Students continue to be exposed to tragedy, with additional violence in Georgia and Colorado over the last few weeks. Students may have questions and worries. The links below are designed for difficult and emotionally laden conversations, and 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

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

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,

As we reach the end of an unprecedented school year, we want to extend our gratitude for the patience, flexibility and understanding shared by you and your students.

Dear PPS Families,

It has been a pleasure to serve your students meals this school year. We are happy to let you know that we will continue to provide access to meals during the summer, beginning June 21.

Dear PPS Families and Staff,

As we complete this most unique school year, we want to recommend two events being staged by the PPS Visual & Performing Arts department to showcase art pieces and performances by the creative students of Portland Public Schools.

Dear PPS Community,

As this is the last week of Mental Health Awareness month, we want to ensure that everyone has information about our continuum of care for students who experience mental health and substance use challenges. We also want to highlight services for our BIPOC students and families.