News From the Abernethy Office

Happy Monday Abernethy Community!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and were able to enjoy the light dusting of snow yesterday! It was a welcome surprise to me yesterday, and when I say welcome, that is only because I did not have to go anywhere and was able to just sit and watch it all!

I can not believe how fast time is going and that we only have 2 weeks until Winter Break. I know that teachers are working hard on their curriculum and when I walk through the halls and visit classrooms I see that the students are focused on the exact same thing! Today I was able to go in and teach a 1st grade literacy lesson. Using the book "Green Eggs and Ham" we focused on order of events within the story and specifically looked at the importance of why events happen in the order that they do. We also talked about the Focus Question: How Books Can Change Our Lives. What we learn from them, how we can ask more questions and gain more knowledge and learn life lessons. I learned from one of the 1st grade students that "Green Eggs and Ham" teaches us about Perseverance!

Last Friday I was also able to join in the celebration with Mr. Hartmann's class as they read their Native stories to the 3rd grade students. It was so great seeing how proud the students were of their stories and the work that they put into them!. Here are some pictures.

With all the hard work that the teachers and students are doing, I thought it would be nice to have a little fun for the next 10 days of school. Today we started our 10 Days Until Winter Break Challenge. This is an optional challenge for teachers and students. Today we started with Snowflakes! I started by hiding 10 snowflakes all around the school this morning. Teachers and their classes were able to find the snowflakes. When they did, they had to turn them in to me. We had such an interest I had to hide more snowflakes for them to find!

Here are the activities for the next 10 days. As I said, some are just for teachers, and some are for teachers and students. Teachers are earning The Price is Right "Plinko" disks that they will use for a grand prize. For some activities, their classes will win whole class prizes for the most participation!

As I said, participation is optional, encouraged, but absolutely optional.

Each year, Abernethy comes together to support families during the extended winter break and holidays. This is offered every year, however, this year in particular, we know that inflation and especially the rising cost of food has greatly impacted families. Supporting one another as a community is just as important as ever. We are looking specifically for gift cards (Fred Meyer, Target, Walmart), scarves, gloves, sweatshirts and warm winter clothes. Please reach out to Jenny Morgan if you are able to help. jmorgan1@pps.net or 503-679-4799.

THANK YOU to those who have already participated in the Annual Appeal! We have raised nearly $24,000 so far, or about 40% of the Annual Appeal fundraising goal! The Appeal will run for ONE MORE WEEK, or through Friday, December 9.

If you haven’t donated yet, we ask that you don’t delay further and make your donation via Konstella, or by cash or a check made out to “Abernethy PTA.” Consider setting up a monthly donation via Konstella to give more over the course of the year. Every donation - small and large - is important and helps to ensure many of the school resources our students and teachers depend on can continue.

Congratulations to the 3rd prize drawing winner, Ashley! To encourage participation, we’ll do ONE MORE PRIZE DRAWING at the end of this week. Get your donation in today for a chance to win a $33 gift card to 3 Doors Down Cafe.

Thank you for your participation and showing your support for the Abernethy community!

Sincerely, 2022 Annual Appeal Co-chairs

Julie Humsi (Ramzi - 5th, Hutchison; Augustus - 2nd, Lannigan)

Emily Moore (Davis - 5th, Hartmann; Lila - Abernethy alum)

Beth Schuenemann (Owen - 3rd, Gerlach)

December 6th - Fire Drill - 2:30pm

December 6th - School Climate Committee Meeting - 4:00pm

December 6th - School Equity Committee Meeting - 4:00pm

December 7th - School Safety Meeting 8:00am

December 7th - OBOB Mock Trial 5:30 - 7:00pm

December 7 - 8 - Holiday Shoppe

December 14 - 1st Grade Field Trip to Downtown Library

December 19 - Hanukkah Begins

December 19 - January 2nd - No School - Winter Break

This Wednesday and Thursday, kids will come to shop for gifts with their class and have items priced $0.25 - $2.50 to choose from. Please send in $10 to your child's teacher by December 7th and, as always, reach out to Mrs. Morgan if financial aid is needed.

We’re Still Looking for Donations

Reusable bags: We are hoping to provide reusable bags for the kids to take their purchases home. If you have extra, send one or two in and leave them in the office for the bazaar.

Mason jars: We are crafting up some sweet memory jars and in need of mason jars with lids. If you have some to donate please let us know.

Holiday items: If you have a special craft you can make multiple of, or have a business that has fun gifts and would like to donate to the bazaar to sell, let us know.

We kindly request that all donations be dropped off by Tuesday December 6th at the school. Can't drop off items on the 6th? You can do a porch drop off at 2730 SE 20th Avenue anytime.

Contact Mary Bruno at holiday@supportabernethy.org if you have any questions or have items to donate.

With the cold weather in mind, please make sure that you are signed up for notifications involving school closures and delays. I will follow up with a community email as well, but for the quickest way to get information follow the directions below.

Find out about closures and delays:

• PPS will send text alerts to families, students and PPS staff who have opted in to receive SMS text alerts on their cell phones. If you are a parent or guardian, a student or a PPS staff member, you can opt in to receive texts by texting YES to 68453.
• An automated phone call is sent to affected families.
• The District has a Twitter feed to relay closure, delay and emergency information. Follow @PPSConnect.
• Information also is posted on the PPS website and submitted to the media.
• Snow routes and alternative stops will be called for AM or PM or both depending upon the road conditions or weather forecast. Additional District announcements could come out throughout the day as the weather is monitored.