MLC's Countdown to Kindergarten

Visit the school’s web page: https://mlc.pps.net/. Take your child by MLC and play at Couch Park. Think about how you want to get involved in your child’s kindergarten classroom. Are you interested in chaperoning field trips? Do you want to volunteer on a regular basis?

You can start your volunteer application by going to https://www.pps.net/volunteer/volunteer/volunteering-with-pps. If you clear the Volunteer Background Check, you will receive an email that you are now approved to volunteer. This approval is good for three years for any PPS school. Sarah, MLC's kindergarten teacher, will share information about class volunteer opportunities in the fall and throughout the school year.

If you're interested in getting involved outside of the classroom, connect with the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) to let them know. To learn more about volunteer opportunities through the PTSA, visit this website: https://www.mlcptsa.org/volunteer.html.

All of these things will help you, as well as your child, get excited and feel comfortable when the school year begins.

8/18: Kindergarten Connect Event (@ Couch Park Playground) 10:30-11:30 a.m.

8/26 & 8/27: Conferences

8/28: First Day of School Grades 1-12; First Day for Kindergarteners Last Names A-K

8/31: First Day for Kindergarteners Last Names L-Z

9/1: First Day for All Kindergarteners

9/7: No School (Labor Day)

MLC Character Traits: Integrity, Compassion, Self-Discipline, Courage, Respect

Mascot: Monarch Butterfly

Principal: Ashlee

Assistant Principal: Darren

Kx6 Counselor: Meredith

PTSA Co-Presidents: Chenney Gruber and Sierra Stringfield-Perryman

One thing you may notice when you join the MLC community is that staff members go by their first or preferred names rather than traditional titles like Mr., Ms., Mrs., or Dr.

This tradition reflects one of the things that makes MLC special. Using first names reminds us that we are all members of the same learning community... students, families, and staff learning and growing together. It helps foster connection, belonging, and a sense that every member of our community is valued.

Going by first or preferred names does not mean expectations for behavior or courtesy are lower. In fact, it is rooted in one of MLC's core character traits: Respect. At MLC, respect is demonstrated through the way we treat one another, with kindness, active listening, responsibility, and consideration, not simply through the titles we use. Students learn that showing respect comes from their words, actions, and relationships every day.

We look forward to welcoming your family into our community!

Chenney has rising 6th and 4th graders who have both been at MLC since kindergarten.

The family was drawn to MLC for the experiential, hands-on, student-lead learning.

Chenney has led the parking fundraiser efforts for the last 4 years and enjoys event planning and newsletter building.
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Chenney lives in NE Portland with her husband, kids and dog, Tator Tot.

Sierra, her husband, Adam, and their rising 7th grader, Cascadia, feel so fortunate to be part of MLC. A desire to support neighborhood schools made choosing something different a difficult decision, but they were drawn to the educational philosophy and have come to greatly appreciate this compassionate and creative community.

Cascadia has been at MLC since kindergarten and the PTSA has always given their family opportunities to feel connected and supported. Serving on the auction committee that first year was the perfect way to get stuck in and Sierra is always eager to help other families find their path to getting involved at MLC!

Playing with a variety of different people over summer. This could include visiting parks and socializing with other children.

Independent skills:

• Bathroom skills such as zipping zippers, using bathroom independently, and knowing how to wash and dry hands.
• Dressing self: Putting on and tying their own shoes and jacket and learning how to zip up the jacket.
• Eating at a table and working on eating a meal and helping clean up after yourself.

Youth of all ages can play the Summer Reading game by starting a daily reading habit. Children and teens can track their reading on paper or online from June 15 to August 15. Visit the library to register and receive a paper gameboard or sign up to play online with Beanstack.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following guidelines for technology:

• Less than 2 hours per day for kids ages 5-18.
• No more than 1 hour per day for kids ages 2-5.
• None for kids younger than 18 months old.

Note: This is the combined amount at home, in the car, in the cart at the grocery store, free time, etc.

Some reasons why:

• The brain is wired for a "fight or flight" response. This is a normal biological response that is designed to be short term. For example, if you are being chased by a bear your body produces the adrenaline needed to escape danger. However, when engaged in technology for hours, the body stays at the heightened level of stress. The more our bodies stay in "fight or flight" stressful operating mode, the more our bodies stay in "fight or flight" operating mode.
• Another area of the brain that is impacted is the development of myelin which is used to make tasks easier the more they are repeated. A good comparison can be made using a sled on a snowy hill. The first time you sled down a snowy hill and make fresh tracks on the snow, the sled moves slowly and inefficiently while it forms the grooves in the snow. However, with each trip down the hill in those same grooves, the sled moves more easily and faster. Overstimulation that comes from the glow, lights and speed with which images appear in technology damages the myelin in the brain and is difficult to overcome.

I Spy –

• This can be done in the car or anywhere. "I spy something red, round, and is a fruit." (an apple) Then have him/her/them take a turn while focusing on color/shape/size/category and function. Giving them “hints” is almost like having them be a detective!

First edition

Second edition

Our support team curated some resources to help families teach boundaries to their children and support both social-emotional and literacy development.

The screen capture above shows what the resource looks like. To download the copy with functional links, click on the PDF below. Thank you for partnering with us to support healthy development so that all students at MLC learn how to navigate both expected and unexpected situations.

Click here to view the slide deck we went through during our Lottery Open House.