Helman News
May 18, 2020
Embarking on the Final Weeks
We're drawing near to the end of the school year. It's amazing to think that we've been engaged in Distance Learning for five weeks (eight if you count supplemental offerings)! Thank you for supporting your child in their learning. I have enjoyed visiting Zoom class meetings and watching their reports and contributions on FlipGrid! They (and you!) are showing astounding perseverance. I want to encourage you to stay with it and finish strong. If you need assistance or need to schedule a time for your child to work with a teacher, please let us know. We are here to help!
Below you will find updates on the end of the year and resources you may find helpful.
In community,
Michelle Cuddeback, Principal
Picking Up Student Belongings
Kindergarten: Tuesday, May 26
1st Grade: Wednesday, May 27
2nd Grade: Thursday, May 28
3rd Grade: Monday, June 1
4th Grade: Tuesday, June 2
5th Grade: Wednesday, June 3
Return LIBRARY BOOKS!
Last Week of School: June 1-5
STEM Week
All week teachers will post fun STEM activities/challenges for your child to do at home and share during Zoom meetings and via FlipGrid. Can't wait to see all of the creativity!
Spirit Days
Show your school spirit each day by showing up for class Zoom meetings in style! Take a picture and send it to your teacher as well.
Monday: "Bedhead Day"
Tuesday: "PJ Day"
Wednesday: "Crazy Sock Day"
Thursday: "Sporty Day"
Friday: "Dragon Day"
Field Day
Check out the PE Teams Page for fun Field Day activities! Share your activities on FlipGrid.
Celebrating Graduates!
Ashland High School Graduates
May 29 @ 6:30pm, AHS Grads will drive in their cars to Ashland High in a Grad auto-parade and then proceed to their neighborhood elementary schools. Please join us to cheer on our former Dragons. Spaces will be marked on the sidewalks in 6 foot increments to ensure social distancing. Please wear a mask and stay with your family. We'd love to have you help us cheer on these Seniors!
Celebrating our 5th Graders!
Even though we can't celebrate in person and hold our end of year recognition assembly, we are planning special ways to honor our 5th graders.
Thursday, June 4 - 10:00am
Helman Grad Parade
5th grade families will begin at North Mountain Park and parade up Hersey, down Helman Street, around Randy Street, and up Laurel St. as Helman Staff and families line the sidewalks (while socially distancing in areas that are 6 feet apart) to cheer them on.
Hope you can join us to cheer on our 5th graders!
Recognition Assembly
5th grade teachers are working to replicate our annual recognition assembly in a video that will be shared with the entire school community. This is always a favorite end-of-year assembly that features a slide show for the whole school.
Grad Signs
During the last week of May, we'll highlight each 5th grader with their own grad sign along Helman Street. 5th grade families can pick up their sign to keep at their convenience.
Need help with Distance Learning?
We are here to support you. If you need 1:1 assistance, would like to discuss how distance learning is working, your child's progress, or any other issues, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's classroom teacher or any of the staff members below.
Meredith McFadden, Child Development Specialist/School Counselor
Can assist with parenting and/or emotional needs. Available to meet virtually with students and parents.
meredith.mcfadden@ashland.k12.or.us
Kim Hosford, School Psychologist
Available to help design an individual behavior program for your use at home.
Gregg Fehr, Reading Specialist
Can support your child's reading development. Available to meet virtually with individuals or in small groups with students.
Tracy Waldas, Math Specialist
Can support your child's math development. Available to meet virtually with individuals or in small groups with students.
tracy.waldas@ashland.k12.or.us
Having difficulty turning in assignments?
1. attach a picture of student work at the bottom of each assignment
"How to" video for attaching work using a computer
"How to" video for attaching work using a phone or ipad. (The video states it is for Android phones, but it is the same process for iPhones)
2. email a picture or document to your teacher (still click "turn in" in Teams)
Kindergarten 2020-21
Registration for next year's Kindergarten is now open! Please visit http://ashland.k12.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=3133 to register online.
Please help us spread the word! If you know of someone who has a child ready for Kindergarten, please pass along this information.
Playground Improvement Project
Families are eligible for financial support to replace meals children usually get at school
With children at home due to COVID-19, many families are struggling to replace meals that would have usually been provided at school. To support them, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) announced that children eligible for free or reduced-price meals will get cash benefits for the meals they would have received at school.
This policy change will benefit more than 351,000 students receiving free or reduced-price school meals in Oregon. This includes nearly 147,000 students already receiving Nutrition Assistance. Households will receive $5.70 per child for each normal school day for the months of March, April, May and June. This is the equivalent of one lunch and one breakfast.
Families who have experienced significant income loss may now be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. There is still time to apply. Apply online or contact your local school.
DHS will continue to work with federal partners to provide help to Oregonians in need. To apply for Nutrition Assistance, visit needfood.oregon.gov or call 2-1-1.
Family Needs Survey
- Grocery card to Safeway/Albertsons or Shop n Kart (Thank you to Ashland Rotary!)
- Free book from Treehouse Book Store (Thank you Helman PTA!)
- Weekend food backpack to supplement school lunches and breakfasts
If you have needs that go beyond these measures, please contact our School Care Coordinator Janiece Bouchard who can link you to many resources and supports throughout the county.
Helman Care Coordinator Janiece Bouchard at (541)450-7163
Need Tech Support?
If you need support, please email techhelp@ashland.k12.or.us or call 541-201-2600.
You can also view FAQs at http://students.ashland.k12.or.us
Helman Elementary
Vision: Helman school is a safe, loving community where each child is honored as an individual, challenged to take risks, develop friendships, reflect on their growth, push themselves to reach their potential, and embrace the wonder that leads to lifelong enthusiasm for learning.
Email: michelle.cuddeback@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: http://www.ashland.k12.or.us/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=45
Location: 705 Helman Street, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 541-482-5620
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Helman-Elementary-School-1557046364532003/