THE RED HAWK REVIEW
Neely-O’Brien Elementary - 6300 S 236th Street, Kent, WA 98032 – 253-373-7434
March 2012
2012 Technology Expo
On Tuesday, April 24th, approximately 450 KSD
teachers and students will share how technology is used as a
teaching tool throughout the curriculum. The event will be at
the ShoWare Center in Kent and admission is free.
Demonstrations will show how teachers integrate 21st
century themes and skills into core academic subjects such as arts
education, social studies, language arts and STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics). Our teachers and students have much to
share regarding technology as a teaching and learning tool.
Thank You Neely-O’Brien Families!
We had a terrific Spring Conference week! We know how busy every
family is and we appreciate the support and time. We are confident that our
students know how important they are to us!
Mill Creek Middle School
7th
Grade Registration & Orientation
Important Dates & Information
Greetings from Mill Creek! Please take a look at the
important information below regarding the transition to Mill Creek Middle
School. Let us know if you have any questions!
Registration Related Things
March – Current 7th grade students will be participating in a Pen-Pal project
with Neely-O’Brien’s 6th graders to teach them a bit about what life at Mill
Creek is all about.
April 20th - We will be visiting Neely-O’Brien to talk with the 6th graders
about registering for classes at Mill Creek. We will send home a Course
Request Form so you’ll be able to see what course options your child has for
7th grade.
May 17th - All Mill Creek bound 6th grade students and their parents are
invited to attend a 6th Grade BBQ and Information Fair – Tuesday, May
17th from 5:00 – 7:45 p.m. at Mill Creek Middle School, 620 North Central
in Kent (corner of Central and James). This is your opportunity to learn
everything you need to know about Mill Creek and to help your 6th graders
prepare for their first year in middle school.
June – “Moving Up Day” – 6th graders will make a visit to Mill Creek to
check out the school, visit with the current 7th graders, enjoy a middle school
lunch and a pep-assembly.
Questions contact Jim Wright, Mill Creek 7th Grade Counselor at 253-3736134.
Cell Phone Reminders!
Some children bring cell phones to school. This is permitted only if
students have a signed cell phone permission form on file and if the students
follows certain guidelines. At school, cell phones are to remain OFF and in a
secured place (e.g. backpack) during school hours – 8:20 a.m.-2:52 p.m..
Use is allowed before and after school when your child is off campus.
Problems arise because students are TEXTING, SHARING their phones
or USING their phones during the school day. You will be asked to pick up
the phone if it is confiscated for violating the school policy.
Cell phone restrictions are general rules that adults in the workforce
comply with as a matter of courtesy, safety and work ethics. We are helping
our children understand boundaries and impulse control.
Spring Break – NO SCHOOL – April 9-13
There will be no school Monday, April 5th through Friday, April 13th for
Spring Break. We hope that you have made plans to spend this break
relaxing and doing some fun family activities. We will see students back on
Monday, April 16th when school resumes at regular time.
Kindergarten Roundup Coming Soon!
If your child will be age 5 by August 31, 2012, he/she will be eligible to
attend Kindergarten this coming school year. Please note the following
dates so you will be ready to register your child.
April 1, 2012: Registration packets available in the Neely-O’Brien office.
Friday, May 4th: Kindergarten Roundup for incoming
Kindergarteners and parent/guardian.
For a completed registration you will need: Birth
certificate or passport; photo IDs for parent/guardian;
immunization records (required immunizations will be
listed in the registration packet); utility bill or a lease
agreement (originals required) for proof of residency.
During the Kindergarten Roundup you will meet the
principal and other staff members and receive information about
our school. In addition, office staff will be available to help you complete
your registration and incoming students will see their new school and meet
the teachers. This is an exciting time and we are looking forward to meeting
you!
HIV/AIDS instruction
and parent previews
A Family Life and Human Reproduction unit plus HIV/AIDS
prevention education is part of the approved health curriculum for 5th and 6th
grade students. Because these units cover sensitive topics, it is the Kent
School District’s policy to provide parents an opportunity to preview the
instructional materials. The materials have been developed by the Health
Education for Life Planning (HELP) committee and have been approved by
the Kent School District Board of Directors. Parents wishing to excuse
their students from this curriculum are required by Washington
Administrative Code to attend the parent preview night and sign an
“Opt-out” form.
The purpose of this preview night is to outline how we will present
the HIV/AIDS prevention program and to assure parents that our approach is
one which is intended to strengthen families and be supportive of parental
responsibility. The HIV/AIDS videos for grades five and six will be shown
simultaneously in separate rooms. Curriculum materials used in the unit will
also be on display.
You are invited to preview the instructional materials on Tuesday,
April 17 or Thursday, April 19. You may drop in anytime between 4:00-7:00
p.m. in the evening.
Location: Glenridge Elementary
19405 120th Ave. SE
Kent, WA 98031
Videos will start at 4:15 p.m. and continue all evening. Parents will
be notified when this unit will be taught in their child’s classroom.
Attention Parents of
3rd through 6th Grade Students
The testing window for the MSP is scheduled for April 25 – May 17, 2012
. Although this may seem like a long time from now, we are continually
reviewing MSP-like ítems that are meant to help your child succeed. It is
important to have as few interruptions as possible to your student’s day, and
schedule appointments as late in the day as possible to avoid missing vital
instruction.
2012 Washington State MSP Essentials
Below is information about what our 3rd-6th graders will be assessed
upon on the Washington State MSP this May in reading and math.
What’s Essential in Reading
There are four Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRS) that
address the following areas in reading:
Students understand and use different skills and strategies t oread
Students understand the meaning of what is read
Students read different materials for a variety of purposes
Students set goals and evaluate progress to improve Reading
On the Reading section of the MSP students read short passages and then
answer 1-point multiple choice and 2-point short answer. Short answer
questions ask students to show they understand concepts and explain how
they come to conclusions. Each response can earn 0 to 2 points. The test
this year will be shorter (75 minutes) and most questions have multiple
choice responses.
What’s Essential in Mathamatics
The Washington State K-12 Mathematics Standards are organized by grade
level for K-8 with each grade consisting of three elements: Core Content,
Additional Key Content, and Core Processes. Each of these elements
contains Performance Expectations and Explanatory Comments and
Examples.
Core Content area describe the major mathematical focuses of each
grade level or course. A limited number or priorities for each grade leve in
grades K-8 are identified, so teachers know which topics call for the most
time and emphasis.
Additional Key Content contains important expectations that do not
warrant the same amount of instructional time as the Core Content areas.
These are expectations that might extend a previously learned skill, plant a
seed for future development, or address a focused topic, such as scientific
notation.
Core Processes include expectations that address reasoning, problem
solving, and communication. While these processes are incorporated
throughout other content expectations, they are presented in this action to
clearly describe the breadth and scope of what is expected in each grade.
Performance Expectations, in keeping with the accepted definition of
standards, describe what students would know and be able to do at each
grade level.
Basic Food Program
Basic Food is a food and nutrition program for
individuals and families who meet income guidelines.
Basic Food used to be known as the Food Stamp Program.
Basic Food provides eligible households with an electronic
benefits card to buy food at participating grocery stores. The
income limit (before taxes) increases to 200% of the Federal Poverty
Guidelines. Many people who had too much income for the program will be
eligible with the higher income limits. Net income limits and asset limits are
also waived under this expansion.
How much income can my household have and be eligible for Basic
Food? You may be eligible for Basic Food if your household’s income
(before taxes or other deductions) is not more than $3,534 for a family of 4
(this is only an example – please visit the website for a more complete list of
eligibility standards).
For more information or to submit an application please visit
www.FoodHelp.wa.gov . More than half of all applications are approved in
less than six days.
We’ve Been Trying To Call You!
Please notify the school office at 253-373-7434 as soon as
possible if any of your phone numbers (home, work, or cell) have
changed. It is very difficult to reach you in an emergency if we do not
have updated information. Thank you for your help in this matter.
Missing a Coat…Sweatshirt…?
Before the end of the year, please check out the Neely-O’Brien Lost and
Found, located in the lobby of the school. Any items not claimed will be
donated to charity.
Two Immunization Requirements for
Students Entering 6th Grade 2012-2013
Washington State Immunization laws have 2 vaccine requirements that
impact your student.
As of 2006 it is a requirement that all students entering the 6th grade must
have the varicella vaccine or have had the disease of chickenpox.
As of 2007 it is a requirement that all students entering the 6th grade obtain
a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) vaccine after their 11th birthday if
they have not had one in the past 5 years. The date of their last tetanus
containing immunization would have to have been after August 2003.
Please call the school if you have questions – 253-373-7434.
THIS INFORMATION MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE YOUR CHILD
STARTS SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2010.
Building Character: Show your child how
to deal with bullying issues
Your child sees a classmate being bullied, and it makes him feel awful. What
should he do? Experts say bystanders can make a difference. Review the
school's anti-bullying policy with your child and discuss these tips:

Know you're not alone. Most kids dislike bullying and want it to
end. But they may not be confident about taking action.

Believe you can help. Research shows that when bullies are
discouraged by others, there's a 50/50 chance they'll stop.

Take pride in being knowledgeable. Kids who haven't learned
about bullying may do nothing--or even encourage a bully.

Make safe decisions. It may be unsafe to tell the bully to stop.
And getting physical is not okay. But do talk with a trusted adult.
You can even add, "Please don't say I'm the one who told you."

Brainstorm about other options. Sometimes bullies can be
distracted. Or victims can be given an escape. ("Mrs. Jones wants
to see you right now.")

Befriend targets of bullying. Even after a bullying incident, peers
can show support by spending time with the target and being
friendly.

Consider your values. What does your family stand for? Think of
ways to be true to your beliefs about right and wrong.
Reprinted with permission from the March 2011 issue of Parents make the difference!®
(Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2011 The Parent Institute®, a division
of NIS, Inc. Source: M. Wilde, GreatSchools, "The bully and the bystander,"
www.greatschools.org/parenting/bullying/the-bully-andthebystander.gs?content=593&page=all.
Kent School District does not discriminate in admission, access, treatment, or employment on
the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably
discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender
expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability,
or the use of trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
Student, school district employees, parents/guardians, and community members
will not be excluded from participation in or be subjected to discrimination with
respect to any educational program or activity. If you have any questions, please
contact:
Title IX Officer Dr. Brent Jones, Chief Talent Officer Section 504/
253-373-7203 Brent.jones@kent.k12.wa.us
ADA Officer Israel Vela, Executive Director
253-373-7010 Israel.vela@kent.k12.wa.us
Successfully Prepare All Students For Their Future