Friday 2/26/2021 

Dear Families,

Black History Month Interesting Fact: Did you know that the Hair Brush was invented by Lyda Newman in 1898? She was an inventor as well as a women’s rights activist, especially women’s suffrage.  If you didn’t, now you do! 

As Black History Month comes to an end we hope you have benefited as well from the lessons, activities and conversations our students have been engaged in during the month! Our students have learned about so many influential Black leaders, activists, writers, scientists, mathematicians, poets, and artists this month. So, to borrow an amazing idea from one of my colleagues’ school, I thought it might be fun to end with a focus on Black Heroes. Your child could research and draw his/her favorite Black Hero, whether it be someone your child knows in real life, someone who is famous, or someone who is fictional. They are invited to draw a picture on any platform they choose (please feel free to include words as well, kids can get as creative as they want!) using the prompt: "Draw an inspirational Black person you know or have learned about."  All drawings should be sent to mrobb@pps.net. We will feature these in our upcoming Star Flier editions. If your child would like it to be in this month's Star Flier, please send it to Mark by Monday, March 1st! (See below!)  We also like to invite you to play some super fun online Black History Month Games and Free Printable Black History Month Coloring Pages.   Enjoy!

Star Flier:  Deadline Extension (March 1st)

Submissions for the next issue of the Star Flier are due by Monday, March 1st. Articles, art, short fiction stories are all wanted! We’d love to see any art or writing from your Black History learning experiences too! Thank you for your support. We will publish this edition on Friday, March 5th!

Quarter 4 Learning Survey: the Hybrid Model or CDL

Thank you to everyone who has already completed the survey! We have hit an 80% return rate!!!  Although the end date has passed, we’d like you to continue to submit your responses. If you need access to the link, please contact Mark (mrobb@pps.net) and he will send you a new link. If we don’t hear from you, we will attempt to contact you by email or phone. While I know it is challenging to feel like you are able to make the best decision you can, based upon the information you have been given so far, it will be helpful to us to begin our planning. At the school level we will be able to create the cohorts, placing students whose families have chosen the Hybrid Model into a morning or afternoon cohort. Those we cannot connect with will continue in CDL.

Successful Schools Survey Window will be open February 8th- March 12th!

Please take a moment and complete the survey, if you haven't already done so.  When you take the survey, you help us understand your experience as a parent or guardian. This important information will guide us as we determine the future of our schools. 

You can complete the survey from a computer, tablet, or smartphone. It should only take 15-20 minutes of your time. Select the school your child attends and answer the questions for that school. If you have children at more than one PPS school, please complete one survey for each school your children attend. If you need help taking the survey please contact your teacher or principal.

surveys.panoramaed.com/portlandor/ppsfamily

Thank you for your time and input!

Kindergarten LIPI begins on Monday, March 1st!

We are excited to welcome a small group of our Kindergarten students to the building for Limited In Person Instruction on Monday and Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00 until April 7th.  Because there will be students at the school building and on the playground at times, we ask that you refrain from using the playground during the LIPI periods.  We will be following all safety guidelines in keeping student cohort groups separate from others and hope you will do your part to help us too! Thank you!

*Important:  Please do not park in front of the school building on Mondays & Wednesdays as busses will begin using the bus loading zone once again.

Important Dates:

March 1             Star Flier Entries due to mrobb@pps.net/ Edition release: 3/5
February 1-March 5        MAP Assessments Window (see teacher for specific dates)
February 8-March 12      Successful Schools Survey
March 1-April 7         Kinder LIPI Program (Mon & Wed)
March 22-26             Spring Break
April 12             Quarter 4 Begins