We are looking forward to the 2012-2013 school year! Tom McCall made many changes last year including master schedule and team structures. We will continue with our Oregon River teams this year which include three fifth grade classrooms and three sixth grade classrooms in each cadre. We do have two teams that will have four classrooms in each, as we are adjusting to budget reductions.

We are proud to continue our programs and services that help to meet the needs of all of our students. Some of these programs include Two-Way Immersion, school-wide language development, Title I, High School Algebra, Special Education, Talented and Gifted, and many after school clubs that engage and extend the learning opportunities. In addition, Tom McCall staff will be learning more about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education in order to provide our students with the skills and critical thinking that will prepare them for college and career. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions about any of these services. 

As many of you know, we are held accountable for achievement through the measures of State Assessments. I am proud to share that due to our achievements in English Language Development and Literacy, Tom McCall has been nominated by U.S. Department of Education for a Promising Programs award. Only 20 districts in the nation were considered for this award, and only four schools in the state of Oregon received the award. We are proud of our staff and students for their accomplishments!

In addition to rigorous academic opportunity, your child will have a variety of extended day activities to choose from. We know the importance of connecting students with adults and peers in school. Therefore, many of our teachers volunteer their own time to provide a variety of clubs. Band, Orchestra, Ballet Folklorico, Yearbook, Art History, Knitting, Origami, Chess, Dance Team, Gardening, Drama, Film, Roots & Shoots, and Adelante Chicas are just a few examples from the past. We know that the more involved and connected students are to school and positive adults, the more successful they will be.

Please note that start times for many of our schools in the district have changed. You can see the schedule for all the schools on the Forest Grove Website. Tom McCall will begin school at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Due to Continuous Improvement Time, we will begin at 9:00.a.m. on Wednesdays. You may drop off your student starting at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. You may drop off your student starting at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. Dismissal will be at 2:15 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Lastly, I would like to invite you to visit Tom McCall any time. This is YOUR school, and we need your partnership to make the school year a success. Please ask your child for flyers or letters throughout the school year as this is how we will advertise our parent meetings and events.

Sincerely,

Chandra Cooper