November 1, 2019

Welcome to November Markham Families,

Congratulations on another successful, fun filled and festive carnival!  Thanks to our PTA and all the volunteers it took to make it happen.  It was so nice to see so many former Markham students lend a hand along with Lewis and Clark and Portland State students.

Every three years the Wilson Cluster gets to display artwork from our schools. Ten students’ pieces will be a part of the exhibit. These pieces will be displayed at the BESC (Blanchard Educational Service Center) located at 501 N. Dixon from October 15^th through January 15^th.  Big thank you to: Suri, Mia, Hashim, Beck, Toby, Skye, Grayson, Mihal, Aziiza and Nolan for allowing their artwork to be displayed for many others to enjoy. 

Please join me in welcoming Barry Pullen to our night custodian staff.  Joshua Sevier transferred to another Wilson cluster school. We appreciate all of his hard work and effort during his time at Markham. 

We are also welcoming a new School Health Assistant, Denise Fransen.  Terese Ueland transferred to a school closer to her home.  We are thankful for her time at Markham.

The next Sharing with Shawn is Friday, November 15^th from 9:00 to 10:00 in the Neighborhood House Head Start classroom, Rm. 113.  This is an informal get together where school information is shared, questions answered, as well as suggested ways to get involved at school.  Come and get important information about your school while meeting other Markham parents.  Childcare is sponsored by our SUN School/Impact NW.

Reminders:

• There is no school on Monday, November 11^th in honor of Veterans’ Day.
• Conferences are scheduled to run from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Monday and Tuesday of November 25^th and 26^th. Report cards are not filled out for 1^st quarter grading period.  You will receive a PPS Parent –Teacher Conference Form.  These forms are filled out by your child’s classroom teacher and are discussed and presented at the parent/teacher conferences.
• There is also no school on November 27^th, 28^th and 29^th in celebration of the Thanksgiving Holiday.  
• Mark your calendars: The Scholastic Book Fair will run from December 2^nd through December 6^th. It will be held in the small gym. Grandparents and Special Friends Day will also take place on the last day of the Book Fair, Friday, December 6^th from 1:30 to 3:00 PM.

Below is a message from PPS and SafeOregon

The SafeOregon Tipline aims to increase student safety

Keeping with our commitment to student safety, PPS joined school districts across the state a couple years ago in using the SafeOregon Tip Line. We want to remind you about this important resource.

SafeOregon was funded by the Oregon Legislature as part of a statewide effort to improve school safety. It provides a secure means for anyone to anonymously report suspicious or imminently unsafe situations, such as threats of violence, fights, drugs and alcohol, weapons, bullying, harassment, intimidation or self-harm. Anyone, from students to parents to community members, can access the system in a variety of ways, including:

• The “Report unsafe behavior” button found on every PPS school’s website
• The SafeOregon website
• A live call/text (844-472-3367)
• An email to tip@safeoregon.com
• The mobile app that can be downloaded from your Smart Phone via iTunes or Google Play

Trained staff are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to respond. Please be sure to share this information with your friends and family. Remind your

students: If you see or hear something, say something - immediately. Let’s work together to keep our community safe.

The attached document is information on our very important renewal levy, which will be on the November ballot.

Even though this is, a month set aside to emphasize being thankful, I am thankful for the Markham Community year round.  Words cannot express my gratitude and pleasure in seeing how students are put first in words and actions.  I am wishing you all endearing times with family and friends during this Thanksgiving season. 

Gratefully,

Shawn Garnett

Principal