Skyline K-8 News
October 5, 2019
From the Principal
Tuesday's Staff Meeting was hosted in Maestra Isa’s Room, beginning with a Teacher Trick shared by Maestra Isa. Thanks, Maestra Isa! Thank you to Nicole Anderson for providing us with yummy snacks. We appreciate you!
On Wednesday morning we had our BUS STOPPS (S.T.O.P.P.S. = Safety Training of Pupils in Portland Schools) Drill. Our staff and students did an amazing job! After our bus drill, our Kindergarten and First-grade students had vision and hearing screening testing and third-grade students had vision screening.
Katie Melcher, our MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) came and presented at our staff meeting on Tier 2 Behavior Interventions. The five Tier 2 interventions supported by PPS are 1) Check in Check Out, 2) Breaks are Better, 3) Meaningful Work, 4) Social-Emotional Skills Lessons/Groups, 5) Check & Connect. It was an awesome professional development and our staff look forward to helping set all of our students up for success.
Thank you to everyone who came to Back to School Night. It was so nice to see all of you and your commitment to your child(ren)’s education. We hope you enjoyed getting to know our staff better and seeing student work, assessments, learning about curriculum/year longs plans and finding our teachers’ WHY! We loved hearing positive feedback from the event, "Mrs. Porter did so awesome! She had the kids sitting together singing songs, showed us things they do in class that were so cute, gave us ideas for home. It was amazing!!!"
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 on October 24th and 25th. To learn more about MTSS, please check out the MTSS district website https://www.pps.net/domain/5007.
We would love to continue having volunteers during K-2 lunch/recess from 11:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. Miss Debbi has a sign-up sheet in the main office with opportunities through December. Please contact her if you're interested in volunteering. Thank you in advance.
Our PBIS/Climate Committee is looking for one more parent to join the team for meetings from 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. on October 30, December 18, January 29, February 26, April 29 and May 27. If you are interested in being on the committee, please email Miss Allie at apenix@pps.net.
Site Council elections took place in the library on Back to School Night for our 3rd and 4th parent spot on Thursday night. Congratulations to Ericka Gustafson and Shannon Sivell. Our parents will be represented by Ericka Gustafson, Shannon Sivell, Sarah Coleman and Shannon Garcia-Shinn. Our teacher representatives are Tom Myers, Jet Griffith, Julie Melton and Amy Tilt. Our first Site Council meeting is October 16 at 3:30 p.m. in the library. We will be voting on a Site Council Secretary and Site Council Chair at our first meeting. Our first agenda will include reviewing student assessment data and results from our Successful Schools Survey to help draft our 2019-20 Portland Public Schools School Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP).
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
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 and economies develop based on resources and people.
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
Counselor's Corner
Happy October Everyone! I spent the first month of school working on our 2019-20 PBIS systems, which included things such as our Expectations Teaching and rolling out our new Golden Eagle ticket process. Our new process is that three tickets from each grade level/class are drawn each Friday, and those students are able to earn incentives the following Monday. Starting the week of 10/7 we will have an “Incentive Menu” that students can choose off of and it includes things such as “lunch with a teacher” pass, extra recess, small prizes, etc..
Starting next week I will begin teaching weekly lessons in K - 5, and I am so excited to finally get into the classrooms! As I discussed at Back-to-School Night I will primarily be focusing my lessons on problem-solving, self-regulation and emotional awareness (through the Zones of Regulation curriculum), and later in the year, I will focus on things such as empathy and kindness.
October is also National Bullying Prevention Month, and next week during Family Groups our students will participate in a national PBIS bullying prevention curriculum called “Stop Walk Talk”. Students will learn that they can use a 3-step method of telling someone to stop if they are being bothered, walk away if the problem continues, and then talk to an adult if the issue is still not resolved. We will also be creating a “Unity Chain” that will be presented at our October 23rd IB Assembly.
If you have any questions or would like to contact me you can reach me at apenix@pps.net, or call the main office and ask for Ms. Allie Penix. I am very much looking forward to getting to know all of your children as the year goes on!
NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE
Monday:.
Weekly Office Meeting 10:00a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
IB/PLC Debrief Meeting 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday:
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.
Wednesday:
SIT Committee Meeting 7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. in the library
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:
Leadership Institute All Day - Melissa Dunn 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:
NO SCHOOL - STATEWIDE INSERVICE
Upcoming Events
October
7- *Clothing Closet Volunteer Day (Marshall HS)
11- Statewide In-Service No School
16-Site Council Meeting
3:30-4:30 PM
17- *PTA Meeting, 6:00 PM
Foundation Meeting,
7:00 PM
20-25 6th Grade Outdoor School
21-30 Storybook Pumpkins
23- IB Assembly- Caring, 8:45-9:15 AM
23- Pastries with the Principal 9:15-10:00 AM
28- Picture Re-take Day
*PTA Sponsored Event
Library/ Technology
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.
Students have been asked not to bring in pumpkin characters before October 21. They may bring in their pumpkin characters any day, October 21-25. All pumpkins will go home October 30.
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.
PTA News
Kick off the winter season with FRESH baked cookies! This year the fundraiser will run from October 4-18. Order forms will go home with students this week and are due on Friday, October 18. Last year, this was PTA’s most successful general fundraiser in large part because parents and guardians took order forms to work with them! It’s as easy as 1-2-3; leave the form in a common area on a Monday and return on Friday to find that the form’s been filled! Woohoo! Extra forms can be found outside the main office, next to the volunteer/visitor sign-in computer.
Please leave the completed order forms in the main office. Money must be collected and submitted with the order form on or before October 18. The cookie dough is generally delivered a few weeks after we submit our entire order. Please contact Maria Nguyen (mtnguyen149@gmail.com) with questions and be sure to thank her for running this fundraiser again this year!
Skyline + PTA Clothing Center
Monday, October 7
9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
3905 SE 91st Ave., Room B-60
The Portland Council PTA Clothing Center's sole purpose since 1964 has been to furnish age-appropriate clothing for any child who needs it. This helps to improve self-esteem, academic success, and regular class attendance. Skyline's day at the Clothing Center is THIS coming Monday, October 7! The Closet will depend on us to provide 5-6 volunteers in order to keep it running. Who is in? This opportunity is open to anyone who has been cleared to volunteer through PPS!
Please sign up to volunteer, here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c44a9a92aa2f85-ptaclothing6
SAVE THE DATE! Skyline will provide volunteers again on Thursday, March 19 from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., at PPS Clothing Closet, 3905 SE 91st Ave., Room B-60.
PTA Family Movie Nights
SAVE THE DATE! Morgan Bors has graciously agreed to organize a movie night on Friday, December 13 from 6-8 p.m. Come in pj’s and enjoy the show!
Call for Executive Board Member Nominations!
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!
With Kindness,
Clarissa Kearns Skyline PTA President
Join PTA’s Closed Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SkylineSchool/
Join PTA: https://skylineschoolpta.com/about-pta/
Fill out a Volunteer Interest Form: https://skylineschoolpta.com/schoolforms/
Skyline Community Partnership Fundraising Events 2019-2020
Skyline + Papa's Pizza
Wednesday, October 9
15700 NW Blueridge Dr., Beaverton (near Nike campus)
50% of sales back to Skyline School! Enjoy yummy pizza and indoor kids play area at Papa's Pizza in Beaverton on October 9. Make dinner easy and tire the kids out! Thank you for supporting this local business. Mention Skyline School or show the attached flyer on your phone, no physical flyer needed.
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
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
Coding with Kids
Dear Parents,
Please note that the starting date for the Coding with Kids class at your child's school has been postponed by two weeks (see new date above). Currently, there are not enough students to conduct the class. We will be doing more active outreach with the school and the school district to ensure the minimum number of students is met.
In the interim, please share our coding opportunity and this registration link with your child's friends. It would be more fun for your child if his/her friends join, and that will help ensure the class runs as scheduled!
Once the class starts, you will receive a $20 refund to your credit card since we are reducing the number of classes from 8 to 7 weeks. In the unlikely event that the class is unable to run, we will provide you with a full refund.
We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience but look forward to welcoming your child in a couple of weeks!
Best,
Sunshine Navarro Shively
Regional Manager, Portland-Metro
Mad Science After School Classes
Thursdays, October 10-November 14
Mad Science will be offering a class for students in K-5 called "Planes, Cranes & Awesomemobiles." It's a 6-week program on Thursdays; it will run from Thursday, October 10, 2019 to Thursday, November 14, 2019, from 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM in Room 209.
Click here to register!
https://register.madscience.org/portland/afterschool-register.aspx?action=search&org=1048
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