Ockley Green Middle School

Hello Families & Partners -

This weekend brings celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The lessons he has left us, and that we continue to learn from, strengthen our ability to create change towards a socially just world.  For me, Dr. King’s recognition that leaders must be in service to others, rather than to be served by others, is a lesson that is central to my leadership.  I feel fortunate to be part of a staff that also holds this central to how they support students.  I hope you find time this weekend to celebrate, reflect and offer service to others.

Please see below for some important updates!

Successful Schools Survey - Coming Soon!!  NEW

Each year the Portland Public Schools community has an opportunity to participate in the Successful Schools Survey.  The Successful Schools Survey provides many benefits to our district and school community as it:

 

• Allows PPS to hear from students, staff, and families system-wide
• Gathers data which will help PPS/FHS understand experiences at our school/s
• Addresses school climate, which is a key component influencing outcomes for students
• Enables us to see improvements from last year to understand how our work in schools has changed perceptions
• Identifies areas of strength and areas for improvement

 

We value this feedback and utilize it to inform our school improvement focus.

 

The Successful Schools Survey window is January 23rd - February 28th.

 

Students will have an opportunity to take part in the survey in a designated class during this window.  Families will have the opportunity to take the survey through a link that will be provided in this weekly message and on the Ockley Green Website.

 

SUN Registration Info  NEW

SUN School returns Tuesday January 17th with Gamer's Club during lunch in Portable 153.

Classes beginning on January 18th (after school)

• Chess For Success

• Choir

• Hair Braiding

• Homework Help

• Open Gym

• The Black Student Reading Club (lunch)

SUN Application located here 

Class Registration located here 

 

OG Community Pizza Night!  NEW

Come help support this OG Supporters fundraising event by grabbing pizza next Wednesday!  Either dine in or take it home and support both a great local business and Ockley Green.

Wednesday, January 18th

Mississippi Pizza

All day, dine in/carry out

10% of ALL sales donated to OG Supporters!

Menus, available here: https://www.mississippipizza.com/

 

Box of Tissues are Needed  NEW

 

We have been going through a lot of tissues recently and are having a hard time keeping up with the demand.  If you are interested in helping out, we would appreciate it if you could send a box with your child to drop off in the Front Office for our supply.

 

School Visitors in Classrooms  NEW

We are grateful for our partnerships with families and value that collective & consistent approaches to supporting students is powerful.  We ask that if you wish to provide support to your child by being present during a particular class, that you first contact the teacher.  Our teachers want to welcome you into their classroom and having at least a 24 hour notice of your intent to come in would be appreciated by them.

 

Roosevelt Baseball FUNDTRAINING Program  NEW

Check out information on this flyer.

 

Winter MAP Testing  REMINDER

The Winter Math MAP Growth testing starts the week of Monday, January 16, 2023.   Students will test with their English and Math teachers.  Please make sure that:

• Your student to brings their chromebooks to school charged and ready to work; and
• Encourage your student(s) to get enough rest the night before testing days

Unlike standardized tests, MAP Growth assessments are used during the course of a school year, and it adjusts to each student’s performance, rather than asking all students the same questions.  MAP Growth is designed to measure student achievement in the moment and growth over time, regardless of grade level, and gives quick feedback to teachers.The MAP testing is about teachers monitoring their students' growth in Reading and Math.  These tests are used to best meet the needs of students to ensure growth and progress in their learning.  These tests help teachers to determine how to deliver instruction and select class materials. It also lets teachers know if students need extra support or are meeting grade level in these two subject areas.   

Please visit the NWEA MAP Family Toolkit for more information. 

 

Respiratory Illnesses and Covid-19  REMINDER

As a reminder, families can obtain COVID-19, flu, and other vaccinations at:

• MCHD Student Health Centers by appointment
• Benson Wellness Center by appointment
• Community COVID-19 vaccination clinics - no appointment is necessary

The health and well-being of our students is extremely important to us. We are keeping close track of the trends in our state and on the local level. PPS will continue to take all the steps necessary to maintain a healthy environment for our students and staff in the coming months.

 

Important Dates

• January 16th: NO SCHOOL - Dr. MLK Jr Day
• January 27th: NO SCHOOL - Teacher Planning Day
• February 10th: OG Dancers Performance @ the Blazer Game
• February 17th: NO SCHOOL - Teacher Inservice Day
• February 20th: NO SCHOOL - Presidents’ Day 
• March 22nd:  Spring Music Concert
• March 27th - 31st: Spring Break

 

In Partnership,

--

Julie Rierson

Pronouns: she/her

Principal

Ockley Green Middle School