Black Bear Bits
December 11, 2020
Important Dates
12/16: Family Affinity Session for families of students who receive ELD Services
12/21-1/1: Winter Break (No Meal Service)
12/22: PTA Restaurant Night at Tualatin Belagios ALL DAY
From the Principal’s Office:
Hello Black Bear Families,
This time of year we take time to reflect on what we are thankful for. I am taking this opportunity to share what I am thankful for with all of you. I am thankful to be the principal at Tualatin Elementary and have an opportunity to work alongside some of the very best students, families, educators and staff. I am continually impressed with the dedication and support within our community during this time while students are learning at home. I will also be very thankful for the day we are able to safely return to campus. I am proud to work alongside our staff and families as we learn how to best support distance learning. Tualatin Elementary students would not experience the highest level of success while learning at home without this level of support and partnership.
I am excited to share that we have filled two recent positions that have been open, and also hired for our new Literacy Specialist-Title I Coordinator. We welcomed Suzanne Fuoco to Tualatin Elementary earlier this fall as our new school nurse. She comes to us through our partnership with the Northwest Regional Education Service District, NWRESD. She has been a positive addition as we work to support students and families, and understand current needs during this time. I am also happy to introduce the new English Language Learner Assistant, Laura Valdovinos. She has been working in a local preschool recently and is a former Tualatin Elementary student. She is a dedicated Tualatin Elementary community member and is a natural educator. We are thrilled to have her join our school as a staff member.
I am also able to announce our new literacy specialist-Title I coordinator. Janell Cooke is returning to Tualatin Elementary after working in our school district’s Teaching and Learning Department as a reading specialist. Many of you may remember her as a former teacher with experience in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades since 2007 at Tualatin Elementary. We feel very fortunate to be able to fill the position that Christy Shaver has been in for almost 15 years. We will miss Christy a great deal, and feel fortunate to be in good hands as we transition Janell into this role.
To all our students, families and staff, I wish you all a safe, healthy and happy winter holiday season. Enjoy the upcoming winter break that starts on December 21st and goes through January 1st. We start school again on January 4th, 2021.
Warm Wishes,
Mr. Kingery, principal
Suzanne Fuoco-School Nurse
Laura Valdovinos-ELL Assistant
Janell Cooke-Literacy Specialist-Title I Coordinator
PTA Restaurant Night
PTA Teacher Experiences Still Available
Do your kids want to hang out with their friends and teacher for fun time?! There are still some openings for virtual teacher experiences! Purchase price is $25 and proceeds support the Tualatin Elementary PTA, who in turn supports Tualatin Elementary!
- Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Soderquist & Mrs. Yamanaka - December 14th at 3:00 p.m. - FULL
- Crazy Costume Bingo with Ms. LePore - December 17th at 4:00 p.m. 5 spots remaining
- Lunch Bunch with Mrs. Harris - December 13th at 12:00 p.m. 7 spots remaining
- Lunch Bunch with Mrs. Harris - December 13th at 12:35 p.m. 5 spots remaining
- Story time with Mr. Kingery - flexible dates/times 6 spots remaining
- Mario Kart 8 race with Ms. Leni - December 12th at 2:00 p.m. 2 spots remaining
- Movin’ and Groovin’ Workout with 2nd grade team - March 9th at 2:45 p.m. 19 spots remaining
- Brunch Bonanza with Mrs. Hinkle (1st-5th grades-Donuts, hot cocoa, games, art, music and special talent by our very own Black Bears! It'll be a B(r)unch of fun!) - December 21st 10:00 a.m. 20 spots remaining
SIgn up for experiences here: https://tualatinelementarypta.schoolauction.net/auction2020/catalog
PAX Paw Time Coming Soon!
We are so excited to announce our virtual PAX paw prize time on Thursday 12/17 from 12:30-1:00 p.m.! Black bears are PAX leaders when they are:
We are so proud of how hard our students are working right now, and are so excited to celebrate all of our PAX leaders! Many of the details will be similar to our past PAX paw times--students will get to choose an activity that they'd like to do with a staff member--then they'll be given the google link to join the activity. While we know we may stumble through our first virtual PAX paw time, we also think it will be a super fun school event!
Look for more information from your student's classroom teacher!
Tualatin PTA Thanks You for your Support!
The gross receipts are in from the auction and so far we have earned $11,655.
If you are in need of charitable donations for your taxes this year, the PTA welcomes your tax-deductible donations here, using the donation button: http://www.tualatinelementarypta.org/
Game Time!
We have an exciting new opportunity for our students. We have heard from many families that kids are wanting to see and socialize with their friends. It is so hard to meet all the social needs of our kids in this virtual world, and we have one idea that hopefully provides some fun, socialization, and a chance to see friends!
Each Wednesday, beginning December 2nd, students will have an opportunity to join a game group for 30 minutes. This time will be spent chatting and playing a game led by Jessica Zaiger, our EBS Instructional Assistant, or Erin Gillam, School Psychologist/Counselor. Your student will find a button on their classroom homepage that is a link to join this google meet!
Below you will find the times and specific links for each group. If you have any questions, please email Jessica at jzaiger@ttsd.k12.or.us or Erin at egillam@ttsd.k12.or.us
K/1st: 10:30-11:00. meet.google.com/ekw-qwue-eoz
2nd/3rd: 11:15-11:45. meet.google.com/xio-ftdx-ovo
4th/5th: 12:00-12:30. meet.google.com/dyb-txck-cwq
Social Emotional Learning: Responsible Decision Making
SEL news for the week of 12/7-12/11
Responsible Decision Making: Decision-making is the process of thinking through situations to make the best possible choices. Making decisions is something you do many times each day!
How is decision-making involved in everything you do?
Responsible Decision Making:
Analyze, Reflect, Repair
Family activity included in the attachments
Spread Compost-Spread Love
5th Grade Memory Book Tributes
Black Bears, let's celebrate our graduating 5th graders! Your tribute is to celebrate their accomplishments in elementary school, and cheer them on for the future!
You can do this by purchasing your $20 memory book, and a 5th grade tribute for $10.
All memory book payments can either:
1.)Go to http://www.tualatinelementarypta.org/ and use the “Donate” button on the bottom left hand side of the page for payment.
2.) Pay by Venmo @TualatinElementary-PTA. Write in the memo: Memory Book: students teacher, grade level, students first & last name.
Packed with Pride Delivery and Pick up Update
There will be changes to delivery and pick up during these upcoming holiday months.
• PWP will operate through 1st week of January and we are optimistic we can extend through March
• No deliveries on 12/26 or 1/2
• Pick up will be available to anyone, especially those that are usually delivered to:
- Wed, 12/23, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- Thurs, 12/31, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
See Calendar (attached)
Canvas Observer Training
- how to support your child?
- how to log in to the program?
- where you can see class assignment information?
- where you can see notifications from the teacher?
TTSD held a training for Canvas Observer answering those questions! Here are the links to the videos in English and Spanish.
Covid-19 Health and Safety Modifications
- Office hours are now 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. until further notice
- Doors to the building are locked. Access to the vestibule is suspended.
- If you need to pick something up from the school, please call the office to make an appointment for contactless pickup.
- We have a rolling cart outside the front office doors for contactless pick up and drop off. Feel free to leave library books or other items on this cart during office hours only.
- Please wear a mask on campus, even though you are not entering the building.
- If someone is already at the contactless pick up/drop off location, please stand back and wait for them to leave.
- If you need to contact the office, please call 503-431-4800.
- All TTSD campuses and playgrounds remain closed.
- Daily meal service will continue.
Packed With Pride Needs Your Help!
The FTTS sponsored program, Packed with Pride, has launched a campaign to support the continuation of the program through March 2021. The short term immediate need is to fund the program through December. Please take a moment to read about their mission and how you can help.
Tualatin Elementary School
Email: jkingery@ttsd.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.ttsdschools.org/tualatin
Location: 20405 SW 95th Ave
Phone: 503-431-4800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TualatinElementaryGarden/
Twitter: @TuES_BlackBears