Principal's Message

August 2019

Dear Cedar Park Students and Families,

Hello. I hope you’ve had a relaxing and rejuvenating summer. I am excited to be starting a new school year and my third year as Principal of Cedar Park Middle School. I look forward to meeting all our new families and seeing our returning families at the many school events throughout the year, including our Back to School Night on September 19, 2019.

Students, schools and the entire educational system are more successful when we work as a team. I look forward to partnering with parents and families to help all our students find their passions and be excited about their learning. To support that growing partnership, I invite you all to get involved with our Parent Teacher Council (PTC) this year. We have a great group of parent leaders that are dedicated to listening to your needs and ideas. We are engaged together to make Cedar Park a welcoming, inclusive place for all parents and families. We are also focused on offering more volunteer opportunities so that more parents can connect with the school. The meetings are scheduled for the 3rd Monday of the month, and we meet in the Cedar Park library. The PTC publishes a monthly newsletter that will include upcoming volunteer dates, so please consider giving your time.

One of our school goals this year is to improve our school culture, especially student culture. Cedar Park is a wonderful school with a long, rich tradition of academic excellence and high expectations. Our data (qualitative and quantitative) tells us that the student culture has shifted a bit. We need to revisit what it means to have PACK PRIDE and be responsible, global citizens. In an effort to address this need and improve student school culture, we will be implementing/enhancing the following programs/approaches:

● a 40 minute weekly advisory course with dedicated, focused school culture lessons each week

● revamped Principal Advisory Committee

● increased student participation on Student Leadership group and opportunities for community service

● clear expectations for hallway, cafeteria and bus behavior

● revamped and increased recognition for positive student behavior (PBIS Program)

● increased student supervision and support in the halls and throughout the campus

● an added campus supervisor to build relationships with students and model behavior

Advisory teachers will have the same students (7th & 8th grade) they had last year - this will allow a continued opportunity to connect with an adult they know.

Finally, I hope you will engage with us on social media and follow all the wonderful things going on at school each day. You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @DrShanAnderson; you can follow our school sites @CedarParkBSD. I hope you enjoy following the journey, and feel free to share and tag your moments with #cedarparkpride.

School-to-Home Communication

We will primarily use a digital platform to communicate school-wide information with families this year. Information, including monthly newsletters and special events, will be delivered via email. It is important that you notify the office if you change your email address.

PE Shirts:

We will continue to ask all students to wear PE shirts this year. If your student needs a new shirt, it can be purchased at Wolf Day on August 22, 2019.  If you cannot attend that day, it can be purchased before/after school or during lunches at the student store. Shirts are $20 each. Please let us know if you need support purchasing your child’s shirt.

Enrollment Verification:

BSD parents and guardians now have the ability to verify their child(ren)'s enrollment information through the Online Registration system or ParentVUE. Verification of enrollments can now be completed online each year, which will help the district and school save money and resources. Computer kiosks will be available for use at Wolf Day on August 16th.

Student/Family Handbook Review: 

The Formal Acknowledgement of Student & Family Handbook Review is part of the enrollment verification process. After reviewing the Student/Family Handbook (SFH), within the online enrollment verification process, you may check that you and your child have read the handbook.

Accessing ParentVUE/Online Registration: 

BSD parents/guardians can log on to their ParentVUE account and click on Messages to access the verification screens. Parent/guardians who need to create their ParentVUE account will need to obtain an activation key code by contacting the school. For an overview of the online enrollment verification process visit the How To page.

Parent Conferences:

We are extremely excited to offer two parent conference sessions this school year. October 16 & 17, 2019  (invitation only) February 27-28, 2019 (all students may register)

Partnering with parents is a priority for us, and we understand it’s direct connection to student success. Please watch for information as the dates near that will explain how to register for a conference time.

New Staff:

We are fortunate to welcome the following talented additions to our Cedar Park Team:

Jim Gent, Choir

Emilie Krutzik Math

Daniel Duitsman, Math

Tiffany Lace, Math

Riley O'Connor, PE 

Melissa Gregorich, Special Ed.

Michelle Ross, Technology

Katherine Watkins, Humanities

Asha Whittle, Art

Math, Amber Arizpe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I look forward to a great 2018-2019 school year. Shannon Anderson, Ed.D

Dear Cedar Park Families:

I am happy to be a member of the Cedar Park family! I have had the pleasure of working at several middle schools (Whitford, Conestoga, Highland Park, Stoller, Cedar Park) and elementary schools (Scholls Heights, Raleigh Hills, McKay) in Beaverton as an administrator, counselor, and student teacher.  While I enjoyed my time in elementary schools, I wished to return to the middle level and was excited to make this change in 2016.  The middle school years can be challenging, exciting, and heart-breaking… all within a moment’s time.  The enthusiasm with which middle school students do… let’s face it… EVERYTHING… is an insight into their inner lives.  They need the adults in their lives to support them, to love them, to guide them, and ensure they have every academic and social/emotional opportunity for growth that will help them on their path to being an independent and successful young adult in just a few short years. I enjoyed seeing my own child thrive in the Beaverton School District (William Walker, Five Oaks, Sunset), and wholeheartedly believe in the mission and vision of the district. I am honored and thrilled to be at Cedar Park. Our academic programs and staff are here to support EVERY student, and I stand ready to work with you as a partner in your child’s education.

If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call.  It takes a village to raise each child, and we are all members of the same village.

 

Sincerely,

Megan Clifford​

Assistant Principal