Dragon Tales

Does anyone else feel like it's hard to believe that next week will be October? We've been in school for a month now and it feels like just yesterday we were welcoming our new 6th graders on jumpstart day. It's clear everyone is starting to settle in and really understand the flow of the school year.

We ended this week with our first ARTs (Accountable, Respectful, Thoughtful and Safe) assembly meant to honor, celebrate, and reinforce the behaviors we hope to see throughout our school. Turns out I won an award for remembering to bring a charged chromebook to class (see picture below). We also took time celebrate those students who have over 95% attendance during our 1st month of school. Hundreds of students were recognized for this achievement and we hope to keep that positive momentum going.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and takes a few minutes to read through the rest of this newsletter.

- Mr. Roosevelt

On behalf of our staff, we want to wish all our 6th graders an amazing experience at Outdoor School this upcoming week. Through hallway and lunch conversations it's easy to tell that students are getting excited and going through the mix of emotions that accompany every class of 6th graders about to go to Outdoor School.

Here is an update from Ms. Hopkins who has done a great job of organizing ODS

Departure Time Reminders for this Sunday, Sept 29th:

Ms. Hopkins' 1st period class heading to Camp Westwind: Please be at school at 1:15PM on Sunday to load the bus; the bus will leave at 1:45PM sharp.

Ms. Hopkins' 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 7th period classes heading to Camp Kuratli, Collins, Namanu and Angelos, respectively: Please be at school at 2:30 PM on Sunday to load the bus; the bus will leave at 3PM sharp.

Note: Please make sure your student uses the restroom before leaving. We do not have custodial support in the building over the weekend and we ask that students not use the restroom here, unless it is an emergency.

This year, the district will not be automatically sending home progress reports in the mail. Families need to opt-in OR opt-out of receiving paperless copies of reports cards and progress reports. Please use this form for guidance on how to do this. You can find more information through this district website as well.

This week I want to recognize Mr. Braunstein and his 8th math students for the posters they created to demonstrate their learning during his Number System Unit. In the lesson students were working on identifying rational vs. irrational numbers and converting repeating decimals into fractions. Nice work Mr. Braunstein.

Join us in wearing orange on September 30th as we honor Tribal families, children and elders who have been impacted by Federal Indian Boarding Schools. Here are some resources from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).

Additionally, please take a moment to read through the September Talking Circle Newsletter. There are some great resources from our Indian Education Department, information on some upcoming events and some student shoutouts.

The Benson Wellness Center is a Certified School-based Health Center that provides free primary care to all children and youth, ages 0-21 regardless of insurance status. They can actually become your child's primary care provider, and if they already have a PCP for your child, they can still see them.

Services are free and confidential!

To learn more about scheduling an appointment, call 503-418-0409 or check out their website. They are in room 107 in the front of the building, with a convenient outside entrance for students and families from other schools. https://www.pps.net/Page/5953

We excited to get our LatinX affinity group up and running next week. We have been running the message below in our daily announcements throughout the week. If you have questions, please reach out to Ms. Wilson @ (mwilson5@pps.net)

"If you identify as Latinx, come join SOL for our first meeting on Wednesday, Oct 1, BEFORE SCHOOL from 8:20-9:10. Pick up permission forms from Sorena in the main office."

Our BSU held their first meeting on Friday. It was great to see our students who identify as Black or African American having the opportunity to be in space with one another and get the support from our African Drumming teacher, Hakim and a district administrator, Anjene Bryant.