Laurelhurst Community Update
September 8, 2024
Dear Laurelhurst Community,
It is with a heavy heart that I write this newsletter. Once again, there has been a school shooting in our country. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families in Winder, Georgia who lost loved ones due to this senseless act of violence. Too often we have friends, families, and acquaintances who are impacted by this violence. Our PPS community, while across the country, feels the pain and unease caused by such senseless violence in a place that should be full of joy and learning, not fear and harm.
It is hard to find words to express the shock and sorrow our students, staff, and community are feeling after school shootings. As the principal of Laurelhurst and as a parent of two PPS students, I am deeply shaken at how commonplace tragic events involving schools and children have become. Please know that we take school safety seriously. Our school safety protocols remain in place, including locking doors to the outside, practicing lock-down drills, and screening each visitor before allowing them to enter our school.
These senseless tragedies have left our entire country asking how we could prevent such acts from happening. Each of us has a role in preventing violent acts, so if you see something, say something. Please make your child aware of the importance of reporting concerns to a trusted adult immediately if they are aware of any possible threat. We urge you to immediately contact our school staff, the police, or the 24-hour anonymous SafeOregon tip line at 844-472-3367.
Below are some resources to help support the social and emotional needs of your student(s) through this difficult time.
Talking with children about terrorist attacks and school and community shootings in the news from National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
Talking with children about violence: tips for parents and teachers from the National Association of School Psychologists (there is also a printable version and a companion infographic available).
15 Ways to Help Your Child Through Crisisparent resource from KidsPeace.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network(NCTSN) resources.
Please let us know if your child is struggling and needs some extra support while at school. Our counselors, Ms. Chelsea and Ms. Bloch, are here to support your child as they process what happened and the feelings that arise. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to us.
🦁 SCHOOL NEWS 🦁
Staff Meeting Day Bell Schedule - This Tuesday, 9/10
On Tuesdays when we have Staff Meetings--9/10, 10/15, 11/5, 12/3, 1/7, 2/4, 3/11, 4/8, 5/6, and 6/3--school is IN SESSION from 8:45AM to 3:15PM for ALL students. The only change for the day is that Middle School students will have an early release by 15 minutes. The schedule for K-5 students remains unchanged.
Laurelhurst Campus Rules
NO DOGS on campus, 8am-3:45pm. The only exception is service dogs. Dogs are never allowed on the turf.
Remain off the turf and away from the covered structure until 3:30pm, after the last (middle school) bell.
Always check in at the front office when visiting campus or when arriving late.
When driving, KEEP THE SCHOOL TO THE RIGHT!
School Safety at Laurelhurst
Our number one priority is to provide students with a rich, joyful, equitable learning experience in a safe environment. When you send your children to school each day, you entrust us with their safety, and our whole staff takes this responsibility very seriously. Here are a few of the measures we take to ensure a safe campus here at Laurelhurst:
All staff are trained in safety protocols and maintain situational awareness while on campus.
At the beginning and end of each school day, all entrances and exits are monitored by teachers, administrators, and support staff.
When classes begin, all exterior doors remain closed and locked. All visitors must enter through our front door; these doors are also locked and require our front office to “buzz” visitors into the building.
All visitors and volunteers must sign in at the front office. Please be prepared to show ID. We use the Raptor system to check in all building visitors and volunteers. See below for more information on volunteering at school.
If you come to the building to check out your student for an appointment or early dismissal, please be prepared to show ID. Only those listed on approved pick up lists will be allowed to check out a student. You can update those preferences in ParentVue. *Allow extra time when picking up your child during the school day, especially as our front office staff gets to know new families*
PPS requires that all schools practice regular emergency procedures and drills, including monthly fire drills and bi-monthly rotational drills that include lockdown, secure-the-perimeter, and earthquake exercises. We work with our students and educators to ensure that drills are done in a trauma-informed manner.
All students should know how to report unsafe situations to a trusted adult. Please reinforce with your student that if they have concerns at school, they can talk to their teacher, counselor, or administrator. In addition, students can report anonymously to the SafeOregon tip line via text or call: 844-472-336; email: tip@safeoregon.com; or via the SafeOregon app. Trained staff are available to respond at all times.
Upcoming Safety Drills Notice
Laurelhurst's first safety drill, a Fire Drill, will take place tomorrow, Monday, September 9th.
Our first Lockdown Drill will take place on Tuesday, September 24th. Prior to each drill, teachers review our protocols with students in an age appropriate way.
School Supplies - Make Your Contribution Today!
If you have not already, PLEASE contribute $50 per student to our School Supplies Fund. So far we have received contributions for about 60% of our students; if we are not able to recuperate costs for supplies this year, we'll need to dip into other resources that supply classroom supplies and other items that help us run the school. Thank you for your support. It takes a village!
Picture Day is This Week! 9/10 for K-5, 9/11 for 6-8
Please check out the flyer from Sung Kokko Photography below. Sung and her team will be here on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week to take your student's photo. This photo will be used for our student information system, Synergy, for middle school student IDs, and of course, will be available to purchase through our photographer.
🌻 COMMUNITY NEWS 🌻
After-School Enrichments Start the Week of 9/16
From chess to potions to basketball, sign up now for our Fall Enrichment activities happening before and after school. There are still spots left in many of our classes, so sign up today!
Updated: Popsicle Social is THIS Friday After School!
This Friday, September 13th, right after school (3:15pm for K-5, 3:30pm for 6-8), is the Laurelhurst popsicle social, rescheduled from last week due to the heat wave early release! Free popsicles will be provided by your PTA. It's a great time to reconnect with friends and welcome new families to the Laurelhurst Community! See you under the covered structure!
Ms. Lang's Summer Readers Popsicle Party Moved to 9/20!
Because of the new date for the PTA Popsicle Social, Ms. Lang's Multnomah County Library Summer Readers Program Popsicle Party will be moved to Friday, 9/20 after school.
Quick reminder: Please reach out to Ms. Lang if your student participated in MCL Summer Readers but did not receive a t-shirt. She'll add your student to the list of kiddos who can participate in the Popsicle Party.
Fall Family Social — Thursday, Sept. 19 at 5:30pm
Come kick off the new school year at our annual outdoor family social with live music (featuring Laurelhurst's favorite new band Covered Structure), plus food trucks, ice cream, pizza, and play!
Bring a picnic from home, pre-order pizzas from Hot Lips by Sept. 12, or buy dinner at one of this year's food trucks, Poblano Pepper (burritos, tacos, and more) or Gourmet on the Go (classic American fare). Bring some cash for dessert from Ice Cream Express! Don't forget your blankets and lawn chairs for seating on our blacktop.
Can't wait to see you there!
Be Involved as a Volunteer
We need everyone's participation to help around our school. This week, you'll see a Volunteer Interest Form in your kid's take-home folder, please take a look and check off events you are interested in helping out with — there's big and small ways to help! As always, lunch volunteers are greatly appreciated.
IN CLOSING . . .
Laurelhurst is a special community. Please do not underestimate the importance of keeping an eye out for all of our students. Thank you for trusting us with your child and know we take school security and your child’s safety seriously. Together we are a powerful and positive force in our community.
With Gratitude,
Alyson
Scavenger Hunt in the School Garden!
Volunteer garden teacher Nicole Hoffmann welcomes kindergarteners to the school garden. The students did great on their scavenger hunt, noticing all kinds of things in the garden including cucumbers, tomatoes, sunflowers, and bugs! 🐛🌻🍅
IMPORTANT DATES
- 9/10 - Picture Day for K-5 Students
- 9/11 - Picture Day for Middle School Students
- UPDATED! 9/13, right after school - PTA Popsicle Social!
- 9/17, 6-7pm - PTA General Meeting - in the Library
- UPDATED! 9/20, right after school- MCL Readers Summer Program Popsicle Party
- 9/25, 5:30-7:15pm - K-5 Back to School Night
- 9/26, 5:30-7:15pm - Middle School Back to School Night
- 9/30-10/4 - Scholastic Book Fair
- 10/7-10/18 - Roar for Reading Fundraiser
- 10/25 - Laurelhurst School PTA Carnival
What is ROAR FOR READING?
Details are coming soon on Laurelhurst's newest FUNdraiser . . .
our very own Fall Read-a-Thon . . .
including game cards for individual reading goals . . .
complete with author visits for each grade level . . .
and a family literacy night with an amazing local author . . .
Stay Tuned!
Laurelhurst K-8
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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