Beaverton Junior/Senior High School -

A GREAT IDEA, PERIOD. We can't say for sure, but it's a pretty safe bet that no other district around here has a wall-sized interactive periodic table, complete with samples of each element. (Minus the radioactive ones, of course.) When the Midland Center for the Arts was repurposing some of the cool exhibits we've all seen there over the years, BJSHS Science Teacher and Element Obsessive Erica Sprague snatched it up on the cheap. Community members then rallied to fund the cost of installation, and here we go. Sixth-graders got an early look at it Monday during orientation, and the rest of the student body and parents can check it out during the K-12 Open House Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. And yes, it's hands-on. #GoBeavers #ItsElementary

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: School doesn't start for another week, but there were definite signs of life at BJSHS today. Whether it was the newcomers figuring out their locker combinations at Sixth-Grade Orientation, our musicians striking a chord at Band Camp or a gym full of hopefuls at volleyball tryouts, the kids are back and it's great to see 'em. #GoBeavers

CROCKETT IS CLOSED: Parents and students visiting BJSHS today for sixth-grade orientation, practices or anything else, please be advised that Crockett Road is under construction and all visitors should use the M-18 entrance near the Central Office. Also, please be advised that phones in the district are currently down.

ONE LAST REMINDER: School starts for students Mon., Aug. 18 with a half-day, but there’s plenty going on around here before that fateful day, including:

• Sixth-grade orientation, set for Mon., Aug. 11 from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Seventh-grade mentors will be on hand to help sixth-graders get acclimated to the new building and faces. Lunch will be provided. A special open-house for parents will be held at noon in the media center; parents may then stick around to pick up their kids.

• Additionally, the K-12 Open House will be held at both buildings Wed., Aug. 13 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., giving all students the opportunity to pick up schedules, figure out the lay of the land and meet their teachers.

• For parents wondering what supplies their students may need, see the lists below from BES and grades 6-8. The most important item for high school students will be their school-issued Chromebook, which they will receive at the open house or on the first day of school.

• As always, any donations of tissues, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, paper towels and adhesive bandages will be gratefully accepted for all grades.

• #GoBeavers

THE TIME IS NEAR: School starts for students Mon., Aug. 18 with a half-day, but there’s plenty going on around here before that fateful day, including:

• Sixth-grade orientation, set for Mon., Aug. 11 from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Seventh-grade mentors will be on hand to help sixth-graders get acclimated to the new building and faces. Lunch will be provided. A special open-house for parents will be held at noon in the media center; parents may then stick around to pick up their kids.

• Additionally, the K-12 Open House will be held at both buildings Wed., Aug. 13 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., giving all students the opportunity to pick up schedules, figure out the lay of the land and meet their teachers.

• For parents wondering what supplies their students may need, see the lists below from BES and grades 6-8. The most important item for high school students will be their school-issued Chromebook, which they will receive at the open house or on the first day of school.

• As always, any donations of tissues, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, paper towels and adhesive bandages will be gratefully accepted for all grades.

• #GoBeavers

THERE’S STILL TIME: The window for application closes Thursday, but if your company and/or your family love and support Beaverton Schools Athletics but you find yourself bombarded by requests to contribute financially multiple times year-round, this is your solution and our promise: If you join us as one of our partner sponsors as outlined below, IT’S THE ONLY TIME YOU’LL BE ASKED BY A BEAVERTON ATHLETICS-AFFILIATED COACH OR STUDENT-ATHLETE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. It’s a win for your organization (or you as an individual) because you can support our kids in a highly-visible and effective advertised way, and it’s a win for our athletic department and teams because we’ll spend much less time in the fundraising business. AND WE WON’T ASK YOU AGAIN FOR TWO YEARS. You can get all the details at www.beavertonschools.net/sponsorships or sign up while there are still spots at https://tinyurl.com/339anhn9. The deadline for this opportunity is July 31. Thanks for your past support and consideration of this initiative, and #GoBeavers.