Dragon News

Greetings Findley Community~

As the holiday season begins, it brings with it a wonderful mix of joy, wonder. It can also bring extra stress! While this time is meant for family and fun, the changes in routine and the hustle and bustle can be overwhelming for children and parents alike.

Here are a few tips, drawn from parenting and mental health experts, to help your family manage the holiday excitement and enjoy a more peaceful season:

• Stick to Routines When Possible: Consistency provides comfort for children. While it may feel impossible, try your best to maintain regular mealtimes, bedtimes, and nap times, even amidst parties and travel. This will also help as you transition back from break.
• Schedule in Downtime: Piling too many activities onto the calendar can lead to meltdowns. Make sure to pencil in quiet time—even a 15-30 minute break for reading, playing games, or just relaxing—to help your kids (and you!) recharge and decrease the likelihood of emotional problems later on.
• Give a Heads Up: For children, transitions can be difficult. Once you have a plan for the day, share a simple schedule with them so they know what to expect. Knowing if they'll visit family, attend an event, or shop can help them prepare.
• Manage Your Own Stress: Children often look to their parents for cues. Remember to carve out a few minutes for yourself to do something calming or enjoyable. Managing your own stress will help create a more relaxed environment for your entire family.
• Focus on Giving, Not Just Getting: The holidays offer a great chance to teach kindness and gratitude. Consider involving your children in activities like donating unused belongings or helping with a local charity, which can give them a stronger sense of the meaning behind the season.

By being mindful of your children's needs and your own, you can help everyone ease into the new rhythms of the holiday season and fully enjoy the special moments together. And remember, in these weeks leading up to the break, regular attendance keeps kids' routines intact!

With Gratitude,

Sherry Marsh, Ed.D

Principal

Findley

Every Student Belongs Board Policy ACB

Equal Educational Opportunity Board Policy JB

Educational Equity Board Policy JBB

Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Students and Families

Serving LGBTQIA+ Students

Feed My Body, Feed My Brain

Thank you for helping to ensure that every child is fed and ready to learn.

On December 13th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, families, friends, and community members are invited to help make our school grounds shine.

Whether you are raking leaves, planting spring bulbs, or assisting with other clean-up tasks, your efforts will make a huge difference in creating a beautiful environment for our students, staff, and community.

All ages are welcome, and pizza will be provided for volunteers. Don't miss this chance to give back and show your Findley pride!

Dear Findley Families,

4th grade is sponsoring a NEW sock & underwear drive to benefit the BSD Clothes for Kid program.

This is an incredible opportunity for our fourth graders to shine and for all of us to make a meaningful impact in our community.

Here’s how you can help:

🎁 What to Donate:

• New socks (all sizes)

• New underwear (all sizes)

📍 Where to Donate:

• Kids: Drop off your donation to the laundry baskets located at all the entrances.

• Parents: Drop off donations in the bins at the front entrance or drop off in the lower parking lot.

Donations will directly support:

• Beaverton School District’s Clothes for Kids.

🗓️ Final Collection Date: Wednesday, December 17th

Let’s show the power of our Findley community and make this year’s drive the best yet! Together, we can spread warmth, kindness, and care to those who need it most.

Thank you for your generosity and for teaching our kids the joy of giving back.

With gratitude,

4th grade Teachers and Students

December 11th will be our next Featured Thursday.

We will be serving Tomato Basil Soup with a Toasted Cheese Sandwich.

Tuesday December 16th will be Cookie Treat Day 🍪

Don’t let the cold weather keep you inside all season! Time spent being active outside can boost mood and mental health and keep kids focused on learning better. With some simple preparation, your children can still be active and stay safe and warm during our winter months.

• Wear a raincoat or poncho, and/or carry an umbrella.
• Carry a plastic bag to store wet gear during the day.
• Wear gloves and waterproof shoes. Carry (or store at school) extra shoes and socks to change into.
• Find an under-cover area to park your bike if possible. If not, bring a plastic bag to cover the seat. We also have bike seat covers if any parent groups would like to provide some at the school for children riding bikes this winter.
• Wear reflective gear and/or bright colors and use a light on your bicycle.
• Only walk or bike in the rain if you’re comfortable, as roads are slick and visibility may be reduced. Always remember to stop at the curb or edge of the street, look in all directions before crossing and keep looking for traffic until you have finished crossing.

When we experience inclement weather, school schedules can be affected—either by a delayed start, early release or school cancellation. The district makes decisions based on the ability of:

• The district to operate school buses safely.
• Students and parents/guardians to drive safely.
• Students to walk to schools or bus stops safely.
• Staff to get to work safely.

Decisions are made for the entire district. However, we encourage families to make transportation and attendance decisions for their children based on their own assessment of travel conditions at their locations.

School delays or closures are typically communicated by 5:30 a.m. For the latest information:

Check the district website. A page pop-up will be posted if there’s a change in school operations. You also can find inclement weather protocols and snow routes online.
https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/communications-community-involvement/inclement-weather-information

• Look for a notification on ParentSquare.
• Follow us on the district’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
• Tune into media outlets for updates.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Parents, get ready! Our Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) season is about to begin.

The battle season officially begins on Wednesday, January 21st. I will meet with all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders during their lunch recesses on Monday, December 8th, to explain the program and answer their questions.

Parent Information Meeting: If you have a participating student or are interested in volunteering, please join us for a brief informational meeting on Monday, December 8th, at 8:30 AM. If you cannot make the early morning meeting, you may come during the students presentations, but I must warn you, it's loud, and busy! (3rd 11:40-12:00, 4th 12:05-12:25, 5th 12:30-12:50)

Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

Looking forward to a great OBOB season!!

Rita Vennes-Findley OBOB Coordinator

All family members wishing to attending the Sing-A-Long will be required to complete the Visitor Log in. In order to expedite this process, we are asking that anyone that may attend follow the link to complete the form no later than December 12. Name Tags will be waiting for you.

Sign up HERE

If this is not completed by that date, you will be required to use the in building sign in which may result in standing in line and missing the program. The Sing-A-Long will start promptly at 8:30 AM

**Reminder**

Siblings preschool age and younger are not allowed in the building per district policy.

This is strictly enforced.

Middle School and High School siblings must be accompanied by an adult.

Please complete form for EACH person that may attend.

Thank you~

They’re back at it again this school year! The Health Careers students are excited to bring the Teddy Bear Clinic program to BSD kindergarten and first-graders once more. The Teddy Bear Clinic is a fun and educational opportunity where young students learn about health care and wellness through hands-on activities—using their own stuffed animals as “patients.” The Teddy Bear Clinic will be visiting Findley's 1st Graders, January 12!

This is a great opportunity for Health Careers students to use some of their basic patient assessment and first aid skills, encouraging teamwork and boosting confidence as they interact with younger students in a nurturing role. On the flip side, elementary students learn about basic healthcare practices and first aid in a fun and engaging way to reduce anxiety about visiting doctors or clinics. This is also a great way for young students to create stories and situations/injuries for their teddy bears, promoting creativity and storytelling.

The goal is to provide a teddy bear to each student to be used in the clinic, and then this bear may be taken to a doctor’s office to provide comfort and mitigate fear. A $10 donation supports one student with one bear. How many students will you be able to support? Click here to donate: https://beavertonedfoundation.org/beavertons-choice/bsd_teddy_bear_clinic/

Thank you for continuing to support this meaningful and memorable program!

Hello! I’m Aditya Thungathurti, an aspiring Eagle Scout from Troop 618 and a proud Findley Elementary alumnus (Class of 2021).

For my Eagle Project, I’m collecting at least 200 new or gently used coats to donate to the Portland Rescue Mission, helping people in need stay warm this winter!

To achieve this, I need YOUR help!

Parents & Caregivers ~

We are noticing some safety concerns in the lower parking lot during arrival and dismissal. Please help us keep all our Findley Dragons safe by following these expectations:

• If you are parked, please walk your child to the crosswalk. Students walking in-between cars is not safe, they aren’t always easily seen.

• At pickup please get out of your car and meet your child. We are not allowed to cross students into the parking lot who are not with an adult.

• If you need to get out of your car for any reason, please park. With the new revision on Thompson there is ample parking in the parking lot. Getting out of your car curbside holds up the line.

• If your child cannot exit or enter on the curb side of the car, please park and assist them.

• Pull forward as far as you can before allowing your child to exit the car. This keeps the line moving smoothly and quickly.

• Please do not check your cell phone or other electronics while moving through the parking lot.

Thank you for your help and support keeping our Findley School community safe.

With the ongoing government shutdown, there’s uncertainty about how programs that support families, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food assistance, may be affected. We understand this may cause concern for some families in our community.

As a reminder, every student has access to a free, nutritious breakfast and lunch each school day. We also want to share additional community resources that may help:

School-Based Food Pantries
The Oregon Food Bank (OFB) and Urban Gleaners (UG) operate several weekly or bi-weekly food pantries at our school sites. These pantries are open to everyone; families don’t need to attend that particular school to receive assistance. Pantries are located outside the schools on designated days. In addition, Aloha High School and Community School at Merlo Station Campus have pantries inside the schools, available to students only.

For a list of our school-based pantries, see the calendar attached to this ParentSquare message or visit our district website. For food pantries outside our schools, check OFB’s Food Finder.

Beaverton Resource Center
The Beaverton Resource Center (BRC) supports eight church-based pantries in Beaverton through the Care to Share Food Pantry Network. Phone: 503-591-9025

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has opened its new Washington County HOPE Center, featuring a food pantry designed to serve up to 1,200 families per month. Address: 1440 SE 21st Ave, Hillsboro; phone: 503-640-4311

Looking for a way for your child to make new friends, try new adventures, and unplug from screens? Want to meet other families in our community?

Cub Scouts is a parent-led, volunteer program that helps kids:

• Develop good character & leadership skills

• Learn citizenship & community service

• Build fitness & confidence

• Experience the outdoors and adventure

Pack 718 is chartered through the Findley PTO,

making it a wonderful way to connect with other Findley families.

Who can join?
Boys and girls in grades K–5. Dens are organized by grade level and meet 1–2 times a month for fun, age-appropriate activities like hiking, woodworking, first aid, knot tying, visiting museums, and more.

Pack Meetings
The entire Pack (K–5) comes together monthly on the 2nd or 3rd Tuesday at 7 PM at Findley. Scouts are recognized for their achievements, enjoy fun activities, and sometimes hear from guest speakers.

Special Events
Pinewood Derby car racing, Rocket Launch, community service projects, Blue & Gold Banquet, picnics, and more family-friendly adventures.

Learn More:
Website: pack718.com
Watch us in action: YouTube video

Join Today: Sign up here

Questions?
pack718leads@gmail.com
(971) 319-0827

Sparky invites you to show our community that a safe crossing is the best crossing. Follow the footprints to designated street corners and avoid crossing midblock. Teach others how to stay safe while walking to and from school.

December

13 Beautification Day

17 Passport Club

19 Sing-A-Long/Winter Class Parties

22-January 3 Winter Break

January

5 Staff Development Day-No School

6-School Resumes

9 Movie Night

19 MLK Holiday-No School

26 Grading Day-No School

27 Staff Development Day-No School

28 Passport Club

30 All School Assembly-Hat Day!

Email: sherry_marsh@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: https://findley.beaverton.k12.or.us/
Location: 4155 Northwest Saltzman Road, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: 503-356-2100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findleyES