Counseling:
Hello Maplewood community!
The holidays can be a stressful time so I hope you are able to find a few moments of peace and practice self-care. A few things that I wanted to mention:
*If your family is struggling financially, please reach out to me so that we can send along resources, vouchers, and information. My email is kcunninghamparm@pps.net
*We are collecting $25 Fred Meyer gift cards to distribute with food boxes over school breaks. If you'd like to donate these to the school, please bring those to the main office. If you'd like a tax receipt, please let us know and we can provide that.
*We partner with Neighborhood House to provide food boxes for Maplewood families. If you'd like a food box over winter break, please reach out to me or Jeremy Schlott, Maplewood School Social Worker. If you do end of the year giving, consider a donation to this charity that works in our neighborhood serving Maplewood families. You can donate online at https://nhpdx.org/donate2/
As always, I am available to you. Feel free to reach out if you need support or have concerns you want to discuss.
Thank you Maplewood! It is an honor to serve this community.
Kendall Cunningham
Maplewood Elementary School Counselor
M-F 7:45-3:30
503-916-6308
Check out my website here for videos, resources, and info on our program at Maplewood!
Counseling Request Google Form
Library & Technology:
From Principal Galloway's podcast, Between 2 Maples, Episode 1, Part 1:
9:25 "Reading helps you become a better reader by just reading." (research-based)
14:49 (paraphrased) "...reading homework needs to be at the student's level, so there is no frustration around that. Or even a little bit below, so that you can find a little joy in it."
What can you do to help with daily reading homework (10 minutes for K/1, 20 minutes for 2/3, 30 minutes for 4/5)?
Look at the library books the student in your house chose at library time, and read them with your student. Whatever they are. Ask why they chose those books.
Extra credit: Find other resources that connect with and match their reading interests: a youtube video on origami folding, play Minecraft together, draw using book directions, find other titles by the same author/genre/topic, bake a recipe from a cookbook, make graphic novels, help them train the pet you have (or get a pet)!
Happy winter reading!
(Email me if anyone needs book suggestions: kordahl@pps.net)
From the Tech Room:
Hour of Code - fun coding activities!
https://hourofcode.com/us/learn
Elin Kordahl, Maplewood Teacher-Librarian
kordahl@pps.net
PE News:
Looking to get your kids out of the house and moving during the winter break? There are a lot of free or inexpensive things you can do in the neighborhood like walking, hiking in Forest Park on Macleay Trail to the Witches House, bike/scooter/skateboarding at any empty school or church parking lot in your neighborhood during the week or swimming at the Gabriel Park Community Center's indoor pool.
OTHER IDEAS:
HIKING AND MULTI-MODAL in town adventure on the 4-T! FREE! Using the trail, train, trolley and tram, being at the zoo and hike to Council Crest, then down to OHSU where you take the tram, trolley and MAX train back to the zoo. Stop for hot chocolate and holiday spectating along the way! Look for more information HERE
JACKSON BOTTOM WETLAND PRESERVE- FREE! Walk around and enjoy the cool 4.5 miles of trails through a variety of habitats. They have an eagle's nest on display in tbe (free) visitor center. Information HERE
ICE SKATING at Winterhawk Skating Center on Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy near Jesuit. $20 includes skate rental. Kids under 5 skate free. More information and open skate schedules HERE
BOWLING at Tigard Bowl: $4. per person per game with $3.50 shoe rental fee. For more information, click HERE
SLEDDING: If we get lucky and it snows in Portland, Gabriel Park is a great, close place to sled! However, if you're looking for a bigger snow sledding experience, click HERE
ROLLER SKATING at Oak's Park costs $12 per skating and that includes skate rental. More information HERE
Megan Weatherill
Maplewood PE
503-916-6308
MWeatherill@pps.net
Art
Artist of the Month in Art Special: The Students!
This month students had the opportunity to enter an art contest through Reflections and the National PTA. Students created a work of art on the given theme: SHOW YOUR VOICE! Some of you may remember this contest last year which had the theme of "I Will Change the World." The goal is to help students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, and increase confidence. Both art and signed entry form were due this week.
It’s Sweater Weather! At least in art special! Students designed and painted their own ‘Ugly Sweater’ - but none of them were actually ugly. ♥ They now line the halls of Maplewood.
As Oscar Wilde once said, "The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention". Thank you to all who have helped me start a new art program here at Maplewood Elementary. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Enjoy your Winter Break and I look forward to seeing your students in January!
♥ Ms. Smith
