The Cheetah Coalition #20

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Dear Parents,

I hope your week went well. We had a great full, 5 day week of school. The next 6 weeks will be prime learning time as we gain the much needed momentum we've been missing all year. Please prioritize sending your student to school. Attendance rates throughout the country have gone down since COVID and at Atkinson school we've been impacted as well. Did you know that almost 37% of students at Atkinson have absence rates that are considered chronic, severe, or acute? These 139 students miss 1-2 days of school every 2 weeks. As you can imagine, the academic outcomes for these students are significantly impacted. Every day in school matters.

Student supervision is also a priority. Here are some reminders:

• We do not provide supervision for students before or after school.
• Breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m. Students participating in this program will be required to stay in the cafeteria until the morning bell rings.
• Students not participating in breakfast should arrive at school no sooner than a few minutes before the bell rings at 8:40 am.
• After school, students in 3rd–5th grade should follow the after school plan that they set up with their parents. We encourage you to have a plan that either provides supervision or gets your child heading home right after school. Students may not remain on campus without adult line-of-sight supervision.
• If you are unable to provide supervision before 8:40 a.m. or after 3 p.m., please access the Champions Before and After School childcare program. You can learn more about their services and costs at discoverchampions.com.

Every child's safety is our number one priority. I thank you in advance for prioritizing before and after school supervision as well as attendance.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Debbie Armendariz

Principal

Atkinson Elementary School

darmenda@pps.net

We are now offering free meals for breakfast and lunch here at Atkinson! Yay! This change took effect on February 1, but ODE has allowed us to apply this retroactively back to January 1, 2024. We will work to change all of the prior meals served to reflect this change and update meal accounts appropriately. Nutrition Services will be sending out communication to families about this change as well as correcting the meal charges made between January 2 and January 31, and will provide information about meal accounts and refund processes once we have the accounts adjusted for January.

This week we have noticed an increasing amount of students this week that are coming just to get a milk. Unfortunately, that is NOT part of the free program. They are all being charged $.50 each time. If a student would like to get a free milk to add to their home lunch they can take a "fruit, vegetable, and milk" and that is considered a "meal" and would be free. Let us know if you have any questions.

2024–25 Elementary School and ACCESS Academy Lottery window will be open February 15, 2024–March 15, 2024. Applications available online HERE starting February 15.

Please join us for the 3–5 Talent Show, this coming Tuesday 2/13/24 at the Franklin High School Performing Arts Center, located on the corner of SE 52nd and Woodward. This week's K–2 show was a hit, and you won't want to miss this all new lineup of acts! Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and showtime is 6 p.m. This is a FREE community event, and all are welcome to come and support our amazing performers.

While you are there, buy a $2 ticket (or 10!) and enter to win one of three fabulous drawings: 3 night stay in an Oregon beach house, Family Fun Basket, or Date Night in Portland Basket. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the Talent Show. Buy tickets now! All proceeds will support Atkinson PTA and events like the talent show. We hope to see you there!

PPS is required to ensure that all students are up to date on all school-required immunizations, or have a signed medical exemption letter signed by a licensed physician or a non-medical exemption, by Wednesday, February 21, 2024 (“Exclusion Day”). Immunizations are required by state law for children and students in attendance at public and private schools, preschools, childcare facilities and Head Start programs in Oregon.

On February 7th, the Multnomah County Health Department (MCHD) mailed a notification letter to all students who are due to receive one or more required vaccinations or who do not have a record of immunization. Students who do not have all their school-required vaccines or a qualifying exemption by Exclusion Day will not be allowed to attend school until their immunizations are up-to-date.

If you have any questions, please contact our School Health Assistant, Vanisha (vsingh@pps.net).

Planning for Atkinson's annual Día de los Niños (Children's Day) event has begun and more planners and volunteers are needed to make it a success! Día de los Niños is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and various other parts of Latin America that celebrates children by recognizing the important role they play in society and promotes their well-being. It is celebrated with festivities that include entertainment, music, games and food. Our Atkinson celebration will be on Friday, April 26 and is sponsored by the Atkinson Amigos parent group and the PTA. Please sign-up here to help plan to help plan one of several stations at our event including food, drinks, games and face painting! If you have questions, please contact amigosdeatkinson@gmail.com.

More information coming soon!

The Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF) is an annual event hosted by the Willamette Light Brigade, a non-profit arts organization. PDXWLF brings art, technology, and inclusivity together, invigorating Portland in the winter. With free admission, the festival fosters community and showcases captivating light installations, projections, and interactive displays, creating an immersive experience for all attendees.

• Monday, February 12 — Virtual Neighborhood Kinder Information Session, 6—6:30 p.m.
  
• Tuesday, February 13 — 3-5 TALENT SHOW, Franklin HS Auditorium, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, February 15 — Virtual DLI Kinder Information Session, 6:30—7:30 p.m.
• February 15 - March 15 — DLI Kinder Lottery Window
• Monday, February 19 — President's Day/Instructional Makeup Day, SCHOOL IN SESSION
• Tuesday, February 20 — Amigos Meeting via Zoom, 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, February 29 — Specials Night, 6—7:30 p.m.
• Friday, March 1 — Kindergarten Registration Opens
• Thursday, March 7 — Principal's Coffee in English, 8:50 a.m.
• Thursday, March 7 — Connect to Kinder, 6—7 p.m.
• Friday, March 8 — Principal's Coffee in Spanish, 8:50 a.m.

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