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Robert Gray Middle School
Honoring the unique characteristics
of young adolescents.

5505 SW 23rd •Portland, OR 97239•Ph (503) 916-5676•Fx (503) 916-2629

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Robert Gray
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  • RGMS News 10/16/20

    10/17/2020

    Donate to Robert Gray Middle School PTA

    RGMS News from Principal Lisa Newlyn

    October 16, 2020

     
    Important Dates to Remember

    11/5 First Quarter Grading Period Ends
    11/6 No School-Teacher Planning Day
    11/9 Second Quarter Begins
    11/11 No School-Veterans' Day
     

    In this issue:


    From Lisa Newlyn, Principal 
    **Use ParentVue to Update Yearly Verification Information**
    Text/Library Book Pick Up Mondays, 1-3pm
    Parent Access to Canvas 
    From the Office
    RGMS GSA
    Counselors Corner
    Nutrition Services Update
    PTA General Meeting (10/21, 7pm) Information
    RGMS PTA Drama
     

    Communications for 2020-2021

       @RobertGrayMiddleSchool
       @RobertGrayMidd1
       @RobertGrayMiddleSchool


    If you have not already opted to receive texts from PPS Communications, you can do so by texting “Yes” or “Y” to 68453.     Please note that PPS Communications uses text messaging on a limited basis.

    From Lisa Newlyn, Principal

    If your service was like mine, mail delivery to the Newlyn House this week included mid term grades.  As a parent, this week was a time for us to celebrate and reflect.  We've been working hard together to make sure that The Newlygans get the most out of their comprehensive distance learning (CDL) experience.  As Principal, I can say the same is true for our Robert Gray staff. We've been working hard together to make sure that all RGMS students get the most out of their comprehensive distance learning experience.    I want to highlight a couple of key pieces staff and I are working on as we round the bend to November 5, the end of Q1.  We are focusing our attention on data points that help us shape our instructional practices: attendance, participation, and grades.  Two areas we need to explore are our use of Canvas and Synergy, and Student Climate.  

    Climate Survey
    Last week MR. Waters mentioned Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycles.  Midterm grade are a great time for us to hear from students about their experience as learners.  Stay tuned for an update on this piece from Mr. Waters and our School Climate Team next week.  It's important to us to give students a voice in their learning experiences so we can be responsive as a team.

    Canvas and Synergy 
    Staff and I are seeing what works and what doesn't on the educator side of Canvas.  Parents and students have given us great feedback on what works and what doesn't on the student side of Canvas.  RGMS Instructional Leadership Team is pulling these perspectives together so we can align and calibrate so these two important management systems serve our needs in the best way possible. 

    Welcome Back Ms. Hyde! 
    It's so good to have you back with us, Ms. Hyde.  This year is the first time we have two, full time counselors at RGMS. I'm so glad for the talent on our Counseling Team this year, and glad for Ms. Hyde and Ms. Held's work together.  

    Saying Goodbye to Ms. Collins 
    I hate to say it, but I need to share that we're saying goodbye to Diana Collins this week.  PPS is lucky to have her as a new Teacher on Special Assignment for our MTSS Department.  She'll be working as as a teacher leader with schools across the district on the team that supports Multi Tiered Systems of Support.  This is a great honor for her and speaks to her passion and talent for student success.  Her last official day at RGMS will be Friday, 10/23.  Please join me in wishing Ms. Collins well as she takes this big step in her professional life.  

    I'll share an update with parents and students as to how we will be filling her position on our Climate Management Specialist team next week.

    Have a great weekend,
    Lisa Newlyn,
    Principal
    Canvas DeMystified with a Goofy Video by Principal Newlyn

    Wondering about Canvas codes?  Ever asked yourself, "Self, what do my calendar codes and icons mean?"  Wonder no more!  Ms. Newlyn is thinking the same things and put these thoughts to video.  Thanks to Ms. Collins and Ms. Lammert for the fab graphics which you can download and print.

    Lisa's Canvas Video
    TAG Parent Night was 10/15/20 @ 7pm

    Thank to everyone who came last night!  We had the best attendance EVER at our annual RGMS TAG Parent Night.  Thanks to our esteemed TAG Facilitators, Mr. Timmons and Ms. Spring, and for sharing high level information about Talented and Gifted identification, communication and services at RGMS.  We didn't record the session, but we do have a great slide deck available at this link.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to any of us directly.

      Haven't picked up textbooks yet?  Need a library book?
      Our Librarian or Library Assistant will be available to check out textbooks or library books every Monday, 1-3pm.
      From Ms. McMillan @ the RGMS Library

      Let's Get Reading @ RGMS!
      Students can now check out library books from the RGMS Library-- Yay! Your student can 1) Place a hold on a specific book, 2) Grab a book bag of 5 books curated by library staff, or 3) Choose a new title from the "Lucky Day" cart. Checkout will happen every Monday, 1-3pm in the covered bus lane. Read this letter from Ms. McMillan for more information about our Let's Get Reading Campaign.
       

      Parent Access to Canvas
      Are you interested in having access to Canvas as a parent/guardian? Follow this link to find the Canvas Quick Guide to get connected. 

      From the Office
      Due to COVID restrictions, there is not always someone in the main office.  Please don't leave a phone message.  For attendance issues, email grayattend@pps.net.  For other information, email Peggy, pbruce@pps.net, or Berenice, bbrown4@pps.net.

      Use grayattend@ pps.net to excuse your student's absence or tardy.  If you have a question about an absence, please contact your student's teacher to verify.  Then email grayattend@pps.net. 

      Please note that there is not enough time in the day for us to reply to each attendance email.

      ParentVue can be used to check your student's attendance, class schedule, and grades.  This is also where you can update any information and complete the Yearly Verification form. Forgot your password?  Don't keep trying and get locked out!  Just click on "forgot password" and a password will be emailed to you.



       

       
       
       
      October 2020

      WELCOME BACK MS. HYDE!!!  We're so glad to have you back in action and ready to serve RGMS students.  This year we are so fortunate to have two great people on Counseling Team.

      Lisa Hyde Robert Gray Middle School Counselor: lhyde@pps.net

      Laureen Held Robert Gray Middle School Counselor: lheld@pps.net  
      Work Cell:  971-379-0480

      Parent Referral Form:  rb.gy/fjezgg
      Peer-to-Peer Connection:   g.co/meet/held

      RGMS PTA

       
      The first RGMS PTA General Meeting of the year is Wednesday, October 21st at 7:00 p.m.  Please join us if you would like to hear more about PTA and how you can help our student and teacher community this year!  Zoom details below:
       
      Join Zoom Meeting
      https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/JYkBCZ6013IBQmR2ujTo_o?domain=us02web.zoom.us
       
      Meeting ID: 872 2540 4063
      Passcode: 722183
      One tap mobile
       
      +16699006833,,87225404063#,,,,,,0#,,722183# US (San Jose)
       
      Dial by your location
       
              +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
       
      Meeting ID: 872 2540 4063
      Passcode: 722183
      Find your local number: https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/rUd8C1w4L2tWqjm5tpy0dS?domain=us02web.zoom.us

      The Robert Gray PTA supports RGMS academics, parent education, and other activities related to the RGMS community as a whole. This school year is unlike any other due to the many issues our community is facing. Your financial contributions this year will help teachers stock their virtual and physical classrooms with necessary materials, distribute food to student families, provide school supplies and other needs for students, fund Chromebooks for students, and support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in our community.

      Please donate!
      If you have the means to financially support the RGMS PTA this year, please donate. Thank you in advance for your donation! 

      Donate to the RGMS PTA funds by clicking here: https://checkout.square.site/pay/66507ee689bd4f50bb52273ab0e6fa13. 

      RGMS Yearbook News!
      We still have many uncollected yearbooks from last year, please contact Kim Mathews at
      xelakann@gmail.com to set up a time for a porch pick up. We also have many available to sell if you have not purchased one yet. They are $20 (checks made out to RGMS PTA). We are also looking for volunteers to work on this year’s yearbook – please email Kristin at kcornuelle@orrick.com if you are interested in participating!

      Join PTA!
      You can join the RGMS PTA by clicking here: https://www.oregonpta.org/membership
      Please reach out to us if you have a special interest, questions or would like to connect with us by emailing us at rgmsptaemail@gmail.com. Our meetings are on the third Wednesdays of every month at 7:00 p.m. and everyone is welcome. We look forward to hearing from you!
        
      RGMS PTA Events 2020-2021
      • October – Fall Magazine Fundraiser – Our first fundraiser – buy some magazines to support the school!
      • December – Giving Tuesday – Be part of our winter online fundraising drive.  We are especially looking for employers who match!
      • February – Virtual RGMS Benefit – An event not to be missed!  We will be raising funds for our community.
      • April – Run for Gray – Students run laps based on your pledges.  Funds will support new Chromebooks and other needs.
      • June – 8th Grade Promotion
       

      RGMS PTA Drama Program 2020-2021

      New RGMS Drama program
      We have is a new project that is starting at RGMS called 2nd Stage PDX. This is a student run organization that is a full year acting/leadership/project based program.

      Mission of 2nd Stage PDX: 
      The mission of 2nd Stage PDX is to inspire young actors to express themselves in a high level artistic experience with an ensemble of actors. Through artistic projects and a goal setting performance based program, 2nd Stage PDX is an ensemble of youth and teen actors co-created by students, and a student run organization. We believe that through a student run program, we can transform the arts for youth and teens to meet actors where they are in life.  

      For more information:
      Auditions: Tuesday, October 13th and Wednesday, October 14th 
       2nd stage Website for more information

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      Copyright © 2020 Robert Gray Middle School, All rights reserved.

      Our mailing address is:
      5505 SW 23rd Ave.
      Portland, OR 97239

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