Black Bear Bits

February 10, 2023

Important Dates

2/19: No School - President's Day

2/21: 5th Grade Tribute order forms DUE

2/21: PTA meeting 7:00 p.m.

2/25: Garden Work Party 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

2/27: Memory Book order forms DUE

3/1: No School - Teacher PD Day

3/2: 2nd Grade Music Performance 6:30 -7:00 p.m.

3/3: Kindergarten Book Character Day

In this Edition

  • Message from the Principal
  • School Community Need
  • Site Council News
  • Kindergarten Registration
  • 5th Grade ELL testing
  • 2nd Grade Music Performance
  • Help Bridge the Gap
  • This Week at Tualatin Elementary (photo gallery)
  • Walk + Bike to School (photo gallery)
  • PTA News
  • Memory Book Photo Submissions
  • Health Room Clothing Needed
  • Art Rutkin Elementary Open Enrollment
  • Flu and Covid Information
  • Volunteering at Tualatin Elementary
  • Important LinkL

Message from the Principal

Black Bear Families,


Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous sunny day. I hope you were able to get outside for a little bit of it. I was lucky enough to be able to do crosswalk duty in the afternoon and it felt amazing to be outside in the warm temperatures and light!


I want to introduce to you our new secretary, Emili Powers. She is now working in our office, filling the position previously held by our current head secretary, Amanda Thorderson. Emili has jumped in this week with both feet and has already been a valuable member of our office team. Welcome Emili!


I am also happy to share with you that our own Amanda Thorderson was selected as Tualatin Elementary Classified Employee of the Year! This is an annual award that goes to one of our classified staff that has exceptional ability and talents that make our school the home it is. Amanda certainly fits that description! She was nominated by Ms. Aggi, who wrote “Amanda is the glue that holds our school together.” Congratulations Amanda!


Last night, our fabulous fifth grade students had their concert for our families. It was a celebration of jazz music, playing some familiar songs and some tunes on the marimbas. A big thank you to Mrs. Hinkle for all of her work in preparing our students for this experience, and thanks also to Mrs. Livingston, Mrs. Wharff, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Hill and Ms. Olson.


As always, thank you for all that you do to support the learning of our little Black Bears. We couldn’t do it without you.


Working with you for our kids,


Jim

School Community Need

We are sad to report the passing of three year old Abraham Torres Hernandez over our Winter Break. The Torres Hernandez family has been a part of our community for the past decade. In order to assist the family, we’ve created a Go fund me for the family, and are sharing the link with our community to help cover expenses. Thank you for your consideration!


Join Tualatin Elementary Site Council!

Hello Families,


Site Council is looking for new parent members! What is Site Council you ask? The Tualatin Elementary Site Council is a group of teachers, parents and classified staff who work with the principal to develop, review and evaluate school improvement programs and make recommendations for how to use our school resources. Our Site Council’s main goal is to increase student achievement by improving instructional programs, plan professional development and foster family involvement. We also discuss school needs, enrichment opportunities and grant funding. Our Site Council meets each month after school from 2:45-3:30.


If you are interested in joining Site Council please email Amy Barnes the Site Council Chair at abarnes@ttsd.k12.or.us.


We look forward to new parents joining Site Council.

Big picture

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for 2023-24 is open! A child must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023, to enter Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 School year. Online registration and more information about Kindergarten can be found here. We also have staff at the building who can help with registration. Please contact the office (503-431-4800) or Ana Uriostegui (503-431-4767) for assistance.


There will be a Kindergarten Kick off on May 25th, where families can meet teachers, tour the school, take a bus ride, and more! Information will be sent to families in May.

5th Grade ELL Testing

Our 5th grade ELL students will be taking ELPA February 21-24. Please help them prepare by ensuring they get a good night's rest and eat a healthy breakfast.


Nuestros estudiantes ELL de 5to grado tomarán ELPA del 21 al 24 de febrero. Ayúdelos a prepararse asegurándose de que descansen bien por la noche y coman un desayuno saludable.

Second Grade Music Performance

Don't miss our second grade music performance on March 2, 2023 from 6:30-7:00 p.m. They've been working hard putting together a fun show!

Big picture

Help Bridge the Gap for our Students!

The Foundation for Tigard Tualatin Schools (FTTS) annual Fund Drive is happening now! Donations from the drive help enrich our students' education. Your donations hire part-time teachers, support innovative teaching ideas and provide college scholarships.


The goal is to raise $75,000 during this year's Fund Drive! That will put the Foundation on track to give each school a $10,000 check for their School Grant, to be used to fund teacher hours that will bridge their most pressing instructional gap. More teachers, more learning!!


Check out all the ways that The Foundation for Tigard Tualatin Schools has helped Tualatin Elementary and donate today!

This Week at Tualatin Elementary

Walk + Bike Day

NEW! Memory Book Photo Submissions

Photo Submissions - Deadline March 5th, 2023 - Please see below for specifics on the photo submissions we are now accepting and note our submission deadline date of March 5th, 2023. Your contributions will help make this year's Memory Book extra special!


We are accepting the following photos:

Art Lit*

Spirit Week/Days (Hat Day, PJ Day, etc)*

Kinder & 1st Grade Music Informances*

Classroom Field Trips

Garden

Walk & Roll Day


Are you volunteering in the school?...what a wonderful opportunity for you to document school happenings while our memory book volunteers can't be there. Please snap some pics and send them our way.


Please send your photo submissions to tualatinschoolphotos@gmail.com AND label with the following information: student's grade, teacher's name, student's first and last name and the name of the activity, i.e. 2nd grade, Fossati, John Smith, First Day of School.


Have other memory book questions, please reach out to Ashley Young at tualatinememorybook@gmail.com.

Health Room Clothing Needed

Did you sort through clothes over Winter Break? Do you have gently-used clothing that you are planning to donate? Please keep the health room in mind. We are especially short on small (sizes 5-8) elastic-waist pants and underwear, although we are happy to accept all sizes! (And remember--for tax purposes, this may be an "in-kind" donation to the school!)

Art Rutkin Elementary Enrollment Open

TTSD’s newest elementary school is almost complete. Enrollment for Art Rutkin Elementary is open for the 2023-2024 school year. Please direct any questions or needs for information to Jamie Kingery, Art Rutkin Elementary principal, jkingery@ttsd.k12.or.us, 503 431-3508.


Art Rutkin Elementary website

Art Rutkin Elementary School boundary map

Frequently Ask Questions

Big picture

Flu and Covid Season is here!

With colder weather, comes more opportunity to spread cold, flu, and Covid-19 germs. We are seeing all three at Tualatin Elementary and ask you to do your part by following these recommendations:

  • Please monitor carefully for the following primary COVID and Flu symptoms, and keep your student home if they exhibit any of the following:
    • Cough

    • Temperature of 100.4 or higher

    • Shortness of breath

    • New loss of taste or smell

    • Fatigue

    • Muscle or body aches

    • Headache

    • Sore throat

    • Nasal congestion or runny nose

    • Nausea or vomiting

    • Diarrhea

  • Please contact the school for assistance with the following:
    • Information on testing – We have at-home tests available at the school

    • If you test positive for COVID-19

    • If you have questions regarding symptoms and exclusions

  • Wash hands often, especially after coming in contact with body fluids. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer
  • Cover coughs and sneezes


Where Can I Get a Flu Shot?

The Washington County website has a list of locations offering the Flu Shot and other Vaccinations.


Where Can I Get a Covid Vaccine or Booster?

https://getvaccinated.oregon.gov/

Volunteering at Tualatin Elementary

We love our volunteers and are excited to welcome you back into the building this year! To volunteer at Tualatin, please follow the steps below. When your application is completed, you'll receive an email from the front office and you'll be able to schedule volunteer time at the school.


All volunteers must complete the checklist below to volunteer


Masks will be optional in the building for volunteers that are vaccinated. We ask that if you are sick or have any symptoms, that you postpone your volunteering until you are well.


Volunteers with a vaccine exception on file will be required to:

  • Wear a mask while on TTSD property OR;

  • Be given a rapid test at the time and location of their volunteer assignment.


Please contact Amanda Thorderson (athorderson@ttsd.k12.or.us or 503-431-4800) with any questions.

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

subject to supply chain disruptions

Titan Website

Pay for meals, see the school menu, apply for free and reduced lunch

Black Bear Bits Archive

Did you miss a past edition of the Black Bear Bits? Read them here!

Sign up for Flash Alert

Get information on school closures and delays.

2022-2023 TTSD Approved Calendar

See the approved calendar for the school year.