The Panther Press

Dear Patrick Families:

This month, one of our key focuses is cultivating empathy—a skill that is more essential than ever in building a supportive and inclusive community. Empathy allows children to understand and share the feelings of others, promoting kindness, respect, and cooperation.

At school, we’re working on activities that help students practice empathy in meaningful ways. We’ll be encouraging them to listen carefully, ask questions, and try to see situations from others’ perspectives. These are powerful habits that not only strengthen friendships and teamwork but also build emotional intelligence, which benefits their learning and growth.

Here are a few ways you can support this effort at home:

1. Encourage Open Conversations: Invite your child to share their feelings and experiences, and ask them how others might feel in similar situations.

2. Model Empathy: Let your child see empathy in action. Showing compassion in daily interactions helps them understand its importance.

3. Practice Perspective-Taking: When discussing challenges, help your child consider how other people might feel or why they might act a certain way.

We’re grateful for your partnership in teaching these valuable skills. Together, we can create an environment where empathy thrives.

Warmly,

Michelle Cook

December 3rd-6th-Polar Pal Store

December 23rd-January 3rd-Winter Break/No School

The following students were selected for their tremendous effort & dedication to showing Gratitude!

Adi Marlow-Mr. Bjorge

Layla Bivens-Ms. Cascarina

Liam Hatch-Mrs.Field

Avalyn Hudson-Mrs. Hunter

Colton Ulrey-Mrs. Laeger

Lillyana LeBars-Mrs. Miracle

Audrey Shope-Mrs. Petetit

Swayze Lopez-Ms. Wiley

Each month a class is chosen for behavior & attitude that goes above and beyond expectations. This month we are honoring the following classes:

Library-Mrs. Lancaster

Hallway-Mr. Hardy

Cafe'-Mrs. Petetit

Art-Mrs. Crane

STEAM Lab-Miss Cascarina

The PTO sponsored Polar Pal Store is December 3rd-6th.

Friday, November 29th & Monday December 2nd - PTO will be setting up the store!

If you are interested in volunteering for this special event, please reach out to Laura Hudson at laura5875@aol.com

Did you know PTO sponsors:

• Each classroom teacher with yearly funds
• Kona Ice
  
• Polar Pal Store
• Big Air Day
• Special Assemblies such as Wildlife Images, Science Works, and The Bug Guy

Even volunteering for one or two events throughout the year can be extremely helpful. We would also love your input when planning.

PTO meetings are held the second Thursday of each month from 3:00-4:00 PM . Please check in at the office if you can join us!

Meeting Dates:

• January 16th, 2025
• • February 20th, 2025
  • March 20th, 2025
  • April 17th, 2025
  • May 15th, 2025

If you are interested in joining the PTO, please contact Laura Hudson @ laura5875@aol.com

for more information.

We have an amazing staff and we look forward to working together with you and your child!

Kinder: Blake Field

1st: Haley Cascarina

2nd Grade: Michael Bjorge

1st/2nd: Grade: Michael Bjorge

2nd/3rd: Grade: Rebecca Hunter

3rd Grade: Heather Laeger

4th Grade: Clara Petetit

4th/5th Grade: Dawn Wiley

4th/5th Grade: Jenelle Miracle

MAPS: Jennifer Finney

Title I & ELD: Lori Raddatz

Special Education Resource: Tomorrow Nelson

CAMP Special Education Resource: Kim Skomerza

CAMP K-2: Jenny Lancaster

CAMP 3-5: Shawn Hardy

CAMP 6-8: Jaylene Crane

Speech Language: DeNell Gallagher

Support Staff

Our wonderful team of support staff are helping kids everyday. We appreciate everything they do!

Each month, Rogue Valley Farm to School partners with local farms to bring tastings of our Harvest of the Month. This month, we are exploring different varieties of pears at the cafeteria tasting table on Wednesday, December 4! Learn more about locally grown pears by checking out this fun interactive sheet (Spanish version). There you'll find recipes, videos, nutritional info, kids activities, and information about the local farms where the pears were grown! Patrick Elementary is part of the Rogue Valley Farm to School Digging Deeper School partnership. To learn more about the partnership and Rogue Valley Farm to School click here.

Hello Patrick Families,

We have been working hard on developing a way to bring convenience to busy parents. Living in a town that doesn't have healthcare can create a scheduling mess with school, work, and open clinic hours. Students and parents often have to miss school and work just to get basic needs met through their provider. Some students don't even have a provider at this time and the waitlist to get one is usually months long. Also, since the Covid Era, student's attendance in school has decreased even though Covid is less of a threat now. Because of this need and many others, we have implemented a Telehealth system here at Patrick.

The health center at your school now has a state-of-the-art system that allows kids to have doctor’s visits even when a doctor isn’t at the school. This technology connects doctors at other locations with the school clinic, so doctors can see children in real time. Using the telehealth system, they can:

• Look inside kids’ noses and mouths

• Listen to their hearts and lungs

• Get up-close looks at skin conditions, etc.

La Clinica staff at the school can do lab tests and send prescriptions to your pharmacy so they are ready at your convenience. The best part is that parents and guardians can join the visits in person or from their phones. There is no extra charge for this service.

Check out these introductory videos: English Spanish

To have access to this service, complete this paperwork: https://laclinicahealth.org/services/school-based/

For information, call our receptionist at 541-494-6818.

Please remember our goal is to keep all children safe. You can help us do that by:

• Keeping your child in the car until you get to a staff member at the front of the school during parent drop off. We have staff out front from 7:30-8:00 AM.
• Staying in your car at parent pick-up, having your car tag displayed, and moving out of the congested drive line as soon as you have safely buckled your child into the car.
• Please do not park and walk up to get your student - you will be asked to get in the parent pick up line.
• Check in at the office welcome window any time you are on campus.

For students walking or being dropped off by car, please note that there is no supervision until 7:30 am. No students should arrive to school or be let out of vehicles before 7:30am. We care about our students safety and need to have an adult supervising them at all times during the school day.

• We ask that all changes to your child's "go home" plans are communicated to the front office prior to noon. This allows plenty of time to notify your child's teacher that there is a change of plans for the day.
• Please make sure that your emergency contacts and person's authorized to pick up your child are up to date.
• If you are picking your student up early from school please be prepared to show ID to office staff.

WHO: Any student in grades K-6

WHAT: A structured program providing care, homework help and activities for students.
WHEN: Mon-Fri: After school until 6:00pm

MORE INFORMATION: https://rvymca.org/programs/afterschool-programs/

In November, your child will receive information regarding statewide testing and opt-out forms will be made available.

We know that these tests cannot possibly tell us everything about your child’s academic progress. However, the results do provide a snapshot of your child’s strengths and areas for improvement and can be used as a means to ensure he or she is getting the support needed for future success.

In addition, their participation will also ensure that schools and districts receive the targeted resources they need to help all students succeed, particularly those from historically underserved backgrounds.

The Oregon Department of Education has important information regarding the state test which can be found here.

With any additional questions, please reach out to your child’s respective school.

Link to English notice: https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/assessment/Documents/Annual_Notice_English.pdf

Link to Spanish notice: https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/assessment/Documents/Annual_Notice_Spanish.pdf

Central Point School District provides accommodations and special programs for qualified disabled students. These activities are provided through section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Your child, or a child of your acquaintance, may be eligible for accommodations or special programming. The district maintains assessment resources to determine eligibility for the resources. If you are aware of a child with a potential disability, including children that may require speech or language services, please notify your principal or Tami White, Special Programs Coordinator 494-6231

Stay informed about our school and our student's learning adventures with this monthly school newsletter and on social media. We appreciate your support!

Email: webinfo-pes@district6.org
Website: pes.district6.org
Location: 1500 2nd Avenue, Gold Hill, OR, USA
Phone: (541) 494-6840
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PESCPSD6
Twitter: @PESCPSD6