PRINCIPAL’S CORNER by KAREN PUGSLEY, PRINCIPAL at CHEHALEM VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Hi all,
This week I observed multiple classrooms looking for evidence of one of our foundational student learning goals:
Students will read and comprehend complex text using higher order, critical thinking skills.
When I observe in classrooms, I take notes and then meet with teachers individually to talk about their objectives and what I saw in my visit. Specifically, I look for evidence that students are able to do one or more of the following: Discuss, analyze, ask questions, justify thinking, critique the reasoning of others, use evidence to support ideas, and respectfully engage in discourse with peers and adults.
I visited the 8th grade Humanities classrooms this week and was excited to see students grappling with big ideas in their Micro Nations project. In this project, students collaborate in a team to create their own small nation. They have to do research on our own form of government, including the thinking that led to our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Instead of memorizing the details of the documents, they have to apply the concepts in a new way – by creating their own documents linked to great historical thinkers who contributed to our democratic system. In addition to this, they referenced what they learned in the book Animal Farm, a dark take on government based on authoritarianism. When I listened to the student conversations in small groups, I impressed by what I heard. They were thinking critically, collaborating actively and communicating effectively. Every student was actively engaged in a complex topic and they were doing deep thinking. This is what I hope to see students do in every classroom at CVMS on a regular basis. When teachers work together to create meaningful learning in their classrooms, our students benefit. Kudos to our 8th grade Humanities team, Cis Brower, Aaron Gapasin and Tashia Murchison, for an excellent example of project based learning!
Cheers,
Karen
A Memo from Mrs. Petrie
One of the most important things you can do for your student to contribute to their academic success is to help them get to school on time on a regular basis. Research shows absences, excused or unexcused, begin to impact learning when they happen more than one day a month.
Our attendance team meets weekly to review attendance patterns. Our goal is to engage with families and problem-solve when attendance becomes a concern.
Additionally, we need student to be in class on time. To hold students accountable, teachers follow the guidelines below:
Students arriving 10 or more minutes late to 1st period will receive an office-assigned lunch detention.
Teachers track tardies in their classes. After 3 tardies students will receive an MIR and can assign lunch or after school detention
Halloween Costume Guidelines
Monday is Halloween. CVMS students are invited to dress up if they would like. Please review the guidelines below.
Costumes must meet all school dress code requirements including:
No drug or alcohol references
No look-alike weapons or weapon imagery
No exposed undergarments
No masks
No clown costumes
We also ask that students apply any makeup or other costume elements at home. Students may be asked to change out of their costume if it causes disruption to the learning environment.
Week at a Glance – October 31st – November 4th
Monday – Regular Schedule; Halloween – See above for costume guidelines
Tuesday – Regular Schedule
Wednesday – Late start, Base Camp schedule
Thursday – Regular Schedule
Friday – Regular Schedule
SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS
CPRD/Senior Center
We have an ongoing and expanding partnership with CPRD – from middle level sports to a new partnership with the Senior Center - Sawdust Club. Call CPRD for more details.
CV Parent Group
Next meeting: Thursday, Nov. 17 at 6:30pm
PARENTLINK
Newberg School District parents have password-protected, online access to their student's grades, class schedule, attendance, assignments and report card grades via ParentLINK. The ParentLINK portal can be accessed through the school district mobile app.
http://www.newberg.k12.or.us/district/school-home-parentlink-student-success
IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION and INFORMATION LINKS
Please visit our web page on a regular basis to keep up with current news and information your student may forget to tell you! http://www.newberg.k12.or.us/chehalemvalley
Visit the District’s E-Friday folder http://www.newberg.k12.or.us/district/e-friday-folder for additional school and community events, classes and opportunities.
PLEASE VISIT THIS WEBSITE FOR SCHOOL CLOSURE INFORMATION
http://www.newberg.k12.or.us/district/weather-and-emergency-closure-notification
See the Parent Group section of our Webpage:
http://www.newberg.k12.or.us/chehalemvalley/chehalem-valley-middle-school-pto
Download the Newberg School District Mobile App for Free!
The Newberg School District App connects parents, students, staff and community to our most sought-after information in a convenient format – your mobile device. The Newberg School District App is free for users and available for immediate download on iPhone and Android devices.
The NSD App features:
• Password protected access to student grades and information
• Push notifications for instant alerts from school
• District and school news
• Calendar information
• A tip line tool
• School directories and contact information
• Sports schedules and scores
• School safety protocols
• Message from the Superintendent
• Bus routes and transportation information
• Destiny Quest online school library
• And more!
http://www.newberg.k12.or.us/district/newberg-mobile-app
EFriday Folder
Many events can be found on the District’s EFriday Folder. Check them out!
http://www.newberg.k12.or.us/district/e-friday-folder
