Athey Notes
September 6th, 2021
Welcome
Welcome to Week 2!
We had a fantastic first week! We spent time getting students oriented to their school, meeting their classmates, learning how to navigate the halls to find classes, use their lockers, check out Chromebooks and so much more! We had amazing student volunteers from our leadership classes in the halls helping - whether it was just being a smiling friendly face to giving locker opening lessons they were awesome (please thank your students!). Now we are on to Week 2. This is the week students really start settling into the rhythm of school and events will start getting added to the calendar! Please take a moment to read through just a few of them!
Sincerely,
Joel Sebastian
ACMS Principal
Mark Your Calendar
Sept. 8th Cross Country Begins
Sept. 15th Picture Day
Sept. 22nd Curriculum Night 6:30 pm
Sept 27th Game Night for 6th Graders (more info soon!)
Sept. 28th Early Release 1:45 pm
Week 2 Athey Notes
1. Meet Our New Teachers!
2. Bell Schedule
3. Breakfast Is Served!
4. Lunch Service Information
4. Picture Day Order Information
5. Yearbook Ordering Information for 2022-2023
6. Yearbooks Handed out for 2021-2022
7. Attendance
8. Counseling Corner
9. PTSA Engagement
Important Information From Last Week
1. Parent Pick Up/Drop Off Traffic Pattern
2. School Supply List
3. Wellness Uniform Ordering
4. Cross Country Sign ups Begin!
5. New Safe Entry Procedure
6. How to Become a Volunteer
7. How to Use ParentVue to Stay Connected
Welcome our New Staff Members to Athey Creek
Introducing Our New Teachers! - Stay Tuned for Next week when we introduce our new learning specialists and paraeducators!
As we finish the first week of class, we want to introduce some of our new staff.
Megan Burt - 7th Grade LA and Social Studies Teacher
I'm so happy to be joining the community of learners at Athey Creek Middle School. My name is Megan Burt and I'm teaching 7th grade Language Arts and Social Studies this year. I've had the opportunity to teach high school history for 22 years, followed by a short year last year teaching third grade at Stafford Primary. I'm so looking forward to getting to know not only the students of Athey Creek, but parents of students. I have a wonderful life in my full house just down the street. I live in a historic log home filled with my incredible family: my husband, 5 children, 2 dogs, and 5 cats! I've never vacationed to Hawaii, but have come within just 3 states of seeing all 50 of the United States. I get itchy feet if I don't see a new state every year! I'm passionate about teaching, and love the vibrance middle schoolers bring to life and their energy in the building every day. It's going to be a huge year, and I'm so glad I get to share it with you!
Brooke Cates - 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Gym Teacher
My name is Brooke Cates and this is my 30th year teaching. I have previously taught in Canby for 27 years and Cottage Grove for 2 years. I grew up in the beautiful state of Montana and moved to Oregon to attend college at the University of Oregon where I played basketball and was also on the track and field team. I am currently the head girl's varsity basketball coach at West Linn High School. I have been married to my husband Scott for 29 years and we have three grown children; Coby (pharmacy student at OHSU), Jace (mortgage broker) and Cianne (Healthcare negotiator and analyst at Intrlink). We also have 4 dogs (Leroy, Lucy, Jimmer and Hutch) and a spunky cat, Jinxy. I love animals, gardening, baking cookies and coaching. I also love working out (especially at Orangetheory Fitness) and playing/watching all sports.
Josh Hobson - In House Sub
I’m excited to be teaching at Athey Creek this year! I spent the past 13 years teaching 8th grade at Hood River Middle School, which I loved. When our family moved to this area, I consistently heard great things about Athey Creek, so I’m thankful for the opportunity to join the team here and help our students find success. I have a 5-year old son and 3-year old daughter who currently love a good living room dance party more than just about anything else (we’ll see how long that lasts) and an amazing wife, Lauren, who I’m lucky enough to do it all with.
Amanda Hudson - 7th Grade Science
Hi! I grew up in Eagle, Idaho and moved to Oregon in 2016. This is my fourth year as a science teacher and my first year at Athey Creek. I live in Tualatin with my husband Michael, daughter Mackenzie, and dog Murphy. I love teaching, being with my family, hiking, and going to the beach. A couple fun things about me: I can wiggle my ears and can teach anyone how to snap! Let's go Cougars!
Nick Huggins - 8th Grade Science
Hello! My name is Mr. Nick Huggins and I am a new 8th grade science teacher at Athey Creek. Raised in Canby, Oregon; college-educated at Oregon State University; I come from a family of teachers and have grown up around conversations and stories of teaching and coaching children well. My professional focus this year includes democracy in the classroom, equitable grading, and implementing thinking routines (search for Harvard's PZ's Thinking Routines). I will be one of the coaches for XC and track this year, and I look forward to knowing your student at Athey Creek!
Melissa Matheson - 7th Grade Science
I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I moved to West Linn with my family in 2020, and lives with my husband, 11 year old daughter, and two Australian shepherds, Charlotte and Cheyenne. My hobbies include traveling, hiking, reading, and baking. I graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences, Preparation for Teaching and hold a Masters of Arts in Teaching from the University of San Francisco. I previously taught for nearly two decades before moving to Oregon. I am so
excited to be teaching at Athey Creek!
Blair Posch - 7th Grade Math
This will be my 7th year teaching middle school math. My family and I moved to Tualatin a little over a year ago. We have one baby boy Cooper (1 year old). I love the outdoors like most Oregonians. I am extremely sarcastic and do not enjoy writing especially not about myself;)
Aaron Smith - Learning Specialist
Hello! My name is Aaron Smith. I am starting my 23rd year as a special education teacher, and I am new to Athey Creek. I have two kids of my own, both boys, 5 and 7. I have no pets currently, but we plan to get a dog in the next year. I don't have a favorite dad joke, but I love coming up with them. I forgot what my hidden talent is because I cannot find it.
Kerry Sovde - Paraeducator
Hello! I’m Kerry and I’m new to the Athey Creek team this year. I’m very excited to work one on one with our amazing students and our learning specialists as a paraeducator. I previously worked in a middle school in Oregon City. I live in the district with my husband and our two children who are twins. The kids are off to college so it’s quieter around the house these days. When I’m not at school, you can often find me walking the hills, paddling on the river or enjoying a hike in the beautiful pnw!
Maddie Staurseth - Art Teacher
Before coming to Athey Creek, I taught ceramics and textiles at da Vinci Arts Middle School in Portland and spent three years before that teaching ceramics, drawing/painting, and photography at the high school level in Chicago Public Schools. I was born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas, spent just shy of 10 years in Chicago, and moved to Oregon a little more than a year ago. In addition to teaching art, I run a small side business making clothing and I am hoping to bring some of my sewing knowledge into our extra-curricular offerings this year. I’m really looking forward to connecting and making art with students this year!
Shannon Yoshiwara - Teacher-Librarian/WKOA
I'm so excited to have joined the staff of Athey Creek as the new Teacher-Librarian/WKOA online academy teacher. While this is my first year in this role, this is my 19th year in middle school education, with my most recent position being in language arts. I love all things literacy and look forward to continuing on the tradition of a fantastic Athey library while still getting to teach on-line. My husband is also a teacher in the West-Linn Wilsonville district and we have two young kids at home. Our daughter, Adeline, is 7 and our son, Reed, is 5. We also have a 2 year old Goldador puppy at home named Murphy. On the weekends, you can find me spending time with my family hiking, enjoying a park, or out and about on an adventure. I also love our local coffee shop, reading, baking, going to Timber's games, enjoying a musical at the Keller, trying out a new restaurant, and playing trivia.
Bell Schedule
2022-2023 Bell Schedule
Breakfast is served!
We are now serving Breakfast
Quick Link for Purchasing Lunch
Below is information for Meal Prices and a Link to add money to your student's account.
Meal Prices for 2022-23
Breakfast $2.25
Lunch $3.75 at MS/HS
Milk ala carte is not a covered benefit of the meal program and can be purchased for $.75 cents.
Need to add Money for your student account? Pay Here!
PICTURE DAY IS COMING! Thursday Sept 15th.
Order Student Pictures on mylifetouch.com with your student's picture day ID: EVTP2CHRX
Then order your yearbook on ybpay.com Yearbook ID code: 12414423
2021-2022 Yearbooks have been distributed!
Attendance
Excused Absences
If a student will be absent from school, a parent/guardian needs to notify the school to report the absence. This may be done by entering the absence in ParentVue, emailing the office at perezplj@wlwv.k12.or.us, or calling our attendance line at (503)673-7425 prior to 10:00 am if possible. If a student is absent for four or more consecutive days due to a communicable disease, a physician’s note may be required to return to school. All absences must be excused within 48 hours.When absent, students are required to make up any work they missed. If students are absent for an extended period, they should make arrangements with their teachers regarding missing work and due dates.
Late Arrival/Tardy Policy
If a student is going to arrive to school after the 9:15 AM start time, we ask that a parent/guardian notify our office staff.
When a student arrives at school late, they need to check-in with staff in the front office prior to going to class.
A tardy must be excused within 48 hours, either by a phone call or a note.
Prearranged Absences & Family Vacations
If it is known in advance that a student is going to be absent for two or more days, the student is required to complete a Pre-arranged Absence Form. This form notifies the front office of the intended absence and allows teachers to provide a description of work the student will miss during their absence. If students are absent for an extended period, they should make arrangements with their teachers regarding missing work and due dates. When absent, students are required to make up any work they missed.
Picking Your Student Up From School
If your student needs to leave school during the school day for any reason, please notify the office staff. Before a student leaves school for any reason, they must check-out with the front office. If a parent/guardian needs to pick up their child during class time, we request the parent send a signed note with their child to school. The student should present the note at the office before school. Office personnel will sign the note and the student will then take it with him/her to class. At the appropriate time he/she will show it to their teacher and report back to the office to meet a parent. Before the student can leave campus, the parent must sign the student out in the office. Due to emergencies or unknown circumstances parents can also call to request a student meet them in the office. For safety reasons, leaving school grounds to walk to the store at any time is not allowed.
Counseling Cougar Corner!
Welcome Students and Families to our Counseling Cougar Corner! Our counseling team consists of this partnership:
Alisa Doll
Supporting Students A - K
503-673-7409
Toni Snapp
Supporting Students L - Z
503 - 673-7408
Next, we would like to introduce a few ways we supports the students of ACMS:
Whole Group Instruction - via Advisory, Wellness, &/or other content classes related to topics
Small Group Counseling - specific topics/needs
Individual Counseling - student/family/staff referral
Our Comprehensive School Counseling Program consists of embedding instruction in the areas of Academics, Social & Emotional Learning and College, Career and Life Readiness. We are committed to promoting Casel's five competency areas of: Self Management, Self Awareness, Social Awareness, Responsible Decision Making and Relationship Skills.
Parent Teacher Student Association
Welcome back from the ACMS PTSA!
We are truly trying to make this year as “Normal” as possible. If I hear “Unprecedented”, ever again, it will be too soon. Let’s get these kids going! We need YOU. Over the last two years we have not been able to fundraise. While reserves have carried us through until now, it’s time to replenish our funds and restart our events. Please, if possible, consider joining and donating to the PTSA. Memberships start at as little as $25 for the year. The funds raised go into a general fund to support our kids and teachers. Please also consider donating your incredibly valuable time and skills. We really want to bring back as many events and activities. The 6th grade mixer, school store, dances, garage sale, community events, and others are not possible without parent support! Any gift of time or resources, big or small is greatly appreciated!
Join as a member, with additional donation levels listed:
https://atheycreek.memberhub.com/store
Volunteer:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkR61TBcqCwlaRN6hIwyvwkBsLyikTFxZonqhWPzCkDMyEhQ/viewform
Still have questions or not sure where to start? Reach out via email or come to the first PTSA meeting on Thursday, September 15th, at 4:00pm. We will give an overview of the year, and also hear from Principal Sebastian.
A shout out to the mighty executive team who worked over the summer preparing for this year:
Kaycee Pundyk - Treasurer
Amy Olson – Secretary
Hannah Hall – Membership
Alysia Laurer – Volunteer Coordinator
Krista Oswald and Barbara Stratte – 6th Grade Game Night
Thank you all for being a great community!
Alaina Kuehn – President
Important Information From Previous Newsletters
Parent and Bus Drop Off/ Pick Up Locations
If you are planning to drive your student to school, please take a few minutes to review the map attached below. The blue lines represent parent driving routes. The orange routes are the school bus routes. Please drive slowly and have patience while many new folks get accustomed to the parking lot. Thank you!
Wellness Uniform and Spirit Wear Order Information
You can now order your PE Uniform directly from Hometown Sports. You can call them at 503-594-0515 or just stop in to order your uniform. Should it prove to be a hardship for you to purchase the uniform, you or your students can speak to PE teacher Mr. Berg or Ms. Hillyer in the office. An order form is attached to this message for easy viewing and ordering!
You can also purchase Spirit Wear and show your ACMS Cougar Pride! Also available through Hometown Sports
1. Go to www.hometownsportsnw.com
2. Click on Online Store Finder (Bottom Right)
3. Select Organization - Athey Creek Middle School
4. Enter Password - ours is athey - all lowercase
5. At checkout select if you want your item delivered or to pick up and you will be contacted when your order is ready
Register for Cross Country Today!
New Safe Entry Procedure
As part of the district’s ongoing safety and security review process, Athey Creek Middle School will be implementing an additional safety and security feature at the front entry, a new buzzed-in entryways during the school day.
Schools Move to Buzz-in/Intercom Office Entryways
Once the school day begins and students have completed their arrival process, we will move to a “buzz-in entry” procedure. This means that all perimeter doors to the school building and classrooms will be locked EXCEPT the front doors that lead into the secure, climate-controlled vestibule adjacent to the main office doors. The office doors will be locked.
During the school day, anyone coming to the school will:
- Enter through the front unlocked doors into the vestibule where they will then encounter a locked door at the entry into the main office.
- The visitor will push a button on the door intercom to alert office staff.
- Once an office staff member has identified who has arrived, they will buzz in the visitor so that they can enter into the office.
- Once inside the office, the visitor/volunteer will continue with business-as-usual, e.g. signing in and heading down to a classroom or dropping off a delivery, etc.
Signage will be in place to help families navigate this new entryway practice. This protocol may be lifted during specific school events when large numbers of visitors are expected.
Thank you for your attention to this new protocol. Our hope is that these new protocols will be both safe and welcoming for students and families this school year.
Buenas tardes Comunidad WLWV,
Como parte del proceso continuo de revisión de seguridad y protección del distrito, el Distrito implementará una característica adicional de seguridad y protección en la entrada principal de cada escuela. El cronograma de transición variará para las escuelas primarias, intermedias y secundarias, y todas las escuelas WLWV finalmente implementarán nuevas entradas con timbre durante el día escolar.
Las escuelas se trasladan a las entradas de las oficinas Buzz-in/Intercom
Una vez que comience el día escolar y los estudiantes hayan completado su proceso de llegada, todas las escuelas pasarán a un procedimiento de "entrada automática". Esto significa que todas las puertas del perímetro del edificio de la escuela y las aulas estarán cerradas EXCEPTO las puertas delanteras que conducen al vestíbulo seguro y climatizado adyacente a las puertas de la oficina principal. Las puertas de la oficina estarán cerradas.
Durante el día escolar, cualquier persona que venga a la escuela:
- Ingrese a través de las puertas delanteras abiertas al vestíbulo donde luego encontrarán una puerta cerrada con llave en la entrada a la oficina principal.
- El visitante presionará un botón en el intercomunicador de la puerta para alertar al personal de la oficina.
- Una vez que un miembro del personal de la oficina haya identificado quién ha llegado, llamará al visitante para que pueda ingresar a la oficina.
- Una vez dentro de la oficina, el visitante/voluntario continuará con sus actividades habituales, p. registrarse y dirigirse a un salón de clases o dejar una entrega, etc.
Este nuevo sistema variará ligeramente según la escuela según el diseño del edificio y los factores específicos de la escuela. Habrá señalización para ayudar a las familias a navegar esta nueva práctica de entrada. Este protocolo se puede levantar durante eventos escolares específicos cuando se espera un gran número de visitantes.
Instalación y cronograma del sistema Buzz-in/Intercom
Estos sistemas están en proceso de llegar e instalarse en todas las escuelas. Algunas escuelas tienen entradas más exclusivas que otras, especialmente en la escuela intermedia y secundaria, por lo que este es un proceso que llevará algún tiempo implementar por completo. Para la mayoría de nuestras escuelas primarias, este sistema estará vigente el primer día de clases el 30 de agosto. Las escuelas intermedias y secundarias harán esta transición más adelante en el otoño.
Gracias por su atención a este nuevo protocolo. Nuestra esperanza es que estos nuevos protocolos sean seguros y acogedores para los estudiantes y las familias este año escolar.
We are excited to welcome all prospective volunteers into our schools this school year!
ORS 333-019-1030 remains in effect this school year, requiring all staff and volunteers who interact with students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide a medical or religious exception. All new volunteers will be required to register through the HelpCounter system and must provide proof of vaccination or submit a medical or religious exception to be approved to volunteer.
Volunteer Process for Vaccinated Individuals
During the HelpCounter registration process, individuals will be prompted to upload their proof of vaccination through a Google Form just like last year. That information will continue to be maintained by the Human Resources Department. Once the HelpCounter background check has been completed, and proof of vaccination has been approved, individuals may begin volunteering in schools. Individuals who were approved to volunteer last year do not need to register again this year. Approved volunteers need to re-register every three years.
Volunteer Process for Unvaccinated Individuals
During the HelpCounter registration process, unvaccinated individuals will be prompted to download either a medical or religious exception form. Individuals must submit the appropriate form to their school office either in-person or by email. Once the HelpCounter background check has been completed, and the medical or religious exception form has been approved, individuals may begin volunteering in schools. Individuals who volunteer at multiple schools will be able to do so once approved, regardless of which school they submitted their exception form to.
Thank You for Your Patience
We ask for your patience as our school and district staff process new volunteer registration information. Due to the required steps involved, the process could take a number of days before volunteers receive approval.
Thank you for your support of our students and staff and for your involvement in WLWV schools. We’re looking forward to connecting with students and families next week.
Buenas tardes Comunidad WLWV,Tenemos una actualización importante sobre el proceso de voluntariado para el año escolar 2022-23.
Estamos emocionados de dar la bienvenida a todos los posibles voluntarios a nuestras escuelas este año escolar. ORS 333-019-1030 sigue vigente este año escolar y requiere que todo el personal y los voluntarios que interactúan con los estudiantes se vacunen contra el COVID-19 o proporcionen una excepción médica o religiosa. Todos los nuevos voluntarios deberán registrarse a través del sistema HelpCounter y deben proporcionar un comprobante de vacunación o presentar una excepción médica o religiosa para ser aprobados como voluntarios.
Proceso de voluntariado para personas vacunadas
Durante el proceso de registro de HelpCounter, se les pedirá a las personas que carguen su prueba de vacunación a través de un formulario de Google, al igual que el año pasado. Esa información seguirá siendo mantenida por el Departamento de Recursos Humanos. Una vez que se haya completado la verificación de antecedentes de HelpCounter y se haya aprobado la prueba de vacunación, las personas pueden comenzar a trabajar como voluntarias en las escuelas. Las personas que fueron aprobadas para ser voluntarias el año pasado no necesitan registrarse nuevamente este año. Los voluntarios aprobados deben volver a registrarse cada tres años.
Proceso de voluntariado para personas no vacunadas
Durante el proceso de registro de HelpCounter, se solicitará a las personas no vacunadas que descarguen un formulario de excepción médica o religiosa. Las personas deben enviar el formulario correspondiente a la oficina de su escuela, ya sea en persona o por correo electrónico. Una vez que se haya completado la verificación de antecedentes de HelpCounter y se haya aprobado el formulario de excepción médica o religiosa, las personas pueden comenzar a trabajar como voluntarias en las escuelas. Las personas que se ofrezcan como voluntarios en varias escuelas podrán hacerlo una vez aprobados, independientemente de la escuela a la que hayan enviado su formulario de excepción.
Gracias por su paciencia
Le pedimos paciencia mientras nuestra escuela y el personal del distrito procesan la nueva información de registro de voluntarios. Debido a los pasos requeridos involucrados, el proceso podría demorar varios días antes de que los voluntarios reciban la aprobación.
Gracias por su apoyo a nuestros estudiantes y personal y por su participación en las escuelas WLWV. Esperamos conectarnos con los estudiantes y las familias la próxima semana.
Stay Connected!
ParentVue
Through the ParentVue link you can help your student keep track of assignments, class schedules, email teachers, confirm attendance, and in general make sure the information we have in our database is correct. There is a lot of information you can get through ParentVue, this is just a sample.
To access ParentVue, just go to our website: www.acms.wlwv.k12.or.us. There is an icon at the top right-hand side that says "ParentVue". Click on that link. Your user-name is your email address (the one we used to send this email to you.) If this is the first time signing on, request a password. It will prompt an email to you asking you to create a password. Once you have a password, you will be able to check information on all your students in the district with one sign-on.