Nightly News for May 26th

 Tomorrow is Friday and then you all have a three day weekend! Thank you for your presence this week. I again want to thank those who have stepped in for their co workers. It makes a difference. 

• I realized I did not put this out formally yesterday. The School Board voted on the SEGC proposal on Tuesday. Harrison Park will become a middle school in the fall of 2023. Students from the Hosford Mandarin Immersion Program, Atkinson, Bridger, and Vestal will be joining our current students. Our K-5 students will move as a unit to what is now Creative Science. One amendment was made to the proposal. This amendment does not impact Harrison Park, but allows current Lent students to remain their for one more year until the building fully converts into a all school Spanish Immersion Program. I am working to set up meetings and discussions around what next steps are. 

• I will be putting out information around end of year packing etc. in the Weekly Forecast. Please note that we will not be providing boxes for staff members to pack up their room unless they are being asked to move into a new space. 

• Tomorrow is the last day of SUN for the year. 

• This was shared with me from our Area Superintendent. Please take a moment to review. I will add if you notice anything suspicious outside the building, at recess, etc. you should alert the office and/or Herk, our Campus Safety Agent immediately. On this note, please let me know if you need support around discussion with your classes etc. I had someone ask me last night what my opinion was around how to discuss these incidents with our students. I am very torn and feel there is not one way...or a right way. We know many of our students may be totally unaware while others are very aware. We have families who want to protect their children from knowing about these evil events and other families who feel it is important to discuss this openly. I know all of us are in different places around our comfort levels being able to discuss etc. There is not an expectation for you to talk about this with students, but if you want guidance, support, etc. please let me know. 

School Safety Reminders:  

The shooting in Texas and the increase in gun violence in our community this year, have understandably increased fear and anxiety for students, staff and families.   Below is a list of reminders on how to keep our schools safe as we finish out the school year.

• All staff should be on heightened alert and extra vigilant while on campuses.

• At the beginning and the end of the school day if more than one entrance is used during arrival and dismissal those entrances must be monitored at all times by teachers, security staff, or administrators.

• When classes begin, entrances with the buzzer systems should be the only point of entry into the school. All of the other doors should be closed and locked.

• All exterior doors remain closed and locked through the entire school day. Staff must not prop exterior doors any time during the school day.  With the change in the weather many exterior doors will not automatically close.  Staff must be diligent to make sure exterior doors are secured when entering and exiting buildings. 

• All staff, contractors, volunteers and visitors must display in plain view a proper district ID badge anytime they are on campus. 

• All school buildings have signs that direct visitors to the front office.  All visitors are required to sign-in at the main office on arrival and sign-out when leaving campus.

• All volunteers must have cleared the PPS volunteer background check prior to serving in a volunteer capacity.

• School staff should positively engage all visitors to the campus, direct them to the main office to check-in and receive a visitor badge. 

• All students should know how to report unsafe situations to a trusted adult.  The SafeOregon tip line is one of the ways students can report anonymously.