PPS PreK Family Newsletter
November 2026
November brings colder weather and so much more...
- Family engagement events including weatherization, coffee chats with the principal, and story times
- Dental screenings at all PreK schools
- Teacher conferences
Keep reading for more information and details about happenings in November!
The first round of teacher conferences with families is coming this month, are you ready? Often parents wonder what to ask their teacher during conferences, especially when their child is in preschool. Below are some questions to support a full conversation with your child's teacher, in preschool and beyond.
Social and Emotional Development
- How does my child interact and play with peers (sharing, turn-taking, and making friends)?
- How does my child react when they feel frustrated, confused, or when rules change?
Classroom Habits and Independence
- How independent are they with self-help tasks (like using the bathroom, washing hands, or packing up belongings)?
- What are their favorite activities or centers to pick during free play?
- Do they seem comfortable and confident asking an adult for help when they need it?
Physical and Cognitive Milestones
- How is my child progressing with fine motor skills (such as holding a crayon, cutting with scissors, or stringing beads)?
- What does their gross motor play look like on the playground (like running, climbing, or pedaling)?
Supporting Learning at Home
- What specific skills or routines should we practice at home to reinforce what you are doing in class?
Upcoming Changes to OHP
Changes coming soon
Work or activity rules: Starting in Jan. 1, 2027, at renewal some adults ages 19 to 64 may need to show proof of:
• Work
• School
• Volunteer activities
• Meeting an approved exemption
Renewal changes: Starting in late 2027, some adults ages 19 to 64 will renew every six months. All other members will renew once a year.
Get ready
1. Update your contact information, any of these ways:
• Go to benefits.oregon.gov
• Call 1-800-699-9075 (relay calls welcome)
• Visit an Oregon Department of Human Services office. Find a local office at ODHSoffices.oregon.gov
• Find an OHP assister who can help at oregonhealthcare.gov/gethelp
2. Reply to renewal notices
Health care resource - Explore Health
No matter what coverage option is available to you, you can count on coverage that will be there when you need it. All plans available through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), OHP Bridge, and Explore Health cover:
- Immunizations
- Wellness check-ups and preventive care
- Maternity and newborn care
- Mental health care and substance abuse treatment
- Prescription drugs
- Reproductive health services
All care through OHP and OHP Bridge is free. Cost sharing may apply to Explore Health plans.
Oregon Health Plan (OHP) is available to low income kids and adults regardless of immigration status. Coverage is free and includes mental health, routine dental, and physical health.
OHP Bridge is available to adults with income above OHP income limits. Coverage is free and similar to OHP.
Explore Health Medical and Dental Insurance Marketplace health coverage is available - often with financial help. Your cost depends on your income, age, where you live, and the plan you choose.
Preview your options using the Plan Guide on ExploreHealthOR.gov.
With fall comes colder weather and rain...which usually means more time indoors and stronger chance for germs to spread! This month 46% of reported absences were children being sick or going to the doctor for being sick.
Below are some tips to keep you children health during this season:
- Get enough sleep. Preschoolers need around 10-13 hours of sleep each day, including regular nap time.
- Encourage water. Provide water throughout the day to keep children hydrated.
- Stay active. Children play at school and should stay active at home as well. Even when the weather is cold make sure your child goes outside everyday to enjoy the fresh air.
- Wash hands often. Washing with soap and water before and after eating, after using the bathroom, and after playing outside.
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Teach you child to cough or sneeze into their elbow or a tissue rather than their hands.
Fatherhood Impact with Mike Hall
Listen to Out in the Hall podcast to Hear hosts Keri and Tim talk with Mike Hall, whose 25 years of father engagement began when it was still called “male involvement.” Living on a farm with a firsthand perspective of frontier Head Start, he’s also become popular for the cow photos he shares on social media.
- Listen in: He’s specific about how family and father engagement relate, what happens to a child’s verbal skills when dad reads aloud, and the reach of working in both English and Spanish.
- The impact: Mike’s case for embedding father engagement across programs comes down to what it means for children, in the classroom today and across a lifetime. “As a dad,” he says, “you don’t high-five anyone or you’ll high-five everyone.”
All PPS Job Openings are viewable at the PPS Employment Opportunities Webpage: https://www.pps.net/departments/human-resources/employment-opportunities
- Clarendon/Boise-Eliot/Rosa Parks/Sitton - Job ID 29612
Creston Annex/Faubion/MLK - Job ID 29608
Kelly Center/Grout/Lent/Whitman - Job ID 29606
Sacajawea/Marysville/Sunrise - Job ID 29610
- Clarendon/Boise-Eliot/Rosa Parks//Sitton - Job ID 29614
Creston Annex/Faubion/MLK - Job ID 29609
Kelly Center/Grout/Lent/Whitman - Job ID 29607
Sacajawea/Marysville/Sunrise - Job ID 29611
Parenting in the Age of AI: What Families Should Know
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday life, and parents may wonder how to use it thoughtfully with young children. For children ages 3–5, the most important thing to remember is that technology should support relationships, not replace them. Here are a few things to consider:
Use AI as a parenting tool. AI can offer ideas for play activities, understanding developmental stages , explaining big feelings, or responding to challenging behaviors. Use these ideas as a starting point and adapt them to your child's individual needs.
Relationships come first. Young children learn through warm, responsive relationships with caring adults. Your presence, comfort, conversation, and shared play cannot be replaced by a chatbot, robot, or screen.
Help children understand the difference between people and technology. At ages 3–5, children are still developing their understanding of what is real and pretend. They may not fully understand that AI does not think, feel, or care the way a person does. Use simple, clear language to explain that AI is a computer tool, not a human friend.
Be thoughtful about what children see and hear. AI-generated videos, stories, and images may contain confusing, unrealistic, or inappropriate content. Preview content, choose age-appropriate resources, and watch or explore together when possible.
Take control of autoplay! Did you know you can turn off the setting that automatically plays the next video on YouTube or the next episode on Netflix? This simple change helps you decide what your child watches and when screen time ends, rather than letting the next video start automatically. For preschoolers, choose a show together ahead of time and turn off the screen when it ends. This makes it easier to transition to play, reading, or time together.
Keep play and connection at the center. Prioritize opportunities for children to move, imagine, explore outdoors, play with others, and have conversations with you. These everyday experiences build language, social-emotional skills, and healthy development.
Learn more: ZERO TO THREE offers helpful guidance on AI-generated content and early childhood: AI Slop and Early Childhood.
1. Voter Registration and Ballot Drop Boxes
Did you know there are four regularly scheduled election dates in Oregon each year?
- 2nd Tuesday in March
- 3rd Tuesday in May
- 4th Tuesday in August
- 1st Tuesday after the first Monday in November (this year - November 3, 2026)
Are you registered to vote? Not sure? Click here to check or update your voter registration. Did you know you can still register to vote even if you don't have a permanent address? Click here for more information. Looking for an official Ballot Drop site? Click here for a list of sites in Multnomah County.
2. Need child care during the school year?
Ready to search on your own? Click here to enter your information and receive a list specific to your needs!
Questions? Comments?
Email: prekprograms@pps.net
Website: pps.net/earlylearners
Text/phone: 971-706-1806
Know someone with a 3 or 4 year old? Apply now!