Ladd Acres Astros #9
EMPOWER! Every student ... Every day!
Awesome April at Ladd Acres
I hope everyone enjoyed their spring break with friends and family. Spending time relaxing and laughing is always the best food for our souls.
As we head into the last 11 weeks of the school year, we have a jam-packed schedule for the month of April including state testing and our Science-O-Rama fair. In early May our Kinder orientation will take place . Much of this is listed below. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at the office.
I'd also like to thank you Mrs. Cameron who, with the help of some brave parents, organized and helped take several of our students to China during spring break. The cross-cultural exchange afforded some of our students the chance to see this country steeped in tradition and rituals. Thank you Mrs. Cameron! You created a trip of a lifetime for these students.
Looking forward to a marvelous month of learning.
With warm regards,
Francesca Sinapi
Principal, Ladd Acres Elementary
DREAM big... REACH for the stars...TOGETHER we ACHIEVE success!
April Dates to Remember
April PBIS Trait: Open-minded
April 9 – Spring afterschool activities begin
April 12 – End of 3rd Quarter
April 13 – No School, Teacher Work Day
April 16 – SBAC testing begins (see calendar below for exact dates)
*NOTE - attendance is very important on testing days*
April 19 – PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
April 20 – Baja Fresh Fundraiser, all day. Watch for flyer.
April 22 – Earth Day
April 26 – Science Fair & Book Fair
April 26 – Pop-in Chat with the Principal, 5:00 to 5:30 in the office
April 27 – Spirit Day (Dress like a teacher) and PBIS Assembly (theme: open-minded)
Coming in May
May Character Trait – Career and College Ready
May 1 – Kinder Orientation, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
College and Career Week & Fair
Family Carnival hosted by the PTA
Wear College & Career gear every Wednesday!
Wear ASTRO gear every Friday!
2018-2019 ADOPTED HSD CALENDAR
State Testing
English: https://www.smore.com/6912x
Spanish: https://www.smore.com/vy4nm
Kinder Registration & Orientation
Kindergarten registration began March 1st. Students that are 5 years old on or before September 1, 2018 are eligible. Stop by the office and pick up a registration packet. Kinder Orientation is May 1st from 3:00-4:00. All incoming Kindergartners are encouraged to come.
Panther Night - Outgoing 6th graders to R.A. Brown MS
R.A. Brown MS would like to invite our outgoing 6th graders to their Become a Panther Night on Thursday, April 12th. Please see the attached link.
Undercover areas before school
When you are dropping off your student in the morning, please make sure you are sending them to the cafeteria (if being dropped off) or that you are taking them to the cafeteria. Students are dismissed from the cafeteria.
Book Fair (BOGO) coming soon!
April 20-27 Open during the Science Fair!
SAFETY IS A PRIORITY
Members from the City of HIllsboro came to Ladd on April 2nd to observe our pickup and drop off situation in preparation for our new parking lot. Construction is set to begin this June as soon as our students are dismissed for summer break. They are hoping to provide ideas and feedback as we look at a new procedure. As soon as we have a firm plan in place, I will share with families. I know that our parking lot is a huge concern for all, so I am excited that we are looking at better and safer options for our Astros.
Tips for Beating Test Anxiety from Ms. Harding
As our 3rd through 6th graders begin their SBAC testing here are some helpful tips to bolster self confidence and competency. Students who worry they won’t do well (for whatever reason) and students with an anxious temperament who worry about making mistakes or performing in general, from singing in music class or going up to bat at baseball- tend to feel more test anxiety and are more prone to heightened worry during this time of the school year. Talking with your students at home about the helpful strategies below can support getting through the test and putting the brakes on any anxiety that might creep in.
Have a plan. For example, don’t spend too much time on any one question, read each answer and then cross out the ones you know aren’t right to help you narrow your choices, pick an answer and stick with it. We all have a tendency to second guess ourselves but it can lead to wasted time and wrong answers.
Break things up. When you start to feel panicked, look for a way to change focus. Take a moment to take deep breaths, focus on a happy memory or close your eyes for a moment. Have a positive self talk mantra that works for you, “I can do hard things.”
Practice calming techniques. Ask your students which mindfulness technique is their favorite to use in class.
Accept when you don’t know something. Sometimes the best way to manage anxiety is to accept that you don’t know the answer to a question and move on. Focus on the next questions ahead and do your best.
Updates on the HSD Bond
Please know that updates to our school will also be posted on the main page of our school website for quick reference.
What's happening at Ladd this summer?
Chromebook Distribution
Distribution of Chromebooks took place in March. With help from our school team, the decision was made to do the following.
Each grade level will be divided into the following:
- 1:1 Chromebooks in grades 5th and 6th
- 2:1 Chromebooks in grades 3rd and 4th
- Center sets of Chromebooks for grades Kinder - 2nd
We have a bank of iPads/mini iPads in all grade levels with more in our primary grades.
Safety: Fencing Around our School
Scheduled start date: June 21, 2018
Water and plumbing upgrade
The domestic water pipe replacement projects have been approved. This means our school will be without water service for a portion or all of the summer of 2018.
We do not have an exact schedule at this time. Once the contractors have been selected, and we have a firm schedule, I will relay that information to our families.
Scheduled start date: June 2018
Conflict Resolution
Our Astros learn conflict resolution in various ways. Our counselor, wellness instructor and classroom teachers reinforce our work with the Kelso wheel. The steps we follow are listed below. These are also great tools to use at home.
Step 1: Make sure you are calm.
Step 2: Identify the true problem, not just what you think the problem is. (Talk to the other person and find out what they think the problem is.)
Step 3: Decide if it’s a big problem or a small problem.
Step 4: Try two ways to solve the problem:
- Use an “I” statement
- Compromise
- Take turns
- Find someone else
- Ask person to stop
- Ask teacher for help
- Ignore
- *Make sure the solution is fair
Upcoming School-Wide Events
Baja Fresh Fundraiser is on April 20 - All Day
Principal Pop-In is on April 26 5:00-5:30 pm
Science-O-Rama is on April 26 5:30-7:30 pm
Over the last year, we have been asked about our Astro Academy (Wellness Center). The curriculum packet below should help with understanding our mission and process.
The ideas and concepts in this packet are designed to help kids identify and deal with their emotions so that they are more ready for academic work and good social interactions.
Rehearsing and practicing these concepts will actually rewire our brains, making them easier for the student to use when they are stressed. If you have questions, Mrs. Ranger is happy to answer them.
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL
Ladd Acres Website
Our first line of communication is through our website. You can access information by clicking on https://www.hsd.k12.or.us/laddacres
By clicking follow, you will receive notifications on your own feed.
https://www.facebook.com/Ladd-Acres-Elementary-School-275637752638012/Our twitter account is linked to our Facebook page so you can access the photos on that page or you can use your personal Twitter account by following us @LaddAcres
https://twitter.com/LaddAcresLadd Acres Elementary
Email: sinapif@hsd.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.hsd.k12.or.us/laddacres
Location: 2425 Southwest Cornelius Pass Road, Hillsboro, OR, United States
Phone: (503) 844-1300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ladd-Acres-Elementary-School-275637752638012/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @LaddAcres