The Weekly FIRE
Flexibility, Integrity, Respect, Effort
issue 5: 11/02/2020
Hello Dragons!
Tomorrow is election day! If you have not dropped off or mailed in your ballot yet, you can do it until 8:00 PM tomorrow, November 3rd. If you don’t know where to find your nearest ballot box you can find it here:
https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/drop-box-locator.aspx
If you have already voted, great work! Your voice is so important, and our leaders need to hear from each and every one of us. Voting is one of the best things we can do to take care of each other and our communities.
For Dragons under the age of 18: Did you know that even though the voting age is 18, you can register to vote in Oregon at the age of 16? You can find more information about voting here:
https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/registration.aspx?lang=en
Best Regards,
Aaron Ferguson, RLA Principal
Animal Guide of the Week:
-Laura Craford, RLA Social Worker
For those of you who do not know what the animal cards mean…
Each newsletter I will pull a card from my deck of animal guide cards, it is our message for the week—something we need to think about, understand or that we need to remember about ourselves or a situation. This is something that I have been doing with RLA students and staff for a while now, it’s my thing. 😊 If you ever want your own card, message me (Laura) through teams or @ (740) 240-2311 and I will send you a picture of one, just like when you would come to my office for one when we were in school!
Cheetah
This week at RLA we are CHEETAHS: “Get clear on your intention, stay focused, and move quickly to achieve your goal.” The timing of this card seems appropriate with the start of Hexter 2! I cannot believe it is already November! I feel like the days are long, but the weeks and months are flying by. Hopefully everyone is settling into their new classes and digital learning. I think it is easy for us to get caught up with ALL the things we need to do instead of staying focused on what’s immediately in front of us. As cheetah’s it is time to make plans to achieve our goals—short-term and long-term goals! Maybe you can talk it out with someone at home or at school (like me, or your school counselor, or one of your amazing teachers) or perhaps write it down so you can look at it as a reminder. Think about your action steps for achieving your goal and then what the potential outcomes will be! I would love to hear from you!
After school drop in support group for students
Tuesday’s @ 3:30 & Thursday's @11:30 with Laura:
https://rsd7-net.zoom.us/j/95828308125
Meeting ID: 958 2830 8125
I think I would like to talk to someone...
Are you in need of Resources?
Parents! Families! Looking for some extra support?!?!
The RLA Parents Support group starts Nov. 2nd! Below is the flyer with the time and zoom link. Please join us to learn ways to connect with other parents and support you and your child through these hard times.
¡Padres, Madres y familias! ¡¿Buscando más apoyo?!
Weekly Wellness tips!
- Julie Mack, Wellness
2.Try the 10/10/10 with wellness class. Watch the video to learn how.
I bet you never heard of Mario Molina
-Sue Rosemarin, Science
Mario José Molina-Pasquel Henríquez (March 19, 1943 – October 7, 2020), known as Mario Molina, was a Mexican chemist. He played a pivotal role in the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole, and was a co-recipient of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his role in noting the threat to the Earth's ozone layer from chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases. He was the first Mexican-born scientist to receive a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Students of the Week shout outs!
Maureen shouts out to:
- Alexandra Beltran, Edgar Aquino-Avalos, Ebonee Goldsby - All for starting the new hexter off strong!
- Debo Francisco-Ascensio, Brokk Smith - For Great Effort and Hard Work.
Sue shouts out to:
- Cristian Flores - totally in it to win it. He is working hard and doing great!
- Dayona Morris - is really on top of things so far! She's got this!
Earn CTE or Elective Credit
Want to Earn CTE or Elective Credit while learning skills you need in today’s workforce and life?
Check out Kathi “The Job Lady’s” Monday YTP Classes below.
You can earn .50 credit by attending, ask me how!
Have questions about these classes or anything else “job” or “life” related, please email me Kathi Morris at kmorris@rsd7.net or text/call me at 503-708-6540.
Job Club Class
Every 1st Monday of the Month
Nov. 2nd & Dec. 7th
Want help with resumes, cover letter’s, interviewing or applying for jobs? Then this class is for you!
Time: 1pm -2:30pm
Meeting ID: 964 0575 7931
Passcode: RLA
Permit Prep Class
Every 2nd Monday of the Month
Nov. 9th & Dec.14th
Need help preparing to take the Oregon Permit test? If so, then this is your class!
Time: 1pm - 2:30pm
Meeting ID: 964 0575 7931
Passcode: RLA
Soft Skills Class
Every 3rd Monday of the Month
Oct.19
Want to learn about soft skills needed in today’s job market? Want to learn what soft skills are? Come to this class and find out!
Time: 1pm - 2:30pm
Meeting ID: 964 0575 7931
Passcode: RLA
Kathi's Career Corner:
So, you landed the interview and you practiced interview questions, now what? It’s time to come up with a question to ask them, do you have one? I do! Each week Kathi “The Job Lady” will give you “tips and tricks” on these and much more! If you want individual help, contact Kathi: kmorris@rsd7.net or 503-708-6540 (text is fine).
What is the TOP Question to ask at an Interview?
When the interviewer asks if you have a question for them, ask this question. Can you tell me about the most successful person you ever hired and what exactly they did to be successful?
The reason you ask this is because whatever response they give you is what they look for in a candidate. Why is this important? Let’s say this boss was raving about work-life balance at the organization, but when you asked this question, they said, ‘The best person I ever hired was Jim. He came in early, he stayed late. He worked weekends. I could text him, call him anytime and he would drop everything for me.” Does that sound like work-life balance to you? No! It’s a very revealing question about what this boss admires and respects, which means that’s going to predict what you’re going to have to do to be successful and get raises and promotions.
Groups, Groups & More Groups!
Chrysalis Girls Group will start at the end of October! Self-care/Wellness Group, Stress Management, Grief & Loss, Making Connections…and more. If you are interested in learning more or joining a group or you have an idea for a group, contact Laura at:
lcraford@rsd7.net or call/text (740) 240-2311
1. Hip-Hop Group: Monday, 3pm on ZOOM
Hip hop group is an opportunity for students to express themselves through rhythm, beats and poetry. We will be sharing music and dance, making beats, finding beats on YouTube and writing our own lyrics/songs. The focus of this group is to create an artistic space for beginner or expert rappers, beat makers, and poets to build and create together. Check in with Dane.
https://trilliumfamily.zoom.us/j/99693631547
Password: hiphop
2. Netflix vs. Hulu vs. TikTok: Monday, 2pm on ZOOM
What’s better Netflix or Hulu? But really TikTok is where it’s at! Come to this group to discuss all things streaming and social media and everywhere in between. We hope to build a safe space where people can talk about their favorite shows, movies, and accounts they like to follow, and maybe watch a few videos! We might also get into ways to relax, deal with stress, and balance time management so you don’t end up binging on shows until 3am every night, just on the weekends ;)
https://trilliumfamily.zoom.us/j/94708901770
Password: Netflix
3. Arts & Crafts: Thursday, 3:30pm
Arts and Crafts Group with Jesse will be Thursday at 3:30pm over zoom. Due to the large interest in this group and the limited amount of supplies available, not everyone who expressed interest will be able to participate this time. However, we may be able to run a second arts and crafts group in the future. Jesse will be coordinating with students to drop off supplies as well as provide the zoom link before Thursday. For questions, call Jesse: 503-318-2905.
If you’ve already signed up for a group, check your student email and you will get a reminder and link to join the group on the first day. If you’re still interested in one of the available groups then just follow the link/password to join at the right time! Any questions reach out to the Trillium team:
Todd Brehm, tbrehm@trilliumfamily.org 971-334-2009
Jesse Bright jbright@trilliumfamily.org 503-318-2905
Dane Hilts dhilts@trilliumfamily.org 971-940-8561Clubs
GSA
Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a club to unite LGBTQ+ and allies. It's a space to come together to talk and learn about sexual orientation and gender identity. A place to build community and discuss the issues that impact it and you.
This will be a safe, welcoming, and accepting space for all.
GSA NEW TIME, NEW DAY!!!
If you're interested in GSA or have any questions about the club, please contact Linda at:
llamendolagilliam@rsd7.net
Join us on WEDNESDAYS at 10:30 on ZOOM
ZOOM:
Meeting ID: 997 0308 6129
Passcode: 500314
BSU
The Black Student Union (BSU) is an organization at Reynolds Learning Academy that is devoted to spreading the history of Black Culture. We are doing this through cultural forums, educational workshops and entertainment events. We are all unified in one voice in order to embrace and enrich Black culture. We welcome all ethnicities and value growth, development and strive for cross-cultural understanding and appreciation of all our diverse histories and experiences.
Standing Motto “Unity Bridges Gaps”
Any students interested in joining the Black Student Union (BSU) please contact Ramon Hall at:
November is Native American Heritage month
Meet the RLA Staff
Giovanna Gioffre "Jo": Language Arts
Ciao! I’m one of the Language Arts Teachers here at RLA. I’ve been working for RLA since 2001, when I started teaching middle school. Being a Language Arts Teacher means you have a passion for literature, ideas, films, and great stories- all of that is true. I definitely never planned to become a teacher when I was younger, but that’s how it ended up and I’m OK with that.
I grew up in New Jersey and attended college at what is now called The College of New Jersey. I originally wanted to become a marine biologist or lawyer. While at college I loved my English and Literature classes the best so I switched my major and threw in the Secondary Education minor at the end. After college, I moved to Colorado where I worked for a music and festival production company. They hired me because they needed help editing and writing marketing materials. Turns out I was good at that job and loved it until I moved away ten years later- married to a touring musician and ready to “settle” down. That was over twenty years ago, when I landed here in Portland, Oregon.
I dusted off the old teaching license and since I never lost my love for the subject pursued a teaching job. I had a baby, got my graduate degree at Lewis and Clark College, and settled in to life and career- all the while working at RLA. I’ve had so many amazing experiences and beautiful relationships at this school. My goal is to provide a diverse and rich literary environment for my students and hopefully expose them to something they may not have otherwise read, heard, watched or thought about. Sometimes it works. Now, my son is a junior in high school and I can see the next phase of my life in the not-so- distant future. As I grow older, I hope to travel to new places, learn new things and have new experiences.
Mrs. Kramer: Social Studies
A Chuckle with Kendra
1.Why did the golfer bring two pairs of pants?
2.Why do seagulls fly over the sea?
You can find the answers at the bottom of The Weekly FIRE.
Upcoming Events:
Principal Office Hours and Open Family Meetings
This year the Principal will be holding regular times when you can meet with him without an appointment. Open family meetings will be held on Thursday evenings. The Principal will make some brief announcements and then open the floor for questions, comments and discussion. Office hours will be held on Thursday mornings and will be a place where you can drop in to ask a question or get help from the Principal. Dates, times and the Zoom link are below.
Helpful Links:
This is a link to your Clever login. Follow this link to get into your schoology, school email, SutdentVUE, Teams meetings and other school resources from any computer.
Remember your login is: schoolID@students.rsd7.net
Your password is your school ID number followed by your 8 digit birthday (schoolid+mmddyyyy)
You can find our general student schedule here:
https://www.reynolds.k12.or.us/rla/student-weekly-schedule
The school calendar for 2020-2021 is here:
English:
Español:
If you are an RLA student, make sure you are signed up to get remind messages:
https://www.remind.com/join/cc7eh7
If you are an RLA parent, make sure you are signed up to get remind messages:
How to reach us:
Aaron Ferguson
Principal
503.667.4673 ex 3430
Angie Gilbert
Trades/Careers and Internships
503.667.4673 ex 3606
Brendan O'Malley
Art/Math
406-616-2852
Chris Phelps
Social Studies
503-667-4673 ex 3617
Dane Hilts
Skills Trainer
971-940-8561
Gina Bousley
Case Management
503.667.4673 ex 3613
Gio Peña
Science
971-258-0180
Giovanna Gioffre
English
503-667-4673 ex 3604
Janna Cash
Counselor
541-362-1959
Jesse Bright
Skills Trainer
503-318-2905
Jessica Sexton
School Psychologist
(360)991-9572
Jessica Kramer
Social Studies
(503)780-4809
Jim Deady
Credit Recovery
Call: 503.667.4673 ex 3045 Text: (541) 937 5460
Julie Mack
Wellness
503-667-4673 ex 3608
Karri Klock
Registrar
503-667-4673
Katherine Howton
Math
( 609) 380-1007
Kathi Morris
YTP Specialist
(503)708-6540
Kendra DeWater
Math
(971) 217-6214
Kristin Aubel Topletz
Night School
503-893-5088
Laura Craford
Social Worker
503.667.4673 ex 3620
Lauren Tobias
Case Management
503.667.4673 ex 3618
Linda Lamendola-Gilliam
SMT/GSA Leader/Newsletter Manager
(503)667-4673 x3630
Maureen Geraghty
English
503-830-1752
Neal Noble
Math
503-667-4673 ex 3609
Ramon Hall
SMT/BSU Leader
Sue Rosemarin
Science
503-667-4673 ex 3598
Terry Panowicz
Counselor
503.667.4673 ex 3627
Todd Brehm
Prevention Specialist
971-334-2009
If you need help with school work between the hours of 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM, Monday through Thursday you can reach out to our Night School Teacher Kristin Aubel Topletz at 503-893-5088 or email her at kaubeltopletz@rsd7.net
Si desea comunicarse con algún miembro del personal y desea ayuda en español, puede comunicarse con nuestra enlace familiar Nancy Gutierrez Leon llamando al 503-667-4673 ex 3634 o enviándole un correo electrónico a NGutierrezLeon@rsd7.net. También puede enviarle mensajes de texto al 971-236-3174.
Answers to: A Chuckle with Kendra
1. In case they got a hole in one.
2. If they flew over the bay they would be bagels.
Reynolds Learning Academy
Website: https://www.reynolds.k12.or.us/rla
Location: 20234 Northeast Halsey Street, Fairview, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 667-4673