Astor Connection

Principal's Message

Important Dates

Info, Reminders and Resources for Families

Resources

Volunteering opportunities at Astor

PPS District Fliers

Dear Astor Community,

I hope you all had a restful and rejuvenating winter break, filled with quality time spent with family and friends. As we return to school for the 2025 calendar year, I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of regular attendance. Consistency in being present plays a vital role in student success. The classroom is where learning happens, and every day counts in building on the progress our students have made so far. While illness and unexpected emergencies come up, I encourage families to make every effort to ensure that students arrive on time each day to engage in the exciting learning ahead. As always, you can reach out to our student support team if there are any barriers for your student's attendance at Astor.

As we look ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, I want to share that staffing projections will be released next month. Unfortunately, we anticipate continued budget cuts at the state level. These financial challenges will undoubtedly impact our program. However, our site council, school instructional team, and I will work together to ensure that the final decisions continue to move our school forward in our goals for student learning and closing the racial achievement gap. Advocacy on the state level will continue to be important, in order for state legislators to prioritize education funding in the upcoming budget discussions. As the picture develops for the impact to Astor, I'll share it with our community.

Finally, we understand that some members of our community might be feeling anxious about possible changes coming from the new federal administration, particularly in regard to immigrant rights. Portland Public Schools is committed to keeping our staff, students, and community members safe, and we are here to help: rmd.me/T8ReNjuY65C. Please reach out directly to me at brobertson@pps.net if you have any questions or need support.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our school. I am excited to continue this journey with you as we work together to make this year a success for all our students. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

Warmly,

Blake Robertson

Principal @ Astor

Today, Preston Batarce begins as the PE teacher at Astor! Please join me in welcoming him our community. With Coach K's retirement, we are particularly fortunate to have Coach B right away in order to transition into the 2025 calendar year. You can reach Preston at pbatarce@pps.net.

As part of a previous bond, our security systems are getting an internal common area camera system. Additionally, we'll have several additional exterior cameras added. This system has been installed and is expected to begin capturing video to provide enhanced safety and security for our school's hallways and common areas (not classrooms). Please reach out directly to Pruncipal Robertson at brobertson@pps.net with any questions.

Families for Equity in Schools is hosting a conversation and Q&A with Oregon House Representatives Tawna Sanchez and Khahn Pham to learn more about education funding, update with the legislative budget, and what’s coming down the line during the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session at Faubion on Tuesday, January 14th from 6:30-7:30 pm.

Due Date/Event Date

1/14/2025

RSVP is encouraged, you can sign up for the event here:

You can find information about PPS HR here. The positions below would directly serve our community. Reach out to Principal Robertson (brobertson@pps.net) if you have any questions about these opportunities.

Paraeducator Substitute - (Position Number 26085) This position supports our students throughout Astor and is important for our continuum of services. We are looking for substitute paraeductors whenever our team members are absent for the day. It's a great way to get involved with a wonderful group of educators! Apply at PPS HR or reach out to Principal Robertson for more information at brobertson@pps.net.

Astor students are involved in so many incredible activities beyond the classroom walls! If you'd like to share your student's achievements, then please sent a picture and short blurb for our monthly Astor Connect to Principal Robertson at brobertson@pps.net.

Student and Family Calendar and Handbook

January - Calendar

7th- All K-8 Students released at 3:15pm due to staff PD

10th- Character Trait Awards (k-5) at 2:35pm

17th - Coffee Chat at 8:55am

20th - No School in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

21st - Site Council at 5ppm

24th - Last Day of the 2nd Quarter

27th- No School

28th - No School

29th - Lunar New Year and start of 3rd Quarter - New MS Electives

31st - Character Trait Awards (k-5) at 2:35pm

Our Indian Ed Monthly Newsletter is here

Dear Elementary and K-8 Families, Please note an important change to our attendance process. To enhance our focus on student safety, automated attendance calls through Remind will now begin at 9:30 AM instead of 10:30 AM. To avoid receiving a call, please report your child's absence to the school before 9:30 AM. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, [School Name/Administration

Vaccines play a crucial role in protecting our students from serious illnesses and help keep our community safe. Parents/ Guardians of students who are due to receive vaccines should receive a letter in the mail. Please check if your child’s vaccinations are current, including their recommended flu shot, and contact your medical provider or any of the resources listed below.

Multnomah County Student Health Centers

OHSU Wellness Center

Multnomah County Vaccination Clinic (English)

Clínica Comunitaria de Vacunación Gratuita (Spanish)

Please see this information here regarding student illnesses.

See the Parkour sign ups for after school here.

Join us for Forget Me Not on Thursday, January 16 at 6:30 PM at Franklin High School. Forget Me Not is a moving story about 3-year-old Emilio whose family finds itself embroiled in a challenge all too common for children with disabilities: that of securing the right to an inclusive education. Filmmaker Olivier and his wife, Hilda, turn the camera on themselves and their child as they navigate an often frustrating system on their way toward ensuring that their son gets the education he needs and deserves. Staff, families, community members are all invited. We hope to see you there!

Due Date/Event Date

1/16/2025

Forget Me Not Announcement

Folder with Fliers in all languages

Astor is excited to partner with Portland Backpack in the fall to increase our capacity to support the whole student. Portland Backpack is a nonprofit aimed at reducing hunger in student populations; they provide food sacks for weekend days. Read more about their mission here.

This fall, we'll have an opportunity for families to sign up. Reach out to Theresa with any questions you have at tscottmerrion@pps.net

You can learn more about the right to return program here. Please share with any families that you know might be interested.

The loss of loved ones or any loss can be challenign for our children. See the link for resources at TIP NW (Trauma Intervention Program Northwest): https://www.tipnw.org/

And, additional resources below...

We ask again that community members avoid Yale whenever possible in order to reduce traffic. It will be a Safe School Street again this year. You can learn more info about our traffic flow below and here. Thanks for support with this!

Questions? Contact Shane Nevius, PPS Safe Routes to School Coordinator, at snevius@pps.net or visit pps.net/saferoutes

(Translations are linked here):

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Dear Families and Students,

We are so glad to have you back at school! We also wanted to remind you about actions you can take to stay healthy so you can stay in class and be ready to learn:

• Illness: Please keep your child home when they have symptoms that may exclude them from school.

• Student health conditions: Please update the school and nurse if there has been any change in your student's health condition during the time of the strike.

• Student medications: Please replenish medications that your student may need to receive during the school day. Also, remember to pick up your student’s expired medications from the school.

• State-required vaccines/immunizations: Ensure your student is up-to-date on all school-required immunizations. Students who do not provide proper immunization documentation by February 21, 2024 will be excluded from school. Primary care providers - including Student Health Centers and Multnomah County Health Department - provide no- to low-cost vaccinations to students.

• Access to health care: Multnomah County Student Health Centers and the Benson Wellness Center remain open during regular hours. Student Health Centers are a great place for students to receive sports physicals, well-child visits, school immunizations (shots), COVID-19 testing, vaccines & boosters, mental/behavioral health, age-appropriate reproductive services, routine lab tests, and prescription refills.

Health care coverage/insurance: People of any age or immigration status may be eligible for full Oregon Health Plan (OHP) benefits. OHP is Oregon's Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program. Click here to learn more about eligibility, and to apply or report changes online. Families who do not qualify for OHP can sign up for health coverage during the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period, occurring now through January 15, 2024. Financial help for Marketplace plans also may be available. Find out what coverage and savings you can get - and find free, local help - at OregonHealthCare.gov.

Do you have 1 hour a week to make a difference in children’s literacy lives? Volunteer for SMART Reading at Astor School. Tuesdays, 1:15-2:15 PM. Learn more here: https://smartreading.org. Or contact Greg Dilkes: astor.mu@smartreading.org

Interested in volunteering at Astor! Your child's teacher may have opportunities, but we also have a great volunteering program. Astor Shine is back for it's second year. You can learn more about the program and sign up here. Thanks for your partnership in supporting our programs at Astor!

• Camps, Classes, & After School Programs:

  • Cognizart 31st Annual Young Artists Debut! Concert & Showcase (apply by Jan. 21)

  • USTA Tennis Afterschool Zone at Maplewood (Jan. 14 - Feb. 25)

  • Portland Parks & Rec Teen Force at SW Community Center

  • VIBE of Portland Music & Digital Art Classes for Kids

  • Portland Parks & Rec Environmental Education Nature Field Trips (flyer for teachers)

  Summer Camps:

  • Cognizart 360Arts Summer Camps (Jul. 7-11, 14-18, & 21-25, 2025)

  • OSU Summer Reading Program (Jun. 14 - Aug. 16, 2025)

  Preschool Programs:

  • Multnomah Early Childhood Program Peer Preschool Classes
    (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Chinese) (Russian) (Somali) (Korean) (Arabic) (Persian)

  • Portland Parks Preschool 2024-25

  Community Events & Information:

  • Multnomah County: Common Application

  • City of Portland: 311 Non-Emergency Hotline
    (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Chinese) (Russian) (Somali)

  Vaccinations, Health & Wellness:

  • Oregon Health Plan & Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace

  • Multnomah County: Free Community Vaccination Clinic (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays)
    (English) (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Chinese) (Russian) (Somali)

  • Multnomah County: Student Health Centers (fliers in English, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese):

  • Cleveland HS

  • Franklin HS

  • Jefferson HS

  • McDaniel HS

  • Roosevelt HS