The Cheetah Coalition #22

Para cualquier otro idioma, utilice el botón "Translate" que se encuentra en esta página.

Dear Atkinson families,

As the instructional leader of our school, it is my honor to support the teaching of literacy skills as a strategy to sustaining our democracy. Paulo Freire famously stated: “Reading the world always precedes reading the word, and reading the word implies continually reading the world.” I believe that it is our responsibility as educators to teach students to read the world as well as the word and that is why I'm excited to introduce you to a fun new literacy initiative spearheaded by our superintendent, Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong.

On Saturday, February 15, Portland Public Schools will be launching its first-ever Golden Key Quest, a citywide literacy scavenger hunt.

HOW IT WORKS

PPS has partnered with the following literacy hubs to make the Golden Key Quest a reality:

• Caldera Arts – 224 NW 13th Ave, Suite 304, Portland, OR 97209

• Third Eye Books – 2518 SE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97202

• Literary Arts – 716 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Students are invited to visit the hubs and look for golden keys hidden inside books. The lucky ones who find a Golden Key should scan the QR code on the key, which will take them to a webpage where they can claim their prize: free family tickets to OMSI!

I hope that our students and families will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

Sincerely,

Debbie Armendariz

Principal

Atkinson Elementary School

Email: darmenda@pps.net

School Main Number: (503) 916-6333

See below for the LGBTQ+ Caregiver Support Guide, and the *newly updated* Apoyando Nuestras Jóvenes - a culturally and linguistically appropriate adaptation. At the request and guidance of PPS LGBTQ+ youth, these guides offer families and trusted adults tools and resources to better understand and support the youth in their lives. This project was made possible by PPS LGBTQ+ youth, local partners, and SAY Wellness, a CDC DASH Grant led by the Health and PE Department.

Report cards will not be printed this quarter. They are now available in ParentVUE. Information about how to view report cards in ParentVUE can be found HERE.

Atkinson site and Atkinson students will not be included in the Summer Acceleration Academy program this year. More information can be found HERE.

We are getting low on office snacks again! You can help us out by purchasing something from the Atkinson Student Snack Wishlist or bringing in healthy snacks that your students like. Thank you so much!

Dear Atkinson 3rd-5th Grade Parents (and students),

The 3rd-5th grade concert is coming up in two weeks, on Thursday, February 20th, 2025 from 1:10pm - to roughly 2:10pm. The performance will be held in the cafeteria during the end of the school day, and will be recorded and played back at the next PTA meeting for parents that can't make it to the daytime concert. The recording will not be shared or posted online.

Best,
Mr. Misha

The 2025-26 Elementary School and ACCESS Academy Lottery and Transfer Cycle will open on February 12 at 8 a.m. and close on March 12 at 5 p.m. (lottery only). Plan to attend an information session to learn about the lottery schools and/or browse their website. A list of schools can be found at https://www.pps.net/Page/17285. Once the transfer cycle starts, the lottery slots will be posted. Click the following link for Dual Language Questions & Answers.

Atkinson's Connect to Kinder events are scheduled as follows:

• Thursday, March 6, 6–7 p.m. (focus on Spanish DLI program)
• Thursday, April 10, 2:45–3:45 p.m.

We understand that keeping up with immunization requirements can be challenging, and we appreciate your efforts in providing the necessary records. As schools, including MESD Nurses and Health Assistants, work with families to meet state-required immunization guidelines, we want to share how this information is used:

• Immunization dates from records provided by families are entered into Synergy for tracking and compliance purposes.

• These records, including the Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form, are securely stored in the student’s cumulative file as part of their education record.

• If a student is not up to date on required immunizations and has not submitted a non-medical exemption, state guidelines require schools to share relevant information with Multnomah County’s Community Immunization Program to support compliance efforts.

• Immunization details are not shared with any outside agencies, including healthcare providers, without permission from a parent or guardian.

Our goal is to support families in navigating these requirements while ensuring that student records are handled with care and confidentiality. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to your school’s health team.

CLICK HERE to read the latest news from the PTA.

Please join us for the 3rd-5th Grade Talent Show, this coming Tuesday, February 11th at the Franklin High School auditorium, located on the corner of SE 52nd and Woodward. Doors will open at 5:30pm, and showtime is 6:00pm. This is a free community event, and all are welcome to come and support our amazing performers!

We'll be selling concessions and tickets to win one of three great gift baskets: Staycation in Portland, Date Night, or Family Fun. Tickets are $2 each and you can buy them now at https://app.givebacks.gives/2025atkinsontalentshow. We hope to see you there!

• Tuesday, February 11 — 3-5 Talent Show at Franklin High School Auditorium, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, February 13 — PTA Meeting in the Cafeteria, 6:30–8 p.m.
• Monday, February 17 — Presidents' Day, NO SCHOOL
• Thursday, February 20 — 3rd-5th Music Performance
• Wednesday, February 26 — Early Release at 11:50 a.m.