MLC Weekly News and Notes 2024-25

Hello, MLC Community. This is our only full school week in November - with the exception of early release Wednesday 11/20 @ 12:45! The following week 11/25-29, students will be out for fall break.

Please make sure to sign up for parent/teacher conferences 11/25 & 26. The link is HERE as well as on our website. We ask that families only sign up for ONE family slot per teacher so there is enough room for all families to get an opportunity to meet.

HERE is the November monthly resource newsletter from our social worker Clement. It is a great place to find school and community resources that could benefit you and your family. It includes announcements about relevant events and opportunities, basic needs support, mental health support, and much more.

Warmly,

Suezann & Darren

MLC 2024-25 Year Calendar

**Check out our lunch Affinity Clubs!**

Monday November 18

Hearing and Vision Screening/MESD

Tuesday November 19

6x12 BSU/Students of Color lunch club in Alberti's room

1x2 OMSI Trip 9:15am-1:30pm

Wednesday November 20

HS OSU Trip

EARLY RELEASE DAY @ 12:45!

Thursday November 21

6x8 SAGA lunch club in Erewyn's room

Friday November 22

Kindergarten Family Sing Along 8:45-9:15am & 2:45-3:15pm

Coming Soon:

11/25 & 26 No school for students/Parent/teacher conferences

11/25 VIRTUAL Open House for 6x12 Lottery 12:00 & 5:30 pm

11/26 IN PERSON Open House for 6x12 Lottery 10:30 am & 5:30 pm

11/25-11/30 No school for students

12/5 HS Field Trip to Portland Center Stage

12/10 MLC Craft Faire 3:30-5:30

12/11 Fall Electives End

12/12 Tour for perspective families, Q2 Midterm

12/18 Early Release @12:45

12/19 Solstice

12/23-1/3 -Winter Break!!

The Kindergarten Families are invited to stay in the classroom after morning drop off or come early for pick up to join in on a kindergarten family sing-along event. The Kindergarteners will share a treat they have made as well as share songs that they have been using for everything we are learning so far this year. This is a time to build community and relationships and to celebrate all that we have learned so far!

Friday November 22 from 8:45 to 9:15 and 2:45 to 3:15

Thanks,

Sarah

Our 10th Grade College and Career Readiness students at MLC who are participating in Schnitzer Cares this year and wanted to take this opportunity to share their Mission Statement. Students have worked hard to narrow down their service area and come up with their final statement, which outlines a cause they are passionate about, as well as the types of nonprofits they hope to support through their grant making this year.

The 10th Grade College and Career Readiness Class at Metropolitan Learning Center will be granting money to organizations focused on improving mental healthcare for youth up to age 24 in the Portland Metro Area. We believe receiving care for mental health is important for everyone, and we can do better for young people who have had negative experiences. Many of us have had direct experiences in medical/mental health treatment, and we want there to be a more positive representation of the importance of finding and getting help when someone needs it. We will focus on organizations working to make mental healthcare more accessible and affordable. We are interested in hearing from organizations that offer inpatient care programs, animal therapy, and/or other programming that could make the experience of receiving care better. We would like to see people getting the help they deserve, reduced stigma about asking for help, and better environments for people receiving care. We aim to create a snowball effect that is only the beginning of more change to come.

MLC Community please be on the lookout for opportunities to support as students will be leading fundraisers. The goal is that with the support of the Schnitzer Cares Foundation the nonprofit that aligns with our vision can be awarded funds to help fulfill our mission statement as we bring it to life. If you're interested in partnering/supporting, please don't hesitate to reach out to Andre' or Tanya.

Our MLC Social Work & Counseling team in partnership with the PTSA is announcing our 4th annual Holiday Meal Fundraiser to support our MLC families in need!

If you have the means, we are asking you to consider contributing to this important cause for our community. Your donation will allow MLC families to purchase food and other necessities during the holiday season. As food prices continue to soar, the need this year continues to be high.

The past three year's drives were a HUGE success thanks to the generous support of our MLC community. The money raised has had a direct positive impact on many families in our school community. Let's make this year even better than the last!

Link to Donate

Link to Request a Holiday Meal Fund Grocery Card

Cell Phones are not allowed in MLC classrooms or anywhere else during class time. They will be locked in a safe zone during each class by the classroom teacher. We will be very vigilant in keeping our classrooms phone free at MLC in order to keep learning distraction free. Please make sure you are discussing with your student prior to the first day. We will have students and parent/guardian sign a no cell phone agreement at conferences for grades 6x12.

7x12 Cell Phone Policy

Kx6 Cell Phone Policy

HERE is the November monthly resource newsletter from our social worker Clement. It is a great place to find school and community resources that could benefit you and your family. It includes announcements about relevant events and opportunities, basic needs support, mental health support, and much more.

Social Work Wish list

Staff Wish List

Parent Vue

School Pay - Set up your account today!

Attendance Line 503-916-3656

MLC PTSA NOVEMBER / DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Check out the new November / December newsletter going live at MLCPTSA.org this weekend and coming home with your student next week to learn more about our current fundraising initiatives, as well as highlights of upcoming events and ways you can support MLC. There's so much going on this time of year!

WINTER GREENS & EQUAL EXCHANGE SALE

This year, we are selling beautiful winter greenery from Mt. Hood Wreath Company. Nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, they proudly harvest their own materials from their tree farms, ensuring that each wreath, swag, centerpiece, and garland is crafted with care, freshness, and a touch of the natural beauty our region is known for. You can peruse the variety of greens available and pre-order at MLCPTSA.org for delivery on December 8 or pick up at MLC December 9 & 10. Limited quantities will also be available for purchase at the Craft Fair.

Equal Exchange is a worker-owned democratic workplace that provides an alternative to the corporate supply chain. They offer fairly traded organic foods which are sustainably grown by small farmer co-ops and they make great gifts for the winter holidays! A variety of coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate bars will be available to purchase at MLCPTSA.org starting this weekend and we will arrange delivery times and offer options for pick up at MLC throughout December. Items will also be available for purchase at the Craft Fair and Solstice so be sure to swing by and check out our display.

We are hosting these fundraisers in collaboration with the 4x5 class to raise funds for their annual spring overnight field trip to Camp Hancock. We encourage you to share these sales with your community to help us broaden our reach. Thank you for helping support experiential learning opportunities at MLC!

BOTTLEDROP HOLIDAY GIVE

We participate in BottleDrop Give year round, but all deposits made during their holiday incentive November 15 - December 2 will receive a 20% match from BottleDrop. We are collaborating with the 4x5 class and all money earned through the end of December will be dedicated to their annual spring overnight field trip fund. It’s an easy way to recycle your refundable glass, aluminum, and plastic beverage containers AND contribute to MLC! Read all of the details HERE, grab some bags, and spread the word in your circles!

TEACHER & STAFF HOLIDAY APPRECIATION: Fall Conferences Potluck and Winter Holidays Gifts of Gratitude

Tis the season to show our MLC teachers and staff how grateful we are for them! Let's show them a little love by providing a potluck dinner for them during conferences. We are requesting your help in supplying yummy soups, salads, and bread for them to enjoy on Monday, November 25. More details and a sign up sheet can be found HERE.

And each year we ask for donations of homemade goodies, gift cards, or other small items so that our volunteers can put together gift bags for all the teachers and staff at Solstice. More details about how to contribute can be found HERE.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Solstice Celebration

We need your help preparing for the MLC Solstice Celebration that will take place on December 19! Come learn more about the volunteer opportunities available in the coming weeks at an info session with Julie on Thursday, November 21, at 3:30 in the library. If you can’t make it, email Sierra and we will see how we can get you plugged in!

Since 1983, MLC has celebrated the winter solstice with songs, dances, poetry, and performances from the entire student body. The program will be followed by a bonfire with cake and socializing. Families are invited to attend and more info will be coming soon!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: PTA Clothing Center

Thursday, November 21, 9:30am-1:30pm

Marshall Campus, 3905 SE 91st, Room B-60

Each PPS school is responsible for sending 5-6 volunteers twice a year to help students from across the district receive clothing and shoes, and to help sort donations so there are lots of choices for kids to see. Volunteers can be parents, grandparents or community members. Contact Sierra with any questions or to sign up to volunteer! You can also reach out to MLC Social Worker Clement anytime to access the MLC Clothing Closet, The PTA Clothing Center, or many other resources.

MLC PTSA CRAFT FAIRE

Tuesday, December 10, 3:30-5:30pm at MLC