The Weekly Update #4

Our Visual and Performing Arts department held a showcase on Thursday the 23rd. Our three bands, theater students and art classes highlighted their work from the first semester. All students had the opportunity to see the performances on Friday at our assembly. The assembly included a vote on Mandarin Immersion student presentations. We have some talented students and it was a great way to end the first half of the year.

The second semester, and half of the school year, began on Wednesday. Your scholar's grades are available to view now through ParentVue. If you want a paper report card mailed to you will need to click the box to opt in for mailing. If not you can only view grades in ParentVue. Attached below is a handy go by for how to access your student's report card.

It is important to PPS that immigrant families feel safe and supported. We have families who have expressed to our staff that they are concerned about possible immigration actions under the new presidential administration.

Our top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff. We continue to work closely with PPS leadership and our 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.

Please contact me at ldickey@pps.net if you have any questions or concerns. I am in service to you and your students, and you have my word that, at Harrison Park, we will stand together to champion our diversity and support the most vulnerable among us.

In Service,

Leah Dickey

Our SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) program, in collaboration with our PTA (Parent Teacher Association) will be hosting an informative workshop on the harmful effects of vaping. Vaping has become an issue for many middle schools across the country. This industry has been known to target adolescents with highly addictive products. We want to ensure families are aware of the dangers around vaping and have information on ways they can prevent use. Snacks will be provided and childcare is available if there is a need. Please fill out the form below to help us ensure we have enough food, interpreters, and childcare providers. This event will begin at 6:30.

Our PTA will also be holding their meeting on this evening starting at 5:30. We encourage parents, or guardians, who would like to learn about ways they can support Harrison Park to attend. This event is open to Harrison Park families only.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeF94aKmG1qZDEFG9qiKGEmQN7QiH-pMH6yFjx3vvuURzMPdQ/viewform

February 3rd -7th- Book Fair in Library

February 4th- Late Start @ 9:30

February 4th- Vape Information Night @ 6:30

February 17th- No School, President's Day

February 19th- Immunization Exclusion Day

February 26th- Early Release @ 1:45

It is official the first Semester is over. At this time of year we reflect on things that are working and shifts we may need to make. It is also the time of year that students often have run out of school supplies or need replacement binders. We were able to provide all students with a binder and basic school supplies at the beginning of the year, but ask that families support their students with additional needs. Right before the end of the term teachers reported an uptick in many students arriving to class without the supplies they needed for learning. Please feel free to reach out to our school counselors or social workers if you are unable to secure these items for your student.

Does your student need a new binder?

Do they have pencils? Pens? Paper?

Are their immunizations up to date?

Do you need to update phone numbers, emails, etc.?

We look forward to a strong second half of the year with you as partners.

February 19th is immunization day. Students who do not have updated immunizations will be excluded on this day and can not return to classes until these are completed. Our school health assistant has been reaching out to families to ensure they are aware. Here are flyers about resources for immunizations.