From Lisa Newlyn, Principal

Dear Parents and Families - 

Latinx Heritage Month
As Latinx Heritage month comes to a close, I want to share this quote from Frida Kahlo - it describes middle schoolers so well:

"I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it's true I'm here, and I'm just as strange as you.”
- Frida Kahlo

In the education of Lisa Newlyn as a middle school Principal, I know that students struggle with themselves, as human who are growing and changing - mind, body, and soul.  It's up to us as stable adults to help them find their way.  The gift of middle school is that kids have each other - they are with their people.  Giving students space to make mistakes and see their successes is essential.  Thank you, Frida, for your wise words.  

Please encourage your students to join SOL, our Latinx Affinity Group led by Kratna Ramierez Hernandez.  It meets again this coming Thursday in the RGMS Courtyard.  It's important to us in our No Place for Hate work that all students, no matter their race, religion, or cultural heritage, feel they have allies here at RGMS.

No Place For Hate Pledge Launch

342 students have signed the NPFH pledge!  We just need 24 more students to sign to meet our goal of 75%!  Join us - parents and community members are welcome to join

bit.ly/RGMS_NPFH

As always, don't hesitate to reach out to us directly for any reason: prafferty@pps.net and lnewlyn@pps.net, (503) 953-0852

Our school newsletters come out weekly on Fridays or the last day of the week.  Look for another update next Friday, 10/22/2021.

Lisa Newlyn,
Principal

Dear PPS Families and Community,

If you plan to visit a Portland Public Schools campus, you need to be aware of COVID-19 health and safety measures that will go into effect starting Monday, October 18.

PPS wants to hear from you to weigh the impacts of requiring all students 12 years and older to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Next week we will host a series of virtual listening sessions for students and families. They will be conducted via Zoom.  

Guadalupe Guerrero has been named the recipient of the national Superintendent of the Year Award by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS).

Superintendent Guerrero, who this month is celebrating his four-year anniversary in Portland Public Schools, will be honored Saturday in Washington D.C. at the ALAS 18th Annual National Gala Awards and Dinner.

Dr. Alfonso Garcia Arriola, a teacher at ACCESS Academy, will help explore and map the ocean floor as part of a fellowship with the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET). He earned one of 12 spots from a competitive pool of educators and communicators who applied.