Conestoga News
Important Dates to Remember
10/1 - Chromebook Exchange 4pm - 7pm
10/7 - Wednesday - FULL DAY OF CLASSES
10/7 - International Walk & Roll Day
10/9 - NO SCHOOL - Staff Development Day
10/9 - 2nd Half Drive Thru Event 8am - 12pm or 1pm - 4pm
10/14 - Student Device Damage & Protection Plan Payment Deadline
Chromebook Exchange - Old for New
All students who have an "old" Chromebook have an opportunity to exchange it for a new one. In order to get a new device, students will need to "return" both their old Chromebook and the charger cord. If the charger cord is lost, please come and exchange for a new machine anyway, but know that, like a lost book fine, students will be responsible for the replacement cost of the "old cord" which is $20. Families are invited to come anytime during the identified times below. Please understand that we have about 800 Chromebooks that need to be exchanged in these 9 hours of work. While the switch is easy, the sheer numbers of machines that need to switch will take time. Your patience is and will be appreciated.
Chromebook exchange times will be:
Wednesday, September 30 from 10:00 - 4:00
Thursday, October 1 from 4:00 - 7:00
Student Device and Protection Plan Enrollment Deadline
This year, all students in grades K-12 have the opportunity to check out a district-owned device for use at school and at home. Anticipating that all students will get a district-owned device, the district adds a fee of $20 to students’ Online Payment accounts (maximum fee of $60 per family per school year) to enroll them in the Damage and Loss Protection Program. This fee is waived for families who qualify for the free or reduced meal benefits program and have completed the “Permission to Share” form. Students need to pay the assigned fee prior to any damage or loss claims to be eligible for the Protection Program coverage and no later than 30 days after they begin school.
Students may choose to decline coverage, but this is not recommended unless you won’t be checking out a device, because the family is assuming full responsibility for any costs due to damage, loss or theft. These costs could be as much as $300 per incident, regardless of how it happens.
The deadline for payment is Wednesday, October 14, 2020.
Those who do not pay by the October 14th deadline will be responsible for all charges/damages incurred through the end of the school year. You WILL NOT be able to opt back in to the program.
This $20 fee may be paid via the Online Payment System or by submitting a check and a completed form to the office. Checks must be made payable to Conestoga Middle School and must be received on or before October14th.
Chromebook Help Videos
If you are still having issues, here is the link to the BSD student help desk.
Day 2 of Drive Thru Event - School Pictures
Many students were not able to get their annual school picture taken a few weeks ago due to fire and smoke in the air. We have made arrangements to try this one more time.
Any student who did not get his/her picture taken is invited to come to school on October 9 from 8 - 12 or 1 - 4. Families will be able to order pictures on-line through Dorian (the photography company). Please know that we anticipate large lines at this event as well.
Ordering School Pictures
Go to www.dorianstudio.com
Search for Conestoga Middle School.
You will see both of our picture days 9/10 and 10/9 pictures can still be ordered for both days.
Pictures will be mailed home for both picture days by mid November.
CPTO Write a Check Campaign!
Dear Parents and Guardians of Conestoga Students,
Our school year is going to look very different this year. We are hoping with your help the CPTO will be able to fill in the gaps of the ever-declining school budget. This year our fundraising efforts are concentrating on:
Staff Grant Requests - To provide financial support for supplemental materials and activities which might not otherwise be funded through the school budget.
CMS Clothes Closet & Food Pantry – To support our own CMS clothes closet and food pantry to provide assistance directly to Conestoga students in need.
Unknown needs that arise – This year will bring many new opportunities we have not thought of yet to support our students and staff.
WE CAN’T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!
Please take a moment to make a donation today:
PayPal - Conestoga Community Organization
Venmo - Venmo.com/ConestogaPTO
Mail a check to Conestoga Middle School Attn: CPTO ~ 12250 SW Conestoga Dr, Beaverton, OR 97008
Questions, email us at CPTOboard@gmail.com ~ Follow us on Facebook Conestoga Parent Teacher Organization
The CPTO is a non-profit organization, your donation is tax deductible. Our Tax ID is 93-1150959
Library Books!
The Conestoga Library Book Bus will be starting soon! Please be watching for exact days, times and designated bus stops. When students put a hold on a book, they'll have the option to pick it up at one of the bus stops or they can pick up their book at school between 8:00am and 4:30pm Monday thru Friday.
Students may go on the Conestoga library search (Destiny) to look for books and place them on hold. This video explains how to get to Destiny and place a hold.
Please feel free to email or call Mrs. Antunes for any book questions and suggestions.
michelle_antunes@beaverton.k12.or.us or 503-356-5641
International Walk & Roll Day
Join Beaverton students, families and staff for International Walk + Roll to Anywhere Day on October 7. Students and families around the world will be participating in their neighborhoods. Students can win fun safety prizes like reflective bracelets and shoe laces, blinking safety lights, and bike helmets. Schools with the most participation will be entered to win a Safe-Routes-to-School book bundle for their school libraries.
Student participation will be recorded on a Google form. A Google slide with the link and information for students will be shared with teachers. More information and submission instructions can be found on the Walk + Bike to Anywhere webpage.
In preparation, please send us a photo of yourself, holding a sign showing why you love to walk or roll (i.e. bike, scooter or skate); for example, “I love to walk because it’s better for the planet.” Staff photos will be compiled for a social media slideshow that will be shared district-wide to encourage students and families to share similar photos of themselves on event day. Please email your photos to Leah Biado at leah_biado-luis@beaverton.k12.or.us.
October 12 - 16 - BSD Mental Health/Suicide Prevention Week
For your information, the week of October 12 we will be presenting three, 15 - 20 minute lessons to all of our students during their Advisory classes. These lessons are designed to talk about and discuss the importance of good mental health, self-awareness of when we are feeling stressed, and methods to address these feelings in healthy, positive ways.
Our goal is to help students recognize and understand that these feelings are a normal part of life and that there are simple things we can do to ensure that feelings of stress do not overwhelm and “take over.” As the lessons occur, we encourage you to talk as a family about open communication and healthy strategies that can be employed to make sure we are in a good place to learn and grow.
If you have any questions about this effort, please feel free to contact the office or one of our counselors.
Beaverton School District seeks applicants for Social Studies Curriculum Adoption Project Team
Parents, guardians, community members, teachers, students and administrators are encouraged to apply to serve on the Beaverton School District Social Studies Project Team. The Social Studies Project Team will review existing Social Studies curriculum and practices to make curriculum adoption recommendations to the School Board. The Project Team is an important part of the BSD Quality Curriculum Cycle (QCC), which provides a systematic means for making decisions about the BSD curriculum review, revision, development, and adoption of practices and instructional resources.
The Project Team’s work will begin on October 20 and will conclude by June 2021. The team will meet on the following weekday evenings from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. via Zoom (unless otherwise communicated): October 20, November 17, January 5, February 16, March 30, April 27 and May 25.
The Project Team and supporting BSD Teacher Cadre will be charged with the following goals:
● Researching best practices and instructional materials to be considered for possible adoption in Social Studies
● Articulating and supporting long-term academic learning targets and assessments in Social Studies
● Recommending professional development and structures for ongoing professional learning
● Participating in learning opportunities in the form of readings, discussion and trainings related to culturally relevant teaching practices
These goals are aligned with Oregon Social Sciences Standards as well as Multicultural Studies and Ethnic Studies Standards (draft)
The District reviews and updates its curriculum, instructional practices and classroom materials according to Board policy and Oregon State Statute and Administrative Regulations.
Membership for the Social Studies Project Team will include:
● Elementary classroom teachers (4)
● Middle school classroom teachers (2)
● High school classroom teachers (2)
● Students (4)
● Parent/Community members (4)
● School administrators (2 elementary, 1 middle school, 1 high school) (4)
● Social Studies specialists (1 elementary, 1 secondary) (2)
● Teaching Specialists, including but not limited to special education, multilingual, dual-language, advanced program and additional content area specialists (6)
● School Board representative (1)
Please note that membership roles/numbers are subject to change based on applications received.
Google Form and/or email submissions are due on Monday, October 5 by 4 p.m.
Applications should include the following information:
Students: Name, address, school and grade level, plus any special training or experience in Social Studies.
Parents/Community members: Name, address, ages of children and schools where enrolled (if applicable), plus any special training or experience in Social Studies.
Teachers & Administrators: Name, address, teaching experience and current assignment.
All: Respond to the following questions/prompts: (please limit your response to no more than one typed page)
Why do you want to serve on the Social Studies Project Team and what contributions will you make towards its goals?
Please describe your personal/professional experiences with educational equity work, and your commitment to educational equity in the realm of Social Studies education. (Educational Equity Policy, BSD Equity Lens)