School News Blast
Gladstone District • Growing Great People • 5.12.21
Full-time classroom learning planned this fall
Gladstone schools anticipate a full return to classroom learning this fall, as an increasing number of adults and teens receive COVID-19 vaccines.
"We are very excited to bring our school community back together full time," said Superintendent Bob Stewart. "A regular schedule will provide more hands-onprovide more hands-on learning and increase social-emotional wellbeing."
To maintain student safety, schools will maximize fresh air flow by boosting ventilation systems this summer. They will also follow state COVID-19 safety guidelines to protect student health and minimize spread of the disease.
The district plans to test students this fall to identify education needs. That will allow schools to adjust lesson plans as needed to fill any learning gaps and ensure long-term student success.
If you care about Gladstone kids, don't miss this!
The Gladstone Education Foundation is planning a big event this Thursday, May 13, and you are invited! Let's help give Gladstone students the best possible school experience as they return to classrooms full time this fall.
Join the event -- https://bit.ly/3uFUZzO
Pre-show at 6 p.m.
Student choir performances, student art show, and the answers to Trivia Questions that will help you win prizes during the live show in the chat. Plus learn how to bid on auction items!
Main Show at 6:30 p.m.
Student and alumni interviews, band performance, Trivia Question prizes in the chat, lucky donor prize, give to help Gladstone students, and find out the winner of the Trip to Cabo raffle!
Register early -- https://gladstone2021.ggo.bid/
Buy Trip to Cabo raffle tickets [sales close @ 6:15 p.m. Thursday] and bid now on silent auction items, including travel get-aways, wine tasting, sports packages, gifts, fishing trips, landscaping, and one-of-a-kind items.
Teens invited to free COVID-19 vaccine event May 22
With this week's FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine for ages 12 to 15, Clackamas County plans a free vaccine clinic for teens 12 and older from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 22. The drive-through event is in the Clackamas Town Center parking garage near Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Under state law, minors 15 and older may consent to vaccinations without requiring parent permission. Youths age 12 to 14 will require parent permission to participate. Adult family members are also invited to get a vaccine at the event.
Schedule your appointment online at https://web3.clackamas.us/schedule/start.jsp?type=phvac or call the Clackamas scheduling line at 503-655-8224. Another place to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments is at your local pharmacy, or here: https://getvaccinated.oregon.gov/#/
Win a trip to Cabo, raise funds for Gladstone kids!
A lucky raffle ticket holder will win a 1-week trip to sunny Cabo, Mexico, in the Gladstone Education Foundation raffle. The prize includes 1 week in a 1-bedroom condo at a luxury resort and $500 in travel funds. Winners will be announced May 13 during a special live online event starting at 6:30 p.m.
“Cabo San Lucas is known for beautiful beaches, shopping, dining, and night life,” said event organizer Tammy Tracy. “This is the perfect way to de-stress and have some fun.”
Buy your raffle ticket today at https://gladstone2021.ggo.bid/. Ticket sales end Thursday, May 13 at 6:15 p.m. The prize value is $2,000 and no more than 150 tickets will be sold. The winner can take the trip any time within the next two years.
“Raffle proceeds will benefit Gladstone students through Academics, Athletics, and Activities,” said Tracy. “This is needed more than ever as students return to classrooms full time this fall.”
Tour the GCCF Kindergarten and register for fall
The Gladstone School District welcomes fall Kindergarten families to Connect to Kindergarten. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Kindergarten environment and community that your child will experience.
This event will happen across 3 Wednesdays in May and June. Families may sign up for a tour of our classrooms and program overview at the Gladstone Center for Children and Families led by our Kindergarten staff.
Our tours are limited to those currently registered or interested in enrolling in the 2021-2022 school year.
When visiting, we will follow all health and safety protocols including wearing masks and remaining distanced and keeping our groups limited in numbers. To register for a tour, email or call Heidi Smith (smithh@gladstone.k12.or.us) or 503-496-3939.
Tours
May 19 -- 5:30 tp 6:30 p.m.
May 26 -- 10 to 11 a.m.
May 26 -- 1 to 2 p.m.
May 26 -- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
June 2 -- 3 to 4 p.m.
June 2 -- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
June 9 -- 10 to 11 a.m.
June 9 -- 1 to 2 p.m.
June 9 -- 5:30 to 6:30p.m.
Career presenters visit fourth graders
This spring, fourth graders are learning about a wide variety of careers from online presenters, including some in far-away places. Fourth graders from Gladstone’s hybrid, teacher-led distance learning, and SchoolsPLP online programs are attending the presentations.
Presenters include
• Ben Carter, Creative Director for Apple advertising
• John Hardt, Diving Service Manager at Ballard Marine Construction
• Kasey Butler, Emergency Medical Technician at Flathead Lake, MT
• Dr. David John, Physician and Psychiatrist at OHSU
• Michael Mudd, Facility and Workplace Manager at Vesta
“It’s important for young students to understand the purpose for their learning and begin to think about where it will take them,” said teacher Wendy Mudd, who organized the presentations.
Wetten students compete in Oregon Battle of the Books
The Oregon Battle of the Books is an event fourth and fifth graders at Wetten Elementary look forward to. This year’s event was held online due to COVID-19 safety precautions, providing enough time for the school’s first round robin battle. This year 25 students participated in the competition, forming five teams.
Each student read four to eight titles, with books provided free thanks to a $1,250 grant from First Book. Teams and coaches met online, bi-weekly at first, and then weekly in April before competitions began. Coaches included Library Assistant Kim Burke, as well as Julie Kempster, Theresa Schmidt, and Heather Cruickshank.
“What I like about OBOB is that in battles you work together as a team, and that we can make new friends and build a good friendship,” said fourth grader Emma Sandlin. “Also when you read the battle books you can discover new authors and books you never knew about!”
“Students did online book reports when they finished each book,” said Burke. “One student dressed up as the main character for his book report, another student was so inspired by the book Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer that she asked for chicken coop gear for Christmas and got live chicks as soon as they were in the store.”
Food programs closed on May 31
Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, both the free meal distribution at Kraxberger and the Gladstone Food Pantry will be closed. Those in need of food assistance for that week should phone 211 or visit https://www.211info.org/ to locate nearby nutrition resources.
However, both food programs will be OPEN AS USUAL on May 17 & 24:
Free Kids Meals Mondays at Kraxberger Mondays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. & 4 to 6 p.m.
Gladstone Food Pantry Mondays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 6460 Glen Echo Ave.