Leading up to the start of in-person instruction and hybrid learning, see the latest updates and resources at pps.net/reopen2021
2409 N. Saratoga St.•Portland, OR 97217•Ph (503) 916-6255•Fx (503) 916-2618
••Ph •Fx
••Ph •Fx
Dear Families,
If you are having trouble meeting basic needs for you and your children, please fill out the following survey so our school social worker and school counselor can connect you with resources that can help.
Click here for the survey.
Distance Learning School Supply List -
Writing Journal (K-2: pages have space for drawing and lined to support handwriting)
Pencil
Paper
Colored Pencils
Crayons
Post-Its
Scissors
Glue Sticks
4 Folders
If you are able, some items that are nice to have include: watercolor paints and paper, small white board and markers, highlighters, and markers. If you need support in getting supplies, please contact Ms. Spiers at espiers@pps.net.
Dear Families,
Welcome to the 2020-21 school year. As a staff, we are extremely excited to reconnect with our community and build new relationships. It is our hope that through these turbulent times, you were able to both strengthen your ties with loved ones and work to heal the inequities that exist in our society.
Many people are curious about staffing. We have a number of new staff members joining our team this year. I am excited to welcome Suzanne Cooper, who will be teaching kindergarten. Alec Brown is returning to join the second grade team. Anna Cornett is joining the 1st grade team. Jane Strugatsky is the newest member of our Support Team, serving as .5 Social Worker. Jenica Castillo-Harden is the newest addition to our specialist team; she will be teaching .5 art. Brandi Hall will be with us full time this year. In addition to teaching library half time, she will be teaching math intervention groups. Currently, one 4th grade position and 2nd grade Educational Assistant positions are vacant; I will let you know as soon as the positions are filled.
We have had a few shifts in positions; staffing for the 2020-21 school year is as follows:
Kindergarten: Ms. Cooper, Ms. Larsen, Ms. Pearson
1st Grade: Ms. Cornett, Ms. Peake, Ms. Pinder
2nd Grade: Mr. Brown, Ms. Ferguson
3rd Grade: Ms. Michels, Mr. Wolfe
4th Grade: Ms. Shutt, TBD
5th Grade: Ms. Brislin, Ms. Martinez
PE: Ms. Nguyen
Music: Ms. Schrepping
Media: Ms. Hall
Art: Ms. Castillo-Harding
Counselor: Ms. Spiers
Social Worker: Ms. Strugatsky
School Climate Coach: Ms. Whitaker
Learning Center: Ms. Lopez
Speech Pathologist: Ms. LeMeune
ELL: Ms. Routtenberg
Reading Intervention: Ms. Bush
Math Intervention: Ms. Hall
Paraeducator: Ms. DeRuiter, Ms. Wilson
Educational Assistant: Ms. Newton, TBD
Library Assistant: Ms. Woodward
School Secretary: Ms. Holm
Principal’s Secretary: Ms. Pettit
Custodian: Ms. DeWeese, Mr. Herring
Distance Learning - This year we are beginning with distance learning. This year will be much different from distance learning in the spring. All K-5 classrooms will be using the SeeSaw platform to organize assignments, activities, and information. All students will be meeting as a whole group every morning, followed by small group instruction and independent practice opportunities. Students will have a consistent schedule, including regular meetings with their teacher. In our continued effort to better prepare our 5th grade students for middle school, we will be departmentalizing. Students will be assigned a homeroom teacher, however, will have both teachers for academic content. Ms. Brislin will be teaching math, science and health. Ms. Martinez will be teaching reading, writing, and social studies. You will receive specific information about your students schedule, academic expectations, and how to communicate with the teachers as we approach the first day of school. The first day of school for grades 1-5 is Wednesday, September 2nd. The first day of kindergarten will be Tuesday, September 8th. The first two weeks will be focused on building classroom community and helping students and families understand the learning platforms and expectations. I highly recommend a device for each student in your home. If you would like to check out a Chromebook from the district, please email or text me. agerber@pps.net, 971.284.7108
School Supplies - The supply lists for in person learning are available on our website. However for distance learning, the basic supplies are all that is necessary:
● Writing Journal (K-2: pages have space for drawing and lined to support handwriting) ● Pencil ● Paper ● Colored Pencils ● Crayons ● Post-Its ● Scissors ● Glue Sticks ● 4 Folders
If you are able, some items that are nice to have include: watercolor paints and paper, small white board and markers, highlighters, and markers. If you need support in getting supplies, please contact Ms. Spiers at espiers@pps.net.
Free and Reduced Lunch - Families that were on free and reduced meals last year should have received information from Nutrition Services about necessary steps to renew. If you did not receive this information, please contact Nutrition Services. If interested in applying for free or reduced meals, you can apply online by going to: https://district.ode.state.or.us/apps/frlapp/default.aspx. If you’re having difficulty with the process don’t hesitate to call nutrition services at (503) 916-3399, or call us.
I am extremely excited for the upcoming year and look forward to continuing to build community, advance social justice issues, and improve learning.
Sincerely,
Amber Gerber
Principal, Chief Joseph Elementary School
agerber@pps.net
971.284.7108
The PPS Youth Transition Program, in collaboration with Community Services Network, DePaul Industries, Meadowlark and Easter Seals of Oregon, is pleased to host a Virtual Special Education & Transition Resource Fair on April 27 and 28 from 6-8 p.m. Participants will receive information and valuable resources from a variety of local community agencies that provide support and services for students while in high school and beyond.
Portland Public Schools is thrilled to announce the availability of $10 million to support partners who provide summer safety and enrichment programming for students this summer.
Dear PPS Community,
As we continue welcoming our students to hybrid in-person learning, today we want to share a new resource that is available to you. For this project, we ReImagine a Digital Experience – an experience that is easy to navigate, multilingual, user-friendly and welcoming for ALL.
Dear PPS Families,
We have been working hard to put the finishing touches on the safe return of students to our schools for hybrid learning, and are excited to see students in grades 6-8 starting next week! For families whose students will participate in hybrid instruction, we have included information and reminders to help you prepare for the first days of in-person learning this school year.
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM CANCELED (rescheduled to April 26) — Board Policy Committee Meeting
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Board Charter Schools and Alternative Programs Committee
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Board Spring Retreat
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Board Policy Committee Meeting
6:00 PM District Board Meeting
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Community Budget Review Committee meeting
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Board Budget Work Session
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Community Budget Review Committee meeting
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM Kindergarten Connect Online
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Board Policy Committee Meeting
6:00 PM District Board Meeting
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Board Intergovernmental Committee Meeting
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Board Audit Committee Meeting
6:00 PM District Board Meeting
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM School Improvement Bond Committee Meeting
2409 N. Saratoga St.
Portland, OR 97217
Ph (503) 916-6255
Fx (503) 916-2618
Ph
Fx
Ph
Fx
The District is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all its educational and employment activities. The District prohibits discrimination based on race; national or ethnic origin; color; sex; religion; age; sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; pregnancy; marital status; familial status; economic status or source of income; mental or physical disability or perceived disability; or military service.
ADA Accessibility/District 504 Contact: 503-916-5460
ADA Employment Queries Contact: 503-916-3544
Title VI Contact: 503-916-6499
Title IX Contact: 503-916-3340
District Complaint Resolution Process
© Portland Public Schools