Aaron Parman, Principal

Dear Helen Baller Families,I hope you enjoyed your summer. It is hard to believe we are getting ready to start another school year. My family and I had a wonderful summer. We started out by taking a trip to Maui, Hawaii. We did lots of swimming in some fancy pools and the ocean. We also zip lined. I am afraid of heights so I was dreading it. Once we started, I was able to calm my nerves and kind of enjoy the experience.

Welcome Back Letter, from Mr. Parman

Continued on next page

The girls loved it! I don’t think I will ever do something like that again. Overall, we had a terrific summer. I look forward to hearing about the kids’ summer adventures. Our first day of school is Tuesday, September 6. The Camas School District drop off time is 8:45 a.m. Please do not send or drop off your child/children earlier than 8:45 a.m. At that time students can eat breakfast in our cafeteria or go out to the playground. The first bell is at 9:00 a.m. and the tardy bell is at 9:05 a.m. School ends at 3:30 p.m. Every Wednesday will be an early release day and students will be dismissed at 1:10.

Please mark your calendar for Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 1, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There will be opportunities to purchase student planners, PTA memberships and put money in student lunch accounts. Student planners are $5. Your child will receive their planner the first week of school. A PTA membership is $10 for an individual and $20 for a family. For school lunches, any amount can be credited to your child’s lunch account. If you can, please bring your school supplies in on that night. Supply lists can be found on the Camas School District website. Make sure you stop by in the cafeteria and grab an ice cream treat. Teachers will be in their classrooms meeting new students and their families. We look forward to seeing you!A lot of thoughtful time and care went into creating classroom configurations that are carefully balanced and matched to meet the needs of each learner. We feel confident that each learning community is intentionally grouped for academic excellence and social success. I thank you for your continued support of the staff and appreciate your trust in this important process. This year you can find out who your child has as a teacher by using your family access on Skyward. Please follow the directions that we included in back to school mailing. If you have questions, please call the office at 833-5720.The first few weeks are very important in a school year. As a staff we will be working hard to build positive relationships with our students and their families. Much of the first few weeks will be spent building positive learning communities and teaching The Baller Big Three, our school rules, and our expectations in the common areas and in the classrooms. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the staff if you have questions or concerns.Your child’s safety is a top priority to us. The following is a quick reminder of some safety procedures we have in place while your child is here at school.

In case you didn’t get a chance to read our opening email last week, we have a new security system in place. If you have plans to volunteer or visit the building between 8:45 and 3:15, our doors will be locked.

Welcome Back Letter, from Mr. Parman (con’t)Please press the “doorbell” button so that our secretaries can view you, in order to let you in. We know you will appreciate this additional step, as an effort to keeping our students and staff safe. Everyone coming to the school must check in at the office before you are allowed on the school grounds. Parents can walk their child/children to class the first week of school. Following the first week, for security and safety reasons, we ask that parents say good-bye to their child/children in the lobby and let them walk to class on their own. We have plenty of staff in the hallways to make sure students will get to class. If you are volunteering, badges will be given to visitors so school personnel know they have checked in. Unless it is a dire emergency please let us know no later than 2:00 if you are making a different after school arrangement for your child. Your planning ahead helps us make p.m. dismissal time a safe and organized time for all.

All walkers will be dismissed from the south playground. They will checkout with an adult, heading out to the east or west depending on the direction the student walks. If your walker meets you on Ione Street, please wait by the Jack, Will and Rob Center. If you meet your walker on the west side, your child will walk out through the fence gate onto the Garfield sidewalk. Parent pick-up will be in the cafeteria. An electronic copy of the Helen Baller Handbook is located on our webpage. In the handbook you will find important information about Helen Baller Elementary School. The purpose of the handbook is to familiarize you with our practices. The policies and procedures have been designed to make Helen Baller Elementary a safe and productive learning environment. If you would like a hard copy of the handbook, please contact our office.

We are adding several new staff members to the Helen Baller community this year. Due to our size, we were lucky enough to add an Associate Principal, Jo Candelore, four days a week. Jo was at Baller last year as a half-time Teacher on Special Assignment. Previously, she taught at Dorothy Fox for several years. We hired Scott Bristol, who will be teaching math and science in fifth grade. He will team teach with Mrs. Houle. Previously, he worked in the Evergreen School District teaching sixth through eighth grade. Natalie Burkard will be joining our second grade team. Last year she taught kindergarten and kindergarten/first grade blended class in the Evergreen School District. Amanda Ziesemer will be returning to Helen Baller this year and teaching first grade. Last year we were able to hire her right before school started due to our enrollment and she did an amazing job. Jesse Parbon will be taking on a .5 PE position split between Helen Baller and Grass Valley. He came highly recommended and we are excited to have him on our staff. In addition, Michelle Morse is moving from our Attendance Secretary to our Head Secretary. We hired Rachel Craft as our Attendance Secretary. I am very excited to have all the new staff join the Baller team. I am confident they will be great additions and help make us a stronger team.

I encourage you to get involved in our active PTA group. They work hard to support students and staff. In the past we were able to purchase a writing curriculum, leveled books for reading and equipment for our library, physical education and music programs with the money raised by our PTA. Thanks for all of your support with fundraising. • During the school year, if you want to add money to your child’s lunch account, please send the

money or check in an envelope labeled with their first and last name and teacher’s name. The envelope needs to be placed in the drop box in our office.

• To receive PTA/school newsletters and school emails we will need an email address. If we do not have an updated email address, please provide one to our office staff.

• If you ever have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me by email at aaron.parman@camas.wednet.edu or by phone at 335-3000 ext. 78006.

I am very excited for the upcoming school year. It is an honor to belong to a school with strong parent and community support. I will see you soon!Sincerely,

Aaron Parman, Principal

mailto:aaron.parman@camas.wednet.edu

Heller Baller Elementary360.833.5720

1964 NW Garfield St.Camas, WA 98607

District Office360.336.3000

841 NE 22nd Ave.Camas, WA 98607

Transportation360.833.5585

Staff Emails: FirstName.LastName@camas.wed.net.edu

PrincipalAaron Parman

SecretaryMichelle Morse

Student Services Coord.Rachel Craft

Assistant PrincipalJo Candelore

ADMINISTRATION

KindergartenCandy MichenerRebecca Watson

Beth BakerMarilyn Canfield

First GradeAmy Wing

Amanda ZiesemerCheryl JohnsonMadeline Frost

Second GradeJessica PestesMichelle MillerPaula Perkins

Danielle WegenerNatalie Burkhard

TEACHERS & STAFF

Third GradeEllen Doyle

Heidi EcheverioAmber Beardmore

Shelley Youngblood

Third/Fourth GradePam Gospe

Fourth GradeBecky MahoneyCindi PetersonJennifer Cody

Sabrina Malpass

Fifth GradeDianne Hanawalt

Caitlin WagnerShelley HouleTiffiny Thomas

Scott Bristol

Special EducationAmy CampbellAlisha Nimmo

Title IMelissa ButlerNina Gaudio

Sara Califf

SpecialistsLaurie Brown, Library

Matt Rold, PEEleanor Cosgrove-Farland, Music

CounselorEdie Hagstrom

Nurse & AssistantErika Okimoto

Angela Bourquin

Oh my, time to ramp up for school already!!!, Edie HagstromSchool Counselor

I thought this newsletter would be a good time to think about the transition back to school. Parents sometimes can be surprised by their child’s struggles with returning to school. After all, they were here last year, they know the drill, they made friends, and successfully completed the year. But, something to consider is:

The growth rate of kids is so fast that going back to the previous year’s routine can seem pretty stale. Kids either dread or look forward to a new school year depending on what they remember from last year. Expectations can mean everything. If you stop and imagine what it is like for you to change jobs, then you might begin to understand what it feels like for them each and every year. Some of your children will be advancing to a new school building and change of routine completely.

Here are six easy tips from Dr. Kyle Pruett found on FamilyEducation.com that might smooth the transition or at least make it a little less bumpy.

Get a GripYour relationship with your children has a great effect on them. So, it’s important not to act too crazed about the return to school. Build in extra time, put irrelevant projects on hold, stay rested, and try to stick closer to your kids. Many jobs seem to pick up at this time of year and it’s easy to get sucked down by the undertow.

Case the jointEven if your child knows the school well, it still feels good to get reacquainted. Your kids may enjoy getting a “sneak preview” with another child from her school or class.

Don’t Clean the SlateFresh starts are so promising that we tend to overdo them. This may seem like a great time to clean up, sort out, and set new ground rules for family life. Too much too soon can make even the most cooperative child balk. Focus on the start of school; revisit the other issues after your kids feel settled.

Be reassuringTell your kids that they’ll be fine! Before school starts, encourage them to reconnect with school buddies they may not have seen over the summer. Listen to their worries and don’t minimize, dismiss, or try to talk them out of them. These fears are real to your child.

Set the stageShopping for supplies and clothes should be fun, but overdoing this can be boring and a little scary to kids. Spend time thinking about other quiet time and reading and work space in the house. Choosing special places, like corners of rooms, or certain tables or chairs, to show your kids that you’ll help them find space where they can do things that matter, like reading and homework.

Meet the TeacherWhen parents and teachers have regular discussions about school and home events, kids feel a more trusting connection with the school as a whole, and tend to try harder both socially and academically.

Welcome Back from Ms. Edie! (School Counselor )

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

BTS Night 4-6 pm

2 3

4 5

NO SCHOOL

Labor Day

6

1st Day of School

7 8 9 10

11 12 13

Volunteer Training9:15am

14

Volunteer Training1:30pm

15

Volunteer Training6:30pm

16 17

18 19 20Art

Discovery Kicks Off9-10am

21 22PTA Board Mtg. 9am

Curriculum Night

6-7:30pm

23

Birthday Table

FUN RUN

24

25 26 27 28 29 30

September 2016

Important Dates

FUN RUN: Friday September 23COME RUN WITH US...Teachers, school staff, and parents are encouraged to participate! 100% of your donations go towards

programs that directly enhance your child’s education and experiences at Helen Baller.

Class Schedule to be announced shortly so you can mark your calendars to join us.

Volunteers will be needed 8am to 4pm for running, paperwork & more.

September 22nd6:00 - 7:30pm

Come meet with your child’steacher and learn about what your child will be learning

this school year.Each grade level will give two presentations.

6:00 – 6:45pm6:50 – 7:30 pm

Cafeteria NewsFree and Reduced Lunch Applications

can be found on the Camas School District Website or in the HB Main Office.

Meal Prices for 2016-2017Breakfast $1.70

Lunch $2.60

Septemberevents Here’s what’s going on!

Be an ART DISCOVERY Volunteer! WE NEED YOU! The goal of the Helen Baller Art Discovery Program is to expose students to different types of art and artists and to teach them basic principles of art.

Any interested parent can do this – NO ART KNOWLEDGE OR SKILL IS REQUIRED. We will provide

the lessons, supplies and all the training. We depend on our parent volunteers to offer this

art program in our school for grades K-5. Small commitment – endless smiles!

This is a great way to be involved in your child’s classroom and meet other fantastic Helen

Baller parents.

If you want to learn more or to sign up, please contact us at: art@helenballerpta.org

Our kickoff meeting is September 20th 9-10am in the JWR Art Room-- please join us!

BACKGROUND CHECKS

If you plan to volunteer at school this year,or chaperone a field trip, WA State Law

requires you to have a background check on file.

Background checks are valid for 2 years!

Is yours up to date?Please return the Background Check

Application to the office with a copy of your valid ID.

Please allow 2 weeks to process!

Corner

New to the School?Join us for

Volunteer Training!

Whether you plan to volunteer in your child’sclassroom or at PTA activities, this training is for you.

3 OPTIONS:* September 13th at 9:15 am Cafeteria* September 14th at 1:30 pm Cafeteria* September 15th at 6:30 pm Library

*Childcare available for potty- trained children age 3 and up on Sept. 13 only.

Be the Voice for your Children

Membership$10 for an individual

$20 for a family

www.helenballerpta.org/pta-membership

Questions:

membership@helenballerpta.org

mailto:art@helenballerpta.orghttp://www.helenballerpta.org/pta-membership

Stay Connected!The Helen Baller PTA newsletter will be published on the last

Monday of each month.

We will email the newsletter or you can find it on our Helen Baller PTA website with lots of other great info.

If you want to submit info to the newsletter please send to newsletter@helenballer.org.

Helen Baller Elementary School’s Website:

www.schools.camas.wednet.edu/helenballer/

Helen Baller PTA’s Website:www.helenballerpta.org

www.facebook.com/ballerpta

http://www.facebook.com/ballerpta

Cost: $20/book

$10/book sold goes directly to Helen Baller

PTA.

The $’s fund core PTA programs, such as Art

Discovery and Teacher Grants.

Goal is for each student to sell at least one book.

Collect General Mills Box Tops 2 Contests Each Year

Register your FredMeyer

Reward card! Each time you shop, a % of your purchases go to HB.

1. One time registration at: www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards

2. Search for Helen Baller by name or by our non-profit number 86503.

3. Shop like normal!

Shop at Amazon? Up to 6% of every purchase goes to

HB PTA.

1. Visit the PTA website and click on the Amazon website link.

2. Shop as normal (even with prime)

Easy, Everyday (& 100% free to you!!) ways to help HB PTA raise $$:

Save $$ and support HB!!

Helen Baller Bear Buddies

Bear Buddies is an optional opportunity to support other Helen Baller Families in need. On each PTA activity / event sign-up sheet throughout the school year there will be a BEAR BUDDIES line item.

If you are able to donate money to help other Helen Baller families participate in school and PTA activities, we greatly appreciate your contribution.

Coming in October

Fall BOOK FAIROctober 3 – 7, 10.

Stay tuned for more details....

Family Fun Night & PTA MeetingOctober 7th

Bring your kids to shop the Book Fair at 5:30pm and then settle them in to watch a movie at 6:30pm!

(we will raffle off the DVD of the movie too!)PARENTS - You can join us for the first PTA meeting

of the year at 6:30pm

Tuesday October 11- Big Al’s Fundraiser

Picture Day: October 21School Conference WeekOctober 24 – 28

Early Release at 1:10 pm

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