The Chimney Flyer
Chapman Elementary School Newsletter - 01.08.17
Calendar of Events
- PTA Meeting - 1/9 at 6pm in the main campus library
- Principal's Coffee @Ramona - following Round Up
- PTA Community Coffee - 1/12
- Auction Procurement Team Meeting - 1/12 after Round Up
- NO SCHOOL - MLK Day - 1/15
- CANCELLED: Dining for Dollar$ at Widmer - 1/16
- 2 Hour Late Start - 1/17
- Mindfulness for Parents - 1/19
Principal's Message
Happy New Year!
I've always loved the practice of setting resolutions and goals, and the new year is such a great time to do this, especially when it involves school. This year, Chapman was invited to participate in a pilot attendance project because we have so many absences and tardies. We are currently focusing on decreasing the number of chronic absences we have, defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason—excused, unexcused absences and suspensions. Last year, at this time, our daily absenteeism rate was 7%, or about 40 students a day. This year it is 8%, or about 43 students. We are working to decrease that number this year and in the years to come by providing outreach, school wide attendance awareness, and resources to students and families. Even just being 10 minutes tardy everyday in one week equals missing almost one hour of instruction. You will be hearing more about our attendance initiative throughout the year. If you and/or your student need a little more motivation to get to school on time, consider making a resolution around school attendance.
TAG testing is happening this week at Chapman. If you or a teacher nominated your child for TAG, they will be tested this week. Scoring the TAG tests happens at the district-level and can take several weeks to a few months depending on the volume of tests. You will be mailed directly from the district office about your child's results.
Nominate your favorite teacher for Teacher of the Year awards
Nominations are being accepted for the 2019 Oregon Teacher of the Year Award in a revamped process that has added new awards honoring the top teacher from each of the state’s education service
districts.
Anyone who would like to nominate a teacher is invited to submit an online form at http://oregonteacheroftheyear.org/ by Jan. 31. Nominated teachers will be asked to complete an application by March 30. The district awards include a $500 prize, and the Oregon Teacher of the Year receives $5,000, with the winner’s school also receiving a $5,000 gift.
Pamela Van Der Wolf
Principal
Chapman Elementary
Counselor Corner – Knowing Ourselves
I just started teaching the Mindful Schools mindfulness curriculum to our 5th grade students last week. As I introduced the lesson series I asked the students both what is mindfulness and why do they think we teach these skills in school. The students had wonderful answers to my first question about what is mindfulness like “mindfulness can help us feel calm” and “mindfulness is knowing what is happening right now.” It was a bit harder to answer why learning mindfulness is important.
After we had our first silent sitting practice, several students commented on feeling distracted by their neighbors laughing or the noises outside of the classroom. One student said he noticed how hard it was for his body to remain still for two minutes. During our conversation I explained to our 5th graders that the reason I like to teach mindfulness is to help kids get to know themselves. The student who noticed it was hard to sit still now knows something important about who he is after reflecting on his experience during the mindful sitting practice.
Our 5th graders are starting their slow goodbye to Chapman and elementary school and I can think of no greater gift than to help them get to know themselves. Daily quiet reflective time will help them understand themselves better and help them feel more grounded in who they are. This deep learning can help them withstand the peer pressures they will face in middle and high school. It is my hope that by knowing themselves, they will make choices that will keep them true to themselves throughout their lives.
Please join me for Mindfulness for Parents on Friday January 19 immediately following Roundup in room 19.
Best,
Ariel Frager
Chapman School Counselor
Auction Sponsorship Opportunities
Chapman's biggest fundraiser of the year is fast approaching! This March we get to celebrate our annual auction at Weiden + Kennedy.
This event is only made possible because of the continued support of our generous community. If your business is interested in being a sponsor at this event, please contact Brynne Dolan at brynnedolan@gmail.com. For all other auction questions, donations, and more, please contact Veery Harper at veeryharper@gmail.com.
Auction Procurement Volunteers Needed
Auction Procurement meeting: Friday after Round-Up, Room 6
We are in need of volunteers to help with procurement. The auction is quickly approaching and we need volunteers to help secure donations from our local community. Please stop by on Friday and see how you can help make our auction a success.
Contact auction procurement co-chairs Brenda Olbeter at bolbeter@gmail.com or Janel Hansen at JanelMartinez@msn.com if you have any questions.
Auction Volunteers
Chapman's annual auction, the school's biggest fundraiser of the year, is right around the corner. On Saturday March 10th, we will be transported to NOLA to celebrate Mardi Gras swift style. It takes a lot of manpower to put on a successful auction & gala...WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The most pressing need is recruiting a procurement team that can reach out to friends, family, local businesses etc. for donations. Please consider helping out with this important task! If you have any questions please contact Janel Hansen (janelmartinez@msn.com) or Brenda Olbeter (bolbeter@gmail.com) procurement co-chairs.
If procurement is not up your alley but you would like to help out with other aspects of the auction please sign up to volunteer and indicate general help and we will find a role for you.
Link to sign up
Stay Connected
View Chapman flyers through Peachjar:
After-School Filmmaking Classes Start in January!
After School Wushu (Kung Fu) Program
One on One Basketball After School Hoops
kids yoga at Chapman
Young Rembrandts
Give the Gift of Soccer Shots this Winter at Chapman!
Build & Keep A Remote Controlled Robot!
SPANISH AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES
Coding with Kids - Game Development @ Chapman
Chapman Main Campus
Chapman @ The Ramona
Chapman PTA & Foundation
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