Arrival

Due to the need for the most safe and calm beginning of the day that we can ensure for all children of Fir Grove Elementary, we have instituted the following arrival procedures.

ABSENCES

If your child is going to be late or absent from school, please call the attendance line (503-356-2111) before 7:45 a.m. on the day of the absence. Record student’s name, the date of the absence, reason for absence, grade, and teacher’s name. This number is available 24 hours per day.

ATTENDANCE

Regular school attendance is extremely important to your child’s academic success. Your child must be in school on time, unless s/he is ill. Children are required to be in school as provided by state law, and parents are responsible for a child’s regular attendance. Parents who do not comply with the Oregon Compulsory Attendance Law (ORS 339.010/ ORS 339.020) can be fined. Chronic attendance will be discussed with parents in a problem-solving manner.

Arrival by Car - North side of Building

• All students are to be dropped off in front of the crosswalk under the cover area.
• Line up in the “car only” drop-off line.
• Pull forward as far as possible, so 3 to 4 cars can unload students at the same time.
• Unload students on the right side of the car to avoid bus traffic in the left lane.
• Follow the direction of the crossing guard on duty.
• Do not change lanes or pull around stopped vehicles.

Arrival Drop-off Options

• Park in the North parking lot and walk your child to the under cover area.
• Park on the South side of the building and walk your child in the main entrance.

Dismissal by Car Pick-up - North Side 

• Line up in the left “car only” line to pick up student under breezeway.
• Please stay in the left lane and remain in your car.
• A staff member will bring your child to the car.
• Do not change lanes or pull out around stopped vehicles.
• If your child is not in the undercover area when you arrive, you will be asked to circle around again for pick-up.

Dismissal Options

• Park in the North parking lot and walk to meet your child at parent pick-up area.
• Students wait for parent in the parent pick-up area outside the north parking lot.
• Adults are to avoid waiting on the sidewalk and in the bus loading area for children.
• If you park in the south parking lot, please use the Wilson Ave to walk to and from the  student/ parent pick up area.

Dismissal Walking and Biking

•  Walkers and bike riders crossing 
• Crossing guard escorts the entire group down sidewalk, through crosswalks, and across 

PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO)

The PTO works to provide enriched learning experiences for Fir Grove Students.  The organization meets monthly, on the first Thursday, 6:30pm. Everyone is encouraged to attend all the meetings. The PTO plans and formulates academic support service events (i.e. assemblies, programs), and organizes fundraising opportunities to purchase items that benefit students. Visit our Fir Grove PTO page.

Current 2024-2025 Officers 

President – Kristina Hiersche 

Vice Presidents (Fundraising) – Lee Anthony

Treasurer – Emily Davis 

Volunteer Coordinator – Kayla Petersen

Secretary – Emily Wolverton

Our vision for Fir Grove is a partnership among students, family, staff and the community-at-large, where each member is valued and supported in a combined effort for the educational process.

The Fir Grove partnership will promote high academic standards, a safe and consistent environment, and will foster kindness, understanding, humor and good citizenship. Within this partnership we will nurture an atmosphere where people feel safe to accept new challenges and expand their horizons. Daily interactions are based on respect:  for one’s self, for others and for the environment.

All children can learn. Learning is a challenging process of discovery in which children are active participants. We believe children learn best when they are developmentally ready and supported by our partnership.

Parents/Guardians and family play a vital role in assuming responsibility for the educational growth and personal development of their children. Parents/Guardians can bring rich resources to the learning process and are encouraged to be involved in instructional activities.

The role of Fir Grove staff is to organize developmentally appropriate and meaningful experiences in the foundation skills. The acquisition of skills is a developmental continuum where staff employs a combination of existing educational methods, and technology with innovative approaches to meet individual needs. The goal is for children to emerge from Fir Grove with a positive sense of self, a love of learning, and the skills necessary to continue their education.

We believe the partnership is an integral part of Fir Grove’s success.  By recognizing each community member for his/her strength we can realize our goal:  Together Everybody Achieves More.

For assistance with translation, please change the language options at the top of this website or visit our Multilingual Department Page.

In acknowledgment of much reliable research supporting the fact that parental involvement raises the academic achievement of students, Fir Grove School encourages involvement of parents/guardians through an active community volunteer program and an active Parent Teacher Organization. Families are encouraged to participate in such activities as: Family Math/Literacy Events, Meet the Teacher, Curriculum/Back to School Night, Music Concerts, Parent Teacher Conferences, Doughnuts for Grown Ups, Science Expo and much more.

In order to build an even more effective home-school partnership, Fir Grove School will provide the following:

1. An annual meeting, at a convenient time, to which all parents shall be invited and encouraged to attend, to inform parents of their school’s participation in the Title I Program.  The school will explain its requirements and the parent’s right to be involved.
2. A flexible number of meetings and activities throughout the year to assist parents in understanding the federal and state academic content and student achievement standards, as well as local academic assessments.  Meetings will also focus on how parents and teachers can work together to monitor the child’s progress in order to improve student achievement.
3. A varied schedule for meetings and conferences in order to accommodate the needs of parents
4. A minimum of two scheduled parent conferences, where the progress of the student will be discussed, as well as, the expectations for the grade level, school curriculum, test information, and any other concerns that the teacher or parent may have.
5. Continuous communication to assist parents in understanding how they can promote the education of their children at home. Articles will be written in the school newsletter concerning reading and/or math issues, which will help parents become partners with the school in promoting the education of their child at school and home. These same articles and tools will be made available on the Fir Grove website.
6. A school-parent compact designed by families and school staff that outlines how families, school staff and students share the responsibility for improving learning.
7. An annual survey for all parents shall be conducted to collect opinions and concerns of parents about the current program and to collect suggestions for improvement and topics for meetings that meet the needs of parents.

Every effort will be made to communicate with parents in a format and language that is free of educational jargon and easily understandable by all.  Parents and community members are always welcome at Fir Grove.

1. Birthdays will be acknowledged during assemblies. Students will receive a birthday ribbon/sticker and a pencil. This celebration will replace classroom treats/parties. This tradition will recognize students equally, maximize instructional time and limit the sugary foods that are consumed when regularly celebrating birthdays in the classroom.
2. If a child wants to invite children from the class to their birthday party, the invitations should not be delivered to children at school unless the whole class is being invited. Please note that student phone numbers and addresses are confidential and therefore cannot be provided by the teacher. Direct parent questions or requests to the office.