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.

June 2021

Dear Odyssey Community,

I am pleased to announce that Crystal Gassert will be the new principal of the Odyssey Program in the 2021-22 school year.

She will succeed Eryn Berg, who has been Odyssey principal since 2019. We thank Eryn for her service and wish her the best in her new role as principal at Sunnyside Environmental K-8 School.

Crystal comes to Odyssey from Lent K-8 School, where she has served as assistant principal since 2019, and now as interim principal. Utilizing data, she led Lent’s effort to focus resources and systems to meet the needs of historically underserved students; make significant improvements in literacy and grade level reading scores; and foster climate shifts for staff, students, and families.

She began her education career as a teacher in DC Public Schools, where she served as the lead of their academic leadership team, focusing on building school systems and family partnerships. Starting in 2015, she was a studio teacher for reading and math in the Beaverton School District before moving into administration. Throughout her years as an educator, Crystal has worked in multiple transdisciplinary programs that emphasize an equity lens while preparing students to be leaders in their communities. As a former PPS student, Crystal is excited to serve the community that has given her so much.

Crystal earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Catholic University of America, a Master of Education from the University of Maryland, and an Administrative License from Portland State University.

Please join me in welcoming Principal Gassert to Odyssey.

Shawn Bird, Ed.D.

Chief of Schools