The lingo at a new school can be a bit confusing! Here are some of the words and abbreviations we use at Fir Grove:
- Art Literacy: A volunteer-staffed art education program. The program consists of volunteers who give a visual presentation on an artists, followed by a hands-on art project with the students.
- Beaverton Clothes Closet: A clothes closet operated by volunteers from Beaverton School District’s parent groups and the Beaverton community to provide free clothing for students in grades K-12 from families with limited income. More information is available at the Beaverton School District website.
- Boo Hoo Woo Hoo: Have you see Boo Hoo Woo Hoo on the Fir Grove calendar and wondered what it is? On the first day of kindergarten some of us are thrilled to have our kindergartener in “big school,” some of us are barely holding back tears, and some of us feel a bit of both. Boo Hoo Woo Hoo happens at the beginning of the first day of kindergarten at Fir Grove. After dropping your child off for their first day, join us in the library! PTO board members and Principal Miles will be there to meet you with coffee, snacks, and tissues.
- Box Tops for Education: A way to earn money for our school. Find out more here.
- Calmness Room: A space for students to learn how to regulate emotions.
- Common Core State Standards (CCSS): A coherent progression of learning expectations in English language arts and mathematics designed to prepare K-12 students for college and career success. More information is available on the Beaverton School District website.
- ELMO: An overhead projector system used in some classrooms.
- Field Day: A day devoted to games and activities to celebrate the end of the year.
- Fun Run: Fir Grove’s main fundraiser. Students raise money either per lap or as a lump sum, and on the most exciting day of the year run laps in our gym, grade by grade. Parents and guardians come out in droves to cheer on the students and to count laps. By putting on the fun run the PTO is able to limit other fundraising throughout the year–no cookie dough or magazine sales!
- Furry Grover: Fir Grove’s mascot! Look out for him at events and special days.
- mVP (My Volunteer Page): Beaverton School District’s volunteer management system. It includes security background checks. All volunteers must have a profile at myvolunteerpage.com to volunteer at Fir Grove. Use mVP to indicate your volunteer interests, sign up for volunteer shifts, and to record your volunteer hours. More information is available in our Volunteer section.
- OBOB: Oregon Battle of the Books. A statewide voluntary reading motivation and comprehension program sponsored by the Oregon Association of School Libraries in conjunction with a Library Services and Technology Act grant. All students in third through fifth grades are exposed to quality literature representing a variety of literary styles and viewpoints. The mission is to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading; broaden reading interests; increase reading comprehension; promote academic excellence; and promote cooperative learning and teamwork among students.
- ParentVue: A web portal that allows parents and guardians to access real-time information related to their students. Find out more on the Beaverton School District website.
- Parent/Principal Chat: An informal meeting between our principal and parents/guardians of Fir Grove students.
- Pawsome: An award for upholding Fir Grove’s values of being safe, responsible, and respectful. Students can win them individually, or an entire class can win one when they all show exemplary behavior.
- SchoolCafe.com: Beaverton School District’s website for access to your student’s meal account. Use the site to check the balance of your student’s account and to add funds. More information is available on the Beaverton School District website.
- Science Night: An annual, hands-on celebration of science. Community members and volunteers give demonstrations and perform experiments with students and their families. Always one of the best evenings of the year!
- Smarter Balanced: A national, standardized test administered online covering two subjects, English Language Arts and Mathematics, based on Common Core State Standards. Students in grades 3-5 participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessment. More information is available on the Beaverton School District website.
- TAG: Talented and Gifted Program. Students may be nominated by their parents for the Talented and Gifted Program. The Beaverton School District also administers an assessment for all students in grades 3 and 5. More information is available on the Beaverton School District website.
The school district also maintains a list of their terminology.