The Howler Vol. 3
September 21st, 2022
A weekly newsletter for Grant Watts Elementary
Greetings Grants Watts Families!
Greetings Grants Watts Families!
We are so enjoying having the building filled with students learning, exploring, and getting to know each other at school. Thank you for sending us such amazing children and for supporting our teachers and staff. This is truly a great place to learn!
As many of you know, GWPO helped us create a garden behind our school last spring and we have enjoyed the beauty and harvest from the various beds. Our beloved counselor, Tami McDonald, was concerned that there would be nothing growing in the fall, and she snuck a few pumpkin and squash seeds around. We are now filled with pumpkins and it is a joy to watch the children observe them grow and change.
Have a wonderful week,
Principal Small
Counseling News
I will be working to support our Grant Watts students with classroom guidance lessons, lunch- bunch, small groups, and counseling support services-more information to come…
The beginning of any school year can be filled with mixed emotions-excitement, anxiety, trepidation, happiness-sometimes all at once! PLEASE, if your child is experiencing significant challenges as we get the school year rolling, or any time of the year, feel free to call Tami McDonald at 971-200-8002-or email me tmcdonald@scappoose.k12.or.us.
I'm looking forward to connecting with students in grades 1-3 who are new to our school over the next few weeks-checking on their transition to a new school and supporting them if needed.
Introducing Bailey Feakin, Mental Health Therapist
Hi there! My name is Bailey Feakin and I am a mental health therapist for Scappoose School District. This school year I am excited to be serving our Elementary schools at the K-3 level. I am currently located at Grant Watts Elementary on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and at Warren Elementary on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I specialize in Art Therapy, but my general therapeutic approach combines a variety of theories and modalities, including but not limited to trauma-informed, strengths-based, and client-centered approaches. I use my clients’ individual interests and strengths to find the best fit of what works well for them and adopt my approach to fit their needs using age appropriate methods that include, art-making, play, and interactive skill-building.
Library News
We are checking out books!!
CONGRATULATIONS SUMMER READING CHALLENGE WINNERS–prizes are coming home this week! GWE had the most readers in our 3 school Summer Reading Challenge–way to go!! Our first Monthly Reading Challenge will begin October 3rd–HAPPY READING!
BOOK CHECK OUT–the GWE students started checking out books this week. We talked about how to take care of books outside the library and how important it is to bring books back so our friends can have a turn to read them too!
BOOK RETURN–Library Days are Wednesday and Thursday at Grant Watts, but there are book return bins throughout the school where kids can drop their books in any day! Please make sure your books are in the bins by 8:15 am on your library day
Now that we are enjoying book check out, we can really use some help keeping our bookshelves in good working order. Please consider adopting a shelf or two in our library–we need help keeping our books in both Alpha (fiction/picture books/easy readers) and Dewey Order (nonfiction) Please consider volunteering in our amazing GWE library:https://forms.gle/LX7nQ7isFYsn8oy17
Keep reading Friends! ~ Mrs. Nudo
PE News
Coach Cole and Coach Bruno want to remind you ALL students attending GWE have Physical Education ( PE) 4 times per week. That means your child needs sneakers and clothing to be active in school 4 times per week. If you send your child to school in something other than sneakers, you should place their sneakers in their backpack and remind them to change into their sneakers prior to PE. (Students must be able to tie their own shoes, if they will be changing into sneakers.) Also, for safety if your child has long hair, it is recommended that they have their hair tied back so it does not block their view and it will not get caught in any equipment that may be used.
Please check with your child’s classroom teacher for the days of the week they have PE.
If you have questions please email us at:
Coach Cole - acole@scappoose.k12.or.us
(PE classes) Neilson – Backus – Bailey – King – Wentz –Cordell –Rodrigue – Schrotzburger - Ziels
Coach Bruno – Bzanotta@scappoose.k12.or.us
(PE classes) Harbour – Vlastelicia - Kosmowski – Holt – Magnuson
Stay Fit GWE Gray Wolves!
Coach Cole
Coach Bruno
Lego Reading Room News
Greetings, Grant Watts families! My name is Megan Moga, and I am the Title Reading Specialist that leads the Lego Reading Room. Check out this website for updates weekly. Don’t forget to click on the tabs that include information on the Profile of a Graduate read-alouds, Birthday Books, our yearly Author Visit, and some tips for reading with kids at home.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns at mmoga@scappoose.k12.or.us.
LET'S CONNECT!
Email: GWPOScappoose@gmail.com
Facebook: @GrantWattsParentOrganization
Website: www.GWPO.org
Annual Grant Watts Fun Run: Friday, October 7th
This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year! To reach our schoolwide $20,000 goal, we encourage each student to aim for raising $50 or more in donations (Each student who raises $50 or more will receive a special prize!). Pledges can be per lap (i.e. $1.00 per lap) or a flat donation (i.e. $25.00). We ask that you approach family and friends, and accompany your student during this process. Please return envelopes (went home last week) to your student’s classroom teacher with all PLEDGES (no money) the morning of Friday, October 7th. Every dollar helps us reach our goal!
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the GWPO Volunteer Form here.
In addition, please fill out the Scappoose School District Volunteer Application, as a background check is required. That form can be found here. Teachers will soon be reaching out regarding needed help.
Upcoming Events
- Thursday, September 29th- Vision Screening
- Friday, September 30th- Caesar the No Drama Llama Visit
- Friday, October 7th- Grant Watts Fun Run
- Wednesday, October 12th- Walk and Bike to School Day
- Friday, October 14th- Statewide In-Service NO SCHOOL
- Wednesday, October 26th- Fall Picture Day
Attendance Reminders
- Kailee Klobes: kklobes@scappoose.k12.or.us
- Anne Flores: aflores@scappoose.k12.or.us
- Your child's teacher
We appreciate your support in making sure we know where your students are during the school day. Thank you!
My MealTime Breakfast and Lunch Accounts
Cold and Flu Season
The cold, flu and COVID season is upon us. Please see this letter from Tim Porter, Superintendent, outlining the guidelines for when to keep your child home from school, as well as prevention tips. To clarify- students should stay home for a minimum of 24 hours after a fever greater than 100 degrees, and 48 hours after the last incidence of vomiting or diarrhea per the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority.
Our Featured Quote
"The time is always right to do what is right."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.