• Family Newsletter September 8th

    9/8/2023

    September 8, 2023 - Kelly Family Newsletter

    Together, we grow and thrive - Вместе мы растём и развиваемся.

     

    Dear Families,

    Thank you for supporting our new arrival process! We would like families to say “goodbye” at the main entrance and allow your student to enter and eat breakfast with their peers. This allows students some independence as well as an opportunity to connect with their friends at breakfast. This is also not the time to walk to classrooms to speak to teachers. They are focused on welcoming all students to the classroom and would be happy to connect with you at another time. Please email them or send them a Remind message. 

    Sometimes accidents happen at school and student’s clothes get wet. It’s always a good idea to send in an extra set of clothes in the event this happens. 

    Student safety is our #1 priority. We have many vehicles during arrival and dismissal. Please follow all traffic signals including the stop signs on Cooper and at the intersection of 91st Avenue and Rural. Vehicles should not stop in the middle of the road for students to run across. Please pull up to a curb and cross the street to pick up your child. Be sure to not block our neighbors’ driveways when you are parking. Please refer to this PDF for some helpful visuals and reminders.

    School Climate

    At Kelly Elementary, we show C.A.R.E. towards one another and our community. Please ask your child what the acronym stands for and what that means to them. You can also specifically ask them what C.A.R.E. looks like in the cafeteria or during recess.

    Community-Minded

    Always Safe and Respectful

    Responsible

    Engaged

    Caring School Community

    We use Caring School Community as our Social Emotional Learning curriculum, which “promotes positive behavior through direct teaching of responsibility, empathy, and cooperation, creating settings where students feel heard, known, and cared for. Students become intrinsically motivated to contribute productively to a community they feel invested in, and where they know they matter.” This week students in 2nd through 5th grade focused on “Creating Class Norms,” 1st graders focused on “How We Want to Treat Each Other” and Kindergartners focused on “Starting the School Year.”. Every morning, students gather in a circle and participate in a greeting and activity. This week, older students created class agreements for how they work together and the younger students focused on being kind and following procedures.

    Important Dates: 

    September 15: Hispanic Heritage Month Begins

    September 15 - Monthly Fire Drill Practice

    September 20: PTA Meeting, 3:30

    September 21: Back to School Night, 5-7pm

    September 27: Lockdown Drill Practice

    September 29: PTA Popcorn Friday, 3pm

    Arrival

    Our new arrival procedures are working well and helping to get students to class ready to learn on time! All students enter through our main doors beginning at 8:30am. Students in grades 3-5 should enter through the far left door while students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade should enter through the far right door. They then follow a similar pattern with the cafeteria doors and this helps with the traffic pattern so students can quickly get their breakfast and get seated. 

    Families, please say “goodbye” to your child at the front doors! Beginning September 11th, families will not enter the building during arrival.

     NEW!  The first bell will ring at 8:37. If your student arrives after 8:37 and does not want breakfast, they may go directly to class. The late bell rings at 8:45! If your child arrives after 8:45, please walk them into the office to sign in. 

    Dismissal

    Dismissal is at 3pm. Kindergarten through 2nd grade students are dismissed under the covered area. Third through fifth grade students dismiss out of the parking lot doors. The older students often meet up with families and siblings at a designated location. After 3:07pm, any remaining student is brought to the front of the school outside of the main entrance. The office closes at 3:30pm so all students MUST be picked up no later than 3:30. If you have an emergency and are going to be late, please call our office to notify them.

    How to Keep In Touch

    PTA

    BottleDrop 

    Keep saving your cans and bottles for Kelly! Just fill your blue collection bag and drop it off at any BottleDrop location. Stop by the office when you are ready for a new bag.

    PTA important dates:

    9/20: Meeting, 3:30pm, Library

    9/28: Popcorn Friday, 3pm, Main Entrance

    Contact us at clintonkellypta@gmail.com

    Growing Gardens

    Teacher Cat will resume garden lessons at all grade levels by the end of September. Students will learn about nutrition as well as about plants and good gardening techniques.

    Latino Network

    SUN Afterschool Program

    SUN programming will start at the beginning of October. Registration starts September 19 and closes on the 26th. Fall Session: October 2-November 16, 3-5:30pm (Monday-Thursday). If you’re interested in leading one of our SUN activities, please reach out to Ms. Cristina: cristina@latnet.org or (503)780-9813  

    Family Resources:

    Weatherization Workshop on October 18 - more info will come soon.

    If you need help with utilities, rent or other things, please contact Ms. Cristina: cristina@latnet.org or (503)780-9813  

    P3 Play and Learn: 

    These will resume in the Fall!

    AGES: 0-5 year-olds AND a parent/caregiver

    LOCATION:  Room #29 in Kelly Center HeadStart (9015 SE Rural St.)

    This is a facilitated play group for parents to come play and learn alongside their children and connect with other parents in a supportive environment. At least one adult must participate with each child. Snacks are provided. Feel free to register beforehand, or just show up! For more information, please call/text/email Emma Mauermann: 503-847-6742; emma@latnet.org

    Food Pantry 

    Our food pantry is open on Wednesdays, 12-1:30pm. Please do not line up until 12pm. 

    If you need assistance with food follow the link https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/   or call 211.

    Champions Before and After School Care

    We have before and after school childcare available at our school through Champions! Please check out their website for more information and the application. They are accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year.