School Office Hours
Monday-Friday 8-4 pm
October 13
Board Meeting, 5:30 pm
October 20-21
I-Ready Diagnostic administration
October 29
End of 1st Quarter
October 30
No School- Grades Day
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Painting of Thor and "Friday Update" written in Runes by Chloe Royer, 4th grade |
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From the Director
Greetings Madrone Trail Community,
Fall is here! October has arrived, which has always been my favorite month since I was a child, most likely due to playing in piles of leaves, my birthday, and Halloween. I still enjoy the smell of wet leaves, but now Fall means yummy chanterelle and hedgehog mushrooms while on long hikes looking for them with my dog. We just need this smoke to clear!
You may have heard that the Medford School District has committed to Comprehensive Distance Learning through November. We will be following suit, though we don't a choice in the matter. We need three consecutive weeks that meet the metrics for opening and we have yet to have one. In fact, the numbers are rising so please protect yourself, loved ones, and strangers by social distancing and wearing a mask when you go out. This isn't political or freedom suppressing, it's the responsible and considerate thing to do during a pandemic.
We want to hear from you! Please be on the lookout for a survey from your child's class teacher. Given we serve you, your feedback is important and appreciated. We understand that distance learning is no substitute for in-person learning, but we would love to know what is working and what is not. The teachers are working very hard, and I'm very impressed and pleased with their continued passion and dedication to providing a Waldorf education. Please remember they didn't sign up for this either when opting to be a public educator, so don't forget to show some appreciation as you fill out the surveys.
As always, please reach out to me directly if there is anything that I can do for your family during these times.
Sincerely,
~John Bissey, Director
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I-Ready Coming Up
The I-Ready diagnostic test is a district wide assessment that is administered three times a year to 2nd-8th graders. We did not do the third diagnostic last Spring, but we will be doing them this year remotely. Normally, when students take this at school, we use some of our Main Lesson time to administer it. We will be doing the same thing this year. On October 20 and 21, 2nd-8th grade class teachers will not be teaching full main lessons. There will be a short check in, and then the remainder of the time will be spent taking the I-Ready Diagnostic. There are two tests, a reading and a math one. Children who receive Special Education services will be taking it with the assistance of Ms. Oliva and Ms. Amanda. Look out for updates from them about exactly how that will look.
We have put information on how to log in, how to support your child during the test, and a short video that explains how the test works on our school website here. Please click below to check out all of these resources. Usernames and passwords will be distributed by the class teachers.
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Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet
Just because we're not on campus, doesn't mean we don't have need for volunteers. Please fill out the Survey below to tell us how you can help. We so appreciate any help parents can offer our school.
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Yearbooks 2020-2021
We will still be creating a yearbook this year! It's going to be a memorable school year, so let's show that with pictures. School pictures done by Lifetouch have been rescheduled until December. Even if we are not back in school, we will figure out a way to get them done.
We will need your help to take pictures of your child doing the various online school activities at home. Please send full size images to Ms. Nancy, nancy.escherich@madronetrail.org
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Distance Learning Updates
HOT SPOTS ARE HERE!
Sherrie called all of the families on the list who requested one. If you have not picked yours up yet, feel free to stop in the office anytime next week.
Tutorials for using Google Classroom are on our school website
Consider putting Google Classroom on your Phone or Tablet
Instructions on how to download and add student accounts on the app are here.
If you need technical support, email Ms. Cori
She has been able to assist many parents in troubleshooting issues. Feel free to email her with your questions.
Pick up your materials if you haven't already
Many classes have scheduled pick ups days in the coming weeks for a fresh supply of materials. It's important students have the tools they need to complete schoolwork. The office will be open Mon-Fri, 8-4 pm. We are also willing to deliver materials.
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Registration Packets are needed ASAP
Each year we need a new registration packet filled out and turned in for each student. This is different from the re-enrollment form you filled out last Spring. If you have not done so already, please fill out your registration packet and return it to Sherrie in the office. If you need a new one, you can request a replacement by calling the office, 541-842-3657, or emailing Sherrie, sherrie.gasper@madronetrail.org
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Easy Ways to Support Madrone Trail
If you shop at Amazon and/or Fred Meyer there is an easy way to earn money for our school!
For Amazon: The Amazon Smile program donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to organizations. Go to smile.amazon.com and choose Madrone Trail Initiative as your charity of choice. You can only do this through a web browser, not the app. Every time you shop, remember to do so through the website, and 0.5% will go to our school on eligible purchases.
For Fred Meyer: The Fred Meyer Community Rewards program donates to local schools, community organizations, and non-profits. Go to their website and click on the link to "Link your Rewards Card now." You will need to create a log-in if you don't have one already, or sign-in if you do. Search for Madrone Trail Public Charter School, and select us as your charity of choice. Every time you use your Fred Meyer Reward Card it will donate a small portion to our school. Last quarter our school earned $30.36 from only 13 families, the more families we can get to do this the better!
Thanks for your support!
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How to Help Our Community Members
We have moved the Go Fund Me links to our website. Please click below to visit the page.
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Latest Information from the State
As a reminder, the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority have put out metrics that give specific guidelines about when they deem it safe enough for school to resume on-site. ODE has announced they are suspending the test positivity rate at the state and county level due to the impact wildfires had on testing. For the month of September, only county case rates and case counts will be considered. Test positivity rates will still be reported weekly, and can be viewed below.
They are as follows:
County Metrics - metrics to be met three weeks in a row:
- Case rate: ≤10 cases per 100,000 population in the preceding 7 days
- Test positivity: ≤5% in the preceding 7 days
- and -
State Metric - metric to be met three weeks in a row
- Test positivity: ≤5% in the preceding 7 days
Last week's numbers were:
Jackson County
- Case rate: 48.4 cases per 100,000 (107 cases total)
- Test positivity: 6.4%
Oregon
You can view all the metrics for the state here.
For the complete Ready Schools Safe Learners guidelines for reopening schools click here.
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Handlettered and watercolored by Ms. Cori |
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MADRONE TRAIL PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL www.madronetrail.org
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Madrone Trail Public Charter School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age in its programs and activities. |
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