Parents, I hope you and your loved ones are doing well and are safe during these times. Well, we have come to the last workday for the month of January. Yesterday was the end of Quarter 2/Semester 1. I want to commend our scholars for demonstrating resiliency during this learning period. They adjusted and are making the best of this environment that we are in. The day will come when they will be able to see one another in the physical state.
I have to give a shout-out to the BEST staff in PPS at Harriet Tubman Middle School (Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Educational Assistants, Support Staff, Counselors, Secretarial, Administrators, Custodial, and Nutrition). They planned, strategized, and supported our scholars and parents to provide the best instruction and services during this learning model. Also, I want to thank you, parents, for your sacrifice and work during the distance learning model. You have made sacrifices, and it has not gone unnoticed by me.
On Monday, February 1st, Quarter 3 begins. Physical copies of your scholar's schedule have been mailed home. Also, a cheat sheet of information was provided too. We wanted to provide you a physical copy. If you haven't received it yet, your scholar can log into Student Vue and click on quarter 3 and view their classes in Canvas.
6th Grade Cheat Sheet
7th Grade Cheat Sheet
8th Grade Cheat Sheet
Elective Cheat Sheet
The Black History Month Committee, Student Leadership, and Black Student Union have been planning Black History Month events. It has been student thought and driven. We are looking forward to the events, and these events will be shared.
Tubman Family, our very own illustrious Dance teacher, Mrs. Oluyinka Parsons-Akinjiola, is also a member of the Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater. They have created a short dance film named "The Film at the Dinner Table. The film will be available for viewing virtually, free of charge, from January 24th-February 7th. Mrs. Oluyinka Akinjiola has put together a discussion guide for this work, which centers and promotes AfroFuturism. LINK TO VIDEO | LINK TO CONVERSATION GUIDE. At the Dinner Table is a short dance film that examines how we can set the table for a better future and a better us. We are done asking for a seat at the table; we are building our own. We acknowledge the ancestors that helped pave the way, the lives lost which sparked movements, and the mess that meets us at the door. Using an Afro-futuristic perspective, we want to know how you will show up, what you will give, and if we will ever sit down together. Kudos, Mrs. Akinjiola!."
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REOPENING OF SCHOOLS (Limited In-Person Instruction-LIPI)
Harriet Tubman Middle is in Phase 2 of the Portland Public Schools that will begin Limited in-Person Instruction (LIPI). The beginning date is February 22nd. LIPI is voluntary for scholars. It is only for 6th graders at this time, with approximately 10-12 scholars in a cohort. The cohort would attend for two hours in the afternoon for one day a week. LIPI does not replace distance synchronous learning in the morning. This is an opportunity for our most vulnerable scholars to receive extra support with face-to-face instruction. Transportation will be provided in most instances.
HTMS' classrooms have been reconfigured to the safety guidelines recommended by the state. We, the administrative/admin support teams, will develop criteria for the scholars we will invite.
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CLASSROOM NEWS
SCIENCE
This past week all scholars in 6th through 8th grade experienced the OHSU OnTrack Program in their Science class. This exciting program brings hands-on activities related to biotechnology to middle school students. The goal is to engage and motivate our scholars to consider careers in the biotechnology field. Scholars will participate in two activities with the OHSU staff each of their years at Tubman. They will also be encouraged to matriculate into the Jefferson High School Biotech Academic Pathway, which is the next component of the OHSU On Track Program. For this first activity, scholars were tasked with designing, building, and testing a bioengineering tool to solve a medical problem. It was really wonderful to see all of the scholars actively engaged in this hands-on science experience and use the Scientific Method! Great job, Science Teachers and Scientists!
6TH GRADE MATH
HTMS Scholars embarked on a virtual entrepreneur business experience for their last instructional unit of Ratios, Rates, and Unit Rates. What a better way to teach them these functional math skills than through their own creations! Scholars individually or in groups with their peers created a business plan along with 5 products they would sell/market. As we explored rate and unit rate, they determined 2 products they wanted to focus on to sell in our virtual mall. By the end of the unit, we had 22 businesses in our mall that scholars got to shop in. Scholars had a budget of $250 to spend in the mall while determining the better buy and unit rate of their purchased items. The creativity, energy, and imagination scholars brought to the project was amazing! I was so inspired and in awe; it led me to work on providing a real entrepreneurial opportunity for interested scholars. Coming soon.... a Tubman scholar business project with the Makerspace; designing, creating, packaging, and marketing cookie cutters. Ms. Werts and Dr. Stralek created this unit. Great job!
The virtual mall is in the Formative application; so, 6th-grade parents, you will have to get access to see it via your scholars.
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ANNUAL ASBESTOS MEMO
Parents, please read the memo here.
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LONG-RANGE FACILITY PLAN
Portland Public Schools is currently developing a Long-Range Facility Plan that will align the District’s educational vision with future capital planning. This work is an opportunity to institute lasting change in our schools by re-envisioning teaching and learning environments. If you are a PPS community member interested in participating in a dialogue session, please visit www.pps.net/lrfp to register or email longrangefacilityplan@pps.net with any questions. We look forward to talking with you soon!
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FREE, BILINGUAL, 90-MINUTE WEBINAR FOR STUDENTS IN 6TH – 12TH GRADE AND THEIR FAMILIES Mensaje en español
Greetings,
You’re invited to attend the virtual Road to College, hosted by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund! This is a FREE, bilingual, 90-minute webinar for students in 6th – 12th grade and their families, where you will receive valuable information about how to prepare, plan, and pay for a college education!
HSF’s Road to College is tailored to address the needs of middle and high school students and their parents. People of all ethnicities and backgrounds are encouraged to attend.
Presentations will be delivered by subject-matter experts, in both English and Spanish, on the following topics:
- Preparing for and applying to college
- Researching financial aid and scholarship opportunities
- Understanding the real cost of a college education
- Maximizing the college experience
- Preparing for a career after college
Below are the dates and registration links for each of the two HSF Road to College webinars:
Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Central/ 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time
Registration will close once capacity has been reached. Secure your spot by registering today! We hope to see you there!
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FREE/REDUCED ELIGIBILITY FOR PEBT AND OTHER BENEFITS
While meals are served at no cost to children ages 1-18 at several Portland Public School sites this year, there are several benefits for eligible families to submit a meal application this school year.
Families approved for free and reduced-price meals may be eligible to receive future potential government assistance such as Pandemic EBT benefits.
Families may be eligible for other benefits such as school-related fee reduction or waivers, low-cost internet, and health coverage.
Families do not need to submit a meal application if any of the following apply:
All students in the household attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school (list located online: https://www.pps.net/Page/2088) where students eat meals at no cost.
A meal application has already been submitted and approved for the 2020-21 school year.
The household received a 2020-21 Direct Certification Approval letter.
Eligible families who would like to submit a meal application have the following options:
- Online at www.schoolcafe.com/pps.
- Print, complete, and mail back a paper meal application (https://www.pps.net/Page/2464) to PPS Nutrition Services, 501 N. Dixon St., Portland, OR 97227.
- Request a paper meal application be mailed home from mealbenefits@pps.net or call (503) 916-3402
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SNAP BENEFITS
The federal economic relief package passed late last month included a temporary increase of approximately 15% in SNAP benefits. These benefits are planned to be distributed this month in Oregon. To see the details, please read this news release. SNAP Emergency Allotments will continue for January as well, meaning families will still receive their maximum household allotment of SNAP benefits. Please see these FAQs for more information.
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SATURDAY ACADEMY APPRENTICESHIPS IN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING PROGRAM
Science and engineering program opportunity for scholars. Please click on the link, below.
Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering Program
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MEAL SERVICES
On Friday, January 29th (a teacher planning day), meal services will continue as scheduled. For PPS families not near a meal pickup location or who need assistance accessing meals and would like to request home meal delivery, please contact nutritionservices@pps.net with:
- Family name
- Address (where meals should be delivered)
- Contact phone number
- Number of children in the household
- School(s) attended
Requests submitted by end of day Monday, will begin receiving meal deliveries on the following Monday. For cancellations, changes or updates, please contact nutritionservices@pps.net. Please feel free to visit our website or contact us at nutritionservices@pps.net with any questions. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Please click on the link below for information.
https://www.pps.net/cms/lib/OR01913224/Centricity/Domain/4/PSU_Music_Scholarships_2021.pdf
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PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE TEEN COMMUNITY ED PROGRAMS
Please click on this link for information.
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DONATING TO THOSE IN NEED
Tubman Family, during these times, some of our families are facing struggles and hardships. Families may need help with food, coats, and basic necessities during the upcoming season. If you would like to help those in need, below is an online giving link for those who may like to donate funds to support those in our community. https://pps.schoolpay.com/link/HTMScommunity
Thank you.
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SATURDAY ACADEMY ONLINE STEAM ONLINE CLASSES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS
This is an opportunity for our scholars. If interested, please click on this link for further information.
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OTHER NEWS
SO YOU WANT TO BE A CANVAS PARENT OBSERVER
Parents, if you would like to be an observer of your scholar's courses, this step-by-step direction will allow you to see your scholar's courses. Mr. Longo provided a demonstration at yesterday's training. If you have multiple scholars, you can add them to the same account that you have created.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Please contact Ms. Holmes, jholmes1@pps.net, for any technical need.
OFFICE STAFF
If you have a registration or general question, please contact our office staff via email: Ms. Brown, jbrown12@pps.net, Ms. Maharry, hmaharry@pps.net, and Ms. Smith-Myles, csmithmyles@pps.net. Please note, the office is still closed until further notice.
Lastly, please click on the buttons below.
Please take care, and be safe!
In-Service,
Proud Principal
Louis Mair
