Mark your calendars for the OBOB Parent Orientation Night on Wednesday, November 1st from 6:30 to 7:30 in the auditorium. We will go over the new list of books, rules and procedures for OBOB, the timeline for battles and hopefully answer any questions parents may have. The deadline to sign up will be Friday, December 1st. 

On October 18^th, from 6:30-7:30 PM in the Duniway Auditorium, TAG Facilitator Kala Goodman and Principal Matt Goldstein will be hosting a meeting to provide information to families about Talented and Gifted.  This meeting is open to all families.  Topics discussed will be the nomination and identification process; what TAG “looks” like at Duniway; and ample time to answer questions.  If you have any questions regarding TAG please contact Kala Goodman or Matt Goldstein.

Back to School Picnic and Duniway 90th Birthday Celebration!

●    Where:  Duniway Elementary School (Field & Blacktop)
●    When: Monday, August 28^th 4pm-6pm
●    What: Welcome Picnic and Duniway 90^th Birthday Celebration!

Welcome Picnic 4pm-5pm
▪      Bring your own picnic dinner
▪      Meet and mingle with your new classmates

Celebrate Duniway’s Birthday 5pm-6pm
▪      Celebration, group photo & birthday cake

RSVP here: https://goo.gl/forms/QjfPjOohlcnwK0Vm2
                     (not obligatory but would be appreciated!)

Last year our 2^nd grade team “piloted” a plan where a voluntary donation was requested instead of bringing in school supplies.  The response, from families and teachers, was overwhelmingly positive.  It was convenient, cost-effective, and provided a more equitable learning environment for all students.  As a result, we are going to offer this option school-wide for the 2017-2018 school year.  Here are a few more details: 

We are asking for a voluntary contribution of $45.00 per student in lieu of shopping for school supplies.  Payments can be made to the office (Check payable to Duniway) or through our new on-line payment system called School Pay beginning in August.  Money will be used to buy all classroom supplies as well as subscriptions to any magazines or publications that a grade level team decides to purchase.

We believe this choice supports the following values that are important to the Duniway Community.

·       Equity:  By contributing financial support to the whole class, all students have equal access to the supplies they need for school.

·       Environmental Awareness:  By ordering supplies in bulk, we save on packaging; and one truck delivers supplies instead of hundreds of cars visiting multiple stores in search of those hard to find items.

·       Cost Effectiveness:  For every dollar a family spends on school supplies at retail prices, we can get up to three dollars worth of supplies through Portland Public Schools suppliers.  In this way, we maximize your contribution for the educational benefit of all students in the class.  When priced out at retail prices, most school lists cost families between $60 - $90 per student.  We feel $45 is a reasonable amount, providing teachers with enough to purchase what is needed for the year, while saving families time and money.

 All of our teachers are excited about this new approach and we hope it makes late August a bit less stressful for families.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office at 503-916-6343. 

We hope you have a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing many of you at our Welcome Back to School Picnic and 90^th Birthday Party for Duniway School on Monday, August 28^th from 4 – 6 PM.

Regards,

 The Duniway Staff

The PPS school board and communications department have been working to update the district’s public records policy with an eye towards greater transparency and compliance with several new laws that were passed by the Oregon Legislature this year.

Oregon schools, including PPS, will focus more on the role of Native Americans in Oregon history, thanks to a bill passed by the state Legislature.

Senate Bill 13, which focuses on providing accurate, place-based tribal education across the state, was signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown over the summer. It directs the state Department of Education to develop curriculum and provide teacher training relating to Native American experience in Oregon.

Hundreds of Portland Public Schools parents and community members have participated in public sessions aimed at gathering comments on the proposal to open two new middle schools at Roseway Heights and Harriet Tubman.