Hello CSS, Please read this message from our Area Senior Director, Karl Logan, about the new CSS Principal survey and community session which will be held on Tuesday, March 9th at 6:15pm. Thank you. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tTKN-NtK2FFu8mDZVNqnFWK31omToxo7t4w942rtH0Y/edit?usp=sharing
Please read an Important Message for Our CSS Community Here
CSS News
February 2021
Dear CSS Community,
There are still many unknowns about Limited In-Person Instruction and possibly hybrid instruction in the spring. What we do know is that we will start bringing in small groups of students (10-20 total out of 465 students at CSS) to provide support in person and in the building around the first of March. We will call this Limited In-Person Instruction or LIPI for short. The goal for our initial LIPI is to provide academic support to students struggling with distance learning and not showing proficiency. The Instructional Leadership Team, made up of CSS staff, are meeting this week to determine the criteria for students invited to participate in LIPI. Our first group of students will be less than 20 students, and they will come in for 2 hours per week in the afternoon. LIPI is optional for students and voluntary for staff. During LIPI, all students will continue to access their current classes online and schedule. LIPI instruction would be in addition to the core content instruction.
We know that coming back to in-person school and seeing students is exciting, and it can also be nerve-wracking for students, families, and our staff. Our goal by starting small is to ensure we are doing all we can to reduce any risk, have every recommended safety protocol in place, and support students who need it. We will start small and slowly add more students focusing on students needing academic support and social-emotional learning support.
We will be contacting families who qualify for limited in person directly. We will send more information about LIPI at Creative Science on Friday, February 12. Please email me if you have questions at mplotzke@pps.net.
Thank you,
Meisha Plotzke
Principal at Creative Science
Find the link to CSS News here
September 2020
Find the CSS News here
March 2020
3/30/20
Hello CSS Community,
I hope you are doing well. I will speak for the staff when I say, we all miss you and hope you are healthy and cared for during this unprecedented time.
Today CSS team members came together for a virtual staff meeting. This week teachers are engaging with online professional development that covers new learning platforms and virtual learning for students.
Virtual Learning
Virtual learning for students will begin Monday, April 6. Over the next few days, teachers will begin to reach out to families to share the plan for the coming weeks. Next week the plan is that teachers provide instruction for math and English language arts in grades K-5. Middle school students will receive instruction for math, humanities, and science. Things are constantly evolving. There are going to be ideas that work beautifully and others that do not go as planned. We will be working hard to determine our new normal for our community. Thank you in advance for all of your support.
Needs Survey
Please fill out this form to help us better understand the realities within our community AND update your email address, if needed: https://forms.gle/mHAwyY8YWzo6n87F8
Office Hours
To help answer questions, Andrew and I will be having office hours. I will be available Monday-Friday from 1:00-2:00 pm to answer questions. It will be a drop-in conversation. To access the google chat click the following link (it will be the same link for the duration of our school closure) or call in.
Join Hangouts Meet via chat: meet.google.com/dxr-mpet-izt
Join Hangouts Meet over the phone: (US)+1 402-809-1204
You’ll need this PIN to access the meeting: 507 680 671#
If you have sensitive matters you’d like to discuss, email me at mplotzke@pps.net and we can set up a time to connect in private.
Andrew’s office Hours: 9:00-11:00 AM and 1:00-3:00 PM. Please try to email Andrew (adauch@pps.net) a day in advance with your preferred date and time to speak. He will send you an invitation from Google Chat.
Thank You
Thank you for your continued flexibility. Hang in there, we are all in this together. Tyler, our school counselor, made a video for our community. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/RI6Js_pzgtw
Take Care,
Meisha Plotzke
Principal at CSS
February 2020
This month's newsletter will focus mostly on safety.
There are a few safety concerns that have arisen this year. I want our community to know, I would never put your student in danger. If there is any question that the school would not be a safe place, I will take the appropriate measures. I want your kids to come home to you at night. I want my staff to be with their people at the end of the day, and I want to go home to my family.
As always, please email me with questions that you may have, I am here to help. I want to ensure that you and your student(s) feel safe.
We only had 140 adults respond to the family survey! We have 467 students at CSS!
Successful Schools Survey Shape the future of your student's education!
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the phrase “successful schools?” I believe that successful schools are safe, healthy and welcoming learning spaces that are inclusive for all students. But I want to hear your thoughts. Our commitment is to continue listening about the experiences, needs, and perceptions of our students, families, and personnel to be better equipped to support our school communities. Please be honest and thoughtful, I value your feedback!
Campus Safety
Reminder about Dogs on Campus
PPS school grounds are public property and are used for many different kinds of play, from soccer to jogging during non-school hours. Dogs on leash are welcome visitors as long as owners scoop the poops. EXCEPT during school hours, 7:00 am-6:00 pm.
Dogs off-leash are not allowed on PPS school grounds at any time. We are hopeful that the school communities will help to inform visitors of these rules as we continue to work toward keeping our schools clean and safe for our students and the community.
Before and After School Play
Pick up and Drop Off
Curbside Pick-up and Drop-off
Please pull forward along the sidewalk when you are waiting for your student(s) to arrive. Over the past 6 years, I have watched people unsuccessfully parallel park (sometimes even running up over the curb towards students). If everyone pulls forward we will stop the need to parallel park.
Blocking the Driveway
The driveway must remain unblocked for visibility purposes and to allow people to exit the parking lot.
Friendly Reminders:
- No parking along the curb in front of the school during the hours of 8:00 am-9:10 am and from 2:45-3:45.
- Use the crosswalk when crossing the street. Jaywalking is illegal, unsafe and a bad example for our students.
Did You Know? Internet Safety.
DANGEROUS Social Media Trend – Electrical Outlet Coin Challenge
If you have not heard or experienced the newest trend in social media, we would like to alert you to a new and dangerous “challenge”. If imitated it can be extremely dangerous, as it can spark an electrical fire and create electrical shock danger.
The popular trend encourages youth to slide a penny or other metal object behind a partially plugged in charger cube so that it contacts the metal prongs. This then completes the circuit causing sparks, electrical system damage, and in some cases fire (on the wall covering or behind the wall itself.
- Reported by Oregon School Safety Officers Association
APP Hiders
A popular app called the Calculator Vault hides other apps or pictures. People can use this app to cover an app that they may not want others to see.

Social Media and Internet Safety
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has a lot of Cyber Tips for staying safe online. Click here to visit their website.
The StaySafeOnline.org website is powered by the National Cyber Security Alliance and has a lot of great resources for parents, students, and teachers.
VISION APP FOR TEACHERS
Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum Overview
Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. Common Sense Media includes reviews (apps, games, movies, etc.), videos, online training, K-12 curriculum, and much more.
These are excellent resources from Common Sense Media that are designed to help provide cyberbullying and online relationships guidance to parents. Use them to empower yourselves with the knowledge and tools you need to guide your kids toward making safe and smart choices in their digital lives. Trend Micro runs Internet Safety video contests every year. Click here for the home page and to view the winning entries from 2010 onward—really great resources for video.
Cyberbullying resource for parents:
http://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/bullying-awareness-guidebook/
What's Your Story? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdC7iBpD8Sk
Digital Harassment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41FwxLZYkbE
Cyber Bullying PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFGQ-uEwb18
Internet Safety Resources for parents:
www.connectsafely.org
www.netsmartz.org/
wiredsafety.org
opencolleges.edu.au/informed/cyber-safety/
www.smartadvocate.com/News/Blog/a-guide-to-digital-citizenship-and-cyber-laws-1
OnGuard Online | Your Safety Net
OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. All resources are available in English and Spanish as well.
PTA Announcements
FunRaiser at The Goodfoot on March 13, 2020
Please come if you are able. If you can't attend, you can also donate gift cards or money toward the event. Every contribution will make a difference for CSS students.