Dear PPS Community,

Next Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 20 and 21) were set aside for educators to conduct family-teacher academic conferences. These in-person visits or online conversations afford a critical opportunity for our educators and families to connect, discuss students’ educational progress, and identify ways to support students’ success.

It is critical that our educators have sufficient opportunity to evaluate student work and complete grading in order to best prepare for these conversations. Given the current strike and closure of school, that time has not been available and, therefore, we need to cancel next week’s conferences.

As a bargaining update, PAT has just responded to our proposal from yesterday, and we are beginning to assess it. Our latest proposals address more planning and preparation time for teachers, strategies for lowering class size, and proactive measures for addressing school building concerns.

Given where we are in the day, though, there will be no school tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 17). Because school was already closed next week, this means our next possible day to reopen schools would be Monday, Nov. 27.

We continue to bargain, and the last few days have left us hopeful for a resolution. Once we reach an agreement with the Portland Association of Teachers, we will be able to decide whether and how to hold conferences at a later date. We will share a full return-to-school plan when we reach an agreement, including when student instructional time or school days may be made up.

We have appreciated your patience and flexibility during this challenging time. We recognize this strike has disrupted lives and are continuing to work towards a financially responsible, student-centered contract that honors our educators.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jon Franco

Chief of Schools