MLC Weekly News and Notes
December 12th-16th
Hello, MLC community! I cannot believe we are already in the last week before winter break....!
There is plenty we have going on before we wrap up 2022 at MLC. Please make sure to read all the way down so you don't miss any information about the happenings this week.
With all the business, I am hopeful we can still keep kindness at the forefront in all we do. I have seen this exhibited in numerous ways at MLC this past week through students, staff and our family community. I watched a high school student walking through the hall stop to console an elementary student that was having a difficult morning. A middle school student encouraged their lunch friend group to clean up a mess (that wasn't their doing) to keep our school clean and not leave it for our hard working custodians. I saw a parent jump in with absolute good will to help a stranger in a tricky situation. I witnessed a staff team surprising a member with lunch in celebration and appreciation. These are just a few examples - there are many more! Thank you, MLC, for your kind hearts and compassion. Let's carry that into 2023.
I hope you all have a safe and restful break!
Best,
Suezann
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
THIS WEEK:
12/13 Tuesday - 4-6th Field Trip Imago Theater, 3rd & 8th to Powell's
12/14 Wednesday - 3rd Field Trip to release salmon at Hawthorne Bridge, HS trip to Cinema 21
12/15 Thursday - Solstice All School "Celebration of Light"
12/16 Friday - Pajama Day!
12/19-1/2 - Winter Break!
COMING SOON:
1/3 Tuesday - Welcome Back and to 2023!
Celebration of Light
We are VERY excited to bring back the long standing MLC tradition - SOLSTICE!
Details:
Thursday December 15th
For students
The Solstice performance will start at 1pm. Teachers and staff will support students in this event in the auditorium.
For parents that want to join
We will have a live feed to the cafeteria for parents that want to join in the cafeteria. Parents will not be allowed to the auditorium or anywhere else inside the building. There are still strict space rules in place and we want to make sure our STUDENTS are able to experience this event first. For those that want to see the event at home/later - The recorded show will be available on the website when it is uploaded later. :)
After the performance inside, parents are invited to join students out on the blacktop - around 2pm.
Parking will be on the street. We will be using the entire space for our drum circle, solstice treats and space for students. At 2:45 - Students will be returning to their classrooms before the end of the day to take attendance. Parents cannot leave with their student from the celebration. The MUST go back inside with their teacher for regular release. This is to ensure safety for all students.
Thank you for your help to make this a wonderful and safe event for our students!
Welcome, Hakim!
I am extremely excited to welcome my good friend, Hakim Muhammed, to our community! Hakim will begin his MLC journey by leading our Students of Color & BSU group on Wednesday's starting in January.
A little about Hakim:
Born and raised in Portland, OR, Hakim has been playing drums and percussion since the age of nine. Hakim teaches African drumming classes and workshops all over the West Coast at various schools and universities. He is also a Hip-Hop artist and producer. In 2012 he was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. Hakim is extremely community oriented and is dedicated to coaching and mentoring youth.
Hakim will be visiting us the first week in January to meet our community.
First official meeting day: Wednesday, January 11th during lunch
We will be starting with grades 6-12. More information to come!
Craft Faire Success!
Family, friends and MLC community members gathered into the auditorium and enjoyed music, crafts, and tasty treats at Thursday's Craft Faire! This was truly a successful and well attended event! Shout out to all the creative artists that shared their amazing pieces.
SUPER SHOUT OUT to Shelia Hanson for her tireless planning of this event.
THANK YOU, SHELIA!!
Safety Updates and Reminders
COVID TESTS:
MLC has received several COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test kits. The kits are available in the main office.
WEATHER:
Communications about inclement weather go out in a variety of ways, including text messages, robocalls, emails, and are posted on the PPS website. If you are a parent or guardian, a student, or a PPS staff member, you can opt in to receive texts by texting YES to 68453.
1st-8th students should not arrive to MLC before 8:15 a.m. At that time, students will need to wait outside until 8:25 unless they are eating breakfast. Breakfast students may enter the cafeteria at 8:15. Students may not enter the other areas of the school until 8:25 to start the school day at 8:30 a.m.
Unfortunately, we do not have enough staff to monitor all areas of the building and outdoors before those times. Teachers and staff are preparing for the day.
We want to make sure all students are safe and in designated areas where there is adequate supervision.
Kindergarten students will now be dropped off and picked up in the Kindergarten classroom!
Thank you for your help in keeping our students safe!
Student Spotlight
The Museum of Living Color was a wonderful event! All K-6 classrooms had a gallery of amazing work to showcase as well as a live opening show in the auditorium. Thanks K-6 teams, Ned and students for bringing art to life at MLC!
Shout out to:
K-6 Students, Ned and Teachers!!!
CHELSEA is ONE of a KIND!
Let's give a shout out to our School Cook- Chelsea! Not only does she keep our school community well fed with her culinary skills, but she is also an amazing student advocate and leader.
WOO HOO! CHELSEA!
Staff Wish List
Our hard working MLC staff is in need of a few wish list items. If you have any of these things to donate, we would sure appreciate your generosity! Feel free to reach out to the staff requester if you can help them out. Click HERE to verify DONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELP YOU HAVE ALREADY GIVEN! :)
Clothing Closet - Large plastic storage bins, clothing racks, sturdy hangers
Dana Lipson - Low temp glue gun and glue sticks
Jenny Rappaport - Whiteboard easel
Minna Mauney - 25 bean bag chairs, set of Cray Pas Junior Artist pastels (22)
Gretchen Benner - Paper cups, plastic spoons and forks, Bean bag chair
Clement Wilson - Chapsticks, Large sweatpants
Amanda Darmawi - Sugarless gum
Paid Youth Opportunity: Uplift Youth Summit
Here is a cool opportunity shared by our HS Career Coordinator:
Feb. 17-20, Uplift Virtual Youth Summit, Youth ERA; Students receive a $75 stipend for participation and a chance to win a PS5, funded by a grant from the Oregon Health Authority. Now registering youth for scholarships for Oregon youth, ages 14-19.
As described by a student participant, “The main goal is to train teens in peer support so that they can be there for each other in crisis. Uplift prioritizes your mental health and as a result, teens who’ve done Uplift say they have improved self confidence and personal growth, and feel more capable in reaching out to peers.” Students will learn how to identify signs of distress, practice listening and self care skills, identify strengths, build resilience, and counter issues like bullying and youth suicide.
Adults and staff can watch this video to learn more. Youth 14-19 can apply here.
For more information, contact:
--Tanya Leib
High School Career Coordinator
PTSA News
Greetings from the MLC PTSA!
Next PTSA Meeting: Jan 10th!
As the previous meeting date was the first day back to school after Winter Break, members voted to move the meeting date to the second Tuesday of January, Jan 10th, at 6:30-8:00
MLC Holiday Teacher and Staff Appreciation
Each year, members of the PTSA reach out to MLC parents to ask for donations to put into gift bags for the staff of MLC to thank them for all they do for our kiddos! That means all of our staff--including Bill and Steve, our custodians, Tim in the library, our high school teachers--all receive a gift from the community whereas they might not otherwise get a gift. One of the many ways we show our love at MLC!
If you have the ability to contribute, please check out this spreadsheet and enter in what you are willing to give so we can keep track. Mostly we are looking for gift cards (think local stores, coffee shop) and chocolate bars. And if you have some small festive gift bags we will take those as well. Then you can drop off your contribution to Kathleen in the front office by Tuesday, December 13th and we will collect, assemble and distribute the bags before winter break.
MLC Calendars
This year's calendar is amazing! Full of student faces and student art! A lot went into putting this calendar together, and we're so happy to be able to share it with you!
We're trying a sliding scale option on this one! Details in the link below:
http://www.mlcptsa.org/store/p84/MLC_2023_Calendar.html
Craft Faire
The Craft Faire was awesome! Thanks to Sheila, Alisa, and everyone else that put it all together! It was great seeing so many members of our community all in one place. There were smiles everywhere and an amazing energy!
Holiday Meal Fund Drive
Please consider contributing to our annual holiday meal fund drive. Your financial donation will allow MLC families to purchase food and other necessities during the holiday season.
If you need assistance or would like to request a grocery card for your family, please contact MLC's school social worker, Clement: clwilson@pps.net
All this and more at mlcptsa.org
State Testing 30 Day Notice with Opt Out Form: December 6, 2022
PPS families,
As required by the Oregon Department of Education, we are providing you the 30 Day Notice and Opt Out Form. The notice is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian and Somali on the PPS Research, Assessment, and Accountability website.
Statewide testing is part of our balanced assessment system that offers all students, especially historically underserved students, opportunities to demonstrate their progress. Information provided by student assessments is critical in helping us determine district and school priorities for improving student learning.
If you have questions, please contact your school office.
Art is ALIVE at MLC!
Do you wonder what's going on in the Kx8 Art Room? Art teacher Ned and his students are posting their creations and flops on Instagram at bettys_atelier_mlc in honor of Betty Mather, one of MLC's original teacher/founders! Betty taught in room 106 for the first third of our school's history. Betty's space was the beating heart of the school where all children met and created.
Upcoming Career Days: Winter 2022
The Portland Workforce Alliance has two upcoming career exposure opportunities for high school students. Individual registration is requested. Just click on the links!
Upcoming Career Days: Winter 2022
The Oregonian/OregonLive Career Day (Dec. 14). Get a behind-the-scenes look at the largest media company in Oregon and meet journalism professionals. Explore how the pros use tools such as video, photography and social media to tell stories. Participate in hands-on learning, including a mock press conference. Learn about the skills and education needed for a career in journalism, communications, and media. IN PERSON.
For more information, contact Tanya.