We made it! As most weeks prior to Spring Break are, this week was jam packed! As the week began, it was fun to see students sporting their Shamrock Run shirts- my husband and I ran the 8K, and I'm shocked I didn't see any students while there. Regardless, it's been fun chatting it up with students about our experiences!

This Wednesday, staff and students practiced what to do in a lockdown emergency, and the seriousness in which it was taken was commendable. As we knocked on doors and entered to declare classrooms safe, I couldn’t help but notice how many crevices the rooms have- students were so silent, out of sight, and composed. It was clear teachers had front loaded with students in a way that felt supportive! A special shout out to Ms. Lannom for supporting K-2 with the new Sammy and Friends approach the weeks leading up to the drill.

Wednesday night was the Science Fair- and wow! What a great turn out it was! One highlight for me at any evening event is seeing former students return and chatting with families outside of the typical school day.

Thursday, we completed our monthly fire drill- every room was cleared and checked by staff within 3 minutes! I believe I was the last out after checking every room on both sides of the basement, and by the time I was there, most lines were already lined up and accounted for by staff!

Last night, we had an outstanding turn out to Neurodiversity/All Abilities Night- thank you to Ms. Chace (our Speech pathologist) for organizing this with our amazing families and to all Ms. Lee, Ms. Vasey, and Ms. Barry for coming out to support it. Dinner with the families prior was a highlight as well as hearing our own students share about what it’s like to be a neurodiverse student and a neurotypical sister!

Today, we celebrated students doing the right thing through a Cougar Paw Celebration (and K-5 dance party, too!). We appreciated staff and students' flexibility since the stage is under construction due to water damage this winter.

I hope you all have a very enjoyable Spring Break. Whether you’re traveling far or staying home, enjoy some much needed time relaxing, rejuvenating, and even recovering from what’s been a busy year!

Beverly Cleary Cafeteria is in need of more reusable metal forks and spoons for our cafeteria. This practice was started by the Green Team last year, and it has been very successful in reducing our plastic waste here at school during lunches. If you have any metal forks or spoons that you are willing to donate, please drop them by the office. You can also send a monetary donation so we can make a bulk order.

Thanks, The Green Team Students

On Monday, Apr. 15 our kinders, 1st and 2nd graders will have the special opportunity to meet and learn from children's author, Dane Lu. She lives in Portland and has just published her second picture book, Laolao's Dumplings. Please consider purchasing a signed copy of either or both of her books through our community partner, Green Bean Books, through this link by Mon. Apr. 1, 2024. When finishing your order, select Beverly Cleary School under "Calculate Shipping Cost." The signed copies of Dane Lu's books will be delivered to your student's classroom by the day after her visit. (Your purchase of one of her books directly supports this opportunity to have an author share her writing process with our students.)

If you have back copies of National Geographic Kids magazine that your family no longer needs, we'd love to use them to study nonfiction text features. These are high-level and engaging tools for our younger students to use in our Library lessons.

Finally, if you are interested in volunteering in the Library or you have a family member who would like to help us shelve books or check in books on Friday mornings, we would love your help. Shelving books is a great way to tune out on a podcast and help our Library in a huge way.Contact our Librarians, Nancy Gilkey (ngilkey@pps.net) and Whitney Palfreyman (wpalfreyman@pps.net) if interested or just want to know more. Thanks for considering!

Calling all BCS Families! The ANNUAL PPS CLOTHING CENTER DRIVE is April 3-10

BCS will be collecting donations of NEW socks, underwear, gloves and winter hats - sizes 4T to adult - to benefit the PPS Clothing Center. More than 2,000 students in need across the district turn to the Clothing Center every year, and every year the BCS community steps up to ensure that the Clothing Center can provide new socks, hats, gloves and underwear to every student who visits.

Collection bins will be located near the main offices at Fernwood throughout the week, or you will again have the option to send your order straight from Amazon using our Socks & Underwear Drive wishlist.

CLASS SPIRIT WEEK COMPETITION IS BACK THIS YEAR!

Spirit Week is April 1-4, and Thursday, April 4 is Pajama and Sock Day! Bring donations of socks or underwear - or a printout of an Amazon wish list receipt - to support the Drive and show your class spirit. The class with the largest haul will earn a popcorn party and priority parking for their teacher.

DON'T FORGET THE SCHOOL CHALLENGE!

The PTA is once again challenging BCS students to beat their generosity from past years. If the BCS community collectively donates at least 2,400 pairs of socks, underwear, gloves and hats, students will be able to celebrate with a popsicle party in the spring!

Contact Zoey Kohn zoeykohn@gmail.com with questions!