Home of the Chargers!

Website: ms.parkrose.k12.or.us
Location: 11800 Northeast Shaver Street, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: 503.408.2700
Twitter: @PMSPSD

Greetings Charger Families and Students -

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family safe and healthy. Hopefully you have been able to enjoy the nice weather and have had a relaxing summer. I especially hope that you have stayed safe and healthy during this time. I want to say a warm welcome to all of our incoming sixth grade families. We are thrilled to have you join our Charger family and we look forward to getting to know each of you throughout this new year. As we get prepared to enter a new school year, we are saddened that we will not be returning in person to begin but also so excited to see what this year has in store for our students. Our staff have been hard at work all summer planning curriculum as well as exploring new technology and learning new ways to bring education to our students at a distance. Please read through this entire newsletter (we know it is a little long) but it is packed with very important information that you will want to have as we dive into the 2020-2021 school year. Stay safe, stay healthy! We are Parkrose Strong!

We know many of you have questions about the upcoming school year. I will be offering three community Q and A sessions. The intent of these meetings is to provide our families with information regarding our plans for Comprehensive Distance Learning. There will be information regarding students schedules, access to technology, school supply pick up times and support services we will provide for our students this year. At the end I will open it up for a question and answer session so that families are able to ask questions regarding the start of the school year. In order to help us best prepare for these listening sessions we are asking that if you have questions, please take a moment to complete the survey below. We will compile the questions and I will answer as many as I can. Thank you for your continued support and patience as we work through this together!

WHEN:

Wednesday, Aug. 26th, 2pm

WHERE

Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77914107152?pwd=K2hScVM2b3hhcFpITi9maVpWZGJwZz09

MORE INFORMATION

Log In Information:

Meeting ID: 779 1410 7152

Passcode: pD9Kqk

WHEN:

Wednesday, Aug. 26th, 6pm

WHERE

Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75270151694?pwd=a1F2WkUzRzBrTjVnZzc3S0hOOTNTQT09

MORE INFORMATION

Log In Information:

Meeting ID: 752 7015 1694 Passcode: Hrqt0U

WHEN:

Thursday, Aug. 27th, 10am

WHERE

Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73334918987?pwd=NVlyVFVCNS9CYVBhQTlHaTYydk1TUT09

MORE INFORMATION

Log In Information:

Meeting ID: 733 3491 8987 Passcode: 7Xz7FY

**Spanish Translation present for this session

You will be receiving a packet in the mail in the next week or so that has information that you need as well as some requests for information that we need. In your packet you will find:

• Student Verification Form: if you have ParentVue: please take a moment to review the information for you and your student and update anything that is incorrect. if you do NOT have ParentVue: please reach out to Eleisa Perry (eleisa_perry@parkrose.k12.or.us) to get that information. We also ask that you make any changes necessary on the Student Verification Form and get it back to the middle school, you are welcome to drop this off at the main office or use the enclosed envelope in the packet.
• Transportation Registration Form: if your student will be riding the bus when we return to in person learning we will need this form completed and returned, this can be turned in to the drop box located at the front of the school or by using the enclosed envelope in this packet.

As we get closer to the school year starting with our Comprehensive Distance Learning plan, we recognize that technology may be a need. We will begin distributing Chromebooks the week of August 24th to any 2020-2021 Parkrose Middle School student who is in need of a Chromebook. The dates we will be distributing Chromebooks are listed below:

• Wednesday, August 26th from 11:00-1:00pm
• Saturday, August 29th from 11:00-1:00pm
• Wednesday, September 2nd from 11:00-1:00pm
• Saturday, September 5th from 11:00-1:00pm

We will be distributing technology during these times in front of Parkrose Middle School. Please remember to wear a mask and practice social distancing during the time you are on campus.

If you are in need of internet access, we have a limited supply of T-Mobile hot spots. When you arrive to pick up your Chromebook, please identify that this is a need and we will work with you to get internet access.

Our staff has been hard at work since June to ensure that we are able to provide students with an improved educational experience that supports growth, higher level thinking and collaboration. Below is a visual of what our schedule will look like as we begin distance learning this fall. You will see that there are many different times that students will be able to access teachers, class and collaboration with other classmates. Some important things we want to point out:

• You can expect your student to engage the same amount of time in each class virtually as you would expect from them during in person learning.
• Office hours are set for teachers; during which time students will be able to check in to get additional information on assignments, ask clarifying questions, get support, and stay connected.
• Each student will be assigned a staff member to work as a case manager; checking in to ensure students are staying engaged, feeling supported and on-track towards graduation no matter their grade level.
• We want everyone to know that coursework for the following week will be posted by 12pm (noon) on the Friday before, allowing for students and parents/guardians to know what is being expected the following week.

You will hear two words quite often as we discuss/talk about class time for students this coming year:

• Synchronous Time - this is teacher facilitated, peer collaboration class time when students will be able to get instruction on assignments and work with classmates to complete coursework
• Asynchronous Time - this is more flexible time, still allowing for peer collaboration with structured support from a teacher. This time can also be completed individually to as students work to complete coursework

Below you will find the schedule for our 7th and 8th graders and then also the schedule for our 6th grade students.

We will be hosting a Back to School Night drive thru prior to school starting. We will continue to keep you up to date on when this will occur. Please know that during this time students/families will be able to come through the parking lot at the Middle School to grab supplies needed to complete assignments during distance learning, meet teachers (while practicing social distance), pick up a school planner, and more. Stay tuned for more information!

If you left items in your locker and did not pick them up last spring you are invited to come to Parkrose Middle School this week to pick up these items. Please come to the main office during the hours of 8:00-4:00 and our front office staff will assist you with getting your items. Please remember to wear a mask and practice social distancing while on campus.

Parkrose School District in collaboration with Elevate Oregon & Resolutions Northwest will be hosting a virtual Youth Community Dialogue on August 20th, 2020 that will:

• Center youth voices
• Connect youth with one another
• Strategize for youth collaboration and action
• Provide space for ideas, community building, and support

This space is geared towards current Parkrose middle school and high school-age students, yet any current and former Parkrose student under 20 can attend.

Please sign up individually. If an adult is accompanying a youth, we ask them to do so as a listener. Strategies for youth/adult collaboration and partnership will be a dialogue to come later.

Click below to learn more and register for the event:

• English
• Español
• Tiếng Việt
• Pусский

If you have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and are in need of financial support for rent, food, utilities, etc. please fill out the below survey. Our SUN partners through IRCO will be working to provide financial relief to our Parkrose families in need.