

The Mt. Tabor Tribune
A Weekly Newsletter for the Mt. Tabor School Community
Friday, March 14, 2025
Need Translation?
翻訳が必要ですか? 右側の[ニュースレターの翻訳]リンクをクリックして(コンピューターにサインインしている場合)、言語を選択します。モバイルデバイスから翻訳するには、人物アイコンをクリックして言語を選択します。
需要翻译吗? 单击右侧的“翻译新闻稿”链接(登录计算机后)以选择您的语言。要从您的移动设备翻译,请单击人物图标并选择您的语言。
Cần dịch? Nhấp vào liên kết "Dịch Bản tin" ở bên phải (khi đăng nhập vào máy tính) để chọn ngôn ngữ của bạn. Để dịch từ thiết bị di động của bạn, hãy nhấp vào biểu tượng hình người và chọn ngôn ngữ của bạn.
Нужен перевод? Щелкните ссылку «Перевести информационный бюллетень» справа (при входе в систему на компьютере), чтобы выбрать свой язык. Чтобы перевести с мобильного устройства, щелкните значок человека и выберите свой язык.
Coming up!
March Events
- Mar. 19: Early release at 1:45pm
- Mar. 20: Sapporo students visiting Mt. Tabor
- Mar. 24-28: Spring Break
April Events
- April 2: JRR 2025 Mandatory Mtg. #2, 5-7:30pm, cafeteria
- April 4: No school, grading day
- April 7: No school, teacher PD
- April 8: School late start at 9:30
- April 11: JRR leaves for Japan (returns 4/23)
- April 13: ORR leaves for Pendleton (returns 4/18)
- April 13: ODS leaves (returns on 4/18)
- April 18: ORR returns from Pendleton
- April 18: ODS returns
- April 21: Last day to order a yearbook
- April 23: Early release at 1:45
- April 23: JRR Returns
May Events
- May 1: 8th grade spring pics
- May 6: School late start at 9:30am
- May 13 & 14: Drama performance, "Too Many Detectives...",
6-7:30pm - May 16: Arras FT to Whitaker Ponds
- May 19: Arras FT to Whitaker Ponds
- May 21: Early release at 1:45pm
- May 26: Holiday, no school
Parent Bus Notes
PLEASE HELP WITH WRITING BUS NOTES
Parents, please send your students with a note if you want them to ride the school bus for the following reasons:
Any time a student rides a different bus, is taking the bus for the first time or even wants to get off at a different stop than normal, parents need to write a note to the driver letting them know of this change. The student should bring this note to the office to be initialed by one of the Admin. Assts. before giving it to the driver. Drivers will not accept different riders or any changes to normal stops without parent permission. The drivers do their best to get to know all their riders and their stops so that they can keep everyone safe.
Thank you for understanding!
Final Chance to Purchase a Yearbook!
If you haven't ordered a yearbook yet this year, the deadline for purchasing one is April 21, 2025. Following that date, we will be getting our order number into Dorian, so this is a hard deadline. Parents can check SchoolPay receipts to see if they've paid for one yet. We also have posted a purchase list on the office window for students to check.
You can send cash/check with your student and have them bring it to Ann in the office OR you can go to Schoolpay.com via this link or the square below to make a purchase.
Thank you!
8th Grade Baby Pictures for the 24-25 Yearbook!
Deadline for submission: March 31st
If you are an 8th grader and would like to have a baby photo in the 2024-25 yearbook, please complete the survey at this link below to submit a picture:
8th Grade baby picture submission
Added School Days at the End of the Year
Hello Mt. Tabor Families,
The district has published the following regarding extra school days added at the end of the year:
Due to school closures during inclement weather in February, there will be two make-up days added to the 2024-25 school year.
Students in Pre-K through Grade 11: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 and Thursday, June 12, 2025 will now be the last two days of school for Pre-Kindergarten-11th grade.
Seniors: Because of senior graduation schedules, the last day for 12th graders, May 29, will be extended to a full day.
As a result, the 8th grade Promotion will be on June 12th. More information regarding Promotion will be sent out separately in the coming months.
Thank you!
Go check out our students’ art throughout March at Morrison Street Mini Gallery!
“3 Cups of Tea” is on view at the @morrisonstreetmini throughout March. Examining the artworks, interviews, shared stories of the artists @hzughaib @mohamedhafez & #jacoblawrence, and those they interviewed. Mt. Tabor Art students had rich dialogue about migration, immigration, refugees and shared humanity. “The common thread that connects us all is vastly bigger than the nitty gritty differences…” - Mohamed Hafez. "3 Cups of Tea comes from a Pakistani proverb that says when you share the first cup of tea you’re a stranger, with the second cup you are an honored guest, and with the third cup you become family.” This art will be added to a bigger work of art for a PPS Heart of Portland exhibit at the @portlandartmuseum in April. All art students contributed. #freelittleartgallery #morrisonstreetmini
2024-25 Handbooks
There has been increased interest from students lately as to what is in the MTMS Parent-Student Handbook, specifically regarding personal phones. Please go over school expectations with your student around the use of electronic devices, which can be found in our school handbook by following the link below.
Thank you!
FROM THE PTA
1) The PTA is holding a Bottle Drop Fundraiser to support our teachers/classrooms. Blue Bottle Drop bags will be available in the office for any parents stopping by school or students to pick up.
In support of Earth Week, funds raised through Blue Bags during the specified period (April 15 – 26) are eligible for matching at 20% by Bottle drop.
Oya No Kai News!
INFORMATION REGARDING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES AND SUPPORTS
It is important to PPS that immigrant families feel safe and supported. A number of families have expressed to me and other members of 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.
I 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)
PPS’s Office for Civil Rights offers support addressing discrimination, harassment, and bias-related concerns.
Please contact me at tlongo@pps.net if you have any questions or concerns. I am here for you and your students, and you have my word that, at Mt. Tabor Middle School, we will always stand together to champion our diversity and support the most vulnerable among us.
PIL Athletics
GRANT HIGH SCHOOL
Grant Cheer Tryouts!
Glencoe Elementary Centennial Celebration!
FRANKIN HIGH SCHOOL
Franklin Youth Sports - Winter Game Schedules
Please follow the links to see your student-athletes' game schedules:
Franklin Youth Basketball Schedule
Dance at Franklin!
On April 4th (inservice day), we will be opening up our beautiful studios for a full day of dance, taught by DAF Director Sonia Kellermann, along with several current DAF students. Families can sign up here and they can email danceatfranklin@gmail.com for more information.
ALL PPS MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO MOVE TO STANDARDS-BASED GRADING IN 2025-26
Dear PPS Middle Grades families,
PPS is moving to a new Standards-Based Grading System for all 28 middle schools. The purpose is to provide clearer and more meaningful feedback to students. Some of our middle schools are already using this approach, and research supports its benefits. Our K-5 schools have also made progress in this direction with their report cards.
We invite you to visit our middle grades Standards-Based Grading website at pps.net/sbg. There, you can find updates, resources, timelines, materials, and FAQs.
There will be three family and community engagement events in person and virtually at the Prophet Education Center (501 N. Dixon St.) in the PPS Boardroom. We invite all who have current middle grades students or students entering into the middle grades to these presentations where we will provide updates as well as listen to feedback and answer questions.
Family and Community engagement (Virtual and in person)
- May 8, 2025 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
We believe grades are an important way to communicate with students and families. This new system will make it clearer what students need to do to meet academic expectations.
If you have any questions, please contact Richard Smith at rsmith5@pps.net. Check the website often for updates. We look forward to working with you during this exciting transition.
NOT RECEIVING REMIND MESSAGES or even too many?
We have learned from a number of families that they had checked the box to not receive Remind messages when they did their ParentVue update at the beginning of the year. Please know that all district and school communication will be coming through Remind, so it is important to go in and check to see if you have checked that box.
In addition, if you are receiving what you feel are too many Remind messages, please go into your settings there and select how you would like to receive PPS communication, i.e. text, email, etc.
Thank you!
Statewide Assessments Opt-Out Form
Dear PPS families,
As required by the Oregon Department of Education, we are providing you with the 30 Day Notice and Opt Out Form for Statewide Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics. The notice is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian and Somali on the PPS Research, Assessment, and Accountability website.
Statewide testing is part of our balanced assessment system that offers all students, especially historically underserved students, opportunities to demonstrate their progress. Information provided by student assessments is critical in helping us determine district and school priorities for improving student learning.
If you have questions, please contact your school office.
Thank you,
PPS Research, Assessment, and Accountability Department
FLYERS FOR THE COMMUNITY
Camps, Classes, & After School Programs:
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:
VIBE PDX East Winds Band Camp (Jul. 21-25, 2025, recorded audition due Jul. 10)
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:
Multnomah County Student Health Center Immunization Catch-Up Reminder
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):
TECHNOLOGY REPLACEMENT COSTS
In just the last week, we are seeing a marked increase in students reporting damaged Chromebooks and lost devices.
In this year's back to school packet (and in the Student Verification process in ParetnVUE), families are required to sign the "Required Technology Consent Policy and Acknowledgments form. In that document, it states:
PPS students who are assigned to take home a District technology device are responsible for all damages or loss, whether intentional or accidental and regardless of whether damage or loss occurs on or off District property. Parents/guardians will be fully financially responsibly for any associated cost for damage, loss, or theft, regardless of whether incidents occur at home or at school.
It is important to emphasize with your students the importance of taking care of their devices. This means that binders containing their devices should be kept in their lockers when not in use, and that they use provided tote bags to support transporting those devices around at school.
The current replacement cost for a Chromebook is $515.00 with chargers costing $11.50. Parents are responsible for paying these fees for lost/damaged cords; lost devices or devices damaged beyond repair; and intentional misuse, abuse, willful or negligent damage by the student or any household members.
VACCINATION FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REMINDERS
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE UPDATES FOR 2024-25
Preventing Illness in Our Schools
Dear Portland Public Schools families and students,
As our students embark on another exciting year of learning and growth, we want you to know it is a priority to create spaces where your students feel safe, cared for, and connected to their learning environment. Ensuring a healthy and safe environment for our students, staff, and families is a shared responsibility, and we must continue to work together to prevent the spread of communicable diseases within our school communities.
Prevention continues to be the best health approach to minimize risk for illness and contagious disease. Our 2024-25 Family Guide for Preventing Illness and Contagious Disease in Schools includes practical prevention strategies such as keeping your student up to date with recommended vaccinations and boosters, outlines steps to take if your child is sick and/or diagnosed with a communicable disease, and addresses the current measles outbreak in Oregon. You can expect all PPS schools and facilities to continue regular cleaning and disinfecting, promoting vaccine and booster clinics, providing access to masks and COVID-19 tests, and improving air circulation.
Our schools remain vigilant and work with the Multnomah County Health Department to respond to communicable disease outbreaks and notify affected families if necessary. You may continue to monitor illness activity in our region through Oregon Health Authority’s Respiratory Virus Data dashboards.
We thank you for entrusting us with your students, and for your cooperation in ensuring our schools remain healthy, safe, and productive learning environments. Please contact your school administrator or Let’s Talk with questions about your school’s health and safety protocols.
In service,
Jey Buno, Chief of Student Support Services
Mt. Tabor Middle School
Email: tlongo@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/Domain/143
Location: 5800 Southeast Ash Street, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 916-5646
X: @Tonya_A_Longo