Dragon News

October 4, 2026

Message from the Principal

Greetings Findley Community~

Happy October! As we turn the calendar to a new month, there is a wonderful shift happening in our classrooms. The initial transition period of back-to-school has given way to predictable routines, and deep, meaningful learning is officially underway. Our teachers and students now fully know the work ahead of us this year, and we are excited to dive in together.

October is a busy and energetic month at Findley! Here is a look at what’s coming up:

Oct 6: Picture Day (remember to order online or send in your packets)
Oct 7: International Walk & Roll Day
Oct 8: Dragon Dash Day (don't forget running shoes, light layers, and a water bottle!)
Oct 9: Staff Development Day (No School)
Oct 21: Passport Club Begins (2nd–5th Grade)
Oct 21 & 22: Parent-Teacher Conferences (No School Oct 22–23)
Oct 29: All-School Assembly, Mismatch Day & Fall Festival

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, support, and energy. We look forward to seeing you at our school events and connecting during conferences later this month!

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

New Items

Picture Day!!

Picture Day is Tuesday October 6, please be sure to order online with Dorian or send in your packet with your student ON that day. Packets should have come home by Friday 10/2.

Dragon Dash Update

hank you, Findley families! We have raised $62,851. That is 83% of our $76,000 goal. If we reach 100% of our goal, the whole school earns an OMSI assembly!

Dragon Dash Day is Thursday, October 8
Every student runs, registered or not. Students run laps on the track by the back field.
• 4th grade: 9:00 AM
• 5th grade: 9:50 AM
• 2nd grade: 10:45 AM
• 1st grade: 11:45 AM
• 3rd grade: 12:45 PM
• Kindergarten: 1:35 PM

Please send your child in running shoes and light layers, with a water bottle. Families are welcome to come cheer! Spectators do not need Raptor approval. Younger siblings cannot come during school hours.

Volunteers needed
We need adult helpers to mark laps, check in visitors, hand out drinks, and take photos. Most shifts are 30 to 45 minutes. Volunteers must already be Raptor-approved. Not approved yet? Please come cheer instead! Pre-Printed Badges save time. Click here to pre-register.

Sign up, register, or donate: findleypto.org/dragon-dash-2026
Registration is free. Donations are open until Friday, October 16.

Join Play-Fit-Fun

P lay.Fit.Fun is returning to Findley Elementary with their FUN after school kids' action class!

The class will take place Mondays after school, in the school gym (3pm-4pm). The class dates are: October 5-December 14.

It's a very fun mix of PE, Field Day, Summer Camp, Minute-To-Win-It & Team Building.

Kindergarteners through 5th graders will love all of the fun activities, that differ from week to week.

There is still space and you can (A) still enroll now and (B) if you enroll after Oct 5th, the tuition will be prorated.

Here is a link to the informational flyers, and registration portal: https://playfitfun.com/download/findley-elementary/

OR: Simply email or call/text PFF Head Coach, Spencer Rubin...and he can send you more details and the easy to complete registration forms.

spencer@playfitfun.com or 971-732-4745

Walk & Roll - UPDATED ROUTE

MARK YOUR CALENDARS - Our week of walking and running is almost here!

We are looking for volunteers to help with our International Walk and Roll Day on October 7. Our Walking School Bus 🚌 is a fun way for families in the neighborhoods to 🚶🏽‍♀️‍➡️walk 🚶🏾‍➡️ to school together! We have a lead parent for the NW Fernleaf Ln. side, but we need a lead parent for the NW Payne Dr. side. We would also like at least 2 more committed volunteers to show up and help. If you are willing to join us, please sign up! We will send out more information soon.

Sign up Here

Why Should You Walk + Roll To School?

Thousands of BSD students and families participate in Walk + Roll Day each year. Whether you’re new to Walking + Rolling or you’re already a Walk + Roll Superstar, it’s always good to remember the

endless benefits that come from active transportation. Here are just a few:

It’s fun – especially when you can get your friends and family involved.
It keeps you fit and prepares your brain for learning.
It boosts your endorphins and makes us happier.
It often saves us time from sitting in traffic and in crowded parking lots.
It makes roads safer as more active road users are visible to vehicles.

Building healthier stronger communities together 10/7/2026 6-8pm Aloha Huber Park

WANTED

We keep a small stash of clothes for kiddos who have accidents or fall in the mud here at school. We are going into the rainy season and could use a few sweats in all sizes as well as leggings / pants especially for girls. A donation of new underwear is always welcome as well.

Thank you for your time!

Passport Club is Coming Soon (2nd-5th Grade Only)

Passport Club is starting soon. Passport Club is a parent run geography club where students learn, practice and get quizzed on the geographical knowledge. It's a fun way to learn where in the world countries and cities are located. Students will hear more about Passport Club in their classrooms next week. If you have any questions about Passport Club, please reach out to the PTO. First day for Passport Club is October 21, during lunch recess.

Universal Screening for TAG

All of our elementary schools are giving the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGATs) from Oct 5-Nov 10. Each building will decide what day and time in that window works best for their students.

These tests were developed specifically for identifying gifted students with little reliance on prior academic knowledge or English language skills. There are three Naglieri General Ability Tests: each one has 40 test items and has a time limit of 35 minutes.

The Nonverbal test–that BSD gives to 3rd graders–uses shapes presented in a pattern, using sequences, spatial orientation and other distinguishing characteristics to arrive at the correct answer.
The Verbal test–that BSD gives to 4th graders–requires students to recognize verbal concepts represented in pictures, and identify the trait or relationship that unites five of the six pictures in a test item.
The Quantitative test–the BSD gives to 5th graders–uses numbers, symbols, numerical sequences, equivalency and patterns involving basic math to determine the correct answer. Students are given scratch paper and pencils when taking this test.

Students should be encouraged to take their time and look carefully at each question. Explain that questions will increase in difficulty through the test, and remind your child that for each of the test questions, there is one best answer.

The overall goal of an ability test is to test students’ true intellectual ability, not their learned knowledge. Therefore, we discourage the use of prepared materials to practice test content. Familiarity with the test greatly increases the likelihood of test error, and despite good intentions by parents, is often disadvantageous to students.

The results from these tests is one piece of quantitative evidence in a TAG evaluation that requires quantitative and qualitative evidence. Decisions on TAG identification at schools will happen in late Winter 2027.

Findley's TAG testing Window will be the Nov. 2-6, 2026. Watch for your child's teacher to send home more information soon.

Repeat Items

Microsoft Teams

Mobile phone/Tablet users:

If you plan to attend any virtual meetings, whether they are parent teacher conferences, special education or otherwise from a mobile phone or tablet, you will need to download the free Microsoft Teams app from your app store before joining. (Desktop users can join directly via web browser.)

Thank you for downloading the app early to ensure seamless virtual connections with your school!

Microsoft Teams App - App Store

Download Microsoft Teams by Microsoft Corporation on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more apps like Microsoft Teams.

nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com

Microsoft Teams — App Store download
Microsoft Teams — Google Play download

Absences / Change of Go Home

If your child will be absent or changing their go home plans, please contact the school office with this information. You may contact the office a number of ways:

email: fndly-communications@beaverton.k12.or.us

Phone: 503.356.2100

The QR Code below

The office updates absences and will let the teacher know of any go home changes.

Safe Routes Arrival & Dismissal Map

🐾 Sparky’s Steps to Safety! 🚶‍♀️🚲

Sparky wants to remind our community that a safe crossing is the best crossing! 💛

👣 Follow the footprints to designated street corners.
🚦 Cross at marked crossings—never midblock.
🗣️ Help teach others how to stay safe while walking to and from school.

Let’s make every trip to school a safe one! Follow Sparky’s Steps to Safety! 🐾

Volunteering in BSD

Volunteers will not be allowed in the building without a completed background check.