Our first semester is coming to an end in a few days. I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what we have done this first semester and then follow up next week with a look forward.

Highlights of my first semester must include an acknowledgment of the wonderful staff at Otto Petersen. I have watched teachers commit to building classroom communities that are accepting and welcoming to all students. Classrooms that are working to move from “the fog of Covid” back to striving for growth academically, behaviorally, and socially. I’ve watched smiles return, and even on those more challenging days - laughter and camaraderie are visible.

We have also had the opportunity to roll out several new initiatives this year. Our 6th grade Academy is up and doing really well. Not to say that it is flawless, but any issues have been addressed, and the 6th-grade teaching team has lots of ideas for next year. As I watch students moving from class-to-class, and learning to adjust to different teachers, manage materials, and keep to a “passing time” schedule, they really are starting to look like middle schoolers more every day. When the 6th-graders move onto 7th grade next year they should go with skills they may not have developed had we stayed with our previous program.

Another initiative this year was moving to a more inclusive model with our exceptional learners. It has not been without growing pains but the Special Education teachers and their grade-level partners have developed relationships, worked through issues, and maintained positive attitudes. This is always challenging during an implementation year because so much is unknown and unexpected things happen all the time, which require adjustment and flexibility - just what the SPED staff has delivered. I only see continuous improvement on the horizon.

Finally, we have a new system of Leadership Committees, comprised of a mix of teachers from every grade level, specialist, and, in one case, parents, that help me understand what has happened historically, research new ideas, and help elevate our school environment so that our teaching and learning will be optimized. Our Health and Wellness Leadership Team addresses how we are going to build capacity following the pandemic years so that we can focus on our primary mission of educating students. Our Climate and Culture Leadership Team is a data-driven team, that looks at discipline records and strategizes how to proactively take steps to ensure that classrooms are places of learning for all students and staff. The Academic Advancement Leadership Team is reviewing our Strategic Improvement Plan and helping to define, develop and implement action steps to improve academic outcomes for every student. Site Council, a committee made up of teachers, classified staff, and parents, selected a project that they felt would improve our state report card scores - so that what we (the district and the State of Oregon) see on the report card is a reflection of the amazing work that is happening within the school.

Next week, I will share some of the plans we have for our second semester. It is exciting to return to “normal” but even more thrilling to think of where we might be in a year. Thank you, everyone, for an amazing first semester!

When we think of those soft cuddly blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals, our thoughts turn to the warm coziness they provide. However, we would like to remind students and families that those items should not be brought to school. Sometimes teachers will hold “special” parties that allow those specific items - but in general, they should not be at school. Besides the distraction they cause and the chance that they might get lost or damaged, we also have to remember that those items are easily infected by nits and lice - which is not a pleasant thought, but, unfortunately, one of the things we must consider when making decisions about items coming to school. Here is a link to the district’s informational SSD letter - lice. Some students are using blankets instead of wearing warm winter coats. Please check with your student about this practice and reach out to our school counselor if assistance is needed to obtain a winter coat for your student.

The character traits related to being effective communicators are; Respectful, Listeners, Adaptive, Culturally Responsive, and Expressive. We will be working on these skills throughout the focus period and relating this to our Positive Behavior Interventions and Support systems.

During morning meetings, we are focused on how to communicate successfully in all areas. Next week we will start the Readers with a Character book focuses for January: Red, A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall. Here is a link to a reading of the book; Red A Crayon's Story **Thank you to our parent organization, GWPO, for supporting this project!

PLEASE, if your child or your family is experiencing challenges, reach out to me for support.

Lorrie McKedy, School Counselor 971-200-8003 ext 3163

HOW DO WE FIND BOOKS?: This week, we have been learning how the library is organized so we can find books on our own, and we are learning how to use the Dewey Decimal System! Over the long holiday weekend, I rearranged the library to make it a little more user-friendly, so now we have better tools, information, and locations for finding books! It has been great to listen to the kids help each other find books with little reminders of the ten classifications and how to find books by the author’s last name.

WAY TO GO, DETECTIVES: Thank you so much for all your work in finding all our overdue books–you guys are AMAZING! I really appreciate all the extra efforts that you have all given! We have found books that were due in 2021! Way to go–keep up the great work!

CURIOUS HOW TO FIND A BOOK IN OUR LIBRARY?: We have a cool tool called DestinyDiscover, and you can search our library to see if we have a title your child is looking for. Please let me know if you have any questions.

DISTRICT LIBRARIAN WEBSITE: I was encouraged to create an Amazon Wish List for books and supplies for the library, you can find it on our District Librarian Website or here is the link directly. You can also find the search tool mentioned above on this website at the bottom of the home page. Thank you so much for supporting our library!

Happy Reading! ~ Mrs. Nudo

We have multiple cases of Covid, Influenza A, and RSV reported throughout the district. There is no mandatory quarantine at this time for being exposed to any of these viruses. However, if your student starts to have symptoms of illness such as fever, cough, sore throat, or nasal congestion, it is recommended they stay home from school until they are feeling well enough to attend to help curb the spread of illness to others. If your child has a positive Covid test, we ask that they isolate for five days from the onset of symptoms or positive test with the first day of symptoms/test being day 0. If you want your child tested for COVID, you can schedule a test with our district nursing staff by calling the OPE front office at 971-200-8003. Also, we have home covid tests available. We would happily send one home with your student at your request.

All Scappoose schools have testing available for COVID19, both for rapid on-site testing and home testing. If you have any need for your child to test at school, we will need a signed consent in place. Here are the current consent forms for COVID19 testing in English and Spanish.

COVID Consent Form

COVID Consent Form Spanish

Families,

If you have not completed a free and reduced application, please complete it here https://www.ode.state.or.us/apps/frlapp
Oregon has expanded the free and reduced rules, and many families are eligible who may believe they are not.
Oregon EIG and Federal Income Guidelines can be found here:
https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/childnutrition/SNP/Documents/Oregon%20EIG%20incl%20Federal%20Income%20Guidelines.pdf

To add funds to your child's school meal account, please send a check or cash to the office in a sealed, labeled envelope. Funds can also be added online by clicking the image to the right. You will need your child's student ID number to create an account. *Mymealtime charges a 4.9% fee for depositing online. Mealtime parent helpline: 1-800-755-0904

If your child is going to be absent or you have other attendance changes to communicate, we ask that you please call the office at (971)200-8003 or email all of the following people to let us know. This ensures that if one of us is absent, the message is received.

Also, if you have to change your students' after-school plans, please try to do this one hour before students are released so that we have enough time to communicate with teachers and staff.

• Sue MacLachlan: smaclachlan@scappoose.k12.or.us
• Jennifer Griffith: jgriffith@scappoose.k12.or.us
• Mary McNabb: mmcnabb@scappoose.k12.or.us
• Your child's teacher

We appreciate your support in making sure we know where your students are during the school day. Thank you!

(Cell phones, Smart watches, Earbuds)

As an upper elementary school, O.P.E. will align with the Middle School policy concerning electronic devices. A personal electronic device is defined by the district as any “device capable of electronically communicating, sending, receiving, storing, recording, reproducing and/or displaying information and data.” The new policy will ask that students have their devices “off and away” while on campus. A private warning will be given if a student uses the device while at school. A second infraction will lead to the device being turned into the office for pick-up at the end of the day. Parents will be asked to pick up the device after a third infraction. The school is asking for parent support with this policy as we focus on building a positive learning environment.