Project Open Door

Special Pottery Event Session(s) Postponed

The Special Pottery Session originally scheduled for Wednesday, January 18th, Monday the 23rd and Wednesday the 25th will be rescheduled for later dates.....check our site for the revised schedule!

POD Family Dinner Night to be Rescheduled

Thursday the 19th should have been a Family Night for POD - but due to school closure and some pretty awful weather this event will be rescheduled.
Still on the agenda are:
Student Awards
Student demonstrations and presentations
Family Access detailed training and enrollments
MBA (Math Benchmark Assessments) - what they are and family tips for success.
Fluency and Retell - what is it? How can families help?
Parenting Class - Love and Logic pre-registration and scheduling input
POD Family Services: Regular Student Progress updates + Regular Family Support Kits + Super Support Star Tickets

Who can come to POD?
Any student at Henkle Middle School can come to POD, but regular attendance (at least 30 days/year) is stongly encouraged and is a requirement of our largest funding source - a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. Activities are designed to reinforce classroom learning and state standards, so students who could benefit from stronger grades and test scores are especially welcome.

Is there a cost to attend POD?
No - due to the grants and funding sources in place at this time, there is no cost for attendance. We want ALL students who would like to attend to do so without worrying about expenses or fees they may not be able to afford. There may be nominal fees (no more than $1-$3 dollars) for some field trips and events or activities, but scholarships are always available.

Is attendance every day required?
No it is not. We do expect that when you register for clubs or classes on specific days of the week, you will regularly attend on the days you chose until the activity ends, or you make different choices when a new activity calendar is published. Activity Leaders and study hall staff appreciate notification of absences.

We DO expect at LEAST 30 days attendance over the course of a year, beginning with POD's "Project Summer Fun" program in the summer before the school year begins. As a matter of fact, agreeing to attend POD after school is a requirement to be eligible to enroll in the summer program.

Flexibility is a strength of our program, so if you are participating in another extra-curricular activity during a specific time (i.e. school or community sport team) just let us know and we will help you plan your calendar to include POD at least 30 days during the year. Special arrangements for partial day attendance can also be made. So if you can only come for the first or last hour of POD, please let us know - we will customize a schedule for you!

How do you register for POD?
Completing a single registration form for the year is all it takes. This form will ask you after-school emergency numbers and will also clarify transportation and release instructions (i.e. who is authorized to pick up a student). You will also be asked to indicate your commitment to regular attendance as a condition of enrollment in the program.

Activity calendars are made available every 4-6 weeks, and students are encouraged to select classes and activities that they will attend regularly during the calendar period. If there are special events or sessions that require fees, or that occur during academic time, parent/guardian signatures and permission will be required.

Is there transportation available?
Yes. A route system for stops in White Salmon, Bingen, at the Husum Fire Station and the BZ Store is available at no charge at this time. A single MAT bus delivers students to these stops. Depending on ridership, BZ and Husum riders may need to wait until the 5:10 pick up delivers Bingen and White Salmon riders before returning to the school to pick them up. The bus usually leaves for BZ and Husum no later than 5:30.

What do you do at POD?
Each day at POD begins with a Study Hall. 5th, 6th and 7/8th graders all have different locations that they report to. After students sign in with a check next to their name on a roster, they are asked to get our their planners or planning sheets and plan their work for the day. Staff who work during the school day are on hand with the knowledge, materials and supplies students need to complete their work. Staff is also prepared with academic enrichment materials and activities. This could be using puzzle sheets, flash cards, dice, fraction pieces or other materials to practice adding and subtracting fractions if that was an area of need for a student. It could also be participating in an Academic Intervention like Math Whizz during study hall time. At the end of study hall time students are given stars for their Star Chart for being prepared, being focused and productive and exibiting citizenship. These stars could earn an array of prizes from a small "treasure chest" item to a reserved table for 5 at lunch, a first in lunch line pass, free field trip pass, or even a Pizza Party for everyone at POD!

After stars are recorded at the end of study hall, there is a snack before Clubs and Academic Enrichment Activities begin in other locations in the school. Academic Enrichments are hands-on, engaging activities that have specific classroom curriculum or state standards embedded in them. For example, in Rocketry, various forms of energy are discussed using the same vocabulary being used in the classroom FOSS science kits. As students began to engineer and test their rockets, they practiced the same language and processes presented in class. Academic Enrichments are designed in this way to allow engaging previews or review of classroom units to reinforce understanding and mastery. Clubs may relate to arts, physical fitness, hobbies, leadership or other areas. What they all reinforce are cooperative, creative, leadership and communicative skills.

At 5:00 all students report to the library for a closing activity (usually an icebreaker or quick team problem-solving activity), sign out when their transportation arrives and leave for the day. POD students are required to wait in the library until they see their ride - they are not allowed to wait outside the building for accountability and safety purposes. Staff is on-hand until 5:30. All students should be picked up by that time.

What is Math Whizz?
Math Whizz is an online math tutoring program. For students who need a "boost" in math concepts or skills, Math Whizz may be an excellent Academic Intervention. It is offered during Study Hall time and in the Second hour. Many teachers offer extra-credit, or homework credit for participation in this program.

Are there other Academic Interventions at POD?
Yes, Read Naturally, another strong intervention is being piloted at POD. Fluency, comprehension and retell are all stressed in this model. For those who struggle with reading and writing, this program is designed to accelerate growth. As with Math Whizz, some teachers offer extra credit or other homework "trades" to allow POD time to be used for Academic Intervention rather than traditional homework help.

How do I find out more about POD?
Stop by Henkle Middle School and visit the POD bulletin board for calendars, forms and informmation. You can also contact the Director, Paula Trosper at 509/493-1502 during school hours, at 509/493-4892 after school or via email at paula.trosper@whitesalmonschools.org.

Project Open Door

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January Weather Postpones Special Events

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