RGMS Weekly 12/13/23
RGMS Weekly News 12/13/23
Community ~ Equity ~ Growth
Important Dates Ahead
12/13 PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
12/14 ESL Family Night, 6:30pm
12/18, News with Newlyn, 8am
12/18 - 12/22 Added days of Instruction (NEW)
12/23 - 01/01 Winter Break (UPDATED)
Click here for the full RGMS calendar
From Principal Lisa Newlyn
Dear RGMS Community,
Last night I had the priviedge to share time and space before the PPS School Board with three amazing RGMS students: Mia, Roxy and Tevyonna. Below are my remarks, I share with you here. I highly recommend you watch the Board video between about min 47 and min 1:06. I am thankful to the Portland Public School Board for inviting us to celebrate our students, and their investment of time and resources for the success of all middle schoolers in Portland Public Schools.
"Good Evening Superintendent Guerrero, esteemed members of the PPS School Board, Portland Community, staff and students. My name is Lisa Newlyn. I am the proud Principal of Robert Gray Middle School. I come to you tonight as the representative of a dynamic, thriving middle school led by amazing staff dedicated to the deep engagement and flourishing success of the students we serve together. It’s an honor to share this moment with three RGMS students, Amelia, Roxy, and Tevyonna. I’m going to keep my opener brief so they can have the balance of time.
Robert Gray Robert Gray Middle School believes every student is an essential stakeholder and collaborator in their academic and social-emotional growth and that together we can build a better world in which we can all succeed. Together we are purposeful in ensuring that student identities and experiences are centered in our work every day.
To that end, in the Fall of 2020, we were able to hire our first School Climate Specialist position funded through the creative use of building FTE. In the Fall of 2023 we were able to hire not only a School Climate Specialist, but also a Restorative Justice Coordinator and a Campus Safety Monitor. Thank you - all of you - for hearing the call Middle Schools made last Spring asking that all PPS Middle Schools have these positions funded directly through PPS Staffing Allocations. As you review budget necessities for the 2024-2025 School Year, I ask you to keep this commitment in mind: all PPS Middle Schools need the full complement of these extra supports for the meaningful, tiered school climate work paid for through centrally allocated funding sources.
You’ll see that our SCIP Climate Goal is all about student engagement and voice. Between Fall 2019 and Fall 2023, we made a 15% gain on average in our three focal success statements:
“Students have a voice at our school,”
“Student Council and Leadership make the school a better place,”
“Adults listen to students' ideas about how to make the school a better place.”
We aim to keep that trend going, which is why I will end my turn at the mic now so that you can hear from our student leaders. At RGMS we intentionally build capacity for leadership in our students. From our Affinity Spaces to Clubs like No Place For Hate, our Leadership elective, to Student Council, we continue to build a program that centers student experience and empowerment.
Allow me to introduce Amelia Espinoza, Roxy Wood, and Tevyonna Dean."
RGMS New & Timely
Will you be with us during the week of 12/18?
We are in the midst of contingency planning for the week of 12/18 - 12/22, dates that were added to the instructional calendar as part of resolving the November work stoppage. We know that many students and families already have vacation plans during this time and may not be at school. To get a head start on attendance tracking and to assist us with our planning, please complete this brief survey if your student will not be attending all or part of next week:
Now Accepting Gift Cards for our RGMS Winter Gifting.
If you can purchase $5, $10, $25, $50 gift cards - that would be amazing!
We want to shower our families with gift cards to support them this winter.
Your contributions will be greatly appreciated.
Please bring gift cards to the main office no later than December 15, 2023.
Suggested gift cards: Fred Meyers, Target, Restaurants, Jiffy Lube, Grocery stores, book stores etc. All places are appreciated.
THANK you for your consideration!
Great time to get your student's immunizations up to date!
RGMS Reminders and Weekly Announcements
From the RGMS Counselors
We recognize the Middle School years are tricky and at times exhausting both for students and for the adults who lovingly care for them. If you have any questions, concerns or would like support or referrals, please contact us. We are here to help. -- Lisa Hyde (serving students A-K) and Laureen Held (serving students L-Z).
8th Grade High School Forecasting
IBW High School
Counselors from Ida B Wells HS will visit RGMS 8th graders on January 10th and 24th.
On the 10th they give the students a presentation on how forecasting works.
On the 24th students will meet individually with their counselor and go over the student's forecasting information.
Student Absent?
Email Gray Attendance at grayattend@pps.net
If your student will be absent, please email their FULL NAME and reason for absence or tardy to grayattend@pps.net. Phones are really busy in the morning, so please email attendance if possible.
Attendance phone calls go out around 1pm & 5pm daily. If you have excused your student, you will not receive an attendance call.
RGMS Foundation News
RGMS Foundation Updates
The RGMS Foundation raises money to support a well rounded school experience for students by adding class options for students that are engaging and enhance student connections to RGMS. The money raised is used at the principals discretion.
BottleDrop Drive
We recently were able to donate $1,000 to the foundation from our account. Thank you so much for supporting the school via this program.
1. Get Blue bags from the following locations: RGMS office; Rieke area-1656 SW Sunset Blvd.; Hayhurst area: 5252 SW Idaho St.; Bridlemile area-4031 SW Jerald Way
2 Fill Your Bags!
3. Return Full Bags to any BottleDrop location or Burlingame Fred Meyer.
4 Scan the Barcode on the bag to unlock the self-service bag drop.
Questions: Melissa Light, grayschoolfoundation@gmail.com
RGMS PTA NEWS
PTA Update
PTA meetings occur the 3 rd Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM in the RGMS library, with
the option to attend over Zoom. The next meeting will be held on December 13. Mark your
calendars!
Zoom information will be as follows:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86339523318?pwd=TmZubFFFWWRFWlBaYzZLQnJ2V0lqZz09
Meeting ID: 863 3952 3318
Haven’t joined the PTA yet? Do so now using this link.
You will have to select “ROBERT GRAY MS PTA (PORTLAND)” as your “Local Unit”. The rest
is straightforward and takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Membership is $20 for the year.
Do you wish to make a one-time or recurring donation to PTA? You can do so here. Click “Donate” then enter your amount and indicate your intent to donate monthly if desired!
Robert Gray PTA Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for ways to get involved this year? Use the following form to sign up for the events you are interested in and you will receive a follow up email with additional information. The time and support of our volunteers is greatly appreciated. Without it we couldn't make special Gray events happen! Some of these events include Run for Gray, Teacher Appreciation Week, Bottle Drop Fundraiser, Sustainability and extra supervision during lunch time, and more. Please consider volunteering or donating as you are able.
Thank you for your time and support! Looking forward to a great year!
RGMS PTA
Fliers Approved for Distribution by PPS
Camps, Classes, & After School Programs:
VIBE of Portland Art Camps & Classes
Preschool Programs:
Multnomah Early Childhood Program Free Preschool Classes
(Spanish) (Vietnamese)Portland Parks & Recreation Preschool 2023-2024
Community Events & Information:
PPS Supplemental Transportation Plan, Phase I Schools Flier
City of Portland 311 Non-Emergency Hotline
(Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Chinese) (Russian) (Somali)
Vaccinations, Health & Wellness:
Multnomah County Parkrose Student Health Center Winter Break Hours
Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment begins Nov. 1
Multnomah County Student Health Centers (fliers in English, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese):
Multnomah County Free Community Vaccination Clinic
(Spanish)
Get RGMS Text Alerts!
Get text alerts about school closures, delays, emergencies and school events:
Text YES to 68453
About Us
Email: lnewlyn@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/gray
Location: 5505 Southwest 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 916-5676
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertgraymiddleschool
Twitter: @notwitter