Cleveland High School

Dear Cleveland Community,

Today was a stark and devastating reminder that, while our school works to provide a safe space for students, the epidemic of gun violence continues to impact our city. The Portland Police Bureau is continuing their investigation into the shooting incident outside of our campus where a student experienced non-life threatening injuries. They  issued a press release this afternoon.

Tomorrow, December 13, will be a non-instructional day for students. Classes will not be held. Teachers and staff will be meeting to plan for supporting students when they return to school.

We know students will be processing this event in different ways. If students are in need of in-person support tomorrow, they are welcome to come into school after 11:00 AM. Our Cleveland counseling and student support team will be on-hand to connect with students. 

A “to-go” lunch will be provided in the cafeteria at the normal lunch time of 11:41 AM-12:16 PM if your student would like to come get food.

We are working closely with our district and community partners to plan a trauma-informed return to school and will be in touch with you as we finalize details. Please see below for resources.

Thank you students, staff, and families for the strength and resilience you demonstrated today. As always, email me at jwadkins@pps.net if you have any questions. We are Cleveland!

Warmly,

Jo Ann Wadkins

Principal

​​​​​​​Resources

It is common for young people to have strong reactions after learning of and/or experiencing continuing gun violence in the community and today right outside of their school. 

If your child’s responses are severe or prolonged and interrupting their daily functioning, they might benefit from additional support. Please reach out to a trusted person, whether it be someone at school, someone in your spiritual community, your medical provider, a friend, neighbor, or family member.  

Please consider the following resources:

Multnomah County has mental health support for those impacted by gun violence.

Multnomah County's Gun Violence Impacted Families Behavioral Health Response Team has therapists of Color (African American, African-Immigrant, and Latinx) who will focus on supporting and uplifting the mental health of community members impacted by violence. To find out more about this program and how they can help, please reach out via phone at 503.988.4888 or via email at gvbhrt@mulco.us and express interest in this program.

Are you concerned your student is impacted or influenced by community violence?

City of Portland Office of Violence Prevention

Office of Violence Prevention 

• Trauma and Violence Impacted Family Program: This program accepts referral form connecting youth to identified prevention and intervention resources including targeted wraparound services for individuals impacted by community violence.
  • Youth Referral Form  
  • Point of Contact: Hiag Brown / hbrown@portlandoic.org  / (503)757-0250  
  • Additional agencies that provide these support and services are all culturally responsive and include POIC, NAYA, Latino Network, and IRCO
    
    

• Street Level Outreach (SLO) Program: SLOs build relationships with youth and their families with specific goals in mind: to reduce conflict and violence, to support and assist youth and their families in accessing social and educational services, while providing services as a mentor, life coach, positive role model, advocate, and mediator
  • SLO workers also attend and support school staff, admin, and athletic department at school events and activities (sports, fairs, safe passage, etc.) 
  • Contact for more information: 503-823-6521 

Racial Equity Support Line staffed by and for people of Color 

Youthline Teen Textline

Safe and Strong Warmline (available for anyone to reach out with mental health questions or concerns- you do not need to be in crisis-Interpretation Services Available)

Multnomah County Mental Health Call Center (24 hours a day 7 days a week-Interpretation Services Available).