Sherwood Heights Elementary Spring Field Trips
Do you remember going on field trips in elementary school? Most people can remember a trip to a pumpkin patch, a local farm, a science center, a museum or art center, or maybe a local historical place. But combine more robust academic requirements, increased testing in schools, and the COVID pandemic, and many schools have not had field trips for a few years.
The principal and assistant principal at Sherwood Heights Elementary are changing that this spring. Principal Ronda Smith said they are trying to create a culture of memories through learning outside the school building. “Field trips offer an opportunity for students to be kind and responsible to each other in a different setting and learn to be a school family together,” Smith said.
In May and June, Sherwood students in various grades will go to the Heritage Station Museum, and Blue Mountain Community College, walk to a local park, participate in the Pendleton High School FFA Farm Day, attend track meets, and, have a field day.
TJ Presley, Assistant Principal, said many of the trips and events create chances for students to cooperate, take turns, and be independent. “This summer, when a little kid closes his eyes and thinks about school last year, what will he remember? We want them to remember something great and end the year on a positive note so the student can’t wait to return to their school family in August.”
5th Grade Field Trip to BMCC
All fifth graders in the Pendleton School District got a glimpse of the community college in their own hometown on Wednesday, April 19th.
Sherwood Heights Elementary – Safety Efforts
Fire, lockdown, and earthquake drills are all in a day’s work for today’s students. Because they practice these regularly, they know what to expect if and when a real emergency occurs. And that is what the leaders at Sherwood Heights Elementary are counting on.
“We have a fire drill every month, and we practice one other drill every month,” said TJ Presley, Assistant Principal at Sherwood. “By practicing these scenarios, our staff and students are all more prepared and able to remain calm in situations that do arise.”
Presley and Sherwood Principal Ronda Smith said they collaborate with local law enforcement officers when they have drills, so officers can be on site if possible to help discuss response time and things that could be improved. Pendleton School District School Resource Officer Lance Zaugg was in the building at the school’s March Lockdown drill and debriefed with school administrators afterward. “We test different modalities with our alarm system and phone system to ensure we practice different methods to initiate our emergency protocols when necessary and to be as quick and efficient in a real emergency,” Principal Smith said.
Sherwood recently received two grants totaling $10,000 from the Walmart Distribution Center in Hermiston to purchase new radios for all staff in their building. Presley said the new radios are helpful, as the ability to communicate quickly between all staff in the school is essential.
In addition to physical safety, Sherwood also focuses on social-emotional safety, with regular lessons about feeling safe, trusted adults, reporting concerns, and more.
At the school’s Open House last fall, several parents asked the school leaders to tell them about emergency procedures and protocols, which Smith said they were glad to communicate about. As part of a district-wide plan, Sherwood will host an after-school safety evaluation/walk-through in May with officers from several local law enforcement agencies to identify potential safety issues that can be resolved.
“Safety at our school for students, staff, and visitors is always our number one priority, no matter what,” Presley said. “Having consistent procedures, excellent communication, practice drills, and having everyone on board are essential for our teachers and assistants to facilitate learning and for students to feel safe and learn in the best environment possible.”
Sherwood Heights Elementary and the Pendleton School District use the I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol for emergency response; visit https://iloveuguys.org/ for more information.
Sherwood Elementary Celebrates Academic Progress & Plans for Parent-Teacher Conferences
The months of January, February, and March before Spring Break may seem like a long, cold stretch without many days off, but for schools, that time is golden. This period of time offers the longest uninterrupted time in the school year, making it ideal for focused academic time for teachers and students. And at Sherwood Heights Elementary, they are making the most of it.
“Right now, we are really encouraging students and their parents to prioritize good attendance at school, to eat healthy meals, especially breakfast, and to get enough sleep, all of which make for a productive school day,” said Ronda Smith, Sherwood Principal.
Smith is pleased with recent data at her school that Sherwood Spurs are growing academically. Students recently completed i-Ready testing in math and reading. Comparing initial scores in September with January scores indicates that more students are on or above grade level in both math and reading, and the number of students below grade level in the subjects decreased during that time. “We are really happy with our mid-year check data, and we continue to use strategies to help students keep up the progress,” Smith said.
One strategy parents can help with is attending Parent-Teacher Conferences on the evenings of March 7 and 9. Sherwood encourages parents/guardians to make the most of the 20-minute conferences with teachers and to really focus on their child. At conferences, teachers will discuss a student’s i-Ready scores and academic progress, show samples of their work, and talk about their strengths and areas to work on and their social progress. Smith suggests parents ask these questions at conferences:
- What kind of academic progress has my child made since the start of the school year?
- How is my child doing socially and while interacting in the classroom?
- Is there anything I can do at home to help my child’s education?
Another thing parents can emphasize and work on with their child is “soft school skills,” which Smith explains include regular school attendance, active participation in the classroom, following school rules and teacher instructions, and completing and turning in assignments on time. Smith said these skills translate into middle school, high school, and adulthood, helping a child learn organization, time management, and the ability to focus and complete tasks. “Our goal at Sherwood is to help students grow and ultimately become a contributing part of their community.”
Chinook Helicopter Visit for Veterans Day
Landing a Chinook helicopter next to a school playground was all in a day’s work for members of the National Guard unit in Pendleton on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
New Teacher Feature: Katie Goad
The Pendleton School District is happy to feature new PSD teachers.
2022-23 Symphony Strings
Pendleton School District and the Oregon East Symphony are excited to begin a new season of Symphony Strings! This program is open to all 4th and 5th grade students in the PSD and is an exciting opportunity to learn to play violin, viola, or cello.
We meet Mondays and Wednesdays in the Pendleton High School music department from 3:45-4:15 (we are unable to provide transportation), and students can still enroll! Classes start October 19, and students may enroll up until Oct. 26.
Students can bring their completed registration form with them. Please note that financial assistance and instrument loans are available for anyone who needs them.
Please reach out if you have any questions to Emily Muller-Cary at ecary@pendletonsd.org or Zach Banks at education@oregoneastsymphony.org.
Registration forms and the information are below and also on the Oregon East Symphony website.
2022-23 Symphony Strings Flyer
2022-23 Symphony Strings Registration
Welcome to Sherwood Elementary
Ronda Smith, Principal, and TJ Presley, Assistant Principal, welcome everyone back to Sherwood Heights Elementary for the 2022-23 school year.