The Hawkeye
Montclair Weekly Newsletter ~ February 1, 2018
Leverty Letter
· The brain and learning
· Thank you ~ It’s Snowing Hawkeyes
Brain Power: With all of the advancements in neuroscience we’re learning more and more about how the brain reacts to learning. Brain research is what drives some of our newer instructional strategies, as well as new adoptions, such as the new Fosnot math adoption this year. What we can learn from this expanding research and evidence helps support social emotional development and adaptive learning modalities. For example, professional discussions at Montclair have been around how the brain has layers, and each layer impacts the retention of short and long term memory in various ways. When students are stressed out or frustrated about learning, their limbic part of the brain takes over and prevents students from retaining information. Stress and anxiety have a tremendous amount of influence on our brain, shutting down the executive functioning of our brain when the going gets tough. Staff must change their instructional strategies in order to work around such neuro blockage, such as restating information to maximize understanding, scaffolding instruction for student that need step by step processing, posting oral directions, utilizing brain boosts that release blood flow to the cerebrum, increasing independent skill building within the lesson, providing breaks from the rigor, and instilling a growth mindset to help overcome fears of failure. The more we know about the brain the more we are informed in how to help students learn.
It’s Snowing Hawkeyes: I wanted to extend a special thank you to Emily Potts and her amazing group of It’s Snowing Hawkeyes volunteers! The evening was a huge success for students and the school. The activities and raffle selections were very enticing and everyone appeared to enjoy themselves. On behalf of our staff, we so appreciate the efforts and giving that our community provides to support Montclair programming. Thank you!!
Happy February
Sean Leverty
Calling All New Kindergartners ~ 2018-2019 Online Registration Opens 2/1
If you have a child that will be 5 on or before 9/1/18, we are starting our list of incoming Kindergartners and would like to add your child to it. Please contact the office at 503-356-2190.
· Online Registration opens 2/1/18 (click on this link below for instructions)
· Kindergarten Orientation is 4/12/18 at 4:00PM (for Parents and students)
Vision Screening ~ 2/8 ~ K-5
**KNOW YOUR PLAN** ~ Emergency Closure Info
Do you know what you’ve selected for your child’s emergency closure plan? It may be different than your everyday going home plan. If you are unsure, log on to ParentVue to check.
If school closes early, we send your child home according to this emergency plan.
· School bus home/neighbor/daycare
-or-
· Pick up by Parent/Friend/Neighbor/Relative/Daycare
Make sure you and your child knows their emergency plans. For example, if they’re going to a neighbor’s house, daycare, taking the bus or parent pick up. Only those listed on the emergency contact list can pick up your child.
Registration Open for Sensational Sign-Up Parties!
Registration for the following sign-up parties is now available in the Office! Bring a check made out to Montclair PTO and get your student(s) on the lists! Please note: space is limited for the Tech & Library Extravaganzas; registration for the other parties is on-going and attendance is unlimited!!
Hawks’ Night Out Party
*Movie & Pizza Party hosted by Mrs. Penuel and Mrs. Fredriksen
*Friday, June 1 from 5:00-9:00 p.m.
*$25 per student - *2nd-5th grade only*
Tech & Library Extravaganzas
*Hosted by Mrs. Fryer, Mrs. Terada, and Ms. Fidler
*Students will enjoy tech time, craft, reading, raffle, snack, and story!
*Three Parties: March 9, April 3, & May 24, 3:05-4:30; Pick-up only (no bus)
*$15 per student - *Any Grade*
*Limited to 25 spots per party
Movie Matinee: The Incredibles
*Movie & Popcorn Party hosted by Ms. Elliott, Mrs. Putzek, Mrs. Kamm, & Teacher Susie
*Friday, March 16 from 3:05-5:30 p.m.; Pick-up only (no bus)
*$10 per student - *Any Grade*
Thank you to our Teachers & Staff for hosting these fabulous events!
Questions: contact Emily Potts emilykpotts@gmail.com
OBOB ~ Volunteers Needed
Greetings!
OBOB battles began on 1/23 and we could use your help! What is OBOB? OBOB (Oregon Battle Of the Books) is an annual statewide reading program that offers 16 high-quality books selected by school librarians for 3rd-5th graders to read and then form teams that compete on knowledge-based quizzes (battles). We hold a tournament at Montclair which culminates in a school champion that goes onto a regional and possibly, ultimately a state competition.
If you have a 3rd through 5th grader who was signed up with Mrs. Terada to an OBOB team, the battles are about to begin! You don't have a child on a team? You can still help by moderating and/or timing/scoring battles. Do you have a second grader interested in OBOB next year? This is great way to find out what OBOB is all about. Not sure what moderating/timing/scoring is all about? Feel free to visit Our OBOB Page for more information on instructions on how to moderate/time/score and the upcoming battle schedule. I will have the page updated shortly with the schedule and a mock battle video.
The shifts for battles are available in MVP, with the links below. Battles occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1/23 through 3/1. The first 3 or 4 weeks will be round-robin format and the final weeks will be playoffs to determine our Montclair champion. Battles occur at two different times, from 11:15-11:45 for 3rd graders, and 11:45-12:15 for 4th/5th graders. Battles typically take place in the library or in the 3rd/4th/5th classrooms. While you are always free to come watch your child battle during their time, you may not moderate a battle your child is participating in.
We have an increase in participation over last year with more teams ready to battle, so if you can please help out with this fun program it would be appreciated! The kids put so much effort into reading and studying these books that come battle time, they are delighted to see their parents watch and participate as well!
Battle schedules are now posted in the lobby and at https://www.montclaitpto.org/obob.
3rd grade battles: http://bttr.im/fwlu1
4th/5th grade battles: http://bttr.im/t638b
If you have any questions about OBOB, feel free to contact me at obob@montclairpto.org.
Thank you,
Peter James
Montclair OBOB Parent Coordinator
***2018 "HAWK-tion"***
Our BIGGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR is just around the corner!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24th, 2018
5:00-9:00 p.m. at the Oregon Zoo
Have you purchased your tickets yet? You can do so very easily here:
Garden Home Community Library ~ Community Partnership ~ January Events
African American Read In
Come by anytime today to read poetry and short fiction by African American authors as we start celebrating Black History Month! There will be books to check out as well as short pieces printed for all ages to read in the library.
Pizza My Heart ~ Valentine & Pizza Making for Teens
Wednesday, February 7th ~ 3:00 PM 5:00 PM
Join us to make fun cards for friends and family and enjoy pizza: the Valentine we can all agree on.
Immunization Exclusion Day - February 21, 2018
State law requires that all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified child care facilities have up-to-date immunizations, or have a religious or medical exemption.
Parents or guardians will receive a letter in early February if their child’s immunization record shows that he or she has not received the required vaccinations. Children will not be able to attend school or childcare starting February 21, 2018, if their records on file show missing immunizations.
Montclair Calendar
February 8 Vision Screening, K-5
February 9 Report card sent home
February 19 Holiday ~ Schools Closed
February 21 Immunization Exclusion Day
February 21 PTO Meeting ~ 7PM, Library
February 24 PTO Auction ~ Oregon Zoo, 5:00-9:00PM
February 28 Conferences ~3:00-8:00PM
March 1-2 Conferences ~ No Students
March 14 PTO Meeting ~ 7PM, Library
March 21 1st Grade Polar Animal Night, 6:30-7:30PM
March 26-30 Spring Break ~ Schools Closed
Montclair Elementary
Attendance Hotline: 503-356-2191
Email: sean_leverty@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/schools/montclair
Location: 7250 SW Vermont St, Portland, OR, United States
Phone: 503-356-2190
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/montclairpto/
Twitter: @montclair_bsd