The Panther Press

Nichole R. Watson - Principal

Liz Garcia - Principal Secretary

Chelsea Lopez - Registrar & Family Liaison

Website: www.prescottelementary.com
Location: 10410 Northeast Prescott Street, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 408-2150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottPanthers/
Twitter: @Prescott_School

Dear Prescott Students and Families,

I am excited to welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year at Prescott Elementary!

I hope your summer break was filled with all of the moments that truly make you happy and whole! I spent the majority of my summer in Ghana on the Continent of Africa for four weeks! I had the most incredible experience of my life. I tried local foods like Waakye, Ampesi, Banku and of course Fufu! I tried goat in my Groundnut Soup and learned how to make Jollof Rice and Fried Plantains. YUM!

I visited historical monuments like Black Star Square and a buzzing market called Makola where much of the locals make their treasures by hand. I played with monkeys in a sanctuary and washed my locs (hair) in West Africa's highest water fall, Wli.

I laughed until my stomach hurt; and danced like no one was looking to Afrobeats and Amapiano. Needless to say, I truly had a life-changing experience and I'll never be the same!

As we embark on the first days of school, I am thrilled to begin this year from a cup that is full and runneth over with all of the moments that make me happy and whole.

See what I did there?

But, it's true! When we began this journey in the 2020-21 school year, we were in the height of the pandemic and trying to find our way around the distribution of technology and WiFi hotspots. For returning Prescott families, we met on a virtual screen or from a distance during my Welcome Parade through the neighborhood. I was (and still am) proud of us for how we showed up for one another and our community. I called it my "Freshman year!"

The 2021-22 school year was our transition back to in-person learning. We began the school year in Cohorts (A & B) to gradually ease back onto campus. Sophomore year was a true test of our resolve! We learned terms like synchronous and asynchronous in no time. We discovered the use of QR Codes and social distancing. Air hugs were hard but we certainly made the best of them; and the face masks! I was (and still am) super proud of how we managed the mask mandates with all of our varying beliefs about COVID and vaccinations.

Last school year, as a Junior, I felt our campus begin to truly harness our superpowers! We launched our student orchestra, ENCORE where 3rd, 4th and 5th graders learned the violin and music theory and showed out for our Spring Performance! We also launched our Student Leadership opportunities for intermediate students to participate in Safety Patrol, Junior Coaches and Student Leadership Council. We revived our coveted Wednesday Electives and sent our 4th graders on their first overnight camping experience as a part of Prescott Outdoor Education!

Like any 12th grader, I am ready for Senior year as your proud and committed principal! As I head into my fourth year as your servant-leader, I am more energized and inspired than ever! I believe that our babies will arrive to a campus that is ready to receive them and all of what they bring everyday. And I am honored that you trust me to be here along their journey.

Beginning this week, teachers and staff have been campus engaging in an intense week of preparation, professional developments and planning as we ready classrooms for our first days of school. The energy on campus is already electric with new and returning staff that are just as excited as I am for the start of this school year!

There's just something in the air this year and we have ALL the feels!

Below, I will share some important information about first days of school, our new K-5 arrival process, the new school calendar and Back to School Night!

Don't forget our COVID Dashboard has evolved into a more comprehensive website offering more campus-specific information that we know is useful to families. Check us out!

www.prescottelementary.com

Don't forget to follow us on social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter and interact with us! And tag us in your photos to be reposted on our official sites!

Enjoy the last week of summer break Prescott! I can't wait to squeeze you tight on our first days of school!

Go PANTHERS!

In Service to our Children,

Principal Nichole Watson

All of our Panthers in 1st through 5th grade will begin school on Tuesday, September 5th. The school day is from 8:00am to 2:00pm. We serve breakfast at 7:50am until 9:00am. Students should be picked up promptly at 2:00pm at either the Upper Playground (near 105th Street); or Primary Playground (near 102nd Street). If you arrive after 2:10pm, please pick up your students from the main entrance.

At Prescott, we provide a soft-start for our incoming Panthers in Preschool and Kindergarten. This gives parents and families an opportunity to ease their children into their first school experience.

KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION:

All Kindergarten students will have an opportunity to meet with our two Kinder teachers (Mrs. Brown and Mrs. McElhaney) on Tuesday, September 5th and Wednesday, September 6th. We call these meetings, "Intake Assessments" where our teachers spend time observing students at play in small discussions to determine the best learning environment for their development.

We will provide language interpretation on Wednesday, September 6th for non-English speaking families.

Families will receive confirmation of classroom placement on Thursday, September 7th!

And we are excited to offer an optional Open House for all Kindergarten families to come and ask questions, see our learning spaces and get more information about the upcoming school year. Our Kindergarten Open House is Friday, September 8th at 1:00pm.

Kindergarten Team:

Mrs. Brown (abbey_brown@parkrose.k12.or.us)

Mrs. McElhaney (deedee_mcelhaney@parkrose.k12.or.us)

PRESCHOOL INFORMATION:

All Preschool students will receive a home visit from our Preschool Teacher, Ms. Lis the first few weeks of school. It is very important that we guide our Preschool families through the experience of "school."

Ms. Lis is deeply passionate about building authentic and trusting relationships with the families she serves. She is committed to a learning space that serves all children and their right to be curious about the world they are in. Through guided play and project-based learning, Ms. Lis and her team work tenderly to develop a loving classroom environment that feels more like an extension of their wildest dreams than a mere classroom. We are truly lucky to have Ms. Lis as a part of our children's learning experience.

Please expect a phone call or email from her in the coming days to schedule a home visit.

Preschool Team:

Ms. Lis (lisset_oneill@parkrose.k12.or.us)

Elizabeth Rose (elizabeth_ulmer@parkrose.k12.or.us)

Ms. Leticia Becerill (leticia_becerillferrusca@parkrose.k12.or.us)

Join us on Friday, September 8th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm for an informal

Open House for our Kindergarten students and families.

As our Kinder teachers (Mrs. Brown and Mrs. McElhaney) begin calling families

to schedule Intake Assessments, we thought we'd provide an

Open House to welcome you and answer any questions.

Food and refreshments will be provided!

If you have a tradition of taking "First Day of School" pictures of your child(ren) on their way to school, tag us in the photo on Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be reposted!

https://www.facebook.com/PrescottPanthers

Or send your photos to Principal Watson directly!

nichole_watson@parkrose.k12.or.us

PRESCOTT HAS A NEW DROP-OFF LINE DURING MORNING ARRIVAL!

Our arrival process has changed for the 2023-24 school year!

This change will impact all students Kindergarten through 5th Grade!

This change does not impact Preschool!

School arrival bell rings at 8:00am

Students will be permitted to enter through the Cafeteria at 7:50am

School dismissal bell rings at 2:00pm

Students will not be permitted to leave campus until 2:00pm

*unless otherwise arranged by a parent/guardian

ARRIVALS K-5

• All students in Kindergarten through 5th grade will enter at the Cafeteria Entrance near 105th Street
• Students will eat breakfast in the Cafeteria at their classroom table
• Breakfast will be available until 9:15am everyday
• If students decline breakfast, they will head directly to their classroom

Please take an opportunity to review our new arrival process for all students in Kindergarten through 5th grade.

How it Works:

• a). Walk child(ren) to the Cafeteria Entrance (near 105th Street)
• b). Drive through the Drop-Off Line to deliver child(ren) at the "Drop Off Zone" (see map)

DROP-OFF LINE PROCEDURES:

The image above shows an aerial (top down) view of our campus. There will be orange cones lining Prescott Street near the mid-way point of the campus; just before you reach the Prescott Elementary School pole. This will create two lanes on Prescott Street for traffic. One lane will remain for passing traffic heading East. The other will create a designated lane for dropping off students.

PLEASE only enter the Drop-Off Line from Prescott Street heading East (towards 122nd). A staff member will be available everyday to assist with a steady flow in the Drop-Off Line. Please, please, PLEASE be patient while we all adjust to this new process and the time it will take in the mornings. Remember to have grace with one another as we're all on our way to morning obligations that require our attention and presence. Let's model Beloved Community for our children as we interact each day.

• Enter the designated Drop-Off Lane and proceed forward slowly.
• Continue forward slowly until reaching the safety “Drop Off Zone"
• Please pull ALL THE WAY to the front of the “Drop Off Zone,” even if there is no one behind you.
• Make sure the passenger door is unlocked and that your child(ren) have all of their belongings ready when they reach the "Drop Off Zone." This will ensure everyone a smooth and steady flow in the lane.
• IF appropriate, the aides or volunteers who are working as valets will ask for a visual sign that it is okay for them to open your vehicle door to assist students.
• Please follow the hand signals and instructions of those working the Drop Off Line.

DO NOT cross the yellow line, while heading West (towards 102nd) to park on the wrong side of the street - Even if you are not disrupting the Drop-Off Line. This is very unsafe and we must consider the well-being of our community as we navigate our arrival and dismissal processes.

Principal Watson or a designated staff member will be onsite to assist with ensuring our safety.

Thank you!

ARRIVALS (Preschool)

• All Preschool students will enter at the Primary Playground (West) entrance near 102nd Street. Ms. Lis, Elizabeth Rose and Ms. Leticia will meet all families at the West Entrance.
• Students will eat breakfast with their Preschool classmates under the covered area on the Primary Playground as a part of our daily Soft-Start.

REMINDER:

Kindergarten students begin on Monday, September 11th. Mrs. Brown and Mrs. McElhaney will host Kindergarten Intake the first week of school.

Preschool students begin on Monday, September 18th. Ms. Lis and the Preschool Team will reach out to families about home visits. Parents/families will receive information directly from Ms. Lis

DISMISSALS (Preschool-2nd Grade)

• Preschool through 2nd grade students will line up under the covered area at the Primary Playground (nearest 102nd St) for pickup
• Students riding the bus will be escorted to the bus pickup location (105th St)
• Students walking home, will be permitted to leave after checking out with their classroom teacher at dismissal
• Please complete the Student Traveling Home Alone Form for students who should be permitted to walk home
• Students with older siblings will be walked to the Upper Playground to wait for pickup (Parents/Guardians can inform their classroom teacher which playground they'd like to pick up all of their children)

DISMISSALS (3rd-5th Grade)

• 3rd-5th Grade students will line up under the covered area at the Upper Playground for pickup (nearest 105th St).
• Students with younger siblings will wait for them under the covered area for pickup. (Parents/Guardians can inform their classroom teacher which playground they'd like to pick up all of their children)
• Students walking home, will be permitted to leave after checking out with their classroom teacher at dismissal
• Students riding the bus will be permitted to walk to the bus pickup location (105th St)
• Please complete the Student Traveling Home Alone Form for students who should be permitted to walk home

Kindergarten & 1st Grade:

9:55am - 10:15am (Recess)

10:15am - 10:40am (Lunch)

2nd Grade & 3rd Grade:

10:25am - 10:45am (Recess)

10:45am - 11:10am (Lunch)

4th Grade & 5th Grade:

11:05am - 11:25am (Recess)

11:25am - 11:50am (Lunch)

A huge shoutout to Schoolhouse Supplies for donating ALL of our school supplies this year for every student at Prescott Elementary! We are so excited for students to receive their own back-pack and supplies the first week of school.

If you have already purchased school supplies, GREAT ... we can actually never have too many glue sticks and pencils. Trust us! Just know that there will plenty to go around this year!

Thanks again Schoolhouse Supplies!

We are excited to have NEW hydration stations installed on campus over the summer! There are currently three (3) stations where students can fill up their water bottles or Hydro Flasks.

We encourage all Panthers to bring their favorite water bottles or Hydro Flasks to campus with them everyday! Please reach out to your classroom teacher if you have specific questions.

SAVE THE DATE!

Are you ready for the 4th Annual #ParkrosePedal?

An annual community cycling event where traditional cycling culture

meets "Bike Life" culture and the outcome is an

incredible display of everything you ever wanted on two-wheels!

We're building a local movement within educative spaces to

include all forms of cycling culture ... you should join us!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 7th

ALL wheels are welcome! Use a loaner bike or bring your own!

More information coming soon!

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