Astor Connection

Principal's Message

Important Dates

Info, Reminders and Resources for Families

Resources

Volunteering opportunities at Astor

PPS District Fliers

Dear Astor Community,

We are one-month into the school year! There were so many shifts, like arrival/dismissal time, MS schedule, and curricula, but our amazing students are absolutely getting into the groove. A huge shout out to our incredible staff for making these transitions for our community as smooth as possible. I'll tell it to anyone that will listen, we have the best team in PPS!

And, I'm especially grateful for our amazing Astor families. From the school and PTSO events, it's clear our school-family partnership is vibrant and strong. As we continue through the year, please reach out to your students teacher if you have any questions. Be sure to sign up for a fall conference at the link here. The office is always available to help at 503-916-6244, as well.

Finally, it's Hispanic Heritage Month! At Astor this means that teachers are doing lessons focused on the important contribution of Hispanic and Latino community members in Portland and beyond. Additionally, we have our third annual Fiesta Latina on Friday, October 4th from 5pm to 6:30pm. This is always a wonderful event with food, music, and lots of fun! You can sign up to help at the link in the volunteer note below in the newsletter. Hope to see you there!

Here's to a wonderful month, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything!

Warmly,

Warmly,

Blake Robertson

Principal @ Astor

Several students and their families need our support. Please see the links below, and consider a donation. Thank you for your support!

Faulkner Family - https://www.gofundme.com/f/amelia-and-the-faulkner-family

Radkich family - https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ariane-and-boys-after-mylans-passing

You can find information about PPS HR here. The positions below would directly serve our community. Reach out to Principal Robertson (brobertson@pps.net) if you have any questions about these opportunities.

Behavior Intervention Specialist - posting is here - number 28135 - This role will support our special education program. This is a great opportunity to work directly with students for academic supports and with an amazing and talented group of educators! This is a K-5 and MS opportunity.

Educational Assistant - posting is here - number 28137 - This position will work with our instructional specialists to deliver academic interventions primarily in middle school.

Paraeducator Substitute - (Position Number 26085) This position supports our students throughout Astor and is important for our continuum of services. We are looking for substitute paraeductors whenever our team members are absent for the day. It's a great way to get involved with a wonderful group of educators! Apply at PPS HR or reach out to Principal Robertson for more information at brobertson@pps.net.

Be sure to get your pledges turned in by October 15th. You can get them to your student's teacherm, the office, or use school pay (schoolpay.com)

Astor students are involved in so many incredible activities beyond the classroom walls! If you'd like to share your student's achievements, then please sent a picture and short blurb for our monthly Astor Connect to Principal Robertson at brobertson@pps.net.

Student and Family Calendar and Handbook

September

30th - Wear Orange to as we honor Tribal families, children and elders who have been impacted by Federal Indian Boarding Schools - more info here

October- Calendar

1st - Astor Title 1 Family Information Session - at 4:30pm - Hybrid - Library or Virtual link here - meet.google.com/nog-fyzk-nbq

4th - Fiesta Latina - 5pm to 6:30pm - Playground area

7th and 8th - Oregon Health Survey for Grades 6 and 8

9th - International Walk and Roll to School Day!

9th - Diverse Learners Night at RHS from 5:30pm to 7pm (Food served!)

11th - No School - State wide inservice

14th - Indigenous Peoples Day

15th - All K-8 Students released at 3:15pm

20th-25th - 6th Grade at Outdoor School

23rd - Early Release for all K-8 Students at 12:45pm

28th - Spirit Week

29th - Site Council

31st - First Quarter Ends

No School November 1st - Grading Day

Astor's Fiesta Latina:

Our Astor annual event, Fiesta Latina, is coming soon on October 4th. We would love your help, if you're able to volunteer. Please use the above volunteer sign up link to let us know how and when you can help. - https://forms.gle/tfxweof6P4omJKgYA

PPS Clothing Closet:

Also, we need a few volunteers to help at the PPS Clothing Closet, representing Astor School on our volunteer day on Oct. 7th. Each school in Portland Public Schools helps to volunteer at the Clothing Closet which provides clothing to children and families in our city. We would love your help! We need 5-6 volunteers to help from 9:30 to 1:30. Please see the original email below about more information about this volunteer opportunity. If you can help, please reply to this email. Thank you so much!

On October 1st, you can stop by the library at 4:30pm or join the virtual link here - meet.google.com/nog-fyzk-nbq to learn more about the Title 1 program at Astor. Hear from Principal Robertson about the positive impacts of the program on campus, how we monitor student progress, and more.

We invite students, parents, teachers, and the entire school community to walk, bike, skate, or roll to school. This event celebrates physical activity, reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and teaching children safe walking and biking skills.

When you arrive, come to the exterior cafeteria doors at the back of the school to let us know how you traveled. Collect hi-fives and brag-worthy swag.

Our Indian Ed Monthly Newsletter is here

Please see this information here regarding student illnesses.

Our Astor OBOB (Oregon Battle of the Books) year is about to begin! Our first schoolwide practice is on Tuesday, October 1st directly after school. We are forming teams for the 3rd-5th grade level and the 6th-8th grade level. If your child is interested in participating this year, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/wi1gVjnYhV4LGB9T8

Any questions? Please reach out to Ms. King: eking@pps.net. For more information about Oregon Battle of the Books, check out the website: https://www.oregonbattleofthebooks.org

We are pleased to welcome Astor School families to BRAVO. Astor’s new designation as a Title I school makes all Astor students in grades 3-8 eligible to join BRAVO. As this is our first year working with Astor, our program looks a bit different than it does at our other schools. We are not able to provide a BRAVO teacher at Astor due to budget constraints. Instead, we are welcoming Astor students to join a BRAVO program at one of our other area schools.

3-5 Graders may attend our Winds Program at César Chávez OR our Cello Program at Rosa Parks
6-8 Graders may attend our Strings Program at George Middle School.

Full details on our Astor programming can be found at: oregonbravo.org/astor

Sign up today! Classes start on October 7th.

Please see the flyer below and the sign up here regarding our MS Drama Program!

https://bit.ly/AstorDrama

Click here for more info on how to sign up!

Astor is excited to partner with Portland Backpack in the fall to increase our capacity to support the whole student. Portland Backpack is a nonprofit aimed at reducing hunger in student populations; they provide food sacks for weekend days. Read more about their mission here.

This fall, we'll have an opportunity for families to sign up. Reach out to Theresa with any questions you have at tscottmerrion@pps.net

You can learn more about the right to return program here. Please share with any families that you know might be interested.

Click here to learn more!

See the link here for Title III info - https://drive.google.com/file/d/13TIkNzMEPjgiAqdf2e8reRS6gvd2D_9y/view

Construction will take place on N Willis between N Newman Avenue and Chautauqua Boulevard. Traffic impacts will vary based on the type of work taking place. Most often it will mean narrowing travel lanes on Willis to make room for machines and trucks. Road closures may take place on side streets connecting with N Willis when curb ramps or stormwater pipes are under construction. Maintaining pedestrian routes will be prioritized throughout the project.

Crews will be on site between 7 AM – 6 PM, Monday through Friday.

The loss of loved ones or any loss can be challenign for our children. See the link for resources at TIP NW (Trauma Intervention Program Northwest): https://www.tipnw.org/

And, additional resources below...

We ask again that community members avoid Yale whenever possible in order to reduce traffic. It will be a Safe School Street again this year. You can learn more info about our traffic flow below and here. Thanks for support with this!

Questions? Contact Shane Nevius, PPS Safe Routes to School Coordinator, at snevius@pps.net or visit pps.net/saferoutes

Hello Astor K-8 School families and friends. Thank you for taking the time to review our

traffic circulation map provided by the Safe Routes to School teams at PBOT and PPS.

PBOT and PPS staff visited our campus to conduct a traffic circulation observation and

suggested the following modifications to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety

around our campus during the peak hours of arrival and dismissal.

Key Changes

 The School Street pilot project on N Yale Street has ended. N Yale Street will no

longer have School Street signs and is open to thru traffic again while PBOT and

PPS revise the School Street program.

 We will continue to utilize multiple entries and exits to the school building for

students. This allows for more dispersed traffic for pick-up and drop-off around

the school building and creates less congestion at the main entrance.

Vehicular Traffic

 Suggested vehicular traffic flow is depicted using purple arrows on your map.

 Drivers are encouraged to drive clockwise, so that the school is always on your

right. Drop off students on the school-side of the street to limit crossings.

 Do not park in the school bus loading zone (see yellow stripes on the map).

 When dropping-off or picking-up, avoid stopping in the travel lane or attempting

to make U-turns.

 Please consider parking 1-2 blocks from the school and walking the remainder of

the way. This Park and Walk provides an opportunity to get active during the day

and allows you to avoid the school traffic lines.

Thank you,

-Safe Routes to Schools Team (PBOT)

(Translations are linked here):

******

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 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.

Do you have 1 hour a week to make a difference in children’s literacy lives? Volunteer for SMART Reading at Astor School. Tuesdays, 1:15-2:15 PM. Learn more here: https://smartreading.org. Or contact Greg Dilkes: astor.mu@smartreading.org

Interested in volunteering at Astor! Your child's teacher may have opportunities, but we also have a great volunteering program. Astor Shine is back for it's second year. You can learn more about the program and sign up here. Thanks for your partnership in supporting our programs at Astor!

• Camps, Classes, & After School Programs:

  • Maplewood Tennis After School Zone (Oct. 8 - Nov. 19)

  • Portland Parks & Recreation Environmental Education Nature Field Trips (flyer for teachers)

  • VIBE of Portland Music & Digital Art Classes for Kids

  Preschool Programs:

  • Multnomah Early Childhood Program Peer Preschool Classes
    (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Chinese) (Russian) (Somali) (Korean) (Arabic) (Persian)

  • Portland Parks Preschool 2024-25

  Community Events & Information:

  • Multnomah County Common Application

  • City of Portland 311 Non-Emergency Hotline
    (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Chinese) (Russian) (Somali)

  Vaccinations, Health & Wellness:

  • Multnomah County Free Community Vaccination Clinic (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays)
    (English) (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Chinese) (Russian) (Somali)

  • Multnomah County Student Health Centers (fliers in English, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese):

  • Cleveland HS

  • Franklin HS

  • Jefferson HS

  • McDaniel HS

  • Roosevelt HS