Wolverine News
September 20, 2021
West Orient Middle School
Website: gresham.k12.or.us/woms
Location: 29805 Southeast Orient Drive, Gresham, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 663-3323
Twitter: @WOMSwolverines
Dear Families,
It's been exciting to see all of our students back in the building these past two weeks! Both staff and students are discovering how great it is to be in-person learning again.
Please take a moment to review the articles below relating to Covid notifications and student absences due to Covid and quarantining. We are still learning and adjusting to the new guidelines and protocols in our school. We thank you for your patience.
You may notice the same article in the newsletter for more than one week. That is intentional as some articles will remain relevant for several weeks. The newest articles will be posted at the top of the newsletter.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, I can be reached via email at catanese@gresham.k12.or.us or via phone at 503-663-3323.
Go Wolverines!
Ms. Elise Catanese
Principal
Wolverines are EPIC (Engaged, Persistent, Intentional, Career & College Ready)
Covid Notification Letters
If there is a positive case of Covid in our school, you will receive a notification letter sent via School Messenger indicating that there has been a confirmed positive Covid case in our school. This is just a notification. There is no further action needed on your part.
If your child was exposed or in close contact with someone with Covid while at school, your child may need to quarantine. Close contact is described as closer than 6 feet without a mask for 15 minutes or longer. If that is the case, you will receive a phone call and a separate letter with quarantine details and timelines.
As always, please feel free to contact the school office if you have any questions. 503-663-3323.
Student School Work During Quarantine
Students will have the opportunity to complete school work while in quarantine. Students and parents should expect to receive ONE email from the school with all assigned school work for each class. This email will be sent one to two days after the student has been identified for quarantine. Assigned school work will come in the form of a spreadsheet with the specific assignments to be completed for each class. If indicated, hard copies of assignments will be available for pick up at the school office.
Because students are learning from home, some assignments may be modified or adjusted compared to the assignments students would complete if participating at school through in-person instruction. Students will be responsible to complete only those assignments listed on the spreadsheet and will be given extended time to complete the assigned school work. Specific questions about assignments and work completion should be directed to teachers.
Important Dates in September
September 6: Labor Day, No School
September 7: First Day, 6th Grade Only
September 8: First Day, 7th & 8th Grade
September 24: No School, Staff Inservice
West Orient Safety Measures
Again, our top priority is the safety of our students and staff and for that reason we will be following our district's safety protocols developed by the Oregon Department of Education Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework. Included in this newsletter is the Gresham-Barlow Return to Learn Health And Safety Plan.
Some important things to highlight:
- Masks must be worn by all staff and students throughout the entire day, including lunch recess. The only exception is during lunch when students are eating or drinking. Masks must cover mouth and nose at all times.
- Students and staff will try and stay 3 feet apart to social distance whenever feasible.
- There will be no visitors or volunteers until further notice.
Thank you all for your understanding as we are doing what is necessary to keep our students and staff safe!
Picture Day is Coming
Please save the date for October 1st.
We have partnered with Lifetouch for our student photos and picture packets will be sent home with your child the week of 9/20. There will be more information to come in the following week.
ParentVue Reminders
This is a reminder that ParentVUE is the best place to find most information you need including bus schedules, student schedules, student grades, etc. You must first acknowledge that you have reviewed the Rights & Responsibilities Handbook before gaining access to the above information. Also, please remember to update your contact information.
If you have any questions, please contact the main office at 503-663-3323.
Covid Testing Consent Forms
Dear WOMS Families,
We are required to have Covid testing consent forms on file in the event we need to test your child for Covid.
Please note: Testing kits are only available for students that are symptomatic. We are not a COVID testing clinic and do not offer testing to families and community members.
Please complete a form and return or email authorized forms to mattecheck@gresham.k12.or.us
Covid Testing Consent English (Fillable)
Covid Testing Consent English (Printable)
Return to Learn Health and Safety Plan for 2021-22
Every school in the district is taking health and safety precautions to provide a safe and healthy learning environment. Our Return to Learn Health and Safety Plan was developed by following guidance in the state’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework.
View our Return to Learn Health and Safety Plan
At West Orient this will mean that all students and staff will be required to wear masks while indoors and outdoors.
We will also be working to maintain 3 feet of physical distance whenever possible. To help limit crowding, students will be asked to bring their school supplies (including their Chromebooks) in a backpack which they carry with them during the day. This will help keep students from being in close contact with each other around lockers during passing times.
Increased ventilation in classrooms and frequent handwashing/hand sanitizing will be additional measures we take to help limit the spread of germs in the school.
Students will not be required to badge in or out of the building as they did last year. Instead, student contacts will be tracked through classroom attendance each day.
As guidance changes, we will modify and adjust our practices to make sure we are following the best advice for keeping students safe while they are at school.
Spanish:
Conozca nuestras precauciones de salud y seguridad
Todas las escuelas del distrito están tomando precauciones de salud y seguridad para proporcionar un entorno de aprendizaje seguro y saludable. Nuestro Plan de Regreso al Aprendizaje Salud y Seguridad se desarrolló siguiendo las pautas en Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework del estado.
Vea nuestro Plan de Regreso al Aprendizaje Salud y Seguridad
Russian:
Узнайте о наших мерах предосторожности в отношении здоровья и безопасности
Каждая школа округа принимает меры здравоохранения и безопасности, чтобы обеспечить безопасную и здоровую среду обучения. Наш план «Возвращение к обучению» был разработан в соответствии с рекомендациями штата в руководстве «Готовые школы - ученики в безопасности».
Immunization Requirements
Dear West Orient Families,
Many families fell behind on required vaccines and well-visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re here to help you catch up before in-person school starts in September! Visit one of our Back-to-School Immunization events in August to get your child up to date and protected against serious diseases like chicken pox, measles, mumps, tetanus and whooping cough. Call 503-988-5558 to make an appointment. Find more information at multco.us/school/school-immunizations. Can’t make it? Get your child up to date at any Multnomah County Student Health Center (multco.us/student-health) or Multnomah Community Health Center (multco.us/health/primary-care-clinics).
Muchas familias se retrasaron en sus vacunas de requerido y las visitas de bienestar durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ¡Estamos aquí para ayudarle a ponerse al día antes de que comience la escuela presencial en Septiembre! Visite uno de nuestros eventos de vacunación de Regreso a la Escuela en agosto para que su hijo tenga su últimas vacunas y esté protegido contra enfermedades graves como varicela, sarampión, paperas, tétanos y tos ferina. Llame al 503-988-5558 para hacer una cita. Encuentre más información en multco.us/school/school-immunizations.¿Se te hace difícil llegar a lugares de vacunación? Mantenga a su hijo al día con sus vacunas en cualquier Multnomah County Student Health Center (multco.us/student-health) o Centro de Salud Comunitario (multco.us/health/primary-care-clinics).
Please contact Tamara Cochran in the school office at (503) 663-3323 if you have questions.
Rights & Responsibilities Handbook
Dear Parents,
The Parent/Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook for the 2021-2022 school year is available to review.