FOXY TALES
DOROTHY FOX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2017
INSIDE THIS NEWSLETTER
DENTAL TRIVIA FROM THE NURSE
KEYS TO MORNING DROP OFF SUCCESS
THE PTA DOES WHAT?
RECRUITING SCIENCE FAIR JUDGES
UPCOMING DATES: (Can go to Fox School Website for Calendar Information) http://schools.camas.wednet.edu)
FEBRUARY 6
PTA Catalog Fundraiser Begins
Packets of information sent home with students
FEBRUARY 20
NO SCHOOL-President’ Day
FEBRUARY 23
PTA General Membership Meeting 9:15 @ Cafe
MARCH 1
Early Release Canceled for SNOW MAKE UP
MARCH 2
Coffee/Cocoa/Conversation Meeting 9:15am
All parents welcome
Topic: Understanding Math Problem Solving
MARCH 3
Foxy Spirit Day—Wear Red!
MARCH 6-9
Spring PTA Book Fair
MARCH 8
K-5 FAMILY STEAM NIGHT 5:00-7:00pm
MARCH 15
Early Release Canceled for SNOW MAKE UP
MARCH 15
Foxy Spirit Day—Dress like a Book Character!
MARCH 16
Spring Picture Day
Class Group Photos for Sale
Individual Photo Packet Options (Different than fall)
MARCH 18
Camas Education Fountain Auction Gala
Tickets at: http://www.cefcamas.org
MESSAGE FROM DR. SORK, PRINCIPAL
Hard to believe that we have hit the half way point
of the school year. We are thrilled to get some
routine back to our school days/weeks after the
snow day disruptions that kept us all guessing.
This part of the school year tends to be a time of
heavy academic lifting in the classroom with students working to
master higher level thinking skills and content in all areas. We urge
parents to continue to build stamina in your children and to help
them not give up easily when they hit a challenge. Having GRIT is
critical in school and in life. The ability to stick with learning, even
when it is hard can make all the difference in a student’s success.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our teachers, support staff,
PTA and school volunteers for working so hard for our kids. Each day
at Dorothy Fox is an example of a village coming together to support
every child to be their best. Valiant expressions of caring, generosity,
inspiration, and dedication are visible every day within the walls of
our school. Fox truly does ROCK because of the kids and adults that
make up and support our community including the mayor who read
to our kids at Literacy Night. See photo below.
NEW PTA Online Fundraiser!!
Charleston Wrap has over
500 products online
including such as: magazines, jewelry, wrapping paper and gift accessories, tech items,
kitchen
and home goods....
Even gourmet snacks!
You and your friends & family shop online and
it's delivered to your door.
It's so easy!
1.
2.
4.
Go to Charleston Wrap
https://www.charlestonwrap.com/
Click “need to register students?” under the 3.
SHOP NOW button
Enter our school ID: 10911
5. Fill
out your
child's
info- get
KEEPING MORNING CAR DROP OFF SAFE AND SMOOTH
Dorothy Fox has the biggest walk zone in the district with almost 90% of our students living within 1/2 mile “As the
Crow Flies” from the school. The reality is that this translates to a lot of families that choose to drive their children
to school in private cars causing routine congestion during drop off time between 8:45-9:00am.
Many families report this is a frustrating time of day with concerns for student safety.
The KEY to CAR DROP OFF SUCCESS:
1.
DO NOT STOP IN FRONT OF DOORS, but pull all the way forward to utilize the full curb area.
2.
Watch carefully and wait until you can pull forward before stopping early and causing back-up onto the road.
3.
Try to let students curbside instead of inside where cars are traveling.
The Annual Staff Student Volleyball game was rescheduled due to snow.
There are few words to describe the crazy
winter we are having that has now caused 10
missed days of school. Canceling a few early
release days is part of our plan to make up
school days. Please note the following:
REMEMBER REMAINING
FULL DAY WEDNESDAYS
Wednesday, March 1 (9-3:30)
Wednesday, March 15 (9-3:30)
Students participated in afterschool Tae-Kwon-Do in the Dorothy Fox gym.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: 6/26
From the Music Den:
Greetings! Our Kindergarten songs about Snowmen, Frosty Weather, North Winds Blowing,
and all the rest, seem to have been very prophetic this year! February is full of events for us
all, so hopefully we’ve seen the last of our bad weather!
In spite of the reschedule, Dorothy Fox gathered together on January 30 th for an assembly
celebrating the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Because music and song were a big part of the civil
rights movement, we sang songs like “Turn Me Round,” “This Little Light of Mine,” and “We Shall Overcome,” to
connect deeper to this important part of United States history. The 5th Graders even did their best with “Lift
Every Voice and Sing” and did a good job in spite of having lost so much instructional and rehearsal time to
sledding hills and snowman building!
February 18th is the annual All-State Youth Chorus. This year in Bellevue, WA, Gracyn Epstein will represent Fox
as a singer in the 150+ member group. The honor choir will rehearse all day and perform a concert in the
evening. The music selections this year are exciting, beautiful, and fun! I can’t wait to hear them!
Classroom “Informances” are now being scheduled, so stay tuned for your chance to come and watch your kids
show off their best music classroom skills like singing, clapping rhythms, improvising, composing and playing fun
games! Emails will go out to grade levels at least a month in advance
of the Informance dates.
Sing some songs about spring now! We can make it!
Warmly, Dustin Hunley Dorothy Fox Music Specialist
NEWS FROM THE PTA
The school year has been flying by and it is already time to start the Dorothy Fox PTA Board election process for 2017-2018. If you are looking for a way to get more involved and help support students and staff
at Fox, serving on the PTA Board is a great way to do that! Flyers with more details will be sent out later
this month and nomination boxes will be placed at the front office. Elections for President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary will take place at the PTA General Meeting on April 20 at 9:15am.
Volunteers
Thank you to all 120+ volunteers who have so generously given their time to help build school community and support Fox Students and Staff! If you haven’t had a chance to volunteer yet, please see our volunteer requests on signupgenius.com
Fundraising
Thank you also to everyone who has donated to the PTA and supported our fundraising efforts. We can
provide the programs and events listed above with your financial support.
Happy Winter!
Lianne Lauda, Dorothy Fox PTA President
2016-17 FOX YEARBOOKS
ON SALE NOW!
Yearbooks have gone on sale.
Forms were sent home in Friday folders.
Upcoming Events
February
20
No School – Presidents’ Day Holiday
22
Birthday Table (February Birthdays)
PTA General Meeting 9:15am (Rescheduled from 2/16)
27
Box Tops Ends
March
2
3
3
6-9
8
9
15
16
16
16
29
29
30
Feb.18th-March 3rd regular price is
$16.
This is the only time of the year you can order a
yearbook. They are not available to purchase at the
end of the year.
Yearbooks include: class photos, spirit days, STEAM
Night, Literature Night, Lunch with an Adult, 5th grade
class photo, Fox Clubs, Art and much much more!
Please make checks payable to:
Dorothy Fox PTA. Thanks!
Coffee/Cocoa/Conversation with Dr. Sork, Principal 9:15-10:15am
Making Sense of Math Problem Solving & How to Help Your Student
Friday Wear Red Day
Book Fair
STEAM Night
PTA Board Meeting 9:15am
Spirit Day – Favorite Book Character Day
(Show your spirit by dressing up as a favorite book character – Harry Potter, Thing 1 or 2, Fly Guy, etc.)
Spring Pictures
Coffee/Cocoa/Conversation with Dr. Sork, Principal 6-7pm
Repeat: Making Sense of Math Problem Solving and How to Help Your Student
PTA General Meeting 7pm
Birthday Table
PTA Staff Appreciation - Orange you glad that …
Coffee/Cocoa/Conversation with Dr. Sork, Principal 9:15-10:15am
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) with a sample Image Discussion Experience
The Dorothy Fox PTA Does That?
PTA Builds Community!
PTA Provides Education Enrichment for our Kids!
School Dance
Assemblies & Field Trips
Movie Nights
Classroom Supplies and Materials—Teacher Discretionary Fund
Carnival
Principal’s Discretionary Fund
Literacy Night
Scholastic Books
Scholastic Magazine Subscriptions
PTA Supports our School!
5th Grade EOY Celebration
School Garden
STEAM Night
5th Grade Track Meet
Birthday Table
Field Day
Fox and Friends
Playground Equipment
Run for the Arts
Safety Patrol
School Maintenance
Spirit Days
PTA Communicates!
PTA provides weekly email updates to
keep you in the loop of important
PTA information.
PTA provides a PTA website and
Facebook page.
http://www.signupgenius.com
www.dorothyfoxpta.org
www.facebook.com/dorothyfoxpta
Please subscribe to the
Dorothy Fox Calendar
to keep up to date on all events.
http://schools.camas.wednet.edu/dorothyfox/
fox-calendar/
Click on Find a Sign UP
Enter [email protected]
Click on an Available Sign Up to volunteer
*All potential volunteers must complete the CSD Volunteer Application Form
and Background Check prior to volunteering at the school or a school event
(such as a field trip). Please allow 5 days for processing. Once completed and
approved, an applicant is cleared to volunteer for two years. Please check your
status with the Fox Front Office.
Notes from the Fox Library with Mrs. Logan:
In January, I had the opportunity to attend a seminar on the BEST Children’s books of 2016.
Here are some of the books I got to hear about that I’d suggest for your readers!
K-2:
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty. Ada Marie Twist is a budding scientist who uses the
scientific method to solve a real-world problem: WHAT is causing that horrific stench? This
book, written in rhyme, is perfect to read to your own curious kiddo.
Get a Hit, Mo by David Adler. The Mo series is a great choice for emerging readers (about 1.5 grade level). Sports lovers will
enjoy reading about Mo’s performance at the big game—where he NEEDS to get a hit to redeem himself after two times striking out.
Dory Fantasmagory series by Abby Hanlon. Dory is what would happen if you mixed Junie B. Jones with Ramona and Clementine—she’s an imaginative six-year-old who lives part of her life in a fantasy. Dory also HATES reading. These books, written
around a 3rd grade level, will make even reluctant readers laugh out loud.
The Blobfish Book by Jessica Olien. Blobfish is reading a book titled “The Deep Sea Book” and is very excited to read about himself—except that when he does, he learns that he is, well, ugly. Poor Blobfish can’t seem to move past this news, until some of
his deep sea friends add some pages to the book to help cheer him up.
Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton. Do you have a fan of the super soaker at your
house? Then they are sure to enjoy this true story of the NASA scientist who invented the super soaker—while working on a
different project. Warning: this book may result in spontaneous inventing!
3-5:
All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor. Perry Cook lives a pretty normal life with his mom and extended family—except that he just happens to live at the Blue River Correctional Facility, where his mother is a resident. When the town’s
new District Attorney hears of Perry’s unusual living situation, Perry finds himself taken from the only home he’s ever known
into foster care. Determined to reunite his family, Perry begins investigating his mother’s case. Can he make sure her parole is
not denied?
Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John Anderson. Ms. Bixby is one of those teachers who makes school not so bad. Steve, Brand, and
Topher are having a pretty good year until their teacher, Ms. Bixby, suddenly gets sick. When her illness progresses too quickly
for her to attend her planned “last day” party, the three boys decide to take matters into their own hands. They cut school in
an attempt to show Ms. Bixby how much she means to them. This book is funny, sad, and tackles tough issues.
Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White by Melissa Sweet. This biography tells the story of one of DFE’s most popular writers.
Fans of our recent 4th grade book club pick Charlotte’s Web will enjoy learning about the life of E.B. White and how his books
came to be.
NEWS FROM THE FOX GYM:
During the month of February, students will be finishing up their basketball unit and
transitioning to racket sports. This unit will include wall racket ball,
pickle ball, and badminton. Upper grades will learn how to perform
forehand and backhand shots as well as rules of each game. Primary
grades will learn basic skills including how to properly hold the
rackets, as well underhand and forehand striking. Kindergarteners will be exposed to
some racket activities as well as continuing fitness with our HopSports program.
Troy Dunn, Fox PE
[email protected]
A NOTE FROM the NURSE:
February is National Dental Health Month!
Lifelong habits begin at home.
 Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, especially
after breakfast and before bedtime. Drinking water after eating also
helps to clear your teeth of food particles.
 Floss every day. An adult should help children under the age of eight to
floss. Older children should be ready to floss on their own.
 Limit the number of times you eat snacks, especially the sticky ones and long lasting ones.
 Visit a dentist regularly for a routine checkup and a cleaning.
 Protect your teeth by wearing a mouth guard when playing sports.
 Don’t forget to change your tooth brush regularly, and after an illness.
SWEET SNACK FACTS:
 Eating a lot of snacks with sugar may cause cavities.
 Every time you eat sugar, plaque in your mouth mixes with the sugar to make acid. The acid hurts the
teeth and causes decay. This can HURT!
TRIVIA QUESTIONS:
A PRIZE WAITS for the FIRST 3 to visit the SCHOOL NURSE with the correct answers…
Name the American patriot and Revolutionary War hero who practiced dentistry?
A. Benjamin Franklin
B. Paul Revere
C. Thomas Paine
D. George Washington
What 19th century invention came to revolutionize the marketing
and retailing of toothpaste?
A. Toothpaste gel
B. Collapsible metal tube
C. Toothbrush
D. Billboards
From what materials were George Washington’s dentures mainly constructed?
A. Lead & ivory
B. Wood & human teeth
C. Rubber & bone
If you need assistance finding a Dentist – your school nurse can help!
DOROTHY FOX HEALTH CARE TEAM:
Karen Wight, District RN
833-5701
Ext: 79895
THE ARTS ARE ALIVE AT DOROTHY FOX
“Without Art, our Earth would just be Eh”
As culmination of our 3-year Visual Thinking Strategies Roll Out, we have
arranged for all students in grades 2-5 to attend the Portland Art Museum.
Here are some of our students getting a chance to closely observe and infer.
Clay Artist-in-Residence with Karie Oakes. Thank you Art Volunteers!
sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The superintendent or designee will respond to you in writing within
New District Policy for Review
30 calendar days—unless you agree on a different time period.
Sexual Harassment (CSD Policy & Procedure 3205)
If your complaint involves exceptional circumstances that deStudents and staff are protected against sexual harassment by mand a lengthier investigation, the district will notify you in
anyone in any school program or activity, including on the
writing to explain why staff members need a time extension
school campus, on the school bus, or off-campus during a
and the new date for their written response.
school-sponsored activity.
Step 3: School District Responds to Your Complaint
Sexual harassment is unwelcome behavior or communication In its written response, the district will include a summary of
that is sexual in nature when:
the results of the investigation, a determination of whether or
 A student or employee is led to believe that he or she must not the district failed to comply with civil rights laws, notificasubmit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communications
tion that you can appeal this determination, and any measures
in order to gain something in return, such as a grade, a pro- necessary to bring the district into compliance with civil rights
motion, a place on a sports team, or any educational or
laws. Corrective measures will be put into effect within 30 calemployment decision, or
endar days after this written response—unless you agree to a
 The conduct substantially interferes with a student's edudifferent time period.
cational performance, or creates an intimidating or hostile
Appeal to the School District
educational or employment environment.
If you disagree with the school district’s decision, you may apExamples of Sexual Harassment:
peal to the school district’s board of directors. You must file a
 Pressuring a person for sexual favors
notice of appeal in writing to the secretary of the school board
 Unwelcome touching of a sexual nature
within 10 calendar days after you received the school district’s
 Writing graffiti of a sexual nature
response to your complaint. The school board will schedule a
 Distributing sexually explicit texts, e-mails, or pictures
hearing within 20 calendar days after they received your ap Making sexual jokes, rumors, or suggestive remarks
peal, unless you agree on a different timeline. The school board
 Physical violence, including rape and sexual assault
will send you a written decision within 30 calendar days after
You can report sexual harassment to any school staff member
the district received your notice of appeal. The school board’s
or to the district's Title IX Officer, Marilyn Boerke. You also
decision will include information about how to file a complaint
have the right to file a complaint (see below). For a copy of our
with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
district’s sexual harassment policy and procedure, contact your
school or district office, or view it online here: 3205 and 3205P. Complaint to OSPI
FROM THE CAMAS SCHOOL DISTRICT:
COMPLAINT OPTIONS:
DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT
If you believe that you or your child has experienced unlawful
discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment at school, you have the right to file a complaint.
Before filing a complaint, you can discuss your concerns with
your child’s principal or with the school district’s Section 504
Coordinator (Dana Lighty), Title IX Officer and Civil Rights Coordinator (Marilyn Boerke. This is often the fastest way to revolve
your concerns.
Complaint to the School District
Step 1: Write Our Your Complaint
In most cases, complaints must be filed within one year from
the date of the incident or conduct that is the subject of the
complaint. A complaint must be in writing. Be sure to describe
the conduct or incident, explain why you believe discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment has taken place, and describe what actions you believe the district
should take to resolve the problem. Send your written complaint—by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery—to the district
superintendent or civil rights compliance coordinator.
Step 2: School District Investigates Your Complaint
Once the district receives your written complaint, the coordinator will give you a copy of the complaint procedure and make
If you do not agree with the school district’s appeal decision,
state law provides the option to file a formal complaint with
the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). This is
a separate complaint process that can take place if one of these two conditions has occurred: (1) you have completed the
district’s complaint and appeal process, or (2) the district has
not followed the complaint and appeal process correctly.
You have 20 calendar days to file a complaint to OSPI from the
day you received the decision on your appeal. You can send
your written complaint to the Equity and Civil Rights Office at
OSPI:
Email: [email protected] ǀ Fax: 360-664-2967
Mail or hand deliver: PO Box 47200, 600 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7200
For more information, visit www.k12.wa.us/Equity/Complaints.aspx,
or contact OSPI’s Equity and Civil Rights Office at 360-725-6162/TTY:
360-664-3631 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Other Discrimination Complaint Options
Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
206-607-1600 ǀ TDD: 1-800-877-8339 ǀ [email protected] ǀ
www.ed.gov/ocr
Washington State Human Rights Commission 1-800-233-3247 ǀ
TTY: 1-800-300-7525 ǀ www.hum.wa.gov
If interested, bring in a jar of any size filled with items of your choice.
Could be anything. (M&M’s, Paperclips, Legos, gumballs, etc.)
All jars will be set out for students to estimate the number of items in
the jar. Students who get closest will win the jar to take home.
SAVE THE DATE-MARCH 8th
Seeking Donations for the
ESTIMATION STATION at STEAM Night: