North Star News
February 2022 - We Reach! We Rise! We Shine!
Mark Your Calendar
2/7-2/11 Counselor Appreciation Week
2/15 PTC Virtual Meeting 6:30 p.m.
2/21 President's Day, NO SCHOOL
2/22-2/25 Spirit Week
2/23 Virtual Award Assembly
3/9 Last Day for SUN
3/10 Grading Day, NO SCHOOL
3/11 C&I Day, NO SCHOOL
Principal's Message
Happy February North Gresham Families,
Attendance has always been a priority for North Gresham Students, because we know the more opportunities for learning the stronger our students' academics will be. Throughout the pandemic we've continued to encourage strong attendance while recognizing the importance of the health and safety of all. We realize that many have had to miss school due to being sick, or exposure to a positive case within school or the community, yet we've maintained attendance rates above 90%, which is amazing.
With that being said, our tardies are significant. We average about 50 students a day that are late to school, which is almost 10% of our total student enrollment. Many of them are consistently late. We would like to decrease this number. Please make any necessary changes to get your students to school on time. We know that things come up from time to time, and understand morning routines can be challenging. However, instilling the habit of punctuality in our students now will prepare them for their future learning and careers.
Thanks for partnering and supporting us with our future leaders!
Sincerely,
Shawnda Sewell
Principal
PBIS with Mrs. Reed
For the month of February, we are practicing Happy Habit 4 - Think Win-Win. Think Win-Win is the belief that everyone can win. It’s not me or you - it is both of us. It is a belief that there are enough good things for everyone; it is an abundant way of thinking. Think Win-Win is being happy for others when good things happen to them. As a parent, not everything is negotiable, but if you go into discussions with your child with a win-win mindset, you’ll find a lot less resistance.
Activities to try:
Think of an ongoing conflict you tend to have with your child (homework, cleaning his or her room, or feeding the dog) and then discuss a win-win solution to the conflict. Write down the solution and then remind each other of it the next time the situation arises.
Encourage win-win solutions to sibling disputes. Don’t always be the mediator; let them work out a solution and be sure to praise your children when they do.
Spirit Week & Virtual Award Assembly
- Monday, 2/21 - President's Day, No School
- Tuesday, 2/22 - Dress Up Like a Teacher Day
- Wednesday, 2/23 - Color War Day (each grade level wears their assigned color; extra recess award for the grade with the most participation!)
- Thursday, 2/24 - Favorite Food Day (dress up like, or wear something with your favorite food on it)
- Friday, 2/25 - Vacation Day (dress up like you're on your dream vacation - to the beach, to the mountains, to Paris, etc.)
Color War Day Grade Level Colors:
- Kinder - Green
- 1st - Yellow
- 2nd - Orange
- 3rd - Red
- 4th - Blue
- 5th - Black
- All non-grade level staff can either wear tie-dye or choose their grade level team to join and wear their color!
Also, our next Virtual Award Assembly will post on Facebook on Wednesday, February 23rd. Watch to find out who won awards for exemplifying Habit #4 - Think Win-Win!
Counselor Appreciation Week
Counselor's Corner
Dear North Gresham Families,
We have heard from some families and students about the difficulties of coming to school every day and/or on time due to students not wanting to wake up on time, so we wanted to share with you some ideas on how to support your child in this process:
1. Try to implement a bedtime routine (and stick to it as much as possible). This could mean having a regular bedtime schedule (kids this age could really benefit from an average of 11 hours of sleep each night), so planning accordingly could really help them get plenty of rest and wake up feeling refreshed.
2. Put electronics away (phones, tablets, computers, video games, etc.,) at least 1-2 hours before bedtime. If your child is not feeling sleepy quite yet, sometimes reading a book can really help them relax and become tired and fall asleep faster than if they were using their electronics. Also, mindful meditation and/or breathing exercises can really help calm our brains and bodies and assist in the process of falling asleep.
3. If possible, get things ready the night before (backpack, lunches, clothing, shoes, etc.) This way you and your child won't have to rush through the morning and could allow you to spend some quality time together before they go to school.
4. Try to make the morning routine fun. This might not always be an option but trying to create a fun atmosphere (if possible) while everyone is getting ready could really boost your child's energy and make a difference on how they feel about going to school. Also, if you were able to get things set up the night before, you could really have some additional time for extra snuggles and even a silly dance or two!
5. Breakfast is important. Whether your child eats breakfast at home or at school, encourage them to have protein-rich foods so their brain and body can be ready to learn and have fun.
These simple yet intentional practices could make a difference in your child's energy levels and school attendance.
From Our PTC
PTC is looking for innovative ideas, volunteers, and new leaders to help this spring & the future of PTC. Please bring your ideas to the PTC meeting on the 3rd Tuesday meeting on Feb 15th at 6:30 pm. Please join us on the Google Meets Video call link at https://meet.google.com/spn-geym-evb.
Check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NorthGreshamElementaryPTC & on our website at www.northgreshamptc.com.
Remember, to scan your grocery receipts using the Box Top App (After you scan the receipt, click on the STAR “Credit”, and put in your child’s teacher’s last name to give Credit to that teacher. Yes! We will have competitions.) You can also give back with Smile.Amazon.com (North Gresham Grade School Parent Teacher Club) and Fred Meyers Community Rewards (North Gresham Parent Teacher Club). All funds go back to the school and support our students!
Parent Requests For IN-DISTRICT Transfers Accepted March 1-31, 2022 * Deadline is March 31, 2022
The Gresham-Barlow School District will accept in-district transfer requests for the 2022-2023 school year during the month of March only.
If you live within the Gresham-Barlow district and want your child to attend a Gresham-Barlow school outside of your attendance area, you need to request an in-district transfer. If your student currently has an in-district transfer and is moving from elementary to middle or middle to high, please submit a new request.
A digital transfer request form will be available on the Transfers section of the district website, http://gresham.k12.or.us/Page/2249. The link to this form can also be emailed to you directly if you request it from any GBSD school or district office. Forms must be submitted by March 31, 2022.
You will be notified in writing after review of all requests. Please note: kindergarten and first grade requests may not be decided upon until late summer after elementary registration. For further information, contact the Gresham-Barlow School District Office at 503-261-4575.
SUN News
Hello North Stars!
Reminder, the last day of SUN is Wednesday, March 9th.
The SUN program at North Gresham Elementary has emergency funds available to assist any of our North families with bill assistance, food and clothes insecurities, or general financial support. If you are in need of any help with accessing community resources, please contact Yessica Ramirez SUN Site Manager yessicar@mfs.email 503-519-8523.
Yessica Ramirez,
SUN Site Manager
Lost & Found
Reminders from the Office
Contacting the Office
You can reach the office staff by calling our school at 503-661-6415, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can also email our office team at any time. Nina Thomas at thomas82@gresham.k12.or.us, and Yuli Nolasco at nolasco8@gresham.k12.or.usAbsences
Please call in your student's absence before 8:35 a.m. (9:35 a.m. on Wednesdays). Leave a message if you call outside of school hours. Please let us know your student's first and last name, teacher/grade, and the reason for the absence. Students not present by 8:35 a.m. (9:35 a.m. on Wednesdays) will be marked absent. Students that arrive late will receive a tardy slip, and their absence will be adjusted in the system to a tardy.
Changes of Transportation
If your student will go home differently than normal, including if they will not attend SUN after school, please contact the office to make the change. Dismissal is a very busy time, so we appreciate you calling no later than 2:00 p.m. to make any changes.
Early Student Pick-Up
If you want to pick your student up early, we encourage you to do so before 2:30 p.m. Dismissal gets very busy, and this will ensure that you don't have an extended wait due to dismissal traffic, etc. When picking your student up early, please ring the bell at the front doors. The front office will buzz you into the lobby and have you sign your student out for the day.
Remind App
Sign-up for the Remind app to keep in touch with your student’s teacher! No matter where you are or what you’re doing, get important school updates right on your phone. More information and sign-up here.ParentVue
Register for ParentVue to view your student’s attendance, grades, and make changes to your contact information. If you need assistance with setting up ParentVue, please call the school at 503-661-6415. You can also email our secretaries at thomas82@gresham.k12.or.us or nolasco8@gresham.k12.or.us. Visit the ParentVue web page to login or sign up: https://www.gresham.k12.or.us/domain/2446.North Gresham Elementary School
Website: www.gresham.k12.or.us/nges
Location: 1001 Southeast 217th Avenue, Gresham, OR, USA
Phone: 503-661-6415
Facebook: facebook.com/NorthGreshamElementary
Twitter: @NorthGresham_ES