Kellogg Middle School News

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Happy Monday Kellogg families!

Our sixth graders made it to camp early last week and returned on Friday safe and sound. We are hearing stories of great joy and fun things learned, experiences of nature and friends. If you have time, please reach out to Keli Iwamoto, our lead Outdoor School and sixth grade science teacher, she as always did a great job getting our Outdoor School experience organized.

This Week Events

• We have an early release on Wednesday, October 23rd for teachers to attend staff meeting. Student release is at 1:45 pm on this day.
• The Hispanic Heritage Month pep assembly will be this Friday October 23rd from about 2:00-3:00 pm. We are excited to have all of our students together for a celebration of culture and middle school silly.
• Club Day is also this Friday, October 23rd from about 3:00 - 4:00 pm.
• Our first school dance, The Fall Costume Ball is on October 23rd from 5:00-6:30 pm. Please be aware that if your student acquires a level 2 or 3 referral or has more than five tardies in the week of the dance, they will be ineligible to attend the dance. Students who are ineligible will receive written notice prior to the end of the day of the dance.

Kellogg Trunk or Treat

• Our first community event for families is our Kellogg Trunk or Treat from 4:30-6:30 pm in the Kellogg Parking Lot. If you would like to sign up to participate you can do that here.

Supporting Regular Attendance

Our attendance increased from 75% to 76% average daily attendance for this past week. About one-quarter of our students are missing school. Our data shows that about 12% of our students are at the chronic absenteeism level and about 10% are at the severe threshold.

• Chronic threshold absenteeism is defined as missing at least 10% of the total attendance dates. That is to say that if a student is chronically absent they have missed at least three days so far this year.

Research consistently underscores the profound impact of attendance:

• A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that absenteeism is directly detrimental to learning. Studies have found that even missing a relatively small amount of school—such as 10 percent of the academic year, or about 18 days—negatively affects student performance.

• Research published in the American Educational Research Journal indicates a positive and statistically significant relationship between consistent attendance and academic achievement across grade levels. Absences during the middle school years (often classified as lower secondary education) are linked to pronounced declines in academic performance, creating gaps that become increasingly difficult to close. Furthermore, maintaining high attendance rates—specifically 95% or higher—is strongly correlated with a higher likelihood of graduating from high school on time.
• Beyond academic instruction, schools foster essential social routines. Research shows that a positive school climate helps reduce absenteeism, which in turn promotes academic success. By attending regularly, students remain connected to their teachers and peers, fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility that is crucial during the formative middle school years.

In essence, every day a student spends in the classroom is an investment in their future. Supporting consistent attendance helps ensure that your child does not miss out on vital instruction, peer interaction, and the development of the habits they will need to succeed throughout their educational journey.

This edition of the Kellogg Community News includes information about:

• Kellogg community events and happenings
• Picture Retake Day
• Free Dental Screening and Sealant
• News from the Library
• Picture Ordering
• Kellogg Water Bottles
• Kellogg BIPOC Family Night
• Dia de los Muertos
• Climate Project Ally
• Art Room Needs
• Parent volunteers needed to support lunch duty
• SchoolPool
• The Kellogg Family Compact
• The Counselor’s Corner
• PTSA News
• SUN School
• REAP Opportunities
• And much more

Thank you for your continued partnership, involvement, and support. We are grateful for all that you do to help make Kellogg a welcoming, connected, and successful community for every student.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dan Carpenter
Principal
Kellogg Middle School

• October 19th - 23rd, Spirit Week
• October 21st, Early Release Day, School releases at 1:45 pm
• October 22nd, Choir Concert, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Gym
• October 23rd, Club & Assembly Day Schedule
• October 23rd, Fall Dance, 5:00 - 6:30 pm, Cafe
• October 28th, Last Day of Quarter
• October 28th, Kellogg Trunk or Treat, 4:30 - 6:00 pm
• October 28th, Fall Band Concert, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Gym
• October 29th, No School - Teacher Grading Day
• October 30th, No School - Teacher Planning Day

• November 2nd, Kellogg Community Conversations, 9:30 - 10:00 am, Library
• November 3rd, Picture Retakes Day
• November 4th, SITE Council Meeting, 5:00 - 6:00 pm, Library
• November 11th, No School - Veterans' Day
• November 13th, Pep Assembly Schedule
• November 20th, Club Day Schedule
• November 23rd - 24th, Conferences, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
• November 25th - 27th, No School - Fall Break

The following students will be eligible for picture retakes:

• Students who did not have their pictures taken on Picture Day
• Students who bring in a completed picture retake order form and money on Picture Retake Day

It’s that time of year again! Oregon Battle of the Books season is already here!!! If you’re the parent of a potential OBOBer, fill out this OBOB Volunteer form. Registration will open on October 23rd! Keep an eye out for your students’ registration form.

P.S. You can still nominate titles for next year here!!!

In order to help fund our library program, a Table-top Scholastic Book Fair will take place during conferences in the library. Because of my split schedule, I need our amazing school community to help me run it. If you can take a shift or two on November 23rd or 24th, please fill out the Book Fair Volunteer Sign Up Form.

Wow!!! A special thank you to so many for funding my DonorsChoose project!!! The students are already excited about our first round of new books, and the library is about to become an even more hoppin’ place! Keep an eye out for some photos in upcoming newsletters.

If you would like to volunteer in the library, I need people! Can you shelve books? Get new books ready for the shelves? Make displays for the various celebrations we acknowledge throughout the year? LMK here: Kellogg Library Volunteer Form

We have reusable Kellogg MS water bottles on sale for $5 for anyone who wants an easy way to rep their Kellogg Cougar pride while also staying hydrated!

You can order your water bottle online here (https://www.schoolpay.com/link/kelloggwaterbottle) and pick it up in the office, or bring money to Mx. AM in the office and get your bottle right away. We have a limited number available for the time being but have more on the way!

The Climate Committee is requesting flower donations for our annual ofrenda to honor our loved ones for Dia de los Muertos. We will be collecting fresh marigold flowers the week of October 26-28 for display the week of November 2-6.

In addition, we would like to accept copies of pictures of loved ones to put on the altar, please do not give us any original photos (we can make a copy for you) as we will not be returning the photos. Turn these into the main office before October 26th.

Help Students Bring a Climate Change Solution to Life!

Once again, this year, Kellogg students will get $10,000 from the Portland Clean Energy Fund to dream up and carry out a climate change solution for their school — and they get to decide what that solution will be! It could be a ... Bike Bus • Field Trip • Green School Yard • Pollinator Garden • Waste Reduction • Climate Policy Advocacy • And so much more!

In the past two years of funding, Kellogg students have explored local geology and wildlife, expanded outdoor learning opportunities, and taken action to better understand and reduce waste and its impact on their school community.

Now, we’re looking for a parent or caregiver to serve as a Climate Project Ally, working alongside teacher Kati Tobler and the student team. You'll help turn students' big ideas into reality by providing logistical support — getting supplies, communicating with partner organizations, budgeting & paperwork, and taking photos.

4–8 flexible hours/month • $1,000 stipend • Training and support from Eco-School Network

Check out the Climate Project Ally Role Description for details.

Interested? Contact hannah@ecoschoolnetwork.org to apply!

Kellogg is promoting a free carpooling web-based tool called SchoolPool to all PPS households. Carpooling with other families can ease traffic congestion during pick-up and drop-off, and provide options for kids who are not able to walk, bike or roll to school.

SchoolPool is part of Oregon Department of Transportation’s larger Get There program that helps Oregonians find alternatives to driving alone - including finding a carpool match. SchoolPool is only accessible to families that opt in and are verified through their school. This ensures that carpool matches are secure and are not a part of a general public carpool matching system. To join SchoolPool you must opt in through the link below.

Please carefully read all instructions as you set up your account. Or view step-by-step visual instructions here.

Here’s how to begin making connections with other families at your school:

1. Follow this link to opt into SchoolPool: https://getthere.rideamigos.com/s/schoolpool-kellogg-bcg26
2. Log in to your account, or create a new account.
3. After entering your information - DO NOT “join your employer, organization or school network.” We’ve already done that for you, and your household will automatically be connected to your school.
4. Read and acknowledge the disclaimer. Select “Enter the Get There SchoolPool system.”
5. At the top of the page select the orange “school” button. Feel free to manage your household’s information, or select your School and see who is in your neighborhood and network.

Read more about SchoolPool on our web page: kellogg.pps.net/family-resources/schoolpool

For questions about SchoolPool contact your Network Manager: alcruz@pps.net

We will be working on surveying families for input to the Kellogg Family Compact. We will work with our Site Council and PTSA to begin these conversations. Our hope is to have a new Family Compact for our November parent teacher conferences. This important document is an agreement between families and the Kellogg Community. All of this information is taken from the Family Guide.

The link provided here is last year's Family Compact for your review. This can provide a starting point for conversations about what we want our new Family Compact to look like.

The Kellogg counseling staff will be using a digital appointment request this year for all student requests to meet with their counselor. If your student wishes to speak with their counselor, they must arrange an appointment by filling out their the counselor appointment google form.

Counseling Team by Grade

• 6th Grade, last names A-Marte: Ms. Scantling, jscantling@pps.net
• 6th Grade, last names Marti-Z: Ms. Slack, abevan@pps.net
• 7th Grade: Ms. Slack, abevan@pps.net
  
• 8th Grade: Ms. Scantling, jscantling@pps.net

Hi Kellogg Families! If your child or family could use someone to talk to, support with school, or help connecting with resources, please reach out. You can use the Kellogg Social Worker Referral form to get in touch with me. I’m happy to listen and work together with you to find the support that feels right for you and your family.

School traffic circulation maps are visual representations that outline the planned flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic around a school campus during drop-off, pick-up, and other times when school-related traffic is high. These maps are designed to help parents, students, school staff, and drivers understand the most efficient and safe routes for entering, exiting, and navigating within the school premises.

Our circulation maps also include nearby Park and Walk locations. These are sites near the school where families can park or students can be dropped off and walk the remainder of the distance to the school site, reducing car traffic in front of the school and allowing you to skip waiting in the drop-off line while students start the day with healthy physical activity, arriving at school more ready to learn. Some Park and Walk locations are at nearby parks, while others encourage families to use on-street parking within the school neighborhood.

Please utilize Park and Walk locations and avoid dropping off and picking up students at the front of the school along 69th Avenue or in the parking lot.

Please do not pull into and wait for your student in the staff lot. We have buses that are on a schedule to pick up, drop off and run to other schools for the same process after their route at Kellogg.

Action Item

• See image below or click here for Kellogg's circulation map.

Please call PPS Transportation Services at 503-916-6901 or email at transportation@pps.net if you have any questions.

Here is a route change that will start on 10/14.

• KLG227-AP Add stop: SE 92nd Av @ SE Knapp St

If you are uncertain about how to check on your student's grades, missing work and or class work progress, here is a quick how to resource that might be able to help.

If you have not already activated ParentVue, please see the guide linked here for instructions on activating your account! If you need an Activation Key, please stop by or call the front office at 503-916-5707. The front office can also assist in finding your username, re-enabling your account, and resetting your password.

There is a new ParentVue app for mobile devices! Please see the following links for guides on installing the new app, and make sure to uninstall the old one.

• Android
• iPhone

Each year parents and/or guardians are asked to review and update the information on file for their student. This information can be reviewed, edited and submitted online via PPS ParentVUE.

Benefits of verifying online via ParentVUE

• Complete yearly verification of your student’s information
• You can update your communication and language preferences
• Ensures your school has the most up to date information
• Saves paper and time

Come hang out with the SUN team in the Kellogg garden! Our mission is to turn our poor garden into a beautiful place that’s no longer covered in weeds, but instead filled with flowers, fruits, and vegetables!

We meet every Friday after school from 4 to 5:30. All Kellogg community members are welcome! If you’re interested in joining our workshop, please email Cristina at floresc@latnet.org so we can make sure you and your family members have a spot. No experience required!

Dance at Franklin is hosting all-day dance camps for middle school students (current 6th-8th graders) on the following upcoming PPS Inservice days. The cost of attending is $80 per day. You can learn more and sign up here: https://www.danceatfranklin.com/camps

• Thursday, October 29th
• Tuesday, January 26th
• Thursday, April 8th
• 8am-4pm

Portland Public Schools Nutrition Services is happy to announce all students will be able to enjoy breakfast and lunch at no charge for the 2026-27 school year. One breakfast and one lunch will be provided to all students at no charge each day and families do not need to submit a free and reduced-price meal application.

Due to this change in services, our kitchen teams will no longer be able to take cash or check payments. If students bring their lunch from home and want milk, they must choose two other foods – such as a fruit and vegetable – at no charge. Milk can no longer be purchased separately.

Breakfast and lunch menus can be found on the PPS Nutrition Services website.

During the 2026-2027 school year ...

• School officially starts at 9:15 AM and dismisses at 4:00 PM.

Throughout the school year there are Staff Meeting Days and Early Release Days.

• On Staff Meeting Days, school officially starts at 9:15 AM and dismisses at 4:00 PM.
• On Early Release Days, school officially starts at 9:15 AM and dismisses at 1:45 PM.

Click here for the 2026-2027 District calendar.

• Staff Meeting Days are noted with **.
• Early Release Days are noted with a clock icon.

At Kellogg we are proud of our schoolwide expectations as they provide our students with safe, structured, and productive learning environments. Please take the time to review some of our expectations below.

Cell Phones and Technology Devices

Cell phones and all personal technologies (e.g. apple watches, gaming devices, wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers, etc.) are expected to be off and away during the school day. Students are expected to keep cell phones and technology devices turned off and put away in their lockers. Personal technologies and cell phones should not be on student's person in the hallways, restrooms, and at lunch recess. If a student is spotted with a cell phone or technology device, it will be immediately confiscated and taken to the front office. Students with repeated cell phone or technology violations to this expectation will be placed on individualized cell phone and technology plan.

Bags and Backpacks

In alignment with many other middle schools in the District, all bags and backpacks must be stored in lockers during the school day. Backpacks clutter classroom spaces and items are frequently lost or stolen unless they are stored safely in a locker. Students will use their binders to carry their learning materials throughout the school day.

Learning Logs

To help students stay organized and keep track of important dates and deadlines, students will be issued a Learning Log. Be sure to check your student's Learning Log regularly to stay up-to-date with your student's assignments, tests, and other announcements. Learnings Logs will also serve as the student's hall pass when students leave the classroom during non-transition times. It is critical that students do not lose their Learning Log.

Toys and Valuable Items

Students should leave all toys, valuable items, and any item that can cause safety concerns or distractions at home. Leaving these items at home will ensure items are not lost or stolen.

Closed Campus

Kellogg is a closed campus. All visitors must check-in at the front office. Students must be signed out and picked up by a parent or guardian with ID before 3:45 in order to leave campus before dismissal time. Additionally, our school will not accept DoorDash, Uber Eats, or other deliveries to students. Parents and guardians are welcome to drop off lunch items for their students at any time.

Student safety, well-being, and learning are our top priorities. If you ever need to speak to a teacher, counselor, administrator, or any staff member, please call the front office or e-mail the individual directly. Unannounced meetings are often difficult to accommodate as school staff have tight and busy schedules. Right before school, right after school, and lunch times are the busiest times in schools as most staff members are on duty to ensure student safety. Thank you for your support and understanding!

Kellogg is on Social Media. Please check us out on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. We are new to this after taking some time off of social media and so please reach out if you want to see something families might need on our socials.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok