Principal's Message

Good Afternoon Findley Families,

By now, you have likely heard that Gov. Brown issued an executive order that schools will be closed through April 28. I know that this has been a difficult time for many people. I hope you have all been able to make the best of this situation and are finding ways to use this time to be together and focus on your families. I definitely encourage you to get outside while we still have some sun in our forecast, read, play games, build forts, garden, and any other activities your families’ love. I for one, have been spending a lot of time in my backyard getting it spring/summer ready. 😊

At this time, BSD has not established a plan for on-line learning, beyond providing the Remote Learning Options already available to families through the BSD website. Below I have copied and pasted the guidance from the Oregon Department of Education that BSD must follow when developing an on-line instructional program for our large district of 40,000+ students.  As you will see, there is a lot to consider when developing an on-line instructional programs that meets the needs of a largely diverse student and family demographic. We appreciate your patience and grace as we are all learning how to navigate such an unprecedented circumstance.

The district will continue to share updates with families, as will I, as we go down these uncharted waters together. For now, I wanted to share with you a short message for students from Mrs. Gotfried, our school counselor. I encourage you to take some time together as a family to watch and listen. Also, please reach out if your family is need of food, shelter, or other basic needs. We are here and there are resources.  

I miss you all so much!

More later,
Sherry Marsh, Ed.D.

https://youtu.be/oL2yUhCRCPY

A message from Mrs. Gotfried A greeting from Findley's school counselor Mrs. Gotfried youtu.be

 

From the Oregon Department of Education:
“The impact to students during a school closure can be significant. The learning time and support students receive at school are not easily supplemented or replaced.

Understanding the desire and responsibility of parents and educators alike to provide continuity for every student in their learning, many school districts are assessing the feasibility of providing online learning in the event of extended school closures. In looking at this option, it is important to consider the practical steps necessary to appropriately serve every student equitably and the extent to which a traditional school environment can be quickly replicated online. It is not a simple task, nor is it one that should be attempted without serious consideration of equity and access.

This guidance is aimed at supporting schools in evaluating this approach, understanding their legal obligations, and the standards for the delivery of instruction and student supports that must be adhered to in moving to fully online school.

At this time, Oregon does not have the statewide capacity, infrastructure or expertise to equitably move to online learning in the event of prolonged school closures. ODE does not expect districts to transition to online learning as schools close for health and safety reasons. Should districts opt for providing online learning, ODE has a responsibility to ensure all students are served appropriately.

Districts or schools in some areas may have the capacity to explore expanding or offering online learning. If a district or school is seeking to build capacity for online learning, carefully consider the regulations that need to be met to replace your current in-person “brick and mortar” school with an online school:

All students in the school or district have full access to the learning, the educators, and required materials (including technology).

The online learning system effectively supports the district’s different learning and teaching needs, including the ability to provide differentiated instruction as well as one- on-one support for students who need it.

Online instructional materials are aligned to Oregon State Standards.

Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) identified on a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or required supports for a 504 plan must be provided if the district is operating school online.

Support and instruction for emerging bilingual/English Learners must be provided if the district is operating school online.

Supports for talented and gifted students must be provided if the district is operating school online.

Ensuring equal student access to the instruction and assessments associated with dual credit courses.

Providing training to staff, students, and parents and guardians on how the online system works and the expectations of the district.

Attendance is tracked and reported for both students and staff.

Online systems are secure and will not allow for the release of protected student or staff information.

Students have access to school meals.

Students have access to school counseling services.

Districts should apply an equity lens when considering operating fully online schools. Districts should consider the impacts on underserved groups, including students of color, students with disabilities, emerging bilingual students, students experiencing poverty and homelessness, and students who belong to other protected classes. Consider whether the model will improve or worsen disparities between populations. Consider barriers to equitable implementation and unintended consequences.

Shifting from a “brick and mortar” school environment to online learning that meets the regulations of holding “school” is a complex task that requires thoughtful planning, serious consideration of practicality, and assessment of risk. The ODE does not recommend schools consider a transition to online learning unless the district can ensure, at a minimum, each of the above considerations are met. ODE also does not recommend that district’s seek to deploy new technological platforms at this time.

Good Afternoon Findley Dragons,

I hope everyone is remaining safe and healthy. Yes, these are some strange times, but I have adopted this mantra from those who have come before me: This too, shall pass. We will get through this.

As of this afternoon at 4 PM, all remaining BSD employees will be working remotely, with the exception of our maintenance and facilities staff tasked with disinfecting buildings and those working in nutrition services providing food for our community. This means, we will no longer be in the building to answer calls. Should you need us, please access our Findley Website >Connect With Us>Contact Us. We will be checking messages daily and will be able to forward emails to teachers and other school staff if necessary. 

Before we go, I wanted to be sure you all had the following information:

• Anyone can call 211 for assistance with housing, childcare, utility bills, or if you have health and safety questions or need any other resources. Help is available in several languages. 

• The Beaverton School District is providing free meals at several sites from 11:00 to 12:00 this week and on March 30 and March 31. Students must be present to pick up a meal. The closest site to Findley is Sunset High School. 

• If you have internet access, be sure to check your email regularly for updates. If you do not have internet access at home, you can receive 2 months of free internet access through Comcast. Call 1-855-846-8376 or use a wifi hotspot to look up Comcast Internet Essentials.

• The Remote Learning Page, also linked to our last newsletter, is full of activities to keep the kiddos busy and engaged with learning.

Hope to see you all soon!

Take good care,
Sherry Marsh, Ed.D.

Friday March 13, 2020

Findley Families,

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this very dynamic situation. As the Governor announced last night all schools in Oregon will be closed beginning Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Students are slated to return April 1.  

The district has prepared a remote learning webpage where you can access a variety of resources to help keep students engaged in learning over this extended break. Included in these resources are suggested activities for reading, writing, math, social studies, science, emotional well-being and English Language Development. I would encourage you to look at all the resources available.

Below is the district’s statement on remote learning:

Remote Learning

BSD Teaching & Learning Department is providing suggested lessons and activities that families can use to keep students engaged in learning during this extended school closure. Remote learning activities are organized by grade level and contain a combination of low tech and technology-based options across multiple subject areas, including consideration for student physical and mental wellness. Our goal is to provide a structure for at-home learning so families have some easy-to-implement activities to prevent regression and learning loss during this break. Include link:

Remote Learning Web Page. 

For tech support, please contact your school office and you will be directed to the school’s technology support specialist. 

Here is more information you might find helpful:

Meals
The Nutrition Services Department will be providing lunch for all students and children ages one (1) and up March 16 – 20, March 30, and March 31 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at designated school sites (listed below). 

• Meals will be available for all students. Students must be present to be given a meal. 
• We will be handing meals out, grab & go style. Cafeterias will not be open for dining. Curbside pick-up will be available.
• Sites:
  • Aloha Huber Park K-8
  • Barnes Elementary School
  • Beaver Acres Elementary School
  • Chehalem Elementary School
  • Fir Grove Elementary School
  • Hazeldale Elementary School
  • Kinnaman Elementary School
  • McKinley Elementary School
  • Raleigh Hills K-8
  • Vose Elementary School
  • William Walker Elementary School
  • Whitford Middle School
  • Beaverton High School
  • Southridge High School
  • Sunset High School

Elementary Conferences
Elementary Conferences scheduled for April 2-3 and April 16-17 are canceled. These days will be restored as Student Contact days.  This means that the students will be in attendance with expectations of a regular school day.  Elementary Parent Conferences will not be rescheduled. Nutrition and transportation services will be provided.

How the Closure will affect the End of the School Year
At this time, we do not know how this emergency closure will affect the end of the 2019-2020 school year.  We will keep you updated as details become available.

Resources
We have a list of community resources available on our website.  Please visit https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/student-services/community-resources

Comcast Internet Essentials: Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, anyone who signs up for Internet Essentials will receive two free months of Internet service.

Health Care: The Beaverton School Based Health Center will be open during the closure and spring break.

Please know that while our office won’t be open to the public, we will be working next week (3/16-3/20) and stand ready to answer any questions you might have during this time.

Stay Healthy Dragons!
Sherry Marsh, Ed.D

Good Afternoon Findley Families,

First off, I want to thank our Science Fair Committee for putting on a great event last night. Although our turnout was smaller than usual, students presented their projects well and lots of fun was had by all who attended.

In light of new restrictions put on public gatherings by Governor Brown late last evening, BSD has issued new guidance to schools regarding essential vs. non-essential activities. In looking ahead at our school calendar the following regularly scheduled events/activities  that bring in lots of individuals will be cancelled until further notice:

• Art Literacy
• Findley Flyers
• Passport Club
• Choir
• Xylophone Club
• Unicycle/PE Performance Team
• MUSE Band Practice
• Girls on the Run
• Two Teachers Tutoring
• Math Olympiad
• PTO Meetings-including committee meetings

In addition, until further notice, no volunteers will be allowed in classrooms or in the building.

Other scheduled events that are canceled  due to this new guidance are:

• Choir - Bethan Village March 12
• PE Showcase-March 18
• 2^nd Grade PYP Night-scheduled for March 19
• All School Assembly-March 20
• Unicycle - Blazer Game April 9

Special Education Team (IEP, Eligibility, 504) meetings will continue as scheduled due to timelines associated with IDEA and limited amount of people . We will still have our OBOB Ice Cream Celebration, however due to restrictions on volunteers, parents will not be able to attend.

At this time, the district is looking at the week we return from Spring Break and will make a decision regarding parent/teacher conferences at a later date. Additionally, the Oregon Department of Education is currently reviewing attendance policies and  when/if there is update to share, I will. There will be more communication coming as this is a fast evolving situation. I will get out information as soon as I am able. I truly appreciate the patience, grace and support we have received from the greater school community during these times of uncertainty and will continue to do my best to provide timely, clear and concise information.

Thank you,
Sherry Marsh, ED
Principal
Findley Elementary