BoxTops Drive Contest Ends Tuesday the 15th
The contest ends tomorrow- Tuesday, but we will ALWAYS collect those BoxTops. The 2 classes at each grade will see who earns the reward recess or choice-time fun for being the top class in collecting the BoxTops. Please save those BoxTop coupons and send them in regularly with your child and it earns funds for Clear Lake School.

Clear Lake Shirts Only $5
We have a limited selection of CL shirts in various sizes that our PTO is clearing out for $5 per shirt. At this bargain price, they won’t last long. Please stop by the office any day from 8am ’til 4pm and see if we have what you’re looking for.

State Testing Ends Thursday
Students in grades 3, 4, & 5 have almost reached the finish line! Thursday is the last day for students to do their required Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills- or OAKS tests. The test scores do not count for the student’s grades, but they do count for the school’s “grade” in meeting Adequate Yearly Progress as a public school. We will review the scores and use the information to see what we’re doing well at and what we might need to do better in preparing our students for their meeting the Essential Skills requirement and earn a standard high school diploma.

Warm Weather Clothes
Parents: Please watch what your children choose to wear to school each day during warm weather. Flip-flop sandals are great for the river or beach, but they’re not good footwear for school. Have your kids wear footwear that protects their feet on the playground or in P.E. and allows them to walk around comfortably. Beach wear- including spaghetti strap tops, super short shorts, and skimpy tank tops should wait for the weekend trips. Remember, school is a place for learning and we ask that children dress for coming to school- even in the warm weather. We DO have air conditioning in the building.

That’s it for now, thanks for reading and I sure hope to see you at the Jog-A-Thon on Wednesday.

John

Family Fun Night This Thursday
Our annual Family Fun Night is this Thursday, 6:30 – 8:00pm.  Everything is FREE- except our tickets for the raffle baskets and the 50/50 drawing. We just received our brand new football autographed by UofO coach Chip Kelly- that is part of the UofO basket. It will be a great time Thursday- so mark your calendar and don’t miss it.

Box Tops For Education Competition Begins
Students heard about our new Box Tops drive at our awards assembly last week. We’re collecting the Box Tops that are on many products at stores. Be on the lookout and don’t forget to cut and save them for your child. Each grade has two classrooms so it will make for some fun and friendly competition to see which class at each grade earns their “reward recess,” “choice time,” or other activity for collecting the most box top coupons. The competition runs through May. Hopefully, they are on products you already buy at the store. Have your child talk to friends and family about collecting and saving for the competition.

First Grade 4/5 Track Meet Next Week
Our track athletes have been practicing hard to get ready for the first all-district track meet on Thursday, April 26 at Willamette High School. There will be hundreds of students from around Bethel representing their schools- running, jumping, throwing in competition. The meet begins at 4pm. The track team will take a bus from here to the meet and parents are asked to pick their children up from the meet around 6:00pm. It will be a lot of fun watching the kids at their events. The meet is held rain or shine!

Lottery Event Winners!!!
Thanks to Abe Gilliam and Matt Groff- and KMTR news team folks- for their help with Clear Lake earning over $1,000 at a recent event. Read the story on the CL web page for details about the event…

That’s it for now- thanks for reading.

John

Snow- In March??
To think- we had our first lunch out in the courtyard a few weeks ago. I thought for sure that Spring was on it’s way! Mother Nature had different ideas and we have the school closures the last two days. Your street may be pretty clear, but when our superintendent and First Student bus drivers checked the routes early this morning there were too many precarious and icy places around Bethel.

Family Fun Night Rescheduled
With the school closure comes the postponement of Family Fun Night. We have moved the night to Thursday, April 19th, 6:30 – 8:00pm. We have lots of prizes for our FREE Bingo, a 50:50 raffle, and raffle for the theme baskets created by each grade level. And, FREE ice cream with either chocolate, strawberry, or caramel toping! Raffle tickets are 50 cents each with all proceeds going to the Clear lake PTO. If you thik all of this is enough- one more bit of FUN… our 5th graders put on FREE carnival-style games in the gym with a prize for everyone. See you on the 19th.

Conferences Are Coming
Spring parent-teacher conferences are coming soon. April 10th & 11th, 5-8pm, and April 12th 1-5pm. Schedule times have been sent home. If you did not find one in your child’s Tuesday envelope, please call the school and we will let you know your date and time of your conference. There is no Kindergarten on the 12th and all 1st – 5th grade students are dismissed that at 11:55  on the 12th to allow for the afternoon conferences.

Nominate an ACE Awards Winner
$1,000 is waiting for our school. Consider taking a moment to nominate a Bethel employee or volunteer for an ACE (A Champion in Education) Award. Bethel will have a $1,000 winner in each of the four categories: teachers, classified staff, administrators and volunteers, but Clear Lake can’t win if no one’s nominated! The online nomination period closes on March 31. Consider nominating one or more of our great Bethel educators and volunteers by going to the ACE Awards website to view the nomination criteria and steps for submitting a nomination.

That’s it for now, thanks for reading and let me know if you have any comments or questions.

John

Here is the latest…

Calling All Kindergartners
It is pre-registration time for all Clear Lake area children who will be incoming kindergartners in September. We are excited to welcome our newest students for Kindergarten Orientation on Tuesday, March 6th at 3:15 and 6:00pm.

Kids and parents will learn all about our terrific kindergarten program, meet our kindergarten teachers, principal, counselor and other key staff.

They’ll also take home a free special book that’s just for our incoming kindergarten students.

If you know of a family with a child ready for kindergarten please spread the word about Clear Lake’s Kindergarten Orientation opportunity.

Pastry Puffins Fundraiser Ends Tuesday
Students have been busy selling Pastry Puffins to help the Clear Lake PTO. Students are to return all order forms and money this Tuesday the 6th. Orders will be here for students on Tuesday, April 3rd. If your child has more than 5 orders, please plan to pick them up from school at the end of the day on the 3rd. We dismiss students at 2:55.

Open Enrollment In Bethel
We will offer tours of Clear Lake on March 13th & 15th, 10:30 – 11:30 and 1:30 – 2:30 to introduce prospective students to our school.

Under a new Oregon law, students are now free to transfer to any school of their choice – as long as there is available space and the transfer request is submitted during the month of March.

Share this if you know someone who would like to join the “Bethel Family”.  Transfer Request forms can be found at our school office or on the Bethel homepage.

Family Fun Night Coming March 22nd
Our annual Family Fun Night is coming soon. Save the date- Thursday, March 22nd, 6:30 – 8:00pm. FFN is hosted by the PTO as a “Thank You” evening of fun for all CL families in our cafeteria. There is FREE Bingo with prizes, FREE Carnival games in the gym with prizes for the kids, and FREE ice cream & toppings in the cafeteria. There is also a 50:50 raffle, and each grade creates a theme basket that is raffled after the bingo ends.

Students are asked to donate an item to their grade’s theme basket. This year’s themes: K- Family Movie Night Basket,   1st- Kitchen/Cooking Basket,   2nd- Gardening Basket,   3rd- “Happy Birthday” Basket,   4th- Arts/Crafts Basket,    5th-  U of O Ducks Basket.

It’s a LOT of fun, so plan to be there. The next day- Friday the 23rd is a Budget Reduction Day- NO school, and the following week is Spring Break.

That’s it for now, let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Thanks for reading,

John

First BIG information is that this Thursday’s PTO meeting has been postponed to next week- Thursday the 26th at 6:45pm. The reason has to do with the next piece- free tickets for the U of O men’s basketball has many CL families headed to the game…

Little Ducklings At Clear Lake
Thanks to a program at the University of Oregon, we have had the good furtune of receiving over 500 free basketball tickets in the last few weeks. We typically don’t have a long notice before games. Once we hear, we move fast- asking teachers to draw winners from their class container of positive reward slips. Those winners take a permission slip home that must come back the next day. If families cannot go, we want to know so we can quickly call “backup” winners from the drawings. Tickets are at the arena WILL CALL window waiting for the family to pick them up.

It works great and we hope to keep receiving those tickets and enjoy being “Little Ducklings.”

Exclusion Day Will Be Here Soon  (From the Bethel Nursing Staff)
Dear Families,
Please be aware, students can be excluded from school if their immunizations are not up to date by February 15, 2012.  Please ensure your child is not excluded from school by making sure they are up to date on their immunizations.  Records are currently being reviewed by school Health Assistants and families are being notified by phone and/or mail if records indicate your child needs immunizations.   Families with Oregon Health Plan, Private insurance with unaffordable co-pays or deductibles for immunizations, and without health insurance can utilize the Bethel Student Health Center, located at Cascade MS, 1525 Echo Hollow Road for immunizations.  For an appointment, call  541-607-1430.  Please don’t hesitate to call your school if you have any questions regarding immunizations and exclusion day.
Thank you, Annemarie Hirsch, RN, Sherine Forrest, RN, Mary Bork, RN

Newsletter To Go Electronic
“Bear Facts,” the CL newsletter, will go electronic after the February edition is printed. In an effort to save paper and money, we will print a very limited number of newsletters for families who do not have internet access. Otherwise, you can see the newsletter through a link on the CL website. Please call the office if you want a printed copy and we’ll arrange to get one to you each month.

That’s it for now- thanks for reading,
John

Fun At Matthew Knight Arena
Thanks to the folks at the U of O and their “Tickets for Ducklings” program, over 200 CL students and family members attended the Dec 18th men’s basketball game against Virginia. One section of the arena was filled with Clear Lake Folks! We hope to stay connected with the program and have similar opportunities in the future with free tickets.

Success For All Students
Bethel is proud to host African American Student Support Night on January 12^th at 7:00 p.m. at Willamette High School. Families of African American and bi-racial students will learn about the Bethel programs in place to support students at every grade level. The event will include some inspirational straight-talk and will seek your opinions on what issues future events should address and how we can all improve our schools.

Why The Y In Bethel??
The plan for a Community Center in Bethel is closer to becoming a reality, but first the City of Eugene wants to hear your thoughts on the idea. Take this quick survey to share your thoughts with City staffers.

The proposal would permit the Eugene Y to build a new facility along Legacy Street, immediately south of Meadow View School. The City would lease the land to the Y for $1 a year.

Like the idea? Not so sure? Share your thoughts in the survey today.

Report Cards For Schools
Due to a change in state rules, we are now able to email our State School Report Cards to you. This will save the school district money, although paper copies will also be available at the school office for those who request a hard copy.
Good news! You will see that Clear Lake students made significant gains in reading and are above the state average. You may also recall that Oregon recently raised the bar on what kids are expected to learn in math at each grade level. Nevertheless, our students again showed substantial improvement and remain above the state average.
Our teachers have already been implementing several new programs to further improve student learning in math. These include Math Facts Fluency and Bethel’s teacher-developed Math Core Units.

Click Clear Lake Report Card for Clear Lake’s report card from last school year.
Finally, thank you for staying involved in your child’s education. Your active attention and support really makes a difference at each grade level. As always, feel free to email or call me.

jluhman@bethel.k12.or.us (541) 689-0511

That’s it for now, thanks for reading and PLEASE let me know if you have questions, comments, or ideas for blog news!

John

Food Drive Nearly Done
The leadership students are sorting and counting the items from our Drive. I challenged the students to bring in 600 or more items- and if they do I will wear a wacky costume one day during the week before Winter Break. (If you have an idea for a costume, I’m still taking suggestions!!!) I want to thank all of you who helped with a donation. The items will go to CL families.

Week Of Giving = Manager Money
Once again this year, our students have begun earning “Manager Money” as part of our Week of Giving event. I’m not sure why we call it a week as it will last but one day. Students earn the money slips to spend at the store when their class visits on the 13th. The store is quite a sight; new or very slightly used items fill the tables and students choose the items to buy with their “money.” We encourage the kids to buy a gift for a family member or relative. Someone who they want to give sometning to but may not have the means to buy at a retail store.

The items have been donated by staff and local businesses. If you know of a business who might be willing to donate- call or email me. The event is great fun and the students do enjoy the giving spirit. We even help the students wrap their gift as a final touch. All of this has been done through donated time and gifts- from real giving on the part of a LOT of people. Ask your child how they are doing at earning Manager Money…

Exclusion Day Will Be Here Soon
From the Bethel Nursing Staff:
Dear Families, Please be aware, students can be excluded from school if their immunizations are not up to date by February 15, 2012.  Please ensure your child is not excluded from school by making sure they are up to date on their immunizations.  Records are currently being reviewed by school Health Assistants and families are being notified by phone and/or mail if records indicate your child needs immunizations.   Families with Oregon Health Plan, Private insurance with unaffordable co-pays or deductibles for immunizations, and without health insurance can utilize the Bethel Student Health Center, located at Cascade MS, 1525 Echo Hollow Road for immunizations.  For an appointment, call  541-607-1430.  Please don’t hesitate to call your school if you have any questions regarding immunizations and exclusion day.
Thank you, Annemarie Hirsch, RN, Sherine Forrest, RN, Mary Bork, RN

Oliver Is Coming
Ms. Kelley- our Music Specialist- has been working long and hard with the 4th and 5th grade cast of Oliver. They will perform on Wednesday the 7th at 7pm in the gym. The kids have been rehersing both at school and at home -it should be a great show to watch. Doors will open at 6:45 so bundle up and come enjoy a fun musical!

That’s it for this week, thanks for reading and as always, please contact me if you have any questions, comments, or would like to have someone receive these emailed blogs.

Have a good wekend, and GO Ducks!

John

Very Thankful
With the seasonal holiday upon us, I do want to mention the very key people who help each day in our students learning and growing. Thanks to our…
Educational Assistants- for their watchful eyes and instructional skills
Teachers and Specialists- for their deep commitment to each and every child being successful
Custodian, Librarian, Secretaries, and Kitchen Team- for their ongoing support of all the staff and students, every day
And, finally, to our parents who see to it that their children make the most of their educational time and help their children see the value in learning.

Food Drive Is Underway
Our students are in the midst of collecting food and some household items to give to families at the holidays. Each class is asked to collect specific iems so we might create boxes with a good variety of items.
Mrs. Hart:  Jelly/ Honey/ Peanut butter     Mrs. Ewing & Mrs. Alsup:  Soap/Toothpaste/shampoo/Toilet paper      Mrs. Wold:  Soup/ chili/ sauce      Mrs. Hall:  Pasta/sauce       Mrs. Johnson:  Tuna/Canned Chicken      Mr. Gingery:  Rice/Beans      Mrs. Ferry:  Bread/Cake/Mixes/Stuffing       Mrs. Castanette & Mrs. Groff:  Potatoes (whole or instant)      Mrs. Rutledge:  Cereal/Crackers        Mr. Wiseman:  Canned Vegetables/canned fruit         Mr. Tavernier:  Soup/Chili/Sauce

Flash Alert Time Of Year
You can sign up for e-mail and text message notification about school cancellations or delays through the free FlashAlert system. You will be notified in minutes with updated information on school closures or delays. This is the same system the district uses to notify local media when there is a weather or emergency-related closure of a school.

Go online to http://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=127 , enter your email information and follow the on-screen prompts. You will
receive school closure information on your home computer or as a text message on your cell phone. You can also check for
Bethel-related information at that same web page. Note that the messages travel the Internet and may be delayed by cell carriers or Internet Service Providers.

Improving Bethel Schools; We Want You!
How to create better schools…why we need more effective evaluations of teachers and principals…what it takes to close the achievement gap…how we can support improved education for all Bethel kids.

You need to be part of the dialogue in Bethel at the Community Discussion on Public Schools,
Tuesday, November 29^th, 7-8:30 p.m., Prairie Mountain School, 5305 Royal Ave.

Join Bethel superintendent Colt Gill, Ben Cannon, a top education advisor to Governor Kitzhaber, State Representative Val Hoyle and Bethel teacher Ann Burgess. Share your ideas, ask your questions, and learn more about our schools today.

All of Bethel is invited to this important forum. For more information, contact Joy Marshall of Stand For Children,  jmarshall@stand.org  541-912-2921.

Stone Soup Party in Kindergarten
Today was the annual “Stone Soup” party in kindergarten classes- what a GREAT turnout in the morning session. The story of Stone Soup is a wonderful folktale with a good message. Click HERE to read a bit more about Stone Soup.

Watch for the December newsletter coming out in 11-29 Tuesday envelopes. That’s it for this week, thanks for reading and have a good week!

John Luhman`

Students have a 4-day weekend this weekend. Then, a 5-day week. Teachers are very excited at the prospect of several 5-day weeks coming up to have those full weeks of teaching time.

Help Represent Clear Lake
Clear Lake is looking for two (or it could be the same person for both) parents who are willing to spend a bit of time serving on committees. Our school’s Site Council has a vacancy for a parent rep since our last moved away. Site Council is the key committee for the school that oversees decision making for the building. We meet once a month on Thursday mornings at 7:45-8:30am.

The other position is serving on the Bethel Education Foundation as a Clear lake Representative. The Foundation’s success relies on district parents coming together to create a team committed to supporting all of the students and schools in Bethel. They meet once a month on Monday evenings.

If you are interested in either- or both- positions, please call or email me at the school; 541 689-0511 or jluhman@bethel.k12.or.us

Asthma Care Workshop
Learn self-care tips for your children who have asthma. A registered nurse will help you take control of your family’s health in this free, bilingual workshop. Monday, November 14^th, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Cascade Middle School.
For more information contact Oregon Toxics Alliance (541) 465-8860 or Centro LatinoAmericano (541) 687-2667.

Food Drive Begins The 21st
Clear Lake will hold it’s annual food drive beginning November 21st, ending on December 9th. Again this year we are asking each class to focus on specific food items. Here’s the list for this year: Mrs. Hart:  Jelly/ Honey/ Peanut butter     Mrs. Ewing & Mrs. Alsup:  Soap/Toothpaste/shampoo/Toilet paper      Mrs. Wold:  Soup/ chili/ sauce      Mrs. Hall:  Pasta/sauce       Mrs. Johnson:  Tuna/Canned Chicken      Mr. Gingery:  Rice/Beans      Mrs. Ferry:  Bread/Cake/Mixes/Stuffing       Mrs. Castanette & Mrs. Groff:  Potatoes (whole or instant)      Mrs. Rutledge:  Cereal/Crackers        Mr. Wiseman:  Canned Vegetables/canned fruit         Mr. Tavernier:  Soup/Chili/Sauce

That’s it for this week, don’t forget to take a look at the latest on the CL website: http://www.bethel.k12.or.us/clearlake/

Stay warm, have a good weekend, and GO Ducks & Beavers!!!

John

Speak Up and Be Heard
Your opinions are needed. The Eugene Y is proposing to build a combination Y/Community Center next to Meadow View School. This could be an important development for the entire Bethel community. The City of Eugene really needs to hear what you think. Click here to share your opinion in an anonymous online poll.

Sign Up For Free School Lunches
You are strongly encouraged to sign-up for Bethel’s free and reduced-price student lunch program. By following strict procedures, confidentiality is maintained so no students are revealed as receiving the free and reduced-price school meals.

This is a federally-funded program that Bethel is eager to make available to all entitled students, and eligibility is determined by family income.

Please contact the school office at 541 689-0511 for details on how to verify your eligibility and register for the lunch program.

Carve A Pumpkin, Help A Family
All Bethel families are welcomed to Willamette High School on the night of Wednesday October 26^th for a community-wide pumpkin carving event.  This is a benefit for ShelterCare, which provides services for homeless families or those who are at risk of homelessness and adults who have a mental illness or a brain injury.

Each pumpkin carved earns $5 for Sheltercare, and all the jack-o-lanterns will be displayed at Kesey Square in downtown Eugene. The pumpkins and tools are provided, just join in the fun at the Willamette Cafeteria from 6:30-8:30 on the 26^th.

Site Council and B.E.F. Representatives Needed
Clear Lake is looking for two (or it could be the same person for both) parents who are willing to spend a bit of time serving on committees. Our school’s Site Council has a vacancy for a parent rep since our last moved away. Site Council is the key committee for the school that oversees decision making for the building. We meet once a month on Thursday mornings at 7:45-8:30am.

The other position is serving on the Bethel Education Foundation as a Clear lake Representative. The Foundation’s success relies on district parents coming together to create a team committed to supporting all of the students and schools in Bethel. They meet once a month on Monday evenings.

If you are interested in either- or both- positions, please call or email me at the school; 541 689-0511 or jluhman@bethel.k12.or.us

Don’t forget to check out the latest school news on the CL website.

Thanks for reading. If you know of someone who would like to receive these blog posts by email, have them send me their address and I’ll add them to my list.

John