March 5, 2020
Calendar
March 12 Site Council Applications Due
March 12-13 Grout PTA Online Auction
March 18 Principal’s Chat 4:30-5:15 pm
March 19 Principal’s Chat 9-9:45 am
March 22-26 Spring Break - No School
PLANNING FOR RETURN
There has been a lot of excitement around Grout as we see a few students participating in limited in-person instruction (LIPI) and as we begin planning for our return to in-person school.
With Governor Brown’s announcement on Friday that K-5 schools reopen by the week of March 29, we expect to get revised guidance from ODE. This new guidance may have a significant impact on the exact program model we will be implementing at Grout. We are currently working with our Instructional Leadership Team and District Administrators to review our current data, resources, and facilities. At the same time, we are developing adaptable instructional models that we can finalize and share when the final guidance is decided by ODE and the district.
We know that families are weighing many considerations as we take this next step and some of you may need to change your answers from your original survey. We also know that some of you were unable to complete the survey. I don’t yet know what this will look like, but you will be given an opportunity to complete or revise your choice before we return to school.
THE 2021 SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS SURVEY HAS LAUNCHED
Be sure to take the 2021 Successful Schools Survey! It helps PPS understand your experience as a parent or guardian. This important information will guide us as we determine the future of our schools. We would also like to remind you that the survey window is now February 8 to March 19 for families. If you have children at more than one PPS school, please complete one survey for each school your children attend.
LEARNING GARDEN RENOVATION
Thank you to everyone who voted on the new innovative garden design. The Grout Garden Club has launched a fundraiser in order to provide this engaging outdoor space for returning students and teachers this spring. Please spread the word and check out the Go Fund Me page: https://gofund.me/d781ec50
We also need your input on what we should plant in the garden! We want to include diverse crops that represent the many cultures at Grout. Please click on the link below to complete a very brief survey about foods that are important to your family. This will be an important way that we can include you in our gardens this year even if we can’t be together in person right now :)
What Should We Grow in the Garden? Survey (English)
What Should We Grow in the Garden? Survey (Spanish)
GROUT PTA AUCTION
Grout Elementary PTA is pleased to announce that its annual auction will take place online this year! Grout PTA has been working hard on providing support to Grout Elementary for the past 13 years and we will continue this effort on March 12th & 13th 2021, with our 4th Annual Fundraiser. Visit the Auction website here: www.auctria.com/auction/grout2021
MARCH MEAL SERVICES
On Friday, March 19, all grab and go, curbside services and home meal deliveries will include 7 days worth of meals. Meal services will pause during the week of Spring Break, March 22-26 and resume Monday, March 29.
LAST DAY FOR NEW HOME MEAL DELIVERY REQUESTS
Friday, March 5th will be the last day to submit new home meal delivery requests. We appreciate your understanding as both the Nutrition Services and Student Transportation teams start to transition and prepare for hybrid learning. New requests for home meal delivery should include the following information to nutritionservices@pps.net:
- Family name
- Address (where meals should be delivered)
- Contact phone number
- Number of children in the household
- School(s) attended
For cancellations, changes or updates, please contact nutritionservices@pps.net.
LET’S GET READING!
Our next library book pick up will be the week of March 8th for students in any grade.
- On the sidewalk on 31st Avenue
- Monday, March 8: 2:00-4:00 pm
- Wednesday, March 10: 2:00-4:00 pm
Please remember to return any books that were previously checked out to you.
If the above times do not work for you, please email lpreble@pps.net so she can help get you a book delivery or make other arrangements.
Reminders from last week:
GROUT PTA – CREATING COMMUNITY CONNECTION
PTA members are organizing a phone bank to connect with Grout families. The purpose is to connect with families, learn how they envision Grout PTA being of most support, answer questions they may have about Grout PTA’s community role and hopefully how they could get involved. The project is planned to launch in March and continue through April.
Do you want to connect with other families at Grout but not sure how? Grout PTA can help through its secure online communications platform called Konstella. On the Konstella website or phone App, you can connect with other Grout families and find out the latest PTA news at Grout all you have to do is sign-up! Here’s how:
- Get Started: Go to https://www.konstella.com/cd/ATE9DM
- Language Settings: There is an option from the website to select a language (at the bottom of the page), and once that is done the website will always show up in that language.
- Assign: Assign your child(ren) to their classroom
Join the growing number of parents already signed-up! If you have any questions or need help signing up, email us at groutpta@gmail.com.
About Grout PTA: The Grout PTA is a group of passionate parents, guardians, and teachers whose primary focus is to advocate for high-quality education and the well-being of all Grout students. We are working towards building relationships and amplifying the voices of BiPOC families and other marginalized groups at Grout. We are striving to create a more inclusive community that works to serve our diverse students and families.
SITE COUNCIL
We are excited to announce that Grout Elementary School is recruiting parents or guardians for the relaunch of our Site Council.
The Grout Site Council is a group of parents or guardians, staff, community members, and administrators who focus on overall school improvement and family engagement. The Site Council will review data, make recommendations for the school improvement plan, and increase family engagement.
The Site Council will meet once a month on the third Monday from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.
Parent/guardian candidates will be selected by Grout families and serve two-year terms. During this relaunch candidates can choose to serve a one-year term or a two-year term.
We encourage any interested parents or guardians to apply. Our goal is to have a diverse representation of our school community and we welcome participation from all. There is no specific experience or background required. Translation services will be provided for any Site Council member if needed.
If you have any questions, please contact Denise Self, Principal, at (503) 916-6209 or dself@pps.net.
Site Council Applications:
TITLE 1 SCHOOL/FAMILY COMPACT
One requirement of being a Title 1 school is that we complete a school-home compact. Effective schools are a result of families and school staff working together to ensure that children are successful in school. A compact is a voluntary agreement between groups. You are invited to enter into this partnership, the purpose of which is to strengthen the commitment between us to put children first.
We have included the compact in this mailing for you. Please read through the compact with your child and both of you sign it at the bottom. We are aiming to get 200 completed compacts back from our families by March 12. All students who return their compact will receive a Grout Water Bottle!
There are several ways to return it:
- Drop it off during library book pickup or when picking up supplies from your teacher
- Mail it to Grout Elementary: 3119 SE Holgate Blvd. Portland, OR 97202
- Bring it to the school and put it through the mail slot in the front door
- Give it to the delivery driver if you receive a delivery from the school
- Scan it and return via email to mcarpenter@pps.net
Thank you for your help in completing this requirement and supporting your student(s) in their learning.
Title 1 Compacts:
FLYERS
