May 3, 2019

Welcome to May Markham Families,

When spring arrives so does all of the end of the school year activities making the school buzz with even more energy and excitement.  Our 2018-2019 school year is quickly coming to a close but not until we get it all done. 

5^th Grade Promotion! Our 5^th graders are promoting to middle school.  The promotion will take place on Wednesday, June 12^th at 1:30 PM in the auditorium with a reception to follow in the cafeteria.  We will then have a Clap-out at 2:45 where everyone lines the halls and celebrates our 5^th graders as they parade by for the last time as Markham 5^th graders.  It is always with happy and heavy hearts that we celebrate them transitioning to middle school. They will certainly be missed, and we wish them much success in their middle school years.

Mr. Crabtree, Jackson’s Assistant Principal, recently visited and introduced the 6^th grade program to our 5^th graders, along with the forecasting materials. This meeting seems to always make it official for me that our oldest students are even closer and certainly ready and prepared for their passage to middle school.

Our annual Staff vs. 5^th Graders volleyball game is set for Wednesday, June 5^th.  We will start at 1:30 in the big gym.  All are welcome to come on out and cheer!  Go Eagles!

Let’s give a shout out to our Destination Imagination teams: The Creators and Fire Breathing Gargoyles!  The Creators took 1^st place and the Gargoyles took 2^nd place in Albany, OR on April 6^th.  For the 2nd time Congratulations are in order! 

Applause for our very own 5^th grader Fatuma A. who placed 2^nd in the regional Spelling Bee.  Way to go, Fatuma!

Four of our 5^th graders were chosen to be participants in The Heart of Portland Elementary Honor Choir. This choir consists of 100 students from within PPS.  They help to bring the festive mood to The Heart of Portland PPS Arts Showcase 2019.  We are so proud of them:  Malia J., Amarilis G., Stephanie W., and Alexa M.

Parent input for Class Placement Forms for the 2019-2020 school year will be available in the office starting Monday, May 6^th.  Filling out this form is totally optional.  If there is information you would like our staff to consider for class placements for the next school year, please complete the form and return it to the office on or before Friday, May 17^th.  Please note:  Markham does not honor specific requests for teachers.  However, if you fill out the form, it will assist us in the appropriate placement for your child.  All class assignments are tentative and subject to change if enrollment or other circumstances require class balancing.  Class assignments will be mailed to families the week of August 12^th. 

The Markham Fun Run was a success! The weather was absolutely cooperative and beautiful!  The course this year was a definite quarter mile. We have Mr. Johnson and the weather to thank.  The dry ground and grass allowed Mr. Johnson to mark the course further out into the field.  Everyone noticed the difference, especially our awesome runners.  All proceeds support school programs. I would like to thank all of our students, volunteers, staff and parent cheerleaders who made this another great event. Thank you again Mr. Kern for the energetic music.

Mark your calendars for the evening of Thursday, May 16^th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.  It is the Markham Spring Event and Used Book Sale!  The evening will consist of our Spring Concert with grades 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th.  There will also be a Used Book Sale with books costing only 25 cents each and adult books a dollar a bag so come on out and enjoy a fabulous, fun-filled evening. 

Our spring Connect to Kindergarten had a great turnout.  Parents asked a lot of great questions and we were happy to share our program with them.  Thank you PTA for your sponsorship with this important event. 

The final community event in support of the district’s Visioning work is coming up Saturday, May 11^th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at OMSI - 1945 SE Water Ave. Portland, OR 97214.  This will be a fun event and the last opportunity to give feedback on the PPS vision before it is finalized in June.

All PPS schools will be closed on Wednesday, May 8^th.  The Oregon Education Association has designated the 8^th as a statewide “Day of Action” to support school funding.  PPS has a clear indication that the number of teacher absences on the 8th will exceed their ability to safely open and operate schools.

MCCA will be open on the 8th and have regular operating hours. 

To make up the instructional hours lost on May 8^th, the last day of school for PPS students will now be June 12^th.

Thank you Markham Community as we utilize our extra spring energy and excitement to work hard for our students all the way to the finish line.

You are the Best,

Shawn Garnett

Principal