The Cheetah Coalition #22
Weekly Updates from the Atkinson Office - 2/3/23
Para cualquier otro idioma, utilice el botón "Translate" que se encuentra en esta página.
MESSAGE FROM MS. ESSEX
Greetings Atkinson Families!
On Wednesday of this week, there was a police standoff in SE Portland that you may have heard about on the news. Our office staff contacted the Portland Police Bureau and PPS Security to analyze the situation and determine if we should go into a Secure the Perimeter or Lockdown response. It was determined that we were far enough away from the incident that we did not face immediate danger, however we were ready to respond if the situation changed. I want to assure you that if we are ever faced with a situation of this type, our first priority will be ensuring the safety of children in the building. Situations like this can develop rapidly, and once we know our students are secure, we will reach out to families via Remind or School Messenger to update you.
Budget Update: You may have received a message from Superintendent Guerrero this week outlining the budget planning process that is currently going on for next year. I will be meeting with representatives from our Site Council and PTA in the next week to gather their feedback for staffing priorities in 23-24. Once we have a clear idea of what our staffing will look like next year, I will have an online presentation for families. This presentation will likely take place at the end of February or early March.
One thing that families can be aware of now is that staffing is directly tied to student enrollment. More students = more staffing. When we have students not attending school and being temporarily unenrolled, especially in the spring during staffing season, it can have a direct impact on how many staff we are allotted for the following year.
Teacher Appreciation: If you have had a particularly positive experience with any Atkinson teachers, I invite you to write a reference for them. We will be losing staff for next year (more information coming in the next couple of weeks), and as the teachers being unassigned are interviewing for new positions, it is always helpful to have recommendations from families they have worked with. If you are inspired to write a recommendation for a teacher, please send it to me, or the teacher directly (or both!). Thank you so much for your support.
Beth Essex
Interim Principal
VACCINE EXCLUSION DAY IS COMING - 2/15/23
Vaccines are required by law for all children in schools, preschools and child care facilities in Multnomah County. If your child’s vaccination records are incomplete, you will have received a letter. To avoid missing school or child care, get your child up to date on their vaccinations as soon as possible. Make a vaccine appointment now, as there may be a long wait. For more information go to: multco.us/health/news/catch-now-school-vaccines
IMPORTANT: SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS SURVEY
Hello Families!
The Successful Schools Survey is now open and accepting responses. This is one of the most important information gathering tools that Portland Public Schools uses to measure the culture and climate in our district. PLEASE take a few minutes to log into the survey and answer questions about your experience. We are hoping for 100% participation. You can find QR codes for the survey on blue & yellow flyers hanging in our school doorways. You can do the survey while you are waiting to drop off or pick up your child! In addition, you can use the QR code shown here. Please fill out a separate survey for each different school your children attend. Also, you and your partner can each do your own survey. The survey window closes on February 10, and we hope to hear EVERYONE'S voices before that date. THANK YOU! :)
TARDY PROCEDURE REMINDER
Being on time to school is important but we understand that tardiness happens! Just a reminder about our procedure when your student arrives late to school (after 8:45am):
- ring the doorbell to enter the school
- sign in on the yellow-orange sign-in sheet in the foyer
- check the specials schedule next to the sign-in sheet to see where your student's class will be
- your student can head to class by themself!
In order to avoid classroom distractions and help your students build independence, we ask that parents DO NOT walk their students to their classrooms. If your student is having trouble getting to class by themself, please come down to the office to get some help from a staff member. Thank you!
TEACHER FEATURE: MISS MADI, SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Madi Bourdon grew up in sunny Southern California with her mom, dad, and brother. They spent their time boating, tubing, and utilizing the lovely weather on the water as much as possible. Madi's mom was a teacher for over 30 years inspiring Madi to join the education profession. Miss. Madi loves being a counselor because her favorite thing to do is build relationships.
After earning her AA at Moorpark College, a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Portland State, and a Master's of Education in School Counseling from Prescott College, Miss. Madi started her counseling career during Covid and was hired a month before earning her M.Ed. Madi's practicum experience was at Centennial Middle School in Gresham. Then, she was hired by PPS to serve half time at Atkinson and half time at Glencoe. The rest, as they say, is history.
Miss. Madi took 7 years of Spanish and although she can speak it, she does not speak as well as the DLI kiddos - so she get's nervous and clams up! She can understand much better than she can speak - so be sure to talk to her in Spanish!
When Ms. Madi isn't at school, she enjoys film photography, playing Uno, collecting all the wild things students have said to her over the years, and all things GSA! She lives with her fiance, Kiara, her black cat (with major attitude) Mom Mom, and a 160 pound Newfoundland named Moose.
Last but not least - Miss. Madi's favorite joke is stolen from a former Atkinson teacher, Mr. Ferguson:
Why can't you hear the pterodactyl use the bathroom?
Because the "p" is silent!
KINDNESS MONTH RECOGNITION
Students nominated in January for their exemplary kindness:
4TH AND 5TH GRADE LEADERSHIP
This week, our 4th and 5th Grade Leadership kiddos worked on finishing up the examples for ATK students for an activity that is being tied to both the Counseling lessons for February and February's Word of the Month, "Empathy". Interested in a hint for this month's Empathy Project? Try the fill in the blank below!
"Take a walk in my ____"
Leadership also worked on writing up and scheduling the introductions of Empathy Month to present to the lower grades classes to get the littles ready for this month's focus.
Last, Leadership had the opportunity to come up with a few Spirit Days for this month. Poster and info coming soon!
SAFETY PATROL
Safety Patrollers have started their duties outside by the crosswalk without the light as of this week. Please wait and listen for their direction to keep everyone as safe as possible. We are building their confidence in helping control the traffic, and love how serious they are taking the job so far!
Go Safety Patrollers!!
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
GSA NEWSLETTER (REPEAT FROM LAST WEEK)
Here is the first GSA Newsletter open to all Atkinson Families! If you have any feedback, have ideas for articles, or need support - feel free to email Miss Madi at mbourdon@pps.net.
The GSA Newsletter is currently only available in English, but we are actively looking for a volunteer to translate to ensure equitable access to Atkinson families.
HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH ATKINSON!
ATK GSA is so excited to get to work on weaving the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexuality into the conversation all year round, but especially during heritage and history months to highlight important topics for everyone to learn. Our newsletter this month will be focusing on incorporating topics of race, and gender later on this month. However, until then feel free to check out the following video from PBS Kids (30 min) to help start, or continue the conversation around race and racism in an age appropriate way: PBS Kids Award Winning Talk About: Race and Racism
CHEETAH PAW WINNERS
K-2ND GRADE WINNERS:
Mia, Augie, and Davie
3RD-5TH GRADE WINNERS:
Cora, Aliyah, and Ellie
K-2 ISC WINNER
3-5 ISC WINNER
LOST AND FOUND ITEMS!
We have many items in our lost and found! Take a look at our inventory of small items below and let us know if anything belongs to you or your student! These small items are kept in the office.
WINTER WALK + ROLL TO SCHOOL DAY – FEBRUARY 8, 2023!
On February 8, 2023, Oregon Safe Routes to School celebrates Winter Walk to School Day. Put on your snow or rain boots and walk or to school while enjoying winter time in Oregon.
LUNCH ACCOUNTS
The Atkinson kitchen has been getting parent questions about negative balances on their student accounts. This is a reminder that students who come through the line for just a milk are charged .50 cents. This is true even if students receive free or reduced lunch, but bring a home lunch one day and go through the line for a milk. If they are not getting a full lunch, they are still charged the .50. This could explain a negative balance, but Danette can give you more information if needed. Thank you.
UPCOMING DATES TO KNOW
- Tuesday, February 7 -- Kellogg Middle School Open House, 5:30 – 7pm
- Monday, February 13 -- Outdoor Learning Garden Work Day, 9 – 10 am
- Monday, February 13 -- PTA Meeting via Zoom, 6:30 – 8 pm (Meeting ID: 826 3970 7216 Passcode: 152661)
- Tuesday, February 14 -- OBOB Final Battle, 2 – 3pm
- Wednesday, February 15 -- Amigos Meeting via Zoom, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
- Friday, February 17 -- NO SCHOOL for Students, Professional Planning Day
- Monday, February 20 -- NO SCHOOL, President's Day
- Wednesday & Thursday, March 1 & 2 -- Atkinson Talent Show!
- Tuesday, March 7 -- Harrison Park K-8 Open House, 6:30 – 8pm