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PPS Pulse, October 10, 2017
10/10/2017This week we celebrate teaching the Native American experience, report on the feedback from the middle school planning process and much more.
PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS | OCTOBER 10, 2017 Español | Tiếng Việt | 中文 | Русский | Soomaali Indian Education Honor Day Ceremony at Jefferson High School, May 19, 2016.
Teaching the Native American experience
Oregon schools, including PPS, will focus more on the role of Native Americans in Oregon history, thanks to a bill passed by the state Legislature.
Senate Bill 13, which focuses on providing accurate, place-based tribal education across the state, was signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown over the summer. It directs the state Department of Education to develop curriculum and provide teacher training relating to Native American experience in Oregon.
Korinna Wolfe, PPS’s Senior Director for the Multiple Pathways to Graduation department testified and advocated for PPS students in every step of the process—from the bill’s conception through the governor’s signature.
“Our tribal histories are often invisible,” Wolfe says. “When we speak of Native education in our curriculum, many people point to the Oregon Trail curriculum in 4th grade—much of which is from a settler’s perspective.”
Hundreds of community members have weighed in on the current middle school proposal.
Comments pour in on middle school proposal
Hundreds of Portland Public Schools parents and community members have participated in public sessions aimed at gathering comments on the proposal to open two new middle schools at Roseway Heights and Harriet Tubman.
21st century schools: Our students need the skills to be good digital citizens.
It’s Digital Citizenship week and month
What does it mean to be an informed digital citizen? This is the week to find out.
From now until Friday, Oct. 13, PPS is undertaking its first Digital Citizenship Week. October is Digital Citizenship and National Cybersecurity Awareness month, and this year the PPS IT Department has put together a weeklong informational campaign.
Walk and roll to school
Kids throughout the area are biking, walking and rolling to school in celebration of International Walk and Roll to School Day. Students at Jason Lee met up with Superintendent Guerrero who joined the kids in their trek through the Lee neighborhood.
The board meets every second Tuesday for most of the year, public comment is invited. Comments can also be submitted by email to: chusonqu@pps.net or phone (503) 916-3906.
New public records policy: Opportunity for comment
The PPS school board and communications department have been working to update the district’s public records policy with an eye towards greater transparency and compliance with several new laws that were passed by the Oregon Legislature this year.
The proposed policy was read by the Board and posted for public comment on Sept. 26. Interested parties are encouraged to provide input by Oct. 17. A second reading and discussion of comments is expected at the Oct. 24 Board meeting.
The solar arrays at three rebuilt PPS schools will prevent an estimated 282,458 pounds of CO2 from reaching the atmosphere.
Rebuilt schools offer more solar energy, smaller carbon footprint
PPS’s three rebuilt and modernized schools captured a lot of attention for their gleaming new theaters, makerspaces and other cutting edge features. But the new Franklin and Roosevelt high schools and Faubion PK-8 offer another benefit that hasn’t received as much attention – they are generating their own solar power.
“Hands Up” performance inspires student dialog
More than 100 PPS students held their hands above their shoulders, as if instructed to do so by a police officer, while watching a performance at the Winningstad Theater. The actor and playwright La’ Tevin Alexander was alone on the stage, holding his hands up along with the students, delivering a monologue about being a black man in America.
Hang up and drive
If you are reading this on your mobile device while driving, please stop. The dangers of distracted driving are well-documented, and as of Oct. 1, there is a stricter ban on cellphone use while driving, as well as higher fines, which escalate for repeat offenders.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, October 11
Early dismissal MOST high schools
Free school meals application deadlineFriday, October 13
Statewide Inservice Day, schools closedMonday, October 16
Board work session, middle school planningWednesday, October 18
Late opening, MOST K-8 schoolsTuesday, October 24
Board meetingMOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED: Sally Struthers, Grant High School, 1965
Sally Struthers was a member of the star-studded “All in the Family” cast with Rob Reiner, Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton. Dealing with racism, homophobia, and feminism, “All in the Family” forever changed American television by tackling difficult subject matter in weekly 30-minute segments. Winner of two Emmys for her portrayal of Gloria Bunker-Stivic, she continues to star in films and on stage.
PPS'S AMAZING - AND HIDDEN - ART COLLECTION
For years, the brilliantly colored oil painting, showing a spray of flowers in a vase, was benched in a high school storage closet. Now, the century old work by Jonas Lie is on full display in the Blanchard Building. Years of moving, bumps and sunlight have rendered it in need of serious restoration, but the colors remain lush, and it is getting the public attention it deserves.
HONORS AND AWARDS: ALFONSO GARCIA ARRIOLA
Alfonso Garcia Arriola, Science teacher at ACCESS Academy, has received an “Emerging Science Education Leader” Scholarship to attend the Vernier Software & Technology and the National Science Education Leadership Association Summer Leadership Institute in March.
“The first VESELS cohort represents a group of truly outstanding science educators who are making—and will continue to make—an impact at their respective schools, districts, and universities,” said Gary Myers, Director of District Outreach at Vernier Software & Technology. “In partnership with NSELA, we are proud to recognize these emerging educators and help further support their professional growth.”
WE WANT YOUR IDEAS
Please feel free to submit story suggestions, links to the best stories on your school web site or newsletter, photos, videos and other items you think would have district wide interest. Email story ideas, images and documents to: ltrapp@pps.net.
PULSE CONTACTS
Coordinator
Lindsay Trapp
ltrapp@pps.netEditor
Harry Esteve
hesteve@pps.netStaff writer
Laura Hanson
lhanson1@pps.netDesign
Richard Martin
rmartin1@pps.netThe District is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all its educational and employment activities. The District prohibits discrimination based on race; national or ethnic origin; color; sex; religion; age; sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; pregnancy; marital status; familial status; economic status or source of income; mental or physical disability or perceived disability; or military service.
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