Hola Scotties!

I hope this message finds you well and that you are enjoying a fantastic start to the school year! I am thrilled to share that our year is off to a wonderful start, filled with energy and enthusiasm.

Over the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of visiting each classroom and witnessing firsthand the dedication of our students and teachers. It is heartening to see the positive atmosphere in every room, where teachers and students have worked together to establish strong classroom agreements. Our students are clearly excited about learning, which is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our entire school community.

Reflecting on our Successful Schools Survey from last spring, I am encouraged by the feedback we received from our 3rd to 5th graders. The survey revealed some truly inspiring insights:

• 94% of students agreed that what they learn at school is important.
• 91% reported that they enjoy the things they learn at school.

These responses are a powerful reminder of the impact of engaging and meaningful instruction. It is clear that our students find value in their education, and this is something we can all take pride in.

As we continue through the school year, I want to thank each of you for your ongoing support and involvement in our school community. Together, we are creating an environment where students thrive and feel motivated to learn.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further information. Here’s to a successful and enriching school year ahead!

Warmly,

Tiana Ahmann

Our teachers are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to provide the best learning experiences for our students. To ensure that we address any celebrations, questions, or concerns effectively, I encourage all families to reach out to teachers directly. Here’s why this approach is beneficial:

1. Timely and Direct Support: Teachers are often the best resource for immediate and specific information about your child’s experience at school.

2. Celebrating Achievements: If you have positive feedback or celebrations to share, communicating directly with your child’s teacher allows them to know what’s working well from your perspective. It also helps in reinforcing the positive aspects of your child’s learning environment.

Approaching with Curiosity and Positive Intent

When reaching out to teachers, approaching the conversation with curiosity and assuming positive intent can make a significant difference. Here’s how:

• Be Curious: Ask open-ended questions to better understand the teacher’s perspective. For example, “Can you help me understand how my child is doing with [specific topic]?” This approach fosters a collaborative atmosphere and encourages a constructive dialogue.

• Assume Positive Intent: Remember that teachers are working hard to support all students and have your child’s best interests at heart. Approaching conversations with the belief that everyone is working towards a common goal helps maintain a positive and productive relationship.

• Focus on Solutions: Rather than dwelling on problems, work together with teachers to find solutions that support your child’s success. This collaborative mindset helps create a supportive learning environment for your child.

By fostering open and respectful communication, we can work together to create the best possible experience for our students. In support of this partnership, teachers will be sending newsletters every other week with updates from the classroom. Thank you for your continued support and for being active partners in your child’s education.

PPS will have early release at 11:45 for students on Wednesday, September 25th to allow for staff professional learning. This will occur roughly once a month. All students will eat lunch prior to the early release. The early release dates for the remainder of the year are listed below.

Early releases will take place on the following Wednesdays:

October 23rd

November 20th

December 18th

February 26th

March 19th

April 23rd

May 21st

As part of our efforts to ensure a smooth and efficient dismissal process, we kindly request that if you need to pick up your student(s) early from school, please contact the office before 2:00 PM. After this time, our office staff will be fully engaged in supporting the dismissal process and will be unable to accommodate early pickups.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain an orderly and effective end-of-day routine.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

4th/5th Grade Scotties Get on the Bus Soccer Program begins this week

Our 4th & 5th grade Boys & Girls Scotties Soccer Teams will start their season this week. Students were recruited during their lunch time and those who were interested and who had not played in a recreational team before were invited to join the team.

If you want to cheer on our team, please join us this Saturday, 9/14/24 at Wellington Park. The girls team will play at 10:20 AM & the boys team will play at 11:40 AM.

SUN Fall Program Registration Forms coming home by Friday

We are looking forward to our upcoming Fall SUN program which will run for 7 weeks beginning Monday, October 7, 2024, through Thursday, November 21, 2024. Our fall SUN program will be open to 1st - 5th grade students at this time. Kindergarten students will be invited to join us beginning in January during our Winter program.

SUN runs after school Monday - Thursday from 2:30pm - 5:00pm. We have a limited capacity of 50 students per day, therefore most students will only be able to participate 1-2 days a week. Be on the lookout for the SUN registration forms by the end of the week.

For more information about our SUN program at Scott, please visit our page on the Scott Elementary website here.

Urban Gleaners Free Food Market is back every other Monday

The Scott SUN School hosts a free food market every other Monday in partnership with Urban Gleaners and Portland Backpack to provide fresh fruits and vegetables, prepared meals and a variety of pantry items for families in need of extra food support.

Upcoming Dates in September/October: Sept. 23rd, Oct. 7th, & Oct. 21st

Time: 2:20 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Under the small covered area by the K-1 school entrance.

Scott Fall Salsa Music Concert - Friday, September 13th

Please join us at the 3rd annual Scott Fall Salsa Music Concert hosted by the Scott PTA, featuring live music by Son de Cuba. Mr. George our SUN School Manager will be teaching a beginners Salsa class during the concert. If you have never danced Salsa, this is your chance to learn the basics.

When: Friday, September 13, 2024

Time: 6 PM - 8 PM

Location: In the back of the school by the large covered basketball courts.