Hello Tigers!

Any season, month or day of the week is a perfect time to be thankful. In fact, I'd wager (for entertainment purposes only) a substantial portion of my livelihood that our world would be a much better place if we all practiced daily mindfulness specific to the blessings in our lives. Simply, our intentionality around gratitude naturally takes us to a place in which we use context, in spite of the trials and tribulations that come with life, to recognize all we have. This concurrently quells our longings, irritants or what is displeasing.

If you don't want to take the word of a sentimental and sappy elementary school principal, the folks from Harvard Medical School may make a more convincing argument in this article (just skip the article that follows so that you may enjoy a guilt-free Thanksgiving).

Starting fall of 2014, I cannot think of one day I've dreaded walking through the doors of Raleigh Park. Indeed, the work is not always comprised of sunshine, rainbows, unicorns and calliope music. Undoubtedly, my fallibility is there for all to see. But even in the most trying times, this school community continues to fuel and sustain me with compassion and grace.

As we look to the extended holiday weekend, I reflect upon the words of Aaron Polson: "I appreciate you more because of the road I’ve travelled. My story brought me to you and I wouldn’t revise a word of my past if it led me anywhere but to your door.” For all I was, for all I am, and for all I will be, I am so very thankful my journey has brought me to these doors and into this community. Blessings to you all!

My best,

Brian

Twitter @brianmcurl

Below is a parent letter regarding Senate Bill 856, also know as Erin's Law. An important part of the recently adopted health curriculum in the Beaverton School District is to help children with personal body safety and abuse prevention. As the letter explains, the lessons are available on the website www.fightchildabuse.org.

It is important to note our staff is just beginning this very important training, gaining familiarity with this curriculum. Moving forward, instruction for your students is scheduled between February and May 2019. Parents will be notified by their classroom teacher prior to instruction. For additional information, you may learn more using the following links:

• Erin's Law webpage

• Senate Bill 856, Sex Abuse Prevention Instruction​

• BSD Erin’s Law webpage

Head lice is always present in our community. Lice is most common among preschool and elementary school aged children. Although, head lice is rarely transmitted from student to student at school.

What are head lice?

• Head lice are tiny insects about the size of a sesame seed. Lice do not jump or fly; they do not have wings. They live close to the human scalp. The eggs, also called nits, are tiny, teardrop shaped eggs are attached to the hair shaft. Nits often appear like dandruff but cannot be removed easily or brushed off. An itchy head is a common symptom of lice. Although lice can be annoying and icky, lice are not dangerous and are not known to spread disease.
  

Who is affected by head lice?

• Head lice are not related to cleanliness or hygiene. Head lice are mostly spread by direct head-to-head contact—for example, during play at home or school, slumber parties, sports activities or camp. Less often, lice are spread via objects that have been in recent contact with a person with head lice, such as hats, scarves, hair ribbons, combs, brushes, stuffed animals or bedding.
  

What to do if you suspect your child has head lice?

• If you think your child has head lice, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist to discuss the best treatment approach for your family. Please contact your child’s school, as they have information regarding treatment and prevention of head lice.
  

It is important to note our district policy change in response to guidance provided by the School Health Specialist at the Oregon Department of Education, the State School Nurse Consultant within the Public Health Division of the Oregon Health Authority, and the Oregon School Boards Association. Specifically, if a student is found to have lice, they may stay at school the rest of the day. The management of head lice in the school setting should not disrupt the educational process, and lice is not a reportable condition or a reason to exclude a student from school.

If a case of live lice is found, the student will be counseled on avoiding head to head contact and not sharing personal items before going back to class. It is very rare for lice to be spread in the classroom setting via shared objects, such as coats, carpet, etc. Lice do not jump, fly or move from person to person without a direct head to head contact. Transmission of lice almost always occurs in close contact head to head contact such as sleepovers, sharing and use of personal items blankets, pillows, etc.

If a case is found at school, it has likely been active and untreated for weeks or longer. Sending a child home during the school day has the potential to disrupt a parent/guardian's work day, causing unjustified burden. Unnecessary absenteeism leads to missed learning opportunities for the student. Meanwhile, studies have shown that mass screenings for lice have not demonstrated a significant effect on the incidents at school. Communication between school personnel and parents/caregivers highlighting cases of head lice, e.g., “head lice outbreak letters” has been shown to increase community anxiety, increase social stigma causing embarrassment of affected students, and puts students’ rights to confidentiality at risk. It is unlikely that all head lice cases can be prevented. The burden of unnecessary absenteeism to the students, families, and communities far outweighs the perceived risks associated with head lice.

En la reunión de negocios del 22 de octubre de 2018, el Consejo Escolar aprobó la recomendación del Superintendente para los calendarios de los ciclos escolares 2019-2020 y 2020-2021. El personal y los miembros de la comunidad prefirieron casi unánimemente la Opción 1 para los dos ciclos escolares.

En el ciclo escolar 2019-2020, el primer día de clases será el lunes 26 de agosto y el último día de clases será el viernes, 12 de junio. En el ciclo escolar 2020-2021, el primer día de clases será el lunes, 31 de agosto y el último día de clases será el viernes 18 de junio. La opción 1 ofrece 10 días de vacaciones de invierno en ambos ciclos escolares.

Los dos calendarios están en la parte de abajo con el propósito de que usted pueda organizarse. Por favor, comprenda que las obligaciones presupuestarias y contractuales pueden afectar la implementación de los calendarios finales.

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At the October 22, 2018 Business Meeting, the School Board approved the Superintendent’s calendar recommendation for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. Staff and community members overwhelmingly preferred Option 1 for both school years.

In the 2019-2020 school year, the first day for students will be Monday, August 26 and the last day for students will be Friday, June 12. In the 2020-2021 school year, the first day for students will be Monday, August 31 and the last day for students will be Friday, June 18. Option 1 provides 10 days for winter break in both school years.

Both calendars are below for your planning purposes. Please understand that budgetary and contractual obligations may impact the implementation of the final calendars.