With hope and care,

Dr. Berg 

“The opposite of racist isn't 'not racist.' It is 'anti-racist.' What's the difference? One endorses either the idea of a racial hierarchy as a racist, or racial equality as an anti-racist. One either believes problems are rooted in groups of people, as a racist, or locates the roots of problems in power and policies, as an anti-racist. One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an anti-racist. There is no in-between safe space of 'not racist.”
― Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Antiracist

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Update From The Library Ladies – Let’s Get Reading!

Hello Odyssey Students & Families,

Quick reminder: Let's Get Reading! curbside checkout program is up and running! Complete details and links to the book request form are on the Odyssey Library website.

Want to pick up a bag of books next Thursday between 2:00-4:00? Make sure to submit your request form (one per student!) by next Tuesday, September 29th.

Let's get reading!

~ The Library Ladies

(Ms. C and Ms. Jones)

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School Directory – Submit by October 1!

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Odyssey Equity Survey Closes October 3

Two ways to join the conversation!

1. Complete the Odyssey Equity Survey: Link to survey (closes Oct. 3)  
2. Sign up for the Equity Team's email list: this is where we'll be discussing action steps based on the survey data. Link to Google form

Every voice matters as we work to strengthen the systems in our community that serve everyone's needs. We have had 101 survey responses so far and want to reach 150. 

Thank you!

- Odyssey Equity Team

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Direct Giving Update – Commitment Form Due October 7

Odyssey Families,

Please read the attached letter regarding Direct Giving for the first semester of the 2020/2021 school year.  We are asking that families fill out the Direct Giving commitment form online by October 7^th to allow PTA to better plan how to support students and teachers. 

Ben Riggsby, Caleb (8)

Direct Giving Coordinator

directgiving@odysseyprogram.org

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Odyssey Weekend Food Bag Program Sign-Up

Weekend Food Bags are available for families in need.  This is a joint effort between Take Action Inc, Vermont Hills Church, Odyssey PTA, Hayhurst PTA, and the Ainsworth PTA.

Due to the school building closure we will be providing food bags every other week.  If your family would like to receive a food bag every other week, please fill out the attached form and return to the Odyssey Office as soon as possible.  Providing information on the number of people in your family will help us to continue to receive grants to fund our program.  We value your privacy and the information that you provide below will remain confidential.

Please contact Stephanie Cox, School Counselor, at scox@pps.net with any questions.  If your family has dietary restrictions, please let Stephanie know.

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Counselor’s Corner

I hope the virtual learning world is slowly starting to come together for you and your family.

I enjoyed seeing many of you at Back to School Night. If you were unable to join us below is a brief recap of the Odyssey School Counseling Program.

·       We are expanding our team this year to include QMHP Mr. Ryan Dicker and Ms. Wendi Williams, School Counseling Intern. We will be supporting all students in accessing the academic curriculum. Students can expect to receive Social Emotional Learning, individualized attention and an exploration of careers and higher learning.

·       I will deliver weekly school wide synchronous lessons and a variety of Google Meets with small groups and individual students.

·       It takes a virtual village, so I collaborate with teachers in all departments as well as caregivers, district level supports, and outside resources.

·       My goal this year is to ensure that racial and social justice is at the forefront of every interaction I have with students and families. In this area I too am a student.

·       I encourage caregivers and students to email me. In addition, I can call you or we can set up a Google Meet.

See you soon,

Stephanie Cox

School Counselor

scox@pps.net

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Odyssey Specialists Team Contact Information & Presentation

Greetings from the Odyssey Specialists Team:

At Back to School Night it was requested that we gather and share all of our preferred contact methods in one place. Also attached is the PDF version of our presentation for those who could not attend our session (updated to include 8th Grade Spanish).

Mr. Z (Art) - azimmerman1@pps.net

Stephanie Cox (Counselor) - scox@pps.net

Wendi Williams (Counseling Intern) - wewilliams16@georgefox.edu

Ryan Dicker (QMHP) - rydicker@pps.net

Coach Payne (P.E./Health) - jpayne2@pps.net

Ms. C (Library) - lchambers@pps.net OR Remind app

Ms. Jones (Library) - ljones2@pps.net

Profe. Goldstein (Spanish) - dgoldstein@pps.net OR Remind app

Thank you to all who were able to join us - it was a pleasure to connect with you!

~ The Odyssey Specialists Team

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Robocalls About Your Student's Absence

Robocalls regarding absences are sent out the day after an absence occurs.  For example, if your child was absent on a Friday, you will receive a call the following Monday, if absent on Thursday you will receive a call Friday.  This is due to the attendance procedures during distance learning.  Teachers have until the following morning to report attendance for the previous day.  

Thank you,

Angela Hoffart

Principal's Secretary

Odyssey Program @ East Sylvan School

P:  503-916-6310

F:  503-916-2124

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