Morning Minute for September 28th

• We will be putting a flyer with instructions in your mailboxes tomorrow (Thursday). 

How to Use the Language Line

For the following languages you can call directly: Somali, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese from 8:00-4:30. Numbers for these languages are on the flyer you will receive.

Need to communicate with a parent/family who speaks a language other than English? The district now works with Language Access Services and in my opinion it is easier to use than in past years. Here is a step by step:

Have parent/guardian contact information (Name and phone number)

Dial 855-238-0222

Provide your first and last name

Provide the contract # PS93322

Provide school Info

Provide language needed

It will take a moment for them to get someone on the line. They  will walk you through everything from here. 

In addition, we are fortunate to have several staff members who can also support with calls to families at times. Please see your staff  phone directory (languages listed there). Be aware they may not be able to make the contact immediately and need to ensure their student facing work is addressed first. 

• We are hearing about the need for additional desks in classrooms. We are asking that everyone take a moment and access their current desk situation. Do you have an extra? If so please put it out in the hallway and we will move it to someone who does not have enough. Do you need a desk? Please email Regina Sun to let her know (or catch her when you can). We will put in an order for additional desks if needed. Also, please be sure you have one for your calm down/reflection space if you don't have a place already. 

• Theresa sent this out, but it can be repeated to avoid confusion: 

As we come to testing tomorrow I know some classes (especially 6th) have many students finished. 

You are welcome to combine classes. For example, Teacher A will take all the students who are testing in from Teacher B and Teacher C. Then Teacher A will send all students who are done testing to Teacher B and Teacher C. 

If you choose to do this: 

1. Please make sure that the activities in the "done" rooms aren't exciting or loud so kids who are testing feel like they are missing out.

2. As students finish testing have them stay in the test space so we don't have a lot of kids in the halls. 

3. Send lists to the office of where all students will be during the testing time so they can be located easily. 

4. Whoever is testing set up the session make sure to do it ahead of time. If you are unable to find a student because you don't have them on your roster, email me the student's name, the test they are working on, and your saved session name. 

I'm not on campus today and am unable to coordinate this. 

You can also choose to just keep all your kids. 

I will add we appreciate your support it this endeavor. I know different schedules are tough!

• A few people have asked about grading for Progress Reports. A lot of information in regards to grading is here:  Systems Slides. We know this is an area we need to revisit through PLCS and other groups this year, but for now this is what we are using. 

Grades are entered in Synergy. 

We grade summatives, not behavior/participation, unless you grade homework at 5% of the total grade homework is not graded either. 

No grades are less than 50%

We don't give Fs. If you are giving a student a D, NG, or NP a comment with reasons for the grade needs to accompany the grade. 

Per Naima grades must be entered by midnight tomorrow. If you need help putting in grades check in with Naima. 

• This went out to families/community this evening: Dear PPS Staff and Community,

The Portland Public Schools contractor Western Exterminator Company will be setting out
rodent bait stations to a limited part of your campus. This letter is to inform you of this event and
provide you with the proper notification as stated in the PPS Integrated Pest Management Plan,
ORS 634.740(3).
Date of Application: 09/27/2023 - 12/31/2023
Target pest: Rodents
Location description: Along the school building and around dumpsters.
What prompted Application: Rodent activity
Chemical Description: Bell Laboratories Inc.
Fast Trac All Weather Blox
CAS# 63333-35-7

All products that we apply have been approved for use in Oregon school grounds by the State
of Oregon. This state wide approval is based on the “low impact” characteristics of the product
as designated by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Peche Barteaux
Risk Management/EHS II
IPM Coordinator
503-916-3505
ipmcoordinator@pps.net