Welcome to Kindergarten

Dear Incoming Kindergarten Families,

On behalf of our entire staff, it is my absolute joy to officially welcome you and your child to the Scott School community!

At Scott, we pride ourselves on being a diverse, joyful, and vibrant school community where every child is celebrated for who they are. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and exciting environment where your kindergartener will love to learn, grow, and make lifelong friends.

It has been an absolute pleasure getting to meet so many of you at our Connect to Kinder events throughout this winter and spring. Seeing the excitement in our future students' eyes (and meeting their wonderful support systems!) has made us even more eager for the upcoming school year.

We simply cannot wait to welcome your family through our doors. Transitioning to kindergarten is a beautiful milestone, and we are here to partner with you every single step of the way. Keep an eye on your inbox later this summer for additional details about the start of the school year.

Enjoy these beautiful summer months, and get ready for an incredible year ahead. Welcome to Scott!

Warmly,

Tiana Ahmann

One thing that makes Scott School special is that we are home to two distinct programs working as one. Whether your child is part of our English Scholars neighborhood program or our Spanish Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, we all share the same hallways, playground, and school spirit. We bring together students across program through cross-age buddies, shared field trips, recess, lunch and some grade levels even share students for some content lessons. We take pride in this unique blend; it ensures every child grows up in a diverse environment where we normalize differences and reinforce that everyone belongs in our community.

If this is your first experience with kindergarten it can be hard to know what to expect. The truth is that no amount of information can truly prepare you for what is about to happen, because stepping into school for the first time impacts children in many, sometimes unpredictable, ways. The big idea is that however you and your child are feeling about this new adventure, we are here for you!

Here are a few things about the first days that may be helpful to know:

• The best way to support your kindergartener academically is to continue reading together, taking them on adventures, and talking about what they are seeing and feeling. These shared moments naturally broaden their vocabulary and help them learn to name their emotions. Over time, these meaningful conversations build the confidence and resilience your child needs to embrace any new experience.
• However your child behaves before and during the first days of school is normal. There is no 'right way' to feel about kindergarten.
• The same is true for you. 😊
• If your child is feeling emotional at home or on their way to school, bring them to us anyway. This feeling is common and we are very used to supporting children who have a hard time saying goodby to their loved ones. Once at school, the quicker you say goodbye, the quicker your child will settle.
• Your child might be particularly cranky or wound up at the end of the day for the first number of weeks. Your child will be working hard to learn new routines, become familiar with new people and get used to following directions all day. That's hard work! You can help them by keeping school nights as unscheduled as possible.

The kindergarten schedule is busy! Each day includes:

• Literacy, math and science/social studies/health instruction
• Guided play
• Core enrichment: music, PE, library or art
• Breakfast (10 min) and lunch (20 min)
• Two recesses (15 min each)

Our Kindergarten Ramp-Up is designed to give your child a gentle, confident start to their school journey. Here is how we will prepare together:

1. We want to connect with you: Teachers will be calling to introduce themselves and learn a little bit about your incoming student and how to best serve them. These calls will last about 10 minutes and take place between 8-2 on Wednesday, 8/26/26. Please keep your phones nearby! Each kindergarten classroom will then host an open house style classroom visit from 2:45-3:45 on 8/26/26. This will allow you and your child an opportunity to meet the teacher and visit the classroom.

2. A "practice run" for your kindergartner: Your child will get to attend one full day of school in a smaller group (half the class) before everyone starts together. This smaller setting is the perfect, low-pressure environment for them to practice routines, make friends, and build up their confidence!

• Children with last names of A-L will come for a full day on Thursday, 8/27.
• Children with last names of M-Z will come for a full day on Friday, 8/28.
• All students will come for a full day beginning 8/31.

Leap into Kindergarten is a free Portland Public Schools summer program hosted right at Scott School, specifically for families entering kindergarten. This initiative helps incoming students practice school routines and foundational literacy with teachers while offering valuable workshops for parents and caregivers.

Families are highly encouraged to attend all four sessions, which run from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on the following dates:

• Session 1: Monday, 8/10/26

• Session 2: Tuesday, 8/11/26

• Session 3: Wednesday, 8/12/26

• Session 4: Thursday, 8/13/26

Here are the links to register:

ENG

ESP

Building consistent attendance habits in kindergarten sets the foundation for your child's entire academic journey. In these early years, school is about more than just lessons; it is where children develop essential social skills, learn how to navigate routines, and build confidence in a classroom setting.

Missing just 10% of the school year—about 18 days (or just 2 days a month)—even for excused absences, puts children significantly behind their peers. This is considered chronic absenteeism.

According to data compiled by Attendance Works, only 17% of children who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade went on to read proficiently by the end of third grade, compared to 64% of students with regular attendance.

Research from organizations like CASEL and the National Center for Safe Supportive Learning Environments demonstrates that consistent attendance allows children to practice crucial social-emotional competencies—such as emotional regulation, problem-solving, and relationship building. When children miss school, they miss the predictable, daily routines that build a sense of safety and self-management, making them more vulnerable to peer isolation and school-related anxiety.

Attendance matters. Every student. Every day. Especially in kindergarten.

While we want your child to be with us every day, there will be times when they are unwell and need to stay home. Here are times when it is recommended to keep your child with you:

• Fever: temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or greater
• New cough illness
• New difficulty breathing
• Diarrhea: three loose or watery stools in a day OR not able to control bowel movements
• Vomiting: two or more episodes that are unexplained
• Headache with stiff neck and fever
• Skin rash or open sores
• Red eyes with colored drainage
• Jaundice: new yellow color in eyes or skin

Click the link for more information, including when to send your child back to school, in English or in Spanish.

Do you need to report a student absence for the day? A future absence perhaps? Does your child have an appointment? Please use our attendance line or ParentVue if you answered yes to these questions.

This significantly helps reduce calls to the office in the morning thus creating the space to support bus/transportation issues, student and staff needs, and prepare the the building for arrival.

Scott Attendance Line: 503-916-6368

Parentvue: https://www.pps.net/Page/2341

Welcome to a new school year! We’re excited to partner with you to ensure every student has a safe, calm, and successful start and end to each day. Please take a moment to review our updated arrival and dismissal procedures carefully:

Morning Arrival (Supervision begins at 7:45 AM)

• Staff supervision for all grades begins at 7:45 AM. Please do not drop students off earlier, as there is no supervision available before that time.

• Kindergarten & 1st Grade: Students will enter on the back side of the building under the lower covered area and go directly to the cafeteria for breakfast, where their teachers will meet them.
  🔹 We kindly ask families to say goodbye at the door to help promote independence and ensure school wide safety.

• 2nd & 3rd Grade: Students will line up by class under the large covered area along 66th Ave, where staff will supervise and guide them to class.

• 4th & 5th Grade: Students will enter through the exterior gym doors under the lower covered area and line up by class in the gym.

• All students have access to free breakfast on their way to class!

🛑 IMPORTANT TRAFFIC REMINDER:
There is absolutely NO drop-off or parking on 68th Ave.
This area is reserved for school bus access only. Vehicles in this zone during arrival or dismissal create serious safety hazards and disrupt bus flow. Please help us keep students safe by using only the designated drop-off areas.

🕗 NEW this year: The exterior back doors will close promptly at 8:00 AM when the bell rings.
Students arriving after 8:00 AM must enter through the front office and will be marked tardy.

• For the safety and focus of our learning environment, the front lobby door (at the top of the ramp) will remain locked until 8:00 AM.

🎒 Our school day starts at 8:00 AM sharp with important community-building activities that set a positive tone for learning. Arriving on time ensures students feel connected and ready to learn.

Dismissal – Begins at 2:30 PM

• Kindergarten & 1st Grade: Dismissed by teachers from the lower covered area.
  🔹 Teachers will not release students until they have visually confirmed the designated adult and verified with the student.

• 2nd & 3rd Grade: Dismissed by teachers in the upper covered area.

• 4th & 5th Grade: Dismissed to the blacktop area.

🚨 IMPORTANT:

• No pick-up or parking is allowed on 68th Ave at any time. This area is strictly reserved for school bus access.
  Vehicles parked or waiting in this zone create serious safety risks.

• 🔹 Families may not wait on campus during dismissal.

• 🔹 You are welcome to wait on the public sidewalk until the dismissal bell rings. This helps us maintain a secure and orderly campus.

🕐 Dismissal Changes:
If your child’s dismissal plan is changing, you must notify the teacher and office by 1:30 PM.
This ensures we can communicate the change safely and clearly with staff and students.

⛔ No early pickups after 2:15 PM.
This policy helps us maintain a calm and secure end-of-day routine for all students.

⏳ Late Pick-Ups:
Students who are not picked up by 2:37 PM will be brought to the front office.
They will need to be signed out by an adult. Please be on time so that staff can transition safely to after-school responsibilities.

Thank you for your attention to these procedures and for helping us create a safe, predictable start and end to each school day. Your support means so much!

Having community members in the building makes a real difference for our students, who truly benefit from having a wider circle of adults to learn from and connect with.

We've got loads of volunteer opportunities both in and out of the classroom. Supporting during math, filling Friday folders, popping popcorn, delivering weekend food bags, supporting our food pantry, making copies, watering plants, changing our reader board - if you've got an interest, we've got a way you can help.

Before adults are able to come in to support our students, they need to have completed the steps to become a volunteer. Steps to becoming a volunteer can be found at this link. It takes some time to hear back about the background check: the sooner you get the process started, the better.

Take a look at our Volunteer Handbook for more information. We can't wait to have you in the building!

We kindly ask that all toys be kept at home unless a teacher has specifically communicated that they may be brought in for a special occasion or incentive. This helps us minimize distractions and keep our focus on learning throughout the day.

Please know that if a student needs help focusing, our teachers have a variety of classroom fidgets and tools available to support them.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support!

Portland Public Schools Nutrition Services is happy to announce all enrolled PPS students (with the exception of charter school and CBO students) will be able to enjoy breakfast and lunch at no charge for the 2026-27 school year. Families do not need to submit a free and reduced-price meal application.

Breakfast includes an entree, choice of fruit, and milk. Lunch includes a choice of entree, milk, and unlimited fruits and vegetables. Students must choose at least three foods, with one food being at least a 1/2 cup of fruit and/or a vegetable. If students bring their lunch from home and want milk, they may choose two other foods – such as a fruit and vegetable – at no charge. Milk can no longer be purchased separately. Access to nutritious meals is a crucial component of student success and well-being, and we are thrilled to be able to provide this for our students.

We are deeply committed to providing your child with an exceptional education, and we know that the best learning happens when home and school work as a team. To build this strong partnership, keep you connected to your child’s daily experiences, and ensure we are collaborating every step of the way, here is what you can expect from us regarding communication:

• Biweekly Family Newsletter: You will receive a school-wide update with big-picture news, important dates, and upcoming events via Parentsquare.

• Biweekly Classroom Newsletters: At least once a month (and often more frequently!), we will send out classroom-specific updates highlighting what the kids are learning, photos of daily activities, and specific reminders.

• Teacher Email Response Time: We know your time is valuable. If you reach out to a teacher via email, you can expect a thoughtful response within 24 to 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays).

Communication is always welcome, so please never hesitate to reach out if you have questions, ideas, celebrations, concerns or just want to chat about your child's progress.

School Phone Number: 503-916-6369

Tiana Ahmann, Proud Principal, tahmann@pps.net

Sandra Reyes, Bilingual Administrative Assistant, sreyes@pps.net

Sarah Lewis, School Secretary, salewis@pps.net

Rosi Sanchez Marquez, School Social Worker, rsanchezmarquez@pps.net

Ben Hildner, Bilingual School Counselor, bhildner@pps.net

Candor Wallace, School Counselor (TH/F), cwallace@pps.net

Vienna Vance, School Psychologist, vivance@pp.net