DOLPHIN DIGEST 9/12/2024

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តើអ្នកត្រូវការបកប្រែទេ? ចុចលើតំណ "បកប្រែ" នៅផ្នែកខាងលើ។

ትርጉም ይፈልጋሉ? ከላይ ያለውን "መተርጎም" የሚለውን አገናኝ ጠቅ ያድርጉ.

We’re so glad to have you as part of our school community!

This weekly newsletter is developed and sent in partnership between school administration and the PTA. If you have information you'd like shared in the newsletter, please email it to ArletaSchoolPTA@gmail.com. Keep scrolling for the latest.

We acknowledge Portland rests on traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla and many other Tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River. #HonorNativeLand https://youtu.be/ETOhNzBsiKA

• Sept 12: Litter Pickup: 2:30-3pm

• Sept 12: SUN Registration Night + pizza, 4:45-5:30pm in the cafeteria

• Sept 12: Back2School Night with SUN, ESL and TAG Family Night, 5:30-7pm

• Sept 12-Oct 31: Dolphin Drive Fundraiser

• Sept 15-Oct 15: National Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month

• Sept 16: SUN registration forms go home

• Sept 17: Dine-out at Pizzeria Otto, 11am-9pm, 7122 SE 72nd

• Sept 19: Popsicles with the PTA, 6-7pm, on the playground

• Sept 20: SUN registration forms due back

• Sept 24: School Board Special Meeting at 6pm.

• Sept 25: Early Release 11:50am

• Sept 26: Picture Day

• Oct 1: BIPOC Family Gathering, 5:30-7pm, location TBD

Arleta School Calendar

Updated PPS District Calendars:

English language PPS District Calendar 2024-25

Spanish language PPS District Calendar 2024-25

Vietnamese language PPS District Calendar 2024-25

Hope to see you at B2SN tonight! Our SUN Information Night begins at 4:45 in the cafeteria, then our Community Connect at 5:30 out front. In the spirit of our school motto, “I am Because We Are”, we hope you will join us! Attending B2SN shows your child you value the place they spend a major amount of their time over the year and creates a connection to supporting students to attend school regularly. That in turn helps them feel better about themselves and school. One of our action steps toward all three of our school goals this year (Reading and Math Achievement and Sense of Belonging) is to improve our percentage of “regular attenders” -- last year our rate grew 6% and we want to build on that! We ask you to strive for your child to miss no more than 9 days of school, and we’re committed to making school engaging, meaningful and differentiated for your child’s learning. Here is a handy tool for you: “Keep Track of Time”. We’ll have copies out on our “Office” Table (look for Nicole!) at Back to School Night; please stop by and pick up a copy! On the back side you’ll find this collection of tips and facts. (This Back to School Google site with resources to support you with PPS digital tools, might be handy as well.)

National Hispanic Heritage Month starts on the 15th! Another of our action steps toward our school goal of increasing a sense of belonging for every student is to create student centered, culturally affirming celebrations and teaching by weaving equity throughout our students’ experience at Arleta over their six years with us. Fourth grade teachers for example, have adapted the readings in their first literacy unit called A Great Heart to include Simone Biles and Dolores Huerta, intentionally including African American and Hispanic American history, story and voice. A parent (thank you Sheryl Moren!) recently shared the idea of adding Hmong or other culture's mythology into our 4th grade “Myth Making” literacy unit, which centers Greek Mythology, to compare their similarities and differences and how that may reflect their respective cultures, values and societies. We can benefit so much in our efforts through collaboration and learning with all of you parents: as you look at the B2SN slides for your child’s grade level, please let us know if you see connections to diverse perspectives we could work to integrate.

A few other components to highlight for you: at three of our school-wide assemblies this year, K/1, 2/3, and 4/5 grade bands will present something meaningful they’ve been learning about as part of their grade level standards, also highlighting connections to various heritage, cultures or identities. Up first in October will be 2nd & 3rd grades. We’re also working on ways to showcase other cultures via performance groups at some of our family events or assemblies. And, last but not at all least- something fantastic about our Arleta PTA is our Inclusion Committee. Each month 5th grade parents Sheryl Moren and Melissa Sircy create meaningful, informative and thought-provoking displays in our main entry and cafeteria; be sure to check them out when you pass by. These are some of the ways we are striving to affirm our student’s own identities (creating mirrors) and also teach about identities different from one’s own (creating windows).

See You Tonight!

Lisa

SUN orientation, pizza, and early registration will begin on Back2School night on Sept. 12th from 4:45-5:30 pm in the cafeteria. Fall term starts Monday, Oct. 7.

Our annual Dolphin Drive gives our school much needed resources, and helps make our community special! Information about this year's Dolphin Drive should be coming home in this week's Friday packet. You can get a head start reading the letter by clicking here!

What is the Dolphin Drive?

The Dolphin Drive is the PTA's largest fundraiser and we have a goal to raise $8,000. The funds support all our fun free events, special student experiences, teacher grants, student yearbooks, and so much more!

Please consider making a donation to the Dolphin Drive anytime between September 12th to October 31st. Any amount is appreciated! Online donations can be made here: https://squareup.com/store/arleta-pta.

This year's school picture day is September 26th! Be sure to look for the order forms in this week's Friday folder!

Picture day information and online ordering is available by visiting mydorian.com, search for 'Arleta', and click on the green Order button or yellow Help button associated with your picture day. You can order online now and for up to four (4) days after picture day.

Here are some helpful tips to make picture day great!

• Schedule haircuts 7-10 days prior to picture day!
• Wear simple clothing. Solid shirts or small patterns, along with sleeves, photograph best. A
• Avoid logos and text on clothing. Graphics or wording may not photograph completely and can become partially cropped out of your picture.

The counselors at Arleta welcome back students and families! The counseling team and SUN would like to invite you to fill out our yearly Community Needs Survey. When you complete the form, all responses are kept confidential and someone from the team will be in touch!

English Language Survey

Spanish Language Survey

PPS and Arleta are using Remind to send notifications to families. If you feel like you're missing out on messages from school, like this newsletter or from your child's teacher, check to make sure your notification preferences are set to receive texts and emails, in addition to Remind app notifications.

Remind communications can be sent in multiple ways. If you would like to add devices to your account or turn channels on or off:

1. Login to your account on the web (https://www.remind.com/log_in) or in the Remind app
2. Navigate to your Account Settings (top left) and select Notification Preferences
3. Click Add Device to add additional phone numbers or email addresses
   
4. Click on the On or Off button to turn notifications on or off from each device
   

More information about Remind settings can be found here: https://www.pps.net/Page/15513

Konstella is the website and app that the PTA is using for events, family communication and volunteer opportunities.

We encourage all Arleta parents and caregivers to download the Konstella app today using invitation code FH3W5B, then tap Join in the email you get. OR, sign up on Konstella.

If you have any troubles or questions, feel free to reach out to our school’s Konstella Admin, Lisa Hugelier, lisa.hugelier@gmail.com

Remember that SUN registration opens on the Thursday the 12th and closes on the Friday 20th! Please drop off your completed registration form at the school office. For more information about SUN, see the SUN NEWS & RESOURCES section of the newsletter!

National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on Sunday, September 15th.

The observation began in 1968, and September 15th was selected because it is the day that Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua achieved independence, with Mexico and Chile following days later. This month in particular is a wonderful time to celebrate and learn more about rich and diverse histories, cultures, languages, and achievements of Latines in North, Central, South America and beyond.

You might enjoy beginning National Hispanic Heritage Month by exploring the formation of the National Museum of the American Latino, part of the Smithsonian, on their website, or exploring the people and timelines of Latine history on Kids' Brittanica, or checking out this list of books by Latine writers!

If you'd like to listen to some music to get yourself started why not enjoy the Cuban band Buena Vista Social Club's Carnegie Hall performance here, or Gracias a la Vida by Chilean singer/songerwriter Violeta Parra here, or Luna de Xelajú sung by Guatemalan singer Gaby Moreno and Oscar Issac here. For a quiet moment, you may enjoy Argentinian guitarist Robert Lara's album Argentina: Guitar of the Pampas or for hidden gem good vibes that will get you dancing click here to see Los Angeles band La Santa Cecilia performing live on Seattle radio station KEXP while in Mexico!

Support Arleta and enjoy delicious, delicious pizza at the same time at Pizzeria Otto at 7122 SE 72nd Avenue, from 11am-9pm! Check out their menu here, and order for pick up by calling (971) 279-5077 or online. Pizzeria Otto is supporting Arleta by donating a portion of sales to the PTA!

Let's soak up the last days of summer and enjoy meeting fellow parents and classmates! Come out on Thursday, September 19th from 6-7pm for popsicles on the playground.

The PTA wants to do things differently this year. Rather than "business" meetings, we want to focus on fun, family activities that kids and grownups will enjoy! We'll still have some things to vote on occasionally, but we'll keep that to very minimal time. This first gathering will be for fun, no business! Hope to see you there!

Translated flyers here

Our first BIPOC families gathering of the year is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1st from 5:30-7pm at Arleta (specific location TBD). Please join the conversation about what you would like to see and do during this time together by joining the Konstella Social Group "BIPOC Family Group". Questions? Contact Arleta's SUN Lead, Raina Bilbrew, at rbilbrew@pps.net or parent, Sheryl, at sha_r_@hotmail.com.

You can donate items to the Cleveland High School Dance Team's rummage sale this Saturday from 9am-1pm in the gym. Almost all items accepted, but no large furniture please. You can also shop the sale on Sunday, Sept 15th from 10am-3pm in the high school parking lot.

Multnomah County Master Gardeners will be hosting their last educational tour of their summer series at the SE Demonstration Garden, on SE 57th, just south of SE Duke, on September 22 from 10am-1pm. They will be teaching visitors how to design and prepare native beds, and how to start wildflower seeds in fall.

All ages welcome!

🌼

For more information, click here!

Interested in leading Litter Clean-ups around Arleta? This is an easy, low key way to make a consistent and noticeable difference at the school. Currently, clean ups occur 2 times a month and last about 30-45 min. Help is available and you could customize the dates and times to fit your schedule! Please contact Tracy at tehulla@gmail.com if interested!

Ms. Street is looking for volunteers all year long to help in the library. With budget cuts to staff time across programs, the library is no exception. Ms. Street is asking for help to maintain the library space and to create displays. if either of those activities appeal to you, please reach out to Ms. Street at tstreet@pps.net.

We are looking for 2-3 volunteers each day from 10:45am to 12:30pm to help monitor the playground and assist in the lunch room. This is a fun way to get to know the students and staff!

Volunteers need to have passed a PPS background check. Visit the PPS website to start your application and screening process. (Once approved, your application is good for three years).

Sign up by clicking the button below!

Our Mr. Nelson is looking for some basic supplies and snacks for his classroom. On next Wednesday September 18th, all donations through DonorsChoose will be doubled! Let's help get Mr. Nelson's class fully-funded and ready for the new school year!

Thanks for supporting Mr. Cooke's DonorsChoose project to get snacks for his students! Be on the look out for other Arleta project posted on the DonorsChoose website throughout the year.

Arleta SUN Community School provides a FREE after-school program that promotes student success by extending the school day through enrichment activities and academic support. SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) also provides adult classes & workshops and fun family events. Community schools serve as mini “community centers” by keeping a public building open & active during after-school hours, and bringing youth & family opportunities directly to the neighborhood. It’s an alternative way for you and the local community to connect via the school! SUN is not a childcare program. Portland Parks & Recreation manages the Arleta SUN program.

Our SUN School Coordinator Raina Bilbrew is wonderful as so many of you already know! In addition to coordinating the various aspects of our after school program, she collaborates with and deeply supports our staff, supports students within the school day, serves on Arleta Site Council, runs an intentionally designated SUN Community Space in Room 4, and collaborates with our PTA Inclusion Committee. Ms. Raina and Ms. Sheryl Moren, Inclusion Committee co-chair, host our BIPOC Affinity Space. To contact Raina directly: raina.bilbrew@portlandoregon.gov or 503-916-6332.

SUN orientation, pizza, and registration will begin on Back to School night on Sept. 12th, at 4:45. Fall term starts Oct. 7.

Arleta has a small food pantry and clothes closet available for the use of any Arleta family. To set up an appointment to use the pantry or the closet, please email our SUN School Coordinator, Raina Bilbrew at rbilbrew@pps.net or raina.bilbrew@portlandoregon.gov or call or text her at 971-803-8986.

Here's a handy checklist to get your family prepared for the school year! Click the links below or the image to download your own copy.

• Follow Arleta PTA on Facebook and Instagram
• Bookmark arletapta.org and pps.net/arleta
• Become a PTA member or renew your membership (it's free)!
• Complete a background check to be a volunteer.
• Save the office number in your contacts 503-916-6330
• Get the Remind App on Android or Apple and set up your notification preferences. Click here for PPS tutorials on using Remind.
• Download the Konstella app on Apple or Android, our new PTA communication tool. The invitation code is Fh3W5B. Click here to visit to Konstella website.
• Stock up on blue Bottle Drop bags to help us fundraise- email ArletaSchoolPTA@gmail.com or check with the school office.

We'd love to invite everyone in the Arleta community to become a PTA member for free! Joining the PTA is a great way to connect with others, support projects and programs that support our students, and amplifies your voice in issues that impact our school.

Signing up only takes a couple minutes - https://arletapta.memberhub.com/store (one free membership per household, additional memberships are $10)

Help turn your BottleDrop dollars into Arleta School PTA grant dollars, staff appreciation, free school events, affinity club support, and so much more. There are two ways to participate (both of which are completely FREE to you!): you can pick up a PTA blue bag from the main office or school events or donate funds from your individual BottleDrop account.

Get your Arleta spirit wear! Shop online 24/7 and have your items shipped to your home anytime! There are t-shirts, hoodies, tanks, mugs, and more. Check out the online store here: https://arletaschool.threadless.com/

Show your LOVE for Arleta and purchase your We ♥ Arleta yard sign now! Order yours today to show off your school spirit and support the Green Team!

https://arletapta.memberhub.com/store/items/625149

Arleta PTA participates in the Fred Meyer Community Rewards

By linking your Fred Meyer Rewards card to the Arleta PTA and scanning your rewards card when you shop, a percentage of your purchase goes to the PTA. Sign up here. (And you'll still get your cash back rewards!)

Email: ArletaSchoolPTA@gmail.com
Website: arletapta.org
Location: 5109 SE 66th Avenue
Phone: 503-916-6330
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArletaElementaryK5

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arletaelementaryK5/

PPS District policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. BP 1.801.020. Not all outside groups comply with the District’s non-discrimination policy. Families are strongly encouraged to review all materials closely.