This spring our students will be taking the Smarter Balanced State tests and completing the final MAP assessments. School districts are required to provide notice of the state test and to provide opt out information. Please see below for that and more:

WHO, WHAT, WHEN AND WHERE:

Who: All scholars will take the Smarter Balanced tests in math and English language arts (reading, writing). 8th grade students will also test in science.

Why: The tests measure how much students are learning and where support is needed.

When: Tentatively set for late April (math) & early May (reading).

What: Instead of only multiple-choice questions, the tests also use audio clips and illustrations that help students apply their knowledge and critical thinking skills to real-world situations using the computer. Personal headphones are strongly recommended.

— The test results are NOT used to “hold scholars back.” The results help show where more support, resources or teacher training is needed. The district also uses the results to identify students who qualify as Talented and Gifted (TAG).

— Scholars with special needs: The test is given in English. The test includes supports for students who are learning English and/or have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Supports include such tools as a translated glossary for English language learners, a scratch pad, Braille and closed captioning. Learn more: www.smarterbalanced.org

HOW CAN I SUPPORT MY STUDENT TO DO THEIR BEST ON THE TEST?

— Take a practice test with your student: http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test

— View sample questions: www.smarterbalanced.org/sample-items-and-performance-tasks

CAN FAMILIES AND STUDENTS CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE THE STATE TESTS?

Exemptions: State law allows for parents to exempt students from the tests.

Request: The parent or guardian must fill out an exemption form and return to the school office as soon as possible so arrangements can be made for students to have a place to study while others test.

Please note:

If a form is submitted after a student has begun testing, the student will stop testing, but items answered up to that point will be scored and the student will receive a performance level and/or overall score.

*ELA/Math Opt-out Form (grades 3-8 & 11)

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*Science Exemption Request Form (grades 5, 8 & 11)

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HTMS is a closed campus and students are restricted to the school grounds during the school day. For the safety of our entire community, food deliveries - direct (dominos, pizza hut) or 3rd party (DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.) - for students are not permitted. If your child is not eating school lunch, please make sure to send food with them before school starts. Families who would like to bring their student food, please deliver their lunch to the office, prior to their designated lunch. Food brought to the school after the student’s lunch will be given to the student at the end of the day. Students who leave the school grounds without permission will be considered truant and appropriate discipline will be administered.

Occasionally parents request campus access to shadow their student. When this is this the case, the following procedure must be followed:

1. Visitors must register at the office upon their arrival to the campus (photo ID required) and show proof of vaccination if on campus for more than 15 minutes.

2. Teachers' work must not be impeded by interruptions of visitors or by unreasonable demands on their time.

3. No one who is not the parent or legal guardian of a student may be permitted to contact any student, except as provided in policy or administrative directive or otherwise approved by the building principal.

4. 24 hour notice is required.

Parent/teacher conferences are a great opportunity to meet your child's teacher, in person or virtually, and learn about how your child is doing in school. It's also a great time for you to ask questions or talk about any learning-related concerns. Creating a partnership with your child's teacher around your child's learning can make a big difference. Please email your child’s teacher of an individual conference or counselor for a group conference with multiple teachers. Staff check their email daily and do their best to respond promptly.

For more urgent communication, please call the main office: 503-916-5630

For a full staff directory, please visit Harriet Tubman’s website at:

https://www.pps.net/htms

Next week starts SUN's Spring Term. And looking at the number of responses we have, I believe it reflects a miscommunication. Please understand that each student has to RE-REGISTER for their classes this term. This allows us to have a correct depiction of how many students we are serving. If students are not registered by April 14th, they unfortunately will not be able to participate in SUN Afterschool Programming.

During the first 2 weeks of SEI and SUN programming (beginning April 11th 2022), SEI will strongly advise all students participating in SUN Programming to wear masks in classrooms. We understand that this may cause confusion amongst the students, but SEI is taking a wait and see approach when it comes to dropping the mask mandate. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.

We are excited to serve your students this Spring Term at Harriet Tubman!

https://forms.office.com/r/TjUc3mRjmy

Multnomah County’s School and Community Oral Health Program is offering Free sealants and dental screening. A dental screening is a quick look inside your child’s mouth to check the overall health of their teeth, and sealants will be placed if needed.

This service is available for ALL Harriet Tubman Middle School scholars.

What questions do you have? Please call us at 503-988-3905.

To use this FREE service please fill out the electronic permission slip at this link:

https://forms.gle/https://forms.gle/WBUTM9brbacGVAhj6WBUTM9brbacGVAhj6

Spanish

Portland Public Schools is excited to announce the 2022 Summer Arts Academy on July 25-August 5 at Harriet Tubman Middle School. Registration is limited to rising 6th to 9th graders in the Roosevelt, McDaniel, and Jefferson clusters of schools and students attending Beaumont, Harriet Tubman, Harrison Park, Lane and Kellogg Middle Schools. Prioritization will be given to students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Students will have the opportunity to engage in Dance, Music (choir, band, orchestra), Visual Arts, Theatre, and Technical Theatre, with additional minor classes. These details are all subject to change based on COVID-19 guidelines from the state of Oregon.

Transportation and meal service will be provided.

https://www.ppsarts.com/summer-arts-academy

Apply by Friday, April 22: https://bit.ly/ppsartsacademy22

Students at eligible schools may also get a hard copy of the application from their school secretary.

Questions? Email summerartsacademy@pps.net or call 503-916-3390.

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Looking for ways to support you Scholar? Join us Thursday, April 14, at 6pm for our monthly PTSA meeting on Zoom. A text reminder will be sent to families 24 hours prior to the meeting.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84528553031?pwd=MEF4RGV0V2E1NVlWUldDZkVsV3FhZz0 9

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits are additional funds that can be used to support family food purchases. P-EBT benefits were approved for Oregon in May for the 2020-21 school year. P-EBT benefits issuance began at the end of July and will continue to be distributed into August and September for all families enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school or with individual family eligibility for free or reduced price meals in the 2020-21 school year. Families inquiring about student eligibility, or have other P-EBT questions, can use the following Oregon 211 Info services:

• Phone: Dial 211 from anywhere in Oregon

• Text: Text your zip code to 898211 (TXT211)

• Web: www.211info.org or the pebt.oregon.gov webpage for current P-EBT information

• Email: EBT.schoolmeals@dhsoha.state.or.us

April

7 End of Q3

8 Teacher Planning Day, NO SCHOOL

11 Q4 begins

11 SUN Spring session

11 6th Gr Outdoor School

12 6th Gr Outdoor School

14 PTSA Mtg, 6pm (virtual)

19 Immunization updates, DUE!

20 Exclusion day

25-26 SBAC Math Testing (Tentative)

May

Asian American Pacific Islander Month

2-6 SBAC Reading Testing (Tentative)

30 Memorial Day, School Closed