May 2012Volume 10, Issue 8

Helen Baller Elementary 1954 NE Garfield Street; Camas, Washington 98607-1143Pnone: (360)833-5720 Fax (360)833-5721 Website: schools.camas.wednet.edu/helenballer/

Baller Bear NewsDear Helen Baller Families,

Hopefully you all enjoyed your Spring Break. My family vacationed in Phoenix, Arizona. It was nice to see the sun and experience temperatures that were warmer than sixty degrees on a regular basis. We swam a lot and went to a couple Spring Training baseball games. Now I am way behind on yard work!

We are currently taking the MSP test. The Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) is the state’s exam for students in grades 3-8. The testing window for paper and pencil is from April 25th to May 17th. The fifth graders will be taking the on-line reading assessment starting on May 14th and ending on May 22nd. Please avoid any vacations or doctor’s appointments if possible. If a student misses a test they can make it up within the testing window. Please make sure your child/children get a good night of sleep and eat a balanced breakfast. If you have questions about the MSP, please let me know.

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. Student Input Forms will be available Monday, May 7th. We appreciate the thoughtful information you submit regarding your child. Please return your form to the office by Tuesday, May 31st. More information will be coming soon!

Friday, May 18th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. we will have our first Family Spring Dance and silent auction.  We will have an awesome DJ with great music and lots of door prizes.  Admission is free, but we are collecting a canned food donation for our local food bank. A variety of drinks and goodies will be available for purchase. There will be a silent auction with great items including a limo ride, family day trips and activities.   This is going to be a really fun night so we hope to see you there. Thanks to Mrs. Harlan for organizing the event!Wow, that seems like a ton of things going on! 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 .

Enjoy the month of May!Aaron Parman,Principal

Baller BearCalendar of Events

PTA Information:

PTA Website:www.helenballerpta.org

PTA President: Kathi Hansenpresident@helenballerpta.org

Spiritwear: Diana SterleHelenballerspiritwear@comcast.net

Newsletter: SueAnn MurphyHelenballer.newsletter@gmail.com

Your time is a gift...Thank you forVolunteering!

How do I sign up? Check outSignupgenius.com

And enter hbpta@yahoo.comTo see a wide variety of ways

That you can help!

Introducing Helen Baller's 2012-2013PTA Board Members:

President: Cheryl Johmson Vice President: Open Secretary: Monica Walbruch Treasurer: Kim Newell Fundraising: David VanCleve

The Helen Baller Health Room Says THANK YOU! “ ”

Your clothing donations Are well appreciated!

Angela Bourquin

Health Room Assistant (360) 833-5720

A Message From Camas Community Education:

Are you ready for a change of seasons? It's time to look ahead to summer and all it has to offer. In addition to enjoying the warmer weather, you can plan some fun, enriching, and affordable learning opportunities for your children. Whether your children need a little extra help in reading, writing, or math, or simply a fun way to expand their knowledge and creativity, Camas Community Education provides a wide variety of activities from which to choose. The Camas Community Education Spring/Summer 2012 Brochure is now available at www.camascommunityed.org. Register today and Enrich Your Life with a Community Ed class or summer camp!

April 25-May 17 – MSP testing for 3rd through 5th GradeApril 30-May 4 – Teacher Appreciation Week May 8 - PTA Planning Meeting for 2012-2013 school year

9:30-1pmMay 11 – PTA Board meeting, 2-3pmMay 14-22 – MSP Reading test for 5th gradeMay 16 – Helen Baller Kindergarten OrientationMay 18 – Birthday TableMay 18 – Family Spring Dance, 6-8pm

DJ, Silent Auction. Doors open at 5:30pm. May 25-28 – Memorial Day Holidays – No School

June 1 – Baller Fun RunJune 4 – Safety Patrol Picnic at Oaks ParkJune 6 – Mrs Wing's teams in the Junior Rose ParadeJune 7 – Helen Baller Barbeque June 8 - 5th Grade Track MeetJune 8 – Birthday TableJune 14 – Helen Baller Field DayJune 15 – PTA Board meeting, 2-3pmJune 15 – PTA General Membership Meeting 3-3:30pmJune 18 – 5th Grade Promotion CeremonyJune 20 – Last Day of School

Baller Birthday Table:

Learn the facts about Washington’s 529 Prepaid Tuition Program –

The Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET ) Program.

Bring your questions for a time of information, discussion, and Q&A. This session will also include resources for making college savings fit into your budget with GET and other options! This program is being sponsored by the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program. Date: Tuesday, May 8Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.Place: Zellerbach Administration Center, Conference Room F Karen RudolfCamas Community Education CoordinatorCamas School District841 NE 22nd AvenueCamas, WA 98607 (360) 833-5548 (360) 833-5544 www.camascommunityed.org

FAMILY SPRING DANCE!

Friday, May 18th, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30!

Come watch Mr. Parman do the Polka!!! Get ready to do the Macarena, Cha Cha Slide, the Limbo and more!!! The DJ will be sure to play many great dance hits!

Admission: FREE! Optional: Bring one can of food per family for our community food bank.

Available for purchase from Kidz with Ice: *drinks - $1.00

*cotton candy - $1.00 *hot dogs - $2.50 *pretzels - $2.00

*shaved ice - $1.00

The small silent auction has grown! Many amazing items have been donated. There will be a variety of great packages and themed-baskets to bid on. Here’s a glimpse of what to look forward to:

Gift Cards - Bellagio’s, The Rock, McMenamins, QFC, Puffin Café, Smokey’s Pizza, McGrath’s, Costco, Uncommon Gift, Twilight Pizza, and Cactus Ya Ya.

Family Fun Outings – Malibu Raceway, Bullwinkles, Clark County Fair, Mt. View Ice Arena, G6 Airpark, Source Climbing Center, Christian Youth Theater, Steak Burger Golf-O-Rama, Orchard Hills Golf and Country Club.

Services – P.A.W.S Sports Camps, 5 Star Limousine, Camas Computer Clinic, Bloom, Rushing Water Yoga and Sorelle Salon and Spa.

Day Trips – Mt. Hood Railroad, Portland Spirit, Maryhill Museum, Wildlife Safari, Wild Waves, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Door Prizes! Something for every student! Glow in the dark wristbands and necklaces! Gift cards to Rose’s Café, Top Burger, and Sonic Burger! Liberty Theater movie passes! Lots of other great prizes!

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Moms come join your son or daughter for lunch!

Students who have birthdays during the month of May will be celebrating at the Birthday Table on Friday, May 18th from 11:25am to 12:20pm. If you have a child who will be attending the birthday table, please feel free to join him/her during his/her lunch. The kids love to introduce their parents to their friends. Note: All health concerns and allergies are closely monitored and can be accommodated for your child to participate in the birthday table. If you have any questions, would like to volunteer your time or donate ice cream treats for the event, please contact Cheryl Johnson at 844.5797 or email her at birthdaytable@helenballerpta.org. You may also sign up at Signupgenius.com and enter hbpta@yahoo.com in the search.

Success Book Roll CallBelow 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!

Ebin Danley Aiden Baird Ava Eaton Maddie McArthur Violet Smiley Bella Burns Cyenna McCusker Anne Califf Rantin Reynolds Liam Turner Ethan Ouchi Logan Garza Kaden Steelman Laura Berson Isabelle Davidson Lukas Scharrelman Sierra Craft Clark Dinh Alan Geng Andrew Forrester Nicole Gilstrap Renae York Titus Sanders Kristian White Julius Sveen Caylen Danley Laila Markland Brig Griffin Autumn Sterle Laura Burton Payton Strickler Rylee Cook Alex Johnson Elizabeth Gillespie Paige Cody Sammy Geiger Bella Distante

Eddie Twyman Macynn Schmid Ella Shannon Tristen Mangenelli Courtland Anderson Deitrich Vu David Melton LaCee Myers Alex Holley Jackson Warnick Nate Baker Julia Marsh Yozen Fang Makenna Pasa Kennedy Keller Shakyah Boggs Travis Metzler Calvin Wight Gabriel Gramps Austin Ashcraft Syerrah Wilson Brooklyn Craft Kyla Englund Luc Utheza Alex Gilbertson Kai Cathcart Anna Walbruch Michaela Ephraim Martin Knysh Cassie Jones Alcyen Templer Mia Heinrichs James Podrez Moriah Ephraim Rhyan W. Chloe White Kayleigh Brough

Francesca Sosky Hayley Shaw Sydney Whisenhunt Aiden Baird Ben Floyd Violet Smiley Kyla Ralston Bella Burns Allyson stoller Sammy Geiger Grace Rush Jacob Gianan Anna Bedont Audrey Stewart Ian Brown Riley Robbins Lili Ford Brady Carrick Moriah Seal Marinah Vargo Ava Lyman Emily Elwell Tyler Vigil Conner Murphy Shian Wen Noah Dangerfield Elizabeth Gillespie

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District presents: Read to the Dogs.

Improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to a therapy dog. The dog-and-handler teams are registered volunteers with Delta Society's Pet Partners Program, sponsored by Dove Lewis. This program is designed for children ages 5-12. To register for a 25-minute session, please contact one of the libraries below.

Saturday, May 5, 4-6 pm 360-687-2322Battleground Community Library, 1207 SE 8th Way, in Battleground Village, Battleground, WA 98604

Wednesday, May 9, 3-5pm 360-906-5160Vancouver Community Library, 901 C Street, Vancouver, WA 98660

Saturday, May 12, 9-11am 360-892-8256Vancouver Mall Community Library, in the Mall Level 2 next to JC Penney, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Drive, Suite 285, Vancouver, WA 98662

Wednesday, May 16, 5-7pm 360-571-9696Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Road, Vancouver WA 98685

Tuesday, May 29, 6:30-8pm 360-687-2322Battleground Community Library, 1207 SE 8th Way, in Battleground Village, Battleground, WA 98604

A Message from Camas Roots Garden

A number of Helen Baller classes have scheduled walking field trips to the Camas Roots Garden this spring. We’ll be tasting a few things, looking for bugs and slugs, and doing a compost relay race. The more volunteers we have, the more hands-on we can be with our activities. If you would like to help us host a classroom visit, please let us know! No gardening experience is necessary. Contact Elisa Wells at or 833-0925 if you would like to help out when classes visit.

Also, be sure to look for the Camas Roots Garden booth in the Kid Zone at the Camas Mother’s Day Plant Fair, Saturday May 12 from 9-4 at Camas High School. We’ll be helping kids make recycled newspaper pots and plant seeds—a fun activity for all ages.

Picture caption: Students visiting the garden this month will be able to taste kale flowers (pictured), mint, lemon balm, chives, oregano, and rhubarb.

News for Kids and Parents:

Page Turner Book Discussion Groupfor 4th grade and up, and their parents! Borrow a special copy of the book from the library, you both read it, you both come to the meeting, and then you get to keep the book for free! Sign-up required. Snacks and an activity, too! The next book is When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, on Tuesday May 8th @ 7pm. Books are available for pick-up now! This will be the last Page Turners Book Discussion until September. September books will be available mid-August.

Children's Book Week is May 7th-13th!

Guess the book-in-a-jar at the library to win a prize!

Vote for your favorite children's book and illustrator online!

Superheroes and Comic Books Event: for kids in 1st-6th grade. Love superheroes and villians? Powers and capes? Iron Man and Wonder Woman? Kids, come participate in this SUPER program made just for you! Snacks, games, and fun activities! No sign-up necessary. Thursday May 10th at 4:00pm.

SNEAK PEEK: UPCOMING LIBRARY EVENTS FOR KIDS IN JUNE

The Summer Reading Program is June 16th - August 11th! Rewards for reading, free events, Summer Movies, and more!

Programs and events are sponsored in part by the Friends and Foundation of the Camas Library.

News from

Greetings!

The Camas Athletics Booster Club is proud to announce "Cinco de Casino,” our 2nd Annual Casino Night & Auction Fundraiser. Making a return engagement at Westlie Ford in Washougal on Saturday, May 5, the night will be filled with multiple opportunities to raise funds to support Camas School District’s athletic programs.

The Dickerson Family will be officially presenting a check to the Boosters for the Westlie Ford $50 Touchdown donations earned by our fierce Papermaker football team.

Westlie Ford and Riverview Bank are VIP event sponsors this year with additional sponsorships from: Browns Funeral Home, Lacamas Flowers & Events, Dr. Martens Airwair USA, Washougal Sport & Spine, Blairco Heating, Shanahan Insurance, Grocery Outlet, Lacamas Credit Union, and Camas Vision & Downtown Vision Centers.

Cinco de Casino event tickets are $35 per person, $45 after May 1. Ticket purchase includes appetizers and start-up gaming script. Poker tournament pre-registration tickets are $30 per person with three active tournaments in play. Blackjack tournament, plus silent and live auctions will also take place throughout the evening. Click here to purchase tickets.

This is a 21 and over event. Doors at “Casa de Westlie” open at 6:00 p.m. Sponsorships are still available. Contact Wanda Miller at 360.904.3001 for great opportunities or visit our website for event details. Additionally, Camas Booster’s Facebook page will have ongoing updates of auction items, prizes, and additional information.

Camas High School has carried a tradition of excellence in athletics for many years. There are many accomplishments that the Camas High School sports program can be proud of.

Sports can play a big role in the development of a student athlete's life skills. Playing sports teaches discipline, team work, social skills, and keeps our youth healthy and active. Thank you for your continued support of our many District Athletic Programs. If you are interested in being an active booster supporter, please contact the Camas Athletics Booster Club for more information at camasboosters@gmail.com.

Camas Boosters have awared many grants to our Camas athletic programs including:

• Track Uniforms for Skyridge Middle School & Liberty Middle School • Wrestling warm-ups for Skyridge Middle School • Tennis Ball Machine for Camas High School • Girls Golf Rain Gear for Camas High School • Track Sprinters for Camas High School • Wrestling Singlets & Uniforms for Camas High School • Bowling Shirts for Camas High School • Tennis – Portable benches for Camas High School • Track – Laptop for Camas High School • Track hurdles, timer stand, discus cage, outdoor PA system for Skyridge Middle School • Football-5 man blocking sled for Skyridge Middle School & Liberty Middle School • Football goal posts & pads for Liberty Middle School

2012 is the first year that Camas Athletics Booster Club is offering 2 scholarships for $3,000.00 each, they will be awarded to one male and one female athlete.

About Camas Athletics Booster Club (CABC):

Camas Athletic Booster Club has been a licensed 501c3 since 2004 as an organization focusing on supporting athletic programs in the Camas School District. CABC offers scholarship programs, team equipment upgrades, tournament attendance, uniforms, and student participation financial aid assistance. CABC enhances community and student involvement in various activities throughout the year. CABC is made up of a volunteer board of parents, community partners, and school district employees, with the sole purpose of enhancing athletic and educational opportunities for students within the Camas School District.

Message from the Washington State Department of Health regarding Whooping Coughs: