Greetings Fir Grove Families!

Recently, Dr. Mary Ehrenworth, a Professor from Columbia University, visited Beaverton and shared information about reading, creating lifelong readers, and encouraging the love of reading. She said, "Representation matters. Look for books featuring diversity, and pick books written and illustrated by “own voice” writers and artists." We are doing just that at Fir Grove. Teachers have intentionally bought books for their classroom libraries featuring diverse characters and stories. Over the summer, I purchased culturally diverse books for teachers to book shop when they returned to school. Lots of picture books, novels, non-fiction, and fiction titles were added to classroom libraries.

Speaking of books that feature diversity, this month our school will be embarking on a special project - an all school book club - called One School, One Book. The oldest child in each family will bring home a copy of the book Family Pictures/Cuadros de Familia by Carmen Lomas Garza on Thursday, March 12th.This is a truly engaging bilingual story of a girl growing up on the Texas-Mexico border.

We ask that you read this book, as a family, between March 16-18th so that you can best participate in this school-wide experience. This is an optional activity that we encourage you to be a part of. Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares your child to be an effective reader. We hope to continue to build a community of readers at our school.

We used Federal Title I funds to purchase the books for all Fir Grove families. When your book comes home, you will be given a reading schedule. You will be asked to read three stories each night as a family. This should take about 15 minutes. If you are not able to read one evening, our library will be open at 7:45am the following day and students can listen to an audio recording of the previous night's reading.

All students K-5, will be participating in this amazing, literacy based, community building activity with the same book. We hope that you will continue reading picture books and chapter books with your older children, even when they are able to read by themselves. We have selected a title that can be followed, enjoyed and understood by younger students, but that will still captivate and stimulate older children.

This event will culminate with Fir Grove Multicultural Night on Thursday, March 19th, 5:30-7:30pm. There will be dinner and activities. More information on Multicultural Night will come home with students as we get closer to that date.

I am very excited about One School, One Book at Fir Grove. I believe it will be a memorable community event that will get children excited about great literature!

Este mes nuestra escuela se embarcará en un proyecto especial, un club de libros para todas las escuelas, llamado One School, One Book. El niño mayor de cada familia llevará a casa una copia del libro Family Pictures/ Cuadros de familia de Carmen Lomas Garza el jueves 12 de marzo.

Le pedimos que lea este libro, en familia, entre el 16-18 de marzo para que pueda participar mejor en esta experiencia de toda la escuela. Esta es una actividad opcional de la que te animamos a ser parte. La lectura en voz alta en casa es valiosa porque prepara mejor a su hijo para que sea un lector eficaz. Esperamos continuar construyendo una comunidad de lectores en nuestra escuela.

Usamos los fondos federales del Título I para comprar los libros para todas las familias de Fir Grove. Cuando su libro llegue a casa, se le dará un horario de lectura. Se le pedirá que lea tres historias cada noche en familia. Esto debería llevar unos 15 minutos. Si no puede leer una noche, nuestra biblioteca estará abierta a las 7:45 am del día siguiente y los estudiantes pueden escuchar una grabación de audio de la lectura de la noche anterior.

Todos los estudiantes de K-5, participarán en esta increíble actividad de construcción comunitaria basada en la alfabetización con el mismo libro. Esperamos que continúe leyendo libros ilustrados y libros de capítulos con sus hijos mayores, incluso cuando sean capaces de leer por sí mismos. Hemos seleccionado un título que los estudiantes más pequeños pueden seguir, disfrutar y entender, pero que aún cautivará y estimulará a los niños mayores.

Este evento culminará con la Noche de Multicultural de Fir Grove el jueves 19 de marzo, de 5:30- 7:30 pm. Habrá cena y actividades. Más información sobre la Noche de Multicultural vendrá a casa con los estudiantes a medida que nos acerquemos a esa fecha.

Estoy muy entusiasmado con One School, One Book en Fir Grove. ¡Creo que será un evento comunitario memorable que hará que los niños se entusiasmen con la buena literatura!

Warmly,

Erin Miles

Any child who will be five (5) years of age on or before September 1, 2020 is now eligible to enroll for Kindergarten at their designated home school. Registration packets are available at all District elementary schools. Parents/guardians will need to provide a birth certificate and immunization record at the time of enrollment.

Each elementary school will offer parents an opportunity to find out more about the kindergarten program at their spring Kindergarten information events. Fir Grove's Kindergarten Information Night is April 9th at 4:00pm.

For more information on registering your child for Kindergarten, Immunization Requirements and much more, please visit the Kindergarten Information webpage.

Remember that:

• Drop-Off Line: Adults must stay in the car. Students exit the car on the school side.
• Beaverton Christian Church Lot: This is not a drop off lot. Parents must park in a designated parking spot to walk students to the crosswalk. Do not drop off a student if you are not parked in a spot.
• South Parking Lot is closed to drop-off in the morning.
• Cell phones should be put away.

Student safety is our priority. Be alert. Be cautious. Be safe.

Our Fir Grove community believes that by working together to create meaningful relationships, honor differences, and encourage excellence, students will develop a lifelong curiosity and joy of learning.