Inside This Week's Announcements

PTA Community Meeting - Date Change!

Congratulations to the 2021 OBOB Champs! 

Lents K-8 Fundraiser

Anti-Racism Foundational Lessons

We are beginning those lessons in your child’s classroom, the lessons touch on the following topics: 

Lesson 1 Identity - Who am I?  Students learn what identity means.
Lesson 2 Diversity - We review identity, discuss similarities and differences and the students learn the definition of diversity:  The understanding that each person or group of people is special and unique.  
Lesson 3 Race & Racism - Students learn definitions of race and racism.
Lesson 4 Change & Change Makers - Students learn and discuss how to change something that is not fair.

The Abernethy PTA is recruiting volunteers for the 2021/22 school year!

• Communications Team
• Advocacy
• Basketball Administrator
• Teacher Appreciation
• Tour de Ladd Co-Chair
• Equity & Inclusion Committee Chair
• Finance Team Deposits
• Fundraising Chairs
• Grounds Coordinator
• New Family Connections
• Talon Editor
• Talon Graphic Designer

Teacher and Staff Updates

Congratulations Counselor Jessica! She will be half time with us and half time with Arleta next year. 

Congratulations to Alyssa Edenstrom! She will be teaching 5th grade at Alameda next year! 

Huge ATTA WAY, Jessica & Alyssa!!! 

Sample of student supplies boxes being used during In Person learning

A Writer Pays Tribute to Beverly Cleary

It was Ralph, the motorcycle-riding mouse, and the connection to Levithan’s Matchbox cars that hooked him on another literary pathway. “Claiming a book about a talking mouse as a work of realism might seem like a stretch,” says Levithan, “but Ms. Cleary’s magic was that she placed her flights of fancy so firmly in the lives of her very human characters that reading her stories always feels like soaring through real life.” He read more of her books, and a wide array of literature that he loved and shared with like-minded friends.

“Ms. Cleary spoke the same language as so many kids,” Levithan concludes, “and so naturally. How wise of an author to use a mouse, a motorcycle, and a boy who loves cars to guide me where I needed to go, as a reader, a writer, and a human being.”

Marshall Memo 881 April 5, 2021 10
“Beverly Cleary Helped Boys to Love Books” by David Levithan in The New York Times,
March 31, 2021

PPS Child Care Update

For the most up to date information about child care programs located in schools, please visit the PPS Child Care website. Twenty-one elementary/K-5 schools are hosting child care programs operated by partner organizations. These organizations:

• follow strict Health and Safety Guidelines from the Early Learning Division.
• are fee-based with qualifying families receiving state subsidies.
• enroll students ages 5-12 before and after hybrid instruction and all-day for those students enrolled in distance learning.

In addition, the “Child Care During Hybrid” SOP has been updated to align with ODE guidelines. Families needing child care referrals should contact 211info.

Nancy Hauth, Student Success Program Manager, Early Learners Department

Commonly Asked Questions about Meal Services

Commonly Asked Questions from Families:

Are all meals free for all children?
Yes!  We are operating a USDA child nutrition program that allows us to provide meals at no cost to all children ages 1-18 years.  There is no need to pay.

If I take meals for my child, does it take away from others?
No.  We would love to provide every child with food.  There is no limit to our program - we are reimbursed for every meal we serve.  The more children participate in our program, the more we are able to do - work and pay for our team members, larger purchases and money to our local partners that we purchase from, and better pricing on food and supplies the larger the volume that we purchase.

Why is there so much packaging?
You may see more packaging during this time.  Since our services are so different than our usual cafeteria experience, we are tasked with ensuring food safety.  We will continue to use less when possible, but appreciate your patience during this transition until we can resume our sustainability efforts. 

What types of foods can I expect?
We will have some familiar foods included in the upcoming meals such as the bean and cheese burrito, yakisoba, tamales, etc.  We try to provide a variety of protein options throughout the weeks, that also meet the varying home situations such as refrigerator space and food storage for food safety.  We do try to purchase locally sourced foods when possible, such as the mini cheese pizza that families may have seen recently.  Everyone’s support in our meals supports our team's work, and the local economy. Families can reference our menus online for more information and help guide their students on which days they would like them to participate.  We may have a few substitutions along the way depending on availability. 

Are you hiring?
Yes!  We are in need of assistants to help support our services across the district.  Our job posting can be found on the district website, under Jobs.

Whitney Ellersick, Sr. Director Nutrition Services

Late Arrivals

Health and Safety Reminder - Consent Form

If you are participating in in-person learning and have not already sent this form in, please sign and return by Friday, April 23rd. Teachers will also be sending hard copies home with students. District memo is below.
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Dear PPS Families,

We are excited to see students at schools, starting this Thursday and Friday! We want to share some health and safety reminders with you. All staff and parents/guardians of students are required to:

• Self-screen daily for symptoms of illness before leaving their homes to enter a school or getting on a PPS bus. The Daily Illness Self-Screening Checklist describes exactly what to look for.

• If a staff/student presents symptoms or has been exposed to COVID-19 within the past 14 days, they should stay home and report their symptoms to the school or appropriate supervisor, and contact their healthcare provider.

• In the instance of a confirmed or presumptive COVID-19 case, PPS will follow our Case Protocol, which you can find by clicking here.

COVID-19 Testing Consent Form

As we return to in-person instruction with hybrid, PPS will request consent to test students for COVID-19 from student families prior to the first hybrid instructional day.

• English OHA COVID-19 Testing Consent Form

• Spanish OHA COVID-19 Testing Consent Form

• Vietnamese OHA COVID-19 Testing Consent Form

• Chinese OHA COVID-19 Testing Consent Form

• Somali OHA COVID-19 Testing Consent Form

• Russian OHA COVID-19 Testing Consent Form

CDC recommends a layered strategy to reduce exposures to SARS-CoV-2

Cognizart 360 Arts Camp

Multnomah Youth Commission

OSU Precollege Programs Summer Reading Skills Programs 

PSU Portland Summer Percussion Academy (ages 12-18)