The Hawkeye
Montclair Elementary Weekly Newsletter ~ September 22, 2016
Leverty Letter
Consistency in our approach to teaching each student at each grade level is both challenging to deliver and integral to achievement across the board. When we map out our curriculum maps we look to the common core standards to provide the direction, but how we unveil content to students can take many different forms. Individual teachers have teaching styles and strategies that are both different from each other, and differentiated for specific student needs, but it is essential that every student receive the same exposure to the grade level content standards.
For example, today I walked through several classrooms to catch a glimpse of their reading programs. Teachers at the fifth grade level are currently trying to engage students in analyzing text, finding evidence within the story to support their thinking and comprehension, as well as developing habits of thinking when reading. A great deal of content to practice and teach, as well as deliver in a usable and concise fashion, but when teachers share their teaching strategies with each other every child benefits.
So how do we ensure that teachers are all teaching the same thing at the same time? This is done through ongoing team collaboration, as well as across grade levels for k-5 alignment. Unfortunately, finding time to collaborate is not easy in our multifaceted schedules, which is why Beaverton School District has worked with Beaverton Education Association (teacher’s union) and previous parent groups to embed an early release schedule into the 2017-18 school year.
This school year the District and individual schools will work with communities to inform and support this new collaborative model the following school year. I will be sharing information as it come available and I’ll be hosting a question and answer session Thursday, September 29th at 6:30-7:30 in Montclair’s Library. Join me if you can to learn more about the rationale for this change in our practice.
Sincerely,
Sean Leverty
Picture Day Coming October 13th
TAG Information
Parent Nomination Forms for TAG Testing - Every year students are considered for Talented and Gifted students in the Beaverton School District. These services are provided by your child's classroom teacher(s). If you think your child might qualify, you may wish to complete the Parent Information Form found at the following link:
https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/depts/tchlrn/gifted.
Completing this form gives your child's school TAG committee more information about your child. Classroom teachers also collect observational data from students each fall and make recommendations for testing. Deadline for Parent Forms is 10/19.
Community Involvement/Approved Flyers - September
September activity flyers are now available. All monthly approved flyers can be viewed at https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/cmnty/Pages/Approved-Flyers.aspx . These flyers include events/activities happening at Montclair School, and within the Beaverton community.
Fun Run
Who: Montclair Students
What: Montclair’s annual Fun Run
When: October 7th, 2016
Why: To get exercise, have fun at school, and raise funds for Montclair
How: Start warming up now, run laps at recess or after school! Collect funds from family, neighbors (safely), co-workers, and friends. 100% of funds collected go to Montclair.
We are looking for corporate sponsors; so if your company matches funds or wants to donate, please contact Wendy Pringle at fairladygwendolyn@gmail.com.
Regarding Safety and Solicitations:
http://nd.gov/amber/files/docs/Rules_-_Door_to_Door_Solicitation.pdf
Future Ready~Jo Fidler
Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)
Oregon Battle of the Books is being introduced to 3rd-5th grade students this week and next. The Oregon Battle of the Books, OBOB, is a statewide voluntary reading motivation and comprehension program sponsored by the Oregon Association of School Libraries in conjunction with a Library Services and Technology Act grant. The mission is to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, to broaden reading interests, to increase reading comprehension, promote academic excellence, and to promote cooperative learning and teamwork among students.
Once again we have an amazing list of 16 books, check them out here. All of the books are available for checkout at the Montclair Library as well as the public libraries. Students who are wanting to participate need to return their signed “Student Participation Agreement” by Tues., Oct. 4th. Our wonderful public libraries have OBOB programs to help students prepare for Book Battles. Check out the Beaverton City Library’s Calendar for OBOB Book Club dates & details; the Tualatin Public Library also has an OBOB book club. If you have OBOB questions contact email Ms. Fidler or Ms. Terada. Let’s get reading!
Montclair Calendar
October 7 Fun Run- Time TBD
October 12 PTO Meeting, 7:00PM, Library
October 13 Picture Day
October 14 Workday, No Students
October 19 Parent Teacher Conferences- after school, 3:30-8:00PM
October 20 & 21 Parent Teacher Conferences, No Students
October 24 Vision Screening K-5
October 24 Future Ready Committee Meeting, 3:15PM
October 28 Harvest Fest, 6:30-8PM
Montclair Elementary
Attendance Hotline: 503-356-2191
Email: sean_leverty@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/schools/montclair
Location: 7250 SW Vermont St, Portland, OR, United States
Phone: 503-356-2190
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/montclairpto/
Twitter: @montclair_bsd