Astor Connection

Principal's Message

Important Dates

Info, Reminders and Resources for Families

Resources

Volunteering opportunities at Astor

PPS District Fliers

Dear Astor Community,

Winter is here and there is a slight chance of snow! If there is either a later start, early release, or school closure, then you'll receive that information via remind. If you're not receiving our regular Reminds and updates, it's important to be sure that your contact info is updated with our office. Our incredible office staff, Kealani and Debra, can help you access remind, as well.

This month, we celebrate Black History Month at Astor. While our students at Astor learn about the significant contributions of Black Scientists, Writers, Artists, and other Professionals throughout the entire school year, this is a month to be more intentional. The site council is happy to announce that this year Astor will hold it's first Black History Month Event celebration on February 27th from 5:30pm to 7pm. Join us for an evening to walk the halls and see the Gallery of Heroes. See student work of the past, present, and future. We'll also have food and more. Learn more on the flyer below and reach out to me if you're interested in helping with the planning at brobertson@pps.net.

Finally, I want to stress that our community continues to be a safe place for all. Please see several of the upcoming events below specifically aimed in supporting our families. If you have any questions about how you can help or how to ge resources/support, then please reach out to me at brobertson@pps.net.

Here's to a wonderful month, and please don't hesitate to reach out to our office, student support team, or me if there is anything that we can do to support your student and family.

Warmly,

Blake Robertson

Principal @ Astor

Dear PPS community,

As we navigate an important and challenging moment in our district’s budget planning, we want to ensure that our community has a voice in the process. We invite you to join Superintendent Dr. Armstrong and senior district leaders for a Community Budget Forum to discuss the initial budget recommendations for 2025-26 and the potential impacts on our schools.

Budget Overview & Resources

The initial proposed reductions have been shared with the Board of education and reflect the difficult choices we face. While this is a preliminary proposal, your voice remains essential in shaping the final budget recommendations.

To ensure transparency and ongoing dialogue, we are providing the following resources:
📌 Budget Overview Presentation – A summary of the key reductions and financial outlook.
📌 Budget Engagement Feedback Form – Your feedback is essential; please share your insights as we refine these recommendations.

Community Budget Forum

Date: Wednesday, February 5th

Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Join via Zoom: https://bit.ly/PPSCommunityBudgetForum2025

Flyer Attached

At this forum, we will:
✅ Provide an overview and the factors shaping our budget decisions.
✅ Share the initial recommendations for budget reductions and their impact.
✅ Create space for questions, feedback, and dialogue about priorities and challenges.
✅ Discuss state advocacy for full and fair funding of public education at the state level.

We recognize the gravity of these conversations and deeply value your partnership in helping shape the future of our district. Your input will directly inform how we move forward as we continue working to preserve student outcomes, center equity, and minimize classroom disruption.

Thank you for being a critical part of this process. We look forward to seeing you on February 5th and working together to support our students, educators, and schools.

In Partnership,

Blake Robertson

Astor K-8

PPS

These two events are scheduled at Roosevelt High School for Astor Families and RHS Cluster Families only. The dates are March 6th and 14th from 5pm to 8pm. Get information about changes in immigration regulation and other resources, too. Reach out to Ms. Theresa at tscottmerrion@pps.net for more information. And, please be sure that your emergency contact information is updated, as well.

Hey Astor families! Our Astor Benefit is approaching on March 15th and your PTSO is working hard to put it together. This event is the biggest fundraising event for our school community. Please onsider donating an item, service, or rental for auction items. Use this form to donate items: https://forms.gle/2Bqwg4zAS9w92DEf6 Thank you so much!

additional links OFB sent out:

• Know Your Rights When Dealing With Police and Immigration

• What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace

• Trans Lifeline: Offering Direct Financial and Emotional Support to trans people

• TransgenderLawCenter: Legal Support for Trans Folks

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.

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.

As part of a previous bond, our security systems are getting an internal common area camera system. Additionally, we'll have several additional exterior cameras added. This system has been installed and expected to be in use soon. You can learn more about the safety bond here. Please reach out directly to Principal Robertson at brobertson@pps.net with any questions.

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

February - Calendar

4th - K-8 Students all released at 3:15pm (Due to Staff Professional Development)

13th - PTSO Board Meeting

14th - 100th Day of School!

14th - K-5 Dance! @ 3:35 in Gym (Enter from the outside gym doors)

17th - No School (President's Day)

18th-20th - OBOB Battles in the Library!

25th - Site Council

26th - Early Release at 12:45pm for All Students

27th - Black History Month Event at 5:30pm to 7pm (Enter in Cafe)

Please be sure that you've updated your student's vaccine records with our Nurse. If vaccinations are not fully updated (or families haven't communicated exceptions), then students will be excluded from school in February. Please reach out to the office with any questions and ask for our Nruse/SHA.

Vaccines play a crucial role in protecting our students from serious illnesses and help keep our community safe. Parents/ Guardians of students who are due to receive vaccines should receive a letter in the mail. Please check if your child’s vaccinations are current, including their recommended flu shot, and contact your medical provider or any of the resources listed below.

Multnomah County Student Health Centers

OHSU Wellness Center

Multnomah County Vaccination Clinic (English)

Clínica Comunitaria de Vacunación Gratuita (Spanish)

Please see this information here regarding student illnesses.

Dear families,

Instilling a love of reading is one of our main missions at Astor K-8. So many adventures, achievements, and acts of positive change begin with books, and that is why I am thrilled to introduce you to a fun new literacy initiative spearheaded by our superintendent, Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong.

On Saturday, February 15, Portland Public Schools will be launching its first-ever Golden Key Quest, a citywide literacy scavenger hunt.

Here’s how it works

PPS has partnered with the following literacy hubs to make the Golden Key Quest a reality.

• Caldera Arts – 224 NW 13th Ave, Suite 304, Portland, OR 97209

• Third Eye Books – 2518 SE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97202

• Literary Arts – 716 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Students are invited to visit the hubs and look for golden keys hidden inside books. The lucky ones who find a Golden Key should scan the QR code on the key, which will take them to a webpage where they can claim their prize: free family tickets to OMSI!

Reading is the spark that lights the fire of life-long learning. I hope that our students and families will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

Sincerely,

Blake Robertson

Principal

See the Parkour sign ups for after school here.

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.

Please share with your families: the LGBTQ+ Caregiver Support Guide, and the *newly updated* Apoyando Nuestras Jóvenes - a culturally and linguistically appropriate adaptation. At the request and guidance of PPS LGBTQ+ youth, these guides offer families and trusted adults tools and resources to better understand and support the youth in their lives. This project was made possible by PPS LGBTQ+ youth, local partners, and SAY Wellness, a CDC DASH Grant led by the Health and PE Department.

LGBTQ+ Caregiver Guide (English)

Apoyando Nuestras Jovenes (Spanish LGBTQ+ Caregiver Guide)

Health and Physical Education Homepage

Joi

PPS is hosting a series of events that focus on Belonging, Equity & Inclusive Practices where we will screen powerful movies that will stir, provoke, and challenge each of us about what is possible in the systems we create for our children with disabilities.

As part of this series, we are excited to welcome you to a screening of “Champions” on Saturday February 8th at 2:00 PM at Lincoln High School. This event will also include first hand experience from PPS students.

This movie highlights the journey of a basketball coach who leads a team of players with intellectual disabilities. Through humor and heartfelt moments, the movie emphasizes the strengths, individuality, and value each player brings and how inclusion enriches communities and creates positive, supportive environments.

Staff, families, and community members are all invited.

The Benson Wellness Center offers free and confidential healthcare to ALL people ages 0-21. Students can be seen here even if they already have a medical provider/clinic, and the Benson Wellness Center can also serve as your child's primary care provider. We embrace and affirm ALL genders and we NEVER ask about immigration status. Interpreters are available. Now is the time to sign up for a Sports Physical! Come see us! https://www.pps.net/Page/5953

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

(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:

    • Cognizart 31st Annual Young Artists Debut! Concert & Showcase (apply by Feb. 3 – Deadline extended)

    • USTA Tennis Afterschool Zone at Maplewood (Jan. 14 - Feb. 25)

    • Portland Parks & Rec Teen Force at SW Community Center

    • VIBE of Portland Music & Digital Art Classes for Kids

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

    Summer Camps:

    • Cognizart 360Arts Summer Camps (Jul. 7-11, 14-18, & 21-25, 2025)

    • OSU Summer Reading Program (Jun. 14 - Aug. 16, 2025)

    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 Student Health Center Immunization Catch-Up Reminder

    • Oregon Health Plan & Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace

    • 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

    If you have any questions, please reference the Promoting Events and Activities in PPS Schools webpage, the 2020-21 Update on Flier Distribution for Non-Governmental Organizations, or contact Ryan Vandehey at rvandehey@pps.net.