Vose Owl Notes
Family Newsletter - February, 2026
Dear Vose Families,
We made it through the first month of 2026! While we all enjoyed time with family and friends over winter break, it truly warmed our hearts to welcome students and staff back to school. There is something special about the energy in our building when everyone returns—laughter in the hallways, focused learning in classrooms, and familiar routines settling back into place.
February is a busy and exciting time of year at Vose. One of the most rewarding parts of this season is watching our students make meaningful progress as they apply the skills they’ve been building since the very first day of school. Whether it’s mastering a new math concept, becoming a more confident reader, or showing greater independence and perseverance, their hard work is truly paying off.
This month, our school community is focusing on the character trait of Inclusiveness. Through our Kindness in the Classroom curriculum, we define inclusiveness as treating others fairly and ensuring everyone feels they belong. Students are learning that while each of us is special and unique, it is our differences that make the Vose community stronger, kinder, and more connected.
Teachers especially love this time of year because they begin to see so much growth in students’ learning. As we continue a new year of learning and growing together, this is also a great opportunity to help students strengthen positive habits that support success—both at school and at home. Children thrive when routines feel predictable and encouraging, and even small steps can make a big difference.
Here are a few habits that can help set students up for continued success:
Consistent routines: Regular sleep, mealtimes, and homework or reading schedules help students feel grounded and ready to learn.
A calm start to the morning: Even during busy mornings, a few moments to breathe, stretch, or share a positive intention can set a strong tone for the day.
Organizational check-ins: Looking through backpacks, folders, and planners together each night helps students stay organized and prepared.
Reading every day: Independent reading or reading together builds language skills, confidence, and a love of learning.
Celebrating effort: Encouraging a growth mindset reminds students that mistakes are part of learning and that persistence truly matters.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are creating a school community where every child feels included, supported, and empowered to shine.
Warmly,
Monique Singleton, Principal
Ellen Arnold, Assistant Principal
Modified from original messages in November and also updated message in January:
Dear Vose Families,
As we are headed out of winter, we want to acknowledge the very real anxiety many in our community may be feeling due to ongoing reports of immigration enforcement activity in neighborhoods near our school community. We want to reassure you that we are committed to keeping our school a place of safety, stability, and belonging for every child.
We have continued to share the information we receive with our district’s Public Safety Department and have followed our district protocols to ensure safety. We also have responded by providing support to families and students by meeting with impacted families to connect them with resources, walking and accompanying school busses to ensure students arrive at school and home safely. We want to be sure to provide as much information as possible in this message, so please be sure to review
While we cannot control federal actions, we can control how we show up for our children and one another. Our school has always supported families facing stress, trauma, or uncertainty, and we remain steadfast in that commitment.
Here is what we want you to know:
- Vose continues to be a safe, welcoming, and caring environment for every student, every day.
- We are following all district safety guidelines and protocols, including keeping exterior doors and gates closed and reporting any concerning activity to administration and appropriate authorities immediately.
- Classroom routines and relationships remain steady and predictable, which helps students feel secure.
- We are attentive to students’ emotional well-being, and we are providing calm, supportive spaces as needed.
We want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the fear and uncertainty many people are feeling and remind you that our schools are safe and welcoming spaces for all. Here’s what you can expect from us:
School property is protected. Schools are not open to the public. Immigration enforcement agents cannot come into a school without proper legal authority. They must present a judicial warrant issued by a court.
Student and family information is private. Staff will not ask about or disclose immigration status and will not release students’ and families’ contact information. That information is protected by law and district policy.
Local law enforcement are not involved. Under Oregon law, public agencies focus on their local responsibilities and will not engage in immigration enforcement activities. This includes our youth services officers in schools as well as local and state police.
Staff are prepared. Key staff have received training on how to respond if approached by immigration officers or anyone else seeking protected information. We have procedures in place to support students if their families are impacted.
We encourage families who are concerned to create a safety plan. We share this not to cause alarm or anxiety, but because being prepared helps everyone feel more secure in uncertain times and in cases of emergency. A plan could include:
Making sure schools have up-to-date emergency contact information.
Identifying trusted adults who could pick up children from school, if needed.
Talking with children in age-appropriate ways about what to do if they feel worried or unsafe.
If you have questions, please visit our Supporting Immigrant & Refugee Students and Families webpage, where you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions and resources for families.
If you or your family are feeling anxious, please know you are not alone. You are welcome to reach out to us at any time. We are here to support your child and your family. Contact information for our Family Support Team is here:
Call or email to schedule appointment:
Mara Silvera- 503-356-2430 mara_silvera@beaverton.k12.or.us (School Counselor)
Maria Rodriguez- 503-356-2430, maria_rodriguez@beaverton.k12.or.us (School Social Worker
Gabby Ruano Aguilera- 503-256-2430; gabriela_ruano_aguilera@beaverton.k12.or.us (Bilingual Resource Facilitator)
Sara de la Paz Garza, 503-356-2430, ext. 64015 (Family Support Liaison)
Elena Pineda- 503-277-0484; zoilaelena_pineda@beaverton.k12.or.us (Early Learning Liaison- birth - 7 years old)
We so appreciate the active engagement and support from our families and surrounding community. If you are looking for ways to help others in our Vose community, please:
1. Donate to the Vose Free Food Bank by following the instructions below. These contributions will be used to purchase much needed food for our families throughout the year for distribution at our free Food Distribution on Tuesdays at 10am.
2. Purchase items on our Vose specific Amazon wish list and it will be shipped directly to Vose's office. We have already started receiving some donations, which is amazing! Many thanks to those who have already donated! (see QR Code below)
Below is also direct donation link for our Vose Free Food Bank, which serves our families year-round.
Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your care for our community. Together we will continue to ensure that Vose is a place where every child feels safe, seen, and supported.
With care,
Monique Singleton
Principal, Vose Elementary School
One of the most important ways we ensure a safe and responsive school environment is through the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), a district-wide system designed to prepare students and staff for a variety of emergency situations.
The SRP is not based on one specific scenario—it’s a framework that guides our response to any unexpected event. Whether it’s a weather emergency, a nearby police activity, or a threat inside the building, the SRP provides clear, consistent actions that everyone in our school community understands and practices.
The five SRP actions are:
Hold – Stay in your room or area; hallways are cleared.
Secure – Get inside; lock outside doors.
Lockdown – Locks, lights, out of sight.
Evacuate – Move to a designated location.
Shelter – Follow safety strategies for specific hazards.
These actions are practiced regularly so that students and staff know exactly what to do—calmly and confidently—when an emergency arises.
You can learn more about the SRP on the Beaverton School District’s Emergency Protocol page
Drill Frequency and What to Expect
In alignment with Oregon law and district policy, Vose conducts the following drills each school year:
Fire drills: Monthly, with the first drill within the first 10 days of school.
Earthquake drills: At least twice per year.
Safety threat drills (including lockdown and secure): At least twice per year.
These drills are scheduled thoughtfully and conducted with care. Our goal is to build muscle memory and reduce anxiety by making safety routines familiar and predictable.
We know that practicing these drills can raise questions at home. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of these routines and reassure them that these practices are part of keeping everyone safe.
Thank you for partnering with us to create a safe and supportive learning environment. If you have questions about our safety procedures or the SRP, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Vose Elementary School
Email: ellen_arnold@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: https://vose.beaverton.k12.or.us/
Location: 11350 SW Denney Road, Beaverton, OR, 97008
Phone: (503)356-2430