December 4, 2020

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Calendar 

Dec. 9                  Counselor Office Hours - 1-2 pm

Dec. 10                PTA Holiday Happy Hour (see below)

Dec. 11                Principal’s Office Hours - 1-2 pm

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LET’S GET READING!

This week’s library book distribution schedule for First, Third, and Fifth grade.  As the process has been established, we do not need to split the days by last name.  Please come on whichever day works best for you.  

• On the sidewalk on 31st Avenue
• Monday, November 2, 2:00-4:00 pm
• Wednesday, November 4, 2:00-4:00 pm

Please remember to return any books that were previously checked out to you.  

 

SCHOOL DISTRIBUTION AND MEAL SERVICE

Our meal service and curriculum/materials distribution is considered essential services, so we are able to continue during the current extreme risk level in Multnomah County.  As you come for these services, please remember to wear your mask.  

 

FREE PARENT WORKSHOP

Big Village and Volunteers of America are offering a free workshop on parenting through the holidays during a pandemic on Thursday 12/10/20 from 6:00-7:30. It will include brief presentations, resources and strategies and break out groups for parents to connect and share with other parents.  Questions?  Please contact Mary Krogh by email (mkrogh@pps.net) or at 503-577-6104.  

 

GROUT PTA SAVE THE DATES

Grout PTA Board Meeting

Monday, Dec 7, 2020 7:00 PM

This virtual event brings together current board members to discuss PTA business. It is open to all who wish to attend.  Curious about joining the board next year? Please feel free to check-in and learn more about the PTA!

Join Zoom Meeting : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85869027507

Meeting ID: 858 6902 7507

 

Groceries for Grout

Every Tuesday from 11:30-12:30 PM at Grout.

If you need a little extra grocery help, please visit the walk-up pantry happening every Tuesday from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm at Grout Grounds. Please bring shopping bags and egg cartons. For more information, please contact groceries4grout@gmail.com.

 

Grout PTA Holiday Happy Hour!

Thursday, Dec 10, 2020 7:00 PM

Happy Holidays—Let us celebrate surviving distance learning so far and spread some holiday cheer to one another. We'll be featuring key guests and honoring some Grout community rock stars.

 

Meeting attendees: Everyone is welcome!

Meeting objective: Community building event to celebrate one another & provide connections

Featured speakers: Madeline Miller, Grow Portland and Chelsea Kimora, Grout SUN

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84921400170?pwd=MHNlekRFUFVjRHVDWkk1Um5pK0tkQT09

Meeting ID: 849 2140 0170

Passcode: 945633

 

LOOKING TO CONNECT WITH FAMILIES? Join a Cozy Coffee Chat. 

Grout 2nd Grade Coffee Chat

Saturday, Dec 12, 2020 10:00 AM

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83545665292?pwd=MXY3eEUxVG5FZkhiSTV3RTc2UnpJQT09

Meeting ID: 835 4566 5292

Passcode: 392881

 

1st Grade Coffee Chat

Saturday, Dec 19, 2020 10:00 AM

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86949746752?pwd=ZWc2U2lpNm1Pb3dwb2dVQ250T1ZzUT09

Meeting ID: 869 4974 6752

Passcode: 214567 

 

Grout Third Grade Connect

Saturday Dec 19, 2020 11:30 AM

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85408668254?pwd=M2hSY3RHU1RqVW9zcHY2dlpMcGx4UT09

Meeting ID: 854 0866 8254

Passcode: 347665

 

DISTRICT APPROVED FLIERS

PCC Teen Community Ed Program - Winter 2021

Oregon Health Plan Free Health Insurance Coverage Flier

 

Reminders: 

 

COUNSELOR OFFICE HOURS

Mr. Frankunas is offering Office hours for parents and students on Wednesdays between 1:00 and 2:00 pm.  Code: groutcounselor

Also, if you need to reach Mr. Frankunas, please can call 503-916-6209 #5, or email  dfrankun@pps.net.

LUNCH WITH MS. LYNN

Feel free to join Ms. Lynn for a virtual lunch date each week. The Google meet code is lynnlibrary. She'll read stories, talk about book bag books, and just chat about whatever kids want to share. This is an optional meeting.

Tuesdays- K/1 11:30-12:15

Wednesdays- 2/3 11:30-12:15

Thursdays- 4/5 11:45-12:30

Please email Ms. Lynn (lpreble@pps.net) if you need to renew books from bags, or to set up a personal check-in. Also, please reach out if you've been unable to come for book bag distribution and need to be added to the delivery list.

 

PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE HOURS 

I will be hosting office hours on Fridays between 1:00 and 2:00 pm.  There will not be any presentations during these office hours, but I will be available to check-in, answer any questions, or just generally chat about what is happening.  

Because it is difficult to use a meeting nickname, while students are using their PPS accounts for school, we will use this code for all of our office hour visits::  

meet.google.com/zoj-hyjt-rxs.

 

November 20, 2020

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Calendar 

Nov. 23 - 24 No School - Conferences

Nov. 25 - 27 No School - Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 4 Principal Office Hours - 1-2 pm

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*Due to Parent-Teacher Conferences and Thanksgiving Break next week, we will not be doing library book distribution, Principal’s office hours, lunch with Ms. Lynn, or Counselor's office hours. These will resume after Thanksgiving.*

CONFERENCES

Conferences are scheduled for November 23 & 24.  This year conferences will be completed virtually through Google Meets, Zoom, or by phone.  Like other PPS schools, we will not be using the traditional conference forms that include “Exceeds, Meets, Close to Meeting, or Not Yet Meeting” language.  This year we have modified the form to meet the demands of distance learning and we will be identifying participation and growth in core academic areas.   

We are using the Sign Up Genius app to complete this process and have been assured that it is simple and easy to use.  Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions.  

PE, ART, AND LIBRARY DURING CONFERENCES

 The PE, Art, and Library team are available during the conference days. You will not be receiving any marks or comments for your child in these areas, but may contact them if you have questions or want general feedback about your student. Here is their contact information.

 PE: Cameron Kreuz ckreuz@pps.net

Art: Kendra Yao kyao@pps.net

Library: Lynn Preble lpreble@pps.net

NOVEMBER MEAL SERVICES

Due to Conferences and Thanksgiving Break, we will not be serving or delivering meals on Monday, Nov 23, and Wednesday, Nov 25.  More updates about our services in December will be provided later.  Please feel free to visit our website or contact us at nutritionservices@pps.net with any questions. 

HOME MEAL DELIVERY REQUESTS - UPDATE

Since the number of requests for home meal delivery have slowed, we are no longer going to be using the form we had previously used.

For PPS families not near a meal pickup location or who need assistance accessing meals and would like to request home meal delivery, please contact nutritionservices@pps.net with:

• Family name
• Address (where meals should be delivered)
• Contact phone number
• Number of children in the household
• School(s) attended

Requests submitted by end of day Monday, will begin receiving meal deliveries on the following Monday. For cancellations, changes or updates, please contact nutritionservices@pps.net.

PARENT WORKSHOP ON EARLY READING SKILLS

The Humanities Department is offering a virtual workshop in collaboration with Read by 4th, Drexel University School of Education, and AIM Institute designed to help parents grow their grade K-3 students into strong readers. This workshop will have ideas for making reading fun with the ultimate goal of reading by 4th grade. Parents will receive a workbook to use during and after this workshop.

Sessions will be offered in both Spanish and English with translation available during the English session. Sessions will be recorded. 

• Friday,  December 11, 2020 (4:00 pm-6:00 pm) - English with translation
• Saturday,  December 12, 2020 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) - Spanish

Registration link                 English flyer                   Spanish flyer

Jennifer Hernandez, Assistant Director, Humanities, OTL, jhernandez1@pps.net

LET’S GET READING!

Because of Conferences and Thanksgiving Break, there will be no library book distribution the week of November 23rd-27th. Book distribution will resume on Monday, November 30 for Kindergarten, Second, and Fourth grade:  

• On the sidewalk on 31st Avenue
• Monday, November 30, 2:00-4:00 pm:  Last Name beginning with A-L
• Wednesday, December 2, 2:00-4:00 pm:  Last Name beginning with M-Z

Please remember to return any books that were previously checked out to you.

A MESSAGE FROM GROUT’S GARDEN

Hello Grout Families!

Hope you are doing well.

We are Grow Portland, your school’s partner for garden-based education. I am your Garden Educator, Madeline! This fall Grow Portland has donated nearly 700 pounds of school garden-grown produce to our ten partner schools. Grout received over 30 bags of garden veggies on September 9th! We also distributed 100 apple tasting kits to Grout on October 21st thanks to a generous donation from Portland Nursery. 

Out in the gardens we have been getting ready for winter by planting cover crops, adding mulch, and planning a final fall harvest. In virtual Garden School last month we explored the signs of fall and had fun with seeds! This month teachers will be sharing our lessons on soil and worms. These lessons provide a great opportunity to get outside and maybe even get your hands dirty :)

You can check out these lessons through our interactive and fun videos on our Grow Portland YouTube Channel.

Thanks for supporting garden learning at your school. Let me know if you’d like more information or want to get involved.

Take care!

Madeline Miller

mmiller@growportland.org

https://www.growportland.org/

 

DISTRICT APPROVED FLIERS

Oregon Health Plan Free Health Insurance Coverage Flier

Saturday Academy Online STEAM Classes for High Schoolers

Saturday Academy Online STEAM Classes for Middle Schoolers

MetroArts Inc. Cognizart Spark Camp - November 21, 2020

Reminders: 

LYFT CODES AVAILABLE FOR FREE RIDES

Thanks to our generous friends at Lyft, The Fund for Portland Public Schools is making available $20-25 in Lyft ride credits to PPS families. In keeping with the guidance set out by the Oregon Governor, we kindly ask that these rides credits are used only to address critical and essential needs. Lyft Code Request Form.

November 13, 2020

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Calendar 

Nov. 18 Principal’s Chat 4:30 pm

Counselor's Office Hours 1-2 pm Code: groutcounselor

Nov. 20 Principal’s Chat 9:00 am 

Principal’s Office Hours 1-2 pm Code: meet.google.com/zoj-hyjt-rxs.

Nov. 23 - 24 No School - Conferences

Nov. 25 - 27 No School - Thanksgiving Break

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CONFERENCES

Conferences are scheduled for November 23 & 24.  This year conferences will be completed virtually through Google Meets, Zoom, or by phone.  Like other PPS schools, we will not be using the traditional conference forms that include “Exceeds, Meets, Close to Meeting, or Not Yet Meeting” language.  This year we have modified the form to meet the demands of distance learning and we will be identifying participation and growth in core academic areas.   

We will be sending out conference sign-up information today.  We are using the Sign Up Genius app to complete this process and have been assured that it is simple and easy to use.  Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions.  

PRINCIPAL’S CHAT

Our next Principal’s Chat will be Thursday, November 19 at 4:30 pm and Friday, November 20 at 9:00 am.  In this week’s presentation, I will share ideas about how to prepare for the upcoming teacher conference.  The code to access the meeting will be:  meet.google.com/dgx-jkgq-iun. 

NOVEMBER MEAL SERVICES

Due to the upcoming fall break for conferences and Thanksgiving, the Nutrition Services department will be providing extra meals each day.  Each service day through November 20, we will be providing 3 days worth of meals for each child.  We will not be serving or delivering meals on Monday, Nov 23, and Wednesday, Nov 25.  More updates about our services in December will be provided later.  Home meal delivery sign ups will remain open this week.  Please feel free to visit our website or contact us at nutritionservices@pps.net with any questions.  

GROCERIES4GROUT FALL CELEBRATION FOOD DRIVE

Groceries4Grout is currently providing food for food boxes and a walk up pantry every Tuesday 11:30am-12:30pm outside of Grout Elementary.  We are currently looking for fall specific food donations to provide for our SE families.  

What to donate:

Canned Cranberry Sauce	Canned Corn	Box Stuffing Mix	Canned Sweet Potatoes/Yams
Canned Green Beans	Boxed Mac and Cheese	Instant Mashed Potatoes	Turkey/Chicken Gravy
Rice	Chicken Stock	Sugar	Flour
Canned Pumpkin	Dinner Rolls	Canned Soups

If you are interested in donating any of these items, please contact SUN Coordinator Chelsea Kimura by email: chelsea.kimura@portlandoregon.gov or leave a message at 503-278-1017 to coordinate a drop off time outside of Grout Elementary (3119 SE Holgate Blvd.)

Thank you all for your donations and your support!

LET’S GET READING!

This week’s library book distribution schedule for First, Third, and Fifth grade:  

• On the sidewalk on 31st Avenue
• Monday, November 16, 2:00-4:00 pm:  Last Name beginning with A-L
• Wednesday, November 18, 2:00-4:00 pm:  Last Name beginning with M-Z

Please remember to return any books that were previously checked out to you. 

LYFT CODES AVAILABLE FOR FREE RIDES

Thanks to our generous friends at Lyft, The Fund for Portland Public Schools is making available $20-25 in Lyft ride credits to PPS families. In keeping with the guidance set out by the Oregon Governor, we kindly ask that these rides credits are used only to address critical and essential needs. Lyft Code Request Form.

DISTRICT APPROVED FLIERS

Oregon Health Plan Free Health Insurance Coverage Flier

Saturday Academy Online STEAM Classes for High Schoolers

Saturday Academy Online STEAM Classes for Middle Schoolers

MetroArts Inc. Cognizart Spark Camp - November 21, 2020

In this folder you will find flyers for Native American Youth and Families Center (NAYA) programs.

Reminders: 

COUNSELOR OFFICE HOURS

Mr. Frankunas is offering Office hours for parents and students on Wednesdays between 1:00 and 2:00 pm.  Code: groutcounselor

Also, if you need to reach Mr. Frankunas, please can call 503-916-6209 #5, or email  dfrankun@pps.net.

LUNCH WITH MS. LYNN

Feel free to join Ms. Lynn for a virtual lunch date each week. The Google meet code is lynnlibrary. She'll read stories, talk about book bag books, and just chat about whatever kids want to share. This is an optional meeting.

• Tuesdays- K/1 11:30-12:15
• Wednesdays- 2/3 11:30-12:15
• Thursdays- 4/5 11:45-12:30

Please email Ms. Lynn (lpreble@pps.net) if you need to renew books from bags, or to set up a personal check-in. Also, please reach out if you've been unable to come for book bag distribution and need to be added to the delivery list.

PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE HOURS 

I will be hosting office hours on Fridays between 1:00 and 2:00 pm.  There will not be any presentations during these office hours, but I will be available to check-in, answer any questions, or just generally chat about what is happening.  

Because it is difficult to use a meeting nickname, while students are using their PPS accounts for school, we will use this code for all of our office hour visits: meet.google.com/zoj-hyjt-rxs.

 

 

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Calendar 

Nov. 11           No School - Veterans’ Day

Nov. 23 - 24 No School - Conferences

Nov. 25 - 27 No School - Thanksgiving Break

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CONFERENCE SIGN-UPS

Conferences are scheduled for November 23 & 24.  We will be sending out conference sign-up information this week.  We are planning to use the Sign Up Genius app to complete this process and have been assured that it is simple and easy to use.  Please look for this information later in the week.

  

NUTRITION SERVICES UPDATES

Starting Monday, November 2, our grab-and-go curbside serving locations will be open from 3 to 4:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

The district re-opened access to home meal deliveries, a service for PPS families that are not near a meal site or need assistance accessing meals. To request meal delivery service, PPS families can complete the request form which can also be found on our Fall 2020 Meal Service webpage.

 

GROCERIES4GROUT FALL CELEBRATION FOOD DRIVE

Groceries4Grout is currently providing food for food boxes and a walk up pantry every Tuesday 11:30am-12:30pm outside of Grout Elementary.  We are currently looking for fall specific food donations to provide for our SE families.  

What to donate:

Canned Cranberry Sauce	Canned Corn	Box Stuffing Mix	Canned Sweet Potatoes/Yams
Canned Green Beans	Boxed Mac and Cheese	Instant Mashed Potatoes	Turkey/Chicken Gravy
Rice	Chicken Stock	Sugar	Flour
Canned Pumpkin	Dinner Rolls	Canned Soups

If you are interested in donating any of these items, please contact SUN Coordinator Chelsea Kimura by email: chelsea.kimura@portlandoregon.gov or leave a message at 503-278-1017 to coordinate a drop off time outside of Grout Elementary (3119 SE Holgate Blvd.)

Thank you all for your donations and your support!"

 

LET’S GET READING!

Please note there is no school on Wednesday, so that pickup day has been moved to Thursday.

This week’s library book distribution schedule for Kindergarten, Second, and Fourth grade:  

• On the sidewalk on 31st Avenue
• Monday, November 9, 2:00-4:00 pm:  Last Name beginning with A-L
• Thursday, November 12, 2:00-4:00 pm:  Last Name beginning with M-Z

Please remember to return any books that were previously checked out to you.  

DISTRICT APPROVED FLIERS

• Oregon Health Plan Free Health Insurance Coverage Flier
• Saturday Academy Online STEAM Classes for High Schoolers
• Saturday Academy Online STEAM Classes for Middle Schoolers

 

Reminders: 

COUNSELOR OFFICE HOURS

Mr. Frankunas is offering Office hours for parents and students on Wednesdays between 1:00 and 2:00 pm.  Code: groutcounselor

Also, if you need to reach Mr. Frankunas, please can call 503-916-6209 #5, or email  dfrankun@pps.net.

 

LUNCH WITH MS. LYNN

Feel free to join Ms. Lynn for a virtual lunch date each week. The Google meet code is lynnlibrary. She'll read stories, talk about book bag books, and just chat about whatever kids want to share. This is an optional meeting.

This week, with no school on Wednesday the schedule has been adjusted to:  

Tuesdays- K/1/2 11:30-12:15

Thursdays- 3/4/5 11:45-12:30

Please email Ms. Lynn (lpreble@pps.net) if you need to renew books from bags, or to set up a personal check-in. Also, please reach out if you've been unable to come for book bag distribution and need to be added to the delivery list.

 

PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE HOURS 

I will be hosting office hours on Fridays between 1:00 and 2:00 pm.  There will not be any presentations during these office hours, but I will be available to check-in, answer any questions, or just generally chat about what is happening.  

Because it is difficult to use a meeting nickname, while students are using their PPS accounts for school, we will use this code for all of our office hour visits::  

meet.google.com/zoj-hyjt-rxs.

Dear PPS Students, Families and Colleagues,

Today we celebrate and honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a hero of mine. As his influence is seen and felt in the ongoing movement for racial justice, I want to share this video created by the Boise-Eliot/Humboldt Elementary School community. They found a creative way to unify their voices to bring us a unique reading of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech of 1963, originally delivered to a crowd of almost a quarter million people at the March for Jobs and Freedom in Washington D.C. I think you will enjoy this collaboratively produced presentation of Dr. King’s words brought to life by a new generation of change-makers for justice at PPS.

Dear PPS Families,

We are so grateful to our educators and our community who have continued to support our students through these times of transition this year. The presidential election and its fallout, especially the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, have been disturbing and unsettling for all of us, and the feeling of unease continues as next week’s inauguration of Joe Biden nears. We know it can be an especially difficult time for our students and we remain optimistic about the power of democracy and education as they try to make sense of the events and issues.

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has issued adapted versions of its annual reports for every school and school district, including Portland Public Schools. The 2019-20 reports do not include data on statewide assessments, class size or attendance. That data is typically included but was not gatherable because classes were conducted online starting in March during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear PPS Families,

I join all those in public education across the country who denounce the attack on the U.S. Capitol yesterday. The violent and ultimately failed insurrection at the U.S. Capitol was traumatic to witness for all of us, including our students, but I remain optimistic about their future and our country’s.