9/18/24
9/18/24
Community ~ Equity ~ Growth
Important Dates Ahead
- 09/18 - PTA Meeting, 6:30pm in the Library or Zoom-see link below
- 09/19 - MAP Testing - Finishing up tests
- 09/19 - Back to School Night, 5pm - 6pm dinner; 6:15pm - 8pm classroom visits.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED-Sign up here
- 09/25 - Early Release Wednesday, School is dismissed at 1:45pm
- Click here for the full RGMS calendar
From the Asst. Principal - Robin Mauldin
Hey Hey Gray,
October is right around the corner, and I, for one, am enjoying these brisk mornings! We are excited to see all of our families at Back to School Night. Family Dinner starts at 5:00 and classroom vists will begin at 6:15. Please see the complete schedule below.
WIth October coming, that marks the mid point of Quarter One. Mid Term Progress Reports will go home at the end of next week. These reports do NOT go home for every student. Progress Reports are ONLY sent home when a student is in danger of receiving a failing grade for the quarter. Progress Reports are designed to inform families with enough time for students to bring their grade up before the Quarter ends. These will be sent in the mail. If you are curious about your student's grades or assignments, you can check Canvas/ParentVue to see what your child is doing in each of their classes.
Speaking of ParentVue, if you sent an email to a teacher from ParentVue and have not received a response, it is due to a glitch in the summer update. Please email teachers directly to their pps email address. We are sorry for any delays in getting back to families!
This week, students took the MAP assessments in Math and Reading. All PPS students take the MAP Assessments in Grades 3-8. These assessments are used by Robert Gray staff to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all our students. Students will also take the assessments in Winter to measure our students' progress.
Next week is our first Early Release day (September 25th). Students will be released at 1:45. Buses will run 2 hours and 15 minutes earlier than their regular schedule.
Enjoy these beautiful fall days!
Robin Mauldin
RGMS New & Timely
Ida B. Wells Modernization Project Summary
The new IBW will be a larger four-story building with state-of-the-art academic and support spaces, including specialized instructional spaces for Wells’ unique Career Technical Education [CTE] programs. The track and field will be relocated and reoriented, creating a more inviting approach to campus from the Capitol Highway side of the site. More information is available on the project website, www.pps.net/IdaBWellsBond
Construction Funding Needed
Construction funding for a new Ida B. Wells would need to come from a future capital improvement bond. Originally scheduled to be placed on the November 2024 ballot, in late spring 2024, the PPS School Board decided it needed more time to determine the scope of this bond. They are now considering putting out a bond in May of 2025. If funding is secured in May 2025, then construction could start in June 2026 and continue for the next two years. Students and staff would stay on site while construction of the new school takes place.
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
In the coming weeks, there will be additional Public Design Workshops where folks can share their thoughts with the project team. The next Ida B. Wells Public Design Workshop will be on Sunday, Sept. 22nd, from 12:30pm - 3:00pm in the IBW cafeteria.
Test Scores
Dear families,
Historically, PPS has mailed standardized test scores to parents at the start of the school year. Beginning this year, score reports will no longer be mailed home. Instead, PPS has activated some test scores in ParentVue.
Currently, Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) test results and Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) results are available to view. Results are also available for students taking the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) and the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT).
A few important things to know:
You can access your student’s test by logging into your ParentVue account and clicking on the “Test History” tile. This will take you to the test score screen.
There is also a tile called “Student Assessment Descriptions” that will take you to a web page providing a description of the assessment and context for the results.
Not all assessment results details can be shared in ParentVue.
If you do not yet have a ParentVue account set up – or if you have additional questions about testing and your student’s results – please contact your school.
Sincerely,
The PPS Research, Assessment & Accountability Team
From the Office
If your student will be absent, please email grayattend@pps.net. Be sure to include your student's full name, date of absence and the reason for the absence.
Quick Links
RGMS Weekly Announcements are LIVE!
RGMS Reminders and Weekly Announcements
From the School Nurse
Use this link to the School Nurse and Health Room Services Webpage for lot's of good information for parents.
Temporary Health Accommodations during the school day:
Please notify Robert Gray and school nurse, Jennifer Novack, if your student needs an accommodation during the school day due to a temporary health condition . Medical documentation from your student's health care provider is required. Examples of temporary medical conditions include: broken bones, recovery from surgery, and extended illnesses such as mononucleosis.
If your students needs medications, including over the counter medicines like Tylenol, you must bring those to school in their original containers and complete a short form so we can supervise it's use.
Questions? email: jnovack@mesd.k12.or.us
ParentVue Trick
The ParentVue trick to not getting your account disabled is to only try passwords twice, then just click on forgot password.
After 3 unsuccessful password tries your account is disabled. When disabled you have to call the school and have the office enable your account. Then to complete the reset, you have to click on forgot password and update your password.
RGMS Counselors' Contact Information
Gray's counselors are Lisa Hyde, A-K & Laureen Held, L-Z.
Lisa Hyde - lhyde@pps.net
503-454-6829
Laureen Held - lheld@pps.net
971-231-4621
You can also contact them through this link: https://bit.ly/2024-25RGMSCounselorHelp
Donations through SchoolPay
What is School Pay?
Throughout the year we will use School Pay as a way for families to pay for a variety of things. Currently, we are asking families to consider making small donations to offset printing costs for student planners, handbooks, class supplies and other curricular tools.
School Pay is a convenient way to pay school donations with a debit card or credit card. Use this link, https://pps.schoolpay.com/, to enter the School Pay site. Set up an account if you don't already have one.
Donation items are grouped by grade level.
RGMS PTA NEWS
Mark your calendars for the first PTA meeting of the school year! Please join us on Wednesday, September 18th at 6:30pm in the library at Robert Gray. We also host via zoom for anyone who prefers to join virtually here:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84782239102?pwd=rcQFoe0cH2KFxVvqPS7QRcd526tdn3.1
Meeting ID: 847 8223 9102
Passcode: 368760
PTA offers a Back to School Night dinner for families to connect with each other before Back to School Night events start. This year the meal will be provided by Cider Mill. We need help with light setup / cleanup and serving food (September 19, 4:30-6:00pm). Volunteers will be done in time to participate in BTSN events and classroom tours. Please sign up here, we can't serve dinner without volunteers!
Mark you calendars for our annual Run For Gray which is currently scheduled for Friday, October 18th. This is a really fun event and we are looking for parent volunteers. Please sign up here if interested.
We are always looking for parents interested in advocating for better funding for public schools to interface with PAT, Oregon PTA and Parents for public schools. Please reach out directly to Kirsten Carr if interested.
Please consider becoming a member of Robert Gray Middle School PTA and/or donating to our PTA.
To join please visit this page on the Oregon PTA website, select Robert Gray MS PTA, complete the form, and make a payment online. If you’re unable to join the PTA online, please contact the PTA secretary.
Your donation through the RGMS PTA funds improvements to the school beyond what PPS provides, such as events, special programs, community outreach, classroom supplies, student-serving needs and more. This school year, the PTA’s budgeted expenses are over $46,000- approximately $95 per student. If you’re able, please donate to support the PTA here.
Get RGMS Text Alerts!
Get text alerts about school closures, delays, emergencies and school events:
Text YES to 68453
Fliers Approved for Distribution by PPS
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):
About Us
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