The Howler
1/30
Greetings Grant Watts Community,
Welcome back! We are thrilled to kick off another wonderful year at our sweet school. A special welcome goes out to our newest Gray Wolves, our incoming first graders. We can't wait to watch you grow, learn, and thrive this year!
We also want to thank you for your continued patience as we navigate some construction happening around our building. Our crew is making great progress, and we are excited about adding new learning spaces.
As your principal, I want you to know that my door (and phone line, and inbox!) is always open. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns, or just to say hello. One of my goals this year is to send home even more positive messages celebrating all the amazing things our students and staff accomplish. There's so much to be proud of, and I look forward to sharing it with you.
Here's to a fantastic year ahead, Gray Wolves!
Respectfully,
Principal Small
Sarver's Corner
Hello Grant Watts Families!
My name is Mrs. Rachel Sarver, and this is my 3rd year serving as the Dean of Students here at Grant Watts. I am fortunate to already know many of you, having worked in the district for 20 years. My role here encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, but the most important one is supporting students, families, and staff in a variety of ways. My goal is to get to know each student in our school community and proactively assist in creating a safe, caring, and fun learning environment for our kids. You will see updates from me throughout the year regarding positive behavior recognition, reminders about school-wide expectations, bus safety, and more! Please don't hesitate to reach out anytime with questions, concerns, or just to introduce yourself and say hello. Here's to a fantastic '26-'27 school year!
Respectfully,
Rachel Sarver
Library News
Grant Watts has a new Librarian! Jessica Migliorini comes to us with 20 years of experience in education, including 15 years as a certified librarian working with youth age 0-18 and their families. She will serve as our school librarian every Tuesday - Thursday to support the staff and students of Grant Watts in their reading and information literacy development. As District Librarian, Mrs. Migs also supports the other libraries in our school district, helping to ensure that all our SSD students become enthusiastic readers and confident information seekers.
The question Mrs. Migs heard most often from students during our first week of school was, "When do we get to check out books?" She is very happy to report that we will begin book checkout when we return to school on Tuesday. Classes visit the library each week for a brief lesson and an opportunity to borrow new books. 2nd and 3rd graders may borrow up to 3 books at a time. Since 1st graders will be borrowing library books for the first time, we will practice library procedures with a book checkout that stays in the classroom for the first week. After that, 1st grade students will bring home their library books each week to enjoy with their families. All library books are checked out for 2 weeks and can be renewed if needed. Please help all of our GWE students to practice responsibility with their library books by keeping them in a safe space at home (their backpack is best when it's not being read) and returning them on time for other readers to enjoy.
Mrs. Migs is excited to be a part of the Grant Watts and larger SSD community. She welcomes volunteers at all school libraries, so contact her at jmigliorini@scappoose.k12.or.us if you are interested in spending time supporting our school's readers.
From the Office
*Please note that the office should be notified of any after school changes no later than one hour before dismissal (by 1:45 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and by 12:45 on Wednesdays).
We have recently discovered that emails from hotmail and outlook have gone to several staff members' spam folders. If you sent a message and are not getting a reply, please call the school to let us know!
Parking Lot Hints & Helps
PLEASE slow down-allow yourself and your child enough time to arrive at school. Parking IS limited but spots do rotate open.
Remember to be patient when dropping off and picking up and set a good example for all our students.
In the morning, if you are dropping off, pull as far forward and up to the curb. Have your child exit on the curb side. This is intended to be a quick drop off to keep everyone safe and the traffic flowing. The driver should remain inside the vehicle
If you want/need to walk your child to the doors, gate, or they need extra time to exit-please find a parking spot.
If you are walking your child to their entry, please use the designated crosswalks for safety. Classroom teachers close their doors at 8:15 and your child may be asked to enter via the main entrance if they might not make it around to their classroom door by 8:15 (students begin getting routed to the front doors at approx. 8:12).
If you are picking up in the afternoon, you have to park and walk back to your child(ren’s) pick up area so that the teacher can release your child.
If you park on or allow your child to walk on Vine Street-please remember that there are NO SIDEWALKS and it gets very congested-teach children to walk along and closest to the yards of the houses and don’t run out between the vehicles.
Remember our staff is here to help and to ensure the children’s safety in the parking lot and it’s a great opportunity to help your child learn how to navigate a parking lot safely.
First Bell-8:10
Tardy Bell-8:15
Welcome to Music
Welcome to the 2026/27 school year! If you do not know me, let me introduce myself: My name is Teresa Williamson and I’m excited to have the opportunity to teach music to your student(s). Did you know that music, whether listening to it or playing it on an instrument, is the only activity we do that activates all of our brain? Music is amazing!
Here are some dates for upcoming concerts during the school year that you should mark on your calendar. All concerts will take place at the high school in the auditorium.
3rd Grade Concert: December 16 at 6:30
2nd Grade Concert: March 18 at 6:30
1st Grade Concert: May 20 at 6:30
Here’s to looking forward to having a great year!
PE News
1. Footwear Requirements:
● Students must wear sneakers every day for Physical Education (PE) class.
● Unsafe or unacceptable footwear includes flip flops, crocks, sandals, slip-on shoes,
boots, heels, and "Hey Dudes."
2. Clothing Guidelines:
● Proper, comfortable, and well-fitting clothing is essential for safety and active
participation in PE.
● Parents are encouraged to ensure students are dressed appropriately on PE days.
3. Participation and Communication:
● If a student cannot participate in PE, parents should send a written note or email to
Coach Cole or Coach Bruno.
● For extended absences, a medical note is required, specifying injury, limitations,
and expected return date.
4. Shoe-Tying Skills:
● Students' shoes often come untied during activities; parents should help students
learn to tie their shoes.
● Until students can tie their own shoes, parents are asked to double knot laces.
● A recommended instructional video is provided for shoe-tying practice: Shoe Tying
Video.
● Students should not bring sneakers to change into if they cannot tie them, as this
takes staff time away from supervision.
5. Program Overview:
● Coaches Bruno and Cole will train students in various sports and activities
throughout the year.
● Parents are encouraged to ask students about what they learn in PE.
6. Positive Outlook:
● The coaches express excitement for the upcoming school year and encourage
school spirit ("Let’s go Grey Wolves!").
These points ensure students are prepared, safe, and able to fully participate in PE
activities, while also supporting staff efficiency and student independence.
Coach Bruno – Bzanotta@scappoose.k12.or.us
Coach Cole - Acole@scappoose.k12.or.us
2026-27 OBOB 3-5th Grade Book List
• Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn
• Connect the Stars by Marisa de los Santos and David Teague
• Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
• Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
• Frindle by Andrew Clements
• The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett
• The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat
• It’s the End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit by Justin A. Reynolds
• A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
• Light and Air by Mindy Nichols Wendell
• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
• The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris
• The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy
• Murder at the Museum by Alasdair Beckett-King
• Snow and Rose by Emily Winfield Martin
• The Witch Boy by Lee Knox Ostertag
Volunteer Opportunities!
If you are interested in volunteering this year, please fill out the SEPO Volunteer Interest Form. Did one last year? Please do a new one!
Filling out the interest form ensures that you are on the SEPO mailing lists for this school year. By indicating interest in an event, you are not committing to anything - rather it will make sure that you are on the event specific communications. We also know that you may have specific skills that could be helpful that don’t fit in a “box” - please let us know what they are and we will connect with you!
In addition to the SEPO form, a Scappoose School District Volunteer Application is required. This background check is valid for two years.
First SEPO Meeting of the Year!
Are you interested in learning about volunteering and/or supporting events for our elementary community? Join us on Thursday, September 10th at 7pm on Google Meet!
This first SEPO meeting of the year will provide a space for introductions, a run-through of this year’s events, and an opportunity to sign up to assist. We look forward to seeing you there!
Video call link: https://www.seposcappoose.org/meetings--resources.html
Grant Watts School Community Garden Harvest Help Needed
The garden is FULL of tiny tomatoes, and we need help harvesting to get them into the school lunchroom.
If your background check is completed and approved to volunteer in the school, please sign up to help harvest tomatoes.
Stay after morning drop off, sign in at the office, and harvest for a bit. Instructions are in the sign up genius.
We would love to harvest at least 2 days a week, so any help is appreciated!
