Cooper Mountain Newsletter
September 13, 2018
Dear Cooper Mountain Families,
All summer long I thought about the Cooper Mountain community, our strengths, our areas to grow, our commitment to creating successful environments for students. You've probably noticed our school district's goal: WE empower all students to achieve post-high school success, but what does that mean in the elementary school?
My idea of what success looks like for an elementary school student:
Loves learning
Trusts her/himself to be able to solve a problem
Can communicate his/her needs articulately; can advocate for him/herself
Perseveres
Is willing to take risks that push learning forward
Is not afraid of failure (because that's where the learning happens)
Reading and math skills are near, on, or above grade level
Accepts responsibility for actions and decisions
Recently I attended a conference where a well-known educational researcher shared her findings about what contributes to adult success (healthy, happy, financially stable). In all of the studies a common theme emerged: the successful adults had an adult in their young life, generally a parent, who provided them opportunities to work hard. In these cases, the hard work was struggling through difficult academic tasks. While we certainly want to provide appropriate supports, the greatest learning comes when our brains struggle productively. This is where the brain grows.
Okay parents, look for ways to let your child struggle productively!
Kristin
Upcoming Events
September
PTO General Meetings: 3:15-4:30 Library or 7:00 pm Library. Childcare is provided.
Student Store Opens
Wednesday, September 19
Early Release: 1:35
Teachers collaborate for greater student learning
Tuesday, September 25
Volunteer Orientation 6:00 pm
Wednesday, September 26
Early Release: 1:35
Teachers collaborate for greater student learning
Thursday, September 27
Cooper Mountain Newsletter comes out
Friday, September 28
Cougar Run during Specials time
Sunday, September 30
Fifth Grade Bowling Party at Big Al's 4-7pm. See the flyer that came home with your child!
This was a fabulous event last year and kids had so much fun. Come if you can!
Monday, October 1
Principal's Chat 8:45 am in the Staff Room
Cooper Mountain Elementary
Email: kristin_lemon@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/schools/cooper-mountain
Location: 7670 Southwest 170th Avenue, Beaverton, OR, USA
Phone: (503)356-2070
Twitter: @CooperMtnES
Announcements and Updates
At Back to School Night you heard me reference Social Emotional Learning (SEL). One way we work with children is to help them be cognizant of how they are feeling, and we do this through referencing colors. Blue means low energy. Green is optimum - calm, positive, and ready to learn. Yellow means be careful - we might be starting to feel frustrated or unsettled. Red is losing control - anger or fear. We help coach students with breathing, focus, positive messages, or breaks when they are feeling in the yellow. You might hear your child reference these colors at home.
Parent Handbook
A new parent handbook is now posted on our school website. Please read through it and let me know if you have questions.
Bike Safety
I believe this is in the handbook as well, but please enforce bike safety with your child if she or he rides to school. Elementary age students need to wear helmets, walk their bikes on school property, follow the crossing guard's directions, and remain on the sidewalks if they are riding without an adult.
Taking Your Child Home Early
(This is referenced in the handbook)
We provide a 6 1/2 hour school day from 8:30-3:05, with early release on Wednesdays. For children to get the full education required, they should be here all day each day. We know, however, that sickness happens and that some doctors don't take late afternoon appointments and you may need to take your child out of school early on rare occasions. Please know that end of day in the office is very busy as our secretaries are attending to phone calls and changes in going home plans, taking care of sick children, as well as answering parent and staff needs. We always attend to safety first, so it is possible that you may have to wait if you are coming to pick up your child early. If it is vital that you get your child early, your best bet would be to get here by 2:35 or 2:40 to avoid the end-of-day crunch time.
Dogs are not permitted on any district school property. If you walk your child to school with your dog or you pick up your child at the end of the day with your dog, you must stand at the edge of the property and not enter the school grounds. This is a safety measure for children.
From our District Office
If you are interested in applying to an Options school:
Options Full Time Lottery & Admissions Timeline (for the 2019-20 School Year)
Monday, October 15, 2018 Lottery opens
Friday, December 7, 2018 Lottery applications due
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 Lottery is run, notifications sent
Thursday, December 13, 2018 Second Consideration applications available
Thursday, January 10, 2019 Second Consideration applications due to schools
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Deadline for parents to accept