Principal's Message December 16, 2013

December 16, 2013

A Message from the Principal/CEO:

As the year ends, we want to take this opportunity to thank our students, parents, and staff for a wonderful 2013.  We have accomplished much this year implementing a new curriculum, moving into a new building, increasing the size of our staff and growing to over 400 students in 6th through 12th grade.  We expect to graduate over 100 students this spring!!  

The world is becoming more global and as a result our schools have to adapt and become more global. With the globalization of our economy and the greater the impact of technology in our lives, the demands on our students are greater than ever before.  This is why we are excited to move forward in the coming year as a great virtual school option for all students in the east metro area and beyond!

Happy Holidays from the MEWA Staff!!

Stay connected through Facebook and Twitter.  We share informative and valuable messages daily.

https://www.facebook.com/metroeastwebacademy

https://twitter.com/MEWebAcademy

Weather related school closures and late start:

As we transition into the winter season, it is important for parents and students to know where to get information concerning our closures and two-hour late starts.  MEWA will follow the Gresham-Barlow School District decision-making process.  Please watch for media alerts from Gresham-Barlow School District and monitor their web page.  If the district closes schools, our office will be closed.   Our students will still be expected to work on closure days and teachers will continue with teaching and communication.  If the district decides to have a late start, then we will begin our day at 11:00 AM.  The district has an ongoing late start on Wednesday -- for Wednesday -- check the MEWA website for late start and closure information.

Announcements:

Math Work Samples for High School Students -- January 7th, 1:00 to 3:00 PM!

End of Semester -- January 17th -- If you are behind, you may want to take advantage of the break to catch up!!

School office closed December 23rd through January 3rd and open on January 6th!

Students of the Month for December:

Kevin Enders
Emma Muhr

Emma receiving certificate, Cybershark t-shirt, and Starbucks gift card.

Most Improved Students for December:
Cheyenne McNutt
Amber Williamson

The Oregon Virtual Schools organization is sponsoring a Capital Day in Salem on February 4th to meet with legislators and advocate for virtual schools.  More information can be found on http://www.oregonvirtualschools.org/.

MEWA GED Graduates

Our most recent:

Paige Dye with Mr. Cochran

Ashley Newman

Amber Sipe with Mr. Cochran

Box Tops for the Box Tops for Education program:

Box Tops for Education® is one of the nation’s largest school fundraising loyalty programs and has been helping schools succeed since 1996. With over 250 participating products, it’s an easy way for schools to earn cash for the things they need.

• Over 90,000 K-8 schools participate nationwide
• Each Box Tops coupon is worth 10¢ and they add up fast!
• Schools can use their Box Tops cash to buy whatever they need most, from books to field trips to playgrounds.
• So far, America’s schools have earned over $525 million from Box Tops…and counting.*

Please bring in your box tops.  More information is available at http://www.boxtops4education.com/all-about-boxtops

Immunizations!!! This clinic is available to provide the required immunizations for school attendance:

December 18, 2013

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Rosa Parks School

8960 N. Woolsey

Portland, OR 97203

MEWA has formed a parent booster/advocacy group.  Participation in this group is open to all MEWA parents, grandparents, guardians, and staff members.  The focus of this group will be to organize and support activities that promote our school and provide enrichment and growth opportunities for students and staff.  The next meeting is January 15th at 5:30 PM at MEWA.  Snacks and refreshments are provided.

Sincerely,

David L. Gray, Ph.D.

Principal/CEO

Metro East Web Academy

503-258-4790

Happy Holidays

It’s the holiday season and everyone celebrates with their own family traditions.  Some will be visiting with large gatherings of extended family.  Others will spend a quiet, cozy evening at home.  No matter your beliefs, culture, or background, the holiday season is one nearly everyone can appreciate as a time for reflection on the past year, to dream of the future, and give in the present.  It’s a season to appreciate what we have, give what we can, and enjoy the company of our closest friends and family.  Tradition is something that we all find comfort in.  No matter what traditions are celebrated in your household, each one is an important part of your holiday celebration. 

Reflection

Take some time during Winter Break to think about how the past year went.  What went well?  Is there anything that could or should be changed in the coming year?  This is a good time to write down your resolutions for the New Year.  I know, there’s always the argument that no one ever sticks to those promises they make at the end of the year, but maybe adhering to the resolutions for 2014 should be at the top of the list.  Decide what it is you can do to become a better you.  Resolutions don’t have to be shared; they are that one thing each of us can commit to for ourselves.  So challenge yourself to take a moment over the holiday break to write down one or two resolutions that will make 2014 an exceptional year.

Giving

Part of the holiday season is giving to those around you.  Giving gifts to our friends and family is popular during the holidays.  There are also charities that accept donations in order to give to those who may need some help getting through the holidays.  Many of us have seen the signs for donations to SnowCap Community Charities or the Salvation Army.  Whether we give to an organization to help others, or give to one another in a gift exchange, the holiday season helps us each to think about those around us.  It’s a time to appreciate what we have and give to those who need it.

Relaxing

Sometimes, the holiday season can be stressful.  There is so much hustle and bustle in the streets and malls with everyone trying to find the “perfect gift”.  Then there’s the baking, the cooking, the decorating, the family visits, the phone calls; we could go on and on!  If you do nothing else this Winter Break, please just relax.  Enjoy some time to yourself, read a new book, or take a walk outside.  Spend some time doing nothing so you come back in 2014 refreshed and ready for the New Year.  You deserve it.

From all of us at MEWA, Happy Holidays! We hope you enjoy celebrating with those closest to you and take part in the traditions with your family.

What is your favorite Winter Break activity?

Principal's Message December 9, 2013

December 9, 2013

A Message from the Principal/CEO: 

The Oregon Department of Education released the new report cards for Oregon’s K-12 public schools this fall. The annual report cards provide parents and community members with an overview of each school’s performance in the areas of academic achievement, attendance or graduation, participation in state testing, other school statistics, and an overall school rating. Please remember that this report is a summary of some indicators of school performance. No single report can tell the whole story of a school’s educational program, or the people who work and learn there. To truly learn about our school, you are encouraged to visit. Working together, we can ensure every one of our students is prepared for success!

You can access our report card at this link.

We also have hard copies available in our office.  If you have questions or concerns relating to our report card, please do not hesitate to call or drop in.

Ms. Hathaway supporting a student!

Weather related school closures and late start:

As we transition into the winter season, it is important for parents and students to know where to get information concerning our closures and two-hour late starts.  MEWA will follow the Gresham-Barlow School District decision-making process.  Please watch for media alerts from Gresham-Barlow School District and monitor their web page.  If the district closes schools, our office will be closed.   Our students will still be expected to work on closure days and teachers will continue with teaching and communication.  If the district decides to have a late start, then we will begin our day at 11:00 AM.

Announcement:

New open lab hours beginning Monday December 2nd:

·      Tuesday:                   9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

·      Wednesday:             2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

·      Thursday:                 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Friday:                      9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

We have changed the open lab time so that we may give teachers an opportunity to work with students individually by appointment and/or do scheduled synchronous small and large group instruction in person or via video conferencing.  Lab sessions are open to all content areas and student specific support.  Teachers will schedule special sessions for specific content support. Teachers’ schedules and office hours will not change.  Feel free to schedule appointments with your teachers.   All of our clubs and activities for students will continue, but some times may change.

School will be closed at 12:00 noon on Friday, December 13, 2013.

**Graduation Packets are due December 13th @ 12:00 noon.**

Students of the Month for December:
Kevin Enders
Emma Muhr

Most Improved Students for December:
Cheyenne McNutt
Amber Williamson

The Oregon Virtual Schools organization is sponsoring a Capital Day in Salem on February 4th to meet with legislators and advocate for virtual schools.  More information can be found on http://www.oregonvirtualschools.org/.

Check out our web page -- we now have a button in the top right corner labeled "How are we doing?". We care about what our parents and students feel about our school. Please let us know your thoughts.

Box Tops for the Box Tops for Education program:

Box Tops for Education® is one of the nation’s largest school fundraising loyalty programs and has been helping schools succeed since 1996. With over 250 participating products, it’s an easy way for schools to earn cash for the things they need.

• Over 90,000 K-8 schools participate nationwide
• Each Box Tops coupon is worth 10¢ and they add up fast!
• Schools can use their Box Tops cash to buy whatever they need most, from books to field trips to playgrounds.
• So far, America’s schools have earned over $525 million from Box Tops…and counting.*

Please bring in your box tops.  More information is available at http://www.boxtops4education.com/all-about-boxtops

The CSU (Christian Student Union) club will be collecting toys for the KGW Great Toy Drive this year. Please drop off unwrapped toys and we will get them to KGW.

Immunizations!!! This clinic is available to provide the required immunizations for school attendance:

December 18, 2013

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Rosa Parks School

8960 N. Woolsey

Portland, OR 97203

MEWA has formed a parent booster/advocacy group.  Participation in this group is open to all MEWA parents, grandparents, guardians, and staff members.  The focus of this group will be to organize and support activities that promote our school and provide enrichment and growth opportunities for students and staff.  The next meeting is December 11th at 5:30 PM at MEWA.  Snacks and refreshments are provided.

We make many announcements and provide additional information concerning our program and activities available for students on our social media sites.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/metroeastwebacademy

https://twitter.com/MEWebAcademy

Sincerely,

David L. Gray, Ph.D.

Principal/CEO

Metro East Web Academy

503-258-4790

Tips for Future Success

Succeeding academically can be challenging at times and breeze at others.  Studying, attending class regularly, and completing assignments on-time are all important in academic success and gaining the most from your education.  We wanted to give you some tips that may help as our students develop their study habits into skills that will help them as they pursue their life goals.

1. Focus. This is a hard skill for many individuals, but the ability to focus on one task at a time and see it through to completion is a great skill to have.  One way to develop this is to make sure your workspace is free from distractions.  Set mini goals to complete assignments more effectively.  For example, when writing a paper, tell yourself you will write at least one full page before taking a snack break or checking Facebook.
2. Note Taking. Making sure to take good notes and use them is important.  Practice writing only the important information by taking notes during your favorite TV show, or movie.  Find a way of organizing your notes that works best for you.  For instance, some use bullet points, while others draw boxes on the page.  Review your notes before and after a test to validate your responses. Don’t simply memorize your notes, but find ways to actively engage with them.  This way, you are more likely to remember the concepts in the future, rather than only specific details.
3. Clarification. If you are confused on a concept being learned, be sure to ask questions.  Your teachers are there to help you develop and understand the material being learned.  The only silly question is the one that never gets asked.
4. Organization.  Make sure your workspace stays organized so you always have the materials you need at your fingertips.  This will help you accomplish assignments faster and will eliminate wasting time digging through a pile to look for “that one paper” with important notes.
5. Time Management.  Invest in a day planner and write down all important assignment due dates, school holidays, and activities.  Use the planner to schedule your day from class, to homework, to social time so that you never miss or forget anything important.  It’s important to balance work and social in your life, so make sure you have time for both!
6. Collaboration.  Sometimes all you need for motivation is someone to bounce ideas off of, get feedback from, and talk problems through.  Whether you collaborate with a fellow classmate, teacher, parent, or counselor, working with someone else can be very beneficial in helping you to better understand a concept. 

Which of these skills do you feel you need to improve?  Have you mastered any?  Just remember, each skill you develop while in school, will help you become more successful in your future education, career, and life in general.  Wherever you are a heading, take what you learn in school with you. 

Remember the ME in MEWA; at Metro East, it’s all about you.

The MEWA Mission

In last week’s Principal Message, Dr. Gray mentioned some words from Principal, Hershel Olmstead that struck a few chords with the mission of the new Metro East Web Academy.  “What we need is a school where we are welcomed, and valued for who we are, where there are many talents that are recognized and praised.  We need a place where we are encouraged to try new things, take risks, and making mistakes is accepted as normal learning” (Principal, Hershel Olmstead).  How does this resonate with MEWA, our students, our teachers, our parents and guardians, our friends, and our community?  As we transition into our new location with a new name and updated learning software, MEWA upholds the tradition of providing exceptional online education.  Our curriculum is designed to be completed online, but our teachers and academic counselors are available on-site to assist students as needed.  This structure allows students to deepen their learning and development through face to face support from their teachers, without the distractions of the traditional classroom.

Both students at MEWA and the Gresham community benefit from the dynamic learning environment of our school.  Students are able to participate in field trips that allow them to interact, engage with, and better understand the community in which they live.  Additionally, MEWA seeks to reach out to local businesses as partners to share their experiences, resources, and ideas with our students.  The end goal is to encourage our students to develop academically and as active members of the communities in which they live.  We encourage our students to reach out and take on new challenges as a part of their overall learning and personal growth.  As an organization, we strive to embody what we hope for in each of our students. MEWA, above all, is a place for learning, for trying, for thinking, and for growing.

Important Announcements…

Science Test Prep Session: Wednesday, December 4th from 1-2pm.

Check out our web page! We now have a button in the top right corner labeled "How are we doing?" We care what about what our parents and students feel about our school. Please let us know your thoughts.

Box Tops for the Box Tops for Education program: Please bring in your box tops.  More information is available at http://www.boxtops4education.com/all-about-boxtops

Toy Drive! The CSU (Christian Student Union) club will be collecting toys for the KGW Great Toy Drive this year. Please drop off unwrapped toys and we will get them to KGW.

Immunizations!!! This clinic is available to provide the required immunizations for school attendance:

December 18, 2013, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Rosa Parks School 8960 N. Woolsey, Portland, OR 97203

MEWA has a parent booster/advocacy group.  Participation in this group is open to all MEWA parents, grandparents, guardians, and staff members.  The focus of this group will be to organize and support activities that promote our school and provide enrichment and growth opportunities for students and staff.  The next meeting is December 11th at 5:30 PM at MEWA.  Snacks and refreshments are provided.

Upcoming Field Trips: Portland-Milwaukie Lite Rail Project site (December 4, 2013, 11 am - 3 pm)

Join us on a great opportunity to explore a current real-world, large project going on in Portland -- it's the Portland-Milwaukie Lite Rail Project Site -- West Segment. We'll bus from MEWA, departing at 11 am, returning at 3 pm.

Remember the ME in MEWA; at Metro East you come first.