MLC Weekly News and Notes
September 25th-29th
Hello, MLC community! We have finally made it to fall and .... an atmospheric river! Please make sure students are prepared for rainy day outside activities. We have several canopies that will be set up on the blacktop to help with drop off/pick up and those that enjoy lunch outside. :)
Back to School night is Thursday 9/28 for our K-12 parent/guardian community! Look for all of those details below.
There was a message sent out regarding our mandatory Lock Down drill that will happen Monday 9/25 at 1:30 pm. We know this drill can cause anxiety in students and staff. We are taking every precaution to assure students this is a drill and run it thoroughly but quickly. I have included another copy of that messaging below.
Thanks for your support!
Best,
Suezann & Darren
Check out Liz B's Phun Photography Friday Focus - experiencing art in nature!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
National Hispanic Heritage Month! 9/15-10/15
Monday September 25th - LOCKDOWN Drill @ 1:30
Tuesday September 26th - Students of Color lunch group 6x12 with Alberti
Wednesday September 27th
Thursday September 28th - SAGA lunch group 7x12 with Erewyn
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT! 6:00-7:30 pm
Friday September 29th - Friday Focus 7x9
After school Chess Club 2x8 (info below) 12:10-1:10 pm
Coming soon:
October 2nd - Elective Sign Ups!
October 3rd - PTSA Meeting
Back to School Night! 9/28
Back to School Night is this Thursday for K-12! We look forward to welcoming parents/guardians to learn more about MLC and meet your students teacher(s). We will start the night in the auditorium at 6:00 pm then transition to classrooms at 6:30. The night will end promptly at 7:30 pm. Just a reminder - this is not designed for 1:1 conferences. Those will take place later in November.
We ask that this be a student free night. KCLC has offered to be open for childcare plus pizza for $10 per student. If you are interested, please fill out THIS FORM.
Street parking in our neighborhood can be tricky and limited. Unfortunately, we will not have any lot space available. Please make sure to give yourself time to find a spot for this K-12 school event!
Lockdown Drill 9/25
Dear MLC Community,
Students and staff will be participating in a Lockdown drill on Monday 9/25 at 1:30 pm.
Lockdown actions are initiated whenever there is an active threat against the safety of our school. This action includes “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight” and works to create a time barrier until our first responders can arrive at the scene. Lockdown emergency actions save lives, and conducting such drills helps to better prepare our staff and students if a threatening situation were ever to occur at our school.
We understand that these types of active threat drills can cause some anxiety for students and staff. Please know that our staff are working to connect with students in advance of the drill in an age appropriate way to help ease any anxiety and better support students who may be negatively impacted.
As a parent/caregiver, we wanted to share some additional resources that could help in connecting with your child(ren) in advance of this drill:
15 Ways to Help Your Child Through Crisis: Parent resource from KidsPeace
Helping Children Cope: Offered by ready.gov, this resource provides advice for helping children cope through disasters and emergencies.
Talking with children about terrorist attacks and school and community shootings in the news: from the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
Talking with children about violence: tips for parents and teachers: from the National Association of School Psychologists
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: this website offers guidance for trauma-informed care for children following a disaster or traumatic event and offers many resources including a Psychological First Aid training.
We do not expect this drill to disrupt the school day, and your child(ren) should be dismissed at the regular time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office. You may also reach out to our district’s Emergency Management program through Security Services at 503-916-3000 to discuss any issues of emergency preparedness, drills, or security measures taken at PPS.
MLC Elective ALL CALL!
Hello, Marvelous MLC Community.
I am sending out the official call for elective class offerings for our elementary/middle/high school students and know that you have a wealth of knowledge to bring to this program. Inviting our families into the building to lead small groups – while sharing their interests and expertise – is a vital part of making MLC a true community.
This year, we are excited to grow the program by including our 9x12 students, and will need even more volunteers than in the past. Students can also lead electives, so please consider co-teaching with your child or encouraging them to take on this leadership role.
Please use this Google Form https://forms.gle/XXGYPyRzfXKcRXKt7 to communicate your choices with me. It includes more details about the program and ideas if you aren’t quite sure what to teach.
Fall Term Electives: October 10 - November 30 (7 weeks; time commitment is roughly one hour per week for 7 weeks)
Not ready to teach on your own? Sign-up with a friend to co-teach or let me know you’d like to get your feet wet by working alongside an MLC staff member. Once you see how much fun it can be, I know you’ll be hooked and come back for more!
PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR CHOICES BY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th, but the sooner the better!
Many, many thanks,
Dana Lipson
MLC Electives Coordinator
MLC High School Work Based Learning Program: Community Partner Interest Form
Questions? Reach out to Tanya Lieb!
Chess Club @ MLC!
When: Fridays 12:10-1:10pm
Dates: 9/15/23, 9/22/23, 9/29/23, 10/6/23, 10/20/23, 10/2/23, 11/17/23, 12/1/23, 12/8/23, 12/15/23
Location: MLC Library
Curriculum: Every student will receive a workbook as soon as we determine their current strength. We'll also have team jerseys arriving in a few weeks!
Find more info HERE
*This is a non PPS activity with fees.
Girls Basketball Youth Camp
October 13, 9am-3pm
The Lincoln High School varsity girls basketball coach is hosting a girls basketball youth camp for grades 3-8 on October 13th (Statewide Inservice Day) at Lincoln. Early bird pricing is currently available. Find more details HERE
Requests for Support
Bodecker Foundation Opportunity
In partnership with the Bodecker Foundation, PPS College & Career Readiness team have created an opportunity for students to build relationships with artists and peers over the course of a school year. We are introducing Bodecker Cohorts. See the flyer below.
MLC Tours for Interested Students & Families
Exploring school options to determine the best fit for a student can be both exciting and anxiety producing. We believe getting to actually see the surrounding location and have a guided tour of the building can be very helpful in this decision-making process. To accommodate the numerous requests for tours, we offer a monthly tour for up to 10 interested families on the second Thursday of each month at 4:00 pm and will last approximately 45-60 minutes.
October 12
November 9
December 14
February 8
March 14
April 11
May 9
Please email Benner, our 7-12 counselor to initiate the sign up process or if you have any questions. gbenner@pps.net
When the lottery dates are announced we will also host an evening open house event for families. Please check our website for updates.
College Credit Opportunity for 11th & 12th Graders
If your high school student is behind in credits toward graduation, would rather take a particular graduation required class outside of the regular school day, or would like to get ahead on their graduation requirements, this is an excellent opportunity. Credit advancement students will be placed last as long as there is room in the class. Classes will be held from October 2 - January 18, 2024 (final Monday night class is Jan 8) Classes meet from 5:00 - 8:00pm, once per week, for 13 weeks. All classes are in-person and attendance is required. Our Evening Scholars sites are: Roosevelt, Grant, McDaniel, and Franklin campuses. To register, students must meet with their counselor to review their transcript, and registration is by the counselor Please contact counselor, Benner for class options/availability, if you’d like to register, or if you have any questions. Some classes fill up fast so please reach out if interested. gbenner@pps.ne High school student opportunity to take an interesting class AND earn college credit!! Perelandra Scholars Program at Portland State University, now in its third year, is designed exclusively for high school juniors and seniors to earn college credit in high-level humanities courses, taught in person on the PSU campus. Here’s what they tell us about their offerings: The fall evening course begins in November and is Fantasy Literature & the Religious Imagination: Through extended discussion of C. S. Lewis’s novel Perelandra as well as other texts by Christian and Jewish writers, we will explore how fantasy writers have engaged questions of good and evil, faith and redemption, through the literary imagination. Readings include J.R.R. Tolkien’s “On Fairy Stories,” and G.K. Chesterton’s “The Ethics of Elfland,” as well as selections from the book of Genesis. Winter and Spring evening courses are The Idea of the Nation and Identity & U.S. Politics. Registration for those courses opens later in the school year. Courses cost $75 and scholarships are available. Course information is at the following link: https://www.pdx.edu/judaic-studies/perelandra-scholars-program
PTSA News
PTSA Meeting
October 3
6:30-8pm
MLC Cafeteria or Zoom (see mlcpsta.org for the Zoom link)
Join or renew your MLC PTSA Membership HERE to become a voting member.
Lunchtime Helpers
Volunteers are needed 11:30-12:30 M-Th to provide extra help on the playground and wherever help is needed while the kids are at lunch/recess. Sign up HERE
You will need to complete your PPS background check. The background check does take some time, but it’s good for 3 years. You can apply for the background check at www.pps.net/volunteer
Parking Fundraiser Volunteers Needed
It’s peak soccer season and this is one of the best times of year for our school to fundraise by offering parking for the Timbers and Thorns games. These parking fundraisers hosted by the PTSA, will continue to fill the gap and help support our staff and students with the much-needed funds for student activities. Our parking coordinators will teach you everything you need to know to get you well on your way!
We need people for September 23 & 30, October 7 & 21 (plus playoff games to come).
Sign up HERE
BottleDrop
Grab one of our MLC labeled BottleDrop blue bags to collect your redeemable containers in. Then drop them off at one of the BottleDrop location points and all the money goes to MLC!
MLC does not have space to store bags for cans so please drop the bags off at one of these locations near MLC or find another convenient location here.
Trader Joe's - NW Glisan and 21st
Fred Meyer - NW Burnside and 20th
New Season's - NW Raleigh and 22nd
Contact Adam Perryman for more information.
PSAT and PreACT Message for Families
MORNING DROP OFF and AFTERNOON PICK UP for K-6
K-6 Drop off
School Start Time: 8:45 am
1st -3rd grade families have the option to come inside for drop off or use the blacktop car line.
The main front door will open at 8:40 for students/families to enter.
Class time will start promptly at 8:45. We will be clearing the halls of parents/guardians by 8:50 to start the day.
4th-6th grade students will enter the building at 8:40 through the main doors.
Breakfast will be served for those K-6 interested at 8:30 in the cafeteria. Students will enter through the cafeteria door. Once the student has eaten breakfast, they will then return outside to wait for the main door to open for the day. ONLY students eating school breakfast will be allowed in the cafeteria. Exceptions will be made for weather determined by admin.
STUDENTS SHOULD NOT ARRIVE TO MLC BEFORE 8:30 a.m.
Unfortunately, we do not have enough staff to monitor all areas of the building and outdoors before those times. Teachers and staff are preparing for the day. We want to make sure all students are safe and in designated areas where there is adequate supervision.
Kindergarten students will be dropped off and picked up in the Kindergarten classroom!
The main front door will open at 8:40 for students/families to enter.
Class time will start promptly at 8:45. We will be clearing the halls of parents/guardians by 8:50 to start the day.
Where do I park?
Street parking is the only option in our neighborhood. The back lot is reserved for staff with very limited and assigned parking.
DROP OFF (cars using the black top)
Please pull all the way up to the front doors/the line before students exit your vehicle.
Stay in the line to await exit upon Tony's signal. Line cutting is a safety issue with younger students close to the area.
Please do not use the back lot for drop off. This is our staff parking with assigned and very limited space. We want to make sure our educators are able to park and get into their classrooms each morning in time to prep for each day of learning.
K-6 Pick Up
School End Time: 3:20 (Monday-Thursday)/12:05 (Friday)
PICK UP (cars using the black top)
CAR LINE PICK UP
Students that are picked up by car in the parking lot will be in lines by designated cones/teachers.
Car pick up students cannot go to the playground/court while waiting for pick up.
Drivers will need to stay in their cars. A staff member will come to you for your child's name/with your child.
Stay in the line to await exit upon Tony's signal. Line cutting is a safety issue with younger students close to the area.
WALK UP PICK UP
Please come to the north side of the pick up line for walk ups (opposite of the cars). This will keep our car sight line and congestion clear.
There are zero lot spaces available in the back to spare for family parking. Please do not use the back lot for pick up/drop off in any way. We need to make sure our staff can park without any issue to educate students!
Kindergarten students will be picked up in the Kindergarten classroom. Doors will open at 3:15 M-Th and 12:00 on Fridays for parents/guardians to wait outside the classroom.
7th-12th Drop Off & Pick Up
7th-12th Drop off School Start Time: 8:30 am Students will enter the building at 8:40 through the main doors. Breakfast will be served for those 7th-12th interested at 8:15 in the cafeteria. Students will enter through the cafeteria door. Once the student has eaten breakfast, they will then return outside to wait for the main door to open for the day. ONLY students eating school breakfast will be allowed in the cafeteria. Exceptions will be made for weather determined by admin. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT ARRIVE TO MLC BEFORE 8:15 a.m. Unfortunately, we do not have enough staff to monitor all areas of the building and outdoors before those times. Teachers and staff are preparing for the day. We want to make sure all students are safe and in designated areas where there is adequate supervision. Where do I park? Street parking is the only option in our neighborhood. The back lot is reserved for staff with very limited and assigned parking. DROP OFF 7th-12th famlies are encouraged to use the Hoyt Street drop off area. (cars using the black top) Please pull all the way up to the front doors/the line before students exit your vehicle. Stay in the line to await exit upon Tony's signal. Line cutting is a safety issue with younger students close to the area. Please do not use the back lot for drop off. This is our staff parking with assigned and very limited space. We want to make sure our educators are able to park and get into their classrooms each morning in time to prep for each day of learning. 7th-12th Pick Up School End Time: 3:30 (Monday-Thursday)/12:05 (Friday 7th-9th). 12:30 (10-12th) 7th-12th famlies are encouraged to use the Hoyt Street pick up area.
6th-12th Off Campus Lunch Policy
Teachers will share the official contract during conferences.
7th-12th: There are two ways to sign out:
Using a phone or device with QR code located at the front doors
Paper sign out in the front office.
Students will not need to sign back in due to teachers taking attendance after lunch.
6th grade: Students will not have off campus lunch until teachers authorize they are ready.
When they do receive this privilege, students will sign out on a clipboard in their homeroom classroom. (Andre or Kathleen)
Ongoing Resources
Art is ALIVE at MLC!
Do you wonder what's going on in the Kx12 Art Room? Art teacher Ned and his students are posting their creations and flops on Instagram at studio_mlc !