Stoller Weekly
September 27th, 2019
Calendar it...
- Tuesday, October 1st from 6 - 7:30pm - PTO Meeting in the Stoller Library
- Monday, October 7th from 6:30 - 8pm - Student Success Act Community Conversation (see article below)
- Tuesday, October 8th from 9:15 - 11am - Art Lit Training in the Art Lit Room
- Friday, October 11th - No School for Students/Staff Development Day
- Monday, October 14th - Stoller Scholastic Book Fair (see article below)
- Tuesday, October 15th - Lost and Found Pickup (see article below)
- Tuesday, October 15th - Stoller Scholastic Book Fair (see article below)
- Wednesday, October 16th - Fall Conferences (in the evening)
- Wednesday, October 16th - Stoller Scholastic Book Fair (see article below)
- Thursday, October 17th - Fall Conferences/No School for Students
- Thursday, October 17th - Stoller Scholastic Book Fair (see article below)
- Friday, October 18th - No School for Students
- Friday, October 18th - Chromebook Insurance Deadline
Important News and Upcoming Events
Cell Phone Policy Reminder
Starting Monday, September 30th Stoller’s cell phone and headphone policy enters its last phase. Students with phones and headphones out, in ears, in sight, or being used will be asked to deliver their device to the Main Office and parents will be required to pick up the device.
Student Success Act
Speak Up 4 Student Success: HB 3427 - Student Success Act
The Oregon Legislature passed and the Governor signed the $2 billion Student Success Act (HB 3427) in Spring 2019. This is an historic and much needed investment in K-12 schools. The Beaverton School District could be able to access an estimated $34 million per year through a state application process.
School districts are required to apply for funds, and must engage their community in a needs assessment process prior to the application for funds. We will host a series of Community Conversations - Speak Up 4 Student Success in several locations throughout the BSD. Schools will also be engaging their communities in these conversations during September and October.
Please join us to talk about what student success looks like in the Beaverton School District? What is going well in Beaverton schools? What areas/services/programs could we improve?
Your voice matters! We welcome your perspective and opinion.
Speak Up 4 Student Success Community Conversations offered in English & Spanish:
· Monday, October 7, 2019 at Stoller Middle School, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
· Monday, October 21, 2019 at Aloha High School, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (Budget Listening & Learning Session) For more information, and to complete a BSD Needs Survey, please visit the Student Success Act webpage.
Maker Space Donations
Are you looking for somewhere to recycle items you no longer need? The Stoller Maker Space is the perfect place to donate unused, everyday, ordinary items. We only ask that these items are usable and clean.
Students are welcome to drop off these items at our Maker Space Drop-Off in front of Stoller's Maker Space. The Maker Space is located at the entrance of Blue Hall in the Lower Forum. Your donated items will be organized and then made available to teachers and students for class projects and activities.
Currently, a 6th grade team is looking for some Maker Supplies for an Engineering Design project. They are in need of straws, tooth picks, pipe cleaners, solo cups, string, clothes pins, paper plates and bowls. Additionally, a 7th grade team is looking for some Maker Supplies for a Stop Motion Animation project. They are looking for Play Doh and no longer wanted LEGO pieces. Especially the LEGO mini figs.
The Maker Space Supply Drop-Off is open all year and we will update you with student projects and specific supply needs.
TAG Information
Every year all students are considered for identification as Talented and Gifted in the Beaverton School District. Oregon law and District policy define gifted students as those who score at or above the 97th percentile on a standardized, nationally normed test of mental ability and/or academic achievement. Behavioral, learning, and/or performance information is also considered before a student is identified for TAG services. These services are provided by your child's classroom teacher(s). The BTSN informative presentation can be found HERE.
If you think your child might qualify by exhibiting qualities that typically are used to describe giftedness, you may wish to complete a Parent Information Form which can be picked up from the main office. Completing this form gives our school TAG committee more information about your child, but it is not required. All qualified students will be considered regardless of form completion. Completing this form does not guarantee that you child will be tested.
The Parent Information Form must be completed and returned to the TAG facilitator, 6th Grade: Trish Kelley & 7th/8th Grade: Aleah Steinzeig, or the Main Office.
Scholastic Book Fair
Stoller Scholastic Bookfair coming the week of October 14-17! Detailed information about hours and volunteer opportunities coming soon!
(Click on Stoller Clubs above to visit our Clubs Page on the Stoller Website)
Badminton Club
Last Reminder...
Is your child interested in improving their badminton skills and playing challenging games? What a great way to start the day!
Session One of Badminton Club starts the week of September 30th and the cost is $35. Detailed information about the dates and times may be found on the Badminton Session One - Parent Permission Form 2019-2020 (also available in the Main Office).
Online: Pay online at https://or-beaverton.intouchreceipting.com. Complete registration form and turn in to the Main Office.
Check: Make checks payable to Stoller Middle School and staple to the registration form. Turn in registration form and check to the Main Office.
No Cash Accepted
Current Events Club
The Current Events Club will be an environment where people can share their respectful opinions on a variety of topics, similar to a debate club. This club will meet on Wednesdays from 4 - 5pm in room B9 beginning October 2nd. If your child is interested, please have them fill out a Current Events Club Parent Permission Form 2019-2020 (also available in the Main Office) and turn it in to the Main Office.
*Please note that this club meets on Wednesdays and there is no Activity Bus on Wednesdays.
Earth Advocates Club
Stoller is looking for passionate students who want to make a difference. In Earth Advocates you can make your voice heard, share ideas on how to build a sustainable future, and work with others who feel as passionate about the earth as you do. The Earth Advocates, learn fun skills like gardening, composting, community outreach and apply their creativity to solve local and global problems. We meet every Tuesday from 4 - 5 pm, beginning September 24th. Space is limited, turn in your permission form to the Main Office.
Earth Advocates Parent Permission Form 2019-20 (forms also available in the Main Office)
There is a club fee of $20 which covers a t-shirt and snacks.
Online: Pay online at https://or-beaverton.intouchreceipting.com. Complete registration form and turn in to the Main Office.
Check: Make checks payable to Stoller Middle School and staple to the registration form. Turn in registration form and check to the Main Office.
No Cash Accepted
*Important - See article below about After School Activity Bus (service does not start until October 22nd)
Tinkering Club
3D printing, scratch and coding. If your child is interested in making something cool, this is the place! The Tinkering Club will meet on Tuesdays from 4 - 5pm in room U2 beginning October 15th. Space is limited, turn in your permission form to the Main Office.
Tinkering Club Parent Permission Form 2019-2020 (forms also available in the Main Office)
*Important - See article below about After School Activity Bus (service does not start until October 22nd)
After School Activity Bus
Last Reminder...
Stoller Middle School has an activity bus available on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school for current bus riders. There is no activity bus service for students living in the Walk Zone.
Middle and high school after school activities buses will feature “transit style” bus routes for students. Students will be assigned stops within ½ mile of their homes. All stops will allow students to utilize sidewalks and not have to cross busy streets. The majority of stops will be located near major housing areas (apartments, community centers or neighborhood elementary schools). The advantage to having assigned stops is the ability for parents to access the My Stop App to track their child’s bus.
After School Activity Bus Form
Please note that this bus service will not start up until October 22nd. You will need to make other transportation arrangements until October 22nd.
Academic Competitions
AMC 8
The AMC8 is a national contest and will be held at Stoller on November 12th. Location and time will be announced in a future newsletter. This contest is designed for high-achieving and highly-competitive Mathematics students. Interested students should let their current Math teacher know that they would like to participate. Interested students will be asked to take a practice test. Registration will be confirmed with the student in early November.
Please work with your student to establish realistic goals before they choose to take the official test. Students may instead choose to take the test unofficially and score their own work in a non-competitive setting.
Practice materials for The AMC8 can be found here.
Please contact Mr. Nelson directly should you have any questions and/or concerns.
History Bowl/Bee - Information Session
Interested in history? Enjoy team work? Excited about buzzer based competition? Welcome to History Bowl/Bee competition. Stoller MS has a long tradition of participating and excelling in these competitions. Some past participants have won national and international titles. You're welcome to join an open information session, learning about these competitions, how to prepare and participate, and connect with others to form a team and share tips.
Please join the open information session on Friday, September 27th from 7 - 8 PM at the TVFR 68 community room (13545 NW Evergreen St, Portland, OR 97229). We hope to see you there! Both students and parents are welcome! Any questions, please contact Anne Hao (annehao@gmail.com)
MATHCOUNTS
MATHCOUNTS is a National Math Contest where students compete individually and as a team. A total of 10 students from a school can participate, with four being on the official team and 6 as individuals. On Thursday, October 3rd at 8:00 AM, the initial qualifying test will be administered in Orange Hall. Students interested in trying out should contact their Math teacher directly before October 2nd. The top 25 students will be selected to participate in the school qualifying rounds, which will be held every Thursday morning from 8:15 - 9:05 AM in Mr. Nelson’s room (D6). Just before Thanksgiving the top 25 will be narrowed down to the top 10 students that will represent Stoller at the Regional Contest in February.
Practice materials for MATHCOUNTS can be found here
Please contact Mr. Nelson directly should you have any questions and/or concerns.
School Volunteer Opportunities
Art Lit - Volunteers Needed
Volunteers like YOU make Art Lit at Stoller happen!
Join us for this opportunity to enrich your child’s classroom experience with art history lessons and hands-on art projects. Art backgrounds are not needed, just an interest in spending a day helping the kids tap into their creativity!
We especially need 6th grade parents!
Contact Chandra Innes at stollerptoartlit@gmail.com
Art Lit Training
Please join us for our first Art Lit training on
Tuesday, Oct. 8th @ 9:15am
Contact Chandra Innes for more information: stollerptoartlit@gmail.com
AVID - Volunteer Opportunity
Last Reminder...
Are you, a family member, or friend looking for a volunteer opportunity or want to find a way to support youth and Stoller? If so, check out the opportunity to be an AVID tutor. Check out this flyer for more information.
District News/Resources for Parents
Canvas for Parents
Last Reminder...
Did you know...Beaverton School District parents can create their own Canvas Parent Observer Accounts.
The Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) is used by many middle and high school teachers as an extension to in-class instruction. Teachers using Canvas can post assignments, give feedback, and communicate with students.
Parents or guardians do not need a Canvas account to monitor student progress, you can continue to use ParentVUE; however, you can create a Canvas account to view more detailed assignment information, view feedback and communicate with the teacher.
Think of Canvas as a virtual backpack, giving you a look at the day-to-day assignments. ParentVUE will still be the source for attendance and permanent record grades.
Visit the BSD Canvas webpage to learn more about how to create your own Canvas account, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
Free Food Market
Questions?
Contact Oregon Food Bank
(503) 282-0555
Meal Benefits
Nutrition Services information is easier to access this year, and we have lots of cool information to share!
Click on the link below to go to SchoolCafe, and see all the things that you can do:
https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/nutrition-services/meals/schoolcafe
All you need is your student’s ID number. If you don’t have that, you can call your school office
or the Meal Benefits line (503-356-3957). Here are some of your options in SchoolCafe:
- Create an account
- Apply for Meal Benefits
- View and print Meal Benefits letters
- See what items your student is getting in the cafeteria.
- Check your student’s account balance.
- View cafeteria menus
- Set up low balance alerts
- Set up auto-pay (when balance gets to an amount that YOU set, the account is replenished from your credit card)
SchoolCafe can provide amazing amounts of information!
If you do not have access to a computer, you can also apply for Meal Benefits on paper. Applications are available in every school office and cafeteria.
If you have questions or need help, please call Laurie Bishop at Meal Benefits, (503)356-3957 or email us at NS-MealBenefits@beaverton.k12.or.us.
Learning Options
The Beaverton School District is nationally recognized for high student achievement and innovative programs. Beaverton students in grades 6-12 have the opportunity to investigate learning options that best fit their academic needs. Students can choose their neighborhood school, or apply for one of a number of Learning Option Programs. Transportation is provided.
Applications for the 2020-2021 school year will be available starting Monday, October 14, 2019. Please do some early investigation of the Learning Options Programs online and plan to attend one or more of the open houses that are available. Students may only select one option on their application.
All applicants must reside within the Beaverton School District boundaries. Beginning October 14, current Beaverton School District students are able to apply online using their BSD student ID. Resident students not currently attending a Beaverton school will need to complete a paper application available online, or at any school office beginning October 14, 2019. Applicants who do not have Internet access may also complete a paper application available at any school office. Please give careful consideration to your choice of school. Once an application has been submitted, no changes will be allowed.
Applications must be received no later than Friday, December 6, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. (PST).
OFFICE OF LEARNING OPTIONS
Information Line: 503.356.4440 • FAX: 503.356.4415
Mon., October 14, 2019 ------- Applications for the 2019-2020 school year will be available.
Fri., December 6, 2019 ------- Applications due no later than 4:00 p.m. PST.
Wed., December 11, 2019 ------- Electronic Lottery conducted for the 2020-21 School Year.
Acceptance or wait pool notifications will be sent via email.
Students who are not selected via the lottery will be emailed a Second Consideration application for the school for which they applied where applicable.
Thurs., January 9, 2020 ------- Second Consideration applications due to schools.
Wed., January 29, 2020 ------- Deadline to accept/decline enrollment – by 4:00 p.m. PST
Visit the District Website for more information and Open House dates.
Lost and Found
Stoller Middle School
Website: https://stoller.beaverton.k12.or.us/
Location: 14141 Northwest Laidlaw Road, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: 503-356-2680
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stollermiddle/
Twitter: @StollerPOWER1