In an effort to support our students’ learning and a focused classroom environment, we strongly discourage high sugar and/or caffeinated beverages (such as Prime, Monster, etc.) at school. Soda, energy, and some sports performance drinks frequently contain high amounts of sugar and/or caffeine. These drinks do not promote learning and may cause distractions among peers.

We ask that all students come to school with a water bottle each day, which they may fill at any of our water filling stations around campus. At lunch, there is always milk available for purchase.

We are running this reminder again this week, as we have seen an uptick in students using devices on campus. Please discuss this policy with your student. If your student texts you during school hours, please remind them of the policy at that time as well and advise them to put away their device.

We recognize that we all live in a world saturated with technology. While digital tools are valuable learning and communication resources, they can also become distractions and disruptions. We strive to maintain a vibrant learning environment, and as such, we have firm limits on the use of technology here at school. We require all phones to be OFF AND AWAY and all smartwatches to be on SCHOOL MODE and used only for checking the time. If you need to contact your student during school hours, please call the main office (503-916-6210), and we will make sure you will get in contact with your child.

As a reminder, our Back to School Nights are coming at the end of this month –Wednesday, September 27th for K through 5 and Thursday, September 28th for Middle School, both from 5:30 - 7:00pm.

The format of our Elementary grades BTSN will be an Open House model with your students attending, guiding you around the school, sharing their learning spaces and school routines. Please be sure to visit your student’s PE, Art, and Library teachers too.

For our Middle School BTSN, you will experience an abbreviated schedule with you attending all six periods for a short presentation by each of your student’s teachers. On Wednesday, your middle school student will have a schedule and a map for you to follow. Middle School Back to School Night is an information evening geared towards adults, so we ask that students do not attend.

While our staff is excited to meet with you all face to face, please keep in mind that BTSN is not a time to discuss your student’s individual needs or academic concerns. It is meant as a celebration of being in school and a chance to experience a taste of your student’s school life. We will have time to discuss your student’s performance and achievements during conference time in November.

We recognize that we all live in a world saturated with technology. While digital tools are valuable learning and communication resources, they can also become distractions and disruptions. We strive to maintain a vibrant learning environment, and as such, we have firm limits on the use of technology here at school. We require all phones to be “off and away” and all smartwatches to be on silent/school mode and used only for checking the time. If you need to contact your student during school hours, please call the main office (503-916-6210), and we will make sure you will get in contact with your child.

If your student violates this policy, the first offense will result in their phone/watch being held in the main office for them to pick up at the end of the day. The second and all subsequent offenses will result in their phone/watch being held in the main office for adult pick up. You will be notified by the office if your student’s device has been confiscated and we require you to come pick it up.

Today was disappointing – for us but, most importantly, for our students and families. The Portland Association of Teachers offered no counter proposals – and yet declared impasse.

Today, we offered compromises that would both reward our educators and further our students’ success. We were able to raise our compensation offer substantially. We are not there yet, but we are committed to the hard work of finding common ground.

Today, we started the state-led mediation process with one priority: our children’s success. We offered compromises that would keep that vision at the heart of our work – and maintained our position on proposals that would negatively impact students.

On behalf of the Board of Education and district leaders at PPS, our best wishes for a positive and joyful start to your school year!