A Message from the Principal
January 22, 2021
The last couple of weeks at MTMS have felt simultaneously like a spring and a marathon. In just the last two weeks, we have been navigating behind the scenes in all of the following ways:
- Planning for an intentional, joyous, and action-oriented Black History Month
- Arranging for a whole-school virtual field trip in February
- Creating Homeroom lessons to support students in thinking about national events
- Training staff in and scheduling MAP Reading and Math Assessments (see more below)
- Touring model sites and developing plans to bring small groups of 6th grade students back to campus for limited in-person instruction (LIPI)--more info should be coming from the district in the coming week on this topic.
And just today, we all received updates on the assignment of schools to Kellogg and realized that, should the board approve the proposal, that our Spanish DLI program will remain at Mt. Tabor for at least one more year.
All that to say, it's been busy, folks. And this week's newsletter is packed with information, hence why I'm keeping my letter to you brief. I'm hoping to be able to get all of these metaphorical ducks of mine back in line so that I can share with you a really concise and thorough update this week during Tabor Talks about all the amazing and wonderful things happening during the month of February.
Wishing you all a fantastic weekend.
All the best,
Tonya Arnold
Principal, Mt. Tabor Middle School
MAP Reading and Math Assessments Coming February 8 & 11
These tests provide our teachers with clear data about student strengths and areas of growth and will allow us, as a school, to hone our instruction and identify where additional support may be needed. Likewise, data from these tests has been used to identify students for TAG and Compacted Math placement in middle school, thereby adding an additional layer of importance on these exams.
On Monday, February 8, all students will report to their Period 1 class and take the MAP Reading exam, proctored by their Period 1 teacher. Students will have all morning to take and complete the exam (9:30 am to 12:15 pm). Students will not attend period 2 or 3 on this day.
On Thursday, February 11, all students will report to their Period 4 class and take the MAP Math exam, proctored by their Period 4 teacher. Students will have all morning to take and complete the exam (9:30 am to 12:15 pm). Students will not attend period 5 or 6 on this day.
Students who are absent from the exam or who need additional time to finish the exam(s) will be scheduled for make-up sessions proctored by MTMS staff later in the month during asynchronous learning time.
If you have questions about the MAP Assessment schedule at MTMS, please contact Dave Llewellyn at dllewellyn@pps.net.
Tabor Talks January 26-27: Fabulous February
With so much happening to close our Quarter 2 and begin quarter 3, we wanted to take the opportunity to just share the many happenings in a more personal setting than the newsletter, because we know you all MUST have questions.
Join us for Tabor Talks this week to discuss all the things coming up in the fabulous month of February,. Topics will include:
- MAP Reading and Math Assessment
- Successful Schools Surveys
- Black History Month
- Limited In Person Instruction: Initial Planning
Tabor Talk Session #11 (AM and PM Edition)
Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Tabor Talk Sessions. Every Tabor Talk session can be reached at bit.ly/tabortalk.
- AM Edition: Tuesday, January 26 from 8:00-9:00 am
- PM Edition: Wednesday, January 27 from 6:30-7:30 pm
Library Book and Art Supply Distribution for Quarter 3
We are doing another book distribution!
When: Wednesday February 3 from 2:15-3:15, OBOB book distribution 3:15-3:45 (will coordinate with coaches regarding this)
Where: Front of the school Ash street entrance (near the library)
What: We will have "themed" bags for checkout as well as random bags. PLEASE RETURN any library materials (textbooks or books) that you have at this time as well. If you took a bag of books on one of our prior distributions please bring these back before taking a new bag.
Remember: Wear your mask and please observe safe social distance while picking up your bags. Thank you!
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6th Grade Novel: Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (cost per copy $6.44)Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation unleashed on his family and community in the wake of his death. As a ghost boy, the only living person Jerome can interact with is Sarah, the daughter of the police officer responsible for his death, who is grappling with her father’s actions. Jerome also meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett helps Jerome process his experience, recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life. The redemptive message at the heart of this story is that only the living can make the world better. Live and make it better. | 7th Grade Novel: Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton (cost per copy $7.14)Mimi Yoshiko Oliver, a half-black, half-Japanese seventh grader, longs to pursue her dream of becoming an astronaut. Will the realities of living in small town Vermont during the late 1960’s derail her confidence in herself? Winner of the 2015-2016 APALA Literature Award for Children | 8th Grade Novel: This Side of Home by Renee Watson (cost per copy $8.69)Identical Twins Maya and Nikki along with their best friend Essence have their senior year of high school planned out, but the rapid gentrification of their Northeast Portland neighborhood ensures nothing goes as planned. This powerful coming-of-age story grapples with tough topics such as gentrification, class inequality, racism, black history, and developing your values. As Maya struggles to hold on to her black heritage, she begins to wonder with whom--or where--she belongs. Does growing up have to mean growing apart? |
6th Grade Novel: Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (cost per copy $6.44)
Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation unleashed on his family and community in the wake of his death. As a ghost boy, the only living person Jerome can interact with is Sarah, the daughter of the police officer responsible for his death, who is grappling with her father’s actions. Jerome also meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett helps Jerome process his experience, recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life. The redemptive message at the heart of this story is that only the living can make the world better. Live and make it better.
7th Grade Novel: Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton (cost per copy $7.14)
Mimi Yoshiko Oliver, a half-black, half-Japanese seventh grader, longs to pursue her dream of becoming an astronaut. Will the realities of living in small town Vermont during the late 1960’s derail her confidence in herself?
Winner of the 2015-2016 APALA Literature Award for Children
8th Grade Novel: This Side of Home by Renee Watson (cost per copy $8.69)
Identical Twins Maya and Nikki along with their best friend Essence have their senior year of high school planned out, but the rapid gentrification of their Northeast Portland neighborhood ensures nothing goes as planned. This powerful coming-of-age story grapples with tough topics such as gentrification, class inequality, racism, black history, and developing your values. As Maya struggles to hold on to her black heritage, she begins to wonder with whom--or where--she belongs. Does growing up have to mean growing apart?
Quarter 2 Ends on Thursday!
For the week of January 25-28, students will attend their regular Monday-Thursday courses. There will be NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 for the teacher grading day.
Additional Academic Support Time: Monday-Wednesday in Homeroom
Students will have additional academic support time during homeroom this week as well. After checking in with their homeroom teachers, we encourage students to visit classes where they may need additional support to end the quarter strong. We encourage students to drop in on their teachers for additional explanation for the current week's assignments and for support in classes where assignments are still able to be turned in for Quarter 2.
Virtual All-School Field Trip on Feb 9
We will be using a special schedule on this day to ensure students will be able to attend their full 45 minute classes AND take part in this amazing opportunity. Details about the week's schedule will be sent in next week's newsletter. Our amazing science department will work to prepare students for this experience and provide debrief as well.
Want to learn more about the upcoming experience? You can read more below.
Nat Geo Live: Scientific Exposure with Anand Varma and Prasenjeet Yadav
Natural history photographers working with National Geographic have often emerged from scientific backgrounds, enabling them to reveal wildlife and our natural world in surprising ways. Molecular biologist- turned-photographer Prasenjeet Yadav combines his experience in research with his photography skills to highlight natural history and science stories in Asia. And Anand Varma has developed innovative techniques to create stunning images of creatures whose details are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Join them for stories and conversation on the intriguing intersection of science and photography.
Families Needing Continued Support
If your family is in need of support, we want to know how we can help. Simply fill out the form below, and our team and community partners will work with you to see how we might be able to support.
Art Supply Fundraiser
I’ve Been Framed is keeping the donating opportunity open, at this link:
Order your 2020-21 Yearbook
High School Corner
No matter where you are heading for high school in Fall 2021, we have the resources here, all in one place. Check out this link to go directly to each high school's forecasting information.
Heading to Franklin HS in 2021-22?
Discover Franklin, traditionally, has been a preview day for 8th graders where they learn about our course offerings, and other school programs, resources, and supports; to assist them with forecasting for their upcoming 9th grade year. This event was typically held in the evening where we invited families and 8th grade students to join us. Due to the complexity of families and 8th graders trying to navigate multiple links in order to attend live presentations from teachers about elective offerings, we are opting to create a Discover Franklin website instead. This site will have pre-recorded videos that students and families can view at their leisure and serve as references as they forecast for classes or just get general information about our school. Teachers and Staff will be sharing their contact information on the webpage as well so families can reach out and ask any questions.
Heading to Cleveland HS in 2021-22?
Cleveland High School has posted information for 8th graders coming to Cleveland next year on its website. Parents of 8th graders who are interested in attending Cleveland next year can access the information.https://www.pps.net/Domain/109, or you can learn more by watching the Bridging the Gap Video linked here.
Your Weekly PTA Update
There are several items in the PTA post this week that you will want to check out and add to your calendar. We have two restaurant partner events scheduled and another Dream Dinners fundraiser. Don’t forget the general PTA meeting February 2nd. All MTMS families are welcome at the meeting from 6:30pm - 8:00pm via Zoom. Starting at 7:00pm, we will have two speakers discussing Restorative Justice. https://mtmspta.com/2021/01/21/week-of-january-18th-22nd/
Join the MTMSPTA
We still need you! Our PTA helps to fill needs that our school budget just cannot. We support programming, the purchase of teacher supplies, and a host of other things that truly make a difference for our students. Becoming a member is easy, and your membership dues help support our efforts at MTMS. To join, simply sign up at https://bit.ly/joinMTMSPTA
Stay Connected & Up to Date with the MTPTA
It's easy to stay up to date with the PTA. We encourage Mt. Tabor families to visit our website at mtmspta.com for weekly updates (beginning the next couple of weeks) and following our page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MTMSPTA/.
Questions? Ideas? Concerns? Want to volunteer?
Write us at mtmspta@gmail.com
Math Resources Now Available
We sincerely hope these resources will provide students and families with solid reference and reteaching materials as needed at home. Students and families can also expect to see these resources linked in their Canvas pages as well.
My Child Was Marked Absent: What Do I Do?
Teachers look at three basic factors for determining whether your students is in attendance on any given distance learning day. Those three factors are:
- Attendance in the Live Class Meeting
- Submission of assignment for the class in Canvas
- Direct teacher contact on the day in question (typically via email or discussion board)
Students who engage in one of those ways should be marked as present.
If you believe there was an error in attendance, please use ParentVUE to look up the course the absence was marked in (you can watch this video tutorial to see how you can find this information in ParentVUE).
We are asking all families to contact the teacher of the course if you believe there is an error. where the absence occurred first as they will have the best knowledge of student attendance measures. From there, they can make the change or contact our front office to change attendance if the mark was made in error.
If you know your student will be gone in advance or was sick, please follow the standard protocol of calling into the office to excuse the absence.
Parents: Connect to Canvas
Parents can get in on the Canvas platform and "observe" their student to allow for both transparency and support. For instructions on how you can get started, click here:
https://www.pps.net/cms/lib/OR01913224/Centricity/Domain/4/CanvasQuickGuide-English.pdf
Learning Technology Training and Support from PPS
If you or your student is still struggling with any of the aspects of learning technology, we hope you will call the PPS Technology Help Desk, which is open from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on school days. We will answer your questions and share information and helpful tips about anything related to distance learning technology. The Technology Help Desk is available in all PPS-supported languages.
Email support@pps.net or call us:
- English: 503-916-3375
- Español: 503-916-3582
- 中文：503-916-3585
- Tiếng Việt: 503-916-3584
- Soomaali: 503-916-3586
- Русский: 503-916-3583
Computer distribution, exchanges, service, and returns
If you need to exchange a Chromebook or Hotspot, the BESC (district office) can help every day!
- When: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Where: PPS district office (501 N. Dixon St). Please go to the lower level parking lot, which has an entrance on N. Larrabee Ave.
- Please bring: Your student’s school ID or ID number. If you are exchanging or returning a device, please bring the device and charger with you.
- Please be aware: We are asking everyone to use recommended social distancing practices, keeping at least 6 feet of space between groups and wearing a facemask or face covering, if possible.
Please note that if you have a technical issue and are not sure if you should exchange a computer, you can also:
- Call: 503-916-3375
- Email: support@pps.net
Mt. Tabor Middle School