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

PPS wants to hear from you to weigh the impacts of requiring all students 12 years and older to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We heard that Saturday is a better day for Spanish-speaking families to attend this session. This session will be conducted via Zoom.  

The state of Oregon’s requirement that all school employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 will have a minimal impact in Portland Public Schools classrooms and campuses. As of the state deadline of Monday, October 18, more than 96% of the district’s employees were fully vaccinated.

Dear PPS Families,

As the PPS Board of Education considers a requirement that students (ages 12 and older) be vaccinated against COVID-19, we are providing you a quick summary on the timeline for a possible decision:

The PPS Board of Education, at its meeting on Tuesday, October 26, will consider making Friday, November 12 into a professional development day for teachers, with no classes for students. Because November 11 is a federal holiday, Veterans Day, students would have a four-day weekend.