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3/12/25

3/12/25

3/12/25

Community ~ Equity ~ Growth

ADL Certified

AVID School-wide

SUN School Partner

Important Dates Ahead

  • 3/19 - Early Release, School is out @ 1:45pm
  • 3/22-3/30 - SPRING BREAK
  • 4/3 - RGMS DANCE!
  • 4/4 & 7 - NO SCHOOL
  • 4/8 - Late Start, School Begins at 9:30am
  • 4/16 - 8th Grade Spring Photos
  • 4/16 - PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
  • 4/23 - Early Release, School ends at 1:45pm
  • 6/10 - 8th Grade Oaks Park Field Trip
  • 6/11 - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony @ Wells HS *****DATE CHANGE
  • 6/12 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

  • Click here for the full RGMS calendar

From The Principals: Newlyn and Mauldin

Hey Hey Robert Gray -


Happy Daylight Savings Time! We love the days lasting longer, but students have looked a little sleepy the last few days! With longer days and Spring just around the corner, we know our middle schoolers want more independence. Your student may ask you to hang out with their friends more, or ask to bop around Hillsdale and local parks. This is a very normal part of middle school, and it is a great way for students to build responsibility and trust. But, here are some tips to balance that desire for freedom with safety and responsibility:


  1. Set clear boundaries - Know the route/location of where they are and can go. Establish how long they can be out, and check-in expectations.
  2. Discuss safety - Make sure your student knows what to do in an emergency.
  3. Communication is KEY - Open a dialogue so your student can talk to you if things come up while they are on their own. Have a check in routine. How do you want your child to show up when in the community?
  4. Gradual Independence - Start small, and allow your student to earn your trust and feel more capable on their own.

With freedom comes great responsibility and we want students to explore that freedom WHILE also being responsible.


Finally, this week we are celebrating our classified staff members at Robert Gray. They work so hard behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Our front office staff, Peggy and Geniver, keep students and staff on track. Angelina, Roshawn, Gregg and Katie support student learning in classrooms. And, Rachel in the cafeteria, always has a smile as she serves breakfast and lunch every day. They are all a vital part of our school community. We are beyond grateful for their dedication and hard work - we couldn't do it without you!



Have a great week!

Lisa and Robin

RGMS New & Timely

Tech Check Up Family Focus Group

SCHOOL BUS PASSES

In the spring, we know lots of students want to go home with their friends to hang out after school. Sometimes that means, that students will ride home on a school bus with their friends. Bus drivers can only have students on the bus that are ASSIGNED to that bus and will not allow them to board the bus.


But, the school can issue a school bus pass that gives a student permission to ride a bus they are not assigned to. In order to do that, students need to bring a signed parent note to the office and Peggy or Geniver will issue a bus pass. WE ASK THAT STUDENTS BRING THESE NOTES TO THE OFFICE BEFORE LUNCH! It makes the process go so much smoother when we have time to write passes and get them to students. We appreciate your help!

8th Grade Promotion Date Has Changed

Due to the snowstorm in February, the last day of school has been moved to June 12. The Promotion ceremony will be held on JUNE 11 at Wells High School.

Chromebooks Ready to Use

Please remind your student to charge their Chromebook each night and bring it to school every day. There are not enough "loaners" for the amount of students that are leaving their Chromebooks at home. Students need their Chromebook for almost all of their classes.

RGMS Spring Dance

The RGMS Spring Dance is just around the corner, right after Spring Break!

Thursday, April 3rd 6-8pm, in the Cafetorium!


This year's theme is Hawaiian Luau. Dress accordingly, and please no swimwear or flip flops.


WE REALLY NEED YOU'RE HELP to make this a safe and enjoyable evening for all the kids.

PLEASE SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE! There are plenty of jobs that are not inside the actual dance, in the event that your student prefers you not be inside the dance area. ;-P


If you would like to help the planning committee, especially if you have kids in 6/7th grades and want to take this on next year, when our current lead ages out, PLEASE contact Brandin!

Quick Links

RGMS Weekly Announcements are LIVE!

RGMS Reminders and Weekly Announcements

From the Office

Remember to give plenty of time when picking up your student early. It takes them time to get from their classroom to their locker and then to the office. It takes even longer if you come during lunchtimes. You can call the office, 503 916 5676, when you are on the way to give your student time to get all their things.


Only use ParentVue to report absences that are for the full day. That is all ParentVue will let you do. If your student will be absent part of the day or just tardy, please email grayattend@pps.net. Be sure to include your student's full name, date of absence and the reason for the absence.

RGMS PTA NEWS

  • Thanks to everyone who joined our rescheduled PTA meeting on Monday, March 10th at Ida B. Wells, We got an update on the school modernization plans and learned more about the upcoming May Bond campaign to support school modernization. The May Bond campaign director, Tony Morse, will share different ways our community can show our support for the bond over the next days and weeks. For now, adding your name to the campaign support list is a great start. To do so, email Tony at tony@yespdxschools.com.

  • The RGMS Spring School Dance is rapidly approaching. The dance will take place on Thursday, April 3rd from 6-8pm. However, we need lots more volunteers to help make this a safe and enjoyable evening for all. Thanks to everyone who has already signed up. If you haven’t volunteered yet, please sign up here..

  • Our next PTA meeting is Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 6:30pm. Join us in the library at RGMS or via Zoom. The standing zoom meeting info follows:

  • 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.

  • If you’re able, please donate $25 to support our PTA here.

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. At the beginning of 2nd semester, we are asking families to consider making small donations to offset printing costs for student planners, handbooks, class supplies and other curricular tools.


Check ParentVue for you student's schedule and donate as you are able. Donation items are grouped by grade level.


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.

Securly - Parent App

At all PPS Schools, teachers use the Securly platform to track what students are doing on their Chromebooks. Parents, you also can see what your students are doing when they are logged into their PPS Account through the Securly Parent App.


With the Securly Home app,

  • You’ll have a real-time view of your child’s activity on their school device.
  • You’ll get weekly emails from Securly with a snapshot report of that week’s activity.
  • Create your own rules for when your child brings their school device home.
  • Block specific categories like social media and gaming on your child’s school device when it’s at home.
  • Set offline schedules for your child’s internet like dinner and bedtime


You can download the app from the Google Play or Apple store. You can also sign up at this link: securly.com/parent-login. Be sure to sign up using the email address that PPS has on file.

RGMS Dance - Save the Date 4/3

Robert Gray Families,

The PTA & Student Council are thrilled to invite you to the RGMS Spring Dance, happening Thursday, April 3rd 6-8pm, in the Cafetorium!


Please save the date! ** Note-- We have no school Friday April 4th and Monday April 7th. We know some of you may want to travel then and we want to be sure your kiddos can come to our annual school dance! It's always a blast!


This year's theme is Hawaiian Luau. Dress accordingly, and please no swimwear or flip flops.

We need YOU to help make this a safe and enjoyable evening for all the kids. Please sign up here to volunteer here.


If you would like to help the planning committee, especially if you have kids in 6/7th grades and want to take this on next year, when our current lead ages out, PLEASE contact Brandin!

PIL Youth Track & Field Registration Open

Registration is now open for PIL Wells Youth track & field. See link below.

https://students.arbitersports.com/programs/ida-b-wells-youth-sports-spring-registration-2025

From the School Nurse

Dear Families,

Good oral health is vital to your child's overall well-being! Here are some easy steps to keep

your child's teeth in top shape:

✅ Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.

✅ Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth.

✅ Limit sugary snacks and drinks to prevent cavities. Water is the best choice for your child’s

teeth!

✅ Visit the dentist regularly (every 6 months) for checkups and cleanings.

Untreated dental problems can lead to pain, missed school days, and difficulty concentrating.

If your child needs dental care resources, we are here to help! Feel free to reach out for more

information on affordable dental services, including:

● Free dental care through PCC

● OHP dental services

● Resources from the Oregon Dental Association

Message from the School Nurse

Jennifer Novack, RN, BSN, NCSN


School Nurse Resources on the Robert Gray Website

Our website’s "School Nurse" tab has helpful information to support your child’s health throughout the school year. Please visit the website regularly to stay updated on important health announcements.


Return-to-School Guidance:

  • Fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication

  • Vomiting and diarrhea symptoms should be improving for at least 24 hours

Other Tips:

  • Consider wearing a face covering indoors during respiratory illness season

  • Stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccinations

  • Wash hands frequently and thoroughly

  • Stay hydrated and eat balanced meals to support immune health

  • Ensure your contact information in Synergy is current so we can reach you promptly if needed


Warmly,

Jennifer Novack, RN, BSN, NCSN

Use this link to the School Nurse and Health Room Services Webpage for lot's of good information for parents.


Interested in having your student tested for COVID at school? Use this link to access the form. Fill out and return:

Yearbook Photos Needed

The 2024-25 yearbook committee is looking for PIL sports photos from both fall & winter this school year. If your child participated in one and you happen to have a group photo you'd like to share please email it to woodruff.jenn@gmail.com. The yearbook would love to incorporate every sport but we need your help to do so! Thanks in advance for your time!

Order Your RGMS Yearbook Now!

Buy your yearbook online by using https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/

Using the Yearbook ID code: 14931525

Yearbooks are just $20

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

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:

Other Opportunities:

Summer Camps:

Preschool Programs:

Community Events & Information:

Vaccinations, Health & Wellness:

About Us

Community Equity Growth

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

Lisa Newlyn
Lisa is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters