June 9, 2017
Happy June Markham Families,
We are quickly winding down the school year. Ready or not, summer is coming! We hope your summer is filled with fun, continued learning and relaxation.
One way to keep the learning going is to access IXL through the summer at www.ixl.com. Our school license for IXL extends to September 11, 2017. Also, don’t forget about Mr. Kertay’s protopage. Students can access a variety of safe academic links that they use in technology. The direct link: http://www.protopage.com/markhamcomplab. You can google Markham Protopage as well or go to the Markham homepage: http://www.pps.net/Domain/140 and click on “Technology Webpage” under Quick Links.
In my February newsletter I shared with you information regarding the online math support programs that Mr. Stafford and Ms. Staples piloted through a district grant. The two programs were ST Math and Dream Box. Both programs showed such positive growth that our Funded Programs Department is supporting Title 1 schools with licenses to both programs. Our K-3 will have ST Math and our 4th and 5th will use Dream Box to support our students’ conceptual understanding and mastery of mathematical concepts. The ST Math program even has a math fact fluency component. If you would like to sample them the links are: www.mindresearch.org/stmath and www.dreambox.com. We are also able to keep the 26 Chromebooks that came with the grant.
Funded Programs will also be purchasing two Chromebook carts of 36 each for next year, along with a subscription to myOn. myOn is an on-line digital library from Capstone Books. It personalizes reading by recommending books based on students’ interests and reading level. It is very similar to Tumble Book Library that our students can access this summer. Please see message below from Ms. Truman regarding this free service.
Tumble Book Library: Free On-line Books and Videos!
Did you know that your family can access hundreds of books on Tumble Book Library? There are animated talking picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and non-fiction titles on this website. There are also books in Spanish and French, and videos. This is a super way to get kids reading over the summer!
- Go to the “Markham Elementary School” homepage
- Go to “Library”
- Click on “Tumble Book Library” – you’re in!
You’ll never be without a book this summer if you use Tumble Book Library.
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Sarah Lee to the Markham Community. She will be a part of the 3rd grade team taking Mr. Stafford’s place as he transitions to the 5th grade team next year. Ms. Lee comes to us from Harrison Park K-8.
Our Student Learning Garden looks wonderful. I want to thank Misty Plock for organizing and all of the volunteers who came to help spruce up the beds and get them ready for plantings.
Our Spring Concert, World Tour/Global Village, Used Book Sale and Right Brain Projects made for a fun filled evening. Thank you Mr. Erickson and students for all your hard work in learning songs to sing and playing on the recorders and various other wind and percussion instruments. The students did so well with their solos and duets. Thank you Shannon Kandel for organizing the Global Village representing ten countries. Thank you also, all those who created your country’s display table. Thank you PTA for another successful Used Book Sale. What a deal – every book 25 cents! Thank you Lisa Eisenberg and Julie Keefe, Right Brain Artists, for your creative and engaging work with our students. Ms. Keefe worked with K-2 on using writing and photograhpy to create comparison poetry. Ms. Eisenberg worked with grades 3-5 to write, draw, and self-publish original comics.
Thank you Ms. Huber and kindergarten students for the beautiful Kandinsky inspired artwork in the kindergarten hall. The wall displays are a joyful addition.
I am elated that Field Day was able to go on as planned with no rain. Students had a marvelous time. Thank you Mr. Johnson for all the planning and preparation to make this event memorable fun and to all of our volunteers who kept activities running smoothly.
Student meal accounts with positive or negative balances will carry over into next school year. Families can pay off negative account balances by cash or check in the cafeteria, or online at www.myschoolbucks.com by June 15, 2017. Families with positive account balances have the following options:
- Do nothing -- leave the funds in the account to pay for future school meals
- Request the balance be transferred to a sibling meal account
- Request a refund via the Cafeteria Lead (check will be sent within 4-6 weeks)
- Request the funds be donated to help cover money owed on other student meal accounts
For more information, go to www.pps.net/nutrition, or call 503-916-3399.
Join Us! Our 5th graders are promoting to middle school. The promotion will take place on Thursday, June 15th at 1:00 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 5th graders as they parade by for the last time as Markham’s oldest students. This group of 5th graders has a special place in my heart. I have seen them move through the grades from kindergarten to 5th. It is always with happy and heavy hearts that we celebrate them transitioning to middle school. We will truly miss them and wish them much success in their middle school years. Go Eagles!
I am looking forward to the next school year. In the meantime, I am wishing all of you a safe, relaxing, learning and fun-filled summer.
To the best, all my best,
Shawn Garnett
Principal
