November 2, 2018
Happy November Markham Families!
Last month, Markham welcomed two special guests. Senator Rob Wagner, Oregon Senate District 19, visited us on the 8th. Christina Lincicome, Diversity/Inclusion Director for the SAIF Corporation visited ten days later on the 18th. Both were given a guided tour, and they asked great questions allowing them to get to know Markham. They enjoyed their time and were very complimentary of school community.
Ms. Lincicome is spearheading a book funding project for our library with the help of SAIF employees. Ms. Truman was asked to send her a wish book list in which she happily obliged.
Congratulations on another successful carnival! Thanks to our PTA and all the volunteers it took to make it happen. I regret having missed this event; it was family weekend where my freshman son attends college.
The next Sharing with Shawn is Friday, November 16th from 9:00 to 10:00 in the Neighborhood House Head Start classroom, Rm. 113. This is an informal get together where school information is shared, questions answered, as well as suggested ways to get involved at school. Come and get important information about your school while meeting other Markham parents. Childcare is sponsored by our SUN School/Impact NW.
Reminders:
- There is no school on Monday, November 12th in honor of Veterans’ Day.
- Conferences are scheduled to run from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Monday and Tuesday of November 19th and 20th. Report cards are not filled out for 1st quarter grading period. You will receive a PPS Parent –Teacher Conference Form. These forms are filled out by your child’s classroom teacher and are discussed and presented at the parent/teacher conferences.
- There is also no school on November 21st, 22nd and 23rd in celebration of the Thanksgiving Holiday.
- Mark your calendars: The Scholastic Book Fair will run from December 3rd through December 7th. It will be held in the library. Grandparents and Special Friends Day will also take place on the last day of the Book Fair, Friday, December 7th from 1:30 to 3:00 PM.
This year PPS is using NWEA’s (Northwest Evaluation Association) MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) Assessment Tool. Our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be using it for math. Students have already taken the benchmark assessment. They are able to use the RIT score from MAP to enter into Dreambox which will then produce assignments and activities at each student’s level. This tool will be used throughout the year to assist teachers in instruction as well. For more information, please use the following link: https://sites.google.com/view/map-growth/for-parents
Important Information from Safe Routes to School
Daylight Savings Time and cold, wet, dark fall weather are officially here! Take a little extra time to prepare yourself and your family before heading out into the streets.
WHEN DRIVING
- Are your windshield wipers working and headlights functional and bright? These tools help you see everyone on the road and your lights help them see you.
- Slow down and minimize distractions. Rainy weather and darkness make it particularly challenging to see people walking, biking and rolling. Be actively alert and looking for fellow road users, especially in school and business zones.
WHEN BIKING
- Make sure lights for your bike or backpack have fresh batteries; it’s no fun and dangerous to be caught without lights in the dark.
- These preventative maintenance tips, like wiping down the braking surface of your wheels, can help keep your bike working properly and improve safety.
- Washing rain gear can keep reflective striping and colors bright, and helps materials stay free of oils and more prepared to battle the elements.
WHEN WALKING & ROLLING
- Seek out all your umbrellas, rain gear, warm hats and unmatched pairs of gloves -- they tend to go into hiding over the summer.
- Help other road users see you better with reflective stickers, lights, or bright-colored jackets and bags. Rainy, dark conditions can make it more challenging for people driving and biking to see you on corners and in crosswalks.
- The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation has free neighborhood walk and bike maps that show where traffic signals are located for crossing busier streets. They also mark pedestrian paths, stairways, and streets with less traffic to help plan your route to school. (Find maps online at saferoutesportland.org, or call Safe Routes to School at 503-823-1171.)
In this season of thankfulness, I would like to share my gratitude for the Markham School Community. I am always touched and moved by the care, energy and effort that goes into making Markham a great place for children to go to school. I am wishing all of you wonderful and peaceful times with family and friends as we celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Thankfully,
Shawn Garnett
Principal
