Hello Vestal community-

This week has been fun and spirited with all of our dress up days! Just for a little background, our 5^th grade leadership crew came up with the individual dress up day ideas! If you or your student have ideas for other dress up days, let us know as it is fun to have a variety throughout the year!

Next week is Spring Break-I feel like I was just writing the community news right before Winter Break…the school year zips along quickly! When we return in April, Spring will officially be in the air and we will be starting to look at the end of the school year. Spring time is when most classes will be going through their social justice local action projects, so be listening for your kids to talk about what local action they are taking to support our community. You may want to put on your calendar that May 30^th will be our 1^stever Social Justice Showcase event!

Life at Vestal this week has, again, been fun and very kid centered and focused (as school should always be!) However, I know we are all aware of the tragic shooting that took place in New Zealand at two mosques.

In light of these recent acts of terror against the Muslim community in Christchurch, I wanted to affirm and confirm Vestal’s love and support of our Muslim families. While it is hard to know quite how to support and act in the face of such unbelievable cruelty, it is also essential that we take care of one another.

As a school for social justice, I want to affirm our deep belief in honoring each individual that creates our beautifully diverse community. Please know that we are discussing, and are very open to ideas and dialogue, about how to further reach out, get to know and love our neighbors, and strengthen our understanding of our local community.

I am attaching a resource that may be helpful in supporting your own children and family in the face of tragedy-

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/helping-children-cope/art-20047029

Thank you for being such a caring neighborhood community,

Peace, Sabrina Flamoe

sflamoe@pps.net

SUN spring registration is due Thursday, March 21  

Willamette Valley Pie 

Please come to the cafeteria on Monday, April 1 from 2:15 pm - 3:00 pm to collect your pie orders. If you need to make other arrangements please contact Steve Faust at steve.faust@gmail.com

Vestal PTA meeting April 2 at 8:15 am - 9:30 am in the Teacher's Lounge 

• Agenda 
  • The success of the Rock, Paper, Soiree!
  • Pancake Breakfast 
  • May Painting event
  • Vestal teacher and Staff Appreciation week
  •  PTA elections are in May for the positions of 
    •  President, Secretary, and Volunteer Coordinator  
  • Principal Update
    • Staffing 
    • Budget and Programming

Multicultural Night

Mark your calendar Friday, April 19 is Multicultural Night

Rock, Paper, Soiree!

The fourth annual Rock, Paper, Soiree Fundraiser was a huge success! A big thank you to everyone who volunteered to make it a special night. We had great support from our community partners and Vestal families. The funds raised will go a long way towards supporting this year's Playworks program!

Thank you for your continued support!

Vestal PTA

Hello all and happy Thursday! A few big things tonight---

1st- Staffing, 2nd SPIRIT WEEK and 3rd PTA News

Staffing for Fall 19-20---the short version is that we were cut the equivalent  of 3.0 positions. I am going to share (hopefully in a way that makes sense) what WILL be funded for next year-

We will have two classes of each kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade and 5th grade

Our 4th graders will all be in one class of 27

Our two kindergarten classes will keep their EA's (Educational Assistants)

If we get enough KINDERS registered before school is out, we may be able to add back a 3rd class, so if you know ANYONE planning to come to Vestal...please let them know it helps us if they register early!

We will maintain our current PE (1.0), Art (.6), Library (.5),  Student Management (1.0) and Counselor (1.0) positions

We will keep our current three EA's (Educational Assistants) BUT they will each only be .5

We will maintain our ELL (English Language Learner) teacher but lose our .5 ELL EA (Educational Assistant)

We will add an additional .5 to our current 1.0 SPED position. We will maintain both of our ISC (Intensive Skills Classroom) teachers and para-educators

It is important to know that ELL and SPED funding are given to us EXACTLY as we must use them, no wiggle room.

Our office staff remains the same, including everyday health assistant.

We will MOST LIKELY be able to add back an Assistant Principal and I get to keep my job as full time principal:)

Every year, staffing is complicated and somewhat emotional as changes and unassignments often have to be made...this is very human work and we value every person at Vestal...so it is very hard to see people leave, but we are doing our best to find creative ways to keep everyone who wants to be at Vestal AT Vestal.

I am worried I may have forgotten something, but I will blame that on my son playing the kazoo in the kitchen as I write...

OK, on to more immediate fun- next week, the week before Spring Break, is a Vestal Spirit Week!!! It is super fun when we have lots of participation, so hopefully this weekend can be deciding on some fun dress for the week! Of course, dressing up is totally optional and we know not all kids want to participate each day and that is totally fine!

Monday- Pajama Day!

Tuesday-Summer Sunny Vacation Day

Wednesday- Jersey/Sports Team ( I'd advocate that OBOB team shirts count!!)

Thursday- Colorful/Rainbow Day

Friday- Vestal Spirit Day

If there are any questions about anything shared above, PLEASE email and let me know!

Peace, Sabrina

sflamoe@pps.net

Vestal Spring Pie Fundraiser - Two More Days!

We have extended the deadline for pie orders until Friday, March 15. Need a sweet treat for Mother's Day or a spring gathering? Order your Willamette Valley Pie Company pies, cobblers, and frozen fruit today! 

Tonight! SUN Showcase/Vestal Family Art Night

Please join us for an evening of family fun and entertainment! Thursday, March 14 is the SUN Showcase and Vestal Family Art Night. Come and see all of the wonderful projects students have been working on through the SUN program. Dinner will be served at 5pm, followed by the Showcase at 5:30. Family art activities will go from 6-7pm.

Rock, Paper, Soiree!

The fourth annual Rock, Paper, Soiree Fundraiser was a huge success! A big thank you to everyone who volunteered to make it a special night. We had great support from our community partners and Vestal families. The funds raised will go a long way towards supporting this year's Playworks program!

Hello all- I can't believe it is Thursday already! This week has flown by! A few things from this week-

* Monday at Town Hall  we celebrated our students who have shown excellence and growth in academics, social justice, and courage! It is wonderful to hear stories from teachers about all of these areas and to see the pride in kids faces when they are recognized! The Town hall wrapped up with Julius and Coach C singing "I won't back down"...it was pretty awesome!

* Tuesday, our staff met together to start brainstorming on areas for improvement for the Fall...yes we are thinking ahead! I so appreciate this staff's commitment to reflection and practice (praxis) that is all based on what will be best for Vestal students.

* Wednesday was really a fun and unusual day as it snowed almost the whole day! The energy level was high and filled with joy!

* Today, as I sit to write this I am reflecting on the ways I saw students stand up for each other and offer support, as well as students taking responsibility even when they make mistakes that impact others. When students use the "I feel...because...I wish..." chart we are really seeing results!

* Friday- Please wear Vestal gear and/or colors!

Peace, Sabrina Flamoe

PTA Notes

Rock, Paper, Soiree!

The fourth annual Rock, Paper, Soiree Fundraiser is on March 9th, 2019 at De-Canon Library ArtHaus/Milepost 5 from 6 - 9 pm. Fantastic gift baskets and student artwork will be raffled off during the Soiree. You do not need to be present at the event to win!  If you have not had a chance to get your Soiree tickets ($25 per adult),

There is still time to buy your Soiree and pre-sale raffle tickets!  PTA members will be selling $3 raffle tickets before and after school on Friday, March 8, either by the bike racks or in the Studio (depending on weather). The deadline for pre-sale raffle sheet is Friday at 3:00 pm. ***Look for the PTA table*** 

The Soiree is a 21 and over event. Childcare will be provided for ages K-5 at Vestal. There will be pizza and a reptile show for the kids. Thank you to our Montavilla Community partners, Rose City Church and Multnomah University with chaperoning. Eleesa, better known as the Snack Lady, and the Student Government representative have helped Vestal with our event this year. If you plan on using the childcare, please note when you buy your ticket.

We look forward to having a night with you and raise money for Vestal's Playworks program!

Vestal Spring Pie Fundraiser

Need a sweet treat for Mother's Day or a spring gathering? Vestal is selling Willamette Valley Pies, Cobblers, and Frozen Fruit. Order forms are due Wednesday, March 13. 

SUN Showcase/Vestal Family Art Night

Please join us for an evening of family fun and entertainment! Thursday, March 14 is the SUN Showcase and Vestal Family Art Night. Come and see all of the wonderful projects students have been working on through the SUN program. Dinner will be served at 5pm, followed by the Showcase at 5:30. Once the Showcase is over, families are invited to stay and participate in artwork activities until 7:00.

Hello all- Happy Thursday evening.

I am excited to write our community news after a wonderful day of focus on community and social justice.Today, all classes participated in all or part of a march planned, organized, and led by a 4th grade student. It was a Black Lives Matter March in support of justice for all. We then celebrated Black History Month with a wonderful assembly of singing, jazz, and appreciation for the beautiful door decorating throughout the building.

Check out some pictures from today on the Vestal FB page. We will also get some posted on our school page soon.

Please consider coming to the Vestal auction (see details below). It is a fun, low key way to support our sweet school. Free child care for K-5th grade students...the REPTILE MAN will be there to entertain!

Tomorrow we will celebrate Vestal pride and enjoy FRIDAY!

Sabrina Flamoe

sflamoe@pps.net

PTA Meeting 

The next PTA meeting is Tuesday, March 5 at 8:15 in the Teacher's Lounge. Please join us as we make final preparations for the Rock, Paper, Soiree!

Rock, Paper, Soiree

Please mark your calendar for the Rock, Paper, Soiree Saturday, March 9 from 6-9 pm at De-Canon Library ArtHaus/Milepost5 (850 NE 81st Ave).  A benefit for Vestal Playworks and a chance to mingle and catch up with other members of the Vestal Community. Food, drink, raffles, and good company all to support an important program in one fun night. Space is limited -get your ticket today! Must be 21 years or older. Tickets can be purchased in the main office for $25.

Vestal Spring Pie Fundraiser

Need a sweet treat for a Mother's Day or spring gathering? Vestal is selling Willamette Valley Pies, Cobbers, and Frozen Fruit. Order forms are going home on Thursday, February 28 and are due  Wednesday, March 13. 

The Portland Public Schools Board of Education approved a significant revision to the district policy on student field trips and out-of-town travel, and passed a resolution to offer comment on proposed construction work on Interstate 5 that would affect Harriet Tubman Middle School.

Dear PPS Families,

With hopes that inclement winter weather is done for this school year, we wanted to touch base with you regarding making up snow days. We thought it was important to share an update with you before Spring Break. 

In this week's PPS Pulse: 6 possible mascot names identified for Franklin High School; pilot water project set to launch

Lincoln High School senior Sagarika Ramachandran has been selected as the winner of the Oregon Student Journalist of the Year Award. Sagarika, who serves as editor-in-chief of Lincoln's student newspaper, the Cardinal Times, became the first journalist from a PPS school to win the award, which started in 2005.