Dear Bridger community,

I am very pleased to let you know that we have agreed on a plan to move all Bridger kindergarten classes to the Holladay Annex, located at 7100 SE Division St. This option, which was developed in collaboration with Bridger staff and families, had by far the most support -- and after a tour of the facility and much discussion, we agree it offers the right range of amenities for our kindergartners and our Bridger families. Our plan now is to make this transition as smooth as possible.

I also want to assure you that we are beginning a thorough and long-range assessment of our district to determine how best to use all of our school buildings and how to ensure the best balance of enrollment and school programming. You will be hearing much more about this effort in the coming weeks.
 
In the meantime, Bridger kindergarten families can learn more details about the move to Holladay Annex during our Kinder Connect programs that have been rescheduled to take place on: 

Thursday, March 7th at Bridger School 8:45-10:15am or 6:30-8pm 

If these times do not work for you and you would like to arrange another time to hear more about kindergarten at Bridger, please contact Principal Melissa Schachner at 503-916-6336. Thank you all for your support and patience as we plan what is best for all Bridger students.

Dr. Yvonne Curtis
Deputy Superintendent, Instruction and School Communities

Expectations for Bridger’s Personal Technology Devices

Personal technological devices may be used for instructional/educational purposes and only at staff discretion.

What are technological devices? They are defined as cell phones, smart watches, handheld electronic toys or games, iPods, Gameboys and/or anything that has earbuds and the potential for an electronic connection. These devices should stay home if they are a distraction to the academic climate at Bridger.

• When unintentional: student will be asked to turn off their device and put it away (ex. A student forgets to turn the device off and it makes a sound during class, the staff member will ask them to get it out, turn it off and put it back away).

• First intentional time: student will be asked to check in their device into the office- they can pick it up at the end of the school day.

• Second intentional time: student will be asked to check in their device into the office, student must tell their family about the loss of the device and have an adult come into the office and check out the device.

• If continues again, disciplinary action may be used.

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Expectativas: Durante las horas escolares, dispositivos electrónicos son permitidos en el edificio en las mochilas de los estudiantes si están apagados. Deben permanecer apagados y guardados hasta que salgan del edificio al final del dia. La escuela de Bridger no es responsable por propiedad perdida o robada.

Qué ocurre si un dispositivo electrónico es usado, esta a vista, o comprometido de otra manera?

Se aplicará el siguiente procedimiento:

• Cuando es Involuntario: se le pedirá al estudiante que apague y guarde su celular. (Ej.: un estudiante se le olvida apagar el celular y suena durante clases, el personal le pedirá que lo saque, apague, y guarde.)

• Primer Incidente Intencional: el estudiante tendrá que entregar su dispositivo a la oficina y podrá recogerlo al final del día escolar.

• Segundo Incidente Intencional: el estudiante tendrá que entregar su dispositivo a la oficina y se le informará a la familia para que un adulto venga a recogerlo de la oficina.

• Si continua, acción disciplinaria puede ser implementada.

Using PTA funds we are able to present monthly videos and discussion questions addressing different aspects of digital citizenship that families need to know about. This first article is an introduction about digital citizenship.

Meet the Parents in the videos

Digital Citizenship in English Video

Digital Citizenship in Spanish Video

Discussion Questions

• How would you explain a digital footprint and its importance to your student?

• What are some examples of how you create a mindful digital footprint for yourself?

• What are some important online skills you would like your child to put into practice?

This week, we announced to our families and staff that all schools in Portland Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, May 8. To recover the lost instructional hours, we have decided to use our last designated makeup day as the final day of school, on Wednesday, June 12.

In this week's PPS Pulse: Alliance at Meek students create book on mushrooms; James John, West Sylvan teams win state titles in Battle of the Books

April is National Arab American Heritage Month, and Portland Public Schools has joined the recognition of the important contributions by Arab Americans.

Two teams from Portland Public Schools won state championships at the Oregon Battle of the Books at Chemeketa Community College in Salem on April 6. James John Elementary School’s team won the title for grades 3-5, and West Sylvan Middle School’s squad prevailed in the 6-8 division.