Dear PPS Middle School Families,

We apologize for the confusion many students and families are feeling with regard to middle school schedules and expectations for distance learning instruction. We have worked with educators and administrators throughout this week to come to a more clear understanding related to middle school learning experience, and want to make sure you know what to expect as well.

Dear PPS Parents and Guardians,

As we welcome students back to the new school year, an important step for teachers is to understand your student’s most essential learning needs. To collect this valuable information, students will take Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments. The MAP assessment is a low stakes test – this means that the results are not used for grading students or for school accountability purposes. 

Dear PPS Families,

As the 2020-21 school year gets under way, we are excited to share news about school meals. Through our partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture, we will be able to provide school meals for all students at no cost at this time. 

Dear PPS Families,

As we shift from the soft start into ongoing virtual learning, families have shared questions about the middle grades schedules. We know you are essential partners in student learning, and we want to ensure you have answers to these commonly asked questions in one place. In case you are interested in state guidance behind the PPS schedules, we have linked information below for your reference.

Dear PPS Families,

Dear PPS Families,

As the air quality in our city continues to be very unhealthy, we are keeping all school sites closed again tomorrow, Thursday, September 17. 

Dear PPS Families,

As the air quality in our city continues to be very unhealthy, we are keeping all school sites closed again tomorrow, Wednesday, September 16.

Dear PPS Families,

As the air quality in our city has not significantly improved, all school sites will remain closed Tuesday, September 15.

Dear PPS Families,

After having already adjusted and changed so many of the things that go into the start of a school year, we have been hit with yet another challenge as wildfires burn across our region. We know that some members of our district community have been more directly affected by these fires. Our hearts and thoughts are with them.

UPDATE FRIDAY MORNING: With air quality continuing to worsen, we have canceled meal distribution that had been scheduled for Friday afternoon outside 36 of our schools. Our original message from Thursday below has been edited to reflect the change.

Dear PPS Families,

With the challenging times we all find ourselves in, PPS is particularly committed to ensuring our students and families are supported in a variety of ways. Staff from across all Portland Public Schools departments came together this summer with our culturally specific community partner organizations to build a detailed plan that reflects the needs of those we serve. We are very pleased to share with you today the PPS Menu of Student and Family Supports.

Dear PPS Families and Staff,

Due to widespread power outages in the Portland metro area, we know a number of students and staff are without power at home, and unable to join their classes for distance learning today. 

We are very excited to see your student back at school this year. While we cannot see them in person, we will connect with them virtually through online distance learning. It is very important that students attend and participate in classes. We want to provide multiple ways for our teachers to account for your child’s attendance in school. You can find several ways listed below. Please review them with your student and please stress the importance of their participation and engagement in school this year. Thank you in advance for your partnership with us during online learning.