Demo Family Memo: June 7, 2024
Weekly News from Jefferson High School MCAS
Jefferson High School-Mission
Message from the Principal
Demo Families,
As we near the end of another remarkable school year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey we've undertaken together and express my gratitude for your unwavering support, dedication, and resilience.
This year has presented us with numerous challenges, but through our collective efforts, we have not only persevered but thrived. Our students have shown remarkable resilience, adapting to new learning environments and embracing change with courage and determination. Our teachers and staff have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, creativity, and flexibility in ensuring the continuity of education and the well-being of our students. And our parents and guardians have been steadfast partners, supporting our efforts every step of the way.
As we look back on the accomplishments and memories of this school year, let us celebrate the achievements of each and every member of our Jefferson family. Whether it be academic successes, artistic endeavors, athletic triumphs, or acts of kindness and service, each contribution has made a meaningful difference in shaping our community and enriching the lives of those around us.
As we bid farewell to the school year, let us also look forward with hope and optimism to the opportunities that lie ahead. While we may face uncertainties and challenges in the future, I am confident that together, we will continue to inspire, empower, and support one another in our pursuit of excellence and fulfillment.
To our graduating seniors, as you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your lives, know that you carry with you the knowledge, skills, and values instilled during your time at Jefferson. You are prepared to face whatever challenges come your way, and we are immensely proud of all that you have achieved.
In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every member of the Jefferson community for your dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your principal, and I look forward to the continued growth and success of our school in the years to come.
Wishing you all a safe, restful, and enjoyable summer break. May it be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories with family and friends.
Drake Shelton
Calendar
Monday– A Day
Tuesday– B DAY
Wednesday– FINALS SCHEDULE: 1, 3, 5 and afternoon FLEX
Thursday– FINALS SCHEDULE: 2,4,6 and afternoon FLEX
Friday– FINALS SCHEDULE: 7, 8 and afternoon FLEX
The doors open on the KERBY St. SIDE daily at 8am. All students should enter on Kerby St when entering the school. We are unable to buzz students in on Commercial St.
June 12-14 Finals Schedule
June 14 Last Day of School
Congratulations to the 2024 Rose Festival Queen
Congratulations to our own Kobi Flowers on her crowning as the 110th Rose Festival Queen.
This coveted role, granted to one exceptional individual on the Rose Festival Court each year, recognizes Kobi's outstanding contributions to her school, her community, and her commitment to making a positive impact on the world around her.
Congratulations, Kobi! We are so proud to have you representing the Demos!
Senior Transcript and other Summer Information
Congratulations to all of our Senior Families!
Transcripts: your student filled out a senior survey as part of their checkout. This will help our college coordinator send out their final transcripts to their receiving school. You will also receive a copy of your child's transcript and a sealed official transcript to your home address near the beginning of July.
Ordered yearbooks will be available some time in July. We will have pick up times for students, and they will also be availble on site during our 2024 registration August 15 and 16.
Questions? Brittany Warren-Tonkins will be working this summer at bwarrentonkins@pps.net
Summer Chromebook Checkout
Your student is able to keep their chromebook over the summer but they must turn in a summer checkout form. Otherwise, please remind your student to turn in their school device before they leave for the summer. Please make sure any broken charger or chromebooks are brought to the school so that we can either replace or repair them over the summer.
Summer Bus Passes
All students who use Trimet during the summer should stop by the main office and pick up a summer bus pass. Their school ID will stop working as a bus pass at the end of June.
JDI and JDII Auditions This Week
REGISTRATION:
Link: Register for Auditions
Audition Details:
Location: Dungeon Dance Studio at Jefferson High School
Entrance: N Commercial Ave side (look for posted signs)
DATES AND TIMES:
Day 1: Ballet, Tap, and African dance
Day 2: Hip Hop, Modern, and Jazz danceArrival Time: By 3:45 p.m. on both days
Attendance on both days is mandatory.
Please ensure dancers come dressed in the appropriate dancewear and shoes.
CONTACT: For any questions, please email Lisa at lroth@pps.net.
Summer School Enrollment
Registration for Summer Scholars will start on Monday May 13th. Please connect with your school counselor to register.
Maritza Mendez (A-J) mmendez@pps.net
Sean Betker (K-Z) sbetker@pps.net
As a reminder-- only Credit Recovery or Off track retrieval. No Grade Improvement or "getting ahead" this summer.
There will be two sessions for students to take courses this summer:
Session 1: July 1- July 19 (no classes July 4 or 5)
Session 2: July 22- August 7
Classes will be held Monday - Friday, 9:00 am-12:00 pm at four high school locations listed below.
Grant High School (Session 1 only)
Franklin High School
McDaniel High School
Roosevelt High School
Please notice they are only having session 1 at Grant. This should not reduce course options at all, during session 2. We're just going to add more options to the other three schools during that time instead.
Our 2024-2025 Class Officers
School Based Health Clinic Information-- SUMMER SPORTS PHYSICALS!
Demo Athletics
A message from our Cross Country Coach:
Jefferson Students - Join Cross Country!
We’ve got a good thing going! Let’s keep it that way. Last fall Jefferson Cross Country sent its first team to the State Championship in 35 years and it’s first individual qualifiers since 2008. You can be a part of something special! No experience required. We will coach you as you are to have your best season!
Trivia Question: In the 2023-2024 school year, which Jefferson sports team finished highest in state competition?
Answer: Boys Cross Country - the Demos placed 5th, defeating teams like Sheldon, Sherwood, Grant, Sunset, South Eugene, and West Salem, and finishing closely behind other perennial contenders like Ida B Wells and Central Catholic.
Cross Country is a challenging outdoor sport that runs through forests, fields, and trails. It is a team and individual sport, and runners score for their team based on their finish. Come learn how to race with the best in the city!
Parents - Remember! Student athletes are statistically more likely to do well in the classroom when compared to those who do not participate in after-school activities!
Whether you are new to high school, new to Jefferson, or new to cross country, now is the time to get involved! Join us for summer workouts and Big Week, register for the fall, complete your sports physical, and represent the School of Champions!
Numbers are up. Come be a part of something special and growing!
June 3-30 - contact Coach Thaddeus (tknight@pps.net), get connected with the team, begin training OYO
July 1-27 - in-person Summer Workouts - MWF - 10:00am-1:30pm @ Jeff
July 29-August 4 - OSAA Moratorium week
August 5-10 - Big Week
August 12-17 - resume Summer Workouts - MWF - 10:00am-1:30pm @ Jeff
August 19-November 9 - Official Cross Country Season!
Open Period : 4/9/24
Limited to a maximum of six hours each week per program, not per student (including open gyms).
Allows optional, fundamental skill development with an unlimited number of student-athletes. NO 8th graders or students from other schools may participate.
No competitions/games or tryouts permitted.
College and Career-- Upcoming Internship Opportunities
We welcomed Raven Womack to the Demo Team this month as our new Career Coordinator. He will be joing Nicole Dalton and Brittany Warren Tonkins in B12. Please see the new Career Coordinator newsletter here.
Counselor Corner
Do you or someone close to you need support with substance use? Click here to refer yourself or someone you care about to someone who can help. Information is kept confidential. It will not be shared with any school staff or administrators.
Your second semester schedule is set and available via studentvue. If you have a hole in your schedule, or a level misplacement please make an appointment with your counselor.
Thank you!
Sean Betker (he/him/his)
School Counselor
Maritza Mendez (she/her/ella)
School Counselor
Resources for Students and Families
Multnomah County Crisis Services
Multnomah County Call Center/Crisis Line: (503) 988-4888 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Urgent Walk-In Clinic 4212 SE Division (503) 963-2575 (Like Zoom Care for Mental Health)
DAILY 7am-10:30pm - insurance not a barrier
Racial Equity Support Line (503) 575-3764 Experiencing racism harms our mental health. M-F, 10am-7pm.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day 7 days a week
English: 1 (800) 273-8255
Spanish: 1 (800) 628-9454
Oregon Youthline: for youth to connect with other youth
Text: Teen2Teen to 839863 to instantly text with another person
Trevor Project: supporting LGBTQiA+ youth
Text START to 678678 or TrevorLifeLine 1(866) 488-7386
Counselors:
Maritza Mendez
Last Names A-JSean Betker
Last Names K-Z
(971)231-9316 (call or text)
Parent Request for Teacher Meetings
I know there are times you as the parent/guardian need to meet with one of your student(s) teacher(s). Please remember the following:
- Teachers begin their contract day @ 8:15 AM
- Teachers end their contract day @ 3:45 PM
- Teachers meet with students after school most of the time between 3:30-3:45 PM
- Parent/Guardians must call or email the teacher directly to schedule a meeting
- If there is NO meeting scheduled when the parent/guardian arrives, the teacher might need to decline to meet, due to obligations elsewhere.
- Meetings MUST be confirmed ahead of time with the teacher, before a meeting can happen
Parking Reminders for Students
We are seeing numbers of students parking in our staff lot, on the Kerby side of the school. Security has sent warnings to students, but will begin towing if the violations continue. Please make sure to have the conversation with your student, so they know we will begin enforcement, which will include towing of unauthorized vehicles
School Information-- Bus Passes, Attendance, Chromebooks and More
ATTENDANCE
As a parent or guardian, you have several options to excuse your student's attendance:
- Call 503-916-5180 Option 2 (please leave a message if it goes to voicemail); The office checks voicemail for the last time at 3:30 daily
- Email JeffersonAttend@pps.net
- Send a note with your student
- If you student has a medical appointment, have reception print them out an attendance note
- Excuse all day absences on ParentVue
As a student:
- Check your attendance in StudentVue often during the day, if you believe your attendance is incorrect, check with your classroom teachers first and have them email the office if you need a correction.
- If you are going to an appointment, have the desk reception folks at the appointment print you out an attendance note and turn it into the office.
- Ask your parent/guardian to call the office and leave a message to excuse any absences
- Students may not excuse their own attendance, even if the student is 18 years old
Chromebooks
We do not currently have loaner chromebooks to hand out to students when they forget theirs at home, so please remind your student to bring their assigned chromebook to school daily.
Download Trivory for Daily Bell Schedules and Information
Free Breakfast and Lunch for Students
Free Breakfast and Lunch for Jefferson Students
All Jefferson students will receive the option of FREE breakfast and lunch this year under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
For more information, please check the Nutrition Services page.
ATTENDANCE
- There are several way to excuse your student’s attendance:
Leave a message on our Attendance Line! 503-916-5180
Email JeffersonAttend@pps.net
Send your student with a note
For all day Attendance, excuse it using Parentvue!
SUN School and SEI
After school Programing @SEI Center Monday & Wednesday 4pm-7pm transportation provided. Programming will begin in the beginning of October.
After school SUN SCHOOL Programing Tuesdays and Thursdays at Jefferson. Look for program opportunities soon. matalasil@selfenhancement.org for more info
Jefferson High School Middle College for Advanced Studies
Email: mfrantz@pps.net
Website: pps.net/jefferson
Location: 5210 North Kerby Avenue, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: 503-916-5180
