The Mt. Tabor Tribune
A Weekly Newsletter for the Mt. Tabor School Community
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A Message from the Principal
April 16, 2021
Good evening, Mt Tabor MS Families,
It's a beautiful Friday evening...even more so because come Monday, students will re-enter our doors for the first time in over 13 months. It has been an exhilarating week here on campus even as our students have continued to complete their asynchronous work. And I know our staff is as ready as they can be to greet them in person for the first time in oh so long.
As your school principal, I know I have asked our amazing families to partner with us as we have navigated these changes in learning. And I am hopeful that you have the ability to continue to help us navigate this upcoming transition with your students over the weekend. Please take some time with your students this weekend to explore the Return to Hybrid Instruction website with your students. The information is meant to be shared to help everyone know what to expect to be prepared.
We need everyone to know that things are not going to look or feel the same as they did last spring when they were last on campus. In order to keep our students and staff as safe as possible, we all have to revise how we arrive on campus. We have to be patient as our bus drivers work to get names down for contact tracing. We have to forgo arriving early to "hang out" with our friends and instead arrive on campus just in time to line up with our teachers. We have to move in the hallways without the benefit of lockers or lingering conversation. We have to wave goodbye to our friends at the end of the school day and go home instead of lingering on campus or frequenting our typical after-school haunts.
I channeled my inner middle schooler as I thought about these changes, and I felt the words. "What? That's not fair!" surface. It's going to be hard for some to be back in school and not have those things that they love so much about the middle school experience. I think it is imperative that all of us are able to help our students center not on what they won't have as part of this experience, but all the things they will have as well. For those that are able to join us on campus, they will get to see and interact with their classmates and teachers in real life instead of on the other side of the screen. Reframing this to recognize what they are gaining in these still-pandemic times, can help them come to terms with the changes while harnessing their joy, excitement, and hope.
The interactions and experiences, for me, have been something I have been missing since I accepted my job at Mt. Tabor almost a year ago. And while I am going to have to put my fist bumps and high fives away for now, I also know how much joy I have experienced this week meeting all of my staff members in person for the first time, and how much joy is still to come as the students we have been missing come back to us--even behind their masks and from 6 feet away. I'm smiling from ear to ear right now thinking about Monday and all the work that has gone into bringing these amazing students back.
We are ready for you, MTMS Eagles. Welcome back.
All the best,
Ms. Tonya Arnold
Principal, Mt. Tabor Middle School
Return to Hybrid Instruction Website
https://sites.google.com/pps.net/mt-tabor-middle-school-hybrid
Hybrid Families: Please Review Traffic Pattern Changes
Portland Public Schools is encouraging students and families to provide their own private transportation for students to campus to free up needed space for social distancing on school buses, and as a result, we have had to create a comprehensive traffic plan to hopefully minimize traffic congestion and ensure the safety of our students, staff and families. It is imperative that our families follow these patterns to ensure that our students remain safe and the traffic flow around campus remains organized.
We will have signage around campus on school days alerting private vehicles of routes, and staff members will be stationed at drop off zones and along pick-up side streets during these critical times of the day to supervise students in physical distancing and to help with traffic.
Parents are welcome to drop off their students beginning at 1:15 pm. Students will begin entry into the building at 1:25. Classes will dismiss at 4:00 pm.
New Instructional Schedules begin Monday
You can find these links below:
Outdoor School Anywhere for Grades 6 & 7
Dear 6th & 7th Mt Tabor Families,
During a normal school year, 6th grade students would participate in Outdoor School. Because of COVID, students weren’t able to attend last year, and 6th graders won’t be able to attend this year. Fortunately, Outdoor School staff have put together a distance learning curriculum, “Outdoor School Anywhere,” which we are pleased to offer 6th AND 7th graders this year.
For three weeks from April 26th through May 14th students will attend their regularly scheduled Science meetings online in the mornings. A guest teacher from Outdoor School will join our meetings and teach an Outdoor School lesson. In the afternoons, students will work asynchronously to complete Outdoor School field work. These assignments will be assigned in a module in Canvas.
To complete Outdoor School field work, students will need supplies! Outdoor School has generously supplied all students at Mt Tabor with a backpack full of supplies that they will need to complete the labs. The backpack includes the following supplies:
Notebook
Dry erase clipboard and pen
Safety goggles
Thermometer
pH test kit
Dropper
Tweezers
Owl pellet
Magnifying glass
Measuring tape
Measuring cup
Specimen cup
Wildflower seeds
Pencil
Eraser
Pencil sharpener
Crayons
Wood cookie and beads
Friendship bracelet string
Because these materials are integral to the lessons students will complete throughout their three week Outdoor School experience, they will need to have them for each class. Hybrid students will need to bring them to their in person science class as well.
These backpacks of supplies will be given to Hybrid kids during in-person Science class the week of April 19-23. CDL students will have the opportunity to pick up the backpacks on Wednesday, April 21 between 1 - 5pm. We are holding a drive-thru pickup in the back parking lot off of 57th Avenue.
If a family cannot make it to the drive-thru they can arrange with a friend to pick up their bag.
Sincerely,
6th & 7th Science Teachers
CDL Families: Supply Pick Up On Wednesday, April 21
- Our 6th and 7th grade science teachers will be handing out supplies for our Outdoor School Anywhere experience (needed for Science curriculum beginning April 26)
- The Library and ELA staff will be handing out novels for Quarter 4 instruction to all grades, and students can pick up book bags or recreational reading materials as well.
Additionally, CDL students in Art Quarter 4 can pick up supplies at the covered recess area (NE entrance of the building ) from 2-3 pm.
If you or your student cannot make it during the pickup time, you could arrange to have a friend pick up for your child, or you could make an appointment with the school secretary to pick up in the morning (between 9-12) on Thursday (22nd) or Friday morning (23rd) **If you can’t make it any of these times, please let your child’s teacher(s) know.
Need Support? Join Your Teacher for Office Hours and Small Groups on Wednesday Mornings
Per. 1: 10:10-10:30
Per. 2: 10:30-10:50
Per. 3: 10:50-11:10
Per. 4: 11:10-11:30
Per. 5: 11:30-11:50
Per. 6: 11:50-12:10All teachers can be reached at the same Google Meet nickname all morning. To join, log in to meet.google.com and enter the word "support" followed by their teacher's last name. For example., to join Mr. Dawson's support session, students would enter the nickname "supportdawson." If teachers are using Zoom or will be hosting small group, invitation only sessions, they will communicate directly with students about those details.
COVID-19 Consent for Testing Forms
On March 30, PPS shared a message regarding a Health and Safety Reminder - Consent Form. As we shared, PPS is requesting consent from student’s families to test symptomatic students for COVID-19 onsite, during the school day. Your consent is optional.
Here are a few options to turn in a signed COVID-19 Testing Consent Form:
Install the Adobe software to enter your certified signature. The consent form can be signed with DocuSign. You can email them to the school secretary.
You can print this form at home, sign it and return the form to your school.
Schools can send a printed copy to parents/guardians upon request. Families can fill it out and return it with their students. Please reach out to your school secretary for this option.
Tests will only be given to test students who have a consent form on file or to staff who agree to the test. You can find the forms by clicking in the links below:
The Student Success & Health Department in partnership with Multnomah Educational Service District (MESD) will oversee the implementation of the program following the COVID-19 Testing in Oregon’s K-12 Schools guidance provided by OHA and DHS.
The COVID-19 Testing in Oregon Schools FAQ is linked here.
Day of Silence on Friday, April 23
To all our students who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies, we invite them to take a vow of silence on Friday and join in breaking their silence at 12:15 on Friday at "mtmsdos" to share their thoughts on what Mt. Tabor can be a more affirming and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ students.
You can find more information about Day of Silence, as well as images to use for avatars on Friday, at https://www.glsen.org/day-of-silence"
WEB Program Applications Due April 23
Attention 7th Graders and their Families:
The 2021-2022 WEB Program application is now live! Here is the LINK! Please know that the application will take a chunk of time to complete thoughtfully, so read and follow all directions carefully. Deadline for the application is Friday, April 23, and there will be a WEB Information Session at 1 pm on Wednesday, April 14. Thank you for your interest!
New Open Community Meal Distribution Sites
For the remainder of the year, grab-and-go meals will be available between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. on school days for all children in the community (PPS students and children not enrolled at PPS) ages 1-18.
The sites for curbside distribution:
Beaumont Middle School, 4043 NE Fremont St.
Franklin High School, 5405 SE Woodward St.
George Middle School, 10000 N Burr Ave.
Harriet Tubman Middle School, 2231 N Flint Ave.
Hosford Middle School, 2303 SE 28th Pl.
Ida B. Wells High School, 1151 SW Vermont St.
Jackson Middle School, 10625 SW 35th Ave.
Help Us Understanding Your Nutrition and Transportation Plans
Childcare
Are you or someone you know looking for childcare during hybrid instruction? Check out the PPS Child Care website for a list of schools hosting child care programs during hybrid instruction. The website includes directions for translating the information. In addition, 211info offers child care referrals for all types of programs (including Boys and Girls Club and community centers) throughout Multnomah County. Parents can text, call or search for programs online. We are exploring bus transportation from schools to a small number of external programs but are still working though bus capacity challenges and will share updates when transportation is confirmed.
To receive a customized referral to emergency child care programs:
Option 1: Call 211
Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish, # for all other languages
Enter your 5 digit zip code
Press 3 for child care
Press 2 to access a child care provider for your family.
Option 2: Text the keyword “children” or “niños” to 898211 (TXT211).
Spring Dreambox Challenge for Students
Congratulations to the following MTMS Students for being our mid-challenge winners in the Dreambox Challenge.
6th grade - Flynn Brimberry
7th grade - Ema Doyle
8th grade - Daniel Bergin .
From March 22nd to May 2nd your student has a chance to win prizes simply for continuing to utilize this program during…
THE DREAMBOX SPRING CHALLENGE
Who: Any student who completes AT LEAST 5 Lessons per week is entered in the drawing
When: For 6 weeks (March 22nd to May 2nd)
Please see the flyer below for more information:
Spring Math Challenge (English)
Spring Math Challenge (Spanish)
Questions about the challenge or about DreamBox in general? Talk to your math teacher or email our Math Instructional Coach, Ms. Suckow at rsuckow@pps.net
Support the MTMS PTA: Order your Tabor Gear Today!
It feels like Spring is upon us and summer right around the corner. It is a great time to purchase a Mt. Tabor Middle School t-shirt for your students and family members. A portion of the sales come back to the PTA, which in turn is used to benefit the Mt. Tabor Middle School community. It is a win-win-win. Get a new t-shirt, raise funds for the PTA, and show some school spirit!
Items are available in youth and adult sizes and include short sleeve t-shirts ($20), crew neck fleece sweatshirts ($30), and hoodies ($35).
Items are ordered on demand from a local company and ordering is available throughout the entire school year. You order online, pay online, and items can be picked up locally in Portland or mailed to your address. You can place your order online at this link: https://mttabormiddleschool.itemorder.com/sale
Opportunities for Students
----------ADDITIONAL RESOURCES----------
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.
High School Corner
Thanks for our amazing 8th Grade Counselor, Mr. Cady Russell, all of the forecasting and high school information you could need is consolidated at this link.
Student Verifications
If you haven't yet completed the online Student Verification form for your student, please go to your ParentVue to do so. If you need a ParentVue activation key, please contact Ann Pinzelik at apinzeli@pps.net.
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?
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
Email: tarnold3@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/Domain/143
Location: 5800 Southeast Ash Street, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 916-5646
Twitter: @Tonya_Arnold3