Dear Parents and Guardians,

Over the last few days we have been hearing a lot of information regarding possible weather-related events that could impact our school.  At this time there is no information that factually states that it is going to happen this week, but it is always good to be prepared.  Since it has been awhile since we have had to deal with anything like this, I wanted to provide you with the protocol and processes that will be followed if there is a change to our daily schedule.

• During weeks like this, district office staff monitor the road conditions very carefully, starting very early in the morning.  They will even have folks go out and drive the roads so they have eyes on the situation for more accurate decision making.
• The district office team determines if there needs to be a closure, late start or buses on snow routes.  (To be clear, this is not a decision that is made at the building level.)
• A message will be sent out district wide with the information you will need for the day.
• A follow-up message will come out from me with specific information for Jackson Middle School.  I do this because sometimes the district messaging can be a bit confusing.  For example, there have been times in the past when only the west side schools run two hours late and the rest of the district is on time.

Some questions that will come up are:

How do we find out if our bus is on a snow route?

Click this link Snow Routes for specific buses.

What will the schedule look like if we have a late opening?

We will run a shortened version of our daily schedule so that the students will see each teacher for about 35 minutes each.

What if it starts snowing in the middle of the day?

We have only had two or three early releases due to weather over the course of my career.  (And that is a long time!). If that does happen, we will send out notification as to what that will look like and how dismissal will work.  

What if there is a snow event during the day and I cannot get to school to pick up my child on time?

Someone will be at the school with your child until they can be picked up.  We will not turn them out into the cold and we will not leave them alone at school.

Will the teachers just switch to virtual instruction if there is a snow day?

I have not heard plans regarding virtual instruction, but I would assume this would not be an option because we have no way of knowing if students all have their devices at home to access classes.  But more information will be provided as I receive it.

I am sure you will have more questions so I encourage you to send them via the survey link below and I will respond in the JagWire on Friday.  

https://forms.gle/Ysehv5JbwpRrwq3BA

Go Jags!

John Ferraro

    Back to School Night is September 29th

Below is the schedule for Back to School Night on September 29.

5:15 Ensemble Fundraising Dinner (Details Below)

6:00-6:25 ELL Information Meeting in Library Classroom

6:30-6:50 Introductions and PTA presentation in auditorium

7:00-7:10    Period 1

7:15-7:25    Period 2

7:30-7:40    Period 3/4

7:45-7:55   Period 5

8:00-8:10   Period 6

8:15-8:25   Period 7

Preview attachment Back To School Night Invite.pdf

 

 

Back To School Night Invite.pdf

104 KB

 

Dear Jackson Community,

My name is John Ferraro and I am honored to have been selected as the interim principal at Jackson Middle School.  For some of you my name may seem familiar, and if so, you have a great memory!  I was also privileged to be the principal at Jackson Middle School for the  2008-2013 school years.

I am very excited to be returning to Jackson on many levels.  I am looking forward to getting reacquainted with staff and parents who were here during my first run as well as getting to meet and greet all of the new faces who have arrived since I have been gone.

I would like to take a moment and address the word interim.  I want to assure each and every one of you that I intend to bring my full focus, every day, to ensure that each and every child has the opportunity to demonstrate academic success.  Our job as educators is to provide students with academic and organizational skills so they can be successful not only in middle school, but high school, college and beyond.

I will take the time to look at current school systems and work with the community to determine what is working well and what adjustments need to be made for student success.  That is my commitment to you as a community.

One thing that I learned after working at many schools throughout my career is that there are two things that ensure the success of a school:  strong relationships and collaborative partnerships.  I am looking forward to developing both of those areas with you and enhancing the already strong program that Jackson Middle School provides our students.

I look forward to beginning my second tenure with the community of Jackson Middle School!

Sincerely,

John Ferraro

Important Dates:

8/29 Schedule and Chromebook Pick up (see below for details)

8/30 First day for 6th graders only 9:15-3:45 (new 7th and 8th graders are also welcome, but must have a ride home at 12:45pm)

8/31 First day for all students

9/5 Labor Day, No School

9/21 Picture Day

9/23 No School for Students

9/29 Back to School Night

Schedule and Chromebook Pick-up AUGUST 29th, 10am-1pm

If you have time, please come to Jackson Middle School on Monday to pick up your child’s schedule and Chromebook.  Schedules that aren’t printed will be available to 6th grade students on Tuesday morning and 7th/8th grade students on Wednesday morning. 

***6th graders will get their Chromebooks later, but should still come for a schedule.  

Student Schedules

Here are some essential things to know regarding class schedules: 

Elective Choices: Forecasting happened in the spring.  We do our best to make sure students get their choices, but it is not always possible.  

Schedule Requests: We cannot take requests for having a particular teacher, for getting a class for a specific period, or with specific friends.  With over 800 students and the many unique class offerings, our schedule is very complex and we do not have the capacity to meet requests like these.  We believe strongly in the opportunity to make new friends.  Thank you for honoring this.  

ONLY for elective choice changes, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/vVULQjWFcN2yPU2BA

Meals No Longer Free this School Year 

To apply for free and reduced price meals, go here: https://www.pps.net/Page/2464

To pay for school meals go here: https://www.pps.net/Page/18300

Bus Information

Check your child's bus/bus stop in advance.  Buses are not run through our school, so you will need to call transportation with questions.  

Here is the site: https://www.pps.net/bus

Drop off and Pick Up

PLEASE DO NOT use the parking lot in front of the school for drop off or pick up.  It is reserved for our buses from 8:30-9:15am and 3:20-4:15pm.  Families use the upper parking lot, on the north side of the school (closest to 35th).

Supply Lists

Find our supply list here: 2022-23  

Students should bring all communal supplies to the office.  

Locating Information

We have a lot of digital resources for families, where you can find information on our schedule, programs, contact information, and much more.  

School Website: https://www.pps.net/jackson

• school events calendar, schedules and district information

• teachers and staff contact info.

• school rules and policies

• anonymously report bullying and social concerns

• learn about electives, clubs, and after school activities

Canvas: https://lms.pps.net/login/ldap

• You will find grades on both ParentVue and Canvas.  We strongly encourage you to make a routine at home to check your child’s binder and planner, and online grades.  

ParentVue Login: 

 https://parent-portland.cascadetech.org/portland/PXP2_Login.aspx

You should receive an activation letter this week. (call our main office if you haven’t received it by Friday).  

For further directions on how to log in go here:  https://www.pps.net/Page/2341

It's summer, so what are you going to do? Get some school supplies!

2022-23

In Gratitude

November 17, 2022

Dear PPS families and students,

Every week, I am filled with joy and gratitude when I visit our school communities. We have a community that continues to demonstrate a commitment to the success of our children and youth. We have adults who care deeply for our students, and who work hard to ensure each child thrives.

Dear PPS Community,

I want to recognize, on this Veterans Day, all those individuals who have served our country, especially those members of our families and local community who have previously worn a uniform. I want to take this moment to also thank the many veterans who continue their public service by choosing to work in the Portland Public Schools.

Dear PPS Families,

There has been a surge in pediatric respiratory illnesses other than COVID-19 such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus/enterovirus, and influenza around the country this fall. Health departments in other states have seen children presenting with multiple respiratory illnesses. According to the Oregon Health Authority, rates of respiratory disease are currently relatively low in our state, but that could change based on the arrival of winter weather, and any increase in rates has the potential to overwhelm our hospital system.

PPS takes these steps to ensure healthy school environments so that in-person learning can continue. In accordance with CDC guidance, we are also urging families to take steps to protect themselves and minimize the spread of communicable diseases in our schools. 

Dear PPS Families,

Every special education student deserves a high-quality and equitable learning experience. This belief is born from my lived experiences as an educator, and from my relationships with students receiving special education services and their families. Students that receive special education services are our community’s children, and the reason why many of us became educators.