Laurelhurst Community Update

PPS has gone paperless and you now will be able to see your student’s report card on ParentVue. For instructions on how to view grades, here is a step-by-step guide:

Viewing Elementary Report Card in ParentVUE.pdf

In an effort to align with the district’s Climate Justice policy, we have moved to paperless report cards as our district default. Families will be encouraged to view report cards online in Parent VUE. School teams should be communicating with families about how this works. Here are the instructions that you can include in classroom and school newsletters.

Over the past few weeks, members of our community have expressed concerns about possible immigration actions under the new presidential administration. As we discussed at last week's PTA meeting and in other forums recently, Laurelhurst is committed to the safety and well-being of all students and staff members. We are working closely with PPS leadership and community partners to uphold Oregon law prohibiting state and local law enforcement from arresting or detaining people based solely on immigration status. Additionally, Oregon law protects student educational records from use for immigration actions.

In times of uncertainty, it is always beneficial to be proactive and prepared, and it’s crucial that we have up-to-date contact information for you and your student. If you have not done so already, please complete the yearly student verification form to ensure we’re reaching you via the right information and in the right language.

I also wanted to provide the following resources:

• This FAQ and this webpage answer many questions about the steps Portland Public Schools will be taking to safeguard staff and students going forward.

• This page from the Multnomah Education Service District (MESD) includes a family resource hub and culturally specific information for families in the Portland area.

• The Immigrant Legal Resource Center Little Red Card is meant to help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations. The cards can be printed out in your preferred language and carried on your person.

• Know Your Rights for Families/Students (Oregon ACLU)

• Immigrant Rights Resources One Pager

• PPS’s Office for Civil Rights offers support addressing discrimination, harassment, and bias-related concerns.

In addition to concerns about immigration, I hear our community's worry about the increase in divisive and often threatening rhetoric around LGBTQ2SIA+ youth and transgender rights. At Laurelhurst, we remain vigilant in our support of students of all gender identities. Our ongoing strategies ensure protection, advocacy, and inclusion for our LGBTQ2SIA+ community, including these key practices:

• Students are experts on their own identities.

• Students choose restrooms and locker rooms that align with their identity.

• Students determine the name and pronouns that best reflect their identity, which PPS staff will honor.

• Staff will address and interrupt anti-trans language or behavior every time.

Please contact me at abrant@pps.net if you have any questions or concerns. I am here for you and your students. At Laurelhurst, we will always stand together to champion our diversity and support the most vulnerable among us.

Our Annual Kids Heart Challenge kicks off this week, and we are proud to support the American Heart Association through this service-learning program. Students will learn how to have happy and healthy hearts and brains, while raising lifesaving donations to help others with special hearts. Plus, your family can learn the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR through Finn’s Mission! Sign Up TODAY at http://www2.heart.org/goto/Laurelhurst or by downloading the FREE AHA Schools App for Apple or Android.

Meet heart survivor Finn and hear how completing Finn’s Mission gives hope to everyone, everywhere. Let’s save lives together! Thank you for being a Heart Hero!

Bundle up and join Safe Routes to School as we walk and roll to school on National Winter Walk & Roll to School Day, February 5th, 2024. On this day, students all over the country put on their cold weather gear and brave the elements as a community. See you on your walking route to school!

OBOB battles are approaching! As a volunteer-run experience we count on coaches to be the moderators of battles. If you are new to moderating or would like a refresher, please come to a Moderator Training on 2/13 at 3:30pm in the Laurelhurst Library.

It’s time to party! The PTA is hosting a dance party for all students from kindergarten through Grade 5 on Friday, February 7th from 6-8pm. The theme is UNDER THE STARS so get sparkly, Laurelhurst! There will be a live DJ, dancing, balloons, and snacks. Thanks for your generous PTA donations, admission is free and includes a ticket kids can redeem for snacks and a drink.

PLEASE NOTE:

*THIS IS NOT A DROP OFF EVENT. All students must be accompanied by a responsible adult.*

It takes many hands to make these fun events happen for our kiddos. We still need volunteers for the Dance Party - especially for the Clean Up shift!

Click the link below to sign up to volunteer on Konstella. Or feel free to reach out to Kasey Zmrhal or Liza Milesnick directly to get you slotted in for a shift!

Soup Wednesdays has become one of the most appreciated things our community does for our teachers and staff. It is such a treat to have a warm lunch on these chilly winter days. We will feed 60 people so please plan on each crock pot providing 12-15 hearty portions. Please drop items off by 10:30a.m. in the front office. Thank you for participating in this meaningful event!

Click on the button below to sign up to choose a sign up slot. No time to make soup? Consider bringing bread, dessert, or drink!

Soup days will be Wednesday 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, and 2/26.

Join us in the garden on Saturday, February 22nd 10:00-11:30am for a spring pruning party!

Rebecca Robinson, Laurelhurst grandparent and professional landscaper, will lead a native plant pruning workshop and guide us on pruning plants and trees around our school grounds. Help spruce up the grounds and learn some important pruning techniques. Bring a pair of clippers or loppers, if you have them. We’ll have snacks to share and would love to talk about other sustainability projects around the school.

February is a time when we purposefully acknowledge and celebrate the many achievements that Black Americans have contributed to our culture, the arts, politics, academia, and beyond. I encourage you to discuss with your student something they have learned at school during Black History Month.

With Gratitude,

Alyson

February - Kids Heart Challenge

2/5 - Winter Walk & Roll Day! - walk OR ride your bike, scooter, or skateboard to school

2/7, 6-8pm - K-5 Dance Party in Gym

2/17 - Presidents' Day - NO SCHOOL

2/18, 6-7pm - PTA General Meeting - Fundraising/Programming Priorities Forum

2/19-20 - OBOB Battles Grades 3-5

2/26 - Early Release 12:45pm

2/27 - OBOB Battles Grades 6-8

3/3 - Teacher Optional PD Day - NO SCHOOL

3/5 - 7th Grade Science Fair

3/14-15, 6:30pm - Middle School Play: Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

3/18, 6pm - Special PTA Meeting: Gender Diversity Workshop

3/19 - Early Release 12:45pm

3/25-3/28 - SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL

4/3, 6:30-8:30pm - Middle School Social

4/4 - Grading Day - NO SCHOOL

4/7 - Planning Day - NO SCHOOL

4/11 - World Festival!

4/15, 6-7pm - PTA General Meeting

4/16 - Laps for Lions!

4/20-4/25 - 6th Grade Outdoor School

4/23 - Early Release 12:45pm

5/3 - 2nd Annual Pancake Breakfast!

5/20, 6-7pm - PTA General Meeting

5/21 - Early Release 12:45pm

5/26 - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

5/27 - 8th Grade Field Trip - Bonneville Dam

6/6, 6pm - 8th Grade Promotion

6/6, 7-9pm - 8th Grade Promotion Dance

6/9 - 6th/7th Grade Day of Fun @ Wunderland, 8th Grade Oaks Park Celebration

Email: abrant@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/laurelhurst
Location: 840 Northeast 41st Avenue, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 916-6210

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