April 22
Parent Education Evening, 6 pm
April 30-May 2
Online Auction
May 3
No School
Auction Item Pick Up, 12-6 pm
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Chalkboard Drawing by Mr. Criswell, 6th grade |
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Update from the Director
Greetings Madrone Trail Community,
I want to thank everyone that provided feedback to our Parent Survey last week regarding returning to a five day school week with all students back on campus. It was reassuring to see that 72.4% of parents rated their satisfaction with our hybrid program a score of 3 or higher (out of 5). Our teachers have worked very hard this year, adopting a completely different teaching style and incorporating technology four times in the last year. It has been a challenge, but rewarding to see that we were still able to offer a quality Waldorf education from a distance.
The survey also revealed that 40.4% of parents gave a score of 3 or lower regarding if they would feel safe sending their child back to school with all students on campus. This is significant. We understand that many of you made your decision to return given the safety measures that would only be possible with half of our students on campus. The majority of our faculty also feel that the safety measures in place could not possibly be as safe as they currently are with twice as many students on campus.
Taking these factors into consideration, we have decided to continue a hybrid schedule as we monitor the situation in our area. We will be sending out another survey in a few weeks as we realize that your opinions may change as you do the same. Personally, my biggest priority is to end this year on a positive note, do away with the technology in our classrooms and never hear the word “Zoom” again.
This decision also incorporated current COVID-19 data. Please click on this link which details where cases are rising in which states. From April 6 to April 13, cases have risen by 20% in Oregon. The average daily increase nationwide is almost 10%, rising in more than half of the country. These are not reassuring in the least.
I also want to address what some of what I have been hearing from parents. From an equity standpoint, we simply can't just do what the Medford School District is doing. Why? Any student in the Medford School District that chooses to remain at home when their school returns to a full schedule are sent to the Medford Online Academy. This removes the responsibility of the in person teacher from providing a virtual education to the CDL (Comprehensive Distance Learning) students. We do not have that option. Our teachers are having to do both right now, which is possible because of the low number of CDL students we have currently. If a large percentage of our students choose to go back to CDL due to safety concerns, our teachers would have a difficult time providing a quality education to both groups.
I am well aware that no matter what decision we make, many of you will not be satisfied. I am here if you would like to discuss this or simply vent. I have to consider the safety of our students first and foremost.
I am also well aware that most students nationwide have not received the quality of education they would have had we never had this pandemic, resulting in many being behind. The Medford School District is offering a free "hands-on, minds-on and worksheet free” summer education program at several of their schools. Madrone Trail students are welcome to attend whichever school is convenient for them. Please click the link here for more details and to apply.
As always, I am here to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
~John Bissey
Director
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Parent Education Evening-- NEXT THURSDAY
We are offering parents a free evening of Parent Education next week, Thursday, April 22, at 6 pm via Zoom. The topic will be Parenting During a Pandemic.
From the presenter: Parenting youth as they approach and enter into adolescence is challenging enough, then add a pandemic that has altered life as we knew it. You are invited to a series of parent evenings with puberty and adolescence educator, Karen O'Dougherty of Body Basics and Beyond. Learn about the developmental changes of adolescence as well as have an opportunity to ask parenting questions. The first part of each evening will be dedicated to parent education, followed by an opportunity for parents to ask specific questions they have about parenting. One and a half hour evenings are held on Zoom. All parenting adults are welcome.
Topic: Parenting During a Pandemic
Time: Apr 22, 2021 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 793 2721 2985
Passcode: mtpcs
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State Testing and I-Ready
It's that time of year where we prepare to do the the final district and state assessments. We will be required to have our students take both of them this year.
From the Medford School District:
PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF 3RD-8TH GRADERS AND 11TH GRADERS
The state of Oregon requested a waiver for state testing (OSAS) this year but it was denied by the US Department of Education. Oregon is now requesting an amendment to their request, found here. Medford School District will be offering an opportunity for all students grades 3-8 and grade 11 to participate in state assessment. However, there are no accountability measures in place this year related to participation rates or academic performance. Please be aware that you may opt your student out of state testing. Information can be found here: OSAS Testing and Parent Opt-Out. To access the Opt-Out forms, please click here for the form in English and here for the form in Spanish. Families who want to opt students out of Science (only grades 5, 8 and 11th) would complete the Medford Opt-Out Form, explain your rationale, and provide an alternative learning activity. Please note that individual student reports will not be available from any state test this year. Although the form(s) have an April 6th deadline, your schools will be accepting opt-out forms throughout the assessment window which is April 14th though June 11th.
Please return the opt out forms to Ms. Cori, the School Test Coordinator, either in person (at drop off or pick up) or via email.
We will be taking the third I-Ready assessment as well. We will be doing these at home on your students off days to maximize the time we have with them in school.
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Jog-a-thon Update
We successfully completed our Jog-a-thon this year! We couldn't have asked for better weather to run in. The students tried their best and pushed themselves to see how many laps they could run in half an hour. The totals ranged from 5-17 laps. We received many pledge sheets, and are still accepting late ones. Group A's forms will be returned April 19 and Group B's forms will be returned April 22 for collection. We have already taken in over $1000 from just Group A so far! Checks should be written to MTPCS and one check can be written for multiple students' pledges. Just note how much goes to each student. Thanks for supporting our school!
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Auction Update
This year's Auction will be online during the weekend of April 30-May 2. You can read more about it on our website here.
The Auction committee needs help! At this time we have specific needs for:
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Canvasing businesses for donations.
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Helping pick up donated items. We get donations from all over the valley. Let us know what area you could help out in.
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Class Basket items, see list below for themes.
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Donations not specifically for class baskets that could stand alone as an auction item.
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Business Sponsors. We have five so far, but the more the merrier!
How to Register:
2. Click the button in the upper right-hand corner of the page, “Please
Login/Register”
3. Fill in your demographic information. Bidding Owl will send an email to the email
address provided to verify your account information. Check your email, and
follow the prompts to activate your account.
Thank you to everyone who has donated items for their class baskets so far. We have gotten some great stuff already. Last call for items! Basket items can be given to Ms. Cori at drop off or pick up. Deadline for drop off is April 19th. That's next Monday! Please label all donation items with grade level and approximate value so we can get it to the correct basket.
Class Basket Themes
Kindergarten: Barbeque is HOT!
1st grade: Plastic-free/Eco-friendly products
2nd grade: Spa Day/Self Care
3rd grade: Art Supplies
4th grade: Family Game Night
5th grade: Fishing the Rogue
6th grade: Gardener's Delight
7th grade: Summer Fun
8th grade: Date Night
If your business would like to Sponsor our Auction or you can help with the above needs, please email the Auction Committee, auction@madronetrail.org.
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Change in Bus Schedule
First Student let us know last week that there will be a change in the bus schedule starting Monday, April 12. The new pick up/drop off times are as follows:
Morning Pick Up Time: (Please be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the posted time.)
Ruch School: 7:40 am
Jacksonville Library: 8:00
Jefferson School: 8:15 am
Lincoln School: 8:05 am
Afternoon Drop Off Time: (Times are the earliest the bus will arrive, please allow a 10 minute window for bus to arrive.)
Ruch School: 3:30 pm
Jacksonville Library: 3:20 pm
Jefferson School: 3:45 pm
Lincoln School: 4:00 pm
Also, there will be no bus service Friday, April 30. MSD does not have school that day, so they will not be providing us bus service that day. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
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Yearbook Update
Online ordering is happening now! Click the link below to order yours. This year the yearbook will be delayed due to the late dates of our Picture Day and wanting to have more than a few weeks to take pictures at school. We will be sending it to the printers June 1, so they will not be ready by the end of school. They will be ready mid-summer.
Weekly reminder! We still need more pictures of online school activities, but luckily now that students have returned to school we are getting pictures of them on campus, like this one of the 6th graders playing Space Ball in Games class.
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EcoQuest Adventure- April 22-25
Celebrate Earth Day 2021 with a Safe & Sustainable EcoQuest Adventure!
Thursday- Sunday, April 22-25
All ages are invited to join in engaging activities at home, outdoors, and across the Rogue Valley that help to make Earth Day a way of life! This year event organizers have modified the annual and in-person festival in to a covid-safe pursuit of hands-on fun.
From April 22-25, a wide variety of adventures will be hosted by local the nonprofits, business and agencies that usually have exhibits at the Rogue Valley Earth Day event. Participants can track their completed activities in an online EcoQuest app by submitting a photo or short field note, and earn a chance to win a raffle prize for each activity they do.
Pick up a Junior Rangers Activity Books for hiking Table Rocks, learn the ABC’s of Forest Ecology at Oregon-Todd Woods in Ashland, or join a Walk + Talk on the Bear Creek Greenway to learn about water quality, riparian restoration, and wildlife conservation.
Several activities will teach kids to create a more sustainable lifestyles including 'What’s Your Climate Footprint?' and ‘Waste Zero Food’ calculators, plus composting and recycling activities. Stop by various locations around the valley to pick up a free Start Your Monarch Garden, Sprout Your Own Microgreens or Nature Discovery kits.
Those who want to make a direct difference can take part in invasive plant removal at Whetstone Savannah Preserve in White City, learn how to lobby elected officials for climate, or do simple activities that help to prepare homes for wildfires.
Science and technology activities include water quality testing, assembling an insect hotel, and identifying soil types. Participants can test drive an electric Chevy Bolt, take a self-guided Solar Stroll and learn bike safety and tune-up tips. Online activities include webinars about volcanic rocks in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and Great Grey Owls and an energy conservation scavenger hunt.
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Latest Metrics from the State
3/14-3/27 Case Count: 356 Cases Per 100,000: 160.9 Test Positivity Rate: 6.1%
3/21-4/3 Case Count: 416 Cases Per 100,000: 188.0 Test Positivity Rate: 7.5%
3/28-4/10 Case Count: 496 Cases Per 100,000: 224.1 Test Positivity Rate: 6.4%
To see how other counties are doing click below.
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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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