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The Sabin Star
December 8, 2023 Volume #2 Issue #4
Principal's Message
We are all so thankful to be back at Sabin with your students. The strike was a challenging time and we are glad to have this behind us so we can move forward with the work of educating the next generation of problem solvers, leaders, and positive community members. Your support is important to us and though the challenges of the strike and the accompanying feelings may remain, we recognize that the bottom line is improved outcomes, resources, and facilities: education remains our aim each and every day here at Sabin. If you have lingering questions or need to share a concern, please reach out to us (Principal Michael Diltz mdiltz@pps.net, or Assistant Principal Katy Vawter kvawter@pps.net).
As we move into quarter 2 there are a couple important things to note:
The school calendar has been amended and school will be held December 18-22. The district realizes the inconvenience of such short notice as many families make plans months in advance for the winter break and we have no intention of asking families to cancel pre-existing plans. SImply log the information in ParentVue or call the office and let us know of planned absences. You can do so anytime.
Conferences will be held January 8-11 in the evenings HOWEVER, many of your teachers will be reaching out with various other meeting options depending on the teacher. All conferences will be virtual (if you need an in-person conference please reach out early to your child’s teacher). If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to your child’s teacher.
Report Cards will be sent by Dec 8, 2023.
From the Office
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.
Gifts for Teachers
It's that time of year when we love to shower teachers & staff with gifts.
Please consider giving a handmade card with a special message.
If you would like more ideas, the office has a "My Favorite Things" list
for teachers/staff. Please reach out to me, Ms. Vawter if you have any questions.
I'm happy to help!
Reminders
Start and End Times:
The school day begins at 8:45 am and Dismisses at 3:00 PM
Breakfast begins at 8:20 AM. Cafeteria doors open promptly at 8:20 AM.
Sabin is a safe place for students and families. To keep everyone safe and our campus secure, please remember that all visitors to Sabin must check-in at the front office. All requests for early pick-up should or message delivary should happen by 2:30pm. Please do not interrupt classes in session by knocking on exterior classroom doors to gain entry. The entry to our office is on the north side of the building off NE 18th Avenue. Thank you for your cooperation.
For planned absences, simply log the information in ParentVue, email hmaharry@pps.net, or call the office and let us know.
Please remember to shut the door behind them upon entering any school entrance.
Leaving the door ajar leaves the building exposed which poses a safety issue.
As the days get shorter, and the weather grayer, please be cautious driving along the neighborhood streets. Also, please remember to not block driveways. Blocking driveways poses a serious risk for families that may need to exit for an emergency.
Black & Brown Parent Advisory Council
This is a group made up of Black and Brown parents within our Sabin community. During our monthly meetings we will discuss school events, decisions, spending, and more, through a lens of race and equity. In most school decisions, the majority is considered and the minority opinion is considered as an "other." In order to effect real change, we have to completely flip the way we make decisions. Working in parallel and with full support of the PTA, this group will serve to steer the direction of Sabin School, its staff, students, families and community.
In short - If it does not pass our screening of being beneficial to the culture of our children, then we will not do it, whatever "it" may be!
Any parent, adult family member, or staff of color is invited to participate on this committee. We look forward to hearing from you.
Janessa Willie, MSW
School Social Worker
Sabin K-5
(971) 425-5389
IB Trait: THINKER
Our IB Trait of the month is THINKER. A thinker is someone who takes into account multiple perspectives, thinking their options through. A THINKER approaches problems creatively, critically, and holistically.
Our in person assembly will be on Decemebr 14, K-2 at 1:15 and 3-5 at 2:30.
PTA Corner
Room Parent Spotlight: Sara Lewis
Child(ren):
Henry, 2nd Grade
Room Parent in Ms. Thacker’s Second Grade Classroom
How long have you been a Sabin parent?
Since Sept 2021, when Henry started Kindergarten in Mrs. Wright's classroom.
How long have you been a room parent?
a few months (just this year)
What do you love about being a room parent?
One of the things I love most about being a part of a neighborhood school is the strong sense of community and the lasting friendships that form. I think the role of room parent contributes to this, facilitating connections and communication between families and with the school. I'm happy to take a turn filling that role and being a small piece of the Sabin Community pie.
Fun Fact:
I once played in a competitive Scrabble tournament.
If you would like to be more involved in your child's classroom, reach out to our teachers and room parents! Their infotmation is listed below.
Coming Up...
- Updated winter calendar: Our school schedule has been updated to make up the instructional days students missed over the strike. These upcoming instructional days are:
12/18 - 12/22 (first week of what would be winter break) and 1/26
12/12 Picture Retake day. See flyer below for more information
12/13 - Community Dance Party! Indoors, 5:30 - 7:30
12/14 - 3rd grade field trip to the Arlene Schnitzer to see The Nutcracker. Departing at 10:45
12/14 - THINKER IB Assembly. K-2 at 1:15 and 3-5 at 2:30.
12/15 - 4th grade field trip to the Historical Oregon Society. Depart at 9:00
From the Editor
If you have content you would like included in the next issue of the Sabin Star, please send your content to jvillanuevavillarrea@pps.net by December 21st.