Pacific Ridge Principal's Update
Week of Monday, November 2nd - Friday, November 6th
New Metrics Released
New Metrics Update from our Superintendent, Mrs. Susan Penrod
On Friday, the Governor of Oregon released new school reopening metrics. The new metrics are intended to allow more school districts to open for students to attend school on-site and to emphasize that safety protocols are more important than ever.
The previous metric of 10 or fewer positive cases per 100,000 has been replaced with new metrics. Clatsop County falls into the first 'Metrics and Models' row because our county has over 30,000 residents. This means that if we have fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 over a two week period, we could qualify to reopen on-site.
I will meet with our administrators on Tuesday to review the new case count data that will be released on Monday. We will discuss our next steps at that time. I will send you an update as soon as we have developed a plan for moving forward.
Susan Penrod
Superintendent
November PTO Meeting
Tuesday, November 3rd @ 6:00 PM
Our November Parent Teacher Organization meeting is scheduled for tomorrow evening. If you're interested in becoming more involved in our PTO, please plan to join us. Everyone is welcome! Our meeting will be virtual this month. The zoom link is below. We hope to see many of you there!
PRES PTO Meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/99117563393
Upcoming STAR Assessment
Dear 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade Families,
Our School District uses STAR assessments to help teachers better understand what students know and can do in the areas of early literacy, reading, or math. Students take the Star assessments once in the fall, winter, and spring and teachers typically give these assessments while students are in school. Because we are currently unable to be in school, students will be taking the Fall Star assessment while at home.
As a student takes the test, the software selects items based on the student’s responses. If the student answers correctly, the next item will be more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the next item will be less difficult. By adjusting the difficulty of the items to what students show they can or cannot do, the assessment is an accurate way to help teachers identify what skills students are ready to learn. Teachers use this information to guide their instruction.
Your students' teacher will be administering this assessment during one of their live teaching sessions and will monitor your child while they take the test using Zoom. Students will be taking the Star assessments the week of November 9th. Star assessment is not used for a grade, but is a tool used by teachers to know how best to instruct the student. We ask that you please avoid helping your child answer test questions.
Prior to taking the Star assessment the following recommendations may be helpful for your student.
● Ensure a quiet testing area that is free from distractions.
● Have scratch paper and pencil available for your student to use during testing.
● Prior to testing check that your students computer audio is set appropriately and that they have working headphones available if needed.
● Discuss with your student the importance of doing their best in order for their teachers to know how to best help them in class.
If you have any questions please contact your students teacher.
Shoes that fit Donation
Is your child in need of new shoes?
Shoe Request Form: https://forms.gle/acbCpk3ME2SBjxVK7
Elementary Office Location Update!
2000 Spruce Drive, Seaside OR
Upcoming Important Dates:
- Tuesday, November 3rd ~ PTO Meeting @ 6:00 PM https://zoom.us/j/99117563393
- Wednesday, November 11th ~ No School ~ Veterans Day
- Wednesday, November 25th - Friday, November 27th ~ No School ~ Thanksgiving Break
Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook
I'm sure many of you have noticed that we have a NEW school website! You can find all sorts of helpful information including our Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook which is updated each year and posted to the school website.
Below are links to the English and Spanish versions.
English: https://content.schoolinsites.com/api/documents/f86c0b0624504b1486d67e090f0519e3.pdf
Spanish: https://content.schoolinsites.com/api/documents/029c3ac2cec24d839ec93a30d67e5558.pdf
Counselors Corner
Hello Pacific Ridge Families,
Mrs. McDowell and Ms. Jones, counselors of Pacific Ridge Elementary, would like to share some information with you for the start of this school year.
We would like to welcome you all as Pacific Ridge Puffins, and are very excited to begin another year (virtually!) with you. While these unprecedented times have been stressful and challenging, we want to ensure you that we are here to help ease any concerns that may arise.
While we will not be meeting with your children in person for the start of the school year, we would like to extend our services virtually as needed. Mrs. McDowell and Ms. Jones will be available to meet with students one on one via Zoom or small groups, pending parent permission. Additionally, weekly Guidance lessons will be available for access via SeeSaw classrooms.
Mrs. McDowell and Ms. Jones would also like you to take a look at the instructions for an easy to use check-in application, which is included in this newsletter. The application, Closegap, is a student- friendly feature allowing children to identify and track their daily, weekly, and monthly emotions. The application includes several mindfulness activities and coping skills for children to use to regulate some uncomfortable emotions. Please feel free to reach out to either counselor for more information. We look forward to working with each and every one of you this year!
Here’s to a unique, but wonderful school year!
Best,
Mrs. Kelso-McDowell and Ms. Jones
How do I contact my child's teacher?
Teacher Contact Information
Also, all contact information for teachers (including phone numbers) can be found on our school website. Due to distance learning, all teachers have their own individual phone numbers. Here is the link https://pre.seaside.k12.or.us/ourstaff
Pacific Ridge Elementary School
Email: jwozniak@seasidek12.org
Website: https://pre.seaside.k12.or.us/
Location: 2000 Spruce Drive, Seaside, OR, USA
Phone: 503-738-5161
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pacific-Ridge-Elementary-School-104961557933403