MLC Weekly News and Notes 2024-25
September 23-27
Hello, MLC Community! It was great to see many families at Back to School Night! I am curious how the new format felt for our community.
This week we have Senior Night on Tuesday with dinner included! This is a great opportunity to hear about post secondary opportunities and get your students FAFSA going! This will be led by our College Coordinator - Nicole, Career Coordinator - Tanya and High School Counselor - Benner.
Wednesday is our first EARLY RELEASE of the school year. All students will be released at 12:45. Lunch will be served before students are released.
Again - Here is the first edition of the monthly Family Resource Newsletter from our School Social worker, Clement. This is a place to find school and community resources that could benefit you and your family. It includes announcements and supports including food resources, clothing, rent/utility, substance use, student resources, mental health, and crisis/suicide prevention. We are very lucky to have THE BEST support team at MLC!
Warmly,
Suezann & Darren
MLC Calendar
Monday September 23
Tuesday September 24
MLC Senior Night - FAFSA - dinner included!! 5:30-7:00
Wednesday September 25
Early Release @ 12:45 Kx12!
Thursday September 26
Quarter 1 Midterm
Friday September 27
Fire & Lockdown Drill
Coming Soon:
10/2 1x5 Fall Elective Sign Ups
10/3 HS Field Trip to the zoo
10/9 1x5 Fall Electives Begin!
PTSA @6:00 pm
10/11 No school (Statewide Inservice)
10/13-18 Outdoor School for 6th Grade
It's CHESTNUT Season!!
SCHOOL UPDATES AND NEWS
Senior Family Night!
Career Learning and Mentorship Opportunities for 9x12!
We have some really great career learning and mentorship opportunities for our high school students! These are available through our partner, the Portland Workforce Alliance. Click each link for information and application instructions. If approved, students must be excused from school by a parent/ guardian as well as provide their own transportation to and from the event. Reach out to our Career Coordinator Tanya @ tleib@pps.net with any questions.
- Oct 3. Kaiser Permanente
- Oct. 4: Portland Fashion Institute
- Oct. 9: KGW News
- Oct. 17: Turner Construction
- Oct.18: Portland Fire & Rescue Career Day
- Oct. 23: AWS Elemental
- Oct. 24: Microchip Technologies
- Oct. 25: Holst Architecture
1) PWA Future of Nursing Mentor Program: A college-and-career mentor program taking place at local nursing schools and a hospital. Application deadline: Oct. 17, 2024. Learn more here.
2) PWA Youth Impact Council: A paid youth leadership opportunity that combines career development with community service. Deadline: Priority given to applications received by October 17, 2024. Learn more here.
3) ACE Mentor Program: A career mentor program in architecture, construction and engineering. Team projects and real-world connections. Application deadline: Nov 12, 2024. Learn more here.
MLC SITE COUNCIL 2024-25
MLC is looking for new members to join our 2024-25 Site Council.
What we need:
We are looking for three parent/guardian representatives to join with one serving as the chairperson. This would be a representative from:
K-5 (1)
6-8 (1)
9-12 (1)
Parents and guardians of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply!
*Also included for this year are the principal plus three staff members.
What does Site Council do?
Serving on the Site Council is an opportunity to be a school and community leader that can help the identify common goals and assist the school leadership team in achieving those goals, including goals around instructional and enrichment programs
An opportunity to share unique perspectives and knowledge of school and community needs in order to make positive change
An opportunity to share and elevate unique perspectives and knowledge of how well school and district programs are working for students and families
An opportunity to inform the School Continuous Improvement Plan, changing outcomes for the entire school community
The Site Council is an open forum for discussing school and education-related challenges and identifying opportunities for growth in partnership with school leaders, school staff, and other parent/guardian leaders in a whole-school, community-driven approach
The Site Council is not a place to make policy, it is not a political organization, it is not a grievance committee, it is not a fundraising committee, nor is it affiliated with the PTSA or any other organization
What is the time commitment? One virtual meeting per month for 60 minutes beginning in early December and meeting through June.
If there is much interest, there will be a voting process to fill the parent/guardian positions. If you are interested, please fill out this form and you will be sent more information as we get closer to forming.
MLC 1x5 ELECTIVE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – AND WANTED!
It’s time to sign-up to lead an elementary elective for our students in grades 1 - 5. Inviting our families into the building to lead small groups – while sharing their interests and expertise – is a vital part of making MLC a true community.
Please use this Google Form to Volunteer for Fall Electives and communicate your choices with our elective coordinator, Dana Lipson. It includes more details about the program and ideas if you aren’t quite sure what to teach.
GRADE LEVELS, TIMES, and DATES
Fall Term Electives begin the week of October 9th and end on December 11th. (7 classes; no class the week of Thanksgiving or on early release days - 10/23 and 11/20)
1x3: Wednesdays, 2:20 - 3:05 p.m. (45 minutes)
4x5:
Period 1: Wednesdays, 1:30 - 2:15 p.m. (45 minutes)
Period 2: Wednesdays, 2:20 - 3:05 p.m. (45 minutes)
Not ready to teach on your own? Sign-up with a friend to co-teach or get your feet wet by working alongside an MLC staff member. Once you see how much fun it can be, we know you’ll be hooked and come back for more. Likewise, if you can make most of the 7 sessions work but not all of them, talk to Dana! She can find a substitute for a day or two that you must miss.
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CHOICES by September 23rd – though the sooner, the better.
Evening scholars registration is now open for first semester!
If your high school student is behind in credits toward graduation, would rather take a particular graduation required class outside of the regular school day, or would like to get ahead on their graduation requirements, this is an excellent opportunity. Credit advancement students will be placed last as long as there is room in the class.
Classes will be held from Sept. 30 - January 16, 2025
Classes meet from 5:00 - 8:00pm, once per week, for 13 weeks.
All classes are in-person and attendance is required.
Our Evening Scholars sites are: Benson, Roosevelt, , and Franklin campuses.
To register, students must meet with their counselor to review their transcript, and registration is by the counselor
Please contact school counselor, Benner for class options/availability, if you’d like to register, or if you have any questions. Some classes fill up fast so please reach out if interested. gbenner@pps.net
PSAT
We will be offering a school-day PSAT testing opportunity for interested 11th graders next month. Testing will occur at MLC on October 16, 2024.
Last year juniors tested at two different high schools on a Saturday. We hope that by hosting the test at MLC – and holding the session during the school day – the process will be more convenient and comfortable for everyone.
If you're interested in having your 11th grader take the PSAT next month at MLC, please pay the $18 fee on our SchoolPay site ASAP. Students and families are responsible for covering the cost of the tests but fee waivers are available on a case-by-case basis.
A few more factors to consider:
- Juniors who take the PSAT are automatically eligible for National Merit Scholarships
- Students and families are responsible for covering the cost of the tests.
- Fee waivers are available on a case-by-case basis.
- The PSAT is completely optional.
- Juniors will also have the opportunity to take the SAT – at the district’s expense – in the spring.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy
Cell Phones are not allowed in MLC classrooms or anywhere else during class time. They will be locked in a safe zone during each class by the classroom teacher. We will be very vigilant in keeping our classrooms phone free at MLC in order to keep learning distraction free. Please make sure you are discussing with your student prior to the first day. We will have students and parent/guardian sign a no cell phone agreement at conferences for grades 6x12.
REMIND - PPS Communication
Reminder:PPSIsNowUsingRemindToCommunicateWithYou
We want and need to be able to reach you. Remind will be the district’s primary communication tool going forward.
- Set up your preferences for receiving messages
- Download the Remind App
- Learn more about how Remind works
PTSA News
PTSA MEMBERSHIP: Renew or sign up!
To learn more about MLC and the PTSA, check out our annual MLC Family Guide. With schools facing challenges like shrinking budgets and lack of educational equity, the PTSA’s role is more important than ever as we work to foster connections and support critical school needs. All parents, teachers, and students are invited to become PTSA members. Please note that “parents” is a broad category that includes caregivers, guardians, grandparents, and friends of MLC. Join us to grow your village and advocate for our students and community!
To become a voting member for only $12 annually, sign up or renew your MLC PTSA Membership HERE (search for MLC under the Local Unit).
VOLUNTEER: We need you! Yes, YOU!
Support from families is vital to ensuring the MLC magic we’ve come to know and love can continue! There are numerous opportunities to get involved such as volunteering at cherished MLC events, assisting with PTSA fundraising efforts, helping show appreciation to our staff, or having your business collaborate with us on a mutually beneficial partnership. Participation in PTSA can involve as much or as little time as you have to offer. ALL are welcome.
Please fill out the 2024-25 MLC PTSA Volunteer Opportunities form to learn more about how you can become involved. Reach out to Sierra with any questions or suggestions.
AUCTION COORDINATING COMMITTEE: Join the team!
Are you fired up and ready to hit the ground running? We are gearing up for our annual auction, and we need your help to make it a spectacular success! The auction is our largest fundraiser and community building event of the year. It will take place in the spring and typically includes dinner and drinks, a wine wall, 50/50 raffle, entertainment, an online auction, and a live auction. Proceeds help pay for experiential learning opportunities, field trips, school community-building events, student scholarships, educational materials, and school supplies.
We are currently assembling our Auction Coordinating Committee and are on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers with a diverse range of skills. Whether you're a master event planner, a creative mind, a data entry whiz, or someone who loves bringing people together, we want YOU on our team! The time commitment is flexible. Key roles and responsibilities include:
Procuring sponsorships and auction items
Sourcing catering and entertainment
Coordinating buy-in parties
Coordinating class art projects
Designing the website and promotional materials
Data entry
…and most importantly, serving as thought partners to ensure we plan a fun and inclusive community-building event that doesn't feel like a stereotypical stogy fundraiser gala.
We are preparing for our first meeting of the year in October so please email Auction Chair Sierra for more information and/or to join the team!
PARKING FUNDRAISER: Sign up for a shift before the season ends!
The MLC PTSA hosts parking in our school lots for Timbers and Thorns weekend matches and there are just a handful of games left in the regular season! This is an easy and fun way to raise money for our school. Shifts are short and we will be there to teach you everything you need to know. Bring a friend or come make new ones! See available dates and sign up for a shift HERE. Questions? Contact our coordinators, Tammy or Chenney.
SUPPORT
Requests for Support
Ongoing Resources
Art is ALIVE at MLC!
Do you wonder what's going on in the Kx12 Art Room? Art teacher Ned and his students are posting their creations and flops on Instagram at studio_mlc !