Stoller News
November 5, 2021
Important Dates
Thursday, November 11, 2021 - School Closed - Veteran's Day
Friday, November 12, 2021 - School Closed - Grading Day
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 - Stoller Clubs Start (more info below)
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 - AMC 8 Registration deadline (more info below)
Friday, November 19, 2021 - OBOB Team Registration deadline (more info below)
Monday, November 22, 2021 - School Closed - Staff Development Workday - no school for students
Tuesday, November 23th - Friday, November 26th - School Closed - Fall Break & Thanksgiving Holiday
Monday, November 29, 2021 - Regular school day for staff and students (more info below)
Friday, December 10, 2021 Option School Application Deadline (more info below)
Message From The Principal
Good afternoon Stoller families,
As we are settled into our new school year, it's hard to believe our first quarter is coming to a close next week. This is a great time for me to review a few of our important new policies and procedures with families.
Please share with your students and have a wonderful weekend!
Cell Phones:
Parents, we understand that you take comfort in being able to reach your students, but we are finding that cell phone use during classroom time has become a disruption to not only the individual student but also the entire class. To reduce these distractions, we are going to require students to keep cell phones off during class time. We will allow students to use cell phones during lunch and during passing time.
The cell phone policy that we have implemented is as follows:
1st Offense - Classroom teacher will collect cell phone until the end of class.
2nd Offense - Student's phone will be held in the office until the end of the school day.
3rd Offense - Student's phone will be held in the office and a call will be made to student's parent/guardian who will need to pick up phone.
4th Offense - Student's phone will be held in office and a phone call will be made to student's parent/guardian. Student may be held in the office during the school day for an agreed upon timeframe.
You can help us reduce cell phone use in the classroom by
-encouraging your student to place their phone on "Do Not Disturb" during the school day.
-talking to your student about using time the before/after school and at lunch for socializing.
-only texting your student during their lunch time.
Our teachers understand that at times an emergency could come up and your student may need to reach you during the school day. Remind them to communicate this need with their teacher prior to using their phones. This will not only help build trust between the teacher and student, but it will also help reduce the need for your student to "hide" their phone use.
Arriving Late or Picking Up Early:
We understand that it is not always possible to schedule appointments before or after school and that at times your student may need to arrive late or leave school early. If this happens, we want to remind you of the procedure for both situations in hopes that we can make the process as easy as possible.
Arriving Late: If your student is arriving late for school, no phone call is needed. Simply send them to the office with a signed note by you. After checking in with the office they will be given a pass to go to their class and any missed time will be excused. If a note is not possible, a parent/guardian's signature will be needed on the sign in sheet to excuse any missed classroom time.
Leaving Early: Upon arrival to the school, please go to the office to sign out your student. You will need to show a piece of identification prior to the student being released to you. Once your identification has been verified, you will be asked to wait outside or in your car while we call your student down to the office. Understand that due to space constraints students cannot be waiting in the office for your arrival, so plan at least 10 minutes for your student to get from their classroom to the office.
A couple of reminders
-if they are arriving late or leaving early students must enter/exit the building from the main office.
-picking up your student during school hours not only causes them to miss classroom time, but it also causes a distribution to the entire class. Please try and limit the number of times your student arrives late or is picked up early.
-if you plan to pick up your student close to the end of the school day, keep in mind our parking lot fills up early with parents waiting to pick up their student at dismissal. We suggest picking up prior to 3:30 to avoid getting stuck in the parking lot.
Absences
Thank you for being extra cautious and keeping sick students home. It has helped keep our illness number to a minimum. While it is commendable that your students are communicating with their teachers when they are going to be missing school, for the absence to be excused, we need to hear from their parent/guardian. Please leave a message including your student's name and number with the reason for the absence on the Attendance Line (503-356-2681). If your student is sick, a brief description of the symptoms would be helpful for our school nurse. Calling before 9am on the day of their absence helps keep our Attendance Records accurate in case of an emergency.
There are times when your student may be marked absent from a single period during the day. Normally this only happens when a student arrives late to class or there is a substitue teacher who is not familiar with all of the students. If this happens, please have your student email their teacher who will advise the Attendance Secretary of the needed adjustment.
News from Mr. Freiboth's Science Classroom
Important News
Schedule Change - Fall Break
Due to a Wellness Day for our students and staff the Thanksgiving break schedule has been altered.
- Monday, November 22: No school for students; professional development day for licensed staff
- Tuesday, November 23: No school for students or staff
- Wednesday, November 24-Friday, November 26: No school - Thanksgiving Holiday
- Monday, November 29: Regular school day for students and staff; A/Odd Day (Previously, this day was a no student/staff professional day.)
The result of the calendar change is one less instructional day in favor of a While this change may pose a challenge for some, I hope that you will agree that a focus on wellness is needed at this time.
Stoller Clubs
Stoller Clubs will start the week of November 15th. Clubs will meet after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Activities bus will provide transportation home after clubs for those who qualify for bus service.
Please continue to read the Stoller News and check your ParentSquare for updates. If you have questions, please email SMS-Communications@beaverton.k12.or.us
Thank you!
Lost & Found
Is your student missing a piece of clothing, lunch box or water bottle? If so have them check the lost and found. There are several lunch boxes and water bottles ready to be claimed by their owners. Any item not claimed by November 19, will be donated to a local charity. Items such as jewelry, phones, headphones are stored in the office and must be identified by the student prior to be returned.
Water Bottles
One of the best ways to stay healthy is to drink plenty of water. Unfortunately, our drinking fountains are still unusable, so we are asking that all students bring water bottles to school each day. They can be filled using the sinks in the classrooms.
AMC 8
The AMC8 is a national contest and will be administered this year in mid-January. Exact times will be announced in a future date.
Registration fees are covered by the district. This assessment is designed for high-achieving and highly-competitive Mathematics students. Any student who is interested should fill out this form. This form must be completed before Nov. 17th to sign up for the official contest.
Interested students will be asked to take a practice test. Please work with your student to establish realistic goals before they choose to take the official test. Students may instead choose to take the test unofficially and score their own work in a non-competitive setting.
Practice materials for The AMC8 can be found here.
Please email Ms. Swartz at: jennifer_swartz@beaverton.k12.or.us directly should you have any questions and/or concerns.
Attention 8th Grade Families - PreACT Information
Oregon Battle of the Books
There's still time to sign up for OBOB. Forms are available from Ms. Gillespie in D4 or Mrs. Anderson in the library.
Forms are due to Ms. Gillespie by November 19th.
All battles will take place BEFORE SCHOOL, at 8:30 in Ms. Gillespie's room.
Family Survey
We are thrilled to have students back in our building. We also understand returning to this school year after CDL/Hybrid may be more challenging.
Since March of 2020, families and students developed routines and coping strategies that fit the situation. Now that students are back in person full time, finding new routines that work can be difficult. This survey (Español) is to see how you are doing and determine if there are areas where we can help.
It's Time to Gear Up for Fall
As our days turn a bit darker and much wetter, with the right gear, you can keep walking and rolling all month long. Use these tips to make it easier to get out the door with the things you need to keep your children warm and comfortable for their trip to school.
Option School Application Process
PTO - 50 for 50 Fundraiser
Don't forget to join the 50 for 50 fundraiser for the Stoller PTO.
Everyone is automatically a member! We're asking for just $50 per family so we can meet our goals for the year. You don't have to buy, sell, bake, knock on doors, or participate in any "thon" activities!
Write a check or donate online at stollerpto.com by the end of the month.
Thanks!
BPA Regional Science Bowl Tryout Results
Congratulations to the following 10 students who scored the highest in the written tryout test and have advanced to the next set of tryouts for BPA Regional Science Bowl 2022:
Anika Gupta
Nikaansh Singh
Isha Garg
Pranav Ramesh
Yedong Yu
Elizabeth Shen
Nivedha Satish Kumar
Akash Ragam
Nathan Ye
Akshay Kosaraju
My Science Olympiad Results
Cell Phone Policy
Our cell phone policy is “off and away.” This means that phones are shut down completely and put away from bell to bell (9:15 - 3:50). If students need to contact home, they can come to the office and use the phone.
If a student is using their phone during school hours, we will give them a reminder to turn it off and put it away.
If a student has a second incident of phone use, we will have them check it in with the front office and they can pick it up after school.
If a student has a third incident of phone use, we will have the check in with the front office and a parent/guardian will need to pick it up.
Continued violation will be addressed on a case by case basis.
We appreciate your cooperation and support with this.
Student Water Bottles
Please send students with water bottles
Due to covid concerns, we are asking that students bring their own water bottle. There are sinks in every hall for students to refill them. Water fountains are not available for students.
Please send a water bottle so that your student can have water throughout the day and remind them to refill their bottles throughout the day.
8th Grade Celebration News
How To Donate
After donation please fill out the completion form to indicate for 8th grade graduation, so the funds get allocated correctly.
https://stollerpto.com/donate - DONATE LINK
https://forms.gle/5Wks4Vr8p5gd5vAs5 - DONATE COMPLETION FORM
https://forms.gle/X7UdkPcibhGHPggWA - VOLUNTEER FORM
Donate by check
Parents may also drop checks off with in the front office, please make checks payable to Stoller PTO (8th grade celebration) and include your child’s name on the memo line. We appreciate your help and look forward to a fun party at the end of the year!
Free Meals for all BSD Students
The Beaverton School District's Nutrition Services department nourishes minds by providing appealing, nutritious meals for students while they are in school. Good nutrition is essential in the learning process, and our mission is to help ensure students are ready to learn
This year all students can eat breakfast and lunch for free! For more information click here.
Clothes for Kids
If your student needs clothing at no cost, Clothes for Kids is ready to serve you. Appointments are required. Clothes for Kids hours: Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Thursdays 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
To schedule, please complete the Clothes for Kids Appointment form or call 503-356-4322. Visits are limited to one adult with four children or two adults with 8 children. All visitors must wear masks. If you don't have your own, we'll provide one.
We’re also looking for Clothes for Kids volunteers. Please contact Johanna Shrout at johanna_shrout@beaverton.k12.or.us.
Si su estudiante necesita ropa sin costo, Clothes for Kids está listo para servirle. Necesitará hacer una cita. Horario de Clothes for Kids: martes de 9:30 a.m. a 3 p.m., miércoles de 10 a.m. a 6 p.m. y jueves de 9:30 a.m. a 3 p.m.
Para hacer una cita, por favor complete el formulario de citas de Clothes for Kids o llame al 503-356-4322. Las visitas están limitadas a un adulto con cuatro niños o dos adultos con 8 niños. Todos los visitantes deben usar cubre bocas. Si no tiene uno, se lo proporcionaremos al llegar ahí.
También estamos buscando voluntarios para Clothes for Kids. Si está interesado comuníquese con Johanna Shrout a johanna_shrout@beaverton.k12.or.us.
Stoller PTO
Not a Registered Volunteer?
Volunteers at Stoller who contribute their time and talent make a significant difference to our students and our middle school community. No amount of time is ever too small – we need you!
Please go to the following site to register to be a volunteer and complete the required background check. https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/communications-community-involvement/volunteer
Stoller's PTO Officers
2021-2022 Stoller PTO Board
President: Jennifer Politsch
Vice President: Rajesh Botla
Treasurer: Saadia Loreth
Secretary: Flori Perjeru
Volunteer Coordinator: Atsuko Hiramatsu
Member at Large: Hui Du
If you have any issues with your device or logging in, you will need to contact the Student Help Desk.
Stoller Middle School
Website: https://stoller.beaverton.k12.or.us/
Location: 14141 Northwest Laidlaw Road, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: 503-356-2680
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stollermiddle/
Twitter: @StollerPOWER1