TUBMAN TRIBUNE
February 19 - March 4
Tubman Tribune: November 5, 2024
You are receiving this message because your student is currently registered to attend Harriet Tubman Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year. Please contact the school office if your student's enrollment has changed, at kibacon@pps.net (Kiah Bacon, School Administrative Assistant).
Principal's Message
Dear Legends,
We had our second student-led assembly, facilitated by our QSA, last Thursday as well as our first Fun Friday (Thursday)! I want to shout-out our QSA students along with Amy Drew and Tanya Baley who helped the kids prepare for the assembly. I thought they did a fantastic job along with the rest of our student body who showed up and listened respectively and intently. I also want to give a huge shout-out to Julie Twining and our Student Council kids. They created an amazing event and school-wide celebration that truly reflected one of our core values, love and joy.
Also, the love for our teaching staff keeps coming! Please take a moment to check out this Innovator Spotlight on Andrew Pan.
Lastly, it is November 5th and election day. I am proud of the work we are accomplishing here at Harriet Tubman MS and to be a part of public schools as we work to help shape informed citizens. I also recognize this time period comes with uncertainty, often resulting in anxiety and nerves. I agree with Dr. Armstrong’s sentiment that in these moments of adversity also come opportunities for communities to come together.
If you need to, please refer to this link for the Multnomah County Official Ballot Drop Sites finder.
November is National Indigenous Peoples Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month encourages us all to learn more about Indigenous cultures, listen to Indigenous voices, and acknowledge the historical and ongoing contributions of Indigenous communities. We can explore the wisdom embedded in their stories, understand the challenges they continue to face, and honor their dedication to environmental stewardship, community, and cultural preservation.
This month, let's take the opportunity to educate ourselves about the diverse Indigenous cultures within our region and across the country. By doing so, we can work toward a future where Indigenous voices are heard, respected, and celebrated—not only in November, but throughout the entire year.
Upcoming Important Dates
Rise Above Basketball Clinic, November 8 and 9
Black Parent Affinity Group, November 12
Our first Black Parent Affinity Group will meet Tuesday, November 12th from 5:30-7:00pm at HTMS! Please refer to the flyer where you can fill out a brief survey.
Site Council, November 13
Site Council will take place on November 13 at 4:15pm in the school library. Site Council meetings are open for community engagement each month from 4:15 PM to 5:30 PM in the school library. We encourage you to join us and participate in discussions aimed at making our school even stronger. Your voice matters!
Jefferson HS Rising 8th Grade Info Night, November 14
8th grade families, it's hard to believe but forecasting for high schools is right around the corner! Please join JHS next Thursday, November 14th from 5:30-7:00pm.
PTSA Meeting, November 21
The next PTSA next meeting will be held Thursday, November 21 at 6 PM in the library and online. Parents, community members, teachers, and STUDENTS - All are welcome! PTSA meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month.
Click here to join the meeting on ZOOM
Meeting ID: 835 9596 0474Passcode: 755849
Join the PTSA HERE! Your membership will help support student programs and services at Harriet Tubman Middle School.
Fall Conferences, November 25 and 26
All families are invited to our Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences on November 25th and 26th! This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers, discuss their progress, and see their digital portfolios that students will present during the meetings.
One shift we have made this school year is establishing student led conferences. Students have been working hard at creating portfolios, collecting artifacts from their classes, and creating goals for themselves.
Another shift we have made is being strategic with wrap-around conferences for students and families. This means grade level teams have identified students who may be struggling in multiple classes and are working to schedule conferences with all teachers and the guardian. This is an effort to make it easier for the family to connect with our staff while also trying to figure out how we can better wrap around our kids. Teachers have been reaching out over the last few weeks to schedule these conferences. If you would like one and have not heard from a staff member, please let your student’s teachers know! You can also connect with the front office.
This year, we’re using a new platform for scheduling conferences. To book your sessions, simply click on the teachers’ names at the link provided below, select an available time slot that works best for you.
Conference Details:
- Dates: November 25th and November 26th
- Time: 8:30 am - 8:30 pm
- Schedule: Click to schedule a conference with your student's teachers
- Location: In-person or virtual (family choice)
We look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s success. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in their learning journey!
Partner's Corner
Portland Interscholastic League (PIL)
The PPS middle grades (6th - 8th) youth sports program, with the exception of recreational soccer, is directed by the Portland Interscholastic League (PIL). The student athletes represent their neighborhood high school cluster. Thanks in part to the financial support of many individuals, PIL Youth Sports offers football, cross country and girls' volleyball in the fall; girls' and boys' basketball and wrestling in the winter; and baseball and co-ed track and field in the spring. Fall season begins in late August, winter practices begin in mid November and spring practices begin in late February. Details for each sport can be found on the PIL website under "PIL Youth Sports".
Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN)
Time to enroll your students in our after-school SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) Program! SUN offers a range of enriching activities, academic support, and a safe, engaging environment for your child after school hours. Middle school students are not required to attend SUN Monday - Thursday. Single class enrollment is permitted. No student will be turned away.
To complete the enrollment process, it is MANDATORY to fill out the following forms. These forms are crucial for our data and ensure your student can participate in SUN. Without these completed forms, students will not be allowed to attend the program.
Please fill out the required forms using the link below: ENROLL HERE
Important Reminders:
- Pick-up time is no later than 6:15 PM. Persistent late pick-ups may result in students being unenrolled until the next quarter.
- All other necessary details are included in the enrollment form.
Teen Force
Portland Parks & Recreation offers exciting programs and activities for teens citywide! TeenForce strives to reflect the energy and excitement of the teens themselves in the awesome trips, classes, drop-in activities, events, and volunteer/service learning outings.
The TeenForce Pass gives FREE access to scheduled drop-in activities and designated open swims at five Portland Parks & Recreation community centers. The pass is available for youth ages 10 to 20.
Registering for a TeenForce Pass is easy, fast, and FREE! Registration must be in person at all Community Center locations including, Matt Dishman. Bring your address, parent/guardian address, parent/guardian phone number, your phone number, and information about any health conditions you may have.
Or download a TeenForce Pass Registration Form, print it, and bring your completed form to any of the five TeenForce sites.
Important School Information
FREE Dental Screening & Sealants
Multnomah County’s School and Community Oral Health Program is offering Free sealants and dental screening. A dental screening is a quick look inside your child’s mouth to check the overall health of their teeth, and sealants will be placed if needed.
This service is available for students in 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
What questions do you have? Please call us at 503-988-3905.
To use this FREE service please fill out the electronic permission slip at this link:
Electronic Permission Form English
Electronic Permission Form Spanish
Electronic Permission Form Russian
HTMS Evening Events
ID Badges
Per PPS policy, all students will be required to wear their school I.D. badge during the school day. We will supply lanyards and holders for all students. We will have a “soft start” to this policy until student IDs have been handed out. Once students receive their new IDs, there will be no exceptions to the policy.
Parent / Guardian Visits
At Harriet Tubman Middle School, we would love for you to visit your student and to support our building! Please make sure to sign in at the office and if you would like to stay, per district safety policy, you will be asked to show your ID and will receive a visitor badge. Please remember to return to the main office to sign out.
If you would like to visit a classroom, you will need to provide educators with a 24 hour notice. This can be done via email or over the phone with the educator.
All volunteers must have a background check. Ask our front office how to get that going!
Code of Conduct Agreement
Harriet Tubman Middle School has several policies and expectations for our students and our Code of Conduct Agreement (CCA) outlines each of them. You will see expectations for students in regards to our general building expectations (A.S.K.), our attendance system (ASERT), behavior referrals and discipline ladder, cell phone policy, social media and attire expectations as well as our food policy.
Our goal is to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students. It is your responsibility to review our building expectations and to ensure both you and your student/s understand HTMS and PPS expectations and policies.
If you have any questions and or concerns, please reach out to our team for support.
- Digital Signature form
PRINTABLE version
HTMS Events Calendar
NOVEMBER
5 PTSA Fundraiser Night, Sparky's Pizza
11 Holiday, No school
13 Site Council, 4:15p (Library)
21 PTSA Mtg, 6p (Library)
25-26 Conferences
25-29 No School
Schedules, and District Calendar
Bell Schedule 2024-25
PPS has worked to align middle school schedules through their middle school redesign process. This means that we will have a new bell schedule for the 2024-2025 school year. Monday, Wednesday and Friday will have the same schedule which includes an advisory period for 25 minutes to start the day. Advisory will be critical to setting up your student for success and it is an expectation that all students attend. Tuesday and Thursday will also see identical schedules, without advisory, which results in slightly longer class periods.
Daily Arrival & Departure
To ensure a smooth and efficient beginning and end to each school day, we want to remind you of our arrival and departure procedures.
Arrival Procedures:
- Doors Open: Students may enter the school building starting at 9:08 AM. This early entry time provides students with the opportunity to pick up a free breakfast, setting a positive tone for their day of learning.
- Classroom Readiness: The school day officially begins at 9:15 AM. To maximize instructional time, all students are expected to be in their classrooms, seated, and prepared to learn by this time.
- Late Arrivals: If students arrive after 9:15 AM, they will need to check in at the school office before proceeding to their classroom. This helps us ensure that all students are accounted for and ready to join their classes.
Departure Procedures:
- Dismissal Time: The school day ends at 4:00 PM. Students will be dismissed to go home at this time. Please ensure that arrangements are made for timely pick-up or transportation.
We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these times as they help maintain a structured and productive learning environment for all students. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact the school office.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.