In compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, Portland Public Schools must notify families and staff of the existence and location of our Asbestos Management Plan. Please see the accompanying memo:

Annual Notification

Next year, WHS will be launching their Integrated Pathways Program. Wilson Pathways provide students with the unique opportunity to learn through integrated, interdisciplinary lessons, and apply that knowledge using project-based learning skills. Students select a pathway that interests them (Arts & Communication, Computer Science, Construction & Engineering, or Health Science), then follow a carefully designed curricular trajectory, specific to their Major. Students in the Wilson Pathways Program master the use of 21st-century technology, innovate creative solutions for modern problems, develop real-world job skills, and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Last week's attack on the US Capitol was both gripping and scary for many people, our students included. As new information is discovered and discussed, and volitility continues in our discourse and governement, your children may be experiencing anxiety or asking questions. These are a few of the resources we use to help us manage difficult conversations in the classroom. They are easily translated to parent-child discussions.

Curiosity and Questions: A presentation (and great dictionary of terms) from the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education

Helping CHildren Cope with Frightening News, a website from Child Mind Institute

When Bad Things are Happening, an article from Teaching Tolerance

Parent and Caregiver Resources, a toolkit from the ADL

9 Healthy Ways to Communicate, 9 strategies for sustaining and deepening conversation from educator and film maker, Lee Mun Wah

Curated lists of books and movies, and conversation prompts!

I am thrilled to be joining Jackson Middle School this year, and we are all quite excited about the first days of school. If you haven’t had a chance to see what students need this year, the school supply list is available on the Jackson Middle School website. This year we will be giving every student a Jackson planner, but we are asking families to include a three-inch binder in their back to school purchasing (unless you choose to purchase it from the school). These binders are important tools for students to learn how to manage the materials and deadlines for six classes each semester. Core teachers will be setting aside time each week for students to regroup and reorganize their work, and to build those organizational habits.

When your student arrives on Wednesday, or Thursday, they will see workers still on site. Construction will continue through the end of September. Outside, we have new sidewalks, as well as new roofs on the shop and the front of the building. Inside there are new railings, new water fountains, and classroom modifications in some rooms. We also get to welcome new staff in administration, art, special education, and 8th grade. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Karl Newsome (Assistant Principal), Ms. Jessica Hickey (Art), Ms. Mary Ventura and Ms. Carol Lam (Resource Center), and Ms. Rhonda Brennan and Ms. Courtney Baker (8th grade)!

And, a quick school tip:

Sixth grade parents: supervision looks different at middle school. The doors open at 8:55 and students are welcome to have breakfast in the cafeteria or spend a few minutes with their friends. We do not have staff outside prior to the doors opening, so understand that students are both unsupervised prior to 8:55 and they are on school property and are expected to comply with school and district policies. That level of independence can be hard, because students are still developing the capacity to fully understand cause and effect. If you have flexibility within your family, this is a place to exercise it.

Thank you, families, for everything you do to support our students. Have a great week, everyone!

Susan Kosmala
Principal

Dear PPS Families and Colleagues,

We proudly welcomed Governor Kate Brown to Sitton Elementary today for a tour of our limited in person instruction classrooms there and to look at the health and safety measures the school has implemented in anticipation of hybrid learning this spring. Our thanks to Principal Dana Nerenberg for hosting us at her wonderful school. 

Dear PPS Families and Staff,

This week, Superintendent Guerrero and senior leaders presented a COVID-19 school reopening update to the Board of Education. The update largely focused on the district’s plan to offer hybrid instruction to middle and high school grades by mid-April. This follows a similar announcement two weeks ago regarding kindergarten through 5th grades.

Dear PPS Families,

We are excited to offer student-athletes in Portland Public Schools an opportunity to participate in the Portland Interscholastic League’s first athletic competitions in over a year starting next week.

Dear PPS Families,

For those who were not able to attend the Explore Your K-5 Options event on February 18, we are offering the event again on Monday, March 8, from 6-8 p.m.