Whitford Newsletter
November 5, 2021
Principal Message
Hello Whitford Families,
Thank you for your continued support through all the changing COVID-19 guidelines. As a principal, it keeps me on my toes as students and staff continue to ask what they are able or not able to do. We are hoping that since the FDA has now authorized the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11, we will have fewer students in quarantine. Here is the difference. If a student is in close contact to a classmate who is COVID-19 positive, and they are not vaccinated, they will need to quarantine for the 10 days. However, if a student is in close contact to a classmate who is COVID-19 positive, and is vaccinated, they may stay at school as long as they are symptom free.
We have some upcoming changes to the school calendar that everyone needs to be aware of. As you know, schools will be closed November 11th for Veteran’s Day and no school for students on November 12th as it’s a teacher grading day. The most recent change is during the week of Thanksgiving. Student will have the entire week of Thanksgiving off. On Monday, November 22nd, we will have staff development for teachers and on Tuesday, November 23rd, the district has declared a Wellness Day. Wednesday, November 24th does not change and schools will remain closed. Following Thanksgiving, students will return to normal classes on Monday, November 29th, which was previously a staff development day.
Starting soon, we’ll be reteaching our expectations for cell phones. Our policy is for students to not use their phones while in the school building. Phones are to be off and put away in a backpack. There are numerous reasons why we are enacting a strict policy. Everything a student needs electronically for school can be done through their Chromebook. Students are having a hard time not using their cell phones in classes, the hallways, and restrooms. Many students are addicted to their social media. We are trying to increase their instructional time and not have them distracted by notifications. If you need to reach your child due during school time, please call the office and we will deliver the message. Students are always welcome to come to the office and contact their parent. We want to work with students on this and not against them, so please have a conversation with your student about the need to put the cell phone away, we would appreciate it. If students continue to misuse their phones, parents will be called to come pick up the phone. This would be after several warnings, but we’re hoping our Advisory lesson next week and reminders will help eliminate their cell phone misuse. To view the Advisory lesson click here.
I would also like to address the rumors of physical aggression/fighting on campus. We have seen an increase in physical aggression here at Whitford, but we are not alone as other middle schools across the district and the state are also seeing these escalated behaviors. We worked extremely hard last year preparing our teachers for students returning with possible depression, anxiety, and other pandemic trauma. This physical aggression is a cause for concern. We hired a campus monitor, increased supervision at lunch, and also during passing periods, and have spoken to students repeatedly about this behavior. We would like your help to remind students to report any escalated behavior to an adult right away. We would ask you to remind your student that using their phone to take pictures, record any altercations and uploading it on social media is not only hurting the students in the conflict, and our school, but it is also violating student protection laws. It is illegal to post students in photos or videos without their consent. Public schools need to remain a safe and secure place for students to learn and grow without the possibility of being on social media or in the news.
For the month of November, we are focusing on Gratitude and Kindness. We’ll be having a Zoom assembly at the end of the month where students work and creativity will be presented in a video for all students to see. We have amazing students here at Whitford and this is one opportunity to showcase just how amazing our student really are.
I have also decided to restart my virtual principal chats this month to answer any general school questions. I usually don’t come with an agenda, but want to hear for you. It’s much more of a conversation than a presentation. My first principal chat will be on Wednesday, November 17th. The English portion will be from 6:00pm-7:00pm followed by the Spanish portion from 7:00pm-8:00pm. We will be sending out the Zoom information closer to the event.
Sincerely,
Brian Peerenboom, Principal
Whitford Middle School
OHSU COVID Testing
Peace Poster Winner
Congratulations to 7th grader Eric Zhu for being selected as the winner of the Lion's Club Peace Poster contest this year! His poster shows "Everyone all around the world helping each other and being together " will move on to the regional competition.
Good luck, Eric!
Whitford Newspaper
https://sites.google.com/bsd48.org/twt-issue-whitford/home?authuser=2
Self-Potraits
After School Clubs
We are starting to have some after school clubs return to Whitford. We will have more start in the next few weeks and some in January 2022.
MESA
MESA is a STEM after school program that focuses on empowering students to become inventors and to create solutions for people in their communities. If you are interested in science and engineering and you want an opportunity to be creative, learn coding and engineering design skills, visit colleges and STEM careers, then MESA is the place for you! Watch this quick video to learn more!
Starting November 16, we will meet Tuesdays from 3:50-4:50 in the library. See Mrs. Laing in the library or fill out the online application (English Application and Spanish Application) if you are interested.
CHICA'S
The first program of its kind in Oregon, Chicas partners with local public schools and more than 700 local families each year to offer after school programming, leadership, and community service opportunities for Latina youth and their families.
Meets every Thursdays 4:30pm - 5:30pm via zoom.
To apply for the club click this link
https://forms.gle/X9CXFSSbiMkejj188
For more information: call the Chicas office at (503) 992 -0078 ext. 201
6th Grade Choir Concert
Whitford Yearbook
The Yearbook is now available for purchase. The cost is $15. To purchase a yearbook with a credit card, you can go through the online payment system. To pay with cash or check, have your student bring that to the office. Yearbooks are handed out to students the last week of school.
DENTAL Sealants at Whitford December 9
Free dental screenings and sealants are available for 6th and 7th grade students provided by Virginia Garcia dental care professionals. Dental sealants are coatings put on the back teeth to help prevent cavities. Whitford will have our first sealant clinic during school on December 9th. To sign up your student please fill out a consent form below.
School Sealant Consent (English)
https://hipaa.jotform.com/SchoolSealants/Consent
School Sealant Consent (Spanish)
Daily Health Evaluation
Parents/guardians, please perform a daily health evaluation before sending your students to school. If your student has any of the primary symptoms of Covid-19 they will be sent home and asked to isolate for 10 days; they may return earlier with proof of a negative COVID test or an alternate diagnosis from a medical provider.
Primary symptoms include: fever, cough, chills, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, a new loss of taste or smell.
If your child has received a Covid-19 test, please do not send them back to school until you have received the results, even if symptoms have resolved.
- If the COVID 19 test is positive, please notify the school and continue to isolate your child at home. We will contact you about a return date.
- If the test is negative, please use our “Keep Ill Children Out of School” guidelines to determine when it is okay to send your child back to school.
- If your child has any other communicable disease symptoms, please follow the “Keep Ill Children Out of School.”
Please notify the office if your child is a known close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID 19.
** Keep Ill Children Out of School flyer attached at the bottom of the newsletter
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.
Upcoming Events
November
11/7 FALL BACK -- Daylight Savings time endsMove clock back 1 hour
11/9 or 11/10 -- Pre ACT 8th grade only MATH
11/11 -- School Closed Veterans Day
11/12 -- School Closed Grading Day
11/16 -- Pre ACT 8th grade only READING
11/17 or 11/18 -- Pre ACT 8th grade only SCIENCE
11/17 Principal Chat 6-7pm and Spanish 7-8PM
11/18 -- 7/8 Choir concert
11/22 -- 26 School Closed
December
12/9 -- Dental Sealants 8-4
12/9 -- Breaking Barriers -- Rompiendo Barreras 6-7:00 PM via Zoom
12/16 -- Winter Band Concert
Headlice at School
Head lice is a common condition and is not associated with lack of cleanliness. While lice are a nuisance, they are not dangerous. Please take care to check your child’s head for lice on a regular basis.
Educate your child on these preventative methods:
● Head lice are mostly spread by direct head-to-head contact. Lice do not jump or fly.
● Avoid head-to-head contact during play and other activities at home, school, and elsewhere such as sports activities, playground, slumber parties, camp.
● Less often, lice are spread via objects that have been in contact with a person with head lice, such as hats, scarves, hair ribbons, combs, brushes, stuffed animals or bedding.
● Do not share these personal items.
● Pets do not get lice.
What to Look for:
● Itching/scratching of head, especially at the back of the head and neck.
● Nits on the hair, close to the scalp. These are usually pearly-grey or brown in color and are tightly attached to the hair shaft.
● Dandruff is easily removed, whereas nits cannot be brushed or swept away.
What to Do If You Find Lice:
● Treat your child with lice treatment recommended by your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Follow all instructions carefully.
● Seat child in a well-lit area, check the hair in small sections looking for lice and nits.
● Work to remove nits by using a nit comb and/or pulling them off the hair shaft with fingernails and dispose of in a sealed plastic bag.
● Check heads of household members. Treat if live lice are found.
● Daily head checks are recommended for the next 2 weeks.
● Wash your child’s towels, bedsheets and recently worn clothing in hot water and dryer.
● Clean combs and brushes used by the child by soaking them in water at least 130°F, for 5–10 minutes.
● Place non-washable items, such as stuffed toys in a sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks. Hatched nits/lice cannot survive more than 2 days without a human host.
● Vacuum furniture, rugs, floors, and the vehicles where the child has been.
Note: Spending excessive time and money on house cleaning activities is not necessary to avoid re-infestation by lice or nits.
Do not use fumigant sprays; they can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through skin.
The school would appreciate notification if your child gets head lice. All information is completely confidential. Please contact your child’s school office or school nurse if you have additional questions or concerns.
Head lice is always present in our community. Please see the following FAQ’s for useful information.
What are head lice?
Head lice are tiny insects about the size of a sesame seed. Lice do not jump or fly; they do not have wings. They live close to the human scalp. The eggs, also called nits, are tiny eggs are attached to the hair shaft. Nits look similar to dandruff but cannot be removed easily or brushed off. An itchy head is a common symptom of lice. Although lice can be annoying and icky, lice are not dangerous and are not known to spread disease.
Who is affected by head lice?
Lice is most common in children ages 3 to 11 years old. It is not related to cleanliness or hygiene, and is rarely transmitted from student to student at school. Head lice are mostly spread by direct head-to-head contact, for example, during play at home with friends, slumber parties, sports activities or camp. Less often, lice are spread via objects that have been in recent contact with a person with head lice, such as hats, scarves, hair ribbons, combs, brushes, stuffed animals or bedding.
What to do if you suspect your child has head lice?
If you think your child has head lice, carefully examine their hair and scalp for signs of nits. Contain the problem by checking all family members, treating immediately, and avoiding close contact with others until treatment is complete. There are many approaches to preventing and treating lice. It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider to discuss the best treatment approach for your family.