Abernethy News

Have you seen all the early morning runners around Abernethy? Has your student been asking you to come run with the Abernethy Eagle Track? Are you wishing you had an Eagle Track Tee Shirt or Sweatshirt, without having to run?? Well, You can have it all now!

Now you can come and run with the Eagle Track and get a sweatshirt/ tee shirt to show your support AND you can get a sweatshirt/ teeshirt, even if you don't run, to show your support!

This year's International ShakeOut Day is this Thursday, October 17. This is when millions of people worldwide will participate in earthquake drills at work, school, or home! At 10:17 am (local time) on 10/17, you can join people across Oregon practicing earthquake safety.

What is the Great ShakeOut?

The Great ShakeOut earthquake drills are based on scenario earthquakes that could effect the area if they were to actually take place. Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are an annual opportunity for people in homes, schools, and organizations to practice what to do during earthquakes, and to improve preparedness. These events are made possible through a collaboration between several agencies including the USGS.

This drill will immediately be followed by our monthly fire drill.

If you have last-minute instructions or messages for your student, please call the office at (503) 916-6190. Do not email the office, as emails may be missed when staff are out. Calling ensures that your message reaches your student promptly. The office will ensure that your student gets a "yellow" note with their end of day change of plans. All notes get passed out to students at 2:00pm. Please try not to call th eoffice after 2:00pm with change of plans unless it is an emergency.

Thank you for your cooperation!

With school in full swing, field trips starting, and Tour de Ladd on the horizon, there are plenty of ways to get involved! Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about Abernethy, build community, and enhance your student’s school experience.

Please note that all volunteers are required to complete a PPS background check. If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete the PPS Volunteer Background Check. Background checks are quick and easy, and they’re valid for three years!

Please do not wait until it is too late. Currently background checks are taking 3 - 4 weeks. If you are unsure if your's has expired, please call the office and we can check for you.

School picture make-up and retake day is this Thursday, October 17 from 9 am to 11 am. If your child missed their chance to take their school photo or if they would like a new one, this is their opportunity! Make-ups (for students who were absent on picture day) are free of charge, while retakes (for those who would like a new photo) will cost $10. We look forward to seeing those smiling faces!

For those families who have already had their students’ photos taken, you can now access each child’s photo gallery by clicking here and entering their name and student ID. (If you do not know your child’s student ID, you can find it by logging into your ParentVUE account here and either looking in the upper left-hand corner under your child’s name or clicking on “Student Information.”)

Additionally, we would like to address a recent issue regarding photo orders. Some families received only one 5x7 print when they were supposed to receive more. The photographer, Abigayle Tarsches, is currently reviewing all orders to ensure that any missing prints are reordered promptly. If you notice any discrepancies in your order, please feel free to contact Abigayle directly at (503) 893-5043 or abby@atarschesphoto.com.

Abernethy is excited for our third through fifth graders to participate in the Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) again this year!

OBOB is a statewide program designed to motivate and enhance reading comprehension among students in grades 3-12, regardless of ability. Sponsored by the Oregon Association of School Libraries and supported by a Library Services and Technology Act grant, OBOB introduces students to quality literature that showcases diverse styles and perspectives.

OBOB’s mission is to inspire a love of reading, broaden literary interests, improve comprehension, and foster teamwork among students. Run primarily by volunteers, OBOB is dedicated to promoting equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all its practices. Join us in celebrating the joy of reading through this exciting program!

Learn more at our OBOB parent meeting on October 22 from 5 pm to 6:30 pm in the Abernethy library.

Abernethy’s annual winter coat, boot, and gear drive is underway now through Friday, October 25. We are collecting items in kid sizes, focusing on elementary sizes or smaller. Please bring new or gently used coats, boots, hats, gloves, and other winter gear to the Abernethy gazebo in the morning any school day between 7:45 am and 8:15 am. All donated items will go to Grout Elementary School for distribution to children in need throughout PPS, and we will ensure that anything in need of cleaning is washed first.

If you can’t make it to school in the mornings, please text our parent coordinator, Stephanie Englesman, at (503) 860-6596. Thank you for helping us continue this wonderful annual tradition!

If you are an Abernethy family in need of a new winter coat, please reach out to our school counselor, Jenny Morgan, at jmorgan1@pps.net or (503) 916-6190 as soon as possible.

This month’s PTA community meeting is Thursday, October 17 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm in the Abernethy Auditorium. All families are invited to attend, and free childcare is available in the cafeteria for in-person attendees.

To make participation in PTA Meetings as accessible and inclusive as possible, all PTA Community Meetings are HYBRID. All PTA members will be able to vote, ask questions, and participate in discussions whether they are in person or attending via Zoom. In person attendance is still preferred if you are able, but if virtual attendance works best for you and your family then please join us however you can! Join the meeting here.

If you would like to learn more about fundraising, spending goals for this school year, PTA Standing Rules, and opportunities to volunteer with the PTA, please join us at the meeting! Note: Only PTA members may vote on motions. Community members must sign up for PTA membership at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date. Attendance is recorded at each meeting. Members must be present, in person or via Zoom, to vote. To vote at this Community Meeting, you must be a PTA member no later than 6:30 pm on Tuesday, October 15. Join the PTA here.

Becoming a PTA member is a great way to get involved with the school community and find out firsthand from the PTA board, committee members, and the school administration what is happening in our school and district. If you join the PTA you will have the opportunity to vote on measures regarding the PTA budget and important decisions at Abernethy.

September marks National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated from September 15 to October 15. It honors all Latino and Hispanic Americans and their contributions to American culture. The anniversaries of many Latin American countries are held on or around September 15 hence why the start of the month starts mid-month. Take time to acknowledge how these communities impact society and foster understanding of their unique heritages.

It also is National Recovery Month which hopes to educate all Americans on the treatment services for those struggling with substance use disorders.

September 4 – Richard Wright’s Birthday

The popular Black American writer wrote some of the most powerful 20th-century novels which exposed the realities of racism in the Deep South where he was born in 1908.

September 11 – Patriot Day

On the morning of September 11, 2001, the worst terrorist attack in American history occurred when four commercial airliners were hijacked by al-Qaeda members. Two crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and another into a field in Pennsylvania.

September 20 – HeForShe

This solidarity movement was first created by the UN to help promote gender equality worldwide.

September 21 – International Day of Peace

This UN day encourages all nations to observe a ceasefire. Each year the UN bell is rung in New York City to inaugurate this nonviolence day.

IInternational Day of Sign Languages – September 23

The International Day of Sign Languages celebrates sign languages as a vital part of linguistic and cultural diversity. This day highlights the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf. It promotes the preservation of sign language and advocates for the rights of deaf people worldwide to have access to education and information in their native sign languages.

Celebrate Bisexuality Day – September 23

Bisexuality Visibility Day is committed to celebrating the bisexual community and its history and achievements. Raise awareness about bisexuality and speak up about misconceptions about the community in the workplace and beyond.

We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.

Questions you can ask your students: