December 2014 - Beaverton School District

f
f
a
St
District Goal:
All students will
show continuous
progress toward
their personal
learning goals,
developed in
collaboration
with teachers
and parents,
and will be
prepared for
post-secondary
education and
career success.
December 2014
Invitation to shop at the adidas Employee Store in December
Beaverton School District employees are invited to shop at the adidas Employee Store during the
month of December. Employee Store pricing is wholesale, which is an average 50% off manufactures
suggested retail price (MSRP).
The Invitation is posted on District Announcements and on the Special Offers page on the
Communications & Community Involvement Department on the Staff Intranet.
Sunset HS teacher takes lego robotics to a new level
Sunset High School Technology teacher, Cady Geer, recently
won the LEGO MINDSTORMS competition. Cady built
a multi-purpose vehicle that combined a bus and a street
sweeper designed to “take care” of Manhattan.
Cady unveiled her creation at the Engadget’s Expand
Conference in New Your City
last month. Competitors were
given LEGO MINDSTORMS
EV3 kits and tasked with building a robot that would either save
or destroy of Manhattan.
Cady took home a trophy and a $500 LEGO gift card.
Congratulations, Cady!
WE want every
Greenway ES 5th graders prepare for college and career
student to
graduate with
Greenway Elementary School Counselor, Bijoli Biswas is helping 5th grade students prepare for
many options and college and beyond with the help of her counseling colleagues from Southridge High School and
be prepared to:
Conestoga Middle School.
THINK:
Creatively &
Critically
KNOW:
Master Content
ACT:
Self Direct &
Collaborate
GO:
Navigate Locally
& Globally.
The counselors, along with Instructional Specialist, Heidi Pimm, collaborated to conduct interviews
for 5th grade students interested in the following positions, Peace Helpers (peer helpers trained in
problem solving and conflict resolution to help with k-2 recess), Hall
Monitors, Classroom Assistants, and 5th grade Leadership Team.
After completing an application and reference check, Bijoli prepared
the students for these interviews by teaching them lifelong skills in
interviewing and completing job applications.
Thank you to Counselors David Nelson and Susie Jacobson at
Conestoga Middle School and Josie Abuan, Lauryn Files and Tresci
at Southridge High School.
Recognitions and Accomplishments of staff doing great things in the Beaverton School District
Staff Spotlights
Lea Molczan - 6th Grade Humanities Teacher, Mountain View Middle School
Sitting in her 6th grade Humanities classroom, a life-size cut-out of Peyton
Manning behind her desk, and Lea Molczan is right where she wants to be. “I
couldn’t see myself teaching anything else,” she says.
With her bright purple LSU sweatshirt and the fleur-de-lis charm on her necklace,
you would never guess that Lea is from New Orleans. She’s been with the District
for 15 years. After student teaching at Five Oaks Middle School, she stayed there
for her first teaching job. Lea transferred to Mountain View Middle School five
years ago. “I love the sense of community here among staff, students and families,”
she says.
Right now, Lea’s students are working on an essay project. She says her favorite thing about teaching is empowering her
students, “Not doing it for them, but giving them the tools they need to figure it out themselves.”
Lea’s student teacher, Nicole McGee says she’s great at teaching teachers, as well as students. “She is fantastic at encouraging
me to take over the class. She has more confidence in me than I have in myself,” says McGee.
Oh, and about that Peyton Manning cutout? He’s also from New Orleans and Lea says she’s followed his career since she was
young. The cutout was a birthday present from her teaching partner. Says Lea, “Sometimes a speech bubble even pops out
above his head if he wants to ‘talk’ to the kids!”
It’s a Blizzard of Giving at Conestoga MS
Conestoga Middle School’s Action Council continues their mission to help people in their community. They kicked off
the year with a Tacky Tourist Dress-up Day and food drive to start the Conestoga Food Pantry. Students and staff have
been collecting food to give to students to take home.
As the Civil War football game approached, students and staff donated food and money in honor of both the Ducks and
the Beavers. During the six-day drive the Action Council collected a grand total of 711 food items and $447.46 that will
be used to keep the pantry stocked throughout the year.
As the Winter season approaches, the Action Council has launched a Blizzard of Giving. Working with a local church
and Conestoga Middle School’s feeder elementary schools the Action Council will adopt 22 Beaverton families for the
upcoming holiday season. Homerooms will be supplying a new gift for each child, as well as food for a holiday meal.
October was Soctober at Hiteon ES
Second graders at Hiteon Elementary School
hosted a sock drive during the month of
October, inspired by Kid President called
“Soctober.”
The students collected 500 pairs of new socks
in all colors and sizes and donated them to the
Beaverton School District Clothes Closet.
Thank you, Hiteon second graders!
Principal Spotlights
Sean Leverty - Montclair Elementary School
Near the far eastern boundary of the Beaverton School District, nestled against
wetlands, is what Principal Sean Leverty describes as “the best kept secret” –
Montclair Elementary School. “Montclair is a unique place that holds traditions
and community close to its core values, but we are so much more than that,” he
wrote in a recent newsletter to parents.
This is Leverty’s second year leading students and staff at Montclair. He says
it’s off to an excellent start, “Having one year under my belt has made a world of
difference.”
Previously, Leverty was the student supervisor at Hiteon Elementary School. He’s been with the District since 2007.
Leverty says he enjoys helping facilitate learning, reflection and change, both with students and teachers. “We have amazing
teachers and staff members at my school, and I am fortunate to be able to work with such diverse and talented people.
Each person brings their A-game each day in order to support our students and families.”
While he initially taught Social Studies, Leverty says History is his favorite subject. “I believe we can learn so much from
the past.”
Leverty is especially proud of the contributions parent volunteers have made to his school. “The love of learning is not lost
on our student population, and having parents that support the school makes our work more manageable.”
Kathleen Skidmore - Findley Elementary School
When Findley Elementary School Principal Kathleen Skidmore was little, she
spent a lot of time playing school. It made sense, because both her parents
were educators. Not surprisingly, she also went into the education profession.
“From a very early age I knew I wanted to become a teacher,” says Skidmore.
She says her former teacher, Mrs. Whitford and principal Betty Flad also
played a significant role in her desire to become a teacher.
Skidmore has been principal at Findley for the last eight years. This year, she
welcomed the largest group of new families in her tenure. “This year is moving
along at lightning speed,” says Skidmore.
Before she took over at Findley, Skidmore spent four years as principal at Greenway Elementary School and two years at
Glide Elementary School.
She recalls a memorable experience from her time at Glide Elementary. “A bear was on our campus during our all-school
recess. Coming from the city, my reaction was to run towards the school while yelling ‘everybody run,’ only to look
behind once I reached the school and saw no one else running. One child said to me, ‘Oh Mrs. Skidmore, it’s just a bear
passing through.”
What Skidmore enjoys most about being a principal are the daily interactions, the new beginnings and the constant buzz
at a school. She says, “It is an exciting place to be. Every day is not like another.”
Principal Spotlights continued
Zan Hess - Conestoga Middle School
Whether it’s scraping gum off the floor, stapling a fallen poster back up on the
wall or lunch duty, it’s all in a day’s work for Conestoga Middle School Principal
Zan Hess.
Once, he was even duct taped to a wall during an assembly at Fir Grove
Elementary School. “I offered it as a reward if the kids accomplished a specific
goal. They did their part and I did mine.” He says he will never forget the look
on children’s faces when they accomplish something that they had previously
thought impossible.
As a father of seven and a middle school principal, Hess is surrounded by children all day, every day. “I love the variety of a middle school. The energy is
unlike any other place,” he says.
Being connected to schools and learning is in his blood. Hess’ mother worked in Beaverton schools for nearly 25 years.
After graduating from Western Oregon University, he taught third and fourth grade at Raleigh Park Elementary School.
Hess spent time as assistant principal at Conestoga, before leading Fir Grove Elementary School. He’s been principal at
Conestoga for six years.
Hess says the school has an outstanding comprehensive arts program that includes Band, Choir, Drama and the Visual
Arts. “I’m really proud that we have been able to keep those opportunities going for our students despite the economic
hardships of recent years.”
As Conestoga turns 20 this year, Hess says the year is off to a fantastic start, “The energy level is palpable at times as
students learn and master new concepts every day.”
Ken Struckmeier - Cedar Park Middle School
Teaching runs in his family. Cedar Park Middle School Principal Ken Struckmeier’s
mother taught elementary school for several years. His sister and sister-in-law
are also teachers.
Struckmeier joined Cedar Park in 2011. Previously, he was an assistant
principal at the International School of Beaverton (ISB). He says one of the
most memorable moments of his career came when ISB graduated its first
class in 2010. “It was amazing to watch a school develop from a concept to a
success story. Knowing that every graduate had taken on the challenging ISB
Program made their success, and the success of the school, all that much more
meaningful.”
Struckmeier’s favorite subject in elementary school was Math. “I assumed that if I were to become a teacher, I would teach
Math,” he says. But he actually ended up teaching Social Studies. “Though I enjoy every subject, I appreciate how Social
Studies trains students to develop an argument and support the argument with evidence.”
Cedar Park is implementing the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program this year. Struckmeier
says the program supports the school’s mission of having all students reach the challenging standards of the International
Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme curriculum.
Struckmeier says he enjoys being in classrooms and watching teachers and students interact. “We have incredibly strong
teachers. The teaching and learning going on is inspiring.”
Principal Spotlights continued
Carmen Gelman - Deer Park Academy
Deer Park Academy Principal Carmen Gelman cares. You see it in the
reasons she became an educator. You see it in her face when interacting
with students and staff. And, you see it in her actions. Right now, she’s
learning to drive an activity van, along with a handful of other staff members,
so her students can take field trips. “Many of our students do not live in a
world of possibilities, they live in a world of limits and our job is to change
that,” says Gelman.
Gelman has a background as a juvenile probation officer. She says working
in the juvenile justice setting gave her the opportunity to work with some
of the most disenfranchised students and families. “I got into education because I felt that many students that ended up
on my caseload weren’t getting a fair shake in education,” says Gelman. “I thought that if I could get into education, I
could help to level out the playing field for students and families who often felt put down by our educational institutions
and did not have a voice.”
This year, Deer Park went from a half-day to a full-day program. Gelman says she often deals with misconceptions about
her school. “Most of our students have severe mental health issues. We rarely see a gang member. Even the students that
are here for expulsions are good kids than made bad decisions.”
Gelman says graduations are one of the favorite moments of her career. “Students don’t just shake my hand, they hug me
and thank me,” she says. “Little do they know what an impact they have had on my life.”
Oak Hills Turkey Trot - A charitable Thanksgiving tradition
The 12th Annual Oak Hills Turkey Trot was a benefit for victims of a fire in the Oak
Hills community.
Each year, Oak Hills Elementary School students vote on a local, national or
international non-profit where the proceeds will be donated. But after a November
fire damaged several condominiums across the street from the school, the PTO decided
to forgo that process. Event chair Cyndie Pelto said, “Designating our Turkey Trot
funds to those displaced by this devastating fire is exactly what our community
wants.”
For more information on the event, http://oakhillsturkeytrot.weebly.com/
Stoller MS Cross Country team are District champions
For the first time in 18 years, the Stoller Middle School Cross Country team became
District Champions in the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District’s (THPRD)
Beaverton Cross Country League.
The Stoller team placed first in the Girls and Boys 7th-8th Grade Divisions. They were
presented with two first-place trophies for their hard work and determination.
Congratulations!
BSD SRO Team recognized by Oregon Peace Officer Association
The Beaverton School District School Resource Officer (SRO)
team was nominated for a unit commendation by the Beaverton
Police Department for their outstanding service within the
City of Beaverton and Beaverton School District.
A unit commendation is awarded to any unit, relief or division
whose members, as a group, performed in a manner, which if
performed by an individual, would merit recognition in the
form of a Distinguished Service Medal. The work that the
team has done exemplifies quality police work in investigations,
classes taught throughout the school system and ongoing
dedication to training staff and students on safety related
issues.
In addition, the SRO team was nominated for the City of Pictured from left to right: Officer Kelly Godinet, Officer Dan Cotton,
Darren Fletchall, Officer Jeremy Shaw, Officer Greg Schapp, Director
Beaverton’s 2014 Service to Beaverton awards. Officer Shaw was Lt.
Kevin Sutherland, Officer. Jessica Hull.
awarded the Medal of Valor for his heroic response to a subject
with a knife call in February 2014. The Medal of Valor is awarded to officers who voluntarily distinguish themselves
through a conspicuous act of gallantry and heroism, in circumstances where the officer was fully aware of the threat
and acted above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of life and limb. Officer Hull was awarded the Meritorious Service
Award for her level of dedication in serving the students in the Beaverton School District.
Congratulations to all award recipients, and thank you for your dedication to the students and staff of the Beaverton
School District.
BHS student selected as Outstanding Student Leader
Yocelin Maldonado Diaz, a senior at Beaverton High School, was selected as
an Outstanding Student Leader. Yocelin will represent the Beaverton School
District and Beaverton High School at the Cesar E. Chavez Leadership Conference
(CELC), in March 2015 at Western Oregon University.
Yocelin is a role model for her peers and makes a difference in the lives of the
people she encountered within her school and community, as well as for her
outstanding academics. This selection serves as recognition, appreciation and
gratitude to a continued dedication to excellent leadership standards.
The District Outstanding Student Leader will play an active role in the day of
the conference. Yocelin will be responsible for:
•
Introducing the conference honored guests
•
Introducing the conference keynote speaker
Yocelin with Beaverton High School Principal •
Speaking at the Administrator’s Panel
Anne Erwin
•
Participation in the CECLC Student Contests Presentation
•
Participation in CECLC Scholarship Presentation
To be prepared for her roles at the conference, Yocelin is required to attend three meetings. The meetings facilitated by
CECLC Committee members. Congratulations, Yocelin!
School Spotlights
Conestoga Middle School
College pennants line the walls of the cafeteria. Collages of college
posters decorate the halls. At every teacher’s door there’s a sign
showing what colleges or universities he or she attended, and the
degrees they earned. But this isn’t a high school, it’s Conestoga Middle
School. You will actually find similar elements at all Beaverton
School District middle schools.
It’s part of the District’s implementation of AVID (Advancement via
Individual Determination). “We want students to be thinking what
can you do today to be ready for college,” says Principal Zan Hess.
Enrollment at Conestoga is around 895 students, 287 of those are 6th graders. During their bustling lunch period,
students wipe down tables as they clear out. Hess says the goal is for students to have a greater sense of ownership and
take pride in their school. Homerooms rotate cleanup duty each week for all three lunch periods.
Conestoga MS was built through a construction bond approved by voters in June of 1991. The school opened in 1994, the
same year the District moved 9th graders to high schools and 6th graders to middle schools.
Montclair Elementary School
The technology lab at Montclair Elementary School is bustling with activity. It’s a student favorite – Lego Robotics. Third
grade students are talking, laughing and working together to build their Lego robots.
Technology Instructional Assistant Joann Vazquez brought the program to Montclair last year, with support from the
Beaverton Education Foundation and eventually, the Parent Teacher Organization. The program is getting a great
response from students. “It’s really teaching the 21st century skills of collaboration and innovation, all the things that
they need to move ahead,” says Vazquez.
Principal Sean Leverty says parent volunteerism is strong at Montclair. “It shows through from our Arts Literacy and
Music Appreciation programs and our primary literacy support, to all of the student-centered events and activities that
enrich our students,” he says.
Montclair ES opened in 1970, using the open-space concept with 12
classrooms. The furnace didn’t work on the first day of school so staff and
students had to bundle up. Over the years, the open-space concept has
been modified and a dedicated library was added in 1999.
The school mascot is the red-tailed hawk. With nearby wetlands, students
and staff would frequently see red-tailed hawks flying around the school.
Says Leverty, “It made sense to incorporate the hawk into our community.” Teachers have taken advantage of those wetlands, embedding nature
and ecology into their core curriculum.
The Beaverton School District recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of the Beaverton School District that there will
be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national
origin, marital status, age, veterans’ status, genetic information or disability in any educational programs, activities or employment.

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