The Learning Center is bursting with learning these days!  We have really hit our mark.  Each learning group is earning reward time for displaying active learning behaviors.  We are practicing these behaviors by using the acronym SLANT.  S is for Sit up Straight.  L is for Listen or Lean forward slightly.  A is for...
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This Thursday is our last chess club practice this year.  Enjoy Spring Break! Congratulations to our Chess Team for their 2 match wins at the State Championships this past weekend!  Thank you Mary Rower for volunteering to drive several students.  And thank you Mr. Lauer for treating us all to lunch, probably as exciting for...
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Surprise! The Lewis Chess Team is going to States!  Due to our strong performance at Regionals, we were selected to compete at the State Tournament next Friday, March 12th.  The following six players will represent the school: Harrison Rower, Ezra Diaz, Simon Petersen, Terrell Cunningham, Sione Ofa, and William Burkhart.  Please wish the team good...
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Congratulations to the Lewis Chess Team for placing 3rd at the Regional Tournament this past Saturday.  We were a half point away from qualifying for the state tournament, however, two players did qualify as individuals: Harrison Rower and Ezra Diaz.  So congratulate these players for their fantastic effort and chess smarts: Simon Petersen, Terrell...
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The Regional Tournament is scheduled for this Saturday, February 13th! Wish the following players good luck as they represent Lewis Elementary School: Terrell Cunningham, Simon Petersen, Sione Ofa, William Burkhart, Harrison Rower, Ezra Diaz, Will Yeigh, Elias Charles, Clifford Rivers, and Zachary Murphy.
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February is a great month.  Students are now entering the second half of the year.  They are acclimated to their class routines.  They have become fully engaged in their classroom curricula.  February is when students shine.  Hopefully by now, families feel comfortable too.  If not, I encourage you to schedule a meeting with your...
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We welcome Pamela Kennedy back to the Learning Center.  She will join Cathy Nichols in working with students that require extra academic and emotional support in the classroom.
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The Practice Tournament has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 23rd.  If your child would like to attend, please sign and return the permission slip by this Friday.  Let me know if you need another slip. Saturday, January 23rd Whitman Elementary School 8:30 arrival, play begins at 9:00am Play ends between 11:30 and 12:00.
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I hope that the practice tournament will be rescheduled, but I have not heard yet. Chess club has continued on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8am in the library.  Only intermediate and advanced players will be coached at this time.  All beginners still will receive t-shirts and chess boards and pieces when they arrive.
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The Practice Tournament was in fact canceled due to forecasted  bad weather.  It may be rescheduled for January.  I will keep you posted. Meanwhile, chess club for beginners is over.  Intermediate and advanced players who will continue in January until Spring Break have received letters of invitation.  Our first meeting is Tuesday, January 5th –...
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Keep reading.  Two weeks is a long time without practicing reading, writing and math.  We’re not doing our children a favor by “giving them a break.”  Students can lose some of their skills and fall behind over a two week period without school.  Try to make it fun, and keep the learning going through...
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If you have not signed up for a parent teacher conference next week, please do so immediately!  This is your chance to meet individually with your child’s teacher and see how your child is performing in school.  And it’s your chance to ask questions and learn how you can help your child at home.  Please find...
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The first tournament of the year is this December 12th.  Everyone is invited!  As long as you know the rules, you can play at the tournament: Saturday, December 12th 9am-12pm Whitman Elementary 7326 SE Flavel St Let Mr. Manger know immediately if you want to attend the tournament.  This means that our last Chess Academy meeting will be on...
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Two reminders: 1) Chess club will NOT meet this Thursday (tomorrow). 2) Chess Academy (beginners) will end at the end of November.  The intermediate and advance players will continue until the end of February, regardless of if they make the Lewis Chess Team.
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I plan to attend parent teacher conferences at the scheduled time with the classroom teacher.  This time allows all of us to talk about the students’ progress throughout the day, including instruction time in the general classroom and the learning center.  Progress notes that explicitly state the students’ progress toward their IEP goals will...
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The New York Times printed an interesting article in the health section on September 15th, 2009:  ”When a Parent’s ‘I Love You’ Means ‘Do as I Say,’” by Alfie Kohn.  I think parents and teachers are interchangeable in this article.  Basically, the premise is that lots of us have fallen into a trap of...
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Chess Club has started!  We have 62 players from 1st through 5th grade!  We meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 8am in the library.  All beginning players must attend this week, otherwise our lessons will be too far along for them to join.  Meanwhile, our intermediate and advance players are starting a tournament...
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Applications have been sent home!  Please read the letter carefully.  The structure and timing has changed.  Fill out the application and send it back quickly.  This is our first week of chess club!
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The Special Education PTA of Portland was launched in late 2008 by a group of parents raising children with disabilities in the Portland Public School District.  SEPTAP is a district wide Special Education PTA, focused on K-8 students. Membership is open to all families, educators and community members interested in improving the education and well being of...
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We are back at school!  It is exciting to see all of the excited faces, including staff and students and family members.  The Learning Center includes me as the special education teacher and two para educators.  We work with the school staff and families to provide extra support and instruction to students with special...
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We have several important weeks left in school, however, we need to plan for the summer as well.  I hope that as you prepare for the summer, you plan many learning experiences for your child.  Learning experiences can range from a simple walk to the store to a MAX ride to a museum downtown....
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Thank you all for a wonderful season!  I hope you had as much fun as I did.   Just to confirm, we are no longer meeting for Chess Club this year.  Next year we’ll begin our season in early October.  Meanwhile, make sure you practice, practice, practice.  Now that you all have chess pieces and boards...
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