Ainsworth Library Book Bag Program: Let’s Get Reading!

Building community and staying connected as a school staff is important now more than ever. With our classes we work to build relationships in part through teamwork and games at the beginning of the school year. In August our staff started doing something similar. 

Mutual trust and team dynamics are often built through events like this and are important in building vibrant and resilient staff, especially when we are physically apart.

After researching a number of options, we were delighted to find teambuilding.com’s Online Office Games event. Our funny and energetic hosts, Jim and Kevin, helped us try to solve an ancient Egyptian murder myster. It not only helped us get to know each other better but also taught us about the meeting technology (Zoom) that has been vital to our connectedness in this work-from-home time. This event gave us the opportunity to become more familiar with aspects of Zoom that we will use with our classes; things like breakout rooms and renaming our display windows. My favorite part was getting a glimpse into each person’s home and personality. The host would occasionally ask us to bring a specific item to the screen to earn points for our teams or ask us various trivia questions. It is clear a trivia showdown is in our future!

Prior to the event, I know that some of my colleagues were not sure what to expect, and honestly I wasn’t either. Afterward, many were appreciative of the event and our fun time together. Most importantly, we learned about each other and worked together as a team. 

Dear Families of PPS Secondary Students,

During Comprehensive Distance Learning, opportunities are built into the schedule for all families to be able to connect with teachers during office hours. As in a traditionally formatted year, we will also be offering Parent-Teacher Conferences (morning to evening) on November 23-24. 

Dear PPS Families,

With the announcement that Portland Public Schools is extending Comprehensive Distance Learning through at least January 28, we want to make you aware of upcoming updates to our meal service as we adjust to the coming colder weather and shorter days.

Dear PPS Families and Staff,

We are now several weeks into Comprehensive Distance Learning, and simultaneously working on the next phases of a gradual re-opening of schools. PPS remains focused on published health metrics from the county and state and our medical experts. We also continue to observe Oregon Department of Education guidelines as we contemplate introducing limited in-person opportunities. While we are anxious to have all of our students back on campus, we will proceed in a measured and prudent manner that prioritizes the health and safety of our students and employees. 

Dear PPS Families and Staff,