5800 SE Division Street•Portland, OR 97206•Ph 503-916-6333•Fx 503-916-2606
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August 6, 2023
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Dear Atkinson Community,
Greetings! I hope you are having a great summer. By now you've received the announcement from PPS. I’m excited to be returning to Atkinson School to serve as your principal. Ten years ago, in my third year as principal of Atkinson, I was invited to lead the newly formed Department of Dual Language to expand Dual Language programs throughout the district. Since that time, I’ve served in a variety of roles in PPS. My two children finished their elementary years at Atkinson and went on to graduate from Franklin High School, and my husband taught at Atkinson for 6 years. Some of you probably know him as Mr. Ferguson. Returning to Atkinson feels like a homecoming and I’m looking forward to learning about and building on the work that is ongoing here. As a resident of the SE, I look forward to serving in my own neighborhood community and walking to work each day. I believe that healthy neighborhood schools are essential for healthy child development. I’m also happy to be returning to a community where I will be able to communicate in my native language on a daily basis.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be meeting with the Instructional LeadershipTeam to plan the start of school as well as the professional development for the year. I’ll be scheduling some Parent Socials for August and September to share those plans with you and create a space for us to get to know each other. Be on the lookout for that communication. If you have questions or concerns about the start of the year, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I do my best to respond to all emails in two working days.
I look forward to contributing to our community and supporting the Atkinson staff as we partner with parents to help students develop socially and academically. I deeply believe that communities are stronger when students experience a sense of belonging and competence in a supportive environment. I look forward to getting to know the current members of this school community. Towards that effort, I’ll be reaching out to all staff to meet with them individually and hear their perspectives on three questions:
If you would like to add your voice, please use this form to do so, attend one of the Parent Socials, or reach out to schedule a time to meet with me.
In service to students,
Debbie Armendariz
darmenda@pps.net
Atkinson Elementary School Principal
6 de agosto de 2023
MENSAJE DE LA DIRECTORA
Estimada comunidad de Atkinson,
¡Saludos! Espero que todos estén teniendo un gran verano. Ya ha recibido el anuncio de PPS. Estoy emocionada de regresar a la Escuela Atkinson para servir como su directora. Hace diez años, en mi tercer año como directora de Atkinson, me invitaron a dirigir el recién formado Departamento de Lenguaje Dual para expandir los programas de Lenguaje Dual en todo el distrito. Desde entonces, he servido en una variedad de roles en PPS. Mis dos hijos terminaron sus años de primaria en Atkinson y luego se graduaron de Franklin High School, y mi esposo enseñó en Atkinson por 6 años. Algunos de ustedes probablemente lo conocen como el Sr. Ferguson. Regresar a Atkinson se siente como un regreso a casa y estoy ansiosa por aprender y desarrollar el trabajo que se está realizando aquí. Como residente de SE, espero servir en mi propia comunidad de vecinos y caminar al trabajo todos los días. Creo que las escuelas saludables en los vecindarios son esenciales para el desarrollo saludable de los niños. También estoy feliz de regresar a una comunidad donde podré comunicarme en mi idioma nativo todos los días.
En las próximas semanas, me reuniré con el Equipo de Liderazgo Educativo para planificar el inicio de clases y el desarrollo profesional para el año. Programaré algunas reuniones sociales para padres para agosto y septiembre para compartir esos planes con ustedes y crear un espacio para que nos conozcamos. Estén atentos a esa comunicación. Si tiene preguntas o inquietudes sobre el comienzo del año, no dude en comunicarse. Hago todo lo posible para responder a todos los correos electrónicos en dos días de trabajo.
Espero poder contribuir a nuestra comunidad y apoyar al personal de Atkinson mientras nos asociamos con los padres para ayudar a los estudiantes a desarrollarse social y académicamente. Creo profundamente que las comunidades son más fuertes cuando los estudiantes experimentan un sentido de pertenencia y competencia en un ambiente de apoyo. Espero poder conocer a los miembros actuales de esta comunidad escolar. Para ese esfuerzo, me comunicaré con todo el personal para reunirme con ellos individualmente y escuchar sus perspectivas sobre tres preguntas:
● ¿Qué está funcionando bien en Atkinson?
● ¿Qué podría usar un nuevo enfoque?
● ¿Cómo se vería, sonaría, y sentiría el soporte?
Si quiere añadir su voz, por favor use este formulario para hacerlo, asista a una de las reuniones sociales para padres o comuníquese para programar un horario para reunirse conmigo.
Al servicio de los estudiantes,
Debbie Armendariz
Directora de la Escuela Primaria Atkinson
Today was disappointing – for us but, most importantly, for our students and families. The Portland Association of Teachers offered no counter proposals – and yet declared impasse.
Today, we offered compromises that would both reward our educators and further our students’ success. We were able to raise our compensation offer substantially. We are not there yet, but we are committed to the hard work of finding common ground.
Today, we started the state-led mediation process with one priority: our children’s success. We offered compromises that would keep that vision at the heart of our work – and maintained our position on proposals that would negatively impact students.
On behalf of the Board of Education and district leaders at PPS, our best wishes for a positive and joyful start to your school year!
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM School Board - Study Session
6:30 PM - 7:00 PM ATK OBOB Coach Info Meeting / Reunión de entrenadores de OBOB
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM ATK Principal’s Coffee - English / Café con la directora - inglés
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM ATK Principal’s Coffee - Spanish / Café con la directora - español
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PTA meeting / Reunión de la PTA
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM School Board- Regular Meeting
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM School Board - Policy Committee