4/16/25

• 4/16 - PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
• 4/23 - Early Release, School ends at 1:45pm
• 4/30 - Parenting Information Workshop w/ Howard Hiton (see below for more info) at 6:00pm
• 5/5 - 7th Gr Field Trip (5th/7th/8th period Social Sciences)
• 5/7 - 7th Gr Field Trip (1st & 2nd period Social Sciences)
• 6/10 - 8th Grade Oaks Park Field Trip
• 6/11 - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony @ Wells HS *****DATE CHANGE*****
• 6/12 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

• Click here for the full RGMS calendar

Hey Hey Robert Gray -

The sunshine this week has been GLORIOUS! It has been so rainy and gray the last 6 weeks, and this was just what we all needed to fuel us. Students are eating outside and enjoying playing games. We know the rain will return, but we are enjoying this weather while we have it!

After a small technical glitch, we will begin forecasting for our current 6th and 7th grade students next week. Please talk with your student to see which enrichment classes they might be interested in forecasting for. This is exciting for our 6th and 7th grade students as they begin to think about what next year will look like.

The 11th Annual HeART of Portland opens tonight at the Portland Art Museum. This two week fine arts showcase features work from students across Portland Public Schools. Our very own Harper Schwindt will have her artwork featured as part of the exhibit. Congratulations, Harper!

One last thought, we are noticing that some students are bringing large drinks (Starbucks, Dutch Bros, etc) into school when they come in the morning. Students need to finish these drinks before they come into the building. We have had spills and they are proving to be a distraction for students as they go to first period. If your student is stopping by to get a speciality drink, remind them to leave enough time to finish before they arrive to school. We appreciate families reinforcing this message with their children.

In Community,

Lisa and Robin

8th grade students photos were taken the morning of April 16. Order now on mylifetouch.com with your student's ID number or the Picture Day ID: EVT4JXSWX.

The Ida B. Wells Booster Club is hosting Spring into A(u)ction on April 25 at the Multnomah Athletic Club and we would like to invite all our rising Guardian families to attend. By attending the auction of your future Guardian, you are joining in on the fun, meeting others from our community and making a positive impact on our school!

The purpose of the Ida B. Wells Booster Club is to help student programs advance, foster community spirit and raise funds to complement the Ida B. Wells High School student body. Our Booster Club supports Athletics Teams, Organizations and Student Clubs by providing grant funds for critical needs not covered by the PPS budget. Booster Club grants have paid for needs such as camps, conferences, specialized training, equipment, student scholarships, tournaments fees and much more.

You can buy your tickets or donate here. Hope to see you there!

Attention 7th grade students -- You are cordially invited to attend Benson in Action Tech Show: April 17 & 18; both nights open from 6-9PM

Middle School Information Session: 7PM each night

546 NE 12th Ave•Portland, OR

Portland’s premier four-year career-technical education focus high school offers the academic rigor and the practical training that prepares students for college and the highly skilled, highly paid 21st-century workforce in:

• Communications Design Academy • Health Sciences Academy • Tech Skills Academy

• Including AP courses and 34 classes for college credit

Benson invites you to see their brand new state of the art building and learn more about our programs and whether Benson Tech might be a good fit for you in your high school career. Our lottery opens in the fall of 2025, so now is a good time to come take a look and think about if you want to apply as an 8th grader to join us your 9th grade year.

Students will begin taking their OSAS tests in a couple of weeks. Our tentative RGMS testing schedule is as follows:

• Reading OSAS- the week of April 28th
• Science 8 OSAS- the week of May 5th
• Math OSAS- the week of May 19th.

Student test results allow teachers and families to see student growth over time. Results are analyzed when determining opportunities for acceleration as well as to identify areas where students may need additional support.

Here is the link to the PPS page about testing opt outs.

“Many aspects of American schools are not sympathetic to boys.” said Eli Newberger, who wrote The Men They Will Become and is a professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.

“Their robust behavior, physicality and translation of anxiety into inattention is frequently pathologized and demonized.”

Nationally and locally boys make up two-thirds of those in special ed classes, they represent 70% of middle school and high school discipline referrals, and their dropping rates of graduation and college attendance are cause for concern. We know that relationships hold the key to improving boys’ health and academic performance. But how do we establish and maintain connections with boys?

Howard Hiton, a local expert on boys’ development, will lead this workshop which will explore biological, social, and cultural factors that effect boys’ development. Specific skills for communicating with boys will be presented. Howard will utilize power point, video clips, and interactive activities to engage participants in a lively and challenging look at boys.

April 30th at 6:00 in the RGMS Library.

Promotion is right around the corner and celebrations are in the works. The 8th grade promotion committee is looking for parents to submit TWO photos of their child; 1) A current photo from this year. 2) A baby/toddler photo.

You can email photos to the promotion committee at this email address: rgms8thgraders@gmail.com

If you can, please include the teens (or teen’s) name so we can do our best to make sure each 8th grader is represented.

Thank you!

Due to the snowstorm in February, the last day of school has been moved to June 12. The Promotion ceremony will be held on JUNE 11 at Wells High School.

Please remind your student to charge their Chromebook each night and bring it to school every day. There are not enough "loaners" for the amount of students that are leaving their Chromebooks at home. Students need their Chromebook for almost all of their classes.

2024-2025 RGMS Family Handbook.

2024 RGMS Student Handbook

Parent Guide to Canvas

Parent Guide to the Remind App

Parent Guide to ParentVue

Remember to give plenty of time when picking up your student early. It takes them time to get from their classroom to their locker and then to the office. It takes even longer if you come during lunchtimes. You can call the office, 503 916 5676, when you are on the way to give your student time to get all their things.

Only use ParentVue to report absences that are for the full day. That is all ParentVue will let you do. If your student will be absent part of the day or just tardy, please email grayattend@pps.net. Be sure to include your student's full name, date of absence and the reason for the absence.

• Our PTA meeting is this Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 6:30pm. Join us in the library at RGMS or via Zoom. The standing zoom meeting info follows:

• Link to Zoom Meeting

• Meeting ID: 847 8223 9102

• Passcode: 368760

• Join us on Wednesday, April 30 day in Salem to build community & advocate for our schools. RSVP Here

• You'll have the chance to:

• Connect with parents & community advocates

• Speak directly with your legislator

• Demand full & equitable funding for public schools.

• Have your voice heard!

• On May 20, Portland voters will consider the 2025 School Bond, referred by the PPS Board of Education. Our community, and kids, will directly benefit from the following should the bond pass:

• Repairs & Upgrades: Fix aging roofs, heating/cooling, plumbing, electrical systems, elevators, and more in elementary and middle schools.

• Safety Improvements: Enhance security systems, fencing, and seismic safety.

• Modern Learning Environments: Rebuild Cleveland and Ida B. Wells High Schools, update curriculum and tech, and upgrade classrooms.

• Expanded Extracurriculars: Improve athletic and performing arts facilities across several schools.

• If approved by voters, the tax rate would continue to be approximately $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, the level targeted by the 2017 bond

• To learn more, visit: https://www.pps.net/2025Bond

• If you’re able, please donate $25 to support our PTA here.

In the spring, we know lots of students want to go home with their friends to hang out after school. Sometimes that means, that students will ride home on a school bus with their friends. Bus drivers can only have students on the bus that are ASSIGNED to that bus and will not allow them to board the bus.

But, the school can issue a school bus pass that gives a student permission to ride a bus they are not assigned to. In order to do that, students need to bring a signed parent note to the office and Peggy or Geniver will issue a bus pass. WE ASK THAT STUDENTS BRING THESE NOTES TO THE OFFICE BEFORE LUNCH! It makes the process go so much smoother when we have time to write passes and get them to students. We appreciate your help!

What is School Pay?

Throughout the year we will use School Pay as a way for families to pay for a variety of things. At the beginning of 2nd semester, we are asking families to consider making small donations to offset printing costs for student planners, handbooks, class supplies and other curricular tools.

Check ParentVue for you student's schedule and donate as you are able. Donation items are grouped by grade level.

School Pay is a convenient way to pay school donations with a debit card or credit card. Use this link, https://pps.schoolpay.com/, to enter the School Pay site. Set up an account if you don't already have one.

Dear Families,

Good oral health is vital to your child's overall well-being! Here are some easy steps to keep

your child's teeth in top shape:

✅ Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.

✅ Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth.

✅ Limit sugary snacks and drinks to prevent cavities. Water is the best choice for your child’s

teeth!

✅ Visit the dentist regularly (every 6 months) for checkups and cleanings.

Untreated dental problems can lead to pain, missed school days, and difficulty concentrating.

If your child needs dental care resources, we are here to help! Feel free to reach out for more

information on affordable dental services, including:

● Free dental care through PCC

● OHP dental services

● Resources from the Oregon Dental Association

Message from the School Nurse

Jennifer Novack, RN, BSN, NCSN

School Nurse Resources on the Robert Gray Website

Our website’s "School Nurse" tab has helpful information to support your child’s health throughout the school year. Please visit the website regularly to stay updated on important health announcements.

Return-to-School Guidance:

• Fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication

• Vomiting and diarrhea symptoms should be improving for at least 24 hours

Other Tips:

• Consider wearing a face covering indoors during respiratory illness season

• Stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccinations

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly

• Stay hydrated and eat balanced meals to support immune health

• Ensure your contact information in Synergy is current so we can reach you promptly if needed

Warmly,

Jennifer Novack, RN, BSN, NCSN

Use this link to the School Nurse and Health Room Services Webpage for lot's of good information for parents.

Interested in having your student tested for COVID at school? Use this link to access the form. Fill out and return:

• Drop it off in the office
• Email a digital copy to Nurse Jennifer Novack at jnovack@mesd.k12.or.us

Buy your yearbook online by using https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/

Using the Yearbook ID code: 14931525

Yearbooks are just $20

Gray's counselors are Lisa Hyde, A-K & Laureen Held, L-Z.

Lisa Hyde - lhyde@pps.net

503-454-6829

Laureen Held - lheld@pps.net

971-231-4621

You can also contact them through this link: https://bit.ly/2024-25RGMSCounselorHelp

Get text alerts about school closures, delays, emergencies and school events:

Text YES to 68453

Email: lnewlyn@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/gray
Location: 5505 Southwest 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 916-5676
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertgraymiddleschool
Attendance Reporting: grayattend@pps.net