Abernethy Community Newsletter

I don't know about you, but looking at the weather app last night, I was so happy to look out the window this morning and NOT see snow on the ground. I know that might not be what everyone is thinking, but my fingers are crossed that we do not have any late starts or Snow Days this year. I never thought I would hear myself say that..... Every year I think that one day would be nice. Let the kids play in the snow for a day.... but this year, I think that I just want them all in school! I learned a lot from the teacher strike, but one of the biggest things that I knew, but was made so very clear is that fact that our building is not complete without all our families, staff, teachers and students!

Tonight begins the first of 4 evening parent- teacher conferences times. All evening conferences will begin at 4:00pm and end at 7:00pm. Conference dates are:

Wednesday, January 10th
Thursday, January 11th
Tuesday, January 16th
Wednesday, January 17th

I am leaving the sign up links in this newsletter..... Just if you have not signed up as of yet. or need to make a change. If you do need to make a change to your conference time, please email your teacher. Office staff will not be in the office to answer phone calls and I an in and out of conferences with no guarantee of being able to answer phone as well.

We have childcare available for those who are finding childcare as a barrier to attend an in person conference with your student's teacher.

Our goal it to have no barriers for our families to be able to connect with their student's teacher. If coming into the building is difficult, we have virtual options available, and if you can come into the building, but childcare is difficult we will have childcare offered for tonight and next Wednesday.

Childcare offered:

Wednesday - January 10th

Wednesday - January 17th

Childcare will only be offered for your student's conference time and will be located in the counseling room. Upstairs, in room 15.

Michelle Lewis and Charles Hannah are the owners and operators of Third Eye Books located at 2518 SE 33rd Avenue

Third Eye Books carries an impressive and extensive inventory of books by Black authors and Oregon writers, as well as nonfiction and fiction titles that speak to the current societal climate.

Tonight, January 10th, Charles Hannah and Michelle Lewis will be set up in the main hall of Abernethy with a display of their books for sale. Not only will there be books for sale, but every student who comes tonight, conference or no conference, will be able to walk away with a free book! Third Eye Books believes strongly in supporting the love of reading and the love of books. They believe that in our event tonight, and our ongoing partnership, no student should be without a book!

If you have a conference tonight, and even if you do not, please come and check out an amazing display of books and walk away with one of your own!

Jennifer Butler Brown is a diverse mobile and online bookstore for kids and educators. Thursday, January 11th, she will be in the main hall of Abernethy with a pleather of books for sale!

If you have a conference tomorrow , and even if you do not, please come and check out an amazing display of books that Jennifer has for sale!

Thank you to all who have paid for your students field trips!

We do believe that field trips and other extra enrichment activities help support the learning within each classroom. Our classroom teachers have put a lot of time and thought into planning for these activities knowing what it will bring to your students.

If you have any questions on how to pay using Schoolpay, please feel free to call the school - 505-916-6190

We also know that asking an upfront larger dollar amount for field trips may not be doable for all families. Therefore, we are asking that families pay what they can and then financial assistance through the school and PTA can fund the rest. As always, if there is a need to fund the whole amount, we are absolutely here to help. You can always reach out to Jenny Morgan at jmorgan1@pps.net.

Just click on your student's teacher and you will be taken directly to their Schoolpay account.

Welcome back from winter break! We hope your children are settling into the routine of school after the break. Here is an update of what is happening with the counseling program:

Jenny Morgan - K-3 Counselor

503-916-6190

503-679-4799

jmorgan1@pps.net

Katie Kunze - 4-5 Counselor

503-916-6190

971-220-6994

kkunze@pps.net

Hello families! I am Katie Kunze (Ms. Katie), the new part-time school counselor at Abernethy Elementary school. I work Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays supporting mainly 4th and 5th grade students. I have two daughters in PPS, a 4th grader and 7th grader. I feel so lucky to be able to serve your students and I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing counseling team. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me by email at kkunze@pps.net or google voice @ (971) 220-6994.

Kindergarten through 3rd grade is starting a unit on problem solving and conflict resolution. With the younger students, we use Kelso’s Choices to teach students about how to solve small problems. 3rd grade students are learning about intent vs impact and using “I statements” as a way to respectfully solve problems.

In Fourth and Fifth grade, I have been teaching lessons on bullying prevention and conflict resolution. In our lessons, we explore ways that students can disrupt unkind and bullying behavior and the difference between being an upstander and a bystander.

Resources can be found here: Bully blockers info sheet

Student Council: Student Council has been busy deciding on a project this year. They are great communicators and have been getting ideas from their classmates and also getting class input to help them narrow their focus. During this last session, they decided to focus on playground improvement and will continue to work on a few different ways they want to improve the play experience for the students of Abernethy.

QSA: QSA recently met with Ms. Dunn to talk about their ideas for improving the large mural in the field. They have a lot of great ideas to incorporate themes of inclusion and welcoming if we are able to move forward with a mural upgrade.

Environmental Club: Environmental club is in the process of completing the requirements to become a green school. We conducted a garbage audit throughout the building and will use this information to develop a plan. Also during conferences, they will also display their trash art that they made last year and the beginning of this year.

BIPOC Student Affinity Club: We had our first meeting and talked about the student’s goals for the group. They really enjoyed being together and talking about the importance of having this space for them. This 4th/5th grade group meets 2x per month on Mondays.

Small Groups: Small counseling groups are starting this week. These groups cover topics such as emotion management, skills for handling anxiety, problem solving, and social skills. We will have a second round of groups starting after spring break if you are interested in having your child participate in a group.

Clinton Bike Bus Route schedule (join in at any point along the route):

• Gather on Clinton just west of Cesar Chavez at 8:10am
• Departs Cesar Chavez and Clinton at 8:15am, heading West.
• Departs Clinton St Plaza (26th) at 8:25am
• Ladd's Circle at 8:30am
• 1 lap around Ladd's circle to celebrate and cheer; cruise into school on Elliot to the gazebo at 8:35am to give kids time to lock bikes and line up.
• (Optional) Join the Clinton Route Parents: Abernethy Bike Bus WhatsApp Group for occasional important communications.

Lincoln-Harrison Bike Bus Route schedule (join in at any point along the route):

• Gather next to Joe Bike at 8:15am
• Departs Joe Bike at 8:20am, heading West.
• Departs St. David of Wales Church at 8:25am
• Ladd's Circle at 8:30am
• 1 lap around Ladd's circle to celebrate and cheer; cruise into school on Elliot to the gazebo at 8:35am to give kids time to lock bikes and line up.
• (Optional) Join the Lincoln Route Parents: Abernethy Bike Bus WhatsApp Group for occasional important communications.

We are so happy to have our students at school, and we want them all to be at school every day. However, there are times when you will need to keep your student home. Over the past couple of years, since returning from distant learning, during the winter months, we have seen spikes in sicknesses after Thanksgiving Break as well as Winter Break. Many families travel, spend time with family and friends and are spending more time indoors. As a result we see more students with colds, stomach bugs and hear of more cases of Covid. We are hoping to stay on top of everything and keep our students healthy while at school, yet we do need your help while they are at home. If your student shows any of the following symptoms, please follow the attached guidelines. We want to help our students, and you all, stay healthy!

1. FEVER: a measured temperature equal to or greater than 100.4°F orally. • MAY RETURN AFTER fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicine.

2. COUGH: persistent cough that is not yet diagnosed and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider OR any acute (non-chronic) cough illness that is frequent or severe enough to interfere with participation in usual school activities. • MAY RETURN AFTER symptoms improving for 24 hours (no cough or cough well-controlled.)

3. DIFFICULTY BREATHING OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH not explained by situation such as exercise: feeling unable to catch their breath, gasping for air, breathing too fast or too shallowly, breathing with extra effort such as using muscles of the stomach, chest, or neck. • MAY RETURN AFTER symptoms improving for 24 hours. • This symptom is likely to require immediate medical attention

4. HEADACHE WITH STIFF NECK AND FEVER. • MAY RETURN AFTER fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicine AND symptoms resolve. • This combination of symptoms may indicate a serious condition. Advise student’s guardian to seek medical attention.

5. DIARRHEA: three or more watery or loose stools in 24 hours OR sudden onset of loose stools OR student unable to control bowel function when previously able. • MAY RETURN AFTER 48 hours after diarrhea resolves OR after seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider or LPHA for specific diarrheal diagnoses.

6. VOMITING: at least 1 episode that is unexplained. • MAY RETURN AFTER 48 hours after last episode of vomiting OR after seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider.