2/21/24

• 2/29 Mid Terms Q3

• 3/2 Gather for Gray - Auction

• 03/06, 03/07, 03/13, 03/14 Parent Teacher Conferences

• 4/13 Gather for Gray 7-9pm

• Click here for the full RGMS calendar
  

Dear RGMS Community,

When I interviewed to be the Principal at Robert Gray, I didn't imagine running our school through COVID and working from my home. Neither did I imagine that I would be running our school from the offices at Jackson Middle School. I am grateful to work in an engaged and caring community focused on what's most important in my work - students. I am honored to work with a group of professionals who take work as hard as they play and love the middle school life. I learn from all of you each and every day.

Seeing 190+ of you gathered together in support of our students was inspiring and humbling for me. Thank you to all of you who attended, asked questions, shared the experience with your families, gave critical feedback and sang our praises.

As a follow up, please take a look at the artifacts of our meeting. We will continue to respond with information and next steps as we move forward in the restoration process together.

Meeting Video

Presentation Slide Deck with Norms and Action Items for Advocacy

Presentation Slide Deck with Restoration/Building Information

Air Quality Report

Thank you for your continued engagement and support.

In Community,

Lisa

We are in the final stages of setting up conferences timing for Parent Teacher Conferences.

You need to know:

• Translators and Special Education Families will get first chance to schedule next Monday and Tuesday
• Starting Wednesday 02/28 all families will get a chance to schedule
• All conferences are virtual
• Time blocks are roughly 4:30pm - 7:30pm 03/06, 03/07, 03/13, and 03/14

Coaches are needed for PIL Middle School Track. Specifically a High Jump and throws coaches are needed. These positions are paid. Please contact Liz McCullough, 503-977-1789, lizzywmccullough@gmail.com, for more information.

Please continue to use the Robert Gray MS phone number, 503 916 5676 to get ahold of RGMS secretaries. Calls are being forwarded to RGMS secretaries at Jackson MS.

Markham Elementary, Jackson MS & Robert Gray MS all have school buses arriving at different times, beginning at 3pm, at Jackson. If you need to pick up your student early from school, please, if at all possible, plan on doing so before 3pm when buses begin arriving. It is a very busy place after 3pm. Please park in the upper lot and walk to the main door, ring the bell and come to the office to sign out your student.

RGMS Affinity Spaces are BACK!

Check out our Affinity Space and Lunch Club schedule.

ADPI pictures below.

We are all so proud of our middle schools for their resilience and all that they have been able to accomplish thus far, this year. This is definitely going to be a year we'll remember! If you'd like to help in making this happen, I am looking for assistance with the 2023-24 School yearbook. Do you have experience in making yearbooks? Are you someone who has an eye for detail? or Are you just looking for a fun way to volunteer? I need you!

If you are interested in being a yearbook editor, managing/organizing submitted photos or helping promote yearbook sales please reach out. I hope to identify 2-3 volunteers who have 10ish free hours to spare over the next 3 months. Once I identify we can divide and conquer based on interest. No prior yearbook experience needed! Reach out to Jen Zwartverwer via email at woodruff.jenn@gmail.com to volunteer or with any questions.

The RGMS Foundation raises money to augment our elective options. The money raised is used at the principals discretion.

First Gather for Gray Music Night was a Success!

Thank you to CJ Mead and his band Norwester Sky for a great night at the Cider Mill on 2/2. The place was packed and thanks to a generous donation from Cider Mill plus the donations for everyone who came we raised $1,767 for the foundation!

We are working on getting more dates in March & May. Below is the next one:

March-TDB

April-Rivkah Ross Quartet-7-9 PM

May-TBD

Robert Gray Foundation Auction-New date coming soon!
Gather for Gray
In light of the recent events at Gray the auction committee has decided to move the auction to either April or May. We will be announcing our new date soon!

Want to help with the auction?

We are looking for someone who would be interested in coordinating some house/slot parties. Interested contact Melissa @grayschoolfoundation@gmail.com.

Interested in donating wine for the wine wall?
Bottle must be worth at least $15
Drop off at-2200 SW Sunset Drive
Questions-Contact Jennifer Podichetty-jenmullins@hotmail.com

Silent Auction items help?
Do you have one of the following to donate:
House stay
Unused Gift cards
Other items
Contact Kathleen Healy (kathleenohealy@yahoo.com),or Shannon Daley (shannon.Daley@acfwest.com)

BottleDrop Drive

1. Get Blue bags from the following locations: RGMS office; Rieke area-1656 SW Sunset Blvd.; Hayhurst area: 5252 SW Idaho St.; Bridlemile area-4031 SW Jerald Way

2 Fill Your Bags!

3. Return Full Bags to any BottleDrop location or Burlingame Fred Meyer.

Questions: Melissa Light, grayschoolfoundation@gmail.com

Next PTA Meeting Wednesday, February 21 – Over Zoom!!!!

PTA Meeting Wednesday, February 21 – Over Zoom – Now a Community Meeting !!!!

As you may have hear, the PTA meeting scheduled for 6:30 PM on Wednesday, February 21

will now be a community meeting where we will have the opportunity to come together and

discuss the current situation with our school and ask questions.

Please note, the meeting will be exclusively over Zoom. The access information is as follows:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86339523318?pwd=TmZubFFFWWRFWlBaYzZLQnJ2V0lqZz09

Meeting ID: 863 3952 3318

Passcode: 080505

Have questions for Principal Newlyn? Please feel free to submit them here in advance of the

meeting!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQd4IvjsNvFdr_Y0lNSzDYwL5UfZLoabs3y6yDQl4

EDl9qfg/viewform

Hope to “see” you there!

Haven’t joined the PTA yet? Do so now using this link.

You will have to select “ROBERT GRAY MS PTA (PORTLAND)” as your “Local Unit”. The rest

is straightforward and takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Membership is $20 for the year.

Do you wish to make a one-time or recurring donation to PTA? You can do so here. Click “Donate” then enter your amount and indicate your intent to donate monthly if desired!

Robert Gray PTA Volunteer Opportunities

Looking for ways to get involved this year? Use the following form to sign up for the events you are interested in and you will receive a follow up email with additional information. The time and support of our volunteers is greatly appreciated. Without it we couldn't make special Gray events happen! Some of these events include Run for Gray, Teacher Appreciation Week, Bottle Drop Fundraiser, Sustainability and extra supervision during lunch time, and more. Please consider volunteering or donating as you are able.

RGMS Volunteer Sign-up

Thank you for your time and support! Looking forward to a great year!

RGMS PTA

Get text alerts about school closures, delays, emergencies and school events:

Text YES to 68453

Email: lnewlyn@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/gray
Location: 5505 Southwest 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 916-5676
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertgraymiddleschool
Attendance Reporting: grayattend@pps.net