Gladstone School News Blast
Gladstone Schools • Growing Great People • 10.5.22
Future teachers help children build reading skills
This school year 70 students from Gladstone High will participate in the Tutor Practicum elective. This program gives teens the opportunity to explore careers in teaching, social work, or childcare through hands-on experiences working with younger students in school settings.
Most students choose to volunteer at the GCCF kindergarten or at John Wetten Elementary. However, all four Gladstone schools have some GHS tutors. At the GCCF, teens work one-on-one reading with children. First the student reads to the tutor, and then the tutor reads to them.
"This program builds a connection between different age groups across our school district in a way that benefits both," said GCCF Director Sarah Dunkin. "It helps our kindergarten students build a love of reading as they take their first steps in decoding written language."
"I think I might want to be a teacher, and this is a way for me to explore that option," said senior Kennedy Koller.
"Working with little kids is really fun," added junior Kailie Walters. "I'd like to work in a kindergarten or preschool before I begin my career in labor and delivery."
John Wetten launches math website for families
Many children say math is their biggest challenge. And many parents wonder how to help them. To help them, Math Specialist Emily Morse created a new math website for John Wetten families.
The website includes a wide variety of supports specific to each grade level:
• Home activities tied to the school's math curriculum
• Online apps and websites for math practice
• A list of what math skills are taught at each grade level
• Math games for families [with video tutorials]
"Parents play an important role in reinforcing math skills learned at school," said Morse. "This provides information parents need to understand how we teach math at school, and some fun ways to help their kids practice what they are learning."
Kraxberger expands after school clubs, sports
Kraxberger Middle School has launched a wide array of after school options for students. The goal is helping kids engage in their school community and make friends who share their interests.
To find out more about Kraxberger's after school programs, contact Kraxberger secretary Nohemi Saldana at saldanan@gladstone.k12.or.us or call 503.655.3636. Options this fall include Dungeons and Dragons, Spanish, Drama, Cross Country, and Intramural Volleyball, as well as Yoga, the Gearheads Robotics Club, Electronics Recycling, and the Student Advocating for Equity [SAFE]. A late bus is provided.
Intramural Volleyball drew 45 students, who practice Tuesdays and play games on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. "I have already heard from students that they are so happy to be playing a sport at their school and learning the skills and techniques our coaches are showing them," said coach Lisa Lee.
The Spanish Club has 18 members who meet Tuesdays after school. "Most of the students in the club don't speak Spanish at all and are there because they want to learn the language," said club leader Azure Akamay. "There are also a couple of bilingual students in the club who are helping other students with language, pronunciation, and dialog."
Cross Country is an official school sport with eight runners on the team. Athletes practice Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. They compete with other middle schools in the Willamette River League such as Rosemont Ridge, Athey Creek, Lake Oswego, Lakeridge, and Meridian. "We are learning to build endurance and also how to keep going when your mind or body says you can't," said coach Madison Steele. "The students are enjoying working hard and always have a great attitude."
School kitchen substitutes needed!
Kitchen substitutes are needed for both multi-week coverage and occasional coverage. Duties include helping with food preparation, serving meals, and washing dishes. To apply, visit the Gladstone Schools District Office at 17789 Webster Road [next to Kraxberger].
SMART seeks volunteers to help kids with reading
The role of the Site Coordinator is to provide oversight during reading sessions, serve as a key contact for school staff and volunteers, to schedule reading sessions with school staff, to collect program data, and to maintain a diverse book collection at the site. To find out more about this volunteer role, contact Gainell Irving at girving@smartreading.org or call 971.634.1607. Apply online at https://smartreading.org/volunteer/.
The volunteer role of Reader involves reading with individual children or entire classrooms in elementary or preschool programs. They also help children choose books to keep so they can build their own library at home. Apply online at https://smartreading.org/volunteer/.
Take a survey to help schools meet your child's needs
"What we learn helps us help students," said Superintendent Bob Stewart. "Hearing from parents, we can plan course offerings, education approaches, staff training, and family support programs tailored to what our students need."
Thank you to the 200+ families who have already responded. We appreciate your input!