Questions about Hybrid instruction and returning to school? Hybrid information is going up!

Students continue to be exposed to tragedy, with additional violence in Georgia and Colorado over the last few weeks. Students may have questions and worries. The links below are designed for difficult and emotionally laden conversations, and they are easily translated to parent-child discussions.

Curiosity and Questions: A presentation (and great dictionary of terms) from the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education

Helping CHildren Cope with Frightening News, a website from Child Mind Institute

When Bad Things are Happening, an article from Teaching Tolerance

Parent and Caregiver Resources, a toolkit from the ADL

9 Healthy Ways to Communicate, 9 strategies for sustaining and deepening conversation from educator and film maker, Lee Mun Wah

In compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, Portland Public Schools must notify families and staff of the existence and location of our Asbestos Management Plan. Please see the accompanying memo:

Annual Notification

Curated lists of books and movies, and conversation prompts!

I am thrilled to be joining Jackson Middle School this year, and we are all quite excited about the first days of school. If you haven’t had a chance to see what students need this year, the school supply list is available on the Jackson Middle School website. This year we will be giving every student a Jackson planner, but we are asking families to include a three-inch binder in their back to school purchasing (unless you choose to purchase it from the school). These binders are important tools for students to learn how to manage the materials and deadlines for six classes each semester. Core teachers will be setting aside time each week for students to regroup and reorganize their work, and to build those organizational habits.

When your student arrives on Wednesday, or Thursday, they will see workers still on site. Construction will continue through the end of September. Outside, we have new sidewalks, as well as new roofs on the shop and the front of the building. Inside there are new railings, new water fountains, and classroom modifications in some rooms. We also get to welcome new staff in administration, art, special education, and 8th grade. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Karl Newsome (Assistant Principal), Ms. Jessica Hickey (Art), Ms. Mary Ventura and Ms. Carol Lam (Resource Center), and Ms. Rhonda Brennan and Ms. Courtney Baker (8th grade)!

And, a quick school tip:

Sixth grade parents: supervision looks different at middle school. The doors open at 8:55 and students are welcome to have breakfast in the cafeteria or spend a few minutes with their friends. We do not have staff outside prior to the doors opening, so understand that students are both unsupervised prior to 8:55 and they are on school property and are expected to comply with school and district policies. That level of independence can be hard, because students are still developing the capacity to fully understand cause and effect. If you have flexibility within your family, this is a place to exercise it.

Thank you, families, for everything you do to support our students. Have a great week, everyone!

Susan Kosmala
Principal

Note: The following was presented May 11 by the Community Budget Review Committee. We are thankful for the hard work and commitment shared by these volunteers.

Background and Purpose of the Community Budget Review Committee (CBRC)

The Community Budget Review Committee (CBRC) reviews, evaluates and makes recommendations to the Portland Public School Board of Education (Board) regarding the Superintendent's Proposed Budget and any other budgetary issues the CBRC or the Board identify. The CBRC also monitors and advises the Board on the allocation and expenditure of Local Option Levy funds, which will be completed under separate cover.

Dear PPS Community,

Portland Public Schools is in the process of developing and finalizing our 2021-22 budget for approval by the Board of Education, and we want to hear from you. Please join us for the 2021-22 Budget Focus Groups. Both opportunities are available to PPS students. 

Dear PPS High School Families,

This is a reminder that COVID-19 vaccinations are available again this Wednesday, May 12 at the Oregon Convention Center for students 16 and older and their family members. 

Dear Colleagues, 

As Teacher and School Administrator Appreciation Week comes to a close here at Portland Public Schools, I want to share an additional personal note of gratitude to all our hard-working and dedicated professional educators and school leaders. While your commitment to our students is always evident, this past year with all of its challenges was truly unlike any other in our careers. The impact of this pandemic, economic crisis, and racial uprising, has required incredible flexibility, adaptation, and perseverance on your part.