The Hawkeye
Montclair Weekly Newsletter ~ February 8, 2018
Leverty Letter
· The importance of intrinsic motivation
· Homework support
Motivation is a key component of elementary education, but for students that lack motivation, or find that it is not intrinsic, we must build that skill from within. Praise is one way to build motivation, whenever we see our children doing something they initially said they could not do, or doing something that demonstrates initiative, we want to praise them for their motivation. Modeling what motivation looks like is often a good way to instill this character trait in our children. Sometimes providing an incentive will motivate, but typically this distracts from building the motivational spirit from within. One way to build motivation is to continually recognize their past accomplishments. You might start this process by having your child keep a memory box, and fill it with projects, papers, and articles that remind her/him of all of the things she/he has accomplished. Let your child decorate the box so it is special to them and label it with a positive phrase like, “I did it!” When she/he does achieve a success, put a reminder in the box and celebrate the accomplishment. You can also have your child return to the box when she/he is feeling discouraged and needs motivation to get back on the saddle.
Typically, most Montclair students will come home with homework each week, from keeping a reading log to actually completing projects or homework packets. For each task, it is important to gauge how much your child can do and whether they have the skills to complete it. Homework by definition is simply an opportunity to build independence in a specific concept and/or demonstrate to the teacher whether the student knows the concept. If you find yourself doing the homework for your child, that defeats the purpose of homework; however, many of our children will need your support. Ideally, it is a good idea to have a consistent place each night to do the homework and help children get into a habit of doing their work, in their designated spot, at the same time each night. If your child is having difficulty reading a specific book there is no reason why you can't read the book to them, because listening and comprehending a story is also a skill that is associated with reading. With our new math the computation process might look different, but don’t hesitate to show your child another strategy that you have used, because having multiple strategies is how we build our “toolkit” of ideas. The school recognizes nightly activities or schedules can preclude us from doing homework, however what we don’t want to do is devalue the importance of “practice”, or send the message that homework isn’t important. As students move up in their studies it is inevitable that their homework will increase. Talk with your teacher if ever in doubt about homework, we’re here to help your child and you experience success.
Thank you!
Sean Leverty
***2018 "HAWK-tion"***
Our BIGGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR is just around the corner!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24th, 2018
5:00-9:00 p.m. at the Oregon Zoo
Have you purchased your tickets yet? Only a week left to do so!!You can do so very easily here:
Calling All New Kindergartners ~ 2018-2019 Online Registration NOW OPEN
If you have a child that will be 5 on or before 9/1/18, we are starting our list of incoming Kindergartners and would like to add your child to it. Please contact the office at 503-356-2190.
· Online Registration opens 2/1/18 (click on this link below for instructions)
· Kindergarten Orientation is 4/12/18 at 4:00PM (for Parents and students)
Dough For Dollars ~ Pizzicatto ~ 2/13
Dough for Dollars at Pizzicato Pizza Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Beaverton Pizzicato 10719 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. Event runs ALL DAY and 20% of the store's total sales will go to Montclair PTO! This is a big one!!
**KNOW YOUR PLAN** ~ Emergency Closure Info
Do you know what you’ve selected for your child’s emergency closure plan? It may be different than your everyday going home plan. If you are unsure, log on to ParentVue to check.
If school closes early, we send your child home according to this emergency plan.
· School bus home/neighbor/daycare
-or-
· Pick up by Parent/Friend/Neighbor/Relative/Daycare
Make sure you and your child knows their emergency plans. For example, if they’re going to a neighbor’s house, daycare, taking the bus or parent pick up. Only those listed on the emergency contact list can pick up your child.
Registration Open for Sensational Sign-Up Parties!
Registration for the following sign-up parties is now available in the Office! Bring a check made out to Montclair PTO and get your student(s) on the lists! Please note: space is limited for the Tech & Library Extravaganzas; registration for the other parties is on-going and attendance is unlimited!!
Hawks’ Night Out Party
*Movie & Pizza Party hosted by Mrs. Penuel and Mrs. Fredriksen
*Friday, June 1 from 5:00-9:00 p.m.
*$25 per student - *2nd-5th grade only*
Tech & Library Extravaganzas
*Hosted by Mrs. Fryer, Mrs. Terada, and Ms. Fidler
*Students will enjoy tech time, craft, reading, raffle, snack, and story!
*Three Parties: March 9, April 3, & May 24, 3:05-4:30; Pick-up only (no bus)
*$15 per student - *Any Grade*
*Limited to 25 spots per party
Movie Matinee: The Incredibles
*Movie & Popcorn Party hosted by Ms. Elliott, Mrs. Putzek, Mrs. Kamm, & Teacher Susie
*Friday, March 16 from 3:05-5:30 p.m.; Pick-up only (no bus)
*$10 per student - *Any Grade*
Thank you to our Teachers & Staff for hosting these fabulous events!
Questions: contact Emily Potts emilykpotts@gmail.com
OBOB ~ Volunteers Needed
Greetings!
OBOB battles began on 1/23 and we could use your help! What is OBOB? OBOB (Oregon Battle Of the Books) is an annual statewide reading program that offers 16 high-quality books selected by school librarians for 3rd-5th graders to read and then form teams that compete on knowledge-based quizzes (battles). We hold a tournament at Montclair which culminates in a school champion that goes onto a regional and possibly, ultimately a state competition.
If you have a 3rd through 5th grader who was signed up with Mrs. Terada to an OBOB team, the battles are about to begin! You don't have a child on a team? You can still help by moderating and/or timing/scoring battles. Do you have a second grader interested in OBOB next year? This is great way to find out what OBOB is all about. Not sure what moderating/timing/scoring is all about? Feel free to visit Our OBOB Page for more information on instructions on how to moderate/time/score and the upcoming battle schedule. I will have the page updated shortly with the schedule and a mock battle video.
The shifts for battles are available in MVP, with the links below. Battles occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1/23 through 3/1. The first 3 or 4 weeks will be round-robin format and the final weeks will be playoffs to determine our Montclair champion. Battles occur at two different times, from 11:15-11:45 for 3rd graders, and 11:45-12:15 for 4th/5th graders. Battles typically take place in the library or in the 3rd/4th/5th classrooms. While you are always free to come watch your child battle during their time, you may not moderate a battle your child is participating in.
We have an increase in participation over last year with more teams ready to battle, so if you can please help out with this fun program it would be appreciated! The kids put so much effort into reading and studying these books that come battle time, they are delighted to see their parents watch and participate as well!
Battle schedules are now posted in the lobby and at https://www.montclaitpto.org/obob.
3rd grade battles: http://bttr.im/fwlu1
4th/5th grade battles: http://bttr.im/t638b
If you have any questions about OBOB, feel free to contact me at obob@montclairpto.org.
Thank you,
Peter James
Montclair OBOB Parent Coordinator
Community Involvement/Activity Flyers ~ February
Garden Home Community Library ~ Community Partnership ~ January Events
Valentine's Day Cardmaking in the Annex
Join us to make fun cards for all your friends! There will be paper, scissors, stickers, and lots of decorating supplies available. This program is recommended for children ages 5 and up.
All About Owls
Tualatin Hills Nature Park presents a fun drop-in program all about the amazing owl! Come by to learn about these beautiful birds.
Techno-Crafts
Thursday, February 15th ~ 3:00 PM 5:00 PM
Children and families are invited to make something fun together at Techno-Crafts! We’ll have our magnet maker, snap circuits for you to play with, and other arts and craft opportunities at this monthly program.
Montclair Calendar
February 19 Holiday ~ Schools Closed
February 21 Immunization Exclusion Day
February 21 PTO Meeting ~ 7PM, Library
February 24 PTO Auction ~ Oregon Zoo, 5:00-9:00PM
February 28 Conferences ~3:30-8:00PM
March 1-2 Conferences ~ No Students
March 14 PTO Meeting ~ 7PM, Library
March 21 1st Grade Polar Animal Night, 6:30-7:30PM
March 26-30 Spring Break ~ Schools Closed
Montclair Elementary
Attendance Hotline: 503-356-2191
Email: sean_leverty@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/schools/montclair
Location: 7250 SW Vermont St, Portland, OR, United States
Phone: 503-356-2190
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/montclairpto/
Twitter: @montclair_bsd