Power Point Presentation

State of the School Summary

Grade Level Summaries

The State Board of Education recently changed the way it evaluates the math skills of Oregon students in grades 3 through 8. The changes mean that it will be harder for students in those grades, including students in Portland Public Schools, to meet math

standards — even if their math skills improved since their last assessment. More broadly, PPS schools will also show a decline in math performance in state and federal reports, at least for the next year or two.

What are the changes?

The Oregon State Board of Education raised achievement standards for math skills. That means that students must achieve a higher test score to meet state standards. This will result in students having lower ratings and schools having lower percentages of students meeting standards. It will not mean that students know less than they did the year before or that they are not doing well in school. Instead, the bar has been raised.

Why did Oregon adopt higher math standards?

For one thing, it will better prepare students for success in high school and equip them to meet Oregon graduation requirements. The adoption will also ease Oregon’s transition to measuring students on national learning expectations. These are tougher than Oregon’s current standards.

What are “national learning expectations?”

Until recently, states assessed students using different standards. Each state could decide for itself what knowledge and skills its students should master, and at what grade.This is changing. Oregon has joined 40 states in adopting the Common Core State Standards, a set of K–12 learning expectations for students in math and English-language arts.

Why does OAKS matter?

For the most part, performance on OAKS tests does not affect individual students. This is especially true in grades 3–8. Scores are not included on students’ transcripts; they also do not affect students’ college or scholarship applications. However, starting with the class of 2012, Oregon will use OAKS scores as one way (among several options) to determine whether students earn a diploma. Learn more at www.getreadyoregon.gov. In addition, schools use OAKS results to see which teaching methods are working and to identify students needing help. Finally, state and federal officials use OAKS to see how well schools are performing.

Where can I learn more?

For questions about math achievement standards or the OAKS test, contact PPS Research & Evaluation, 503-916-3341, rne@pps.net. For questions about Common Core State Standards, contact PPS Curriculum, 503-916-6004.

Also, the Oregon Department of Education has information on its website. Search for “math achievement standards” at www.ode.or.us

In October, I learned that we would receive a (.7) FTE (full-time equivalent) due to our increased enrollment. As much as I would have loved to hire a teacher to help reduce class sizes, there is no reconciling a (.7) FTE into a full-time teacher. Adding a .7 FTE to reduce class sizes would statistically reduce each classroom by only 1 student. For example, a first grade class of 30 would be reduced to a class size of 29.

Parents have expressed their desire to increase teacher support in light of slightly higher class sizes this year. The best way for me to increase the amount of classroom and teacher support was to submit the following proposal for .7 FTE staffing:

.3 Education Assistant                        - 24 hours

.4 added Counselor (for a 1 FTE)       - 40 hours

There are three levels of support we provide students; individual, small group and whole class support. The only persons who can provide all three levels of support are certified teachers. Our school counselor, who is dually certified, is able to provide all three levels of classroom support as well as assist in identifying students that need additional academic support. Additionally, we were fortunate enough to hire an educational assistant with dual certification. Although our educational assistant does not provide support for all three levels, her dual certification allows us to provide increased instructional support for two levels beyond what is provided by parents or general educational assistants.

Both positions can work along side students in the classroom and provide support with learning activities as well as pull students out into small groups or even work with individuals.  This push-in support is beyond what parent assistance can provide due to certified training completed by both the counselor and educational assistant. Please see below for additional services provided by our school counselor that benefits every teacher and every student.

TEACHING AND LEARNING SUPPORTS

CURRENT STUDENT SUPPORT IN PLACE

1. Twenty hours a week of consistent confidential small group and individual learning support (1^st Grade Students) – provided by EA support
2. Small group academic instruction for grades 2 through 4 – provided by EA with teacher certification
3. Individual student support with learning in the classroom – provided by counselor
4. Small group mentoring and conflict resolution around behaviors that interfere with classroom activities – provided by counselor

Note:

EA w/o certification benefits approx. 90 students

EA + certification benefits approx. 270 students

Counselor benefits 515 students

CURRENT TEACHER SUPPORT IN PLACE

1. Duty free lunch – provided by counselor and EA support
2. Small class size for Kindergarten teachers
3. Twenty hours a week of consistent confidential small group and individual learning support (1^st Grade Students) – provided by EA support
4. Small group academic instruction for grades 2 through 4 – provided by EA with teacher certification
5. Instructional support for curriculum planning (5^th Grade Teachers)
6. Four periods of teacher planning per week
7. See Counselor Job Description under staff web page for Sara Johnson

Happy New Year

I hope that everyone had a healthy, restful and fun winter break. Upon student return, teachers will be helping students prepare for state testing that will begin in February for some students.

• 4^th Grade Writing Assessment Window – February (subject to change)
• Round I Math, Reading, Science Assessments – March (3^rd & 4^th Grades), April (5^th Grades)

Monthly Mugs

Our first Monthly Mug is scheduled for January 21, 2011. There will hot coffee served from 8:05-8:15 AM. I will be present to answer any burning questions or hear what is on your mind regarding survey results, budget or staffing for next year. I can also share information on topics such as new cut scores for math state testing, and the “Waiting For Superman” documentary. 

Hope to see you there!!!!!!!!

Parent Survey

Thank you to all of the parents that participated in the survey. There was an even distribution of grade level representation. The information provided will be factored into future decisions.

The K-2 parents valued enrichment and smaller class sizes fairly evenly, while the 3^rd-5^th grade parents prioritized enrichment. All parents ranked PE and library as their top priorities followed by technology and second language.

Planning for the 2011-2012 school year will begin in the next few months. The outlook is uncertain. I will, however, do my best to account for your priorities.

Click link for survey results: Forest Park Parent Survey Results, 2010-11 School Year

Immunization Exclusion Day 

Important Reminder:

Immunization Exclusion Day is approaching--February 16, 2011. The initial letters were mailed in November; Exclusion letters will be mailed from the State in about three weeks, notifying parents of any outstanding immunizations (or a certificate/record) needed. If you have yet to do this, we encourage you to make an appointment with your child's healthcare provider as soon as possible to obtain any shot doses. If you have updated your child's immunizations (or chosen a religious exemption) but have yet to inform the school, please do so this week by providing the school with the updated orange-colored Certificate. The deadline for my reporting is January 11th, so unless I receive your updated immunization information by that date, you will receive an Exclusion letter.
We are working hard to update all records and avoid any exclusions this year. I truly regret seeing students miss school due to immunization exclusion; however each school must comply with State law. Please work with us to update your child's records and thereby avoid any exclusions this year. We'd love to report "zero" exclusions to the State this year! We can accomplish this goal!
If you have any questions on the process, or would like confirmation from the school of immunization status, please feel free to call me at school, or at 503-257-1638x2573.
Thank you very much,
Victoria Wilson RN

-- 
Victoria (Tori) Wilson, RN, MPH, NCSN
MESD School Nurse
503-257-1638x2573

Battle of the Books

Forest Park's 4th and 5th graders have had their noses stuck in a book for the past several months... all in preparation for our first annual Battle of the Books.  The Oregon Battle of the Books is a statewide reading program exposing students to a wide variety of literary styles and viewpoints.  The mission is to encourage reading- with a strong focus on comprehension and teamwork.

Lists of books are chosen, and questions are written for each grade level division. Students read the books, discuss them, quiz each other on the contents, and then compete in teams of four students to correctly answer questions based on the books in a “quiz show” format.  Questions may begin with the words “In which book”, so that the answer will be a title and author or there may be content questions with the title of the book supplied.  

Forest Park will send a team to represent our school at the local, district, regional or state level.  The selection committee compiles sixteen titles for each level each year.  The original idea for Battle of the Books came from a radio program sponsored by the Chicago Public Library in the early 1940s.

Our preliminary rounds will begin the first week in February.  We will keep you posted on the progress. Let the games begin!
 

 
Mirka Jablonski, Forest Park Library     
mjablons.pps.k12.or.us or log on to http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653620/FrontPage 
for the complete list of books and guidelines.  Thank you!

Portland Public Schools Nondiscrimination Statement 

Portland Public Schools recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups and their roles in society.  All individuals and groups shall be treated with fairness in all activities, programs, and operations, without regard to age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. 
 
Board of Education Policy 1.80.020-P 
District Title VI & Title IX Contact and District 504 Compliance:  Carolyn M. Leonard, Compliance (503 916-3183) 
American Disabilities Act Contact:  Jollee Patterson, HR Legal Counsel (503) 916-3025 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TAG TESTING

Dates for TAG testing have been scheduled – January 6, 11 and 12.  Times are yet to be determined.

Head Lice Update & Reminder 

T-Shirt Orders
Order forms for buying t-shirts will go home with students on Wednesday, November 10, 2010. Please place orders by Friday, November 19, 2010. Sample sizes and colors are in the office.

Cases of Head Lice
Each year Forest Park experiences cases of head lice. They are common most during the primary years and can be spread by head to head contact at school, movie theaters, sleep-overs, sharing clothing and hair brushes, clips, etc. Medical and community health experts recommend that parents and care givers check their children for head lice at least weekly. They also recommend that you talk to your children about not sharing personal items such as combs and brushes, hats or scarves.

The Forest Park office staff and school nurse are here to help parents prevent and diagnose head lice. We can also provide research based information and recommendations for the treatment.  In accordance with district policy, the school will not send out notices informing parents that classmates have lice. We will, however, post our head lice policy in Forest Park Announcements as an alert to parents that case(s) have been reported.

For information about lice, including a brochure that walks you through the six steps to getting rid of head lice and a short video demonstrating the removal of nits, go to the MESD web page
(www.mesd.k12.or.us); click Health and Social Services in the “Departments” Tab, “parent information” and then “lice.”

A Star is Born
Students in third through fifth grades help prepare the cafeteria for lunch services. Before students can assist, however, they have to participate in training. This year fifth grade student leaders from Mrs. Morris’ class developed a training video. Students developed lyrics and composed a song to help students remember their responsibilities. Classroom teachers use this video to help train their classroom so that all students are able to assist in the cafeteria when needed. The video was such a big hit that Portland Public Schools has filmed our students singing their training song to share with our larger school community.

Parent Survey Coming Soon
At our first PTA general meeting of the year, I announced that I will be developing a parent survey, in conjunction with Site Council, to determine parent priorities as we begin planning for next year. An electronic survey will be sent out via our community list serv by November 22, 2010. We are asking parents to please submit responses by December 03, 2010. This will allow me to share results and develop a proposed model of staffing and services before the school’s auction.

Recess Reminder - Coats Needed
Please make sure that students come to school with a coat as our weather begins to turn cold. We will have students go outside everyday unless we have pouring down rain. In a drizzle, students can become very wet when playing outside for 15-20 minutes. 

“Walk Wednesdays” A Big Success
The first Waste Less and Walk Wednesday, held November 3, 2010, was a success!  Waste Less and Walk Wednesdays will be held on the first Wednesday of each month.  We encourage FPE community members to:

• Walk to school.  If you live too far away you can drive part way and then walk.
• Make your lunch waste free.  Bring your food and drink in reusable containers.  If you buy hot lunch take only as much food and drink as you will consume. 
• Compost or recycle as much waste as possible.

Each time you participate you will receive a beautiful “gem” which you will put in your classroom jar.  At the end of the year we will have a green celebration (involving treats) and spread the gems in the FPE community garden.

November Theme for Waste Free Wednesday
Each month the FPE Green Team picks a “Waste Less” theme for the month.  The theme for November is Waste Less Engine Use.  If every driver in the six Western states avoided idling for five minutes per day every day of the year, we would prevent more than 2.2 million tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, the equivalent of removing 379,310 vehicles from the road.

For more information reducing your automobile engine use, check out these websites:
http://www.portlandonline.com/mayor/index.cfm?c=49521&a=320969
http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=34771&a=131195
http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/toxics/whatyoucando.htm

The next Waste Less and Walk Wednesday will be December 1, 2010.
Please do what you can for you and your family to participate. If you have questions or would like to volunteer (we can use another volunteer or two at lunchtime), please contact Lynne O’Donnell at fiveods@comcast.net or Audrey O’Brien Llewelyn at mikeandaudrey1@comcast.net

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Portland Public Schools Nondiscrimination Statement Portland Public Schools recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups and their roles in society.  All individuals and groups shall be treated with fairness in all activities, programs, and operations, without regard to age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

Board of Education Policy 1.80.020-P District Title VI & Title IX Contact and District 504 Compliance:
Carolyn M. Leonard, Compliance (503 916-3183) American Disabilities Act Contact:  Maureen Sloane, HR Legal Counsel (503) 916-3025

Dear Forest Park Community: 

It is with honor and excitement that I will serve as your next principal.  Over the past weeks, I have had the opportunity to meet with a few parents, students and teachers. My goal is to meet all families and personally introduce myself. Additionally, I will share a letter of self-introduction that will be included in your opening day packets. In the meantime, please feel free to stop by and say hello. My door is always open.

Summer is beginning to wind down and school will soon start again. In preparation for that day, staff members have already cut their summer hours short to help get school ready. For example, on August 09, 2010, several teachers and I worked for hours in the school gardens so that students can participate in an amazing new school-business partnership with Le Cordon Bleu. This year students will engage in learning in a delicious new way. Families will also get a taste of what this partnership is all about. Stay tuned to find out other ways teachers are preparing for the return our students and see how you can get involved.

As you and your family also begin to prepare for the return of school, don’t forget to purchase your school supplies. USA School Supplies can not only make shopping for the return of school a one stop shopping affair, but they will also deliver everything your child needs straight to the classroom. What a fantastic service! 

Enjoy the rest of your summer and see you soon. J

Sincerely,

Dr. Kimberly Matier

It is that time of the year when we encourage parents who would like to provide input into their child's placement for the 2010-11 school year to do so using the Parent Input for Student Placement form. Please read the input form completely before commenting on the three questions.  All parent input must be turned in by May 28th for timely consideration.  Student placement begins in June and continues throughout the summer months. 

If after reviewing the presentation, feel free to leave or read comments here.

Special Education Teacher
Tina Weitman
tweitman@pps.net

504 Coordinator
Sara Johnson
sjohnso1@pps.net

Secretaries
Pamela Ward
pward2@pps.net

Katy Marcy
kmarcy@pps.net

phone - (503) 916-5400
fax - (503) 916 -2730

TAG Testing & Identification Schedule 2011

TAG Building Plan

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