Black Bear Bits
December 2, 2022
Important Dates
12/5: Spirit Wear Orders due
12/8: 3rd Grade Music Performance 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
12/9: Winter Holiday Family Night 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
12/19-1/2: Winter Break
1/3: Return to School
In this Edition
- Message from the Principal
- Important Lost and Found message
- Spirit Wear on Sale Now
- 3rd Grade Musical Performance
- Winter Holiday
- Winter Holiday Needs--Volunteers, Candy, Baked Goods
- News from the PTA
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
- Influenza, Covid-19, RSV, Respiratory Illness at Tualatin Elementary
- Den Leaders in Action
- Art Rutkin Elementary News
- Notes from the Office
- Quarter 1 Feedback Forms
- Parking Reminder
- PAX Parenting Class
- Memory Book Submissions
- Flu and Covid Information
- Volunteering at Tualatin Elementary
- Important Links
Message from the Principal
Black Bear Families,
It’s so hard to believe that we are already in December! Didn’t school just start yesterday? Traditionally, December has been a busy month for schools and Tualatin Elementary is no exception.
I wanted to address a couple of parking lot issues during arrival and dismissal we’ve noticed over the past two weeks. The first, we are again having vehicles parking in the handicapped parking space without clear signage that indicates they are allowed to park there. This was an issue earlier in the year, and it seemed to have cleaned up, but we’ve noticed it coming back this week. Please respect those spots for families who need to use them.
Related to our parking lots, we’ve had a couple of instances lately of families in the parking lot becoming angry about the actions of others. Tempers have flared. While we understand the frustration that can happen while waiting for students, we need to remember we are role models for the students in our school at all times. Our responses can teach students how to handle their frustrations, either positive or negatively. Thank you for those of you that are waiting patiently in our car lines and pick up areas.
For events coming up, our famous “Winter Holiday” celebration is coming back to our school after a long hiatus! Join us on Friday, December 9th, at 6:00 p.m. for a fun family activity! See below for opportunities to help make the night a success by donating treats and volunteering.
Finally, we are on the hunt for some new people to join our Black Bear team!
We need a Health Room Assistant to work in our office supporting students’ health concerns. Apply here
We need an Learning Specialist Assistant to work with our amazing Special Education team, supporting our students individually, in small groups, and in the classroom. Apply here
Thanks for everything that you do for us! We are so grateful to our wonderful and supportive community.
Working with you for our kids,
Jim
Important Lost and Found Message

SPIRIT WEAR ON SALE NOW!
The return of Tualatin Elementary School's Spirit Wear is HERE! If you are interested in purchasing t-shirts or hooded sweatshirts to show your school pride, this is your chance to stock up on various colors and sizes. Colors include: red, black, grey, neon green, neon orange, and neon pink!
Order forms should have been sent home this week in your child's folder. Completed order forms and your payment will be due no later than Monday, December 5th. Extra forms can be found in the front office and attached to the Black Bear Bits. Interested in seeing samples and a sizing guide? Find these details on the PDF in the attachments. Questions can be sent to the Spirit Wear Committee at TuES.SpiritWear@gmail.com
3rd grade musical

Winter Holiday Family Night
You're invited to the happiest night of the year. Join us on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9th, from
6:00 – 8:00 P.M. for our Family Winter Holiday Activity.
WE PROVIDE: One graham-cracker gingerbread house per child and Frosting “cement”
BRING: A Tray (typically sturdy cardboard covered in foil) Candy for decorating
DONATIONS: Candy: To teachers by DEC 7 Baked Goods: To school on DEC 9
Winter Holiday Family Event - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Winter Holiday Family Event - CANDY NEEDED
Winter Holiday Family Event - BAKED GOODS NEEDED!
We are looking for store-bought baked holiday treats (such as cookies, cupcakes, brownies, muffins--anything not requiring cutlery to eat) for our Winter Holiday Family Night. TTSD policy requires store-bought donations only. For safety, due to allergies, we ask for only nut-free goodies. These baked goods will be provided to all at the event. Please drop off donations at the school office during the day on December 9th. After the school day, you can bring them directly to the cafeteria.
Help Plan our Read-a-thon!We are starting to plan our Read-a-thon Fundraiser! Want to join the committee and help make our 2023 Fundraiser a success for all students? Sign up to join the committee! We will hold our first planning meeting in December! | BottleDrop Fundraiser Start collecting your bottles and cans for the PTA BottleDrop Fundraiser coming on January 6, 2023! More information in next week's Bits! | Donations and Tax Deductions Did you know that mileage, donations of items (such as candy and baked goods for Winter Holiday), donations of money (Fun Run, Read-a-thon, etc.) and other donations to the PTA are tax-deductible? Send an email to tualatinpta@gmail.com for a donation receipt or tax ID. Did you donate snacks, kleenex, wipes, or other items to Tualatin Elementary? Volunteer at the school? Your mileage and donations are also tax deductible. Contact tualatinoffice@ttsd.k12.or.us for a receipt or tax ID. As always, check with your tax professional or with the IRS for rules and requirements. |
Help Plan our Read-a-thon!
We are starting to plan our Read-a-thon Fundraiser! Want to join the committee and help make our 2023 Fundraiser a success for all students? Sign up to join the committee! We will hold our first planning meeting in December!
BottleDrop Fundraiser
Donations and Tax Deductions
Did you donate snacks, kleenex, wipes, or other items to Tualatin Elementary? Volunteer at the school? Your mileage and donations are also tax deductible. Contact tualatinoffice@ttsd.k12.or.us for a receipt or tax ID.
As always, check with your tax professional or with the IRS for rules and requirements.
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
One of the common childhood illnesses we’re seeing occasionally in our school is also showing up in adults as well - hand, foot and mouth disease. This is an illness caused by a virus, and is very contagious. It commonly shows up as a rash, made up of small reddish bumps or blisters.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT GETTING IT AND SPREADING IT
If your student exhibits symptoms, please contact your pediatrician and inform the school.
Flu, Covid, RSV, and other Viral Respiratory Illnesses
If your student is diagnosed with Influenza, Covid-19, RSV, or other respiratory illness, please contact the office (503-431-4800 or tualatinoffice@ttsd.k12.or.us) for guidance. It is also important for us to know this information so we can track any outbreaks at the school or classroom level so we may keep students safe.
Please monitor your child for any signs of illness including:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
Here are some important steps to take to keep you, your child, and others healthy:
Keep children who are sick or are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test at home. Don’t send them to school, athletic practices, or other activities.
Get vaccinated. See the links below for more information.
Wear a mask.
Wash hands with soap and water.
Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow.
Seek medical advice.
Please contact the office if you have any questions regarding this information. Links to resources are listed below.
Den Leaders in Action
Tuesday, Den Leaders visited classes for a brief presentation on the "No Place for Hate" pledge.
Art Rutkin Elementary - New TTSD Elementary School in Tigard
Please contact Jamie Kingery, Art Rutkin Elementary principal, for information about TTSD's new elementary school opening fall 2023. Current information about the school's location, attendance area boundary and enrollment can also be found in this Frequently Asked Questions document - Art Rutkin Elementary FAQ - and these slides from recent elementary school presentations at Alberta Rider, Deer Creek and Mary Woodward. Contact information: 503 431-3508 or jkingery@ttsd.k12.or.us.
Notes from the office
- Be sure to check our Lost and Found when you are at the school! We have many warm jackets eagerly waiting to be found!
- Our attendance line is 503-431-4770. Please remember to call the attendance line before 8:30 if your child is going to be absent or tardy. (A student is marked tardy if they arrive after 8:00.) If your student is out sick, please inform us of any symptoms your child is experiencing so we can share any exclusion information with you.
- Please take the time to subscribe to Flash Alert, the system that is used to send text messages when there is a school closure or delay. This is especially important to do before Winter weather sets in!
Fall Academic Feedback Forms
Fall Feedback Forms have been sent securely through Canvas to the student and their family. These reports take the place of quarter 1 report cards. Students & families will be able to access their QT1 Academic Feedback form through either parent's email as a link to the document or on the STUDENT'S Canvas InBox.
Access to Quarter 1 Academic Feedback Form on Canvas Inbox
- Open Canvas (student app on your student's iPad)
- Tap InBox
- Look for message from your teacher with subject "Academic Feedback Form"
- Tap to open attached form.
If you have problems accessing the document, please reach out to your student's teacher.
SPECIAL PARKING NOTE
We have designated disability parking spaces in our front and back parking lots. Lately, vehicles with no visible disability parking permit are using those spaces during afternoon pickup. One of our families has been unable to access these spots because of this. We ask that you leave those spots open all day for our families who need them. It is unlawful for anyone to park in a disability parking spot without a conspicuously placed parking permit. Thanks for modeling respectful behavior to our students.

Memory Book Submissions
The memory book is accepting photos for the following activities. Please help make this year's memory book a success!
We are now accepting the following photos:
Spirit Week/Days (Hat Day, PJ Day, etc)
Classroom Field Trips
Art Lit
Garden
Winter Holida
Are you volunteering?...document your time in the school and send us your pictures.
Please send your photo submissions to tualatinschoolphotos@gmail.com AND label with the following information: student's grade, teacher's name, student's first and last name and the name of the activity, i.e. 2nd grade, Fossati, John Smith, First Day of School.
Have other memory book questions, please reach out to Ashley Young at tualatinememorybook@gmail.com. Sales won't begin until after the New Year.

Flu and Covid Season is here!
With colder weather, comes more opportunity to spread cold, flu, and Covid-19 germs. We are seeing all three at Tualatin Elementary and ask you to do your part by following these recommendations:
- Please monitor carefully for the following primary COVID and Flu symptoms, and keep your student home if they exhibit any of the following:
Cough
Temperature of 100.4 or higher
Shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Sore throat
Nasal congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
- Please contact the school for assistance with the following:
Information on testing – We have at-home tests available at the school
If you test positive for COVID-19
If you have questions regarding symptoms and exclusions
- Wash hands often, especially after coming in contact with body fluids. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer
- Cover coughs and sneezes
Where Can I Get a Flu Shot?
The Washington County website has a list of locations offering the Flu Shot and other Vaccinations.
Where Can I Get a Covid Vaccine or Booster?
Volunteering at Tualatin Elementary
We love our volunteers and are excited to welcome you back into the building this year! To volunteer at Tualatin, please follow the steps below. When your application is completed, you'll receive an email from the front office and you'll be able to schedule volunteer time at the school.
All volunteers must complete the checklist below to volunteer
- Complete a background check at: www.helpcounter.net/ttsd. (This needs to be renewed every three years.)
- Be vaccinated for COVID-19. Please provide vaccine documentation using the following link-TTSD Volunteer Vaccination Documentation or send a copy/photo of your card to the school office (athorderson@ttsd.k12.or.us)
- OR If you have a vaccination exception, please fill out the form that applies to you- Religious or Medical and submit to the following link- TTSD Volunteer Exception Documentation
When the above has been completed, contact me (athorderson@ttsd.k12.or.us or 503-431-4800) and I will send you links to the training materials.
Masks will be optional in the building for volunteers that are vaccinated. We ask that if you are sick or have any symptoms, that you postpone your volunteering until you are well.
Volunteers with a vaccine exception on file will be required to:
Wear a mask while on TTSD property OR;
Be given a rapid test at the time and location of their volunteer assignment.
Please contact Amanda Thorderson (athorderson@ttsd.k12.or.us or 503-431-4800) with any questions.
subject to supply chain disruptions
Pay for meals, see the school menu, apply for free and reduced lunch
Did you miss a past edition of the Black Bear Bits? Read them here!
Get information on school closures and delays.
See the approved calendar for the school year.