Skyline K-8 News
October 18, 2019
From the Principal
Happy Friday! I hope you all had a wonderful week.
We were so fortunate Amy Kohnstamm, PPS Board Chair, came and presented at PTA and recognized our staff and students' amazing SBAC testing results. Skyline K-8's English Language Arts achievement scores increased from 65.1% in 2017-2018 to 69.8% in 2018-19. English Language Arts Academic Growth scores increased from 56% in 2017-2018 to 70% in 2018-19. Skyline K-8's Math achievement scores increased from 50.2% in 2017-2018 to 61.9% in 2018-19. Math Academic Growth scores increased from 65% in 2017-2018 to 78% in 2018-19.
These double-digit gains are phenomenal, and all staff and students deserve credit for their hard work over the past two years, collaborating and planning instruction based on student data. We will continue digging into our data during PLC's, driving our instruction based on assessment data and look forward to continuing to increase achievement scores.
Next week on Wednesday we have our Golden Awards Assembly from 8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. and Pastries with the Principal from 9:20 a.m.-10:00 a.m. in Mrs. Dunn's room. Teachers will be communicating with parents whose students will be recognized at the assembly for the IB Learner Trait "Caring."
Please use the Sign-Up Genius to sign up for conferences coming up on November 25th and November 26th. Our specialist teachers, Miss. Allie and Mrs. Dunn are also available to meet during conferences. If you would like me to attend a conference or if you would like to meet with me, please send me an email. I look forward to seeing all of you!
Our amazing 6th graders will be at Outdoor School next week with Mr. Grivel and Ms. McConney. Please drop off your student(s) at Skyline no later than 2:30 pm on Sunday the 20th, as the bus will depart at 3:00 p.m. Students will be back at Skyline on Friday the 25th around 1:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, I was out of the building at an LSI (Learning Sciences International) Walkthrough Professional Development Opportunity at Vernon K-8. Our school gets the opportunity to continue our focus on leadership domains by diving into the Conditions for Learning from Marzano/LSI and participating in walk-throughs with the Trend Tracker Tool. The trend tracker looks at 10 conditions needed to ensure learning in the classroom (Routines, Learning Outcomes). In the morning I attended a training on the tool and model and then had time to do a walk-through in the afternoon. It was an awesome opportunity to participate in classroom walk-throughs in another K-8 school with several PPS K-8 principals. Teacher leaders will receive training in December on the tool. Thank you to Melissa Dunn for covering for me when I was out of the building.
A huge thank you to Ms. Tilt for helping our new staff implement the middle school IB Lanyard program. Middle school students took a survey at the beginning of the year, providing input on the program in general and the incentives they wanted to be able to earn as IB Ambassadors. Middle school teachers spent time in their PLC looking over the Lanyard applications deciding who was approved for a Lanyard. Middle school teachers look at the Lanyards as a way to show who demonstrates strong leadership in our IB Learner Profile Traits. One of the incentives we will continue this year is for IB Ambassadors to have free-sit in the cafeteria during lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please ask your child(ren) if they do not have a lanyard, ask if they applied for one and encourage them to do so if they haven’t. There will be multiple opportunities to apply for Lanyards throughout the year.
Skyline K-8 has a team of six staff members; Bianca Arias, Julie Melton, Melissa Dunn, Allie Penix, Melody Hiser and BG Aguirre attending the PPS MTSS Coaching Academy next week on October 24th and 25th. To learn more about MTSS, please check out the MTSS district website https://www.pps.net/domain/5007.
Our PBIS/Climate Committee is super excited to have Morgan Bors and Alissa Leavitt join the committee. We will meet on October 30, December 18, January 29, February 26, April 29 and May 27. Thanks again for volunteering!
If you are not following us on Twitter @BGAGUIRRE1 and @skyline_ib, you are missing out! It has been so much fun watching all of our students engaged in learning while also being safe, respectful, responsible and IB ready.
All the best,
Mrs. Aguirre
NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE
Monday:
Outdoor School Visit - Melissa Dunn will cover for me when I am out of the building
Weekly Office Meeting 10:00a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
IB/PLC Debrief Meeting 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Principal for Almost a Day 2019
Weekly 1:1 Principal Meeting with School Counselor 9:30 a.m. - 10: 30 a.m.
Weekly 1:1 Principal Meeting with IB TOSA 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Weekly 1:1 Principal Meeting with Media Specialist 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Staff Meeting 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Bianca’s Room
Wednesday:
SIT Committee Meeting 7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. in the library
Golden Awards Assembly 8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Pastries with the Principal 9:20 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
IB/PLC Prep 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 am.
Specialist Professional Learning Committee 1:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
Thursday: MTSS Coaching Academy - Allison Couch will sub for me
Middle School PLC Meeting 7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
3-5 Professional Learning Committees 1:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
Friday: MTSS Coaching Academy - Allison Couch will sub for me
K-2 PLC 1:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Mrs. Dunn’s room
Outdoor School students return around 1:30 p.m.
Upcoming Events
October
21- *Cookie Dough Orders Due
21-25 6th Grade Outdoor School
21-30 Storybook Pumpkins
23- IB Assembly- Caring, 8:45-9:15 AM
Unity Day for Bully Prevention Month- Wear Orange
23- Pastries with the Principal 9:15-10:00 AM
28- Picture Re-take Day
November
1- Planning Day- No School for Students
11- Veteran's Day Holiday
6- *Talk with Elona Landau 6:30 - 7:30 (Skyline Library)
11- Veteran’s Day Holiday
19- *Talk with Kim DeMarche 6:30 - 8:00 (Skyline Library)
20- IB Assembly, Inquiry
20- Pastries with the Principal 9:15-10:00 AM
21- *PTA Meeting 6:00 PM, Foundation Meeting,
7:00 PM
25 & 26- Day and Evening Parent Conferences
27-29- Thanksgiving Break
*PTA Sponsored Event
Parent Conferences- Nov. 25 & 26
Middle School Teachers (Middle School teachers meet together in the gym)
IB Corner
Last school year, 2018-19, Skyline’s K-5 staff members worked collaboratively to align their Units of Inquiry and this year we are excited to be able to roll it all out. As an IB PYP school, all our units of Inquiry fall under one of six Transdisciplinary Themes. Our first theme of the school year is:
Who We Are
An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.
Each grade level team looked at their Science and Social Studies standards and determined which theme their standards fit under best. Through this process, classroom teachers found connections and overlap with their curriculum and that of other grade levels. This started the conversation around how amazing it would be to align their Units of Inquiry with those of other grade levels allowing for more collaborative conversations within our PLC’s and during other collaborative times throughout the school year. Below you will see our first Units of Inquiry within each grade level as well as the progression of their Central Ideas. We are excited to be able to share for the first time some of the hard work that we worked on last school year. If you are in the building please be sure to check out our PYP board that will be growing throughout the unit with pictures, student work, and documentation of all the amazing work that is happening within each classroom here at Skyline!
Kindergarten
Friendships are important in our lives.
1st Grade
Families long ago and today have similarities and differences.
2nd Grade
Communities function to meet the wants and needs of its members.
3rd Grade
Early cities can be better understood by learning about diverse historical figures.
4th and 5th Grade
Human migration is a response to human circumstances, challenges, risks, and opportunities
Library/ Technology
It's Time for the Pumpkins!
Students can start bringing in pumpkins on Monday!
They may bring in their pumpkin characters any day, October 21-25. All pumpkins will go home on October 30.
The pumpkins are here!! It's time for the first-ever Skyline Storybook Pumpkin Parade. Any student, K-8, is invited to participate. Just think of your favorite BOOK character and create the main character on a pumpkin. Pumpkins must not be carved or punctured (due to mold and small critters) or a fake pumpkin can be used.
Student Success Act
MARIMBAS FOR SKYLINE STUDENTS
Skyline students need one to one instrumentation for Music Class to learn rhythm, melody, harmony and ensemble musicianship. Marimbas can be played by all students K-8. They are simple enough for a young student and complex enough for older students. Music is fun, interesting and challenging when all students have an instrument to play in the Marimba Ensemble!
Help us raise $5,000 for a full classroom set of Marimbas. Make check donation out to Skyline PTA and deliver to the front office - Thank you for your generosity to Skyline Music Students!
Further Questions? Please email sbarten@pps.net
Watch our amazing students!
2019-20 Eighth Grade Information Nights
Dear families,
Eighth-grade students in Portland Public Schools will have a chance to see their future high schools when informational sessions are held throughout the district from October to January. Neighborhood, focus-option and alternative high schools will give students and families the opportunity to tour the campus, meet staff and learn more about the academic and athletic programs offered. The different nights are listed below and if you have questions please reach out to the high schools.
Benson Polytechnic High School
Tuesday, Oct. 22nd 6-8 p.m.
Tech Show, April 16 & 17, 2020 6-9 p.m.
Cleveland High School
“Bridging the Gap”
Thursday, Dec. 12, 7-9 p.m.
“Discover Franklin” High School
Wednesday, Dec. 4th, 6-8:30 p.m.
Grant High School
Thursday, Nov. 14th 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Jefferson HS-Middle College for Advanced Studies
Wednesday, Oct. 30th, 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19th, 6-8 p.m.
Lincoln High School
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6-8 p.m.
Madison High School
Tuesday, Nov. 5th 6:15 – 8 p.m.
Metropolitan Learning Center
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 6-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 14, 6-7:30 p.m.
Roosevelt High School
Tuesday, Nov. 19th, 6-8pm
Wilson High School
Wednesday, Nov. 6th 6-9 p.m.
Timeline
Lottery/Transfer Application Timelines for the 2020-21 School Year:
- Middle & High School applications available November 5-December 3
- K-5 applications available February 5-March 6
FREE/ REDUCED PRICE MEAL BENEFITS – STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
While the Nutrition Services department has processed almost 4,000 applications for free/reduced-price meal benefits for families, we are still missing quite a few from those who were eligible last year. On October 10, all families who were eligible last school year (2018-19) and did not reapply this school year, switched from free/reduced status to paid status. Overall, the district percentage dropped 5% in one day from those who had benefits last year but did not reapply this year. It is not too late! You can still encourage families to apply, as they can apply at any time. Please note that the USDA Child Nutrition Programs are not subject to the “Public Charge” and will not jeopardize anyone’s immigration status.
From the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Website: Any benefits not listed not in the rule are excluded from consideration. Notably, the rule does not include consideration of emergency medical assistance, disaster relief, national school lunch programs, foster care and adoption, student and mortgage loans, energy assistance, food pantries, and homeless shelters and Head Start.
Please contact our department for further support: mealbenefits@pps.net or 503-916-3402
Whitney Ellersick, Senior Director, Nutrition Services
x63276 wellersi@pps.net
To All Bus Riders Affected by the Cornelius Pass Road Closure.
Cornelius Pass will be open on Monday, October 21 and our buses will be back to their more usual schedule then. The bus drivers are handing out schedules to their riders in am and pm and I hope you have received them. Please look over the schedules for time changes and remember there is a 5-10 minutes window either way on bus arrival time. The new schedules will be posted on the PPS website on Monday. If you have more questions, please contact transportation at this link for schedule by bus number:
or this link to find by home address:
Route and Schedule by Home Address
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to the new routes.
Parent Education Guest Speaker Series
(1) Wednesday, November 6, 2019
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Skyline’s library
“How to Talk With Kids About Sex & Sexuality” with Elona Landau, Certified Sexuality Educator.
*This workshop is for adults, only (infants, however, are welcome).
(2) Tuesday, November 19, 2019
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Skyline’s library
“Building Resilience in School-Age Children” with Kim DeMarchi, M.Ed., Certified Parent Educator, Certified Family Coach & Speaker
(3) Wednesday, December 18, 2019
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Skyline’s library
“How to Prepare for an Earthquake at School and Home, and as a Community” with Lydia LedgerwoodEberlein & Steven Eberlein of Tipping Point Resilience
All Parent Education Guest Speakers are free! And PTA will provide FREE childcare + pizza dinner for the kids in the cafeteria. Please RSVP for childcare by sending an email to me at: skylineschoolpta@gmail.com. First, drop your child/ren off in the cafeteria, and then proceed to the library. We’ll look forward to seeing you!
Skyline Community Partnership Fundraising Events 2019-2020
Skyline Community Partnership Fundraising Events 2019-2020
Please support these businesses who are donating a portion of their profits back to our school. Enjoy the best of local food, shopping & entertainment and raise funds for our PTA! Questions? Contact Nicole - nicoleoanderson@gmail.com
Skyline + Bella Organic Pumpkin Patch
Corn Maze ticket fundraiser
early September thru October 31
16205 NW Gillihan Rd., Sauvie Island
Purchase corn maze tickets through Skyline School and Bella Organic will give 50% of sales back to our PTA. Contact Nicole Anderson at nicoleoanderson@gmail.com / 614-975-9942 to arrange ticket pickup at school. Checks may be made to Skyline School PTA or pay via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/skylinepta and type "corn maze" in notes.
Adult tickets: $8
Children 6-12: $6
Seniors 65+: $6
Under 5 free, no ticket needed
Note: Haunted corn maze tickets are sold through Bella Organic. Our fundraiser is for the family corn maze only. The 2019 maze theme is Equality: The Time Is Now. Please visit Bella Organic's web site for corn maze hours and a listing of their fall activities: https://bellaorganic.com
Skyline + Bethany Public House
Sunday, November 3 - 10am-9pm (brunch, lunch AND dinner!)
4840 NW Bethany Blvd., 97229
Bethany Public House will give back 15% of Skyline community food & drink sales back to our PTA. Show the attached flyer on your phone or bring to the restaurant!
Skyline + Mapel Boutique Bethany Village
Wednesday, November 13, 6-8 pm
4768 NW Bethany Blvd C-8
Skyline ladies shopping night out! Mapel will provide drinks and sweets with 20% of Skyline sales going back to the PTA. Free gift with $75 purchase. Stock up on holiday gifts! Flyer and more details to come.
Skyline + Piccolo Mondo Toy Store Bethany Village
Monday, Nov. 11 - Sunday, Nov. 17
4768 NW Bethany Blvd. C5, 97229
This local toy store is once again supporting local schools by offering 15% of sales back to our PTA. Simply shop their fabulous toy selection and at checkout, they will ask you if you support a school. No need to bring a flyer. Their staff is always very helpful and they offer FREE gift wrap at the time of purchase! Phone orders count too, please see attached flyer for more details.
Backpack Program
Hello Skyline Families –
Our wonderful school has an important program that helps fellow Skyline families that are in need of grocery help.
Usually, we get our food for the Backpack program from Sunshine Pantry in Beaverton. Sadly, they are in the midst of moving facilities and cannot help us right now.
I am asking that you, our awesome families, help us out until we can resume our regular food pick up.
I ask that you drop non-perishables at the school near the office. We are looking for pasta, sauce, fruit cups or squeezes, cereals, beans, veggies, canned meats. Anything your family would consume can be donated. Remember shelf-stable foods only.
Thank you,
Liz Ascher
Backpack Program Chair
Foundation Information
1. What does the money raised from Foundation pay for at Skyline?
A: The money we raise can only go directly to pay for (FTE) Full-Time Equivalent employees or staff.
2. How much support did Skyline staffing get for our current school year?
A: Last year’s auction raised enough to support .75 of an FTE and .45 of an (EA) Educational Assistant.
3. What are the ways I can donate to the Foundation?
A: You can sign up to donate online through fundforpps.org as a one-time or monthly giving, write a check made to “fund for pps” (memo -skyline), or come and support the auction in the spring!
4. Who are the members of the board and how can I contact them?
A: Our board members are:
Tiffani Torgeson – chair – torgesontiffani@gmail.com
Liz Ascher – co-chair – leezard85@yahoo.com
Erika Gustafson – secretary – emacy.gustafson@gmail.com
Michelle Ruppelt – interim treasurer – ruppeltfamily@yahoo.com
Morgan Bors – auction chair – skylineauction@gmail.com
Volunteers Needed with the Skyline Soccer Club
Soccer is a team sport and so is running the Skyline Soccer Club (SSC). SSC is a volunteer-run organization, with volunteer coaches and board members. We are always in need of volunteers.
Currently we are actively seeking new board members who can help the club administratively update the website, help with registration and communicate with members. There are also short-term responsibilities available (help promote Spring registration, deliver equipment, etc)
If you are interested in serving on our board of directors or getting involved in any way, please contact Alissa skylinesoccerclub@gmail.com
The Rock Dojo Guitar After School Program
Have a kid interested in learning guitar? Look no further! Rock Dojo's stellar after school enrichment program is coming to Skyline!
The 8 weeks of classes will be on Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m., Oct. 23-Dec.18, in our music room. Register online here: https://rockdojo.org/find-a-guitar-lesson-class/
Scholarships are available through PROWUS: http://www.prowus.org/scholarships-1
Kids are to supply their own guitars. Go here to learn more: https://rockdojo.org/find-the-best-guitar-deal-for-you/
Skyline Wrestling
Hello Wrestlers!
I hope you have been well and putting 100% in Fall Sports.
We have exciting news for this Wrestling season 2019 and I can’t wait to share them with you!
First I am so happy to confirm that practices will be again held in our Skyline Gymnasium.
M - W - F/ 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
Secondly, REGISTRATION is now OPEN and LIVE.
Please click on the link below to fill out paperwork and submit payment. Both are DUE NOVEMBER 18th, first day of practice!
https://www.lincolnathletics.com/page/show/2215835?referrer_id=
Middle school wrestlers need to process through Family ID for registration/ forms and School Pay for payment.
Elementary school wrestlers (Rick Sanders Mat Club) need to print out forms, filled them out (especially medical release form), bring cash/ check made out to Lincoln Wrestling/ Rick Sanders Mat Club for $150 and turn them in to me.
Share this information with friends! Our numbers were great last year and this year is going to be better!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
I am here to help you.
Go Cards!
Wendy Hendren
Lincoln Youth Wrestling Cluster Coordinator