First Day Information

If you don't get the newsletter, please go to Sauvie Island Academy's website and sign up. It gives out all our important information (Snow days, Cirriculum night, no school day... And we've revamped it so it's short and sweet.).

Here was the latest one. It covers important information like bussing.

Hello SIA Families,   As summer comes to a close, we are so excited to see all of your students on Tuesday September 2nd as school begins.   Here are commonly asked questions prior to the start of school:   Bus Questions regarding pick-up and drop-off call the Bus Barn at (503) 543-5042. If you are using the bus hub at the Scappoose Middle School to access SIA, the AM buses leave at 8AM and8:10AM (Mondays 9AM and 9:10AM).  They return at approximately 3:25PM.   New Procedures at SMS  Parents who wish to walk their child to the cafeteria may park at the Branches church parking lot.  This will only be permitted for parents walking their children over from the parking lot.  Remember all parent drop-offs/pick-ups will now be in the front of the Scappoose Middle School. You will enter the pass through from Hwy 30, right by the SMS sign.  The entrance off of Maple will be blocked. Please familiarize yourself with this previous to the first day.    School opens at 8:25AM, if you need to drop off earlier than this, Ms. Lori Jaeger does offer this for a fee in the morning in the cafeteria. Please contact her directly to make arrangements: (503) 396-5578   School Start Time is 8:35AM, except on Late-Start Mondays, which is 9:35AM.   Parent Drop-off and Pick-up at SIA - Please park in the upper parking lot and enter the school using the front doors. In the afternoon, please wait in the gym in your student's designated grade area to pick up your student directly from the classroom teacher.   SIA Office phone number is (503) 621-3426. Please let us know before 9AM if your student is absent. If you are changing your student's normal pick up plan please call before 2PM. Please do not call your student on their cell phone, call the office phone and we will pass along information to your student.   School Supplies can be brought to the classroom. Those that are community supplies will be collected by the teacher and those for the individual will be stored in the student's cubby, desk or locker.   Lunch is $2.65 (Just Milk is $.50) and can be paid by check or cash at the front office. Free and reduced applications for lunch is also available for families in need of assistance. Follow this link to the Sept. Lunch Menu.   Volunteering/Chaperoning requires a background check. If you have not completed one in the last two years you will need to do this several days prior to volunteering or chaperoning for SIA.  Background check form Volunteer auto use permit   School is done at 3PM and students will load the buses and depart by 3:05PM. Parent pick-up is in the gym, please do not wait in the lobby or classroom hallways.   After-school Care is available Monday - Friday from 3PM-6PM. Students can attend one day to five days a week. They will have snack, playtime, homework time and activities. Please contact the office if you are interested or in need of using the Aftercare Program.   P.E. News from Ms. Meredith Bring PE Shoes! Non-marking athletic shoes. They can stay at school. Free tennis lessons for SIA students after school from 3-4. Tuesdays- K-3, Thursdays 4-8. I have racquets, but students will need to bring a can of balls when they sign up. There is room for 8 students on each day. Starts the second week of school.  I am looking for exercise equipment for the gym. Bands, exercise balls, kettlebells, dumbbells, steps, etc. If anyone has equipment not being used at home, please donate!   We hope that you enjoy your Labor Day Weekend and we will see your students on Tuesday.   Mrs. Meeuwsen and Staff                  Copyright © 2014 Sauvie Island Academy, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are on the Sauvie Island Academy newsletter list. Our mailing address is: Sauvie Island Academy 14445 NW Charlton Rd Portland, OR 97231 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list   update subscription preferences

This is another great article for parents!

Hello again!

The school director sent me this wonderful article pertaining to the first weeks of school. It's from the Beaverton/Hillsboro perspective, but I thought the following excerpt was good advice:

"The first day of kindergarten may be scarier for parents than it is for the little ones, so we've pulled together some questions and advice to help ease the way.

Some of the answers may vary by school district, but most can be applied" ...

"I understand my child will take an assessment test the first week. Will it be frustrating? "No not at all," said Brian Horne, Cedar Mill Elementary principal.  "The assessments are designed as a conversation and take place in a very comfortable atmosphere. The teachers proctoring the assessments are skilled at working with young children and most are not even aware they are being assessed. It is just a nice conversation with an adult!"

What will the first week of school, post assessment, be like? It's a fun time for kids, educators said. There is so much to learn about simply functioning in a classroom.

"Parent expect kids to be diving into curriculum, but during the first week, teachers are making kids feel safe, developing community and the routines of school, such as finding the restrooms or the cafeteria," said Principal Michael Crandall, Kinnaman Elementary.

How long should I wait before offering to volunteer in my child's class? "We recommend allowing time for the teachers to get to know their students and how they interact as a learning community," Horne said. "It really is up to the individual teacher and they are very good at communicating their needs and schedules for volunteers to become involved."

The following is general advice from educators and parents:

• Attend back to school night and learn the daily classroom routine so you can talk with your children about school. What did you read during story time? What did you write about today? What was the word of the day? What game did you play in PE?

Volunteering at the school and in your child's classroom was a common theme.

• Get involved at whatever level you can or are comfortable with.  Don't feel overwhelmed or that you don't fit in with other parents.  There are lots of people with the same anxiety. 
• Your kids have been on the planet for 5 years and are human beings. You will see them make great strides in their own unique ways. Keep talking to your kids about their day, stay in regular communication with the teacher, get involved when and where you can, and enjoy the introduction to a new chapter in your child's life
• When your child gets home from school, be ready with food! They are ravenous and cranky until fed!  So make sure to have the snacks ready to survive the rest of the day.
• Expect your child to be tired, even if he or she has been attending daycare full-time.
• Expect child to get "school fatigue" around October and say stuff like "I hate school" - they're just tired/still in transition and don't have the vocabulary to say that.
• Food: Pack easy-to-open and quick-to-eat lunches; pack snacks in case of early or late lunch period.
• Attend a PTA meeting to get into the loop and know who "key players" at school are.
• Empty the backpack every night or you'll miss stuff and get behind. Find your own organizational system. Post events on your calendar right away, respond to surveys and permission slips immediately, etc.

• "Remember, school is an adventure and it is a big transition," Horne said. "The kids usually don't have any issues once they see their classmates and what the classroom environment offers. Parents need to take a deep breath, relax, trust their little ones are in good hands, and enjoy the experience as well. There is a lot more to talk about at the dinner table once school begins!" 

-- Wendy Owen

For the full articles look here: http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2014/08/making_the_transition_to_kinde.html#incart_river

If you have any questions about anything please email me or check the Sauvie Island Academy website.

School starts on Tuesday

Hello!

Welcome to a wonderful year in kindergarten. I know we will have a fabulous time. Chances are, if you're here before school starts, you may be feeling anxious before the start of school. So am I! There are so many things I want your child to experience and feel. I cannot wait to get started.

If your nerves are not quite to the happy adventurous side yet, I found this helpful video on "Look at my Happy Rainbow." It's a great kindergarten page I follow to share ideas and always be improving. This video is a great reminder for me as well.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r_5eiYIo1XM

Happy holiday weekend! I cannot wait to see you all Tuesday!