Family Handbook

Collective Commitments

Systemic Collective Efficacy around Anti Racist/Anti Bias education as an umbrella as we focus on: 
Focus on Core Instructional Materials, Consistent Curriculum and Workshop Model
Use of data to monitor growth
Meaningful Feedback to Students about learning and Teachers about instruction
Attendance
Integrated Social Emotional Learning

ABOUT COOPER MOUNTAIN SCHOOL

School Colors: Blue and Gold

Mascot: Cougar

School Song:

Cooper Mountain Cougars, we’re proud to be -Cooper Mountain Cougars, strong, brave and free

Working, playing, we pass the test, helping each other be our best!

Cooper Mountain Cougars, onward we go. Cooper Mountain Cougars, we’re proud to show

Blue and Gold mean True and Bold, so stand up for Cooper Mountain School – GO COUGARS!

 

Overview

• Cover Page
• About Cooper Mountain
• Message from the Principal
• Table of Contents
• Cooper Mountain Staff
• Calendar of Events
• School Day Schedule

                                                                                                      

Parent Involvement and Leadership

• Volunteering
• Reminders to Volunteers
• Siblings
• Cooper Mountain PTO

 

Communication

• Email
• Student Phone Use/Cell Phones

                                                                                                                                     

Student Arrival and Dismissal                                                                      

• Pets on School Grounds 
• Car Traffic Patterns Overview 
• Walking to School- Crosswalks
• Bus Transportation
• Bus Rules
• Bicycles
• Skateboards and Scooters
• Morning Arrival
• Parents During Morning Arrival
• Afternoon Dismissal
• Parents During Afternoon Dismissal
• Going Home Plans

                                                                                         

Student Attendance

• Absences
• Late Arrivals/Tardies
• Leaving Early 
• Student Withdrawal

                                                                                                  

The Healthy Student

• Medications
• Immunization Requirements
• Sickness
• Emergencies/Illness
• Sending a Child Home
• School Nurse
• Health Issues 
• Health and Vision Screening
• Restricted Activity at School
• Additional Notes

                                                                                                            

School Safety and Security

• Visitors
• Parent Classroom Visits During the School Day
• Student Safety

                                                                                                                       

Student Behavior and Expectations

• Cooper Mountain Behavior Expectations
• Student Discipline
• Student Property Guidelines
• Student Dress
• Jackets, Coats, Sweatshirts

                                                                                                   

Emergency Information

• Fire, Earthquake, Lockout, Lockdown Drills
• School Closure Information – District Wide
• Early School Closure Due to Inclement Weather
• Early School Closure – Your Emergency Plan
• Delayed Opening
• When Buses are on Snow Routes
• Snow Route Days – Dismissal
• Building Evacuation/Student and Parent Reunification

                                                        

Student Learning and Reporting

• Homework
• Students Out of School
• Students Forgetting Homework
• Suggestions for Parents Regarding Homework

                                                                     

Playground

• Playground Expectations
• Personal Property on the Playground

                                                                              

Cafeteria

• Meals and Nutrition
• Menu
• Meal Prices
• Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits
• Student Meal Accounts
• Meal Etiquette
• Nut Free Table
• Lunch Guests

                                                                                                                         

Celebrations, Gifts, and Snacks at School

• Birthday Celebrations at School
• Classroom Parties
• Classroom Snacks
• Gifts for Staff

                                                                                                                         

Services and Resources for Students A-Z

• Adaptive Physical Education
• Art Literacy
• Child Care
• Clothes Closet
• Counselor
• Culture of Care
• English Language Learning
• Health Room
• Library/Media Center
• Lost and Found
• Music
• Physical Education
• Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports Program (PBIS)
• Special Education Team
• Specials
• Student Leadership
• Talented and Gift Program (TAG)
• Technology

*DAILY SCHEDULE - SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Teacher’s hours are 8:00-4:00

• 8:15: Students may get breakfast
• 8:20: Students may head to classrooms

• 8:30: School Begins

• 11:00-1:25: Lunch service

• 3:05: Dismissal – all grades

• *Teachers will share their specific classroom schedules with you via Parent Square and at Back to School Night.

** The 8:15 time is for students who eat breakfast at school. There will be no other supervision for students that arrive early. 

 

Volunteering

Cooper Mountain welcomes parent and community volunteers. All volunteers must begin the process with a criminal background check through the BSD volunteers page. After being approved volunteers will be entered into the volunteer database for Cooper Mountain. Our PTO manages the volunteers and volunteer opportunities. 

Cooper Mountain PTO

Our PTO Mission:

To come together as a community of parents to support our teachers/staff to positively impact our students’ educational experience through volunteer involvement, classroom enhancements, and organization of family events.

Cooper Mountain’s PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) will supply information in the Back to School email about how to volunteer. If you need additional information, you can check out the Cooper Mountain PTO webpage or the Cooper Mountain Facebook Page for upcoming events and contact information.

As a parent of a Cooper Mountain student, you are automatically a member of the PTO, and you are entitled to a vote as the group finds ways to support the work of our school. Meetings are held on the last Tuesday in September, November, January, March and May and free childcare is provided. The meeting dates and times are published in the Calendar of Events in this handbook, and they are posted on the PTO website.

The PTO consists of a general assembly that includes all parents and teachers. The PTO Board members are elected to serve one-year terms and they plan and implement membership directed programs and school related events. Also serving as a non-voting member is the school principal.

COMMUNICATION

At Cooper Mountain, we are dedicated to open, ongoing and informative home/school communication. You are encouraged to contact your child’s teacher, the office, or the principal if you have any questions or suggestions. Please contact the child's teacher first in any/all communications. Our goal is to keep you informed and involved and to be open to your questions and suggestions. Our communication systems include the following:

• Cooper Mountain Memo, our school newsletter, published bi-weekly via Parent Square
• Classroom newsletters
• Parent Square
• SeeSaw 
• Canvas - 5th grade
• School web page 
• District web page 
• Back to School Night
• Parent Teacher Conferences: November and April
• Report Cards at the end of the semester: February and June
   

E-mail/Phone

Staff can best be reached by Parent Square. Phone calls will not be forwarded to classrooms during the school day; however, messages may be left with the office staff.
 

Student Telephone/Cell Phone Usage

Students are allowed to use school phones only to resolve emergencies or upon teacher request. Students may not use the phone to make social arrangements or to check in with family members while at school. Students must have staff approval to use school telephones.

Students are discouraged from bringing cell phones and/or Smart Watches to school as they may become a distraction, may be lost, damaged or stolen. We understand that some families choose to provide their children with a cell phone/Smart Watch to facilitate communication after school. Our expectation is that while on campus, cell phones/Smart Watches will be kept in backpacks and turned off. Cell phones/Smart Watches may be taken from students who have them out or use them at school. They will be stored in a secure location until parents pick them up.

 

STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

Doors will be open at 8:15 for breakfast. Soft start begins at 8:20. Students can head to their classrooms from 8:20-8:30. School begins at 8:30.

PARENTS DURING MORNING ARRIVAL

Parents are welcome to escort their child the exterior of the building first week of school. We ask that parents please say goodbye at the double doors outside the building. We are working hard to build independence and awareness skills in our students and your cooperation is needed. We have also found that this decreases anxiety/stress for students and families. We have staff members throughout the property for student safety, and we can supervise more effectively when we only see students.

AFTERNOON DISMISSAL

Dismissal is at 3:05 with a quiet dismissal on zoom. Students are dismissed by grade level to parent pick-up car line, meet and greet, walking, bus or Champions (onsite daycare). Adult supervision is provided in every location to ensure student safety while they wait to be picked up.

PARENTS DURING AFTERNOON DISMISSAL

Parents please wait outside the hall of the your youngest students exterior door for dismissal at 3:05.  Please wait until a staff member releases your child out the door. At the beginning of the year, this can take a bit of time while we get to know you.

GOING HOME PLANS 

At the beginning of the year, we get information from you regarding your regular Going Home Plan – called a pink slip. Call the office if you have questions.

Any change to a student’s regular going home plan requires communication from the parent/guardian to the teacher and the office. The office staff will keep track of any change. Parents are encouraged to plan ahead and make changes to student dismissal plans before the child arrives at school. Students will not be allowed to arrange after school plans during the school day. If there is a same-day change, parents may call the office PRIOR to 2:30 pm. Please call as early as you can as our office is very busy at the end of the day.

Pets During Arrival and Dismissal

Beaverton’s general policy states that animals are not allowed in school or on school property. Especially important: Dogs are never allowed on school property during the school day. Please do not walk dogs on school property where children are present during arrival or dismissal times. (Exceptions will be made for trained guide animals for legitimate purposes.)
 

Car Traffic Patterns Overview – Arrival and Dismissal

To reduce traffic at arrival and dismissal times we encourage students for whom bus transportation is an option to ride the bus. Riding the bus ensures timely arrival at school and helps reduce car-related congestion, safety concerns, and parent stress. We encourage students who are capable of walking to walk to school, and we encourage parents to park their cars on a side street and let students walk the last block to avoid parking lot congestion.

Driving your child and dropping them off:

As you enter the parking lot, never block the driveway that allows the bus to enter the parking lot.

• Form one line and stay in the car lane.
• Observe the stop sign, give the bus right of way, and follow staff member’s directions.
• Never drop students off in the upper lot.
• Pull up to the curb on the north side of the school.
• Stay in your car.
• Your child should exit on the right side of the car and step directly onto the sidewalk.
• Merge with cars to exit the parking lot.

DRIVING YOUR CHILD, PARKING AND WALKING THEM TO THE SCHOOL BUILDING:

As you enter the parking lot, never block the driveway that allows the bus to enter the parking lot.

• Form one line and stay in the car lane.
• Do not block handicap spots.
• Observe the stop sign, give the bus right of way, and follow staff member’s directions.
• Park in an available parking spot in the left side of the lot.
• Walk your child, using the crosswalk, to the building.
• Merge with cars to exit the parking lot.

WALKING TO SCHOOL AND DESIGNATED CROSSWALKS:

Students need to use the designated crossing areas:

• Rigert and 170th
• Hart and 170th
• Students should never cross the street anywhere without a crossing guard. When using the crosswalk either coming or leaving school, students must:
  • Wait for the crossing guard on duty to give the signal that it is safe to cross the street
  • Always listen to the crossing guard, even if other adults are giving you different directions
  • Leave school promptly at dismissal time so that they have help from the crossing guard

BUS TRANSPORTATION:

Bus transportation information can be found on the district website under District, Departments, Transportation. If you have questions or concerns about a bus schedule problem, please call the transportation office at 503-356-4200.

Students needing to get off at a stop other than their own must bring a dated, parent-signed note to school. The note must be received and initialed by the front office, reviewed by the classroom teacher, and then given to the bus driver by the student.

Riding a school bus is a privilege, and all students must abide by the safety rules listed below. The school bus driver and the student riders are both responsible for safety while on the bus.

BUS RULES:

Students are under the authority of the bus driver. Refusal to comply may result in loss of riding privileges.

• Students will select a seat quickly and will remain there unless asked to move by the driver.
• The bus driver has the right to assign seats.
• Fighting, wrestling, and other boisterous activity is prohibited on the bus.
• Remain seated and face forward while the bus is in motion. 
• Do not open or close windows without the permission of the bus driver.
• Do not hang any body parts out of the window.
• Use a regular conversational level of voice – no shouting.
• Be respectful to the driver and others on the bus.
• Keep hands, feet, belongings to yourself.
• No eating or drinking on the bus.
• No balloons on the bus. Anything that is prohibited at school (toys, etc) is also prohibited on the bus.
• Cross in front of the bus – at least 10 feet away – when crossing the street.
• Students should be at their bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled pick up time.
• Students will load and unload the bus in a safe and orderly fashion. Parents at bus stops are greatly appreciated.
   

Bicycles

If your child rides a bike to school, he or she must wear a helmet. A good secure lock is a necessity as the school will not allow the bike in the building, nor can we take responsibility for theft. Bikes must be parked in the racks between the main building and the modular building on the north side of the school. 

Skateboards and Scooters

Skateboards are not allowed on school property. Scooters are not considered a safe mode of transportation to and from school and we cannot allow them in the building for security.

Classroom instruction begins promptly at 8:30 am. Students are expected to be at school and on time every day that they are healthy. We appreciate your efforts to schedule appointments after school hours whenever possible.

Attendance is very important to student success! Not only does attendance provide full access to the instruction, it promotes life-long responsibility, is in accordance with the law, and contributes to your child’s self-worth – knowing that his/her attendance makes an impact on our school community.

Student attendance will be monitored. The parents of students with excessive absences or tardies will receive a written communication from the principal alerting them to the excessive absences. We will be following ORS 339.065 that indicates “excused absences are not to exceed five days in a term or three months or not to exceed ten days in any term of at least six months.”

Absences

Please call the school office and report the absence before 8:15 am, or as soon as you are able at 503.356.2070.

If a student does not report to school and a parent/guardian has not called to report an absence or tardy, an automated call will be made to the student’s home and an email will be generated to verify the absence. This communication will go out between 9:30am-9:45am daily. 

Please contact the school office when there is a change in your email address or home, cell phone, work, day care and/or emergency contact phone numbers. We want to make sure we can contact you efficiently, especially in case of an emergency.
 

Late Arrival - Lates

A student who arrives after 8:30 receives a late pass before going to class. This procedure not only helps us keep track of students, but also serves to maintain the accuracy of our attendance records. If a student arrives at school after attendance has been reported, office staff must change the status of the student from “absent” to “late” 
 

Leaving Early – Please Pick Up Before 2:35 pm

If you must take your child out of school before the end of the school day, please send a note to the office and teacher so your child will be prepared to leave school at the designated time.

If you are picking up for other reasons, please pick up before 2:35 pm. The end of the day is very busy both in the office and in the classroom. If you arrive to pick up after 2:35 pm you may be asked to wait until dismissal at 3:05 pm in order to ensure all students’ safety.

When coming to school to pick up your child, please report to the school office and sign your child out. The office will then call your child out of class to meet you in the office. Parents may not go directly to the classroom to get their children.

If your child returns to school on the same day, report to the office before returning to class.
 

 

Medications

Beaverton School District policy requires parents to bring any prescription and/or non-prescription medication to the school office. This includes commonly used medications such as Tylenol and cough drops. Prescription drugs also require written instructions from the child’s physician. Medication must be brought in the original container. 

Pharmacists will provide two containers for medication, one for home and one for school. The label on the container must state:

• the student’s name,
• the dosage,
• time,
• prescription number,
• physician’s name.

The parent will sign an authorization form giving school personnel the authority to administer medication according to the physician’s instructions.

Medications will not be returned home with a child. Parents will need to come to the school office to pick up any medication at the end of the school year. Medications that are not picked up at the end of the school year will be safely discarded.  

Administration of non-prescription medication also requires a parent signature on a specific form available in the school office. A physician’s order is not needed, with the exception of dosage requests that contradict the safe dosage on a bottle or container. Emergency medications, such as Epi-pens, must be accompanied by your doctor’s written directions for use.
 

Immunization Requirements

The Oregon State Immunization Law requires that all students attending an Oregon school must provide proof of adequate immunizations. Parents are required to provide dates, including month and year, for all immunizations. If you anticipate having difficulty in complying with the immunization law or have difficulty providing appropriate dates, you may wish to contact your physician or the Washington County Health Department (503.646-8881).
 

Sickness

A sick child needs to be at home to protect the child and to prevent exposing other students to illness. A child needs to be free of fever for 24 hours before returning to school. Children who are not feeling well have a difficult time concentrating and therefore do not benefit from the instruction they receive during that time.

If a child is ill with a communicable disease, a report from a doctor or health department is necessary for re-admittance to school. If you suspect your child has a communicable disease, please notify the office immediately.

If your child is ill for several days, you may contact your child’s teacher to request make-up work. 
 

Emergencies/Illness

If your child is injured or becomes ill while at school, every effort will be made to contact the parent, guardian or the designated caregiver. If the condition of the child becomes worse or is critical and we cannot reach any designated contacts for the child, 911 may be called for an evaluation of the student. The school will continue to make every effort to contact the parent or guardian. Having correct and up-to-date contact information will help us be expedient in the communication process. It is important that you notify the office of any changes you make to your emergency numbers or emergency contacts.
 

Sending a Child Home

For safety reasons, parents must come into the office to pick up their children and sign them out when leaving early for illness or appointments. Students will not be allowed to wait outside for their parents/guardians.
 

School Nurse

A District school nurse is available on call. Our nurse manages health plans and provides support to students and families.
 

Health Issues

If your child has a health problem or condition that needs to have school considerations, please contact the school office.
 

Health and Vision Screening

All students in grades K-5 will have their vision screened. Additionally, all students in grade 2 will have their hearing screened.  Parents will be notified if the screening indicates further testing is needed.
 

Restricted Activity at School

If a student is well enough to come to school, s/he is expected to participate in all regular daily activities, including recess. If a student is physically healthy but has an injury, condition, or disability that will prevent full participation in daily activities, a doctor’s written directions stating the child’s situation and also the degree of allowable activity inside and outside the building will be honored.
 

Additional Notes Regarding Health Information and Attendance

Success in school depends in part upon your child’s physical health, well-being and maintaining regular attendance. Your child must be “school ready” when s/he comes to school: physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

You can help by ensuring that your child:

• has periodic health, dental, and vision checks
• gets adequate sleep each school night
• maintains a proper diet and starts each day with a good breakfast
• has been taught personal hygiene, especially thorough hand washing
• is monitored in regard to use of technology and social media

The goal is always to have your child in school each and every day, but when they’re sick, staying home is the best decision.

 

Visitors

To ensure the safety and well-being of all Cooper Mountain students, we need to know who is in the building at all times. All visitors and volunteers need to check in at the school office and obtain a name badge to be visibly worn during your visit to the school.

School volunteers and classroom visitors are required to complete a BSD background check and receive District approval to visit any area within the school. A brief and confidential form is available on the BSD Volunteer Page.

You may complete this on your home computer or you may come to the school office and use one of our computers. The approval process may take a few days (or up to a few weeks at the beginning of the school year) so you are encouraged to complete this form as soon as possible. School volunteers, please use the computer check in system in the front office and wear your badge or sticker whenever you are in the school.

Without a background check, an adult may not chaperone any school events where children are present. We are only provided with a list of adults that have cleared the background check; if an adult’s name is not on the list, we cannot allow them access to volunteer or field trip opportunities.

Student Safety

For the safety of your child, s/he should know:

• the first and last names of parents/guardians
• parent phone numbers
• their home address
• what to do if no one is home after school
• not to accept rides with strangers nor talk to strangers
• not to accept food or gifts from strangers
• not to play with animals that are not your own family pets
• what to do between school (getting off the bus or walking) and home

At Cooper Mountain we have high expectations for behavior. We empower students to behave safely, respectfully, responsibly and kindly. We instruct students in appropriate behaviors and actions in every area of the school grounds during the first weeks of school. We have expectations for hallways, classrooms, special instruction spaces like the gym, the music room, the library, the makerspace, the restrooms, the cafeteria and the playground. We believe that a positive, preventive and predictable school environment:

• is emotionally and physically safe
• is healthier and more caring
• enhances learning and teaching outcomes
• can provide a continuum of behavioral support for all children
• is achievable and sustainable.

Our entire learning community has responsibilities for creating a safe, respectful, responsible and kind learning environment:

Families may help their children understand the importance of learning and partner with school staff to help children meet learning expectations. Families model and follow school rules when on school property.

Staff provide quality instruction that inspires, teaches, motivates, and challenges children to meet and exceed learning expectations. Staff notice and affirm efforts toward safe, respectful, and responsible behavior of students.

Cooper Mountain Behavior Expectations

• We are Safe: Be free from harm of any kind (physical or emotional).
• We are Respectful: Be polite, cooperative, and kind to yourself and others.
• We are Responsible: Be trustworthy and dependable at all times.
• We are Kind: Treat others how you want to be treated.

---

WE are safe

• Keep hands, feet, and objects to self.
• Move safely.
• Use materials and equipment appropriately and for their intended use.
• Report unidentified visitors.
• Get adult help if needed.

we are respectful

• Use kind words and actions.
• Be polite and helpful.
• Respect others’ space and property.
• Be honest.

we are responsible

• Follow directions.
• Be prepared.
• Be on time.
• Keep the school building and grounds clean.
• Use problem solving skills.

WE ARE KIND

• Treat others how you want to be treated.

---

Student Discipline

Cooper Mountain staff members teach and reinforce school rules throughout the school year. When a student struggles to follow school rules after appropriate instruction and intervention, the student will meet with the counselor, Student Success Coach or principal. At Cooper Mountain we believe in discipline as a teaching tool whenever possible. The principal, counselor, Student Success Coach and teacher will make every effort to coach the student in their misunderstanding and to help the student make things right if harm has been done to another person or school property. If a child fails to respond to the coaching and problem solving with the principal and/or teacher, we will follow the guidelines and consequences found in the Beaverton School District Student and Family Handbook.
 

Student Property Guidelines

We ask that students only bring items to school that directly relate to schoolwork. Personal possessions, valuables – including money and toys - should remain at home so they will not disrupt learning or get lost, damaged, or stolen. This includes personal sports equipment and electronics. While exceptions may be made with teacher permission for activities such as sharing, it is strongly recommended that items other than toys or valuables be chosen for these special occasions.  If a student distracts him/herself or others with personal objects, they may be taken and kept in the office until the parent retrieves them. In addition, any of these items will be confiscated: cap guns, water guns, knives or pocketknives (anything that could serve as a knife like a sharp stick). Any toys resembling weapons are never to be brought to school. More detailed information is located in the Beaverton School District Student and Family Handbook on the BSD website. Cooper Mountain is not responsible for lost or damaged personal items.
 

Student Dress

For PE class, students should wear athletic shoes without black soles. If dresses are worn, shorts or pants should be worn under the dress for PE class. Teachers will communicate what days your child will have PE.

We ask parents to consider the appropriateness of words/phrases and designs on clothing before allowing children to wear them to school. Students are not allowed to wear clothing that communicates profanity, violence, gang affiliation, disrespect for people, drug or alcohol use or any form of substance abuse. This is in alignment with school district policy as found in the Beaverton School District Student and Family Handbook. 
 

Jackets, Coats, Sweatshirts

All personal property should be labeled with the student’s name for easy identification. Volunteers responsible for the Lost & Found look for students’ names and make an effort to return these lost items to their owners. Please be sure to label lunch boxes/bags as well. Items in our Lost & Found that are not recovered will be donated to the Beaverton School District Clothes 4 Kids.

 

Fire, Earthquake, Lockout, and Lockdown Drills

Fire Drills: Your child’s safety is our number one priority. Cooper Mountain School conducts a monthly fire drill and all students receive instruction regarding the drill and evacuation of the building prior to the first event. At the beginning of the year, we notify students ahead of time so that we can teach appropriate safe behaviors. If an adult happens to be in the building during a fire drill, they are to follow the same procedures as staff and students. 

Earthquake Drills: At least twice yearly, we conduct a planned earthquake drill wherein students and staff, Drop, Cover, and Hold before evacuating the building.

Secure Drills: During a secure drill, students remain inside the building, modular, or portable building, and learning continues. No student or staff member is allowed outside during this time. No student, staff member, visitor or volunteer is allowed outside or inside (if for example, just arriving) during this time. 

A Secure is announced when a potentially threatening situation is happening off school grounds in the surrounding neighborhood or area. The school and our law enforcement agencies want to prevent any danger from entering the school by keeping all students inside and by locking all exterior doors. The Beaverton School District posts the information as a banner on their website.

Lockdown Drills: During a Lockdown drill, students move to a corner of the classroom with their teacher and remain silent. All teaching stops, as we want to be able to communicate clearly and safely with students should they need to take action. During a Lockdown drill outside, students freeze at the double whistle, look to the supervising staff member, and then move to a corner of the playground in preparation to exit the grounds upon the staff member’s signal. We practice a Lockdown drill at least twice yearly.

A Lockdown is a response to an incident inside the school building that presents itself as a threat to students and staff. To reduce exposure to the threat, movement within the building is minimized, students take shelter in the nearest classroom space, and all interior and exterior doors are closed and locked. When a school is in lockout or lockdown, no one is admitted inside the building. The Beaverton School District will post the information as a banner on their website. Real life lockouts are often initiated by law enforcement. 

School Closure Information – District Wide

Cooper Mountain School follows district protocols and directions when we experience inclement weather. The school district determines all closures.

When school closures and delayed openings impact the entire School District, they are announced via multiple media sources beginning at 5:30 am. You can find the information on the district’s website, on the radio, and on television stations. It will not be posted on Cooper Mountain’s website. If you do not hear any reports of closure on any of the above sources, schools are open and on time.
 

Early School Closure Due to Inclement Weather

There may be times when Beaverton schools close early due to inclement weather. When weather is threatening and you suspect a closure, please check the radio, district website, or television stations. We will not call parents, and we will follow the emergency dismissal plan that you provided us at the beginning of the school year. PLEASE make sure you and your child know the emergency plan that you gave us. Please call the office with any changes or questions you may have about the emergency closure plan.

We will relay information through Parent Square as allowed and directed by the Beaverton School District. You will receive information about the early release as well as if buses are on Snow Routes.
 

Early School Closure – Know Your Emergency Plan

Please make sure you know what your emergency closure plan is – this is what we must follow on a day when school closes early.

Bus 333 and 334 will run as usual. We will follow our typical procedure. Make sure your child has a way to get into your house if school closes early.

Students who normally dismiss to day care buses will follow their normal procedure unless you have indicated differently in the Emergency Closure plan.

Students who normally walk home will follow their normal procedure unless you have indicated differently in the Emergency Closure plan.

If you pick your child up in a car, or walk to school to meet your child, we will follow the normal procedure unless you have indicated differently in the Emergency Closure plan. 
 

Delayed Opening

On a delayed opening schedule, school will open exactly two hours later than usual. We will open the doors at 10:20, and students need to be in their classrooms at 10:30. There is no morning breakfast service on a delayed opening day. 

When Buses Are on Snow Routes

It is a parent’s responsibility to know what Snow Routes mean for your child.  

At Cooper Mountain, when buses are on snow routes in the morning, our parking lot is closed. This is unique in the school district. On a morning when Snow Routes are called, cars and school buses may not enter the parking lot as it can quickly become hazardous. We will provide a team of staff members to meet your child at the curb on 170th avenue – northbound, directly in front of the entrance to the parking lot. The child will exit your car and walk up the sidewalk to enter the building. School buses will stop on 170th avenue, facing north, and the team of staff members will make sure students walk up the sidewalk to enter the building safely.  All cars need to approach the school heading north on 170th. Please plan your route accordingly on a Snow Route day.
 

Snow Route Days – Dismissal

There may be cancelled bus routes on a Snow Route day. As of this publishing on 8/16/23 the 23-24 snow routes have not been published.  Parents are responsible to arrange transportation for their child and to inform the office if there is a change to the going home plan. Please do this as early in the day as you can.

The bus will have limited stops, daycare buses, and walking home procedures will remain the same.

If the parking lot is safe, parents may enter the lot (cautiously) for pick up. If it is not safe, you may need to park on a side street and walk to the school to pick up your child. If at all possible, walk rather than drive. A notification will be sent prior to pickup to inform you.

Note: If you are sending another adult to pick up your child on a Snow Route day, please notify the office in the morning. Please provide the adult’s name and phone number so that we can follow up if necessary. Please notify the adult that we will ask to see identification if we do not know them.

 

Building Evacuation/Student and Parent Reunification

In the event we must evacuate the building and are unable to re-enter the building due to safety concerns, our first reunification location is the field behind the school. In the event we must evacuate the building and are unable to remain on our school property, our reunification location will be the Plaid Pantry parking lot located at 16300 SW Hart Rd, Beaverton, OR 97007.  This Plaid Pantry parking lot would be our staging area as we await further directions from the school district and/or police department. Depending on the emergency, this may not be our final location for parent pick up and reunification with your child. These details would be sent to you via Parent Square by our Public Safety Office and our Community Involvement Office. We will be sure to take extra special care of children during this transition and reunification process. Please know that your child will always be our number one concern in the event of a crisis. If we ever experience an emergency crisis, please allow us to exercise our safety plan and we promise to communicate with you as we are able.

 

The Beaverton School District follows a semester reporting system. Report cards are issued electronically twice a year, in February and in June. Parents can view report cards in ParentVue a few days after the end of the semester. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend parent/teacher conferences in November and in April. Interpreters will be provided for parents who request this service. Between grading periods and conference times, parents are encouraged to communicate with teachers as questions or concerns arise.

Homework

At Cooper Mountain, we believe that homework serves as a time to practice and reflect on learning done during the day. Students who learn to study at home develop organizational and work habits, which can help throughout a lifetime. Children who develop effective homework habits experience more success in school. Homework also serves as a catalyst for conversation between parent and child. The most common forms of homework at Cooper Mountain are reading and math practice. 

Homework is typically one of the following types of assignments:

• Practice – the skill was taught in class and now the student practices the skill independently.
• Preparation – the student may be asked to think before a learning experience
• Extension – the student uses a skill in a new way
• Creation - the student creates a product that applies skills and concepts taught

Children may experience more homework if they have been late, absent, or if they are unable to finish the work during the school day.

Students Forgetting Homework

Teachers supply time and instruction for packing up at the end of the day and for making sure homework is in the backpack. If a child forgets to take their homework with them, they will likely need to wait until the next day. Please don’t ask to come back to school and get it – we are trying to teach accountability and organization in children. It is better to learn these lessons in grades K-5 than to still struggle in high school or college. 

Suggestions for Parents Regarding Homework:

• Provide a quiet, well-lit, comfortable place for the student to do homework.
• Help the student budget his or her time so that a regular schedule for study is set.
• Take an active interest in what your child is doing in school. Ask your child to explain a particular assignment and tell what is being learned by doing it. Compliment good effort, focus, and when you see improvement. A positive attitude by parents will encourage students to do their best.
• Provide your child adequate sleep, proper diet, exercise and periodic medical appointments.
• Be available to encourage, help, and guide your child, but do not do the work for him/her.
• Consult with your child’s teacher if you have concerns.

Students Out of School

When parents choose to take their child out of school for extended periods, they assume all responsibility for their child’s education during their absence. Student who is absent for 10+ consecutive days will be withdrawn and lose access to all BSD apps. 

Teachers are not expected nor required to provide homework for families who elect to miss part of the school year. The majority of learning in elementary school occurs as the result of the teacher’s instruction and the learning activities that occur within the classroom: discussions, questions, practice, and student collaboration.

 

All community members are welcome to use the grounds when school is not in session. During regular school hours, the school and our students have priority use of the fields and playground equipment, and community members are not allowed on the premises. We share the use of our grounds with the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District and they use our fields and gym much of the year.

Please remember: The school grounds are not supervised before 8:20 or after 3:05, and students may not be on school property before or after school without adult supervision. Please do not let your children remain after school unless you or an adult guardian are there to supervise them. Additionally, the school grounds are closed to the public from 8:00-3:05.

Playground Expectations

We are Safe:

• Students resolve problems with words.
• Students will follow all playground rules taught and retaught through the year.
• Students only run on the field and jog slowly and safely while on the bark chip or blacktop area.
• There is no tackling or rough play on the playground.
• Students will stay within sight of the supervisors.
• Students will not bring food or drink to the playground except during special, pre-planned events like the Cougar Run.
• Students will remain under cover when instructed by the supervisors.

We are Respectful:

• Students will follow all playground rules taught to them throughout the year.
• When the whistle is blown once, students will freeze and wait for instructions. When the whistle is blown twice, students will quickly move to return playground equipment and then line up.
• Students will follow the directions of the staff member on duty. 
• Students will respect others and all playground equipment. Students will use the equipment for its intended purpose.
• Students will cooperate with others.
• Students will share all equipment and take turns on the equipment.
• When playing a game, the next person in line is the judge. Students will abide by the judge’s decision.

We are Responsible:

• Students will contact the staff member on duty when concerned about something or someone.
• Bullying type behavior will not be tolerated. 
• Students will take care of equipment and return all equipment carefully.

WE ARE KIND:

• We treat others how we want to be treated.
• We help each other.

Personal Property on the Playground

The school provides students with sports equipment to use during recess and PE. Some grade levels will allow sports equipment to be brought from home for use during recesses that their teachers are supervising, and the equipment is expected to be shared with other students. Please note that we are not responsible for damage or loss to personal property.

 

Nutrition Services

Nutrition Services information is easy to access,, and we have lots of cool information to share! You can go to SchoolCafe, and see all the things that you can do!

All you need is your student's ID  number. If you don't have that, you can call your school office or the Meal Benefits line (503-356-3957). Here are some of your options in Schoolcafe:

1. Create and account.
2. Apply for Meal Benefits.
3. View and price Meal Benefits letters.
4. See what items your student is getting in the cafeteria.
5. Check you student's account balance.
6. View cafeteria menus.
7. Set up low balance alerts.
8. Set up auto-pay (when balance gets to an amount that YOU set, the account is replenished from your credit card).

SchoolCafe can provide amazing amounts of information!

If you do not have access to a computer, you can also apply for Meal Benefits on paper. Applications are available in every school office and cafeteria.

If you have any questions or need help, please call Laurie Bishop at Meal Benefits (503) 356-3957.

Meals and Nutrition

Nutritious breakfasts and lunches are available for all students to purchase each day. In addition, individual components of the meal, e.g. milk, entrees, or salad bar items are sold separately. New USDA guidelines now require that students choose a ½ cup fruit or vegetable as part of their school lunch. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables is available each day for students.

Menu

Breakfast and lunch menus for the current month are posted on the Nutrition Services webpage.
 

Meal Prices

The prices for the 2023-2024 school year will be available online.

Free & Reduced-Price Meal Benefits

If a family is experiencing financial need, then parents may complete an application for free or reduced-price meals for all students in their family. Meal benefits applications and instructions are available on-line and a paper copy will be available in the school office, the cafeteria, or from the Nutrition Services Meal Benefits office. The application process and each student’s meal benefit status are completely confidential.

Families may apply for meal benefits at any time throughout the school year, even up to the last day of school. However, a new application is required for each school year. For more information please contact the office or district office. *Please note: students on Free and Reduced Meal Benefits must take a complete meal for the meal to be free. If they choose only a component of a meal, for example just a milk, we must charge the account.
 

Student Meal Accounts

Each student is assigned their own individual meal account which they can access using a Personal Identification Number, (PIN). The meal account is a debit account, so students eligible for full and reduced-price meals must deposit money into their account before they can purchase meals. Parents may deposit money into their student’s account by any of the following methods:

Sending cash or a check made out to the school cafeteria. When making a payment, please indicate your student’s first and last name along with their PIN, on the memo line of the check, or insert cash in an envelope with your student’s first and last name and PIN on the outside. It’s best to deliver the payments directly to Nutrition Services staff in the cafeteria so that the payments can be applied before the next meal. 

Making payments either online or by a toll-free number. Parents can register and log onto SchoolCafe to deposit funds with a nominal fee. They can also monitor account balances and set-up low-balance emails at no charge on-line or via the toll-free number. More information is available on the Nutrition Services webpage, or by calling 503.356.3955.

When account balances get low, e-mail and/or phone messages will be sent to parents/guardians. Please see the information above regarding easy ways to track your student’s meal balance.

When your student graduates to the next grade level or transfers to another school within BSD, their account balance will transfer with them.
 

Meal Etiquette

Health department regulations stipulate that students should wash their hands before eating and are not allowed to share any portion of their meals.

At Cooper Mountain we expect students to:

• Walk quickly and quietly into the cafeteria.
• Use the 20-minute lunch time for eating and relaxing.
• Sit at a table designated for their class or grade.
• Treat all staff and students respectfully.
• Speak in a quiet and conversational tone – no louder.
• Stay in the seat they chose first unless moved by the adult in charge.
• Never share their food with others.
• Take what they will eat and eat what they take.
• Raise their hand if they need assistance.
• Pick up after themselves.
• Help wash tables when it is their turn.
• Line up quickly and quietly when dismissed by the staff member in charge.
• Remain quiet on the ramp outside of the cafeteria while they wait to be escorted outside for recess.
   

Nut Free Table

At Cooper Mountain, we want all of our students to experience lunch in a safe environment. In order to ensure the safety of our students with nut allergies, a nut free table is provided.
 

Lunch Guests

Parents/guardians may eat lunch with their child at school on occasion with a completed background check. If you are coming for lunch, please check in with the office upon arrival. We request that you follow our school guidelines if you are in the cafeteria with students: cell phones away, exit at the end of the 20 minutes. We do not allow birthday celebrations that include balloons or other decorations in the cafeteria. You are welcome to bring your child a special lunch!

Birthday Celebrations at School

In order to maximize instructional time, individual birthday celebrations at school are not allowed. Food items, balloons, or flower arrangements are not to be delivered to school. Do not bring food to the classroom to share. If items are delivered to school, they will remain in the office until the end of the school day. Students cannot bring these items home with them on the bus, so you will be called to come and get them. Please save your birthday celebrations for after school.

Invitations to private parties are not to be distributed at school. Classmate contact information can be accessed in the PTO Student Directory that is distributed through Parent Square in the fall.

Classroom Parties

Our PTO will plan and prepare classroom parties for students three times during the year:

• A Winter Party in December
• A Friendship Day Party in February
• An End of Year Party in June.

If you prefer that your child not participate in classroom parties, please communicate with the classroom teacher. Home prepared treats for students may not be shared during the parties.
 

Classroom Snacks

Classroom teachers may allow students to bring snacks to school to eat either before or after lunch. Snacks need to follow the district’s healthy food policy. Some classrooms may ask that you do not bring foods that contain peanuts or nut products due to students with allergies. We ask that you respect this request as we want all of our students to be safe during the school day.

Letters and notes of thanks and gratitude are always appreciated! If you wish to provide a staff member with a gift, please abide by our Oregon ethics laws:  Your gift or accumulation of gifts over the school year should not exceed a total value of fifty dollars for any one individual staff member. 

 

Art Literacy

Art appreciation and history are taught by trained parent volunteers. In addition to history, children experiment with art media and techniques used by the artist they are studying. This program is funded and run by our PTO. If you are interested in helping out with this program, please contact the PTO.

Child Care

While we do not endorse or promote any child care facility, we have a list of area resources available in our front office. Several daycares provide transportation to and from Cooper Mountain. Our on-site educational day care provider is Champions, and they are available before and after school. They are not connected to the Beaverton School District, and they may have a waiting list. 

Counselor

The school counselor is an integral part of our staff and works with all Cooper Mountain students and teachers. The counselor teaches guidance lessons in every classroom, meets with individual students who would benefit from extra support, and provides small group instruction for students with specific social-emotional needs, for example, friendships. The counselor works closely with classroom teachers and the principal to support all students and their families. Parents may contact the counselor to share concerns or wishes for their child as well as to gather information about other resources that may be available to them.  The counselor also manages 504 plans for students. The school counselor does not provide individual or family therapy. 
 

Health Room

We have a health room in our front office that is monitored by the office staff. If your child feels unwell, and a staff member believes a student would benefit from a visit to the health room, the child will be given permission to come and be checked by the office staff. In many circumstances, a student may be well enough to return to class after a short respite in the health room. If it is determined that the students is unwell and will not be able to focus on learning, the office will contact the parent to come and pick up the student.
 

Library

The school library is an integral part of the total educational program. The focus is to encourage the pursuit of knowledge and love of reading through a variety of diverse instructional processes. All students receive Library instruction time once during our six-day rotation.  The library shares and implements the school’s objectives with emphasis on the learner developing ideas and concepts. In addition to classes in library skills and literature, the media center provides a wide range of resources to promote learning. Students and their families are responsible for all materials they use. If a book is lost, families are responsible to pay for the replacement item. Please return all materials checked out in a timely manner.
 

Lost and Found

Our Lost and Found is located along the entrance hallway outside the gym and across from the main office. It is always available to you to search for your child’s lost items. Our Lost and Found is almost always full. Please label your child’s outerwear and lunch boxes and we will try to return items to your child. Articles left at school will be periodically donated to the Beaverton School District Clothes Closet. 

Makerspace

All students receive once during our six-day specials rotation. Makerspace is an opportunity to explore and create through a variety of different mediums. 

Music

All students receive music instruction through the general music program. The music specialist meets with all classes twice during our six-day specials rotation. Curriculum includes singing, instrumental instruction, notation, music appreciation, music as part of history, music across cultures, music as a performing art, and music as creative expression. 
 

Physical Education

All students receive PE instruction twice during our six-day specials rotation. In addition to teaching physical education standards, the PE specialists promote wellness, fitness, general good health, physical safety, sports instruction, aerobic exercise, individual exercise goals, teamwork and effort. All students should have the proper footwear. 

Special Education Team

Cooper Mountain has a group of highly trained specialists that provide supports for students on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). The team is comprised of a learning specialist, a speech-language pathologist, a school psychologist. The team works closely with classroom teachers to determine eligibility for special education services.
 

Student Leadership - 9/19 Info is coming!

 

Talented and Gifted Program (TAG)

In accordance with the Oregon TAG law, services are provided by the classroom teacher for students who qualify in the areas of reading, math, and/or intellectual ability. Eligibility is determined on a case study approach using eligibility criteria and testing information. Teachers and/or parents recommend students for the program and the school’s TAG Identification Committee makes the final decision for identification based on test scores and potential to perform.

Once identified, educational needs of academically talented and intellectually gifted students are then met in the classroom by the classroom teacher at the child’s appropriate rate and level. A TAG planning worksheet is used to help facilitate communication between school and home about an identified student’s individual needs. 

A classroom teacher serves at each school site as the school’s TAG facilitator. Parents are invited to contact Cooper Mountain’s TAG facilitator for additional information regarding identification and services.