MLC News
February 17, 2018
From Alexa
This week was hard. There are no words to express the sadness, the worry, and the heartache in learning about Wednesday's school shooting in Florida. Our staff took time on Friday afternoon to discuss our own reactions and feelings about this tragic event. Please know that safety is a top priority. Each month our safety committee meets and reviews our safety drills. We will be continue to look closely at our safety protocols. Most importantly we will lean into our beloved MLC community to make sure all students feel supported and connected.
What can parents/guardians do?
Love your children. Talk to your children. Encourage them to talk to you about their emotions. Limit media coverage for younger children. Here are suggestions from the American Psychological Association for how to talk to children about school shootings.
Overcommunicate with the MLC staff. The social emotional health and safety of your children is a focus at MLC. If you are worried about your child or another child, let us know right away. Empower your children to talk to a trusted adult if they are worried about a friend or if they are feeling unsafe. Many of you have done this already and it has made a difference.
Thank you for being a part of this community and for coming together in solidarity to support all of our children.
Upcoming Events
We have a few upcoming events this week. On Wednesday we will be showing the documentary "Priced Out" to 7th-12th graders. The film explores 15 years of gentrification in Portland. The director Cornelius Swart will be there to answer questions. Ask your children what they learned.
No School on Monday for all students. Kx6 students do not have school on Thursday and Friday due to parent/student/teacher conferences. Students in grades 7-12 have school Thursday and Friday.
Enjoy the three-day weekend. We will see you on Tuesday,
Alexa
Melanie Jeudy's Students Go on a Spanish Scavenger Hunt
Our Awesome Student Panel Answers Questions at Our Visitor's Day
Third Grade Multiplication Chart
Smarter Balanced Test Information and TAG
We will begin our state testing in March for grades 3-8 and 11. If your family decides to opt out of state testing, please complete the opt out paperwork here and turn in by February 26th. Please see the important information below about TAG testing and SBAC testing. If you have opted out already, and are considering TAG testing for Math or Reading, please email Alexa to opt back in.
The TAG Department has transitioned to using Smarter Balanced (SBAC) scores for students in 3rd grade and higher who are interested in testing for academic achievement in reading and math. If families choose to opt out of SBAC in spring 2018, their students will not be eligible for TAG nomination in those two categories in fall 2018. Students in grades K-2 will still be given the IOWA achievement tests when a teacher or parent requests TAG testing for reading or math achievement.
Please note that the process of TAG nomination for intellectual ability has not changed. All students will be tested in 2nd grade using the CoGAT. A teacher or parent can still request CoGAT testing for a student at any other time.
PPS Spelling Bee Letter
MLC 1x8 teachers are participating this year.
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Your child will be participating in a Spelling Contest, sponsored by Oregon Spellers and the PPS TAG Department. This is meant to be a fun series of events. Studying and/or preparing ahead of time is not required. Students will participate in a written spelling contest within their classrooms. Classroom winners will go on to compete at the building level, also via a written spelling contest. Each school will have one winner, unless there is a tie for first place (two winners in a K-8), and these students will move to the district level contest. The TAG Department will hold this contest on a Saturday, April 7, 2018. Ultimately, the district contest will produce one 1st-5th grade division winner, one 6th-8th grade division winner, and one 9th-12th grade division winner. These three students will get to participate in the regional contest, and those winners will move on to the state contest held at the Oregon State Fair in Salem, Oregon in September 2019. Details with dates and times will be made available to you as they are decided. Students in grades 1-5 participate against each other, as all contests at all levels are written, not oral
Happy Spelling!
Kim Bertelsen
Talented & Gifted Department
Portland Public Schools
Request for Donations to our Makerspace
From Kiva and the Makerspace team (if you have any of these items, they can be dropped off in the library).
This stuff is often lying around the house:
Egg cartons
Paper tubes (toilet paper tubes)
Plastic mesh bags (used for vegetables)
Ribbon
Bottle caps
Plastic bottle lids (no writing on them)
Wrapping paper
Craft supplies
Brads
Wire
String
Electrical wire
Wood scraps
Misc. paper (doilies, craft paper, etc.)
Foam core board
Cardboard
Strap ties
ANYTHING!
This stuff can be purchased at a Dollar Store/Dollar Tree
48 clear plastic spoons
Gift tissue
Rubber bands
24 silver plastic spoons
Google Eyes
32 pack of foam sheets (cut them in half)
Bamboo skewers
Pompoms
Chenille sticks (pipe cleaners) (cut in half)
Fluorescent-colored straws
Close pins
Mini-cups
Papers clips
Marbles
Elastic string and colored twine
Binder clips
Buttons
Shells
Fancy plastic toothpicks
Baking cups
Tongue depressors (also called craft sticks)
Aluminum foil
Foam balls
Tea lights (batteries, off/on switch, LED light)
Balloons
Electric toothbrushes
Floral wire