Hello Tigers!

Yes, week one is in the books! I am certainly excited to have the school year upon us, welcoming 330 students through the virtual doors of Raleigh Park. The answer to why I do what I do is always embodied in the beautiful faces of your children engaging with their teachers and classmates. Undoubtedly a start to the school year uncharted by any point in history, I was able to jump into each classroom, extend a welcome, and say how proud I was to see each of them...as I have done on the first day since coming to Raleigh Park.

My continued and sincere appreciation to the Raleigh Park staff for their efforts in this reboot. While "busy" is often contextual, preparing for the arrival of your children is ALWAYS busy. In these times, we have just redefined and shifted the nature of how "busy" looks. In doing so, the old way of doing things no longer applies. Students are learning, teachers are learning, parents are learning and yes, principals are learning. Make no mistake that we are ALL engaged in hard work. As we evolve within a reality not of our creation or choosing, I am reminded of a Peruvian proverb: “Little by little, one walks far". Together, little by little, I am humbled and thankful you are joining me on this journey.

Now...who's ready to do this 167 more times?

My best,

Brian

Growing Pains - The Beaverton School District and other districts around the country are seeing student Chromebooks crash or lose Zoom connections when teachers share their screens. The BSD Information Technology Department has been in contact with Zoom to troubleshoot the issue. The initial suggestion is for students to do the following EACH DAY before joining a Zoom class:

• Restart the Chromebook to clear out any lingering Zoom remnants from the previous day
• Close unneeded browser tabs, especially other streaming services like Netflix or Spotify
• Manage bandwidth usage within your home; multiple users sharing the same wifi can cause sudden disruptions or pauses

Please know there is no need to exchange your device if you’re experiencing this issue. If you have further issues, please contact the Student Help Desk at 503-356-4656 or shd@beaverton.k12.or.us.

Device Protection Program - Anticipating that all students will get a district-owned device (either Chromebook or iPad), 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-Loss Protection Program. This fee is waived for families who qualify for the free or reduced-price 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. However, doing so isn't recommended, because a family would then assume full responsibility for any costs due to damage, loss or theft. These costs could be as much as $300 per incident, regardless of how the damage occurs. Visit the Student Device Resources webpage for more information.

• To access the online payment system, you will need an active ParentVUE account. If you do not have a ParentVUE account, contact your school for an Activation Key code. Once the ParentVUE account is created, it may take up to 24 hours for the Online Payment System account to be activated. For more information on ParentVue, please visit the ParentVUE/StudentVUE page.

• To pay for device insurance, you may use a Visa, Discover, or Mastercard​ (debit or credit card), and make a secure online payment for your student with no transaction fees. You can access the online payment system at https://or-beaverton.intouchreceipting.com. in addition to device insurance, you may pay additional student fees for lost library books, or make donations to school-based programs and activities.

• If you did not select the permission to share option when applying for Free and Reduce Meals, you need to show the office staff your meals benefit letter indicating that you qualify for free or reduced meals. If you have payment questions, please see the school secretaries.

Internet Connectivity - Good news! BSD and Comcast have extended their partnership to provide free internet service to additional BSD families through June 30, 2021! We’re also extending free internet service for those families who have already signed up for the BSD-Sponsored Comcast Internet Essentials program through June 30, 2021. The program is open to students who qualify for free or reduced-cost meal benefits. Applications are available online. If your elementary or middle school student does not qualify for the Internet Essentials program, fill out this form to request a hotspot through our partnership with Sprint’s 1Million Project.

Could your family qualify for free/reduced price meals? Fill out an application online (https://www.schoolcafe.com). Applications are available in Spanish. If you’re unable to access the application online, call 503-356-3957. PLEASE NOTE: Meal benefits are awarded on a year to year basis; all families who have qualified in the past must reapply. Also, please consider inquiring about your eligibility, as benefit requirements have changed. Free/reduced eligibility is always underreported, and we want all who qualify to receive benefits during these times of uncertainty.

The Nutrition Services department has been hard at work developing a plan for providing meals during Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL). Due to waivers from the USDA, ANY CHILD (age 1-18) QUALIFIES FOR FREE MEALS, regardless of socioeconomic status...

Raleigh Park is still considered a construction site, as installation of a new HVAC system continues. While we are working through limited power, the office is open 8:00a - 4:00p. Julie and/or LeAnn are available to answer phone calls, emails, and update enrollments. Please contact us if you are having trouble with ParentVue, Enrollment Verification, or have other general questions:

RLPK-Communications@beaverton.k12.or.us

503-356-2500

PLEASE NOTE: due to construction, we are not able to receive families into the building, but will be available to meet you on the porch regarding any assistance you may need.

If you have or expect a change in address and/or phone number, please let us know. It is with this accurate information that we are able to efficiently communicate school news and contact you should an emergency arise.

Wednesdays throughout the school year will be known as Wellness Wednesdays. All Wednesdays that school is in session will begin in the same manner, with time spent in a live ("synchronous") classroom community, 8:00-8:30a. The rest of the day will be spent in applied ("asynchronous") activities assigned by teachers and a short wellness session with Mrs. Howery and/or Mrs. Lee.

HOWEVER, there are (3) Wednesdays that will follow a typical instructional day. Specifically, these are Wednesdays within a shortened school week, due to holidays, professional development days, grading days, etc.

Please mark your calendar:

• October 7
• January 20
• February 17
• June 2

Raleigh Park teachers are requesting the following items specifically for their students during Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL). Please contact Raleigh Park if you are in need of financial assistance:

KINDERGARTEN:

• Earbuds or headphones with microphone (if possible)
• Colored pencils
• Thin markers
• Scissors
• Glue sticks

GR 1:

• Pencils x12 (Ticonderoga)
• Colored Pencils (1 Box)
• Printer Paper (white, plain)
• Pocket Folders x2 (2 different colors)
• Wide Ruled Composition Books x2
• Headphones
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wipes
• Girls - Black Flair Pens
• Boys - Green Flair Pens
• Optional, and not necessary:
• Watercolors
• Sharpies, Black Fine Tipped
• Markers
• Sidewalk Chalk

Gr 2:

• Box fine tip OR broad tip felt tip markers Crayola classic colors
• 12 pkg Crayola colored pencils
• Set 8 color watercolor paint
• Box #2 wood pencils Ticonderoga
• White or pink pearl erasers
• Composition book
• Set headphones to use with iPads
• Pencil box or pouch
• Pencil sharpener
• Scissors
• 3-6 Glue sticks

GR 3:

• 1 - Earbuds or Headphones that include a microphone
• 1 - Small Whiteboard
• 4 - Dry Erase Markers (Thin)
• 2 - Spiral Notebooks
• 2 - Composition Books (Wide Ruled)
• 24 - Pencils
• 1 - Colored Pencils
• 6 - Glue Sticks
• 1 - White Glue
• 1 - Ruler
• 3 - Sticky Notes (Medium/Large)
• 1 - Highlighter
• 1 - Pack of Construction Paper
• 1 - Washable Markers
• 1 - Clipboard
• 2 - Ultra Thin Sharpies
• 1 - Scissors
• 1 - Watercolor Set

GR 4:

• pencils
• 3 college ruled notebooks
• colored pencils
• headphones
• scissors
• white computer paper
• sticky notes
• ruler
• Optional, and not necessary:
  
• small white board
• white board marker
• black sharpie
• colored markers
• glue sticks
• Other resources to help keep your student organized:
• pencil pouch,
• bin for all school supplies
• clipboard
• folders

GR 5:

• 1 - pack pencils (sharpened)
• 1 - pkg colored pencils
• 1 - 10 color broad tip colored markers
• 1 - eraser – Pink Pearl type
• 1 - pencil sharpener
• 1 - ruler – inches & centimeters (12” long)
• 1 - scissors (adult size)
• 3 - glue sticks
• 1 - dry-erase marker
• 1 - dry-erase board (about 9”x12”)
• 1 - highlighter pen (yellow)
• 1 - pair earbuds / headphones (with microphone is preferred)
• 3 - composition books/spiral notebooks (70-100 pages)
• 1 - Recorder [musical instrument]

Yes, there will be many opportunities for virtual volunteering, and you can volunteer as much or as little as your schedule permits. Details to come, but get started early and sign up now. Often, the beginning of the school year creates a backlog in the background check system due to a rush of people looking to be cleared for volunteer and chaperone opportunities. If you have not done so already, NOW IS THE TIME to sign up.

Please reference the Beaverton School District's Volunteerism & Community Engagement resources. This is especially important if you plan to volunteer your time during the school day.

• The Beaverton School District does not honor background checks through/from other agencies
  
• Please allow approximately (2) weeks prior to clearing the background check

While this principal never likes telling an enthusiastic volunteer "no", these expectations are non-negotiable and in service of the safety of our students.

Whether they’re in school physically or not, we know that kids keep growing and growing out of their clothes. The district-run Clothes Closet will be reopening on August 24 to provide new or gently used clothing to any student who qualifies for free or reduced lunch.

Because of COVID-19, the BSD clothes closet is moving to an appointment-only scheduling system. If you and your student(s) would like to select clothes for the upcoming school year, please sign up online. If you’re unable to access the online calendar, call 503-356-4322 to schedule an appointment. Please note: all Clothes Closet visitors will need to wear masks and gloves. If you don’t have your own, they’ll provide them.

This link is for reference and provides the Oregon COVID-19 county case rates and test positivity by week. For the week ending August 31, Washington County had 36 cases per 100,000 and 3.4% test positivity.

For a school to return to in-person instruction through ODE’s On-Site or Hybrid instructional models, the metrics below, which consider local as well as statewide conditions, must be met:

• County Metrics - metrics to be met three weeks in a row:
• Case rate: ≤10 cases per 100,000 population in the preceding 7 days
• Test positivity: ≤5% in the preceding 7 days
• State Metric -metric to be met three weeks in a row
• Test positivity: ≤5% in the preceding 7 days

Additional metrics: for a school district that draws >10% of students or staff from one or more other counties, the rate of new “cases per 100,000” and percent of “test positivity” should be considered in each of those counties.

PLEASE NOTE: due to more than 10% of BSD staff residing from Multnomah County, BSD return to in-person instruction will be connected to Multnomah County metrics.

• 30 - PTO Board Meeting, 7-8p

OCTOBER

• 7 - Synchronous Wednesday
• 9 - NON-INSTRUCTIONAL DAY (Staff Development)
• 13 - PTO Meeting, General Session, 7-8p

NOVEMBER

• 11 - Veteran's Day Holiday - Thank you for your service!
• 13 - NON-INSTRUCTIONAL DAY (Grading)
• 25 - 27 - Thanksgiving Holiday