Leopards Roar ~ Rugido del Leopardo

Estimadas familias de Lent

What an extradinary way to begin the new year. While change can be hard, I have felt a warm welcome and immediate connection to the community here at Lent. Thanks to all who greeted me with kindness and a sense of joy during this change. It has been a wonderful couple of weeks for me as I reignite my dual language immersion passion. I hope to continue to learn more about the wonderful happenings and the vibrant families that make up this community.

Last week we bid farewell to Isidro Interian Ucan; we wish him well on the next stages of his life's journey. This week we welcome back Jim Weeks who will remain with us as Assistant Prinicipal.

Thank you to the 35 families who responded to the Survey on getting to know Lent and what you all are looking for in a leader. It is my hope to embody what is needed and be here in service of the the community.

Directora / Principal

Cynthia Kieffer

MAIN OFFICE ~Oficina Central

Phone: (503)916-6322 Email: stomaskin@pps.net & mpelagio@pps.net

School Calendar

February

2/5 - Report Cards in weekly folders

2/10 - Author Visit, Laura Lee 11:55 -12:40 Grades K - 2nd in Gym

2/12 - Event Dia de Amor y Amistad- Crafting as a family, 3 - 4PM in Cafeteria

2/13 - Event Know your rights

2/10 - 14 - Spirit Week

2/14 - All School Read In -Volunteers welcome (Must already be registered & cleared with PPS)

2/20 - Event Tamale Making

2/25 & 26 - OBOB 3rd - 5th grade with Ann Hanson

2/27 - Event Literacy Night 5:30 - 7:00PM in Cafeteria

Coming Soon:

3/4 & 3/5 - OBOB 3rd - 5th grade with Ann Hanson

3/24 - 3/ 28 - No School for students - Spring Break (Champions Camp available)

Coming up in February …

Author visit

We’re looking forward to hosting author & illustrator, Laura Lee. She will be at Lent, February 10, 2025, to give a special presentation to Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade students about her latest book, Soy Sauce!

The book is available for purchase online through The Children’s Place bookstore.

The author will sign any books purchased ahead of time.

Find out more details about the author visit through our event flyer.

Oregon Battle of the Books

3rd, 4th & 5th grade Lent Oregon Battle of the Book (OBOB) teams will be participating in Lent’s OBOB Tournament taking place in the library during school hours. Tournament days are February 25th and 26th and March 4th and 5th. The winner of the Lent OBOB Tournament will go on to represent Lent at the Regional OBOB tournament on March 15th.

Literacy Night

Don’t forget to come out for Lent’s Literacy Night on February 27th, 5:30-7:00pm!!

This year, our school is continuing to promote positive choices and behaviors through PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports). Last week, students participated in our Expectation Station Rotations, traveling to different areas of the school to practice our schoolwide expectations. We are so proud of how well they demonstrated respect, responsibility, and positive behavior!

Each month, we celebrate classrooms that go above and beyond with special “Golden” trophies representing our specials classes and other recognitions. Be on the lookout for the Golden Shoe (PE), Golden Brush (Art), Golden Mic (Music), Golden Spoon (Cafeteria), Golden Book (Library), and Golden Trash Bin (Clean Classroom). Congratulations to our first round of winners—keep up the great work!

All 5th graders are participating in a “Climate Action Leaders” class this year! Each month, a new group of students from each 5th grade class will be meeting with counselor LeAnne for 4 weeks to plan and implement a mini climate project for the school. This month, leaders have decided to create poster visuals and use them to teach the “reduce/reuse/recycle” process to younger grades. They will then be displayed in the hallways to increase awareness about better waste management. Go 5th grade leaders!

Hello families-

Are you feeling stressed out?

We have two parent support groups each week, one in English and one in Spanish.

Grupo de Apoyo para Padres de Familia en Español- Cada Martes a las 8:15.

Support Group for Parents in English- Every Thursday at 8:15.

Hope to see you there!

We also provide support to families and students with mental health resources. If you are having a hard time and would like help making an appointment with a therapist, please come in and talk to me. I am glad to help you with the process.

Want to volunteer at the school? Contact me and I will help you do the process!

Take care of yourselves,

Elizabeth Sommo

School Social Worker

916-474-9738

esommo@pps.net

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

I want to reassure you that 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.

We 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 ckieffer@pps.net or 971-266-7919 if you have any questions or concerns. I am here for you and your students, and you have my word that, at Lent ES, we will always stand together to champion our diversity and support the most vulnerable among us.

SUN PROGRAM

Hello Lent families!

We are excited to see your students next week (Tuesday, January 21st)! SUN confirmation letters will be sent out this week in the Wednesday Green Folders. If you submitted a SUN form and did not receive a confirmation or waitlist letter, or if you have any questions, please contact Danette.

¡Las clases de inglés para padres han empezado! Las clases son gratis y todos son bienvenidos. Cada lunes en Lent de 1pm-2:30pm. Habla con Danette para más información.

Please join us for our family event on Thursday, January 16th from 5-6:30pm. We will have fun activities and snacks will be provided!

IRCO
The Lent Food Pantry is open again! We are back to our regular hours (3:15pm-4:45pm) on Mondays. All are welcome.

Habrá un taller para saber tus derechos para familias inmigrantes en KELLOGG MIDDLE SCHOOL el martes, 14 de enero, 4pm-6pm.

CHAMPIONS

We have space available in our before and afterschool care program. Reach out to learn more about spring break care and summer programing.

Ms. Whitney Ch001816@discoverchampions.com

Mission Statement

To achieve our vision of excellence and joy, Lent focuses on four initiatives including an Instructional Leadership Team that focuses on grade-level standards-aligned instruction; a climate team that focuses on establishing, communicating, and positively reinforcing behavior expectations that lead to academic success; a social committee that works to build staff, student, and parent community at Lent; a social and emotional learning team that focuses on teaching social skills to support the wellness of the Lent community.

Email: stomaskin@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/lent
Location: 5105 SE 97th•Portland, OR 97266
Phone: 503) 916-6322
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/lentpta/