Maplewood Memo
January 17, 2024
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Good morning everyone,
I hope this Memo finds you warm and safe. I have been without water since last Friday and it has been a challenge, but nothing compared to what I hear some have had to face these past few days. If you are in need of anything at this time, please be sure to reach out. There is a list of names and emails below. Please feel free to reach out to any one of us and we will see what we can do to help. Or, I suggest posting on our Maplewood Facebook page if easier. I know our community will try to find a way to help. There are still many people still without power across town, and there have been a lot of fallen trees damaging homes and cars, etc… so there are many in need. We are here to lend a hand. Just reach out!
I know these snow days are bringing up the question of when we will make up for the lost days. PPS has not given us any direction on this. I am hoping that they will be able to petition a few of them with the state so we don’t have to make them all up. But, I don’t believe that was an option with the strike days. Perhaps weather-related days will be a reason they will allow us to petition. I know no one wants to go to school in July! Haha.
Some of you bought auction tickets already! Kudos for being on the ball! However, I believe they had to change the system they are using so the Foundation had to refund your tickets. Stay tuned for next steps about buying tickets. Don’t fear, the auction is still happening - hopefully you are searching for those 80’s leg warmers and neon headbands! We are also considering changing the venue, but as of now, it is at the MJCC on March 2nd. Look for more information soon!
Please reach out to any one of us below if you are in need:
Kit Galloway (Principal) - kgalloway@pps.net
Amber Kinney (PTA co-pres) - camberkinney@gmail.com
Kim Pickett (PTA co-pres) - kimmypickett@gmail.com
Kendall Cunningham (K-3 counselor) - kcunninghamparm@pps.net
Kate Knockel (4-5 counselor) - kknochel@pps.net
As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Kit
SAVE THE DATE
January 29
No School
January 29
Brinner 5:00-7:30
February 6
Coffee and Pastries with Kit - Gym 8:00am
February 13
Dine Out - Laughing Planet
March 21
Class Pictures
MAPLEWOOD AUCTION
Your Foundation team is excited to kick off the new year with ticket sales for our annual school auction. Keep a lookout for more information on ticket specials we'll be offering and ways to get involved in your child's classroom art project that will be available for purchase at the event. We wish everyone a safe and happy end of the year and please reach out if you have any questions or would like to get involved or support the Foundation. Thank you!
For more information please go to http://www.maplewoodfoundation.com/ or email us at maplewoodfoundation@gmail.com.
With appreciation,
Maplewood Foundation Team
STAFF NEWS
CAFETERIA
Due to the weather this week we will not know the menu for the rest of the week and also next week. Please do not rely on the original posted menu for January. I will put a post on Facebook as soon as I get menu information from Nutrition Services. You can email or call me, asilvia@pps.net, or look up the Nutrition Services page for updates: https://www.pps.net/nutrition.
Thank you,
Ms. Amy
OFFICE SCHEDULE
Maria Belgrave (mbelgrav@pps.net) works Monday through Thursday.
Shannon Riley (sriley@pps.net) works Tuesday through Friday.
Julie Ries (jries@mesd.k12.or.us) Health Aid- Monday through Friday 8:00am - 2:30pm
Chris Khodadadian (ckhodadad@mesd.k12.or.us) School Nurse - Thursday 8:00a-12:00p
Please be sure to include both Maria and Shannon in communications regarding your children.
SCHOOL NEWS
MALEWOOD'S BIKE BUS
Bike Bus is riding every Friday, even through the winter! The bike bus meets about 1.5 miles from Maplewood and picks up kids along the way as they blast music and make their own way to school. But behind the party-like atmosphere of the bike bus lies real benefits for students. Education Week just put out a great video that includes student interviews and you can watch it here.
The winter walk and roll to school day is during the second week of February, and Maplewood will be celebrating it on 2/9 We encourage all Maplewood students to bundle up and join. We'll have some swag and, as always, a lot of fun!
Any questions, please contact Rob Kinney at kinneyrobert@gmail.com.
VOLUNTEER NEEDS
Volunteer Needs:
- One-on-one/small group academic support
- Social/emotional breaks for kids
- Brinner!
*More information and sign-up spots are here: https://www.maplewoodpta.com/volunteer/. Or contact Lauren at Maplewoodvolcoord@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Lauren
YEARBOOKS
https://buytheyearbook.com or use the envelopes sent home in backpacks recently (more available in the school office).
This year’s book is $23 (early bird rate before January 31, 2024; $26 after). Books are distributed to students at the end of the school year.
PARENTVUE RACE UPDATE
As we look at our school assessment data, we noticed that there are many students whose race is not correctly recorded in our system. Please be sure to update this information asap so our data reflects our true demographics.
Click on “Yearly Verification”
Click “Verify Online”
Follow the prompts to update your information.
OBOB
Oregon Battle of the Books at Maplewood!
OBOB is a statewide reading competition spanning 3rd to 12th grade. Each year new book titles are chosen by the state OBOB committee and they are always amazing! Grades 3-5 can participate in elementary school (3rd has 8 books, 4 & 5 have 16 books). Students form teams, read books and compete game show style answering questions about the books. It's a great way for kids to be exposed to a variety of great books, practice reading comprehension and demonstrate their sportsmanship.
Maplewood students have already started forming teams and reading books! We hope to have the teams finalized by December 15th, but we left a week of wiggle room before break for anyone needing team adjustment or placement. Every student that wants to participate will be placed on a team, we want any and all students to participate! Team forming will be facilitated by teachers and Ms. Kordahl when needed. We will hold battles during recess time starting in February with the goal of sending our winning 5th grade team to regionals!
In January we will put out a call for volunteers to help moderate battles! All battles will take place between 11:30am and 1:15pm, keep this in mind if you are interested in helping!
The book list for this year is available in the library or on our new OBOB webpage. Below is the new official Maplewood OBOB website, as well as Ms. Kordahl's padlet page, both contain all sorts of great info. Teachers will be discussing OBOB in class and the kids will also learn about it during their library time.
If you or your student(s) have questions please reach out to Ms. Elin Kordahl or the parent mOBOB committee.
Your Parent mOBOB Team,
Heather J, Manda B, Darcie G, Lauren C, Christy W, Megan P and Katie U
MW OBOB site:
https://www.maplewoodpta.com/obob/
Ms. Kordahl’s Padlet:
PTA
PTA Current & Upcoming Events
Oregon Battle of the Books PTA Book Fundraiser (3rd - 5th grade students) - The PTA has partnered with Annie Bloom's to make purchasing our Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) titles super easy! Books are available now to be ordered through our Maplewood Store and sent home in your child's backpack in early November. Want books as a gift? No worries, pickup options are available. Please email with any questions.
Please visit the PTA website and Maplewood Facebook page for all PTA events and information.
For any question, please contact Maplewood PTA at: maplewoodptareflections@gmail.com
Upcoming Events:
1/29/24: Brinner (5:00-7:30pm)
2/13/24: Dine-Out @ Laughing Planet
Coffee and Pastries with Kit — First Tuesday of Every Month @8am in the Gym (next one is 2/6/24)
For After School classes - please visit the PTA site or Maplewood Facebook Page.
Thank you!!
Amber
AUCTION
We can't wait for you to join us on Saturday, March 2nd, for our annual school auction fundraiser!
Ticket prices are $60 for a single ticket and $120 for couples tickets. Tickets cover dinner and two drinks.
We are still looking for donations big and small!!
Donate to the auction
We welcome (and greatly appreciate) donations for our annual spring auction. Please consider donating a service, item, wine, spirits, an experience, or vacation property. Our team works very hard to procure amazing donations for the annual auction and welcomes your support. Please email us at maplewoodfoundation@gmail.com if you have donations or would like to help plan the auction.
FOUNDATION
Ways to Support Foundation
Monthly recurring donation
A monthly donation is the most convenient and effective way to give to Maplewood. Even small monthly donations make a big impact over time. Set up your monthly recurring donation here.
One-time contribution
This is a great option for grandparents, extended family, and loving neighbors to support your Maplewood student. Make a one-time contribution here.
By check
We are happy to receive donations by check made out to Maplewood Foundation and dropped off at or mailed to the school:
Maplewood Foundation
7452 SW 52nd Ave, Portland, OR 97219
Matching employer contribution
Ask your employer if they have a matching program for donations to non-profits. Click here for a list of already participating employers.
Fred Meyer Rewards Program Contribution
If you shop at Fred Meyer and are part of their rewards program, you may designate those reward savings to the Maplewood Foundation. It’s super easy and you can learn more here (sign in and search for Maplewood Foundation or IF500): https://www.fredmeyer.com/i/community/community-rewards.
BottleDrop Donations
Individuals can donate funds from their BottleDrop account balance to your Give account by logging into their account and using this link or connecting with the Foundation for bag tags.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Oregon Health Plan: Rolling Renewals - Time to Keep or Enroll for 2024
If you have Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or other Medicaid benefits, follow the steps below. If you had these benefits at any time during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may still have them.
Make sure your address is up-to-date. You can do that on your own or get free help in any of the ways below.
Find an office or community partner near you at KeepCovered.Oregon.gov.
Report changes and respond to renewals online at benefits.Oregon.gov.
Call 800-699-9075 weekdays from 7 am to 6 pm. You can get help in many languages – find the language line numbers at benefits.Oregon.gov. Wait times are shortest between 7 am and 8 am.
Keep checking the mail for your renewal letters from the State of Oregon. When they come, do what they ask right away.
Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace: Enroll by Jan. 16, 2024
If you don’t qualify for the Oregon Health Plan and don’t get health insurance through your job, now through Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 is an important time. It’s the only time of year most people can sign up for an individual or family plan to have coverage in 2024.
Get started by visiting OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop. This tool will allow you to preview programs, plans, and savings available to you; what plans will cover your current doctor; and how much your anticipated costs will be, including refilling your prescriptions.
The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace helps connect Oregonians to health coverage and financial help through its federal partners at HealthCare.gov. It’s the only place where you can get financial help on monthly premiums and other out-of-pocket costs. Nearly 80 percent of Oregonians enrolled through the Marketplace in 2023 qualified for financial help – that could be you, too!
Want help? A health insurance expert can help you, at no cost, apply for financial help and enroll in coverage. You can find an expert near you at OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp.
For more information, visit OregonHealthCare.gov or call 855-268-3767 (toll-free).
STUDENT HEALTH
WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL
Please follow these guidelines to help all students stay healthy and ready to learn.
Please DO NOT SEND AN ILL STUDENT TO SCHOOL. The other page of this letter gives examples of when your student should not be in school.
If your student is ill, please CONTACT THE SCHOOL.
Please contact your health care provider about any SERIOUS ILLNESS or if you are worried about your student’s health. If you need help in finding a health care provider, you may contact the local public health authority.
Please notify the school if your child is diagnosed with a CONTAGIOUS DISEASE, including these: chickenpox, diarrhea caused by E. coli or Salmonella or Shigella, hepatitis, measles, mumps, pertussis, rubella, scabies, tuberculosis, or another disease as requested. The school will protect your private information as required by law. [OAR 333-019-0010; ORS 433.008.]
Please notify the school if your student requires MEDICATIONS during school hours. Follow school protocols for medication at school. If your student’s illness requires antibiotics, the student must have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours before returning to school, and longer in some cases. Antibiotics are not effective for viral illnesses.
Please notify the school if your student has an UNDERLYING OR CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITION. We will work with you to address the health condition so that the student can learn. With consent, the school nurse may consult with the student’s health care provider about the health condition and necessary treatments. To contact the school nurse or health office please call or email.
We want to support your student. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns.
FLYERS AND OTHER INFORMATION
IB Wells Boys Youth Lacrosse is hosting a new player orientation clinic at Rieke Elementary Field on Sunday, January 28, from 3:45-5 pm. Registration for IB Wells Boys Youth Lacrosse opens on January 21st and the season begins the week of March 6.