Upcoming Events:

• June 7 – All School Picnic – School ends for all students at 3 pm
• June 7 – 8^th grade Promotion – 6 pm to 7 pm
• June 8 – Last Day of School – School ends for all students at 3 pm
• August 22 – Orientation Night – 4 pm to 6 pm
• August 27 – First Day of School Grades 1 – 8
• August 30 – First Day of School Kinder

Principal’s message – I want to first start off by thanking our staff and families.  It amazes me every time the effort and energy our staff and families put into the events and goings on around our school.  From the Carnival, to the concerts and plays, to the field trips, it truly is amazing.  Thank you for making Winterhaven such a wonderful place to be.

I want to also take this opportunity to have you join me in welcoming our new K-5 art teacher for next year, Alodie Lopez.  Ms. Lopez comes to us from Chapman Elementary, where she was previously a classroom teacher.  She earned her art endorsement a few years ago and now she is joining us to teach art.  We are excited to have her join our community!

Lastly, we received information from the Office and Teaching and Learning in PPS that starting next year, all schools in PPS must offer 9 weeks of health to all middle school students and that elementary students must take PE a minimum of 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes (a total of 90 minutes of PE a week).

Due to these changes, we will no longer be able to offer the Friday Interest classes to our students.  The increased middle school health requires that we teach approximately 44-46 days of health.  Without removing Friday interest classes, students would only receive approximately 39-41 days of health.  This also increases the number of days middle schools students will receive PE during the year.  For elementary students, by increasing the number of days of PE, it means that the students will need to be back in their core classes to meet the minimum number of required minutes for core subjects (literacy, math, science and social studies).

Counselor’s Corner - Hi everyone,

The end is in sight.  Here’s what that means for counseling at Winterhaven.  

I’m not going to be teaching in any of the classrooms for the rest of the year.  This is partly due to various events being on the days I’m scheduled in there as well as my own schedule shifting up one more gear before the end.  We have mostly finished the state Health lessons. It has been a growing year for me/us around that and the big lessons learned are that those lessons should be taught earlier in the year to make sure we have time to finish and that the content varies hugely by grade.  Instead of the class lessons, I’ll be focusing on getting all the state testing done and doing individual work with students getting them ready for summer.

Since this is our last email home this school year, perhaps it is a good idea to spend the time reflecting on how your family has looked into race this year.  What gains have you made? Where have you struggled? What were some awkward moments? Were there any sources of humor? What was the biggest learning moment for each of you?

Cliff Shaw

School Counselor
Winterhaven School

Yearbooks – Yearbooks are here and will be handed out next week. Price is $17.00 and can be paid with cash, or a check made out to Winterhaven, or with a debit/credit card on Schoolpay.  If you would like to confirm if you have already purchased one for your student, please contact Nancy in the office. If your family is in need of a scholarship for a yearbook, please let Nancy know.

8^th Grade Promotion Event - 8^th Graders!  - Grab your Skates and Celebrate!!

Roll out the end of 8^th grade by meeting up with friends and family at Oaks Park Skating Rink’s “Schools-out Skate”, open skate session.

When:  Last day of school – June 8^th -- 3:30 - 5:30pm

Where: Oaks Park Skating Rink

Cost: $7 skate admission (or buy one, get one half off with online coupon), $2 skate rental (separate from admission).  No skate rental fee if you bring your own skates. Concessions and arcade games are available for an additional cost. No cost for non-skaters.

Fine print:  This is NOT a school-sponsored event, and parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from Oaks Park.  The event will have Oaks Park staff supervision only -- we are not providing parent supervision, so parents are welcome (and encouraged) to come hang out, too!

Questions?  Contact Shelley (tasar541@msn.com), Gabrielle (gabrielle.ackerman@comcast.net), or Lisa (lgirard@kgw.com)

Weekly Information must be submitted by the end of the work day on the Tuesday before you wish to have it included in the newsletter.  We only publish information that directly relates to our school and our students.  If you wish to place something in the weekly, please email it to Nancy Cooper at ncooper1@pps.net

Upcoming Events:

• May 28 – No School – Memorial Day
• May 31 – Move Up Day – 2:15 pm to 2:45 pm
• May 31 – Middle School Dance – 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm
• June 7 – All School Picnic – School ends for all students at 3 pm
• June 7 – 8^th grade Promotion – 6 pm to 7 pm
• June 8 – Last Day of School – School ends for all students at 3 pm

Middle School Date and Time change – The last middle school dance of the year has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 31^st from 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm.  The changes were necessary as the 8^th graders are going on their end of the year field trip on Friday, June 1^st at 9 am.  The time of the dance was changed as well due to it being a school night.

Yearbooks – If your family is in need of a scholarship for a yearbook, please contact Nancy in the office.

Counselor’s Corner - Hey folks, Crazy busy week here so this is super short.

Testing is winding down.  I’m doing the final mop-ups of kids who need more time or were absent on test day.  The State Tests are untimed, so a kid who wants to write an 8 page essay gets to. Since we have a school culture of excelling, we have a few of those.  

We are finishing/have finished doing the Health units in K-5.  Curriculum is posted earlier. 6th grade is still going strong.  With them, we are looking at consent this week using the state curriculum posted earlier.  We also used the “Consent is Like Tea” video found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGoWLWS4-kU Be aware that there is another version of this that is not school appropriate if you search on your own.  We watched the “clean” version.

A great video on racial awareness that caught my attention last week.  https://www.ted.com/talks/priya_vulchi_and_winona_guo_what_it_takes_to_be_racially_literate?utm_campaign=ios-share&utm_medium=social&source=email&utm_source=email

Our question relates to the video.  What can we do in with our families this summer to become more racially literate?

Cliff Shaw
School Counselor
Winterhaven School

8^th Grade Promotion Event - 8^th Graders!  - Grab your Skates and Celebrate!!

Roll out the end of 8^th grade by meeting up with friends and family at Oaks Park Skating Rink’s “Schools-out Skate”, open skate session.

When:  Last day of school – June 8^th -- 3:30 - 5:30pm

Where: Oaks Park Skating Rink

Cost: $7 skate admission (or buy one, get one half off with online coupon), $2 skate rental (separate from admission).  No skate rental fee if you bring your own skates. Concessions and arcade games are available for an additional cost. No cost for non-skaters.

Fine print:  This is NOT a school-sponsored event, and parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from Oaks Park.  The event will have Oaks Park staff supervision only -- we are not providing parent supervision, so parents are welcome (and encouraged) to come hang out, too!

Questions?  Contact Shelley (tasar541@msn.com), Gabrielle (gabrielle.ackerman@comcast.net), or Lisa (lgirard@kgw.com)

PTSA CPR Training - PTSA will be hosting a CPR/First Aid Training class by Cascade Training at school on Monday June 4th and Wednesday June 6th from 6:00-9:30pm.  

Please email sheryl.eckrich@winterhavenschool.org if you are interested in participating.  The cost is $72.00-$85.00 plus $20 for the book and scholarships are available through PTSA.  (The price goes down the more people we have signed up.)  Kids 10 years old and up can participate, and we need 10 participants to hold the class at school.  If this time doesn't work for you but you are interested in this training, they have offered this discounted rate to us all summer long at any of their classes around town.  See their website for more details.   http://www.cascadetraining.com 

For those of you interested in volunteering at recess here is a link to a sign up sheet.  Its a great way to get those 10,000 steps in and have some fun too!  If you prefer not to sign up, or have an unexpected free lunch hour to spare, no problem, just show up and sign in at the office with Nancy.  

http://signup.com/go/EYmMLvE

Winterhaven Library Used Book Sale - Do you have an overflowing bookshelf at home? Or two? Here's an opportunity to donate unwanted books, and help support the Winterhaven Library at the same time! We'll be holding the Winterhaven Used Book Sale on May 30 – June 1, and are now collecting book donations. Books at any reading level, from toddlers to grownups, gratefully accepted. All proceeds from this book sale will go directly into much-needed new books for our school library. Please drop off any book donations in the library during school hours 8:45-3:15, or in the drop box marked "WH Library Used Book Sale" in the main hallway. Thank you for supporting the library!

Cleveland High Volunteer Information Night - Attention 8th Grade Families

Thursday, May 31, 7:00 pm - 8:00 p.m. in Ladd’s Addition home

Whether you are a veteran volunteer or a novice, there are many ways to engage in the vibrant Cleveland High School community.  Please attend an informal gathering to learn about volunteer roles in the CHS PTA, CHS Foundation, Auction Committee, College and Career Center, support groups for athletics, band, drama, among many others.  Any way you can share your time and talents will benefit our school.  

Please rsvp to: cleveland.enews@gmail.com for location and additional information.  

Cleveland High School Cheer Tryouts - Hello, this is Jamie Butler the head Cheer coach over at Cleveland high school, we will be hosting a round of summer tryouts for students who are interested in joining the Cheerleading team! If you could add this information to the take home newsletters or digital newsletters that go to the parents I would greatly appreciate it!

Cheer Tryouts 

June 11th-15th

12-2pm

CHS Gymnasium 

In Health,

Jamie Butler 

CHS Cheer Coach

Weekly Information must be submitted by the end of the work day on the Tuesday before you wish to have it included in the newsletter.  We only publish information that directly relates to our school and our students.  If you wish to place something in the weekly, please email it to Nancy Cooper at ncooper1@pps.net

Upcoming Events:

• May 18 – PTSA Carnival – 5 pm to 8 pm
• May 23 – 3-5 Spring Concert – 6:30 to 7:00 pm
• May 25 – Field of Fun – 1:30 to 3 pm
• May 28 – No School – Memorial Day

Counselor’s Corner - Hey folks,

Super short blurb today.  It's been a crazy busy week here between state testing, classroom visits and all the usual counseling stuff.  

K-6 classrooms are working on Health with me when I get to see them between the field trips.  Sounds like there are many outside learning opportunities grabbed onto with our kids. Thank you for all of our volunteers and staff for taking advantage of these great experiences.  Health Curriculum links are in last week’s email.

Our question:  Why do we value diversity in our lives, schools and communities?  What does diversity bring us?

Cliff Shaw
School Counselor
Winterhaven School

Field of Fun--Friday, May 25. - "Field of Fun" is a celebration of a another successful school year. It will be taking place on Friday, May 25, 1:30-3:00. It is an all school event that builds community, teamwork, sportsmanship and cooperation through a wide variety of low organized, fun activities that all children can participate in. Field of fun is a chance for students to let loose, be active and have a good time. The field of fun format is open participation, which allows children to participate in which ever activities they want and as much as they want. We have ordered up sunshine, so sunscreen may be in order. There are also some water activities, where if your child chooses to participate they may get wet. There will be popsicles to top the day off at the end. Here's to another wonderful fun filled day.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Colleen Dixon

PE Specialist

Helpers needed for Field of Fun! If you can, please assist Ms. Dixon to quickly distribute hundreds of popsicles to the students after field of fun on Friday May 25th 2:20-2:50 pm. We meet at the portable behind the school. It’s quick and super fun. To sign up go to: http://signup.com/go/zGBeJne

8^th Grade Promotion Event - 8^th Graders!  - Grab your Skates and Celebrate!!

Roll out the end of 8^th grade by meeting up with friends and family at Oaks Park Skating Rink’s “Schools-out Skate”, open skate session.

When:  Last day of school – June 8^th -- 3:30 - 5:30pm

Where: Oaks Park Skating Rink

Cost: $7 skate admission (or buy one, get one half off with online coupon), $2 skate rental (separate from admission).  No skate rental fee if you bring your own skates. Concessions and arcade games are available for an additional cost. No cost for non-skaters.

Fine print:  This is NOT a school-sponsored event, and parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from Oaks Park.  The event will have Oaks Park staff supervision only -- we are not providing parent supervision, so parents are welcome (and encouraged) to come hang out, too!

Questions?  Contact Shelley (tasar541@msn.com), Gabrielle (gabrielle.ackerman@comcast.net), or Lisa (lgirard@kgw.com)

Yearbooks – If your family is in need of a scholarship for a yearbook, please contact Nancy in the office.

PTSA will be hosting a CPR/First Aid Training class by Cascade Training at school on Monday June 4th and Wednesday June 6th from 6:00-9:30pm.  

Please email sheryl.eckrich@winterhavenschool.org if you are interested in participating.  The cost is $72.00-$85.00 plus $20 for the book and scholarships are available through PTSA.  (The price goes down the more people we have signed up.)  Kids 10 years old and up can participate, and we need 10 participants to hold the class at school.  If this time doesn't work for you but you are interested in this training, they have offered this discounted rate to us all summer long at any of their classes around town.  See their website for more details.   http://www.cascadetraining.com 

The path around our park is maintained by Portland Parks and Recreation and is need of repair.  If you have 5 minutes to spare, please consider the following 2 actions: 

1)  Submit a "maintenance observation" to PP&R via the following link.  (Our park is called Brooklyn School Park)  http://www.parkscanpdx.org/send-observation 2)  Email commissioner Amanda Fritz: Amanda@portlandoregon.gov and let her know that our path is hazardous and needs to be repaired ASAP.

For those of you interested in volunteering at recess here is a link to a sign up sheet.  Its a great way to get those 10,000 steps in and have some fun too!  If you prefer not to sign up, or have an unexpected free lunch hour to spare, no problem, just show up and sign in at the office with Nancy.  

http://signup.com/go/EYmMLvE

Winterhaven Carnival and Auction - It’s time to celebrate and have fun at our annual Winterhaven Carnival + Auction!

What: Winterhaven Carnival + Auction

When: Friday, May 18th, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

CARNIVAL!

Loads of fun for everyone.

Free - Carnival games, sno-cones, popcorn, face painting, balloon artist, bouncy house, inflatable slide (for K-4) and obstacle course (5-8).

Available for nominal cost - Pizza and salad, cupcake walk, and a dunk tank where kids can soak their favorite teachers!

SILENT AUCTION!

A big thank you to our wonderful Winterhaven community for all the support this year. We have one more big fundraiser -- our annual Silent Auction that takes place at the Carnival. There are so many amazing donations this year! We’ll be promoting various auction items in the coming days! You’ll be able to bid on items including:

• Pips and Bounce party
• $1,500 worth of orthodontia from Dr. Lathrop in Sellwood
• Wine tasting packages from Archery Summit, Domaine Serene, Ponzi, and Elk Cove Vineyard
• Camps this summer at Steve and Kates, EG Robotics, and Willowbrook Arts
• $1,400 from PDX Sliders
• Vacation homes, dinner gift cards, and many more!

GOLDEN TICKETS!

Do you have the Golden Ticket? New this year! If you have the Golden Ticket, you will get to choose any item on the tables at the auction! You must be present to win. Advance online tickets are available by the pair - 2 tickets for $100. Day of auction tickets will be $100 each. Get your Golden Tickets today and support Winterhaven!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are still looking for some helpers for the Auction and Carnival! Sign up today! If everyone pitches in it makes such an awesome event for the kids! Thank you so much for your help!

Get ready for a fun-filled time. We’ll see you all there!

Questions?

Carnival - contact Kristin Doherty, kristinwdoherty@yahoo.com

Auction - contact Mari Greenly, marigreenly@gmail.com

Winterhaven Library Used Book Sale - Do you have an overflowing bookshelf at home? Or two? Here's an opportunity to donate unwanted books, and help support the Winterhaven Library at the same time! We'll be holding the Winterhaven Used Book Sale on May 30 – June 1, and are now collecting book donations. Books at any reading level, from toddlers to grownups, gratefully accepted. All proceeds from this book sale will go directly into much-needed new books for our school library. Please drop off any book donations in the library during school hours 8:45-3:15, or in the drop box marked "WH Library Used Book Sale" in the main hallway. Thank you for supporting the library!

Cleveland High School Cheer Tryouts - Hello, this is Jamie Butler the head Cheer coach over at Cleveland high school, we will be hosting a round of summer tryouts for students who are interested in joining the Cheerleading team! If you could add this information to the take home newsletters or digital newsletters that go to the parents I would greatly appreciate it!

Cheer Tryouts 

June 11th-15th

12-2pm

CHS Gymnasium 

In Health,

Jamie Butler 

CHS Cheer Coach

Weekly Information must be submitted by the end of the work day on the Tuesday before you wish to have it included in the newsletter.  We only publish information that directly relates to our school and our students.  If you wish to place something in the weekly, please email it to Nancy Cooper at ncooper1@pps.net

Upcoming Events:

• May 16 – Two Hour Late Start
• May 18 – PTSA Carnival – 5 pm to 8 pm
• May 23 – 3-5 Spring Concert – 6:30 to 7:00 pm

On Thursday morning- May 17th- the sixth graders will be assembling in front of the school as we prepare to depart for Newport. The bulk of the street parking in front of the school will be occupied by our fleet of parent drivers. Please consider using the drive through or allow time to park a bit further away and walk.

Thanks- Mr. Giles

Counselor’s Corner - Hey everyone.

There are two big pieces in motion for counseling at Winterhaven right now.  The first is Sex Ed for K-6 (and half of 7th and 8th as well, taught by the extraordinary Ms. Ferguson and Mr. Dyer, who taught the other half of kids first semester)  If you are curious, the website for the K-5 curriculum is http://advocatesforyouth.org/3rs-curric-lessonplans and the website for 6th is http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/CHILDREN/MFMC/Pages/Curriculum.aspx  These lessons are to keep us in compliance with Erin’s Law.

The other big event is state testing for 3rd-8th grade.  Please try to have your kiddo rested, fed and focused for the days your class is testing.  Well, every day. If you could also please remind them that this is just another tool to measure their learning and that we all love and value them regardless of what a number on a screen shows.  They mean more as humans than any computer algorithm can express. Giving them a gentle reminder to have them take their time and do their best would be helpful as well. Kids who don’t finish in the class time given will meet with me and can take as long as they need to get it done.  

Our weekly question(s) is(are) dealing with testing.  One of the big challenges we have faced historically with standardized testing is making the testing relevant and valid for people from diverse backgrounds. For example, the SAT infamously used to have questions about polo, a sport that few outside of the very wealthy have any experience with.  How do we determine what skills and knowledge are essential and needed to measure learning? How do we make sure that those questions are representative of and accessible by people from diverse backgrounds? These are likely more middle school-adult questions. A grade school equivalent might ask how much of the testing depended on what they learned in class and how much needed outside experience?  Are those needed experiences something everyone in class would have?

Cliff Shaw
School Counselor
Winterhaven School

Yearbooks – If your family is in need of a scholarship for a yearbook, please contact Nancy in the office.

PTSA will be hosting a CPR/First Aid Training class by Cascade Training at school on Monday June 4th and Wednesday June 6th from 6:00-9:30pm.  

Please email sheryl.eckrich@winterhavenschool.org if you are interested in participating.  The cost is $72.00-$85.00 plus $20 for the book and scholarships are available through PTSA.  (The price goes down the more people we have signed up.)  Kids 10 years old and up can participate, and we need 10 participants to hold the class at school.  If this time doesn't work for you but you are interested in this training, they have offered this discounted rate to us all summer long at any of their classes around town.  See their website for more details.   http://www.cascadetraining.com 

The path around our park is maintained by Portland Parks and Recreation and is need of repair.  If you have 5 minutes to spare, please consider the following 2 actions: 

1)  Submit a "maintenance observation" to PP&R via the following link.  (Our park is called Brooklyn School Park)  http://www.parkscanpdx.org/send-observation 2)  Email commissioner Amanda Fritz: Amanda@portlandoregon.gov and let her know that our path is hazardous and needs to be repaired ASAP.

For those of you interested in volunteering at recess here is a link to a sign up sheet.  Its a great way to get those 10,000 steps in and have some fun too!  If you prefer not to sign up, or have an unexpected free lunch hour to spare, no problem, just show up and sign in at the office with Nancy.  

http://signup.com/go/EYmMLvE

Winterhaven Carnival and Auction - It’s time to celebrate and have fun at our annual Winterhaven Carnival + Auction!

What: Winterhaven Carnival + Auction

When: Friday, May 18th, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

CARNIVAL!

Loads of fun for everyone.

Free - Carnival games, sno-cones, popcorn, face painting, balloon artist, bouncy house, inflatable slide (for K-4) and obstacle course (5-8).

Available for nominal cost - Pizza and salad, cupcake walk, and a dunk tank where kids can soak their favorite teachers!

SILENT AUCTION!

A big thank you to our wonderful Winterhaven community for all the support this year. We have one more big fundraiser -- our annual Silent Auction that takes place at the Carnival. There are so many amazing donations this year! We’ll be promoting various auction items in the coming days! You’ll be able to bid on items including:

• Pips and Bounce party
• $1,500 worth of orthodontia from Dr. Lathrop in Sellwood
• Wine tasting packages from Archery Summit, Domaine Serene, Ponzi, and Elk Cove Vineyard
• Camps this summer at Steve and Kates, EG Robotics, and Willowbrook Arts
• $1,400 from PDX Sliders
• Vacation homes, dinner gift cards, and many more!

GOLDEN TICKETS!

Do you have the Golden Ticket? New this year! If you have the Golden Ticket, you will get to choose any item on the tables at the auction! You must be present to win. Advance online tickets are available by the pair - 2 tickets for $100. Day of auction tickets will be $100 each. Get your Golden Tickets today and support Winterhaven!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are still looking for some helpers for the Auction and Carnival! Sign up today! If everyone pitches in it makes such an awesome event for the kids! Thank you so much for your help!

Get ready for a fun-filled time. We’ll see you all there!

Questions?

Carnival - contact Kristin Doherty, kristinwdoherty@yahoo.com

Auction - contact Mari Greenly, marigreenly@gmail.com

Lost and Found Clean-out – Please stop by the Lost and Found area and check for any clothing or lunch containers that may belong in your home.  Our next clean-out will be May 11.

Weekly Information must be submitted by the end of the work day on the Tuesday before you wish to have it included in the newsletter.  We only publish information that directly relates to our school and our students.  If you wish to place something in the weekly, please email it to Nancy Cooper at ncooper1@pps.net

WINTERHAVEN SCHOOL WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

MAY 3, 2018

OFFICE PHONE: 503-916-6200

ATTENDANCE LINE: 503-916-6221

Upcoming Events:

• May 7 – PTSA Community Meeting – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
• May 9 – K-2 Spring Concert – 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm
• May 16 – Two Hour Late Start
• May 18 – PTSA Carnival – 5 pm to 8 pm
• May 23 – 3-5 Spring Concert – 6:30 to 7:00 pm

Counselor’s Corner - Hi everyone,

The kids seem to think we are almost done with the school year.  27 days sounds both like a very long time and a very short time for the adults in the building.  The energy and anxiety levels are way up for the kids (and adults, but we don’t like to admit it). Please help your student both pace themselves and stay focused as best they can.

State Testing is upon us! Grades 3-8 are already testing or are about to start.  Keep track of your kiddo’s anxiety during this and remind them that the tests are just one tool we use to understand their learning.  We look at them as complete humans and students and appreciate each of them far more than any number or test score could ever encompass.  Making sure they have a good breakfast and lunch and plenty of sleep is also very helpful for us.

Next week, I’ll be shifting into teaching Health in all the K-6 classes using either My Future, My Choice (6th grade) or Rights, Respect & Responsibility for the K-5’s.  The curriculum is downloadable from the links in earlier weekly emails.  This is needed to bring us into compliance with Erin’s Law, passed in 2015.  This week we are getting ready for testing and working out some bits around friendship and other social struggles in the K-5’s.

Some food for thought as we continue the debate on the power and meaning of memorials like Confederate Statues: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/28/lynching-memorial-backlash-montgomery-alabama  It is easy to point the finger at the South for things like this.  However there were also lynchings throughout the Pacific Northwest and Oregon had the highest per-capita membership in the KKK in the 30’s.  It was only 15 years ago when we finally voted to remove the parts of Oregon’s Constitution prohibiting black folks from living here (it had been repealed after becoming unconstitutional, but the language was still there). The vote “overwhelmingly” passed with 71% in favor - which means 28% of Oregonian voters, 352,027 of the votes cast in that election, voted to keep racist language in our state constitution.  In 2002. That’s a year away from living memory for our oldest students and well within many of our adult lives. Don't make the mistake of thinking those were all in Eastern Oregon...  
 

This brings us to our question:  How do we recognize the legacy of racism in our local community?  And, perhaps more importantly, how do we deal with it?

Cliff Shaw
School Counselor
Winterhaven School

Yearbooks – If your family is in need of a scholarship for a yearbook, please contact Nancy in the office.

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week! We sure do appreciate all our teachers and staff do for us and our students. The following are ideas for things that Winterhaven Families can do each day to show our gratitude:

• Monday – Thank you Day - Bring a homemade thank you cards for teachers and staff. Also, start bringing Starbucks gift cards/donations into the office (see Wednesday)
• Tuesday – Picture Day: Students can draw/create pictures for teachers and staff. Also, take a moment to get a picture taken with teachers and staff. Then you can email or print the picture for them later
• Wednesday – Coffee Day- Monday & Tuesday you can bring in donations into the office so that we can purchase Starbucks gift cards for staff.
• Thursday - Random Acts of Kindness – go out of your way to do something nice for your teachers & staff. Help them clean up a project, offer to pass out some papers, tell them something you appreciate about them, be more attentive in class...there's so many possibilities.
• Friday – Flower Day - Bring paper or real flowers from your garden to make a fun bouquet for teachers and staff. Click here for instructions on how to make paper flowers.

  We would also love help with providing the staff with desserts, snacks or side dish and one lunch during the week Sign up online: http://signup.com/go/oYHydyd
   

  Feel free to contact Kari at karijkey@gmail.com with any questions.

   

  Winterhaven Carnival and Auction - It’s time to celebrate and have fun at our annual Winterhaven Carnival + Auction!

  What: Winterhaven Carnival + Auction

  When: Friday, May 18th, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

   

  CARNIVAL!

  Loads of fun for everyone.

  Free - Carnival games, sno-cones, popcorn, face painting, balloon artist, bouncy house, inflatable slide (for K-4) and obstacle course (5-8).

  Available for nominal cost - Pizza and salad, cupcake walk, and a dunk tank where kids can soak their favorite teachers!

   

  SILENT AUCTION!

  A big thank you to our wonderful Winterhaven community for all the support this year. We have one more big fundraiser -- our annual Silent Auction that takes place at the Carnival. There are so many amazing donations this year! We’ll be promoting various auction items in the coming days! You’ll be able to bid on items including:

• Pips and Bounce party
• $1,500 worth of orthodontia from Dr. Lathrop in Sellwood
• Wine tasting packages from Archery Summit, Domaine Serene, Ponzi, and Elk Cove Vineyard
• Camps this summer at Steve and Kates, EG Robotics, and Willowbrook Arts
• $1,400 from PDX Sliders
• Vacation homes, dinner gift cards, and many more!

  GOLDEN TICKETS!

  Do you have the Golden Ticket? New this year! If you have the Golden Ticket, you will get to choose any item on the tables at the auction! You must be present to win. Advance online tickets are available by the pair - 2 tickets for $100. Day of auction tickets will be $100 each. Get your Golden Tickets today and support Winterhaven!

  
  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

  We are still looking for some helpers for the Auction and Carnival! Sign up today! If everyone pitches in it makes such an awesome event for the kids! Thank you so much for your help!

  
  Get ready for a fun-filled time. We’ll see you all there!

  
  Questions?

  Carnival - contact Kristin Doherty, kristinwdoherty@yahoo.com

  Auction - contact Mari Greenly, marigreenly@gmail.com

   

  Lost and Found Clean-out – Please stop by the Lost and Found area and check for any clothing or lunch containers that may belong in your home.  Our next clean-out will be May 11.

   

  PTSA Community Meeting - Join us for in-depth work at our final PTSA Community Meeting, May 7th, 6:30-8:30pm

   

  Last year our community came out in force over concern about racist remarks made by students on our campus. It is hard to believe that a year has already gone by. Kenya Budd led that meeting and she will be back to help us take stock of our progress in the past year. 

   

  It is an important meeting for us as a community. It is a time to look again at our goal to be a kind, inclusive and socially aware community, from K to 8, through to parents and grandparents. If you share this goal, please make the effort to attend. 

   

  Kenya's focus this year will be parenting girls for STEM careers.

   

  Building a community where everyone is treated with respect and dignity goes a long way toward helping kids be strong and centered. But unfortunately, many students at Winterhaven are reporting high levels of anxiety. 

   

  Our second speaker, Claudia Cuentas, a trauma clinician, will bring both some insights into how anxiety is reflected in children and some practical tips for easing that anxiety.

   

  Thirdly, though first on the agenda, we come together to elect next year's board members and to thank some extremely hard working board members who will be stepping down after years of service. The PTSA board is in a time of transition with ten or eleven of fifteen spots open (see below.) 

   

  There will be many worthwhile challenges in the coming year ---our continuing struggle to grow into a more diverse and racially aware community, a redesigning of the middle school arts program, aiding in solutions to better serve kids with special needs and their classmates, HS science credits for 8th graders, ensuring a safe playground. We need those with a strong vision for our community to step into these open positions. If you are interested in joining the board, please contact our current fearless leader, Rebekah Folsom, at rsatz@yahoo.com

   

  Open positions:

• President
• VP / President-elect
• Treasurer
• At-Large Member
• Communications Chair
• Cultural Enrichment Chair
• Membership Chair
• Safety Chair
• Student Adviser / Chair: This student adviser, typically filled by a student who will be a 2018-19 8th grader, attends Board meetings and offers student perspectives.
• Volunteer Coordinator

  Calling all book lovers! For 8 years, our Winterhaven students have been enthusiastically participating in Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB), a statewide voluntary reading motivation and comprehension program sponsored by the Oregon Association of School Libraries. The program exposes students from 3rd to 12th grade to quality literature representing a variety of literary styles and viewpoints. OBOB’s mission is to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, to broaden reading interests, to increase reading comprehension, promote academic excellence, and to promote cooperative learning and teamwork among students.

   

  I am stepping down from coordinating the program for our school, and I am looking to our parent community to step up and make this happen for our kids at both the elementary and middle school levels. If you love books, this is a fun, easy way to get those volunteer hours in!

   

  If you're interested in helping continue this much loved, educational program for the 2018- 2019 school year, please contact Julie Rentsch (julierentsch@gmail.com) who will be coordinating the OBOB organizing team. She's looking for 8-10 volunteers to help plan practice questions, handle program communications, run mock battles and more, mainly in the January/February timeframe. There will also be donuts for all program participants - yes, even the parent volunteers.

   

  Thank you for supporting our readers!

  GeorgeAnne Ries 

   

  Weekly Information must be submitted by the end of the work day on the Tuesday before you wish to have it included in the newsletter.  We only publish information that directly relates to our school and our students.  If you wish to place something in the weekly, please email it to Nancy Cooper atncooper1@pps.net

• 
  

Upcoming Events:

• May 7 – PTSA Community Meeting – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
• May 9 – K-2 Spring Concert – 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm
• May 16 – Two Hour Late Start
• May 18 – PTSA Carnival – 5 pm to 8 pm
• May 23 – 3-5 Spring Concert – 6:30 to 7:00 pm

Counselor’s Corner - Hey everyone,

Here’s what is on for the next week in counseling. In K-5 we will be doing more on self-esteem and friendship skills.  Several parents and students identified this as a need surfacing now.  We read one of my favorite books last week, “Cosmo Zooms” and I’m hoping to do some reading of other related (TBA) stories to them this week. If you could check in on what your student thinks they are good at and reinforce those things, as well as offer other possibilities, that would be helpful.  One of the harder things to watch is a kid who sits there when asked “what are you good at?” and can’t think of anything. There’s always a few of them in the higher elementary classes as the hormones and social awareness take their toll on their self-esteem. The kids are looking to be especially conscious of giving each other compliments for things they see each other do well these next couple weeks. We will then be starting our health curriculum the first week of May. The curriculum is here:http://advocatesforyouth.org/3rs-curric-lessonplans

6th grade will be continuing our Health curriculum also.  http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/CHILDREN/MFMC/Pages/Curriculum.aspx  We will be doing this until the end of the year.  We are finishing up lesson 2 and starting on lesson 3 next week.

Speaking of health, you may have heard that the middle school is going to get more health next year.  There is going to be some shuffling to make that happen, so expect some changes in the schedule for next year.  

State Testing is kicking off this week. Some kids may be more stressed out than others about this. Please reassure them that they have the skills they need to excel and remind them to do the breathing exercises we worked on earlier in the year. I’ll be in classrooms as they begin testing as much as my schedule allows. If you have any questions about State Testing, I’m the point person on that as well.  

This article jumped at me this week.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/world/too-many-men/?utm_term=.56b1d2aedae8 Is Winterhaven’s gender imbalance (especially in the middle school) a comparable situation?  I appreciate how the article focuses on the unexpected ripples to some decisions. This is something that is often lost on most kids (and us adults more than we like to admit) and something we should be continually bringing up with our kids to help them see the bigger picture.  I was also struck by how often the men in this article left home at 14 to look for work. This is the age of our 8th graders here (including one of whom is mine) and I’m sure is related to some of the pushing back behaviors that we see with them. Of course they are not ready for adulthood, but of course, they want more of it than we want to give them in US culture. It’s had me thinking about how to address that.

At our Wednesday morning training last week, James Avison’s awesome intern Marla Thayer said something that inspired this week’s question.  I have a distant feeling I’ve asked something similar to this already, but it’s important enough to revisit either way. We all make mistakes around race.  How do we clean them up when we do?

Cliff Shaw
School Counselor
Winterhaven School

Yearbook Orders

Yearbook distribution time is coming soon. If you have not yet purchased a yearbook for your student, you may pay $17.00 in the office with cash or a check (made out to Winterhaven). If paying with a debit or credit card is more convenient, please go to: https://www.schoolpay.com. If your family needs a scholarship, please see Nancy in the office, or email ncooper1@pps.net. 

MAC ATTACK

WRAP UP CONTINUES--DEADLINE #2--FRIDAY APRIL 27 - All forms and money are due Friday. A big thank you to the 55 middle schoolers who turned theirs in for early bird. We need forms and money in on time to order prizes and t shirts.

**All checks should be written to "Winterhaven PTSA". All monies should be secured in an envelope with student name and attached to their form.

Thank you for your continued support,

Colleen Dixon

PE Specialist

From the PTSA

Please join us on Monday, May 7, 6:30-8:30 PM at Winterhaven School for an exciting and full Community Meeting, including two excellent guest speakers and our annual PTSA Board elections. 

Please consider joining the board and adding your efforts to our community. Click here to see the full list of open board positions and their descriptions. 

Speakers include:

• Kenya Budd, who ran an equity workshop with our community last spring, is returning to touch on how our community has fared 1 year later, and then will devote the rest of her time speaking about parenting women for STEM careers.

• Claudia Cuentas, a local trauma clinician, will then speak about parenting anxious children, providing some practical tips, including the "Body Up" approach and how anxiety is reflected in the body and nervous system.

 We very much hope to see you then! 

Winterhaven Chess Club

Congratulations are in order to The Winterhaven Chess Club!!  This past weekend 13 qualifying players came out to the Oregon State Chess Tournament in Seaside, Oregon, and each of them did wonderfully representing Winterhaven in both skill and sportsmanship.  And, they had quite a bit of fun as well!  Please give a round of applause to all of our qualifiers and award recipients:

• Liam Taylor
• Garrett Mackey
• Carson St Amand
• Cash Shepski
• Breslin  Nichols (Plus Score Medal)
• Eldon Nichols
• Jennings Ehnes  (Plus Score Medal)
• Cody Schupp  (3rd Place)
• Miles Jeffery
• Guthrie  Castile
• Jake Lubin  (Honorable Mention Trophy)
• Dreamliner Krokus  (Plus Score Medal)
• River  Nichols  (Plus Score Medal)

Cleveland High School Dance Team

Save the date! The Cleveland High School Dance Team is holding tryouts for the upcoming season on May 15th, 16th, and 17th. Pick up your tryout packet today in the main office.

Upcoming Events:

• April 23 – School-wide photo - 10 am
• May 7 – PTSA Community Meeting – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
• May 9 – K-2 Spring Concert – 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Counselor’s Corner Hey everyone,

Here’s what is happening in counseling this week and maybe next too!  When talking to kids and adults, we need to spend a little more time on friendships and relationships, so we will revisit that for the next couple weeks in the K-5 classrooms. This is the normal rhythm of the year; social things tend to flare up a bit after spring break.  Hormones? Seeing the sun for the first time in a while? End of the year approaching? With 3rd grade, we will also be doing some work with feelings and emotions around their first foray into state testing. After this, we will start digging into Health using this curriculum: http://advocatesforyouth.org/3rs-curric-lessonplans.  

6th grade is away at Outdoor School this week.  We will keep on going with our other Health curriculum, My Future, My Choice when we get back, continuing through the rest of the school year.  We will be finishing up lesson 2 and hopefully starting lesson 3, but we may need to spend some time processing Outdoor School instead.  http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/children/mfmc/pages/index.aspx

A good article on the complexities and history of this thing we call race came out in National Geographic this week: https://apple.news/AWzWm0UjQQQWvT8ptkh8M_A   It’s their Race Issue, so you may want to check it out, if you can.  

We are often faced with an inaccurate portrayal of how different folks’ relationships look.  What are some of the stereotypes you may have heard of other races and the way they act in a relationship?  Can you think of any counter examples to these stereotypes? One of the best things we can do to get rid of our own biases is to see and actively notice counter examples, so let’s practice that for this exercise.

_______________________________
Cliff Shaw
School Counselor
Winterhaven School

MAC ATTACK WRAP UP--DEADLINE #2--FRIDAY APRIL 27

Thank you for to all the students and our community support for getting through a rainy run last Thursday. The students did awesome. They have received their form back. It is now time to collect the money. 

Deadline #2 Friday-April 27--all forms and money are due. Early bird incentive for middle schoolers that have theirs back by this Thursday, April 19. We need forms and money in on time to order prizes and t shirts.

**All checks should be written to "Winterhaven PTSA". All monies should be secured in an envelope with student name and attached to their form.

Thank you for your support

Colleen Dixon

PE Specialist

Intel NW Science Expo Results –

Sammy Hopkins - 2nd place - Chemistry
Calvin Beall - 2nd place - Earth Science
Lorenzo Segura - 3rd place - Energy
Lina Norris -3rd place - Engineering
Eli Stabler - 3rd place - Physics: Electromagnetic
Sam Even - Honorable Mention - Physics: Mechanical
Micah Powch - Honorable Mention - Physics: Mechanical

Special Awards:

Calvin Beall - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award

Lina Norris - Naval Excellence in Science and Engineering Award sponsored by Office of Naval Records, US Navy & Marine Corps

Calvin Beall - Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering Rising Stars) Nomination

School-wide photo – We will be taking the school-wide photo Monday, April 23^rd at 10 am. We appreciate your efforts in having your students in attendance!

Franklin Youth Baseball - We have a PIL youth baseball team here at Franklin High School. We are having a tryout on Wednesday at 6 pm. We want any and all players even if they are playing on a different team. We also welcome all skills levels. There is two practices a week. With double headers taking place on Saturdays. If kids are not able to make it but would still like to be on the team they can contact me, Coach Jaynes at djaynes@pps.net. 

Cleveland Cheer Tryouts - Hello, this is Jamie Butler head cheer coach over at CHS. We will be welcoming all upcoming freshmen to our tryout week April 23rd-27th from 4:30-6:30pm! Students participating in cheer tryouts do not need a physical for tryout week but, will need one by the first official practice (TBA).

In health,

Jamie Butler 

CHS Cheer Coach 

Weekly Information must be submitted by the end of the work day on the Tuesday before you wish to have it included in the newsletter.  We only publish information that directly relates to our school and our students.  If you wish to place something in the weekly, please email it to Nancy Cooper at ncooper1@pps.net

Upcoming Events:

• April 11 – 8^th Grade Musical – 6:00 pm
• April 12 – MAC Attack
• April 12 – 8^th Grade Musical – 6:00 pm
• April 13 – No School – Teacher Planning Day

Counselor’s Corner - see Cliff's Corner 4/5/2018

The SafeOregon Tip Line Aims to Increase Student Safety

In keeping with our commitment to student safety, last October PPS joined school districts across the state in using the SafeOregon Tip Line. We want to remind you about this important resource.

SafeOregon was funded by the Oregon Legislature as part of a statewide effort to improve school safety. It provides a secure means for anyone to anonymously report suspicious or imminently unsafe situations, such as threats of violence, fights, drugs and alcohol, weapons, bullying, harassment, intimidation or self-harm. 

Anyone, from students to parents to community members, can access the system in a variety of ways, including:

• The “Report unsafe behavior” button found on every PPS school’s website
• The SafeOregon website 
• A live call/text (844-472-3367)
• An email to tip@safeoregon.com
• The mobile app that can be downloaded from your Smart Phone via iTunes or  Google Play

Trained staff are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to respond. 

Please be sure to share this information with your friends and family. Remind your students: If you see or hear something, say something – immediately.  Let’s work together to keep our community safe.

MAC ATTACK update -  IMPORTANT DEADLINE #1---MAC ATTACK

All forms are due Monday April 9. Please make sure there is a parent signature on front of form and all pertinent information filled out inside for your child including t-shirt size.

Run Date--Thursday, April 12, Rain or shine.

Volunteers needed- please contact Nicole Cordan--(503) 703-3733 if you can help for any or all of it.

Times of run--

MS--11:00-11:45

K-2--1:15-2:00

3-5--2:10--2:55

Thank you 

Colleen Dixon

PE Specialist

8^th Grade Musical

Come see the 8th grade show! ...The Waiting... an original musical by Winterhaven's 8th graders opens April 11. Come revel in the creation of the Winterhaven Class of 2018! Admission is free, but donations will be happily accepted at the door and go toward next year's production.

Show Times:

Wed, April 11 at 1:15 PM for the student body

Wed, April 11 at 6:00 PM

Thurs, April 12 at 6:00 PM

2018 Winterhaven Chess Academy

This is a great opportunity for beginning students to learn the fundamentals of chess and quickly improve their play.  It's primarily geared for K-3rd graders, but anyone can attend.  They will learn how the pieces move, basic strategic ideas, and the principles of opening and endgame play.

The Chess Academy starts April 4th and will be held 4 weeks (April 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th) for an hour (3-4 PM).  We will meet in room #25. Please use the link to register:   https://goo.gl/LK4G2V  There is a $10 suggested donation per student:  https://www.paypal.me/Winterhavenchessclub/10

If you have any questions, please email Dean at winterhavenchessclub@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events:

• March 26-30: Spring Break—No School
• April 11: 8^th Grade Musical—6:00 pm
• April 12: MAC Attack
• April 12: 8^th Grade Musical—6:00 pm
• April 13: No School: Teacher Planning Day

COUNSELOR'S CORNER

Hey everyone, A quick shakedown of the week before vacation:

I’m out of the building a bunch this week for both training and family stuff so there isn’t too much to report as I’ll be missing most of the classroom visits. If I do make it to the K-5 classrooms, we will talk about assertive communication some more, zooming in on “I messages”. I messages are structured ways for people to communicate disagreements. They look like this: 

• “I feel _______________ (emotion) when you _____________ (action).  
• Could you please ________________ (request for action, change, etc.).” 

They help people own their feelings and others to feel less attacked and therefore less defensive so they can hear what you are trying to communicate.  We will do these at all grade levels K-5. Mostly after Spring Break, it appears.

In 6th grade we are starting Sex Ed / Health. Students should have a talking sheet to go over with you every week for homework. These are graded assignments, please sign them on the bottom. This is your chance to state your family’s values around this topic and share out what the students are thinking. They can be difficult conversations, but necessary ones. Trust me, they are far more nervous about talking to you about this than you are to them. This week’s lesson is on basic vocabulary and the worksheet is on puberty for next class. As an aside, I read a terrifying statistic: The average age of kids being exposed to porn is now 8 or 9. They need to have some education around healthy relationships instead of just relying on that. Yes, they are tremendously uncomfortable and goofy as all get out in these lessons. The feigned disgust trying to cover obvious interest is pretty fun to see.

And to our weekly question: How do different culture’s “normal” means of communicating cause friction when communicating with other cultures? I’m thinking of a friend of mine who spent a few years living in Ghana. She shared with me that Gha is a very direct language, a lot of the niceties and manners are done non-verbally as the structures aren’t present in the language. Contrast that with some First Nations’ cultural avoidance of directness, choosing to often speak in metaphor rather than confront. Even our stereotypical East Coast vs. West Coast communication shows this friction. We communicate in a way that is socially normed for us which does not necessarily fit well with other cultures. Can you think of a time that something like this happened in your life and share it with your kids?

Cliff Shaw
School Counselor
Winterhaven School

MAC ATTACK—(MAKE ART COUNT / annual jog-a-thon) Thursday, April 12

All students should have received their Mac Attack sponsor sheet. If your student did not or they need another one, they can pick one up in the main office or from Mrs. Dixon. Students can begin to collect pledges now. 

Deadline #1—Monday April 9—All sponsor sheets are due back to their teachers. An early bird incentive will be given to the middle schoolers who turn theirs in by Thursday April 5.

 

Volunteers needed—We are in need of volunteers to help tally laps the day of the run. We can use you even if you can come for part of it. Please contact Nicole Cordan if you can help. rcordan@pewtrusts.org

 

Times of runs:

11:00-11:45—MS

1:15-2:00—K-2

2:10-2:55—3-5

Thanks again for your help and support with our all school fundraiser.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns—cdixon@pps.net - Colleen Dixon, PE Specialist

8^th GRADE ROCK OPERA—Come see the 8th grade show! ...The Waiting... an original musical by Winterhaven's 8th graders performed April 11-12. Come revel in the creation of the Winterhaven Class of 2018! Admission is free, but donations are happily accepted at the door and will go toward next year's production.

Show Times:

Wed, April 11 at 1:15 PM for the student body

Wed, April 11 at 6:00 PM

Thurs, April 12 at 6:00 PM

2018 WINTERHAVEN CHESS ACADEMY—This is a great opportunity for beginning students to learn the fundamentals of chess and quickly improve their play.  It's primarily geared for K-3rd graders, but anyone can attend.  They will learn how the pieces move, basic strategic ideas, and the principles of opening and endgame play.

The Chess Academy starts April 4th and will be held 4 weeks (April 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th) for an hour (3-4 PM).  We will meet in room #25. Please use the link to register: https://goo.gl/LK4G2V  There is a $10 suggested donation per student:  https://www.paypal.me/Winterhavenchessclub/10

If you have any questions, please email Dean at winterhavenchessclub@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events:

• March 21 – Two Hour Late Start – School starts at 10:45 am
• March 26 – 30 – Spring Break – No School
• April 12 – MAC Attack
• April 13 – No School – Teacher Planning Day

Update on Staffing for the 2018-19 school year – We received our staffing information for next year and due to a change in how PPS does it’s staffing for K-5 students and 6-8 students, we are required to cut 1.25 FTE for next year.  We will be cutting our 2 educational assistant positions, as well as reducing our school secretary position down to 0.5 FTE.  We are also cutting our Literacy Coach position.  This year, Ms. Ferguson was ½ time 8^th grade language arts/7^th grade health and ½ time Literacy Coach.  Ms. Connelly was ½ time 7^th grade language arts and ½ time 7^th and 8^th grade Spanish.  Next year, Ms. Ferguson will be back in the classroom full time and Ms. Connelly will be teaching Spanish half time to our 7^th and 8^th grade students.

We are also making a change on how we use our 0.5 FTE Arts tax funds.  As you know, we have had an art coordinator position for the past several years that has been paid for out of PTSA funds.  As the PTSA can no longer fund the position in the same manner as it has over the past few years due to district and PTA rules, and PPS is requiring that we have a certified Art teacher teach art, we will be using the Arts tax funds to hire a 0.5 FTE visual arts teacher.  This means that we will no longer be able to offer K-5 music.  As for visual arts for students in grades 6-8, we are still working on those details and we will share this information with our community once we have the details finalized.

Counselor’s Corner - Hi everybody,

With Spring Break just around the corner, here is where we are going in counseling this week and next.  I’m a bit bad at predicting the future, so think of this as more setting the course of a sailboat in a storm than a roadmap.  I have to adapt to the winds of the school and they sometimes take me in new places that I wasn’t expecting.

One such place was brought up in last week’s lesson about secrets.  A very wise second grader brought up that there are secrets that need to be told, especially if it involves someone touching them in ways that make them uncomfortable.  We ended up talking about this briefly in all of the K-4 classes with some having more awareness of this than others. Please take the time to have that conversation with your kids.  None of us want to have that be anything to worry about, but it is something we, as parents, need to be proactive about. To their credit, all of them handled it with maturity and seriousness. I used the phrases “where your swimsuit covers” and “private parts” to illustrate what I was talking about and was pretty brief.  This took a bit more time and in most classes, we didn’t get to communication styles so that is the plan for the next couple weeks. Fourth and fifth grade rocked it. It’s good to see them remember something from last year so clearly. If you wanted to support this at home, we broke it down to Aggressive, Passive, Passive-Aggressive (aka Portland Normal) and Assertive. Perhaps observing when people around us are communicating in those styles, and letting kids see how they work and how others feel when those happen could be a good exercise? We will watch the video by Lexie Wilson about it 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC5DkqnMVc4&list=PL6EGjn1pgiWKg5rZL3YAYT0OEa-CW14X4&index=28 as well as a couple other options of learning with it, including some role-playing.  

In 6th grade we are continuing our Suicide Prevention stuff, looking at Depression this week and making a sheet of warning signs so that the kids can have it to help them recognize depression in themselves and their peers.  Next week we start our Sex Ed unit from the state curriculum My Future, My Choice http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/children/mfmc/pages/index.aspx.  There’s ten lessons. I’ll be giving them in order, for the most part. We will be doing this until the end of the year. Expect worksheets to come home and discuss with you every week.  The goal is one lesson per week, but reality is some lessons will take longer than that. Scary to think that the end of the year is planned out and approaching that fast!

8th graders should be done forecasting their classes for next year!  Woo hoo! Cleveland’s counselor should have met with everyone today and confirmed their schedule hopes.  Also, if you could let me know if your student is accepted into private school or another PPS school such as Benson, that would help us know where to send the paperwork at the end of the year and how I can support them until then. 

Marisha Childs and another community member visited us at our staff meeting last week to educate us on the Persian/Zoroastrian New Year’s celebration called Norooz. https://figandquince.com/2013/03/19/haft-seen-persian-new-year-norooz/amp/.  You hopefully saw Nancy’s invitation for Oaks Park around that as well.   I’ve been spending some time thinking about all the different ways people of the world celebrate the new year and how wrapped up in tradition each celebration is, including our own.  I think we tend to think about January 1st as “The New Year” and the others as “Chinese New Year” or “Russian New Year” and think that our Gregorian Calendar is the only one with merit and the others are quaint traditions, unrooted in modern times. Especially so when they are so far chronologically removed from the time we celebrate the same thing in the US.  Here’s link to the Wikipedia rabbit hole of worldwide New Year celebrations:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year.  There are plenty of world traditions for us to be aware of and, if appropriate, celebrate.  As the Wade Davis quote goes: “The world you were born into is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you.  They are unique manifestations of the human spirit.”

Which brings us to our question:  With our ideas of “normal” for celebrations, how can we make sure that we kindly accept people from all over the world and value their traditions also?  What work do we have to do within ourselves to allow that?

Cliff Shaw
School Counselor
Winterhaven School

MAC ATTACK Info - (Make Art Count) school wide jog-a-thon fundraiser. It is time for MAC ATTACK! Winterhaven will be participating to raise funds to enrich our curriculum. Your child will be bringing home their sponsor sheet by Friday March 16.

Please read all the information on the MAC ATTACK sponsor sheet.

1. A parent signature is required in order for your child to participate. See front of form.
2. Please fill in a T-shirt size for your child as well. Your children may earn a T-shirt. The students must earn a total of 30 points. 2 points for each paid sponsor and 1 point for each lap completed. There will be other participant awards, grand prize winner awards, as well as class awards.
3. Sponsors can be collected immediately. Your child should ask for sponsorships only from family, friends and neighbors with whom they are familiar. Do not permit your child to sponsor another child.

IMPORTANT!! IMPORTANT!! IMPORTANT!!

Help your child follow the timeline listed below, so deadlines are not missed. Eligibility for prizes is affected by the deadlines

1^ST DEADLINE:  Monday, April 9   (end of pledge period.  Sponsor sheets must be turned into child’s teacher on this date. This determines final count of points for sponsors collected.)

DATE FOR THE RUN:  Thursday, April 12 (students run on this date, rain or shine. Sponsor sheets will be returned, after the run and then the collection period begins)

             times for the run:

             MS--11:00-11:45

             K-2--1:15-2:00

             3-5--2:10--2:55

 2^ND DEADLINE:  Friday, April 27  (end of the collection period. Funds and Sponsors sheets MUST be turned into your child’s teacher by this date so student can be eligible for prizes that they have earned.)

Thank you for all your help and support. Here’s to another outstanding MAC ATTACK!

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns-- cdixon@pps.net

Colleen Dixon
PE Specialist

School Year 2018-19 Calendar – The calendar for the school year 2018-19 has been approved by the School Board.  It can be found by following the prompts on the following link: https://www.pps.net/Page/2#calendar1/20180308/month. It is also attached to this email (as an attachment).

Chess for Success - The Wizards chess club had another successful run at the 2018 Chess for Success State tournament this weekend. On Friday, with schools competing from all over Oregon, our elementary team took 4th place, On Friday, with schools competing from all over Oregon, our elementary team took 4th place, and our middle school team took 3rd place.  On Saturday, 8 club members competed in the Individuals tournament.  We had two 2nd place winners (who then automatically qualify for the 2019 CFS State Individual Championships).  We also had one 3rd, and one 4th place winner.  All of our team members scored at least 2 points, which is a great job at an all-state tournament.  Go Wizards!  And special thanks to John Shepski and Robert Wentzel for coaching the kids throughout the tournament.   - Dean & Diane Ehnes

2018 Winterhaven Chess Academy -This is a great opportunity for beginning students to learn the fundamentals of chess and quickly improve their play.  It's primarily geared for K-3rd graders, but anyone can attend.  They will learn how the pieces move, basic strategic ideas, and the principles of opening and endgame play.

The Chess Academy starts April 4th and will be held 4 weeks (April 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th) for an hour (3-4 PM).  We will meet in room #25. Please use the link to register:   https://goo.gl/LK4G2V  There is a $10 suggested donation per student:  https://www.paypal.me/Winterhavenchessclub/10

If you have any questions, please email Dean at winterhavenchessclub@gmail.com.