Dear RGMS Families and Community, 


This Monday 01/17/22 we take the day to remember the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  This Day of Service is an important way for us to celebrate and honor the life of this great man.  Two great ways you can participate in honoring Dr. King's life are available in our local area - take a look:

• Don't Shoot PDX: Annual March for Human Rights & Dignity
• Hands On: Greater Portland Events

COVID COVID COVID
You've no doubt heard about schools in PPS that are returning to Distance Learning.  RGMS has been able to maintain stability though we have had staff and student absences.  As Mr. Waters says, Teamwork makes the Dream Work.  Team RGMS is working hard to keep continuity of instruction and most importantly - safety.  

There are a number of updates coming from PPS.  Please make sure to check your email for a notice that came out just this afternoon - this is the most recent/updated information on contact tracing, close contact exposures and the like.

Masks and Distance and Vaccination status are the most important factors in determining Close Contact.  If you have any symptoms - STAY HOME.

• chills 
• temp over 100.4
• headache
• congestion/runny nose
• diarrhea
• cough
• sore throat

Health Centers are available to help if you need them.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THE RGMS COMMUNITY SAFE AND OPEN FOR IN PERSON LEARNING.

Due to the number of students and staff out for sickness, I made the decision to postpone locker assignments until the start of Q3.  Thanks for your understanding.

Read on below for all the latest from the RGMS Community.

Have a great weekend,

Lisa Newlyn,
Principal

Dear PPS Community,

On Monday, January 31, Portland Public Schools teachers and staff will have a day to collaborate and plan for the start of the second semester, with no classes held for students on that day. This comes after the PPS Board of Education, at a special meeting on Tuesday, unanimously voted to turn January 31 into a staff collaboration and planning day for school-based staff, creating an opportunity for school staff to work on campus-specific school climate plans and instructional practices to support the diverse needs of our students. 

The recent surge in cases due to the Omicron variant, compounded by the unrelenting and continued stress from this pandemic, has impacted all of us as individuals and as a collective society. Every sector continues to face challenges, and Portland Public Schools (PPS) is no exception. We know firsthand that navigating this pandemic is taxing, especially for our students who desperately need and deserve consistency, stability and access to in-person learning experiences. 

Dear Jefferson Community,

We are so pleased to inform you that Jefferson will return to in-person classes on Monday, January 24. We realize that closing the campus and moving to temporary distance learning created challenges for families, but the dramatic rise in absences of staff and students fueled by the omicron variant of COVID-19 made it too difficult to keep the campus open safely.

Dear PPS Community,

The PPS Board of Education will consider a resolution at an upcoming meeting to make Monday, January 31 into a school climate work day for school staff, with no classes held for students.