Laurelhurst Community Update
September 22, 2024
Dear Laurelhurst Community,
A big thank you to our PTA for hosting a fun Family Social last Thursday evening! Also a shout out to the incredible band Covered Structure for keeping the crowd entertained and the kids dancing. Just in one week, the PTA brought us the family social, a back to school popsicle party, and the PTA general meeting, where this year’s budget was passed and we received an update on the new playground.
I am so grateful to have a strong and active PTA supporting our school. They are actively looking for volunteers and new members of the PTA board, so please consider getting involved. There are opportunities small and large, and every one makes a great difference to our students and staff. Become a member on Konstella or reach out to volunteer@laurelhurstschoolpta.org to find out how you can help!
We have another busy week ahead here at Laurelhurst! On Tuesday, we have our first lockdown drill. Please read the message below about this drill, how we are preparing students in the classroom, and what you can do at home. As a reminder, this Wednesday we have our first Early Release. Our start time remains the same, at 8:45am. All students will have a scheduled lunch time and then will be released at 12:45pm. Early Release provides time for our staff to attend professional development and work together to plan our lessons and activities.
This week we also have our K-5 Back to School Night on Wednesday and Middle School Back to School Night on Thursday. Check out the details and find out what to expect below.
🦁 SCHOOL NEWS 🦁
Join Us for Back to School Night This Week!
As a reminder, our Back to School Nights are coming this week–Wednesday, September 25th for K through 5 and Thursday, September 26th for Middle School, both from 5:30 - 7:15 pm.
While our staff is excited to meet with you all face-to-face, please keep in mind that BTSN is not a time to discuss your student’s individual needs or academic concerns. It is meant as a celebration of being in school and a chance to experience a taste of your student’s school life. We will have time to discuss your student’s performance and achievements during conference time in November.
K- 5 BTSN is Wednesday, September 25th, 5:30 - 7:15 pm
Middle School BTSN is on Thursday, September 26th, 5:30 - 7:15 pm
Lockdown Drill on Tuesday
We will be having a Lockdown Drill on Tuesday, September 24th at 10:40 AM. This drill is a requirement for all Portland Public Schools and a critical part of our commitment to safety efforts and practices at Laurelhurst School. Because these drills may bring up feelings of discomfort for some community members, we have asked staff to discuss this drill with students ahead of time. Additionally, for our K-2 students, our amazing counselor Ms. Chelsea has been visiting individual classrooms, delivering trauma-informed lessons with Sammy the Sasquatch, and helping students think about and practice this type of drill.
We have prepared slide decks teachers will use to review the lockdown drill procedures and provide students an opportunity to ask questions.
Our Lockdown Drill Procedures are as follows (these same procedures would also be followed in the event of an actual lockdown):
Lockdown drill initiated through VOIP/public address system
Move students in from the hallway, bathrooms and other open areas of the school.
Lock doors, turn off lights.
Pull down window coverings (both on the exterior windows and hallway doors).
Move students away from doors and windows to be out of sight as much as possible.
Take attendance (note who is missing compared to who was present at the start of class AND any extra individuals in your room).
Silence at all times - this includes following our school rules of Off and Away with cell phones.
School Emergency Team staff members* will be coming around to check for locked doors, no lights, silence, and out-of-sight conditions.
The drill will conclude when classroom doors have been opened and given the ALL CLEAR over VOIP.
Classroom instruction will resume as planned.
*In an actual lockdown, only law enforcement will unlock classroom doors.
We appreciate your support and partnership as we practice our safety procedures with students.
Welcome, Oliver Tate Epp!
Laurelhurst has a new lion cub! Ms. Epp had her baby on Friday.
We wish Ms. Epp and her family joyful days and restful nights as she takes the remainder of the year to spend time with her family.
A Warm Hello from Mr. Welch, 7th Grade ELA/SS Teacher
Hello Laurelhurst School Community,
I’m Marty Welch and I’m joining the Laurelhurst staff as Ms. Epps has now officially begun maternity leave. Congrats to her and her husband and their growing family! I’m stepping in a week earlier than anticipated and have felt warmly welcomed by supportive staff and friendly students alike. I’m teaching 7th grade Social Studies and a couple of 7th grade Language Arts classes. My wife, Anna, is a school counselor in the Beaverton School District where all three of our boys attend. Jack is a sophomore; Rowen is my own 7th grader; and Luca struts his stuff in Kindergarten at Anna’s school. We’re a camping family—our favorite spot is Loon Lake, near Reedsport, Oregon. We camp with many educator and family friends for a couple of weeks, soon after July 4th. We have a golden doodle, Ace, that loves swimming in Loon Lake alongside us.
I’m an avid reader and anticipate many enriching opportunities to share my diverse classroom library collection and love of reading with students. I completed my undergraduate work at Concordia University in northeast Portland back in 2006 and fondly recall many opportunities traveling in and through the Laurelhurst Park and neighborhood.
I will be attending Back to School Night, so be sure to stop by and say hello. And, especially if I have the honor of having your child in class, be on the lookout for more classroom updates and expectations as I settle into my role.
I’ve heard many great things about this learning community and look forward to being a part of it this year. Thank you for your support!
Be well,
Mr. Welch
🌻 COMMUNITY NEWS 🌻
Last Call for Enrichments Sign Ups!
If you are still looking for an after-school enrichment for your student, check out the catalog below for the the most up-to-date information on class openings and dates.
Book Fair is Coming Next Week!
Our annual and very popular Book Fair — happening September 30 - October 4 — is entirely volunteer-run and we desperately need more volunteers to help run registers, help with crowd control (we told you it was popular), set-up, and more! This PTA fundraiser allows our librarian, Ms. Lang, to buy many new books for our school library. To get involved, sign up on Konstella. If you have any questions about Book Fair, contact Kate Peters at kpeters@pps.net!
Roar for Reading: Book Pre-Order Info - Please Read!
SUPPORT OUR VISITING AUTHORS!
PLACE YOUR BOOK ORDERS BY TOMORROW, 9/23!
For links to pre-order, go to our
special edition Roar for Reading newsletter.
Authors include Aron Steinke, Brenna Bard, Tom Toro, Vera Ahiyya, Zoey Abbott, and Jonathon Hill.
Books will not be for sale on the author visit days. At checkout, choose the option to Pick Up, then "Laurelhurst K-8." Include your student's name and their teacher's name in the comment box.
Look for more information about the Roar for Reading, including how to register for our Family Literacy Night with Rosanne Parry and how this read-a-thon fundraiser works, next week!
Sign Up to Help at the Carnival!
The Laurelhurst Carnival is fast approaching, mark your calendar for Friday, October 25th. We are still looking for someone to lead the Haunted House efforts, help us keep this long standing tradition alive! Please reach out to Tiffany tiffjopete@gmail.com or Kira Kira.billek@gmail.com to get involved.
And looking to clear out all those party favors and other small toys driving you crazy at home? Let us reuse them as carnival prizes! Drop them in the box by the front entrance.
IN CLOSING . . .
Mark your calendar for our Back to School Night! For our K-5 families, you can enjoy a personal tour of your child’s classroom and school. For our Middle School families, come experience a 7-period schedule and meet all of your student’s teachers! It will be fun! See you soon.
With Gratitude,
Alyson
First K-5 Assembly of the Year!
The amazing vocal duo Charlie Gosselin and Pearl Mazzetta performed "We're Going to Be Friends" by the White Stripes.
K-5 students learned about our PRIDE values: Patience, Responsibility, Integrity, being Dynamic, and Empathy.
Our middle school Music students welcomed the K-5 assembly goers with live music on the marimbas.
IMPORTANT DATES
- 9/23 - Last Day to Pre-Order Signed Roar for Reading Author Books
- 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
- 10/15 - Picture Retake Day
- 10/7-10/18 - Roar for Reading Fundraiser
- 10/25 - Laurelhurst School PTA Carnival
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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