Resources for Parents:
Sometimes the best way to build our own resilience is to send our best intentions out for those around us. Send some loving-kindness into the world with this practice for adults.
Self-Compassion Break Practice for Adults
Childcare Referral Hotline for Essential Workers
Oregon has set up a Childcare referral hotline for Essential Workers during the COVID-19 Crisis. Examples of categories and occupations considered Essential Workers can be found here. The attached information sheet will show how families are prioritized for childcare. Please share as needed to those who might benefit from this resource as they carry on critical functions.
Additionally, Oregon's Early Learning Division (ELD) is actively recruiting childcare substitutes. People can apply to be a substitute here. Please share with anyone you know looking for Childcare work who might be willing to support your colleagues and neighbors performing vital missions.
Personal Items Pick-Up Coming May 15th
Personal Items left in classrooms will be packed up and made available for families to pick up on May 15th. We will have a staggered pickup by grade levels.
Student items will be collected and placed in one plastic bag and labeled with the student’s name. We will send an email out when we have the grade level times for item pick-up. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
UPDATES from Beaverton School District
Important Information and resources
Supporting Students with Internet Connectivity
A way to help students needing internet connectivity in your neighborhood is to create an open, guest Wi-Fi network. Creating a guest network will create a separate Wi-Fi network that will allow access without a password. Many home routers have a setting that will create this separate network. Many internet service providers have removed usage caps. If you are interested in helping students in your neighborhood that lack connectivity and need it for distance learning, check first with your internet service providers that usage capacity has been removed and check your router settings to see if there is an Enable Guest Network setting.
Zoom Security Change
A recent change in Zoom has removed the ability for students to schedule meetings with other students. The change is consistent with settings in Google that restricted student to student video meetings on student accounts. Teachers are still able to schedule meetings and student
Wellness Weekly
The second issue of Wellness Weekly is now available. This week’s issue will expand on the idea of building resilience.
2020-2021 Budget
Superintendent Grotting presented the Budget Committee with his Budget Message and the Proposed 2020-2021 Budget on Monday, April 20. We are in unprecedented times. Our schools have been closed for over a month and our students will not return to in-person classes this academic year. In times like this, it is critical to focus on the health and welfare of our students, staff and community. While our work has changed, we continue to provide meals, daycare services for healthcare workers and education services to our students in a multitude of ways.
We will continue to engage students in learning through our teacher-led Remote Learning Plan until June 12. Our high school principals and their teams, along with the Teaching & Learning team are working to ensure that our seniors’ accomplishments over 12 years and 7 months of school are not impacted or diminished by this unprecedented closure during the last two months of their final school year. We are exploring possible alternatives for commemorating their achievements. Read the full Budget Message.
Virtual Town Hall
In case you missed it, District leaders held a Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday evening. You can watch now on the District’s YouTube channel. The following are updates for today.
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/COVID-19_Public.pdf
Q: For schools with NCAA-approved core courses, how will the Eligibility Center approach those schools that issue Pass/Fail grades in Spring/Summer 2020 due to school closures?
A: For NCAA-approved core courses completed in Spring/Summer 2020 that have been issued a grade of “Pass,” the Eligibility Center will apply the credit earned in these courses toward the core course requirement in the student's certification. If the student's core-course GPA would increase by assigning a value of 2.300, this value will be assigned to the Passed courses. However, if the student's core-course GPA would decrease by including the 2.300 value for Passed courses, the student’s core-course GPA will be calculated based only on courses with assigned letter grades from other available terms (credit from these courses will still be applied toward the student's core-course requirements). Note: This policy will apply to students from all grade levels (e.g., freshmen, sophomores) who successfully complete NCAA-approved Pass/Fail courses in Spring/Summer 2020.
#bethelightOR
Every Friday night April 10, 2020 through June 12, 2020 at 8:20 p.m. (20:20 military time), all BSD stadiums will light up for 20 minutes in honor of our seniors. Please do not congregate on or near stadiums and observe all social distancing rules.
Grab and Go Meals/Bus Stop Meal Distribution Update
K-12 students and children ages 1-18 years old may pick up meals at any of the dedicated sites for the Grab and Go Meals. Meals are also available at a number of bus stops. Children do not have to be a student at a particular school to receive meals. Here is a link with more information. Beginning Monday, April 13, Westview High School will be added as an additional Grab & Go school site.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
If your family has been financially impacted by the coronavirus crisis, you may qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. SNAP offers food benefits to eligible, low-income individuals and families. Those qualifying for SNAP benefits are automatically qualified for school Meal Benefits as well. See if you are eligible and learn how to apply for benefits by visiting: oregon.gov/DHS/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS
Schools are Closed/Trespassing
As per Governor Brown’s direction all schools are closed for the remainder of the school year. Community members continue to gather on school property – in parking lots, fields, and stadiums – and this is trespassing. District Administrators may contact law enforcement and report trespassers as needed. Approved events where community may come to schools include Wi-Fi access for families, Chromebook distribution, and other school led events.
Remote Learning Photos
We want to take this opportunity to remind our families to respect the privacy of other students, and not to take and/or share photos/screenshots of children who are not their own during Remote Learning activities, including virtual classroom instruction and meetings.
The District policy remains the same for Remote Learning - any student who has been opted out of Directory/Media Exclude will not be included in any photographs or videos shared by schools or the District.
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) #WEWalkChallenge
Thank you for participating in the SRTS WE Walk Challenge last week. We doubled our participation numbers and received so many beautiful photos of trees in our neighborhoods. Congratulations to Jack R, a Kindergarten student at Kinnaman Elementary School and our week #3 winner of the SRTS #WEwalkchallenge! This is the last week of our April challenge. Please submit your photos of birds on the Beaverton SRTS Facebook page or email them to bsdsaferoutes@gmail.com. We can't wait to see what you find!
Safe Routes to School Remote Learning Resources for Educators, Parents and Caregivers
Take advantage of the spring weather and get outside! Remember, staying active is a great tool for keeping yourself and your family physically and mentally healthy, as you maintain safe distancing from people outside of your home.
Here are some safe ideas, resources, and activities from Safe Routes to School to keep you active and healthy.
Virtual School Board Meeting
The School Board held a virtual Business Meeting on Monday, April 27. You can watch now on the District’s YouTube channel. You can view the Meeting materials, including public comment on Boardbook.
Virtual Budget Committee Meeting - May 4
The Budget Committee will hold a virtual meeting on Monday, May 4, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. You can watch the live stream on the District’s YouTube channel.
Public comments will be accepted by online form submission that closes at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2020. Please submit comments electronically.
Middle School Boundary Adjustment Process Postponed
Due to the closure of the District for the remainder of the current school year, the Middle School Attendance Boundary (MSBA) Advisory Committee will not resume its meetings during the time of school building closure. If reopening of school buildings is authorized by Governor Brown, the District will reconvene the MSBA advisory committee in August 2020. The District will post notice of the next committee meeting at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting. Opportunity to submit written comment will resume at the same time notice is posted.
Student Enrollment and Incoming 2020-2021 Kindergarten Enrollemnt
The Beaverton School District began the Remote Learning Plan on Monday, April 6, 2020. As of that date, teachers began working with students. Schools are to begin processing student enrollments to ensure we are serving those students new to our community and those who were made inactive during the COVID-19 school closure.
For students returning to the Beaverton School District (who were withdrawn) please contact your school for re-enrollment guidance. For students new to the Beaverton School District including 2020-2021Kindergarteners, please visit the Online Registration Webpage.
Staff will mark students active in this situation, and make the effective enrollment date Monday, April 6, 2020. Requests to withdraw a student from the Beaverton School District will be processed in the same way as before school closure. Please contact your school regarding withdrawals. Oregon requires children to be either enrolled in a public school, private school, or registered as a homeschool student with their local Education Service District.
Donate to the Beaverton Schools Community Resources Fund
The Beaverton School District is now accepting donations from the greater Beaverton community to support community-wide efforts to provide food boxes, toiletries and other essential items to our families during this emergency situation. Food Banks are working hard to remain stocked to feed communities. There are many Beaverton families who struggle economically even in the best of times, and this fund will enable the Beaverton School District to work with community partners to serve our families. We use this fund to triple the buying power and thus increase the amount of families we can serve, a number that increases daily. Pass this on to friends and neighbors (we can also honor matching dollars!)
To make a donation to the Beaverton Schools Community Resources Fund, visit
https://or-beaverton-lite.intouchreceipting.com/,
Select “Beaverton School District” under School
Select “Beaverton Schools Community Resources Fund” under Item
Add a donation amount
Click on Buy
Click on Checkout
We started by serving 200 families and are currently serving 650 families. WE would love to serve more ...and more often. Please consider donating to the Beaverton Schools Community Resources Fund today! Together WE are better!
Connect with your Parent Teacher Club!
Volunteer opportunities, events and fundraising, oh my! Get the latest news on all your favorite PTC activities by connecting with us.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockCreekElementarySchool/
Website: www.rockcreekptc.org
Text: text @rcptc to 81019
For online links to academic and extra-curricular activities offered in the community, please use this link: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/communications-community-involvement/after-school-activitiesflyers
Rock Creek School
4125 NW 185th Ave
Portland OR 97229
Main Office-503-356-2450
Attendance-503-356-2451
Fax- 503-356-2455
Principal: Tiffany Wiencken
SAFEOREGON TIP LINE
Keep Rock Creek safe: report any student safety threats to SafeOregon. Tips can be reported by phone or text (844-427-3367), email (tip@safeoregon.com), or online (safeoregon.com). For more information, visit safeoregon.com.