The sunny skies and warmer temps gave us a taste of what's to come as we round out the year. There is a lot at play right now as we plan for end of year celebrations while also shaping the year ahead. I'll share some insight into all of that here. For more detailed information and updates, join me for the next News with Newlyn:
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/rjs-vmda-iqc?pin=8718625634493
Portables Planning
With the news that portable installation is delayed, we are shifting our thinking about making a move out of our current classroom configurations. Talking with staff, I hear our team reflecting that while our situation is not ideal, we are able to make the best of it until the end of the year. If we find out that it's reasonable to make a move to the portables on a time line that makes it worth the time and energy to get it going, we'll do it. The timeline projections right now signal to us that we will be staying put. That's OK. We'll be fine.
Gray Campus Restoration
The project teams on the RGMS Campus are active. When I was there two weeks ago, insulation was going in and preparations were in place for the next phase of the project, which I believe is roof replacement. The upper hall remains the same, and given that the upper hall is accessible intermittently, we are planning to welcome our incoming 6th graders from Hayhurst, Rieke, and Bridlemile to campus on May 24th.
Oregon State Assessment of Skills (OSAS)
We had hoped to move forward with OSAS testing after our move to the Portables. Since that is not happening imminently and the testing window is active, we are in talks with the PPS Senior Leadership Team, including Dr. Franco and Dr. Adams, to either find an alternative testing plan or request a testing waiver from the state. NO testing will be conducted next week. Stay tuned as we navigate this issue.
Budget and Staffing for 24-25
The School Board heard from Interim Superintendent Sandy Husk last night as she presented her budget proposal for next year. The cuts are deep. Some key pieces I want you to know about as I build staffing assignments based on our enrollment projection and staffing allocations. Take a look at the images below. These are some pieces of data I'm using to shape our 24/25 program. Key take aways to note:
- Our overall enrollment is projected to decline by 7 students from this year
- Due to budget decision made centrally, we will not have enough staff to run AVID elective classes or the 6th grade Media Literacy elective.
- We have to provide all students with 3 quarters of PE next year. We have not been given additional FTE to make that happen, thus the adjustment to electives.
- We no longer have funding for our Restorative Justice Coordinator, Miss Jules, nor our Campus Safety Associate, Miss Amanda.
- We will run a 7 period day, which gives students more class time for electives.
- .8 FTE (almost one full time teacher) was cut from our teaching staff allocation
The good news, there were no cuts to our Special Education staffing. We get to keep our Climate Specialist position and our Instructional Coach. Though cuts were made to their allocations district wide, I was able to configure funding to hold onto our Media Specialist and Counseling team. Middle Schoolers need support, and staffing positions will help teachers focus on teaching while we address social emotional issues and academic supports.
The politics of education has forced us to scramble to respond to the budgets cuts we face this year. It will not get better. I strongly encourage you to attend the upcoming PTA meeting on May 15th. Look for meeting information, below. Our PTA sees the dilemma and is ready to share their collective voices.
Last, I'm grateful to our Foundation and to all of you in our community who have donated money to support staffing. The extra funds go a long way to support our program at RGMS, whether we hire staff from it or not. Join us on May 11 at the Cider Mill for our final Gather for Gray event @7pm.
In the meantime, I continue to be impressed with our teaching team. Teachers are providing thoughtful, meaningful instruction. Student behavior tells me that they are engaged and active as learners. Given the complexities of our situation, I am grateful that life at JGray feels stable. Soon students will get their own JGray TShirt - a once in a lifetime memento of something that was never planned for, but has been managed with students at the center.
There's more to read, so scroll down for all the latest in the land of RGMS.
In Community,
Lisa Newlyn - Principal
