9/11/24

• 09-17 - MAP Testing - Reading
• 09/18 - MAP Testing - Math
• 09/18 - PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
• 09/19 - MAP Testing - Finishing up tests
• 09/19 - Back to School Night, 5pm - 6pm dinner; 6:15pm - 8pm classroom visits.
• 09/25 - Early Release Wednesday, School is dismissed at 1:45pm

• Click here for the full RGMS calendar
  

Hey Hey, Robert Gray!

Reflecting on our first few weeks of school, I am filled with Joy and Gratitude. RGMS has a warm tone; staff and students are happy to be back. Kids are learning and growing, building friendships with students and positive relationships with our Staff.

And so it is with Pride that we look forward to welcoming you all to our Back to School Night next week, Thursday night 09/19. Thanks to the PTA and the Cider Mill for providing a family feast starting at 5pm. Our schedule and menu are attached here. Following a few updates from me and our AP Miss Robin, families will be following their student's schedule. Each "period" is ten minutes.

• Dinner 5pm - 6pm
• Class Visits 6:15pm - 8pm

Asbestos Abatement Update from Brett Borgeson

We are thrilled to reopen our campus to students as renovations end.

This last year a lot of asbestos abatement work was conducted in the lower wing of the school. Attached is a report from Advantage Environmental dated January 2024 which was conducted in response to the water damage due to the severe winter storm.

A lot of pipe insulation was removed in the attic and areas that were part of the heating system and water lines. We are still waiting for the final closeout report for that section of abatement as some recent work was conducted late summer in the crawl space.

In the Advantage Environmental report, listed are the materials tested that included plaster and ceiling tiles of the lower wing that showed no asbestos content. There was floor tile glue residue that had a 2% asbestos content that had to be abated. A survey report of this type was needed as the lower wing ended up being gutted as many areas became saturated with water and were beyond repair. This report helps to determine the scope of asbestos abatement work to be conducted for a proper building restoration.

Projects of this size have somewhat of a delay for the final closeout report and we may not get it until this winter. We are requesting air clearance results from the environmental contractor in advance of the final report to help explain the clean up results to PPS staff. Air clearance results are part of the restoration process and a key step for protecting workers before build-back of the building interiors can be conducted.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Brett Borgeson, Senior Manager of Environmental Health & Safety: bborgeson@pps.net

On Monday September 16th, students will begin using their lockers. We started talking about using lockers and strategies for students to keep their personal and school belongings organized and accesible.

Students have also learned about the RGMS Locker Expectations: Students must store their backpacks in their locker during the school day. We have talked to students about getting the required materials for each class so they have what they need. Students are allowed to go to their locker before/after school, and before/after lunch.

You can support your student by discussing their plan for what they need to bring for the morning classes and what they need to bring for their afternoon classes.

If your student will be absent, please email grayattend@pps.net. Be sure to include your student's full name, date of absence and the reason for the absence.

Temporary Health Accommodations during the school day:

Please notify Robert Gray and school nurse, Jennifer Novack, if your student needs an accommodation during the school day due to a temporary health condition . Medical documentation from your student's health care provider is required. Examples of temporary medical conditions include: broken bones, recovery from surgery, and extended illnesses such as mononucleosis.

If your students needs medications, including over the counter medicines like Tylenol, you must bring those to school in their original containers and complete a short form so we can supervise it's use.

Questions? email: jnovack@mesd.k12.or.us

2024-2025 RGMS Family Handbook.

2024 RGMS Student Handbook

Parent Guide to Canvas

Parent Guide to the Remind App

Use this link to the School Nurse and Health Room Services Webpage for lot's of good information for parents.

See this flyer for more information.

Dear Parents,

School pictures are ready!

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number. Picture Day ID is EVT44447T.

All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.

More about the Smilesafe program here.

The ParentVue trick to not getting your account disabled is to only try passwords twice, then just click on forgot password.

After 3 unsuccessful password tries your account is disabled. When disabled you have to call the school and have the office enable your account. Then to complete the reset, you have to click on forgot password and update your password.

Gray's counselors are Lisa Hyde, A-K & Laureen Held, L-Z.

Lisa Hyde - lhyde@pps.net

503-454-6829

Laureen Held - lheld@pps.net

971-231-4621

You can also contact them through this link: https://bit.ly/2024-25RGMSCounselorHelp

What is School Pay?

Throughout the year we will use School Pay as a way for families to pay for a variety of things. Currently, we are asking families to consider making small donations to offset printing costs for student planners, handbooks, class supplies and other curricular tools.

School Pay is a convenient way to pay school donations with a debit card or credit card. Use this link, https://pps.schoolpay.com/, to enter the School Pay site. Set up an account if you don't already have one.

Donation items are grouped by grade level.

The first Cross Country practice was Tuesday, August 27th, 4pm, covered area. Practices are held Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays at Gray, 4pm to 5:30pm. It's not too late to join!

We meet on the field each practice day.

Our website has more information. Wells Youth Cross Country 2024

• Mark your calendars for the first PTA meeting of the school year! Please join us on Wednesday, September 18th at 6:30pm in the library at Robert Gray. We also host via zoom for anyone who prefers to join virtually here:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84782239102?pwd=rcQFoe0cH2KFxVvqPS7QRcd526tdn3.1

Meeting ID: 847 8223 9102

Passcode: 368760

• Mark you calendars for our annual Run For Gray which is currently scheduled for Friday, October 18th. This is a really fun event and we are looking for parent volunteers. Please sign up here if interested.

• We are always looking for parents interested in advocating for better funding for public schools to interface with PAT, Oregon PTA and Parents for public schools. Please reach out directly to Kirsten Carr if interested.

• Please consider becoming a member of Robert Gray Middle School PTA and/or donating to our PTA.

• To join please visit this page on the Oregon PTA website, select Robert Gray MS PTA, complete the form, and make a payment online. If you’re unable to join the PTA online, please contact the PTA secretary.

• Your donation through the RGMS PTA funds improvements to the school beyond what PPS provides, such as events, special programs, community outreach, classroom supplies, student-serving needs and more. This school year, the PTA’s budgeted expenses are over $46,000- approximately $95 per student. If you’re able, please donate to support the PTA here.

Get text alerts about school closures, delays, emergencies and school events:

Text YES to 68453

Email: lnewlyn@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/gray
Location: 5505 Southwest 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 916-5676
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertgraymiddleschool
Attendance Reporting: grayattend@pps.net