H C Parent News
August/September
Monthly Newsletter
Principal's Message
Dear Harvey Clarke Parents:
As we get close to the start of school, I wanted to welcome all of you returning families back to school and to all those that are new to Harvey Clarke we are VERY excited to welcome you to the Pioneer family!
We love our students and families at Harvey Clarke. In addition to teaching them academics we also recognize how important it is to think about the whole student. Coming off the last couple of years, showing the students we love them, value them, and that they are welcome and in a safe place is very important to all of us.
While I have tried to get as much information out in this newsletter as I could think of, it is likely that I didn’t get all of your questions answered. If that is the case please don’t hesitate to reach out to the office with any questions you may have.
We can’t wait to see you and your students in a few short days!
Dr. Fisher, Principal
Harvey Clarke Elementary
Upcoming Calendar
August
22 - 26 - Kindergarten Jump Start 9-3
29: Class placement letters mailed
September
6th: Back to school night 4:00 - 6:00
7th: First day of school for 1st-4th (Full day no late start)
7th: PTO Boo hoo Yahoo breakfast for 1-4 parents 9AM
9th: First day of school for Kinder
9th: PTO Boo hoo Yahoo breakfast for K parents 9AM
26-30: Book Fair
First Day of School
School Hours
School hours for all students K-4 are 9:00 - 3:15 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 10:00 - 3:15 on Wednesdays. As part of our safety protocols all school doors will remain closed and locked until 8:45. Supervision of students will begin at 8:45 (9:45 on Wednesdays). It is very important to be at school no later than 8:55 (or 9:55 on Wednesdays) as teachers begin class right at 9:00.
If you arrive after 9:00 (10:00 on Wednesdays) and find the doors locked please ring the bell on the far right of the front doors to call the office. They will confirm who is coming into the building and then buzz them in.
Counselor corner
In addition each month our counselors will include information from the counseling department in this section of the newsletter.
Drop Off and Pick Up
If you drop off or pick up your student in a car we ask that you use the drop off and pick up lane (please enter in the driveway that is on the far North end of the school). and pull as far forward as you can. There will be staff directing you where to stop. We ask that you STAY IN YOUR CAR in the drop off and pick up lane. At the start of the day students will enter the building at the doors in the front of the school nearest their classrooms. Kinder will come to the kinder door in the front of the building, first and second graders will come to the main entry and third and fourth graders will enter in the cafeteria doors. Students will exit the cafeteria doors to be picked up by a car. Staff will support getting your student to you in a safe way.
If you want to walk up to pick up your student we ask that you park and then come pick them up at the gym doors. Staff will connect you with your student there. At the start of the school day students will enter the building at the front door nearest their classroom. Kinder at the Kindergarten hall, first and second at the main entry, and third and fourth at the cafeteria doors.
In all cases we respectfully requests that at drop off and dismissal time that all parents remain outside while waiting for students.
Class Lists
We recognize that it is not always possible for students to be in the class with the friend or teacher they were hoping for. If that is the case for you, please consider it an opportunity for your student and family to grow from new opportunities.
Back to School Night
Parent/Student Handbook
Free Breakfast and Lunch
During COVID, free breakfast and lunch was provided to all students state wide. This year at Harvey Clarke breakfast will still be free but in order to qualify for free lunch the attached form will need to be filled out (this form will also be coming in the mail). It helps the school for ALL families to fill out the form even if you are SURE you don't qualify for free lunch.
Busses
Communication
Communication: We have multiple ways to communicate with parents. It is vital to be sure to have your email and phone numbers correct in our system in order to get these communications. In addition, please follow Harvey Clarke and Harvey Clarke PTO on facebook. You will find lots of information there as well as pictures and videos of all the great stuff happening at school. Classroom teachers will also have systems to communicate with you such as SeeSaw and Remind. As you get this information from your teachers be sure to sign up for these apps to stay connected. Of course emails and phone calls with questions are always encouraged as well.
School Supply Lists
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cF7ncDaVrnVvhkA9qzPaJb3_4q0RDTBY/view
Ms. Denene also sent copies of them to many of the stores around for them to post as well.
School Calendar
Here is a copy of the school calendar. One important note is that 1st-4th grade start on Wednesday, September 7th and kinder starts on Friday, September 9th. I encourage you to bookmark this calendar or go old school and print one out and put it up on the refrigerator.
Contact Information
New Literacy Curriculum
FGSD has a new literacy (reading and writing) curriculum. This curriculum is very exiting and will be very different for our students and staff. If you would like to take a look at the new curriculum please follow the link. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about our new curriculum.
Attendance
Attendance is a huge factor in student success. The school district is renewing their focus on supporting families for consistent attendance. There is tons of research about why regular attendance is so important:
- Compared to children with average attendance, chronically absent students gained 14 percent fewer literacy skills in Kindergarten, and 15% fewer literacy and 12% fewer math skills in 1st grade.
- Children from low-income families with good attendance also gained more literacy skills than peers from higher-income families during K and 1st grade.
- Chronic absenteeism has been identified as a key early warning indicator of students likely to drop out of high school.
- In Oregon, close to 1 in 5 students does not attend school regularly and misses a month or more of school every year. Even missing more than a week of school can have consequences.
- Regular attendance means missing 5 days or less a school year.
- Chronic absenteeism increases achievement gaps at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
- Chronic absenteeism begins to rise in middle school and keeps rising. It is also a lot higher in Pre-K and K.
- Negative impact = missing 6 months to a year of school over a 5 year period.
- Chronic absenteeism is most prevalent among low income students. Gender and ethnic background do not appear to play a role.
- Because students of poverty benefit the most from being in school, one of the most effective strategies for providing pathways out of poverty is to do what it takes to get these students in school every day. This alone will drive up achievement, high school graduation and college attainment rates.
COVID
- Masks are optional but not required
- Volunteers are allowed with proof of vaccination and background check
- Testing options and school response to a positive test are all still in place
- School health aides are still in all elementary schools
- The priorities of air quality, cleaning, hand washing, and cohorting when possible continue
- More detailed information will be posted on the district website after August 22nd
Our goal is a return to as much "normalcy" as possible from pre COVID times. Please be sure to reach out with any questions you may have.
PTO
We will be sure to communicate PTO meetings and events soon.
Sub needs
Principal Coffee
Happenings Around the School
Each month I will include things that are happening around the school. It could be pictures or information from teachers about what is going on in their grade level.
Website
Who is Dr. Fisher?
Personally: My wife and I have three children, a Junior, a Freshman, and a 7th grader. They all attend school in the Newberg School District. We live in the country with two dogs, two cats, and a whole bunch of chickens. Much of my non school time is spent supporting my kids as they participate in choir, cross country, basketball, and lacrosse. My wife works at George Fox University as the director of parent relations.
All About the Students!
That doesn't mean I don't have fun with the students as well. Getting taped to a wall, dancing in assemblies, or participating in school dress up days or activities are ways that I can show students that our school is a place they want to be, and I am a safe person that can have fun with them too.
About us
Email: tfisher@fgsd.k12.or.us
Website: https://harveyclarke.fgsdk12.org/
Location: 2516 B Street, Forest Grove, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 359-2478
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harveyclarkefgsd