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Helen Baller Newsletter
May 2015
May 2015
Dear Helen Baller Families,
It is hard to believe that we are heading into the month of May. The school year is flying by! I hope
you all had a nice Spring Break. My family and I went to Arizona. We had a great time that
included many hours of laying by the pool and relaxing. The weather was wonderful that week.
Helen Baller recently received the 2014 Washington State Achievement Award for the second
year in a row. We received the award for showing improvement in the area of reading for three
consecutive years. This is an exciting accomplishment and is a direct reflection of the hard work
of our students, the dedication of our teachers and the support and guidance of our parents. We
have been supported by our PTA and community who have given us funds to purchase leveled
readers, provide professional development and other materials to support the implementation of
Readers’ Workshop. Thanks to everyone who has supported us.
On Friday, May 1, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. we will have Baller Blast, our school carnival and
silent auction. There will be a ton of games, prizes and food. It should be a fun event and I hope to
see you there. A huge thanks goes out to the Helen Baller PTA for organizing the event.
On Wednesday, May 13 from 9:30 to 11:00 we are having our Kindergarten Orientation in our
library. It is a great opportunity for incoming students to be in the kindergarten classrooms and
meet the teachers. While the students are with the teachers, we will provide some general information about Helen Baller Elementary and kindergarten. There will be an opportunity to register
your child entering kindergarten for the upcoming school year. The most exciting part of the whole
event is that kids get to go on a short school bus ride. We hope to see you there if you have a
child entering kindergarten next year.
We are getting to the time of year when we start planning for next year. During the last month
of school, teachers meet in grade level teams to build class lists for the next year. When we build
lists we consider the match between each student and the teacher. Equally as important is the
combination of students within a class. We take into consideration many other factors such as student achievement, learning styles, students with varying behavior and social skills, the number of
boys and girls and input from parents. Input forms are available in our office. We appreciate the
thoughtful information you submit regarding your child. Please return your input form to the office
no later than Tuesday, May 26th. Please call or email if you have questions regarding this process.
We appreciate all our volunteers. Thanks for supporting our students. If you have any questions or
concerns feel free to call me or email me at aaron.parman@camas.wednet.edu.
Enjoy the month of May!
Aaron Parman,
Principal
Success Book Roll Call
Below is a list of students who have signed the Success Book during the month of April. Any Helen Baller staff
member can have a student sign the Success Book for being successful with academics, behavior or work
ethic. Several of the students signed the Success Book multiple times, but I have only listed their name once.
Way to go Helen Baller Bears! We are proud of you!
Deitrich Vu
Weston Field
Jordan Johnson
Sean Emberlin
Rozalyn Taylor
Lukas Scharrelman
Tyler Jardine
Jaden Gillett
Justin Taylor
Michael Boring
Rantin Reynolds
Daniel Merino
Brekelle Werlich
Kaleb Tangen
Ryan Niziol
Zach Groff
Delaney Anderson
Jackie Reyes
Mitchell Hartley
Madison Davidson
Khera Natale
Kaleigh Massey
Quantez Kellison
Tyler Vigil
Audrey Benjamin
Madeline Johnson
Pyper Cruz
Ryan Chatterton
Makenzie Rea
Mia Lin
Izzy Johnson
Flint Jensen
Nolan Gorder
Nate Hamm
Gavin Johnson
Quinn Chatterton
Jake Rog
Drake Hayes
Sasha Greer
Ethan Costa
Nolan Crowe
Keirrah Sanders
Peyton Darling
Kate Bacher
Asher Asbury
Gavin Hooser
Rory Jensen
Seth Lyman
Kaleah Dewey
Brooklyn Jardine
Trinity Hale
Aiden Shaheen
Ella Stafford
Presley Darling
Grace-Morgan
Lukens
Isabel Newell
Summer Craft
Liliana Neil
Wade Fresh
Ella Wright
Abby VonDuering
Rory Jensen
Ty Barnes
Erika Voiculescu
Shaye Parnell
Jadon Bjornsgard
Grant Seth
Bryce VanVoorhis
Lauren Hood
Hayden Erickson
Allie Piland
Pyper Cruz
Emma Jewell
Charrissa Lightsey
Boston Barnes
Clara Overton
Ava Laxamana
Alliyah Barnes
Susannah Gillespie
Calia Ruban
Mercy Canifax
Austin Hill
Leo Scharrelman
Kamly Shaheen
Mya Lourens
Gavin Jones
Allison Youngblood
Kasey Clifton
Benjamin Carter
Greta Brown
Bryce Borst
Isabella Warner
Leanna Lapin
Abby Seth
Sophie Robertson
Nolan Gorder
Gavin Copa
Ryan Chatterton
Izzy Johnson
Charlie Stremel
Jake Silva
Jordan Chan
Mia Lin
Vineh Bhui
Eoin Ryan
An Bui
Aiden Stewart
Vanessa Martinez
Makenzie Rea
Felicity Ellston
Joseph Sveen
Jack Booth
Carter Welter
Seth N.
Beckham Serhan
Shaylee Jensen
Anna Cram
Cheyanne Greene
Lia Christopherson
Jacqueline Brizuela
Torin Pasa
Calia Rubano
Beck Stupfel
Kailey Beaudoin
Madeline Johnson
Kaden Goostree
Logan Cole
Ethan Ouchi
Leland Heflin
Rylan Ferber
Nicole Adler
Maya Woods
Sophia Blank
Amanda Livingston
Luke Rubano
Gavin Eagan
Mark Linchevskiy
Barrett V.
Marquis Murchinson
Grace Champa
Norah Emrich
Skylarr Jenkins
Joe Wright
Mckynlee Ogden
Judah Taylor
Esther Golovko
Emma Coles
Shaye Parnell
Erika Voiculescu
Kaelynn Chaney
Charles Lawerence
Brandon Palma
Atila Berglund
Rosamond Carmichael
Hunter Voogt
Isabella Foilino
Brianna Fuller
Corban Fishbach
Ella Ziesemer
Charlie Barr
Jack Roberts
Mason VanCleave
Dylan Chalfant
Jonty Houlding
Oliver Lance
Aly Collins
Brayden Sterle
Landen Whaley
Cohen Butler
Bentley Clark
Charlotte Garpestad
Vince Dayley
Bella Mac Donald
Cooper Johnson
Morgan Shaw
Ethan Nygaard
Jaxsen Rodgers
Owen Martin
Vance Gooch
Jayla Gregg
Ashlynn Davis
Shaylyn Maloney
Drake Hayes
Elise Olsen
Athena Laxamana
Calvin Dayley
Janna Naron
Susana Leytner
Marlee Fisher
Maya Woods
Blake Middleton
Max McMahon
Muu-Muu Lee
Gavin Ocampo
Sienna Hill
Amanda Livingston
Lorelai Hall
Armani Tonga
Megan Adler
Brooklyn Nguyen
Maya Alas
Sam Walker
Landon Beaudoin
Kayla Borst
Christopher Houlding
Helen Baller PTA Calendar
May 2015
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
Saturday
1
BALLER BLAST!
2
8
9
15
Birthday
Table!
16
Staff Appreciation Week
10
11
12
13
9:30-11amKindergarten
Orientation
14
17
18
19
20
21
22
PTA Budget/
Calendar
Planning Mtgfor 2015-16
McMenamins
PTA Dine
Around 5pmmidnight
23
5th Grade
Parent Mtgs
for Liberty
24
25
26
NO SCHOOL! Parent Input
Memorial Day Forms 2015-16
Due
5th Graders
visit Liberty
31
27
28
9am PTA
Board Mtg
29
30
Helen Baller Counselor’s News
Problem Solving
Hello,
Students are facing and dealing with problems on a daily basis. These problems range from
academic to interpersonal and so it is important for our students to know how to solve problems.
In the work I do with our students, we spend several months learning things like how to identify
feelings in ourselves and how to manage those feelings and how to identify feelings in others and to
show empathy toward them. These are the foundational skills to problem-solving in regards to
interpersonal problems and conflicts. Learning how to solve problems is a skill we use every day and
we may be doing a disservice if we come to the rescue of our students and do not give them
adequate training on how to first try to solve it themselves and then give them the time and space to
try it out.
According to a 2010 Critical Skills Survey by the American Management Association and others,
employers say they need a workforce fully equipped with skills beyond the basics of reading, writing,
and arithmetic to grow their businesses. They need a workforce with skills that include critical thinking
and problem solving. The curriculum I use at Helen Baller includes a unit on Problem Solving.
Students are taught that sometimes problems are preceded by strong feelings so first we need to
make sure we use our calming down skills so now we can tap in to the thinking parts of the brain and
think more clearly. Then we use the STEP process of problem solving.
Here is how it goes.
S= Say the problem without blame: You do this by simply stating what each person wants. We can
each want different things and that is ok. Wanting different things is usually what is causing the
problem in the first place. No blaming and no shaming.
T=Think of solutions: Now we think of all the possible solutions. Solutions must be safe and
respectful. If they are not safe and respectful then they are not good solutions. We also do not
evaluate the solutions or discount them. This is a brainstorm time to be creative about solutions.
E=Explore consequences: This is when you ask “what might happen?” for each solution. You look at
the positive and negative things that might occur, how people will feel, and then try to pick one that
will be good for all parties involved.
P=Pick the best solution: Now you are ready to try a solution and hopefully have picked one that
everyone agrees to try. If it does not work, then you are back to the “T” step or maybe even the “S”
step because maybe it is not working because you were working on the wrong problem.
That is the approach I teach so try it out at home when you come across a problem. Role-modeling
problem solving is a great way to teach our students.
Sincerely,
Edie Hagstrom
School Counselor
edie.hagstrom@camas.wednet.edu or 360-833-5720 ext 79150
May Events
HELEN BALLER ELEMENTARY
PTA PRESENTS...
BALLER
BLAST
May 1, 2015, 5-8pm
Don’t miss the biggest BLAST
of the school year!
Silent Auction:
Carnival Activities:
Local businesses &
organizations have
donated over 100 items
to this year’s auction!
Plus special teacher
experiences!
Bingo
Cake Walk
Disco Bowling
Museum of
Guesstimates
Lego Challenge
Tattoo Parlor
Face Painting
Dunk Tank
and MORE!
Food for Purchase: Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Getta Gyro,
Kids with Ice (hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, shaved ice)
Entry Bracelet: $5 for school age kids (fill out & return order form on next page or buy at door)
Preschoolers and younger are free!
Raffle ($5/ticket): 1-Day Park Hopper tickets for 4 people to DISNEYLAND & CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Door Prizes: Each adult gets 5 FREE chances to win!
THANK YOU! to all the many volunteers and donors who are making this event happen!
HELEN BALLER ELEMENTARY
BALLER BLAST PTA RAFFLE
1-Day Park Hopper tickets for 4 people to
DISNEYLAND & CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Enter to WIN! WIN! WIN!
TICKETS: $5 each
(Order form below & coming home April 13)
Drawing will take place on 5/1/15 during Helen Baller Elementary School Baller Blast School Carnival at 7:45pm - need not be present to win!
The tickets are valid during normal operating hours and provide admission to a
magical experience at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park
for one day for 4 people. (Expiration 3/9/17, not valid 12/25-12/31 of any year.)
2015 BALLER BLAST
Order Form
ITEM
QTY
PRICE
Subtotal
Entry Bracelet (Bracelets required for school age children $5.00
ONLY. Allow for unlimited games and activities. Food purchases not inlcuded.)
Disneyland Raffle Tickets* (Qty 4: 1 day Park Hopper Tickets, $5.00
Retail Value $620**)
Bear Buddies Donation (Optional)
Make checks payable to Helen Baller PTA & deposit in the PTA mailbox in the office.
TOTAL:
Student Name/Classroom:
Parent/Guardian Name & Email:
Phone number: NOTES:
Raffle tickets will be sent home with the child listed on this order form.
* Drawing will take place on 5/1/15 during Helen Baller Elementary School Baller Blast School Carnival at 7:45pm -­‐ need not be present to win.
**The tickets are valid during normal operating hours and provide admission to a magical experience at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park for one day for 4 people. (Expiration: 3/9/17, not valid 12/25-­‐12/31 of any year)
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
Date Received:
Cash or Check#:
Funds Processed by:
Raffle Ticket #(s):
Amount:
May Events
PTA DINE AROUND
SAVE THE DATE:
May 19, 2015
5pm-Midnight
Come enjoy dinner at
McMenamins and 50% of the
proceeds will go to support
Helen Baller PTA!
McMenamins
1900 N.E. 162nd, Ste. B107
Vancouver, WA 98684
Staff
Appreciation
Info coming home in
backpacks on how
you can help make
May 4-8th into a very
memorable week for
all our amazing
teachers and staff.
Thank them for all they
do for our children!
JWR
END OF YEAR CLOSURE
JWR’s last day for the
school year will be
May 29th. They will
NOT be opening up
again until after school
is out for the summer.
If your child attends
JWR you will need to
make other
arrangements beyond
this date.
Incoming 6th grade
Liberty Students
2015-16
5th Grade Parent Meetings:
(Liberty Commons)
May 21st, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
May 21st, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
5th Graders Visit LIberty:
(Lacamas, Helen Baller, Woodburn)
May 26th, 1:30 – 3:10 p.m.
May News
Library News-Votes are In!
Last month, Helen Baller (K-3) students voted for their favorite Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book
Award. Following are both the Helen Baller and the state-wide results!
Washington Children’s Choice Award
First Place
Helen Baller Lost Cat
Washington State The Day the Crayons Quit
Second Place
Little Dog Lost
Lion vs. Rabbit
Third Place
The Day the Crayons Quit
Memoirs of a Hamster
Students in grades 4-5 voted for their favorite Sasquatch Reading Award Book. Following are both the
Helen Baller and the state-wide results!
Sasquatch Reading Award
First PlaceSecond PlaceThird Place
Helen Baller Wonder
Have a Hot Time, Hades
Red Thread Sisters
Washington State
Wonder
4 way Tie:
Have a Hot Time, Hades
Red Thread Sisters
Fake Mustache
Three Times Lucky!
The students are familiar with all of the books, and have enjoyed reading them! If your students (4/5th) are
reading the Sasquatch books for the Library Lock-in, please encourage them to take their AR test and turn
it in to me ASAP! I enjoy having your children in the library and I appreciate all your hard work, too.
Thank you, Laurie Brown (Teacher/Librarian)
Thank You to Helen Baller PTA
for the Buddy Bench!
HEARTS FOR HAITI UPDATE
THANK YOU!
from Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage:
“During Spring Break this year we had a team of
hard working men and women from Washington.
Thank you for all you did. The toddler side of the
baby dorm has been transformed by 11 new
bunk beds, mattresses and mosquito nets.”
May News
Under the Sea
Spring Book Fair Results
Let your voice be heard!
As the school year winds down, Helen Baller PTA
begins planning for next year. The PTA Board of
Directors will be meeting in May to create our
calendar and budget for the 2015-16 school year.
Before we meet, we would like to hear your input
about PTA events, programs, fundraising,
communications and more!
* What should our goals be for next year?
* What is our school’s biggest need?
* Do you want more movie nights?
* Fewer fundraisers?
* More Art?
The SPRING book fair had the highest sales
for Helen Baller to date! Mrs. Brown now
has over $3000 to spend on new books for
our school library!
Thank you to all the volunteers that made
this book fair such a huge success!
Special thanks to Sue Bacher for her
leadership planning and executing our
book fairs for the past 2 years!
Be on the lookout for the PTA survey in your email
the first 2 weeks of May. Please take 10min to tell
us what you want from YOUR PTA and we will work
to make it happen!
2015-16 PTA ROLES NEEDED
The Helen Baller PTA is still looking for people to fulfill the following roles....
Let us know if you are interested or know someone who would be great at these roles.
email: president@helenballerpta.org
BIRTHDAY TABLE LEAD
FUNDRAISING CHAIRPERSON
Birthday Table lead would distribute invitations and
attend event once a month during school lunch
hours to ensure students get birthday book and ice
cream as well as manage birthday pictures.
Fundraising includes: Dine Around, Payback
Books, BoxTops, Fun Run and more.
The good news is that we already have great
leaders in place over many of these
programs.
Now we need someone who can provide
oversight and fill in any gaps.
Looking Ahead to June
JUNE Jam Packed -- Save the Dates:
June 3: PTA General Membership Mtg @ 9:15am
June 3: BBQ Lunch for Students in Cafeteria
June 5: 1st Grade Field Trip to Oregon Zoo
June 5: 5th Grade District Track Meet
June 8: 5th Grade Fun Day
June 9: Field Day
June 11: 4th Grade Play - Burley Crew @ 1:45pm
June 12: Kindergarten End of Year Celebration @ 10am and 2pm
June 12: 5th Grade Promotion @ 2pm
June 12: CHS Graduation
June 15: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
HELEN BALLER 2014-15 YEARBOOK
More information
to come home shortly...
Be sure to get your YEARBOOK
to remember all the great moments
of the 2014-15 school year!