March 22, 2023

Greetings Families,

Thank you to those that were able to attend our Community Night on Wednesday! During the meeting, we shared information about our Resource Fair this Saturday, updates on the HTMS Relocation Project, and we got feedback on our new “Cell Phones Off and Away” policy. Click here to view the full slide deck from that meeting. 

This week, Leadership students and school counselors are pushing into all classes to facilitate conversations about our new cell phone policy. Please review this policy with your child so that they are prepared to have their phones off and away during class time starting our first day back from Spring Break on Monday, 4/3. Students will be able to use their phones during passing periods and lunch, but please be assured that you and your child will still be able to contact each other in an emergency or to relay time-sensitive messages through the Main Office. 

In addition to reviewing the policy, please consider these practices that can help your child prepare for this transition during the school day. We’ve also included some resources that you may find helpful. 

Practices:

• Research says to emphasis “Less” with teens around phones, i.e. less time on phones, less apps rather than completely take it away;

• The biggest impact: not allowing teens access to phones at night when they are sleeping because disrupted sleep can lead to lack of focus and an overall decrease in mental health;

• Put in place parental controls on what apps students can use and when they can use them (see below for step by step videos);

• Turn off your student’s access to Snapchat, Instragram and TikTok during school hours. This can support them to stay focused on school work and to engage with peers face to face in positive and productive ways.

Resources: 

• New York Times article “The Phone in the Room”

• Center for Humane Technology

  • Provides critical steps you can take immediately to decrease distractions from technology.

• Videos on Parental controls on an Android and Parental controls on an Iphone

  • These YouTube videos take you step by step through setting up Parental controls, including screenshots to support each step.

We value your partnership in communicating the negative impact of phone use on students’ ability to focus on learning while in class. If your child is experiencing a level of anxiety or stress with this change, please reach out to their Counselor for support and possible resources.

In Partnership,

--

Trevor Greer

(He,Him,His)

Principal

Harriet Tubman Middle School

HTMS Site Council meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Meetings take place in the school library from 4:30p to 5:30p. The community is able to participate in meetings both in-person or online.

Meeting agendas and minutes can be found on the HTMS Site Council site under HTMS Quick Links. 

Our next meeting will take place 

February 1 2023

TIME CHANGE: 4:15p - 5:30p

Join Zoom Meeting
https://pps-net.zoom.us/j/87494611885?pwd=U3diTWpvRGhaM0tNbld6b1lQZk9JQT09

Meeting ID: 874 9461 1885
Passcode: HTMS2231

Join Zoom by phone
 971 247 1195 US (Portland)

Dear Richmond Community:

I am pleased to announce that Stacy Eto has been named the new principal of Richmond Elementary School for the 2023-24 school year. Stacy comes to PPS from the North Clackamas School District, where she is currently working as principal of Clackamas High School.

Portland Public Schools celebrated Earth Day 2023 with some climate-friendly additions to its transportation fleet: three electric-powered buses from GreenPower Motor Company.

When Mike Nolan of Ida B. Wells High School was named Athletic Director of the Year by the Oregon Athletic Directors Association (OADA), no one was more excited than his co-workers.

Dear PPS Staff and Families, 

I am pleased to announce that Chris Frazier is joining the PPS leadership team as Secondary Area Senior Director. Chris will assume this role beginning fall 2023, having served as Principal of Franklin High School since 2018.