Cooper Mountain Newsletter
September 21, 2017
Dear Cooper Mountain Families,
We are going strong. Students are growing as partners in our learning community by reading their good fit books, completing handwriting or writing assessments, working on reading goals, advancing their math skills and beginning to explore our natural world through science. Even following classroom procedures at the beginning and end of the day adds to the community experience of inclusion and completion for your child.
By the time you read this newsletter on Thursday or Friday your child will have been in school for about 14 days. 12 days x 6.5 hours of academics and community building time = 78 hours of learning + 2 days of early release x 5 hours = 88 total hours of time your child has spent in school with their peers! Already!This is something very important to think about. Our school day is packed with learning in one form or another. Our daily targets for academic instruction are at least 90 minutes with reading, 30 minutes in writing, 75 minutes in math, 30+ minutes in other content areas, and 50 minutes in specials (Technology, Library, Music, PE). Other activities involve social-emotional learning through lunch with peers, recess, and community building activities. All of it is important - yes, even recess! Recess is an important part of the day where students learn many important social and problem-solving skills.
If a child misses a day now and then because of illness or a family emergency, those absences likely won't have a long-term impact. Research has shown, however, that students who miss 10% or more of school are more likely to see a negative impact from those absences. Of course in our first 14 days, that equates to about 1.5 days missed. It is important to realize that the loss of instruction and/or feeling included is affected whether it is an *excused or unexcused absence. Much of what we do in a school day is difficult to make up with homework: resilience, collaboration, good listening skills, cooperation, growth mindset, determination - we address these life skills and traits throughout the days, weeks, and months as we integrate them into our lessons and conferences with children.
We all want our own children to have every advantage in life for a happy and successful future - good attendance is a huge influence on your child's future. Here are some tips to consider to promote good attendance habits:
- Set a regular bed time and morning routine
- Don't let your child stay home unless s/he is truly sick. Keep in mind that complaints or a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and are probably not a reason to stay home. Falling behind at school creates further anxiety and the cycle continues.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make her/him feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent. Many people may step up to help get your child to school.
- Avoid medical appointments (if possible) and vacations when school is in session. *excused absences include: sickness, family emergencies, unavoidable medical appointments
We want every child here every day - each child is an important part of our Cooper Mountain Learning Community! We will recognize students who have perfect and near perfect attendance at various points during the year.
Here's to a healthy and happy school year!
Kristin LeMon
Principal
Building an Attendance Habit
Attendance = Inclusion
Attendance Leads to Graduation
Upcoming Events and Announcements
Events
Volunteer Orientation 6:00 pm
PTO Meeting 7:00 pm. All parents encouraged to attend! Meet in the Library. Childcare is provided
October 2:
Principal's Chat 8:45 am in the Staff Room
October 4:
Walk and Bike to School. See below for further information.
October 6:
Cougar Run! Please remember to return your donation packets to school! Help us make this a wonderful year for students!
October 9:
Vision Screening
October 12:
Picture Day!!!
October 13:
Cougar Run Prize Assembly
October 18-20
Parent Teacher Conferences.
Wednesday, October 18 is a regular early release day for students.
No School on Thursday, October 19 or Friday, October 20 for students. Teachers will be scheduling conferences on those days.
Safer Routes to School - from our District Office
Keep your eyes and ears open
Slow down to 20 mph or less in school zones and neighborhood streets
Watch for students at all intersections and follow the directions from crossing guards
We all must look out for each other and work together so everybody gets there safely! Be sure to mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 4, 2017. It's INTERNATIONAL Walk and Bike to School Day! See the Beaverton Website for more details.
Learning Options for 2017-2018
Resident students not currently attending a Beaverton school will need to complete a paper application available online, or at any school office beginning October 23, 2017. The open house schedule will be updated the first week of October.
Make Sure You Have Access to Information!
Make sure you have signed up for School Messenger if you want access to newsletters, Emergency information and current updates. Sign up before the snow starts! Call our office if you need help.