We have some exciting resources to share with you and your students to support reading and digital literacy this summer! Packets will go home with students the last week of school. 

• Multnomah County Library’s Summer Reading Program -- Game board -- no library card required to play! Families will also be able to register to play online starting June 16th.

• Slide deck with complete details

• NOTE: This will also be posted on the Odyssey homepage, library website, Louise’s digital classroom sites, and shared in the PTA Newsletter.

• MCL Connect -- Now all PPS students have a library card through Multnomah County Library! They can use their student ID number and password to check out books in-person and online. 

• Info video for Elementary Staff

• Info video for Middle School Staff

• MCL Connect details webpage

• NOTE: This will also be posted on the Odyssey homepage, library website, Louise’s digital classroom sites, and shared in the PTA Newsletter.

• Odyssey’s Reading BINGO -- Students and families can both play! Any students who return completed cards in the fall will receive a prize.

 

And don’t forget we have lots of online resources through the Odyssey Library website to support student literacy and digital learning that include:

• NEW!! Odyssey Virtual Makerspace -- Lots of ideas for digital literacy, STEAM, and other learning and creation activities! 

• PPS e-books, read alouds, and exploration sites -- Destiny Discover catalog, Tumblebooks, Storyline Online, World Book Online, Kids Discover, and more!

In this Edition

Message from Dr Berg: Below

Message from PTA President Katie Dill: Below

Counselor’s Corner: Below

Chromebooks Issued to Students: Below

School Office Hours: Below

Odyssey for All: Below

Library Ladies Update: Below

Family School Supply Lists for 2021-2022: Below

Moving Out of PPS School District, Out of State or Changing Schools? Below

8th Grade Gift Bag Thank You: Below

SUN Summer Camp Signup: Below

New Communications Coordinator: Below

Odyssey Library Extreme Makeover: Below

Young Audiences Arts for Learning – Free Summer Camps: Below

Neurodiversity Parent-Student Summer Meetup: Below

Various Summer Camps for Students: Below

Odyssey Field Study Trailer Needs a Home! Below

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Upcoming Events

Final Report Cards Available Online: Friday, June 18

Odyssey for All Meeting: Monday, June 21

First Day of School Year 2021-2022: Wednesday, September 1

Odyssey Back To School Night: Thursday, Sept 23, 6 - 7:30pm

 

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Message From Dr Berg

Dear Odyssey Families,

It is time to say goodbye.  I know this past year has been challenging, but as I said to the 8th graders in promotion, so much of this past year has also been learning new skills and gaining resilience, patience, hope, and hopefully a little grace for ourselves and others.  

As I leave and move on, please know that I will continue to work with the new principal (once they are named) on the transition and that I am just a phone call or an email away.  I will always keep my Odyssey family in my heart and cheer for this program.  What a special and unique place.  

Thank you for all you have done over the course of these past two years to champion the school, your students, and each other.  Community is important and as we start to be able to see each other again and do things together, keep each other close and cared for.

As we know more about what next school year will look like, we will be able to schedule August events and we highly encourage you to join us for those events.  We are excited to welcome our new families to Odyssey and welcome back our students and families.  Please stay tuned for information from your new principal.

A Few Notes Before the Summer Break:

• Save the date for Odyssey Back to School Night, Thursday, Sept 23rd, 6:00pm – 7:30pm.  More details will be coming later. This is a parent-only event for parents to meet the teacher and hear what to expect for the coming year.
• School supply lists for 2021-2022 are posted at https://www.pps.net/domain/4772
• K-5 report cards are missing attendance.  Please go to ParentVue if you want to check attendance for the 4th quarter for your student.
• Please keep all district devices over the summer UNLESS you are moving out of PPS.  If you are moving out of PPS, please return your device next Monday or Tuesday.
• Join me in giving a big shout out and thank you to our 8th grade teachers for an excellent Covid promotion yesterday.  The students did a great job and congrats to all of our 8th graders.

I wish you a wonderful summer.  Read, play, and spend some time outdoors.  

Sincerely, 

Dr. Berg
Principal, Odyssey Program
She/ Hers/ They (Why?)

 

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Message From PTA President Katie Dill

Dearest Odyssey community,

This past year and a half has been a time for all.the.feels.  There are moments I am in complete awe of our capacity to hold such an overwhelming amount of feelings and emotions day after day.  We have been sad, scared, hurt, worried and anxious.  We have also seen glimmers of joy, hope, love, content and gratitude.  This year has brought us to our knees and had us reaching for the stars all in one breath.  It has been exhausting and challenged us in ways we never thought possible!   What a ride!

A huge thanks to our departing staff members, students and parents who will be closing their chapter at odyssey this year!   Thank you to Dr. Berg for planting so many seeds within our community. You held our hands and walked our community through a pandemic with confidence and reassurance, thank you!  We wish you well at Sunnyside!

Coach Payne, thank you for being a role model for our children, teaching them the importance of physical fitness, health and nutrition. Wells HS is lucky to have you and we wish you the best!

And to all of the parents departing Odyssey... thank you for the endless hours of chaperoning field studies, sewing bags, organizing costumes, making journals, serving on the PTA and for showing up day after day for your child and this community.   We will miss you and are so grateful for the time and love you have put into this school!

Enjoy this much needed rest and be ready to rock and roll in the fall - it’s going to be AWESOME!!! 

Warmly,
Katie Dill
PTA President

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Counselor’s Corner

Dear Odyssey Families,

Wow, what a year!

As you slide into your well-deserved summer break I have some shout outs to share.

Thank you...

• wonderful parents for supporting your students through CDL
• Students for teaching me resilience
• Dr. Berg for not laughing out loud at my tech skills
• Angela for grace when I interrupt your work
• Ms. Wendi for teaching me pandemic survival skills
• Mr. Ryan for providing comic relief
• K12 Team for letting me work with kids at random times
• 345 Team for including me in your morning hallway chats
• 678 Team for letting me post my wacky signs in your hall
• Mr. Z for talking to me about trucks and trips
• Ms. Chambers for your mad dance skills
• Coach Payne for the energetic dance music
• Ms. Jones for packing my Netflix schedule
• Connie for your formidable racquet skills
• Ms. Writz for letting me crash your CDL time
• Mr. Goldstein for putting up with my Google Meet scheduling errors
• Emily for the friendly morning greetings
• Janine for the rapid email responses
• Joyce for a winning smile
• Colleen for always checking-in
• Anna and Shari for preparing jam-packed lunches
• Tim for keeping our school healthy and safe
• And everyone else for just being you

Congratulations graduates!

Finally The Magazine Team presents The Odyssey Broadcast Edition 3

https://read.bookcreator.com/iF-Tatx79HnlQDwoJqBQjH7IGKrkXPG3o0dJOBwFtUg/L0l6QsEDTWeOeMY--Y_u8Q

Have a safe and wonderful summer,

Stephanie Cox
School Counselor

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Chromebooks Issued To Students

If you have checked out a Chromebook for your student to use during the COVID-19 closure, please hold on to them until the fall or until we all hear something from the district office about the return process.

-----------------------------------------------------

School Office Hours

The school office will be open until Monday, June 21st.  If you need to deliver or pick something up, please call ahead to assure Angela is working in the office.  Angela will return Thursday, August 12th. 

Angela Hoffart
Principal's Secretary

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Odyssey for All Update

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences, concerns, and ideas on the Odyssey Bus Survey. The results are attached to this email. We hope this outreach and resulting data will help us advocate for future transportation services. 

We also wanted to share with you what we know about a few of the topics brought up in your survey comments:

Before and after school care

Several of you rightfully mentioned on-site, before and after school care as an equally, if not more, important issue. Dr. Berg looked into this and the district evaluated our building, but will not allow a comprehensive program to operate in our small building. Remember, most of the year the auditorium is being used for play rehearsal as well.

However, we could use parent volunteers who are interested in working with the PTA to evaluate after school classes that might meet once or twice a week for 4-8 weeks. For example, in the past we've had a chorus class or a P.E. class. These classes have largely been due to a parent with a strong desire to help and/or a strong connection to an available instructor. If you're interested, please contact PTA President Katie Dill at: ospc-chair@odysseyprogram.org

Carpooling

The Oregon Department of Transportation is rolling out a carpool app that would be offered for free to schools. We are in the process of learning more about this app. In the past, a parent volunteer has painstakingly organized carpools, but we could still use a liaison for any future app that comes online. If you can help with this, please contact Katie Dill at: ospc-chair@odysseyprogram.org

Traffic Safety

Liz Davis and Stephanie Yao Long have been working on neighborhood traffic issues for two years and are happy to share that PBOT has promised to build speed bumps on either side of the crosswalk at the blind corner just south of the school. There is a lot more we are planning to do to engage with the apartment residents around the corner and with the Sylvan Highlands Neighborhood in general. The idea is that behavior change may come once drivers see that their actions affect a community they belong to, with real people that are their neighbors. If you are interested in helping, please contact odysseyschool4all@gmail.com.

As always, reach out to us at odysseyschool4all@gmail.com if you would like to be added to our email list or receive meeting agendas a few days in advance or learn more about how you can help as we continue building our capacity for implementing improvements.

The next Odyssey for All meeting is on June 21 at 7 p.m. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pcg-gnib-thq  

See you there!

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Library Ladies Update – Thank You for the Summer Reading Book Fair & Other Info!

Dear Students and Families,

The Odyssey kids will have lots of wonderful new books in the library to look forward to thanks to your support of the Summer Reading Book Fair at Annie Bloom's!  Thank you!

Also, a reminder of some fun reading activities students can engage in over the summer:

• Multnomah County Library’s Summer Reading Program -- Win prizes for reading this summer! Game board included in this packet. No library card required! More information (including reading lists) here.
• MCL Connect -- Now all PPS students have a library card through Multnomah County Library! Use your student ID number and password to check out books in person and online, get homework help, and use online learning sites. 
• Odyssey’s Reading BINGO -- Complete your game card and bring back in the fall for a prize! Parents and/or guardians can play with students as well -- make it a whole family activity!

And don’t forget we have lots of online resources through the Odyssey Library website that include:

• NEW!! Odyssey Virtual Makerspace -- Lots of ideas for digital literacy, STEAM, and other learning and creation activities! 
• PPS e-books, read alouds, and exploration sites -- Destiny Discover catalog, Tumblebooks, Storyline Online, World Book Online, Kids Discover, and more!

Happy summer reading and creating!

The Library Ladies 
(Ms. Chambers & Ms. Jones)

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Moving Out of PPS School District, Out of State or Changing Schools?

Please notify Angela at ahoffart@pps.net if your enrollment at Odyssey is ending for the 2021-2022 school year.  (This does not apply to 8th graders rising to a high school).

Thank you,
Angela, Principal's Secretary

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8th Grade Gift Bag Thank You

I want to extend a huge thank you to the Odyssey community for coming together to provide our 8th graders with such wonderful gift bags.  The 8th graders feel so celebrated and appreciated.  Happy trails to our newly minted high school students.  There is no limit to what you can accomplish.  The knowledge and wisdom you bring to your new schools will continue to make us proud.  Please remember us and come visit!  A special thank you to Jamie Clary and Sue Grepper for coordinating the gift bags this year-phenomenal work!

Genevieve

genevieve.fu@odysseyprogram.org

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SUN Summer Camp Signup

Hello from Jackson SUN!

Below is a link for families to sign up for the PM SUN program at Jackson, which includes rising 6th graders from feeder schools plus Robert Gray MS, MLC, Odyssey, and West Sylvan. 

 http://bit.ly/JacksonSUNSummer

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New Communications Coordinator

For the past 8 years Terri has been an incredible gift to Odyssey with her willingness to coordinate the many communications needs of our school.  Now that her son is graduating it's time to pass the baton, and I'm going to try really hard to fill her shoes!  Please continue to send communication requests to info@odysseyprogram.org and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. 

Thank you!

Katie Hoffman

Mom to Eli (5th), Emery (2nd), and Quinn (Kindergarten)

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Announcing the Extreme Home Makeover--Odyssey Library Edition!!

Our library is in serious need of an upgrade--from paint on the walls and improved seating and lighting, to updated technology that will enable more interactive media activities. This makeover will involve multiple phases with opportunities for both direct giving and volunteering available over the next several months.

For Phase 1, we are focused on improving the physical space. We have a DonorsChoose project that is LIVE NOW through October 11, 2021. Use the promo code LIFTOFF at checkout until June 18th and your donation will be doubled up to $50 by DonorsChoose.org!! 

Having flexible seating and creating multiple spaces will let students be comfortable when in the library and better enable them to learn, create, and explore. Our library also needs to include options for students to choose between sound levels while working since it is a smaller room. Creating multiple, inviting spaces will support student socioemotional needs and sense of belonging.

Please consider supporting our school library and sharing the DonorsChoose link below with family and friends--supporters do not need to be directly connected with Odyssey!

https://www.donorschoose.org/project/extreme-home-makeover-odyssey-library-e/5605545/

Please keep an eye out for future opportunities to support Odyssey Library with time and donations to be shared here and on the Facebook page. There will absolutely be ways to support with your time and energy once Portland Public Schools allows visitors to enter buildings again.

Thank you in advance for helping our library grow to better support kids, staff, and families!

Louise Chambers

Teacher Librarian/Media Specialist

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Young Audiences Arts for Learning – Free Summer Camps!

PPS recently accepted Young Audiences' proposal for a summer camp program free of cost to students/families. More information & registration application here: https://www.ya-or.org/summer-2021-art-camps-pps

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Neurodiversity Parent-Student Summer Meetup

Is your student Dyslexic, ADHD/ADD, on the spectrum and/or otherwise neurodiverse? Please join us this August for an outdoor park meet and greet for students and their parents/guardians looking for a connection and support with other Odyssey families navigating life through a neurodiverse lens. We will create a list of topics families are interested in learning more about, plan additional meetups for the new school year, and mostly just connect with others who have been there and can relate. 

Please email Marisa Borrevik (borrevikfamily@gmail.com) if you and your child are interested in attending or have resources you would like to share with this group. Meetup details to follow. Thank you!

 

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Various Student Summer Camps                          

Follow these links for various student summer camps!

360 Arts Camps

2021 Summer Academy Summer Camps

OSU Summer Reading Skills Programs

Portland Playhouse Summer Camps

Virtual Portland Summer Percussion Academy

 

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Odyssey Field Study Trailer Needs a Home

The Odyssey PTA Trailer that carries supplies on each Field Study needs a new place to call home.  If you have space on your property and would be willing to store the trailer, that would be a wonderful way to support Odyssey!

The trailer is 12.5 feet long (+3.5 feet for tongue), 6 feet wide, and 7.5 feet tall. 

For questions or to volunteer your space, please email danettefoster@yahoo.com .

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Click here to view the Feb. 5th Weekly Report

Click here to view the Jan. 29th Weekly Report

Click here to view the Jan. 22nd Weekly Report

Click here to view the Jan. 15th Weekly Report

Click here to view the Jan. 8th Weekly Report

Click here to view the Dec. 18th Weekly Report

Click here to view the Dec. 11th Weekly Report

Click here to view the Dec. 4, 2020 Weekly Report

Click here to view the Nov. 20, 2020 Weekly Report

Click here to view the Nov. 6th Weekly Report

 Click here to view the October 30th Weekly Report

Click here to view the Oct. 24th Odyssey Weekly Report

Click here to view the Oct. 17th Odyssey Weekly Report

In this Edition

Message From Dr Berg: Below

Must Verify Student Information: Below

PTA Guest Speaker Dr Doreen Dodgen-Magee on Tuesday, 10/6: Below & Attached

School Directory – Submit ASAP: Below

Nutrition Service – Meals Update: Below

Update the Odyssey Library Ladies: Below

Odyssey Equity Survey – Deadline Extended: Below

Virtual Learning Tips 10/12: Below

Direct Giving Commitment Form Due 10/7: Below & Attached

Odyssey Weekend Food Bag Program: Below & Attached

Century Link Slowness for Virtual School – Suggested Fix: Below

 

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Upcoming Events

 

School Directory Submission Deadline: ASAP

Odyssey Equity Survey Extended: ASAP

PTA Guest Speaker Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee: Tuesday, 10/6, 6:30 – 7pm

Direct Giving Commitment Form Due: Wednesday, 10/7

Odyssey TAG Night: Wednesday, 10/7, 6:30pm

NO SCHOOL/Teacher In-Service Day: Friday, 10/9

Virtual Learning Tips for Caregivers and Families: Monday, 10/12, 6 – 6:45pm

 

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Message From Dr Berg

 

Hello Odyssey Community,

 

We have been lucky to have some beautiful weather this week and it is a great reminder to get outside and move!   I know that many parents are concerned about screen time with their students and as a parent, I get it.  We are shifting our lives to accommodate this virtual learning and it does require a lot of sitting and getting of information.  That is why it is important to take breaks, move, stretch, and get outside.  For our younger students, parents can work with them to determine how much they can pay attention and give them breaks as often as needed.  I know it's not ideal for anyone, but having the community that virtual learning gives us right now is important and we want all of our students to engage with the teachers and their peers as much as possible.  Please reach out to teachers if you need additional support.

 

I also know that our kids are having a hard time with being away from each other and the school environment.  This type of learning while essential, cannot recreate the social-emotional support of the school structure.  We have both Stephanie and Ryan this year to support, so if you need suggestions or support for your child, please reach out.

 

Please mark your calendars for Odyssey TAG Night October 7th at 6:30. Anyone who wants to know more about TAG or has a TAG student is welcome to attend.  Meeting will be recorded if you cannot attend.

 

Dr. Berg is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Odyssey TAG Meeting
Time: Oct 7, 2020 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting https://pps-net.zoom.us/j/95126820152?pwd=VW1mMFpDZTBFbkFOclVhakxjRjJmZz09

 

We will be holding some parent community building events soon.  Please stay tuned for some "tea with Dr. B" and some virtual learning support events with Ryan and Stephanie.  As adults we also need social emotional support and I miss seeing many of you in the morning when you drop your kid off or when you pick up.  Looking forward to being in person again someday!

 

Best,

Dr. Berg

 

-----------------------------------------------------

Verify Student Information

 

Dear Odyssey Parents,

 

I know we have all been really busy trying to keep up with new distance learning tools, etc.  But I need to ask for your assistance to get your student's registration information verified.  ONLY 11 FAMILIES HAVE VERIFIED/CORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THEIR STUDENT(S).  

 

Please Verify your student's registration information (such as your contact info, emergency contacts, etc.):  This is now online via ParentVUE.  Please take a moment to log in, verify your student's information/make changes, and submit the verification.  Here's the link to TeacherVUE: https://www.pps.net/Page/2341 .  Your user ID would be your email address.  If you haven't activated your ParentVUE account in past years, please email me at ahoffart@pps.net .  I can activate your account and get you rolling!  :-)  

 

Thank you,

Angela Hoffart

Principal's Secretary

 

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Mark your calendars!  PTA Meeting Tuesday 10/6

 

Tuesday, Oct. 6th we will have our first virtual PTA meeting of the 2020/2021 school year!  We will begin our meeting at 6:30pm with the introduction of the current PTA board followed by brief announcements.  At 7:00pm Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee will be answering questions that have been previously submitted YOU relating to balancing life and technology in a digital world. Please see attached flyer.  Don’t miss it!

Katie Dill
PTA President
Ospc-chair@odysseyprogram.org 

 

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School Directory – Submit ASAP!

 

Our need for community is even stronger while our children learn at a distance.  The school directory is a lifeline for Odyssey families to communicate with each other and set up virtual or real interactions for their students.  Please click here to complete the Directory Google Form for your family.  If you do not wish to be listed in the directory, you can simply answer "no" to the second question on the survey and you'll be done!  We've only had 68 families respond so far, and we hope to hear everyone! 

 

Thanks for your participation. 

Genevieve

genevieve.fu@odysseyprogram.org

 

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Nutrition Services – Meal Update

While meals are served at no cost to children ages 1-18 at several Portland Public School sites through December, there are several benefits for eligible families to submit a meal application this school year.

• To ensure eligible students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals continue to receive meals at no cost for the entire school year (past December)
• Families approved for free and reduced-price meals may be eligible to receive future potential government assistance such as Pandemic EBT benefits.  
• Families may be eligible for other benefits such as school related fee reduction or waivers, low cost internet and health coverage.

Families have the following options to submit a meal application:

1. Online at www.schoolcafe.com/pps.
2. Print, complete and mail back a paper meal application (https://www.pps.net/Page/2464) to PPS Nutrition Services, 501 N. Dixon St., Portland, OR 97227.
3. Request a paper meal application be mailed home from mealbenefits@pps.net or call 503.916.3402.

Families do not need to submit a meal application if any of the following apply:

•  A meal application has been submitted and approved for the 2020-21 school year.
• The household received a 2020-21 Direct Certification Approval letter.
• All students in the household attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school (list located online: https://www.pps.net/Page/2088) where students eat meals at no cost.
• The household does not meet the Oregon Expanded Income Guidelines

For meal benefits related questions, please call 503.916.3402 or email mealbenefits@pps.net.

Whitney Ellersick, Senior Director, Nutrition Services
x63276     wellersi@pps.net

 

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Update From The Library Ladies – Let’s Get Reading!

 

Greetings Odyssey Students & Families!

First, a quick update to the Monday Library Lunch Bunch time. It will now be from 11:15-11:45 every Monday on Google Meet. Use the link g.co/meet/oplibrarylb or go to meet.google.com and enter oplibrarylb nickname.

 

Second, a few reminders for the Let's Get Reading! curbside checkout program:

• Please return library books in the paper bag they were checked out in. Everything quarantines together for a week as part of safety protocols.
• Please check your home for any 678 novel set books and/or any library books checked out to students last Spring. We have a lot of very popular titles from our collection that have yet to be returned and we want to make sure we can share them with other interested students! Please drop them off during the Monday and Thursday curbside checkout times at the cafeteria doors from 2:00-4:00 or email lchambers@pps.net and ljones2@pps.net and we can work together to find a time that works for you.

We are so happy to be sending books home to students to enjoy!

 

~ The Library Ladies

(Ms. C and Ms. Jones)

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Deadline extended for Odyssey Equity Survey

 

What does equity look like? Why is it important in a public school? Because this is the first year of Odyssey's equity team, we need to hear from you now as we answer these questions for our community.

 

Add your voice to the conversation:

 

1. Complete the Odyssey Equity Survey: Link to survey (open through Oct. 10)  
2. Sign up for the equity team's email list. In addition to meetings, this is where we'll be sharing ideas and discussing action steps based on the survey data. Link to Google form sign-up

 

Help us reach our goal of 150 respondents to the survey. We're at 111! Thank you for helping us continuously improve.

- Stephanie Yao Long, Odyssey equity team facilitator

 

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Virtual Learning Tips for Caregivers and Families - Google Meet Format

 

Come and join us Mon. Oct. 12th from 6:00-6:45.

 

Your Odyssey Counseling Dept. will present resources that help to foster a positive virtual learning experience.

Bring your questions and we will brainstorm possible solutions that address your family's needs.

If you are unable to attend, the session will be recorded for future viewing.

Please use the Google Meet Nickname:  virtuallearning4u

 

We are excited to see you,

Stephanie Cox, School Counselor

Ryan Dicker, QMHP

Wendi Williams, School Counseling Intern

 

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Direct Giving Update – Commitment Form Due October 7

 

Odyssey Families,

 

Please read the attached letter regarding Direct Giving for the first semester of the 2020/2021 school year.  We are asking that families fill out the Direct Giving commitment form online by October 7^th to allow PTA to better plan how to support students and teachers. 

 

Ben Riggsby, Caleb (8)

Direct Giving Coordinator

directgiving@odysseyprogram.org

 

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Odyssey Weekend Food Bag Program Sign-Up

 

Weekend Food Bags are available for families in need.  This is a joint effort between Take Action Inc, Vermont Hills Church, Odyssey PTA, Hayhurst PTA, and the Ainsworth PTA.

 

Due to the school building closure we will be providing food bags every other week.  If your family would like to receive a food bag every other week, please fill out the attached form and return to the Odyssey Office as soon as possible.  Providing information on the number of people in your family will help us to continue to receive grants to fund our program.  We value your privacy and the information that you provide below will remain confidential.

Please contact Stephanie Cox, School Counselor, at scox@pps.net with any questions.  If your family has dietary restrictions, please let Stephanie know.

 

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Century Link Slowness - Fix

Hi all,

There have been several reports from families that their students were experiencing extreme slowness on Century Link wifi with a specific model of modem. If you have any families with this issue, updating the modem firmware will most likely resolve it.

CenturyLink Firmware Update Instructions:
https://www.centurylink.com/home/help/internet/modems-and-routers/utilities/update-modem-firmware.html

Melissa Lim she/her Technology Integration Specialist Portland Public Schools, Portland, OR | 503-916-3030 Website / Blog / Twitter

 

 

In this Edition

Message From Dr Berg: Below

Update the Odyssey Library Ladies – Let’s Get Reading Request Due 9/29! Below

School Directory – Submit by 10/1: Below

Odyssey Equity Survey Due 10/3: Below

PTA Guest Speaker Dr Doreen Dodgen-Magee on Tuesday, 10/6: Attached

Direct Giving Commitment Form Due 10/7: Below & Attached

Odyssey Weekend Food Bag Program: Below

Counselor’s Corner: Below

Odyssey Specialists Team Contact Information & Presentation: Below & Attached

Robocalls About Your Student’s Absence: Below

 

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Upcoming Events

 

Let’s Get Reading Request Form Due: Tuesday, 9/29

School Directory Submission Deadline: Thursday, 10/1

Odyssey Equity Survey Due: Saturday, 10/3

PTA Guest Speaker Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee: Tuesday, 10/6, 6:30 – 7pm

Direct Giving Commitment Form Due: Wednesday, 10/7

Odyssey TAG Night: Wednesday, 10/7, 6:30pm

 

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Message From Dr Berg

 

Hello Odyssey Families,

 

Wow!  What a treat to see all of you at the BTSN festivities.  I got to pop into the clusters and was so happy to see not only our teachers but our parents and some kids in the videos.  I will have the principal's message posted on the website as soon as I can so you can watch if you were unable to attend.  Teachers will be sending their recording home as well.  

 

Please mark your calendars for Odyssey TAG Night October 7th at 6:30. Anyone who wants to know more about TAG or has a TAG student is welcome to attend.  The meeting will be recorded if you cannot attend.

 

Dr. Berg is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Odyssey TAG Meeting
Time: Oct 7, 2020 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting https://pps-net.zoom.us/j/95126820152?pwd=VW1mMFpDZTBFbkFOclVhakxjRjJmZz09

 

As always, please continue to reach out to your teacher and to me if you need support or have questions.  Remember what I said at Back To School Night, this may be the new normal, but it's not normal and we all need support and community regardless of situation.  Thank you for continuing to be a supportive, positive and engaged community.  

 

And as always, poetry is one of the ways that I sustain.  This Emily Dickinson poem has been running through my mind lately and I wanted to share:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers - (314)

BY EMILY DICKINSON

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

 

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

 

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me. 

 

With hope and care,

Dr. Berg 

 

“The opposite of racist isn't 'not racist.' It is 'anti-racist.' What's the difference? One endorses either the idea of a racial hierarchy as a racist, or racial equality as an anti-racist. One either believes problems are rooted in groups of people, as a racist, or locates the roots of problems in power and policies, as an anti-racist. One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an anti-racist. There is no in-between safe space of 'not racist.”
― Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Antiracist

 

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Update From The Library Ladies – Let’s Get Reading!

 

Hello Odyssey Students & Families,

 

Quick reminder: Let's Get Reading! curbside checkout program is up and running! Complete details and links to the book request form are on the Odyssey Library website.

 

Want to pick up a bag of books next Thursday between 2:00-4:00? Make sure to submit your request form (one per student!) by next Tuesday, September 29th.

 

Let's get reading!

 

~ The Library Ladies

(Ms. C and Ms. Jones)

 

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School Directory – Submit by October 1!

 

If you would like to be in our School Directory please click the attached link and submit by October 1st!  https://forms.gle/WFQdybGf7xiCjk656

 

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Odyssey Equity Survey Closes October 3

 

Two ways to join the conversation!

 

1. Complete the Odyssey Equity Survey: Link to survey (closes Oct. 3)  
2. Sign up for the Equity Team's email list: this is where we'll be discussing action steps based on the survey data. Link to Google form

Every voice matters as we work to strengthen the systems in our community that serve everyone's needs. We have had 101 survey responses so far and want to reach 150. 

 

Thank you!

- Odyssey Equity Team

 

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Direct Giving Update – Commitment Form Due October 7

 

Odyssey Families,

 

Please read the attached letter regarding Direct Giving for the first semester of the 2020/2021 school year.  We are asking that families fill out the Direct Giving commitment form online by October 7^th to allow PTA to better plan how to support students and teachers. 

 

Ben Riggsby, Caleb (8)

Direct Giving Coordinator

directgiving@odysseyprogram.org

 

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Odyssey Weekend Food Bag Program Sign-Up

 

Weekend Food Bags are available for families in need.  This is a joint effort between Take Action Inc, Vermont Hills Church, Odyssey PTA, Hayhurst PTA, and the Ainsworth PTA.

 

Due to the school building closure we will be providing food bags every other week.  If your family would like to receive a food bag every other week, please fill out the attached form and return to the Odyssey Office as soon as possible.  Providing information on the number of people in your family will help us to continue to receive grants to fund our program.  We value your privacy and the information that you provide below will remain confidential.

Please contact Stephanie Cox, School Counselor, at scox@pps.net with any questions.  If your family has dietary restrictions, please let Stephanie know.

 

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Counselor’s Corner

 

I hope the virtual learning world is slowly starting to come together for you and your family.

I enjoyed seeing many of you at Back to School Night. If you were unable to join us below is a brief recap of the Odyssey School Counseling Program.

 

·       We are expanding our team this year to include QMHP Mr. Ryan Dicker and Ms. Wendi Williams, School Counseling Intern. We will be supporting all students in accessing the academic curriculum. Students can expect to receive Social Emotional Learning, individualized attention and an exploration of careers and higher learning.

·       I will deliver weekly school wide synchronous lessons and a variety of Google Meets with small groups and individual students.

·       It takes a virtual village, so I collaborate with teachers in all departments as well as caregivers, district level supports, and outside resources.

·       My goal this year is to ensure that racial and social justice is at the forefront of every interaction I have with students and families. In this area I too am a student.

·       I encourage caregivers and students to email me. In addition, I can call you or we can set up a Google Meet.

 

See you soon,

Stephanie Cox

School Counselor

scox@pps.net

 

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Odyssey Specialists Team Contact Information & Presentation

 

Greetings from the Odyssey Specialists Team:

 

At Back to School Night it was requested that we gather and share all of our preferred contact methods in one place. Also attached is the PDF version of our presentation for those who could not attend our session (updated to include 8th Grade Spanish).

 

Mr. Z (Art) - azimmerman1@pps.net

Stephanie Cox (Counselor) - scox@pps.net

Wendi Williams (Counseling Intern) - wewilliams16@georgefox.edu

Ryan Dicker (QMHP) - rydicker@pps.net

Coach Payne (P.E./Health) - jpayne2@pps.net

Ms. C (Library) - lchambers@pps.net OR Remind app

Ms. Jones (Library) - ljones2@pps.net

Profe. Goldstein (Spanish) - dgoldstein@pps.net OR Remind app

 

Thank you to all who were able to join us - it was a pleasure to connect with you!

 

~ The Odyssey Specialists Team

 

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Robocalls About Your Student's Absence

 

Robocalls regarding absences are sent out the day after an absence occurs.  For example, if your child was absent on a Friday, you will receive a call the following Monday, if absent on Thursday you will receive a call Friday.  This is due to the attendance procedures during distance learning.  Teachers have until the following morning to report attendance for the previous day.  

 

Thank you,

Angela Hoffart

Principal's Secretary

Odyssey Program @ East Sylvan School

P:  503-916-6310

F:  503-916-2124

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