The Cheetah Coalition #14

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Dear Parents,

As you recall, Parent Teacher Conferences were originally scheduled to take place in November. These had to be canceled because of the work stoppage. We know that some parents are anxious to reschedule their conference. I want to give you an update on this.

Parent Teacher Conferences will be rescheduled for four (4) nights in January. All homeroom teachers will be available on the evenings of January 4 and January 11; additionally, some homeroom teachers will offer conferences on January 8 and 10, with others conducting them on January 18 and 25. Your homeroom teacher will send you a communication about their specific available dates and how to schedule your conference before the school closes for winter break.

Next week, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 14, I will host an online parent meeting to listen to what your experience was during the work stoppage. I’m curious to hear any concerns or questions you may have. I will also share any information I have about how the new teacher contract will impact students and families. I hope you are able to join. The information for logging in is below.

Topic: Parent Reflection and School Update with Principal Armendariz

Time: Dec 14, 2023 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86889530649?pwd=VHUzSHBXb3JEU1I2UW5BTC9EVDdUZz09

Meeting ID: 868 8953 0649

Passcode: 810812

I hope you have a restful weekend!

Debbie Armendariz

Principal

Atkinson Elementary School

darmenda@pps.net

As we make plans for covering classes and ensuring supervision of and safety for students the week of December 18–22, it will help us to know how many students will be out and from which classrooms. Please complete THIS FORM to let us know that your student will be out. You only need to complete the form if your student will be ABSENT.

December Monthly Value, Kindness

This month we celebrate kindness, in our class, school, and in our community. Kindness awards will be announced on Friday, December 15 during lunch.

December Classroom Lessons on Gratitude

We continue classroom lessons this month on the topic of gratitude. Students are engaging in a gratitude leaf activity, which will be displayed on our Gratitude Tree near the lobby.

Medication Disposal

PPS has available Deterra Bags for families who need a safe way to dispose of medications. If you would like a bag, please email dwilde@pps.net or call 503-342-7608. Look HERE for more information about Deterra Bags.

Helping Our School Community

We would like to keep the food & toiletry closet in the Student Support Room stocked so that families who need these items can access them. If you are able to, please donate shelf-stable food items and/or toiletries. Gift cards are appreciated. Contact Darcy for more information dwilde@pps.net or 503-342-7608.

Our lost and found is overflowing! On Wednesday, December 20, we will bag everything up that hasn't been claimed and donate it on Thursday, December 21 to the PTA Clothing Center. There are so many nice things! Coats, scarves, water bottles, lunch boxes, sweatshirts, and more. Parents are welcome to come in the building anytime between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays to check for lost items. Some of the name-brand coats are in the office because we ran out of room on the rack in the lobby. Please come down and look!

Check out the latest PTA newsletter!

Due to district closures in November, Portland Public Schools is rescheduling Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day to Thursday, Dec. 14. Visit the Ruby Bridges Foundation website to learn more about this important day.

Six-year-old Ruby Bridges stepped into the history books November 14, 1960, when she became one of the first students to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, becoming a national icon for the civil rights movement. Today her story continues to inspire the next generation of leaders to end racism together one step at a time. Since 2018, students have celebrated Ruby’s courage by walking to school and recognizing her contributions to the civil rights movement.

The only Student Health Center open during Dec. 18–29 will be Parkrose. All others are closed. All Multnomah County youth/teens ages 5–18 are welcome. There are no out-of-pocket costs and they'll see you with or without insurance.

Dear Families and Students,

We are so glad to have you back at school! We also wanted to remind you about actions you can take to stay healthy so you can stay in class and be ready to learn:

• Illness: Please keep your child home when they have symptoms that may exclude them from school.
• Student health conditions: Please update the school and nurse if there has been any change in your student's health condition during the time of the strike.
• Student medications: Please replenish medications that your student may need to receive during the school day. Also, remember to pick up your student’s expired medications from the school.
• State-required vaccines/immunizations: Ensure your student is up-to-date on all school-required immunizations. Students who do not provide proper immunization documentation by February 21, 2024 will be excluded from school. Primary care providers, including Student Health Centers and the Multnomah County Health Department, provide no- to low-cost vaccinations to students.
• Access to health care: Multnomah County Student Health Centers and the Benson Wellness Center remain open during regular hours. Student Health Centers are a great place for students to receive sports physicals, well-child visits, school immunizations (shots), COVID-19 testing, vaccines & boosters, mental/behavioral health, age-appropriate reproductive services, routine lab tests, and prescription refills.
• Health care coverage/insurance: People of any age or immigration status may be eligible for full Oregon Health Plan (OHP) benefits. OHP is Oregon's Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program. Click here to learn more about eligibility, and to apply or report changes online. Families who do not qualify for OHP can sign up for health coverage during the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period, occurring now through January 15, 2024. Financial help for Marketplace plans also may be available. Find out what coverage and savings you can get—and find free, local help—at OregonHealthCare.gov.

• Thursday, December 14 — Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
• Thursday, December 14 — Parent Reflection & School Update with Principal Armendariz, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom
• December 18–22 — School in Session
  
• December 23–January 1 — NO SCHOOL, Winter Break
• Tuesday, January 2 — School resumes
• Thursday, January 4 — Hearing Re-Screening
• Thursday, January 4 — Principal's Coffee in Spanish, 8:50 a.m.
• Friday, January 5 — Principal's Coffee in English, 8:50 a.m.