Whitford Newsletter

Greetings Wildcat families and students,

Just last night, we finished our second round of conferences. Thanks to each of you who took the time to meet with your student’s teachers and your student here at Whitford. It is so gratifying to see amazing students connect with their parents and set goals for the rest of the year. We are committed to helping each student reach their short-term goals that will take us through the end of the year and help prepare them to accomplish their long terms goals…. Whatever they may be.

Course Selections coming soon

As we turn the page to the next part of our adventure this year, we are beginning our plans for next year. In the next few weeks, counselors will be coming from Moutainside, Southridge, Aloha and Beaverton High schools to begin the high school course selection process for our 8th graders.

Similarly, in the next few weeks, next year's 6th grade students and families will be coming to Whitford to start thinking all things middle school. Lastly, our current 6th and 7th grade students are going to begin selecting their courses for next year as well.

Budget Committee

At the district level, the school district budget committee is preparing our operational budget for the 25-26 school year. Families are encouraged to provide feedback to the budget committee as they are making important decisions that will impact schools in the coming year.

There is a brief, 9-minute video that families can watch to better understand our current financial circumstances. Please click here to see that message. After watching the video, families are invited to complete this survey which will be reviewed by the members of the budget committee as they discuss ideas and make budgetary decisions for next year.

As we start the beginning of our second semester, we are excited for the opportunities that are on the horizon for each of our students. We look forward to working with our students to help them along their journey to become amazing humans and contributors to our community.

Thank you for your continued support of both student and school. We are all honored to work for and serve this community.

Respectfully,

Zan Hess, Principal

Ms. Parker's WIN class enjoying the snow.

Welcome to Southridge, class of 2029!

It is time for you to select your classes for your freshmen year of high school. Your core classes will be chosen for you and are the same for the majority of 9th graders. However, you get to choose your electives! The choices you make now will have an impact on your high school experience, path, and career. We hope that you take this seriously and take time to talk with your family and mentors about the classes you are interested in.

Step 1- Watch our welcome video:

Counselor Forecasting Lesson Video

Counselor Forecasting Lesson in Spanish Video

Step 2- Review the curriculum slides and Academic Program Guide:

9th Grade Curriculum Overview Slides

SRHS Full Academic Program Guide

Step 3- Fill out the worksheet with your course selections:

9th Grade Forecasting Worksheet (Review with a parent or guardian)

Step 4- SRHS Counselors will be coming to your school soon to enter your classes!

When are Southridge counselors coming to your school?

Whitford- Thursday, February 13th

Outdoor School Information For 6th Grade Families

Last week we started the process of getting the 6th grade students prepared to attend Outdoor School in April! (April 15-18)

All students received the information contained in this slideshow provided by the Northwest Regional ESD who runs Outdoor School:

English Presentation: https://bit.ly/4hitgNW

Spanish Presentation: https://bit.ly/4hEmhPh

Students also got to see some photos of the specific site that their team will be visiting:

Team Jaguar: Trickle Creek Virtual Tour: https://bit.ly/4hBPYAf

Team Panther & Lynx: Cedar Ridge Virtual Tour: https://bit.ly/4jEpcZV

Students brought home a packet containing detailed information for parents/guardians including a packing list and optional souvenir order form. They also received both an Outdoor School specific permission slip and a permission slip from BSD, Whitford.

1. Please review the information packet and keep for your reference. We truly believe that Outdoor School is for all and will do everything we can to accommodate all students. If you notice any items on the packing list that you do not have and cannot borrow from a friend or family member, please reach out and we will make arrangements to lend your student the needed gear ahead of attending Outdoor School

2. All students must complete the Outdoor School "Health History/Permission Form" and turn it into their teacher.

1. Students NOT attending Outdoor School need only fill out the top portion of the form. This will help give us a better understanding of non-participation rates.

2. Students attending Outdoor School must complete the rest of the form, front and back, and the attached "Religious/Cultural Observance & Other Accommodations Form".

3. Watch this video: https://bit.ly/4hDO81M or see slides 19-21 linked above for directions on completing the "Health History/Permission Form".

4. Watch this video: https://bit.ly/4jBPsEk or see slide 22 linked above for directions on completing the "Religious/Cultural Observance Form".

1. Students attending ODS must also complete the BLUE Whitford permission slip front and back.

2. Forms are Due Friday, February 28th.

Wednesday February 12th, and Thursday February 13th - ODS staff will come to give 30 minute presentations in Science Classes.

Thursday, February 13th 6:00-7:30 - ODS Family Night at Whitford - All families are invited to attend and learn more about Outdoor School. ODS staff will present in both English and Spanish.

Outdoor School staff are also hosting an Open House on March 9th at Trickle Creek. This is open to all families who want a general tour of Outdoor School regardless of what site they are attending. RSVP is required. https://bit.ly/4hEBgbW

If you know a high school student who would like to serve as an Outdoor School Student Leader, you can have them read the information on this site and register to volunteer! https://bit.ly/4hymmDZ

We are very lucky to have Carolee Dearborn as a teacher here at Whitford. Carilee is one of the first recipients of the BSD Achiever! We were able to surprise her with a quick assembly. See video for more information.

https://youtu.be/nG2omObANp4

Scholastic Book Fair-Thank you to all of the Whitford families who shopped our fair and supported our school! A special shout out to our parent volunteer who helped during lunch and closing! Online shopping is available through February 15th. Visit bit.ly/WMSbookfair1, scroll down to "Shop Now" button. Happy Reading!

Portland's Rip City Remix basketball team has teamed up with Whitford to invite 100 students to their game that's taking place on Wednesday March 5th. This will be an after-school field trip with school staff as chaperones for the night. Students can earn this field trip through positive behavior in class and completing class work on time. There will be a random drawing of names at the end of February to see which students will attend.

The Yearbook Cover Winners are finally here! With so many stunning designs, it was an incredibly tough decision to make! Huge thanks to everyone who participated—you all blew us away! Don’t worry if you didn’t win this time—keep those creative ideas coming and try again next year!

1st Place: Gayatri Raut, 8th Grade

2nd Place: Julian Rincon, 8th Grade

3rd Place: Lali Mora Guido, 8th Grade

Runner Up: Olivia Ladd, 8th Grade

Runner Up: Ellie Harrison, 7th Grade

Runner Up: Liv Woodburn, 7th Grade

Runner Up: Carter Cook, 7th Grade

Whitford is an incredibly diverse community! For families of the Muslim faith, Ramadan begins at the end of the month. Our staff have been learning about how to support students at school during the month of Ramadan. If during Ramadan your child needs accommodations, please call the front office, and we will work with you to meet their needs.

Our 8th grade WEB Leaders ran a fantastic Meet Up with their 6thgrade small groups in January. Enjoy this 2 minute video that captures some of the fun:

https://youtu.be/I2wTlReusr0

In March, OMSI will be bringing their portable planetarium to Whitford! In conjunction with our astronomy unit, the 8th grade students will have the opportunity to attend an hour-long presentation by OMSI educators in the planetarium!

Payment will not be a barrier to participation in this program, however, we are asking that families who are able, make a $5 donation to help cover the costs of the visit. Students can bring cash or check to the office. To make your donation with a credit card, please click this link.https://or-beaverton.intouchreceipting.com/

Thank you so much for supporting this opportunity for our Whitford students. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Victoria Henry, our student manager coordinated a visit from Portland State University Athletics on Friday Jan. 24th. Portland State brought an awesome group of athletes to our lunches, and they played at recess with our students and answered questions. It was a really fun afternoon!

February 2025

Tue 2/11, 4:15 pm - Thu 2/13, 5:30 pm • Spring Musical Auditions

Tue 2/11, 5:45 pm • School Board Work Session/ Meeting

Wed 2/12, 6:00 pm - 7:45 pm • BHS Family Nights @BHS

Thu 2/13, 9:30 am - 11:00 am • HS counselors to visit 8th Grade

Thu 2/13, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm • Outdoor School Meeting Both English and Spanish

Mon 2/17 • Presidents Day - Schools/District Closed

Tue 2/18 • Staff Development Day - No Students

Wed 2/19 Immunization Exclusion Day

Thu 2/20, 7:00 am - 8:00 pm • 7th & 8th BAND concert AT Whitford

Mon 2/24, 4:15 pm - 4:30 pm • Urban Gleaner

Tue 2/25, 9:40 am - 11:10 am • Vose and McKay Fly-ups

Tue 2/25, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm • Open House for incoming 6th graders

Wed 2/26, 9:40 am - 11:10 am • Ral. Park/Ral. Hills,/ Montclair Fly-ups

Thu 2/27, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm • Whitford Science Fair

Fri 2/28, 9:30 am - 11:00 am • HS counselors to pick up Forecasting

March 2025

Tue 3/04, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm • PTO Meeting

Thu 3/06, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm • Padres Unidos -- Library

Mon 3/10, 4:15 pm • Urban Gleaner

Mon 3/10 • OMSI Planetarium to visit Whitford

Tue 3/11, 5:45 pm • School Board Work Session/ Meeting

Thu 3/13, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm • 6th grade BAND concert

Tue 3/18, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm • 8th GR BAND to Southridge

Thu 3/20, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm • Choir Concert

Mon 3/24 - Fri 3/28 • Spring Break - Schools Closed

Mon 3/31, 4:15 pm - 4:30 pm • Urban Gleanes