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.

Dear Rieke Rocket community,

It was great seeing many families at our kindergarten picture day yesterday! It was such a pleasure for staff to see kids and families again. Just having a little time to play guitar and greet people and talk to these great young people did wonders for my spirit! Thank you to Lynda Gordon for all her work to organize this and make it happen and thank you to the PTA for the snacks and sweet cards! Please join the PTA and sign up to receive the PTA Rapper, their informational newsletter. https://www.riekepta.org/rieke-rapper-signup

Family Distance Learning Survey:

If you can take a few minutes and fill out this google form https://forms.gle/rF7GcBhF5GkZom2M8 we are looking for your feedback on Distance Learning at Rieke thus far this year. This information really helps as we continue at PPS and Rieke to adapt our methods.

Rieke Student Video News

Our latest episode is up and ready to view. It is really amazing, featuring an interesting segment by Mr. Sturges’s 4^th grade class about Indigenous People’s Day, dancing kindergarteners, and a fantastic video by one of our 5^th graders. Plus our new Video news room! Our newest Rieke Video News episode is up on our website, www.pps.net/rieke. You can also see it on our new 2020-21 Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtz33pibHegKxZKsWHotgkJWdJqJbP2Os  Subscribe to our channel and share with loved ones. If your child has a welcoming message or any message of hope for this year or submissions for RATS (Rieke Artistic Talent Show), send or share a landscape (horizontal) video or picture to riekenews@gmail.com. You can also email them to me at jjeans@pps.net.

TAG information night: Next Wednesday 10/21/20 night 6:00-6:45.

Our esteemed TAG coordinator Jeff Sturges and I will lead a presentation about TAG next Wednesday night over Zoom. I will send the link next week. This presentation is for anybody who is interested in TAG services at PPS and Rieke, whether your child is currently in TAG or not. We will go over the new process for families if they are interested in having their child nominated for TAG.

Childcare opportunity:

My name is Sierra Warren, I support Nancy Hauth as the Child Care Coordinator for the district. Last month we sent child care information through Admin. Connection and in some cases, directly to school administrators. One of our contracted child care providers, Camp Fire, has reopened at Hayhurst E.S. (and James John) with slots still available. Because child care is a much needed resource for our PPS families, it is crucial that we spread the word about availability.

I have provided a message on behalf of Jon Myers, the Director of Camp Fire below. He can be reached in the following ways below.

Camp Fire Columbia is supporting PPS students with their Comprehensive Distance Learning! Currently, they are holding a program at Hayhurst and spaces are open to students ages 5-12 years old. If your family is interested in learning more, please email or call the Department Director Jon Myers at jmyers@campfirecolumbia.org<mailto:jmyers@campfirecolumbia.org> or 503-784-4093. He will address any questions and help you apply for tuition subsidies that could save your family up to 85% in monthly tuition costs!

Have a great day!

Jon Jeans-Principal

If you or your student is still struggling with any of the aspects of learning technology, we hope you will call the PPS Technology Help Desk, which is open from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on school days. We will answer your questions and share information and helpful tips about anything related to distance learning technology. The Technology Help Desk is available in all PPS-supported languages. Email support@pps.net or call us: 

• English: 503-916-3375
• Español: 503-916-3582
• 中文：503-916-3585
• Tiếng Việt: 503-916-3584
• Soomaali: 503-916-3586
• Русский: 503-916-3583