Kellogg ROAR Newsletter

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Kellogg Families,

We hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable Spring Break! I had the opportunity to travel across the pond to visit London for the very first time. It was great to visit the beautiful and busy city, try some new foods, and meet up with one of my buddies from college who currently lives in Liverpool.

Prior to Spring Break, I attended the PTSA meeting. I am so thankful for our PTSA and it was great to connect and collaborate in alignment to support our students, staff, and community. One request was for communication to be sent about the staffing impacts to Kellogg given the budget shortfall next school year. Be sure to review that section below.

In this edition of the ROAR Newsletter are important announcements and reminders including:

• Upcoming No School Days
• Staffing Impacts Next School Year
• 8th Grade Oaks Park Field Trip
• Battle of the Books Celebration
• Franklin Dance Camp
• ... and much more!

It’s been a refreshing time for everyone, and we’re excited to welcome your child back to school as we dive into the remainder of the school year. Have a wonderful final week of Quarter 3!

Mr. Thai Nguyen

Principal

Kellogg Middle School

There will be no school for students on the following days:

• Friday, April 4th (Teacher Grading Day)
• Monday, April 7th (Teacher Planning Day)

Students return on Tuesday, April 8th to begin Quarter 4!

As you are aware, Portland Public Schools (PPS) is facing a $40 million budget shortfall for the 2025-26 school year. This deficit is driven by three major factors:

• Rising Costs – Inflation has made everything more expensive, from classroom supplies to staff salaries. The district has also increased investments in teacher planning time and benefits.

• Limited Funding – Oregon’s school funding has not kept up with the rising costs of operating our schools, and federal pandemic relief funds have ended.

• Declining Enrollment – Fewer students are enrolling in PPS, but the district still operates the same number of school buildings. Because state funding is based on student numbers, fewer students mean less funding.

Despite these financial pressures, PPS remains committed to prioritizing students, educators, and quality education while making strategic budget adjustments.

These reductions will have an impact at Kellogg. Next school year Kellogg is projected to have 544 students. In comparison, Kellogg was projected to have 650 students going into this school year. In reality, Kellogg currently has 604 students enrolled as of right now.

Due to this significant decrease in projected enrollment, next year Kellogg is projected to have:

• Nine less teaching positions, which will impact class sizes. Core class sizes are projected to be about 29 students per class next school year. Core class sizes are about 25 students per class this school year.

• One less Special Education Learning Center Teacher position.

• Change to our counselor and social worker role. We will have three counselors who will each share social work responsibilities.

• We will no longer have the Restorative Justice Coordinator position.

• We will no longer have the half time Library Assistant position. We will continue to have the half time Teacher Librarian position, which means the library will be open half of the time.

While these reductions are concerning, we are committed to ensuring students continue to have a full academic experience and maintaining middle school programs. At the school level we will continue to evaluate our projected student enrollment numbers to ensure that Kellogg is staffed appropriately and reflects the number of students we actually have enrolled.

Call to Action

The State Legislature is making decisions very soon on Oregon's budget. Schools are underfunded, leaving students without the services and staff they need. Please join us in speaking up for Kellogg and PPS funding -- your voice matters! Below are some upcoming opportunities and important resources:

• PPS is committed to transparency, collaboration, and engagement in shaping our District’s budget. Visit the Budget Process webpage for updates, engagement opportunities, and ways to provide feedback by clicking here.

• Help fight for full school funding at the state level. Learn how to contact legislators and get involved in PPS’s advocacy efforts by clicking here and viewing the advocacy training by clicking here.

• Sign up to attend a public hearing on Wednesday, April 16th in Salem or online. State Legislators including members of the Joint Ways and Means committee and legislative leadership will attend and hear public comment on what matters to voters. Click here to register.

Are you ready to send your 8th grader off to high school a bang?! Kellogg Staff, together with the PTSA are excited to announce the 8th grade end of the year Oaks Park Trip!

When

Wednesday, June 4th 8th graders will take school buses from Kellogg to Oaks Park where they will enjoy a day of fun with their friends. More details to come as the date approaches.

Cost

$25 PTSA has secured the spot at Oaks Park, but we still need to raise funds to pay for the buses and ride bracelets for the students. That comes out to $25 per student. Click this link to the School Pay site to submit your payment or scan the QR code to the right.

Don’t have $25? Pay what you can! Have more than $25? Pay extra to help offset others! Feel free to share this link with family and friends interested in helping to create a memorable experience for your 8th grader. DEADLINE TO SUBMIT PAYMENT – 5/23

Chaperones Needed

Want to be a part of the fun? We need chaperones to accompany the kids and teachers. This will be a full day's commitment, but can you think of a more fun thing to do? If you’d like to sign up to volunteer, please email Kerri Babin at kerribabin@hotmail.com

Volunteers must have a current cleared background check on file with PPS. The process is quick and easy. Click the link here.

Congratulations to the Kellogg Middle School OBOB champions for the 2024-25 school year: The Rose City Readers!

The Rose City Readers represented Kellogg at the regional OBOB competition at McDaniel High School on Saturday, March 15. The Rose City Readers advanced to the sweet 16 bracket and ended the competition as the 10th best in our region! Bravo, Rose City Readers!

On Friday, April 4th (inservice day), Dance at Franklin will be opening up their beautiful studio for a full day of dance for middle schoolers, taught by DAF Director Sonia Kellermann, along with several current DAF students.

Families can sign up here and they can email danceatfranklin@gmail.com for more information.

Hanging Flower Baskets

Kellogg Middle School PTSA is taking orders for hanging baskets and gift cards from Tony's Garden Center!

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 SE Franklin Street behind the school has ended. SE Franklin Street will be no longer have School Street signs while PBOT and PPS revise the School Street program.
• As a dead-end street, drivers are discouraged from dropping off and picking up students on this section of SE Franklin St. Walking or biking is encouraged.

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 north of the school.
• When dropping-off or picking-up, avoid stopping in the travel lane or attempting to make U-turns. Student drop-off should occur in the marked parking section on SE 69 th Avenue. Do not drop off in the “No Stopping or Parking” area.
• 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

Action Item

• See image below for Kellogg's circulation map.

The image below lists all the big bus routes and stops for Kellogg.

Please call PPS Transportation Services at 503-916-6901 or email at transportation@pps.net if you have any questions.

During the 2024-2025 school year ...

• School officially starts at 9:15 AM and dismisses at 4:00 PM.

Throughout the school year there are Staff Meeting Days and Early Release Days.

• On Staff Meeting Days, school officially starts at 9:30 AM and dismisses at 4:00 PM.
• On Early Release Days, school officially starts at 9:15 AM and dismisses at 1:45 PM.

Click here for the 2024-2025 District calendar.

• Staff Meeting Days are noted with **.
• Early Release Days are noted with a clock icon.

At Kellogg we are proud of our schoolwide expectations as they provide our students with safe, structured, and productive learning environments. Please take the time to review some of our expectations below.

Student ID Badges

Starting on Friday, January 24th, all students are expected to wear their ID badge. As part of the 2023 PPS District-wide Policy aimed at improving safety and security, this policy requires that all middle and high school students wear visible ID badges on campus as a safety measure to help identify students quickly and easily. If a student forgets their badge, they can pick up a temporary one in the main office. If they lose it, we have a machine that can reprint a replacement badge, and they will receive a paper color copy and new badge will be kept filed and stored in the office. If a student repeatedly refuses to wear their badge, it may result in a lunch reflection or a meeting with a parent/guardian.

Cell Phones and Technology Devices

Cell phones and all personal technologies (e.g. gaming devices, wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers, etc.) are expected to be off and away in lockers during the school day. Students are expected to keep cell phones and technology devices off and away in the hallways, restrooms, and at lunch recess as well. If a student is spotted with a cell phone or technology device, it will be immediately confiscated and taken to the front office. Students with repeated cell phone or technology infractions will be placed on individualized cell phone and technology plans.

Backpacks

In alignment with many other middle schools in the District, all backpacks must be stored in lockers during the school day. Backpacks clutter classroom spaces and items are frequently lost or stolen unless they are stored safely in a locker. Students will use their binders to carry their learning materials throughout the school day.

Learning Logs

To help students stay organized and keep track of important dates and deadlines, students will be issued a Learning Log. Be sure to check your student's Learning Log regularly to stay up-to-date with your student's assignments, tests, and other announcements. Learnings Logs will also serve as the student's hall pass when students leave the classroom during non-transition times. It is critical that students do not lose their Learning Log.

Toys and Valuable Items

Students should leave all toys, valuable items, and any item that can cause safety concerns or distractions at home. Leaving these items at home will ensure items are not lost or stolen.

Early Pick Ups

In general, we ask that you avoid picking up students early from school. Students are missing critical instructional time when they leave early. If possible, schedule appointments on Early Release Days and No School Days. Also, please be prepared to show your photo ID, as it is a legal requirement for picking up students during school hours. (i.e. driver’s license, state ID card, passport). As a reminder, your student will not be released to anyone that is not over the age of 18, anyone not listed on the registration form, or to anyone without an ID.

Closed Campus

Kellogg is a closed campus. All visitors must check-in at the front office. Students must be signed out and picked up by a parent or guardian in order to leave campus before dismissal time. Additionally, our school will not accept DoorDash, Uber Eats, or other deliveries to students. Parents and guardians are welcome to drop off lunch items for their students at any time.

April

• Friday, April 4th = Grading Day - No School for Students
• Monday, April 7th = Teacher Planning Day = No School for Students
• Tuesday, April 8th = Staff Meeting Day (School Hours: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM)
• Tuesday, April 8th = Lent and Arleta 5th Graders Visit (9:15 AM - 11:15 AM)
• Thursday, April 10th = Bridger, Marysville, and Atkinson 5th Graders Visit (9:15 AM - 11:15 AM)
• Wednesday, April 11th = Coffee with the Principal (9:30 AM - 10:00 AM)
• Wednesday, April 11th = Site Council (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
• Wednesday, April 23rd = Early Release Meeting Day (School Hours: 9:15 AM - 1:45 PM)
• Wednesday, April 24th = Rising 6th Grade Family Night (5:00 PM - 6:30 PM)
• Tuesday, April 29th = OSAS Reading Test
• Wednesday, April 30th = OSAS Reading Test

Below are the counselors and Administrators supporting each grade level.

Student safety, student well-being, and student learning are our top priorities. If you ever need to speak to a teacher, counselor, administrator, or any staff member, please call the front office or e-mail the individual directly to schedule a meeting. Unannounced meetings are often difficult to accommodate as school staff have busy and tight schedules. In particular, before school, after school, and lunch times are the busiest times in schools as most staff members are on duty to ensure student safety. Thank you for your support and understanding!