Wildcat Newsletter

Thank you to all of the families and community members who donated time this past weekend for service projects. Between Backpack Portland’s event, the Woodlawn Park clean up, city events and coastal events, many of our students participated in Dr. King’s Day of Service. As a pastor and leader of the Civil Rights Movement, King's speeches called on citizens to serve others, and this day encourages Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

This is the final week in the first half of the school year. Time flies when you’re having fun! The end of first semester is a check in time in reading and math. We use benchmark assessments to both identify student success towards grade level standards and to measure their growth since fall benchmarking. You can ask your student about the iReady diagnostic assessment and the MAP FLuency (K-2) or MAP Growth (3rd-5th) Reading assessment. Both assessments are taken on the computer. While most students take the assessments in the classroom, a few students move to different spaces to complete the work. In some classrooms, additional adults joined the sessions to provide technical support.

The end of the second quarter is this Friday. That means that on Monday, teachers will be completing report cards and will be planning for the new quarter on Tuesday. This means that students do not report to school on Monday or Tuesday. Report cards and progress notes will be in Wednesday folders January 29th.

Safety is our biggest priority at Woodlawn. For this reason, please ensure each person entering the building is buzzing in. Do not hold the doors open for folks to enter. Thank you!

It’s NEXT Thursday, January 30th. Our young Wildcats have been practicing their music and songs and have been putting the finishing touches on pieces of art. Every Wildcat has a place in this show! Each grade will perform two musical pieces and every student will have a piece of finished artwork on display. You don’t want to miss this!

In addition to watching your Wildcat perform, you can help us get started on the planning for the murals in the gym. You might remember that we named this activity as one of the reasons we were raising money in our Run for Woodlawn fundraiser. We are partnering with local muralist, Arcadia Trueheart, to begin coming up with themes and ideas for these murals. Arcadia will work with students representing each 3rd-5th grade classroom. We will keep all of our students in the conversation by bringing information to classrooms and asking for feedback. The final result, on painted birchwood panels, will be mounted in the gym.

Dinner, cold cut sandwiches and chips, will be available starting at 5:30 and the performance schedule is as follows:

5:45 Kindergarten

6:00 First grade

6:15 Second grade

6:30 Third grade

6:45 Fourth grade

7:00 Fifth grade

Performances do not repeat. Only completed work will be on display. Families with an early performance time can eat after the performance.

We are looking forward to seeing you on January 30th for Celebrate the Arts Night!

Each year, as a requirement of the federally mandated Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response

Act (AHERA), the District must notify all employees and the community of the existence and

location of the Asbestos Management Plan (AMP). This letter accomplishes that requirement. A

description of the location, quantity, and condition of all asbestos-containing material (ACM)

and presumed asbestos-containing materials (PACM) is in the AMP located in the District

Database. https://www.pps.net/Page/2215

Among others, asbestos is often present in the following building materials:

• Gaskets
• Ceiling tile
• Cement board
• Thermal system installation (TSI)
• Vinyl asbestos floor tile
• Spray-on textured ceiling
• Spray-on fireproofing
• Sound attenuation material
• Wall and ceiling material plaster
• Magnesite cementitious flooring

Employees shall not disturb or damage these materials in any way unless expressly authorized.

Any damaged ACM should be reported to the Risk Management Department, Environmental

Health and Safety Section immediately.

In addition, it is required that the information in this letter be shared with the parents and

faculty of the school by including it as agenda item for faculty, PTA, and safety committee

meetings or other appropriate means.

The Risk Management Department, Environmental Health & Safety Section is currently

conducting a six month periodic surveillance of ACM. A copy of the results of that surveillance will be included in the AMP. In addition, a 3-year re-inspection was completed by EPA-certified

inspectors in 2024. The next 3-year re-inspection is scheduled to take place in 2027.

Thank you for your attention to this important regulatory compliance matter. If you have any

questions or want additional information regarding the District’s asbestos management

program, please feel free to contact the Risk Management Department, Environmental Health &

Safety Section.

With the colder weather, many students are finding more time to cozy up with a book. The Winter Reading Challenge has been a great way to direct interest in some different books. The Winter Reading Challenge will end next week. Please encourage your child to turn the completed form it to Mrs. Freeman at their Library time.

Are you or someone you know interested in joining the Woodlawn team part time? We are still looking to hire an Education Assistant for reading tutoring 20 hours a week, Tuesday through Thursday. Reach out to Andrea if you would like more information! aporter@pps.net

Hello Woodlawn Families,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Rob Johnson, and I’m a Senior Director at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland Metro. As a coach and a parent, I am always looking for opportunities that will help young players continue to fall in love with the game of basketball through positive reinforcement and high-quality coaching. That’s why I’m excited to share an upcoming opportunity with you. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland Metro are partnering with the Portland Trailblazers and the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA to provide a series of programs (camps and clinics) at the Blazers Boys and Girls Club. These camps will be held once a month for five months, beginning on January 25, 2025.

These camps will offer young athletes an incredible chance to improve their skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a fun and supportive environment. As a nonprofit, we can offer these sessions at an affordable price of just $25 for all five sessions, making them accessible to many families in the Portland metro area.

The camps will be led by experienced coaches, with DI college coaching experience, including myself (for the Jr. NBA) and Beth Mounier (for the Jr. WNBA) We are committed to providing top-notch coaching and fostering individual and team development.

Here’s an overview of the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA camp themes and dates:

Jr. NBA Weekly Themes:

• Week 1 (1/25/25): "Fundamentals First!" – Dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense.

• Week 2 (2/15/25): "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!" – Focus on teamwork and communication.

• Week 3 (3/15/25): "Jr. NBA Combine!" – Speed, agility, endurance, and strength testing.

• Week 4 (4/26/25): "Shooting Stars/Shift into Gear!" – Shooting mechanics and advanced moves.

• Week 5 (5/17/25): "Game On! – The Culminating Event!" – Competitive scrimmages.

Jr. WNBA Weekly Themes:

• Week 1 (1/25/25): Basketball Building Blocks – Core skills development.

• Week 2 (2/15/25): Sharpshooter Academy – Focus on shooting mechanics and confidence.

• Week 3 (3/15/25): Lab Work – Master ball-handling and one-on-one skills.

• Week 4 (4/26/25): Queens of the Court – Basketball IQ, passing, and teamwork.

• Week 5 (5/17/25): Championship Saturday – Scrimmages and fun competitions.

Session Information:

• Jr. WNBA:

• 3rd-5th Grade: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

• 6th-8th Grade: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

• Jr. NBA:

• 3rd-5th Grade: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

• 6th-8th Grade: 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Camp Dates:

• 1/25/25, 2/15/25, 3/15/25, 4/26/25, 5/17/25

The cost for all five sessions is only $25, which is an exceptional value for the skills and experiences your students will gain. These camps are designed for athletes of all levels, from beginners to those looking to sharpen their game.

We hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity! Space is limited, so I encourage you to register soon. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the email on the flyer.

Thank you for your time,

Rob Johnson

Sr Director of STEAM Clubhouses

Congratulations to Ms. Then’s first grade class for earning their attendance party last week! Keep up the great work Wildcats!

One of our Woodlawn parents runs a movement company that offers fun, open-level classes for youth and adults right here in the neighborhood at the Village Ballroom. When school is closed, dance camp is open! Students in 1st through 5th grade are invited to come dance, play, create, and have loads of fun next Monday & Tuesday, Jan 27 & 28 when school is closed. Click here to learn more and register.

Mutual Aid Spots are available in all Pivot classes/camps. Mutual aid is solidarity-based support for marginalized communities. Email hello@thisispivotpdx.com for a Mutual Aid discount code.

Watch for sign up opportunities and more information for these events next week!

February 7th Movie Night

February 11th PTA Meeting

February 14th Share the love for staff potluck

February 28th Jazz Night