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Principal Message 5/27/22
5/27/2022May 27, 2022
Weekly OGMS Family Communication
Greetings OG families,
We are nearing the end of the 21-22 school year. Our 6th grade students enjoyed Outdoor School and the weather held up for most of it. Our drama class performed “The Outsiders” to their peers and parents. Great job students and Ms. Sawyer! We have also finished our OSAS testing. We are looking forward to the last nine days of school.
Dr. Tania McKey
Interim Principal - Ockley Green
The Student Support Team here at Ockley Green are devastated and heartbroken by the recent tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX and in Buffalo, NY, as we know each of you are as well. Please know that we are available to help you and your students process these events and the complex emotions students may be experiencing as a result. Please encourage your students to reach out to their school counselor or trusted adult if needed, and feel free to contact us with additional concerns.
We also take safety seriously and are in constant communication with students, staff, and families about any safety concerns. Please report any safety concerns either to school staff, or using the anonymous SafeOregon tip line.
- Jillian Stone, counselor, Last names A-K: jstone@pps.net
- Galen Dickstein, counselor, Last names L-Z: 971.231.4976; gdickstein@pps.net
- Avy Harris, social worker: 503-729-0634; rharris@pps.net
Resources for Families
Photos from our production of "The Outsiders" 5/24/22
Chromebooks for Promotion Tickets
Dear 8th grade students and families,
Promotion tickets will be distributed when students return their chromebook and charger during math class the week of May 31-June 3rd. If a student lost their chromebook, they will discuss this with Mrs. Graham during the chromebook inventory. If families will not be using all of the six tickets, please return the extras to Mr. Ian in the front office. If your family needs extra tickets, students can request them via email to Mr. Ian (ipalu@pps.net) or Ms. Kate. (kacaleal@pps.net). We are looking forward to seeing you all there!
Summer Reading Volunteers and Promoters Call
It's not too late to apply to be a Summer Reading Volunteer! Summer Reading Volunteers help to register kids for the game, hand out prizes and talk about books. They may also help with library projects, record keeping, and more. Volunteer shifts begin on June 16 and end on August 31. You can earn volunteer hours for school, gain skills to add to your resume, and get a bus pass for the summer! Apply here or pick up a paper application in the Ockley Library. Even though it says the registration dates have passed, you can still apply!
*Albina, Kenton, and North Portland are all looking for volunteers.
Do you want to volunteer with the Multnomah County Library this summer from the comfort of your own home? Apply to be a Summer Reading Promoter! As a Promoter, you can complete weekly activities online and in your community of family, neighbors, and friends. Activities include doing chalk art, creating Summer Reading posters, sharing information about Summer Reading through social media, and more! Use your creativity and your language skills to earn volunteer hours for school and work experience. Apply here!
Summer Tech Lending Programs via Multnomah County Public Libraries
Looking to get free internet access at home? PPS is not issuing hot spots, but the public library has them available for all families and students.
Apply for Hotspot and Chromebook lending at the Multnomah County Library! Fill out this short application to get connected with the Library's Tech Lending Team. You can check out a Chromebook (laptop) and/or hotspot (internet access) for up to 6 months, and will not be charged for late, lost, or damaged items.
Attention 8th grade families going to Roosevelt! The Step Up Program presented in science today and will come again tomorrow. Step Up is an awesome support program for incoming 9th graders at Roosevelt. Please check out more information here. The application is on the flyer. Please reach out if you have questions.
Attention 7th grade families! We are actively inviting 7th graders to apply to be 8th grade Dragon Leaders for next school year. Here is a link to the application for students who are interested. Look over it and apply by the end of Monday May 30.
Ockley Green Music End-of-Year Performances and Rose Parade!
Join our OG musicians at their final performance on Wednesday, June 1st @ 6:00pm in the Roosevelt High School auditorium. Come hear our bucket drummers and band students celebrate their work in music class this year!
Also, join our Marching Band and Dance Team at the Jr. Rose Parade on Wednesday, June 8th from 1:00-3:00pm on Sandy Blvd. You can visit their website at www.rosefestival.org for the parade route and more details. Field trip permission slips are due next week for students who are marching in the parade. Hope to see you there!
Jefferson Youth Football Families
Registration for the 2022 Jefferson Youth Football Season is now open! I would like to introduce the Head Football Coach & President of the Jefferson Youth Football Program Anthony Stoudamire. Coach Stoud as well as his staff have been preparing for the upcoming football season. We are looking to do a lot of good things with the youth and the high school program this year. We are offering Tackle Football all boys & girls in from 3rd through 8th grade this year. To register for the program, click the link below https://jeffersonyouthfootball.sportngin.com/register/form/541343125 Please visit our Jefferson Youth website for more information and upcoming events. Jefferson Youth Football - TVYFL Important Dates:
May 31, 2022- Youth Parents Meeting @ 6:00pm, Jefferson High School in the Blazer Room
July 23, 20222 – Young Bulls Camp @ Clackamas High School. Register below
Young Bulls Camp Registration (jotform.cm)
Aug 8, 2022- First official day of youth practice.
Please contact Mrs. Ray if you have any questions. Rayleen Clark Anderson, Registar @ JYFootball22@gmail.com We are excited for this upcoming season and the opportunity to work with you and your child/ren. Registration is a first come, first serve basis, make sure you get signed up and spread the word.
Repeated
Library Materials and Textbooks Return Deadline
Please return all library materials and textbooks.
It's that time when we need to collect all materials back to the library. Please help your student look through bookshelves, under beds, behind couches, and in backpacks to locate any library materials. We know it's been a strange two years, and you may have items from previous schools in your house. That's okay! We will take any and all of them back and get them to their correct locations. Students should have all materials returned by June 3rd.
If students still have old Chromebooks, chargers, or hot spots at home from distance learning, we would like those back too. Questions? email Amanda Graham at agraham@pps.net
Upcoming events and volunteer/support needs:
June 9th Noon-2pm is 8th grade BBQ at Peninsula Park:
OG Supporters will be planning/hosting this very popular end of year BBQ for students. We need help, especially from 7th and 6th grade families/caregivers. This BBQ is a much loved tradition. We will need food donations, volunteers for day of to assist with cooking (including grills), serving and managing chaos (aka herding cats). This is always a fun way to send our students off after promotion practice before the big event that night! If you are interested in helping with planning, or want to volunteer now for a specific need please reach out to me at president@ogsupporters.org More specific volunteer/supply/food needs will be communicated in the near future. The link to register as a volunteer is : https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0545A8A929A6FE3-8thgrade1
End of School Year Chromebook Notices
During the school year, your student has had access to a personally assigned Chromebook for use during the school day and at home. When we inventory these devices it is very important that your student has their Chromebook AND charger with them at school. Inventory and collection (for 8th graders) will happen May 31, June 1, 2, and 3 in Math classes. For 6th and 7th graders, a form will be coming home allowing you to give permission for your student to keep the device over the summer. If you would like your student to keep their Chromebook during the summer months, you will be providing a signature indicating you understand the rights and responsibilities of using a PPS-provided Chromebook.
For 8th graders, devices will be collected, cleaned, and ready to assign to our new 6th graders in the fall. They must be returned with the charger. If a student needs a loaner device for the summer, there will be a place on the form to indicate this. Freshmen will receive a new device at their new school in the fall.
If you have any questions, please email Amanda Graham at agraham@pps.net
Promotion Activities Schedule
Promotion will be here soon! If you have not done so, please sign the field trip form for Oaks Park and have your student bring it back to Mr. Mohler.
Tuesday, June 7th: 8th grade field trip to Oaks Park
Thursday, June 9th:
9:10 am- Students arrive at regularly scheduled school time
10:00 -11:45 am– Promotion practice
12:00 pm- 2:00 pm– BBQ @ Peninsula Park
2:15 pm- Early release to prepare for promotion
5:45 pm– Promotion Ceremony @ (starts at 6:00 pm)
June 10th: Last Day of School -8th graders are not required to attend
20 Day Rule:
In order to ensure that students are safe and successful on all promotion events, we are applying a 20 day rule. This is to help students stay accountable for their actions and have a successful end to their 8th grade year!
Students could lose a promotion activity (BBQ, Field Trip) if they are unable to meet these expectations:
- Be on time to class.
- 4 or more tardies = 1 lost activity
- Be in class learning.
- Students who skip class or leave without permission.
- Use safe language and bodies.
- Bullying , harassment or fighting
- Respect of school property
- Graffiti or vandalism
We will meet with the families of any students who are unable to meet these expectations to determine how students can safely and respectfully participate.
Promotion Tickets:
Every student will receive 6 tiickets to promotion. Due to space constraints, we are requiring tickets to attend promotion. If your family needs more tickets, contact Kate Caleal at kacaleal@pps.net.
Volunteers Needed!
Help us celebrate your student! We need parents to bring grills to the BBQ, help cook food at the BBQ, bring food for the BBQ and chaperone the promotion dance. If you are interested, please contact Anna Marquez at anna@ogsupporters.org.
Friday Schedule Change:
To support a smooth ending of the year, we will be shifting the schedule on Friday to facilitate choice activities in the afternoon.
New Friday Schedule:
9:10 - 10:38 5th period
10:42 - 12:10 6th period
12:10 - 12:40 Lunch
12:44 - 2:13 7th period
2:17 - 3:00 Flex
3:04 - 3:45 Advisory/Choice activities
- This will start Friday, May 20th
- This will be our schedule for May 20th, May 27th, June 10th
- June 3rd we will have a shorten schedule with a dance at the end of the day
- During Wednesday advisory, students will sign up for their choice activities
- Students can change which activity they want to go to each week
Summer SUN School
Formulario de Registro Español: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=862f2ba227464c95a1c559c800b860f7
English Registration Form:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=5985bb0f58e244a8b72a36edc24f64de
PPS Staff/Community Masking Recommendation
On Wednesday, May 11, Multnomah County health officials made an announcement about masking, due to the current COVID-19 surge. The Multnomah County Health Department is asking people to wear masks indoors until new coronavirus case counts and hospitalizations start to fall, and they strongly recommend that people wear masks in schools. The current increase in COVID-19 cases is expected to peak in mid-June, when PPS’s school year ends.
In alignment with this public health guidance, Portland Public Schools strongly recommends that all staff and all students wear masks at schools, in district office buildings and at other indoor events beginning Monday May 16th to the end of the school year. This recommendation includes masking at important end-of-year events such as prom, school performances, assemblies and indoor graduation events.
Remember: the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to stay-up-to-date on your vaccinations and get boosted, practice good hand hygiene, and stay home when you are sick, even if it is not COVID.
County officials have not set case or hospitalization thresholds for when they would consider mandating masks, nor have they set a threshold for lifting the recommendation. Multnomah County officials also suggested people who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 consider avoiding crowded indoor settings for the next few weeks.
Dragon Swag Sale - MORE ADULT SIZES IN STOCK (2XL-5XL on request)!
Hooded Sweatshirts are $20, T-Shirts are $10, and the comfort and smiles that come from wearing and representing our school community with pride are free! We have youth sizes Large to X-Large, and adult sizes Small to 5X-Large.Please contact the front office (530)916-5660 to place your orders today!
Counseling Corner: Roosevelt High School Freshman Preview
Summer Opportunities for Rising 9th graders: Leap Into 9th Grade
Website with information: https://www.pps.net/Page/13685
Application:
Reach out to you child’s school counselor with any questions.
Jillian Stone, jstone@pps.net
Galen Dickstein, gdickstein@pps.net
AIRWAY SCIENCE FREE MEAL PROGRAM
When:
Every Friday from 3:30pm-6pm
Who: Parents and guardians can pick up food boxes with five meals, fruit, veggies, and activities for all children up to 18 years old in their household.
Where:
3710 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227
Vandalism and graffiti update
This week we’ve again noted a small handful of instances in which hate speech or symbols were written or drawn at our school. Staff worked quickly to remove the offending messages and symbols and documented them in accordance with district protocols. We will be reviewing and augmenting our supervision and educational efforts. If you or your student have any information, you can report it to Dr. Tania McKey tmckey@pps.net, a trusted staff member or anonymously to SafeOregon. If your student does not feel safe and you would like them to speak to a caring adult, please contact:
- Amelia Cates, School Climate Specialist acates@pps.net
- Galen Dickstein, Counselor gdickstein@pps.net
- Jillian Stone, Counselor jstone@pps.net
- Avy Harris, Social Worker rharris@pps.net
Student safety and inclusion is the District’s core value. Hate is not tolerated nor accepted in our community. These incidents are an affront to our core values of Racial Equity and Social Justice, Respect, Honesty and Integrity. We value and respect everyone in our school community and understand that our diversity makes us stronger. Everyone is welcome at Ockley Green and everyone belongs. Every student deserves a positive educational experience where they feel safe, secure and a sense of belonging
Attention 8th grade families!
Leap into 9th Grade
June 27-July 15, 2022, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 12:30 pm
Prepares students to excel in high school and get a head start in working with their teachers and peers. Students will receive a daily bus pass and earn a 0.5 high school elective credit upon successful completion of the program.
The program will be available to all students, but prioritized for incoming 9th grade students identified as Academic Priority, or students who would benefit from additional supports. Space is limited due to staffing.
Tutoring with Ms. Kate
If a student needs extra help, they are welcome to come in early to Ms. Kate's classroom (213) before the beginning of school each day. Any grade and subject area help is available. If you plan to come, please text Ms. Kate and let her know so she can let the student in the building. (248.891.9903)
Morning Breakfast Routine Notice
Breakfast is available on campus for all students every day beginning at 8:45am, and is served until 9:03am when the opening bell of the day sounds. Student’s have until 9:10am to enjoy their breakfast, and are expected in class, fed and seated for learning once the 9:10am bell has rung for the beginning of the first class of the day. Breakfast will not be available after 9:10am. Please ensure that your student understands this timetable so that we have all students safe, accounted for, and learning.
OPTIONAL MASKING
Beginning on Monday, March 14, PPS will transition to optional masking for all staff and students across every PPS building. This is aligned with the new public health guidance released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Multnomah County Public Health.
Here is why we are making this decision:
- This week, ODE/OHA and Multnomah County public health both released updated guidance that mirrors and complements the CDC’s new guidance and COVID-19 Community Levels tool. This tool helps us–PPS and each one of us as individuals–take preventative steps based on the latest local COVID-19 data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in our community.
- Currently, Multnomah County is classified as having a “low COVID-19 community level.” Based on this — and with no new variant on the horizon — Multnomah County will not be implementing a local mask mandate at this time.
- The latest data by the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) indicates that less than 14 percent of Oregonians are currently susceptible to COVID-19. The rates of vaccinations and boosters in Multnomah County are high. In addition, the number of individuals who were infected with the Omicron variant is widely believed to provide a level of community protection against COVID-19 for at least the next three months.
In addition to transitioning to optional masking, we will continue the pause of general contact tracing and quarantining in schools. At this time, public health affirms contact tracing and quarantine to be ineffective at slowing the spread of a virus that moves as quickly as an omicron.
Based on the lessons of the last two years, and to prepare for future and possible COVID-19 surges or variants, we will continue to:
- Stress handwashing;
- Use MERV 13 HVAC filters and will replace filters in each of our portable air purifiers;
- Closely monitor illness among staff and students and require that all persons stay home when sick with COVID-19 symptoms;
- Provide the OHSU weekly screening testing program and school-based rapid resting for individuals who might become symptomatic while at school;
- Inform families and staff if an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 was on-site during their contagious period.
SUNSchool Attendance Policy
Students who are enrolled in our SUNSchool after-school program are required to remain in the building and proceed directly to the cafeteria once the final class of the day has ended. There is no re-entry for students once the school day has ended. Thank y’all for working to keep our campus secure and our students safe and accounted for!
Volunteering at Ockley Green Middle School; A message from our Parent Volunteer Coordinator
Hi OG Community,
As a parent volunteer "volunteer" coordinator, I'm reaching out to see if you might be able to support our community in a few simple ways. We created a volunteer survey based on the needs of teachers and staff at Ockley and would love it if you could fill it out and share more about what you might be able to help out with within the school day, if possible. The needs range anywhere from a 20 minute Safety Patrol block to small group work or helping out in the hall or at lunch. Your presence makes a difference for students. I started doing safety patrol once a week and it's clear that having a friendly adult presence is a nice way for students to start their day and makes people feel safer on busy Ainsworth as well.
The survey can be found here: Volunteering at Ockley Green.
Warmly,
Anna Marquez
Together we make our community stronger! Please use the form linked below to express interest in volunteering during the school day and events outside of school hours. Our school communities keep our Dragons flying! https://www.pps.net/domain/66
Student Pick-up Reminder
Parents and Guardians, please be advised that students are unable to be sent home early during lunch times. If you need to pick-up your student from Ockley Green before the end of the school day, please make sure that it is any time before or after the times listed below to ensure that we can quickly find your student(s) and send them out promptly to you.
Monday Lunch: 11:46am-12:16pm; Tuesday-Friday Lunch: 12:10pm-12:40pm
Resources for Families/SUN School Request for Assistance
Families can use this form to request assistance with rent, utilities, or food - this form is a one-stop shop.
OGMS Cell Phone Contract
We started our cell phone reset this week and have seen a sharp decrease in the use of phones in disruptive ways. We will continue next week with the rest and the cell phone contract below.
This contract outlines the conditions of a student’s use of a cell phone while at Ockley Green Middle School. Cell phones can be used as a tool for learning or they can act as a distraction. Our goal is for students to learn how to appropriately use a cell phone. These guidelines and consequences will support all students to use cell phones to build positive relationships and succeed academically. Students must follow these guidelines in order to have continued access to a cell phone at Ockley Green Middle School.
- I can use my cell phone before school starts, at lunch and recess, and after the school day is over.
- My phone is off and away during class time and in the hallways.
- I can leave my phone with my teacher for the class period to help me focus on my school work.
- If my family needs to talk to me or I need to talk to them, at lunch or recess I can call or text them. Any other time I can ask my teacher to use the classroom phone, call from the front office or get permission to contact my family through my cell phone. My family can call the front office at any time to talk to me.
- Starting February 1st, there will no longer be warnings for having my cell phone out without permission. I will have to immediately leave it with an adult or turn it in to the front office for pick up at the end of the day.
- If I refuse to leave my phone with an adult or the front office, my family will be contacted and I will need to check my phone into the front office for a day.
- The second time I have to turn in my phone, someone from my family will have to come pick it up from the front office.
- The third time I have to turn in my phone, my family will be contacted and for a week I will have to check in my phone to the front office at the beginning of the day or leave my phone at home.
- After the third time, my family and I will have a meeting with an administrator to create a plan around access to my phone at school. I could lose the right to have my phone at school at all.
- When a guest teacher is teaching, I will follow classroom expectations and not have my cell phone out for any reason.
- My teacher will explain when and how I can use my cell phone in their class. When I use my cell phone with my teacher’s permission, I must put it away before I leave the classroom.
Student support team and counselors are here to help! For check-ins, mental health support, or just to chat email, call, or text. We are available during school hours to connect:
- Jillian Stone(Counselor A-K): jstone@pps.net; 971-231-5058
- Galen Dickstein (Counselor, L-Z): gdickstein@pps.net; 971-231-4976
- Avy Harris (Social Worker) rharris@pps.net; 503-729-0634
- Amelia Cates (School Climate Specialist) acates@pps.net; 971-238-7483
If you need immediate assistance in a crisis please see phone #’s below:
- Multnomah County Crisis Line - Mental Health Crisis Line for youth and adults 503-988-4888
- Crisis Line - Text resource to connect with a mental health counselor by text
- Text “HOME” to 741-741
- Youthline ALL youth in crisis
- Trevor Project - LGBTQ+ Crisis Resource
- 866-850-8078 (866-4-U-TREVOR) - https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
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Community Resources
- Emergency Rental Assistance: The impacts of Covid-19 continue to impact many families financially. If you are at risk of eviction or behind on rent, programs may be available to help. Please contact School Social Worker Avy Harris (rharris@pps.net; 503-729-0634) to see if you qualify.
- Asistencia de Emergencia Para el Alquiler: Los impactos de Covid-19 continúan afectando financieramente a muchas familias. Si tiene un alquiler atrasado, es posible que haya programas disponibles para ayudarlo. Comuníquese con la trabajadora social de la escuela Avy Harris (rharris@pps.net; 503-729-0634)
Chromebook Care
Many of the student Chromebooks are having issues that require repair. Families are not charged for repairs, but please discuss proper care of Chromebooks with your students. They should not be slammed shut or treated roughly, but they are expected to come to school each day fully charged.
available for all students. Any food delivered by delivery app or from restaurants will be held in the office until the school day ends and then will be available to students at that time.
Community Resources
- Emergency Rental Assistance: The impacts of Covid-19 continue to impact many families financially. If you are at risk of eviction or behind on rent, programs may be available to help. Please contact School Social Worker Avy Harris (rharris@pps.net; 503-729-0634) to see if you qualify.
- Asistencia de Emergencia Para el Alquiler: Los impactos de Covid-19 continúan afectando financieramente a muchas familias. Si tiene un alquiler atrasado, es posible que haya programas disponibles para ayudarlo. Comuníquese con la trabajadora social de la escuela Avy Harris (rharris@pps.net; 503-729-0634)