WHITMAN NEWSLETTER
January 28th, 2022
CALENDAR
GREETINGS FROM MS. G
Greetings Whitman Families,
I hope you are well, and want to reiterate how grateful Whitman staff is to serve this beautiful community of families and learners. We know there have been many challenges and barriers for everyone, but please know that Whtiman strives each day to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and community as best as we can!
Regarding COVID, some families have inquired about pivoting to online learning due to the high numbers of COVID exposures amongst students and staff in the district. Please know that Portland Public Schools makes this decision on a school by school basis, and at this point in time, Whitman is not pivoting to online learning and remaining open and serving students with in person learning.
If you need further resources and more particulars around COVID guidance please follow this link to the latest information that went out in an email earlier this week: COVID guidance
Please also note that when school is still being held in person at Whitman but your child must remain at home due to district health and safety protocols related to COVID, the district has worked to create resources your child can access in order to support their learning.
While not required, these are materials your child can use to engage in grade level learning experiences as Portland Public Schools has determined that classroom teachers cannot provide additional materials - including packets and other school work - nor teach both online (virtually) and in person at the same time.
https://sites.google.com/pps.net/ppsquarantinelessons/home?authuser=0
If you have any questions or need additional support, please reach our main office.
In order to keep learning thriving at Whitman, this month of January has been all about school climate, and embracing and embodying our school wide values of commitment, empowerment and most of all community.
Check out our youtube channel and some of the highlights for this month here!!!
As you can see the tree planting was a great success. Our 5th graders did an amazing job and will also be planting some flowers and plants next week. Check out the Tree Planting Event Photos, and if you are interested to know the names of the 12 trees planted this year they are: Incense Cedar, Oregon White Oak, London Planetree, Japanese, Zelkova, Silver Linden, Frontier Elm.
COVID COMMUNICATION UPDATE
What should I do if my child is sick?
Presently, children need to stay home with any symptom of illness.
Please call the school at 503-916-6370 to let us know that your child will be out and we can provide you further guidance and support.
What should I do if someone in my child's house tests positive for Covid?
When you first receive the results of a positive test, please do not send your child to school but rather, call the school at 503-916-6370.
We can then help gather details to help inform your child's plan.
When will my child be asked to quarantine at home?
It applies to children who meet the following criteria:
If your child is living with someone who has currently tested positive for Covid and
Your child is not fully vaccinated (that means they received their second dose 14 or more days prior to exposure).
Please note: This applies to children who have symptoms and also those who do not have symptoms of illness.
It also applies to children who meet the following criteria:
If your child is living with someone who has currently tested positive for Covid and
Your child is fully vaccinated (that means they received their second dose 14 or more days prior to exposure).
Please note: This applies to children who have symptoms of illness.
When can the school give my child a Covid test?
Children who are showing symptoms of illness may not come to school to be tested. (Please see the next question for resources that apply to that scenario.)
If your child becomes symptomatic while at school and you have previously signed a consent for PPS to test your student, Covid 19: General Consent Form: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le3560e.pdf we can test your student at school.
Please note: All children with primary or secondary symptoms of Covid will need to be sent home, regardless of Covid test results and vaccination status.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Where can I find a Covid test in the community?
Curative
Some people have found success in calling their primary care doctor or medical provider. Over the past couple of weeks, this organization has also had regular openings: Curative https://curative.com/ It has been noted by other parties that if you refresh your web browser, more available slots will appear.
For this site you need to enter in "Clackamas Community College Harmony Campus" and choose an appointment time (whatever that may be into the future) so that you can access the digital paperwork to fill out, to obtain a QR code. Once you have a QR code, you drive to the site and show them the code and they will test you, no appointment needed, just the QR code.
Tests Mailed to Your Home
You can now also order free Covid tests online at COVIDtests.gov. Please note, these can take up to a week and a half to get to your house so this is a good resource to have more at the ready for future testing needs.
Where can I find a vaccine or booster for Covid?
Multnomah County Health Department
Offering twice-weekly Immunization Clinics for families and children to obtain COVID-19 and school-required vaccines.
Clinics will be held on:
Wednesdays from 11 am - 2 pm & 3 pm - 6 pm at the Gateway WIC Building, 131 NE 102nd Ave., Portland
Saturdays from 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm at the NE Health Clinic, 5329 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. #322, Portland
Appointments are required for children aged 5 - 11.
No appointment is required for family members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and flu shots.
Call 503-988-8939 to make an appointment.
More info is available at: multco.us/vaccineclinics
Cleveland High School - Student Health Center
Call 503-988-3350 for an appointment (required)
More info is available at: https://www.pps.net/Page/6698
Weekly COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
Tuesday: 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Thursday: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Open Monday-Friday
Regular Hours: 7:45 am - 3:45 pm
Closed for Lunch: 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Open Late Tuesdays: 8:45 am - 4:45 pm
SUN
Hello Whitman families!
My name is Dulce Lopez. I am the resource navigator at Whitman and extended day coordinator for SUN. If families need any assistance or have any questions, please contact me with no hesitation. You can reach me at my email, dlopez@impactnw.org or my cell, 503-319-5813.
After a long pause, we are happy to be starting SUN again! Starting Tuesday, February 1st! We are very excited and can’t wait to see you all again!
SHA & NURSE NEWS
REMINDER: During the rainy season please send extra clothes with your students.
WHITMAN RESOURCE TEAM
"The Francis Center is a non-profit food and clothing pantry. We supply food boxes, clothing, toiletries and household goods to the community in East Multnomah County.
Food boxes are available to east county residents Monday thru Thursday from 10am -2pm. Typically we provide canned goods, rice, pastas, flour, bread, beans, oatmeal, cereal, milk, yogurt, cheese, various meats (chicken, pork, beef and fish) plus an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. Our grocery boxes are nutritionally dense and hit all the major food groups.
Clothes are available to east county residents Monday thru Thursday from 10am - 1pm. Typically we have coats, shirts, dresses, pants, shorts, underwear, socks, shoes, hats and belts. We also have toiletries, blankets and other miscellaneous household items available."
Food Hours: Monday-Thursday: 10am-2pm
Clothing Hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-1pm
6535 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
(503) 775-6784
If you have any questions regarding this resource or others, you can contact Whitman Resource Team member Nicole Costello at ncostello@pps.net or by texting or calling 503-916-6370.
WHITMAN PTA
Our PTA needs a minimum of 25 members or we will lose our PTA status!
At this time there are less than 10 members.
It is only $10 to sign up with scholarships available.
Membership Post: https://www.facebook.com/216923478741947/posts/1326157324485218/
Link to our FB page: https://m.facebook.com/216923478741947/
Link to our Memberhub page: https://ptawhitman.memberhub.store/
QUESTIONS? LET'S STAY IN TOUCH!
Taylor Langeliers, School Secretary | tlangeliers@pps.net
Dollie Vaughn, Principal's Secretary | dovaughn@pps.net
Phone: 503-916-6370 | Fax: 503-916-2684 | Website: https://www.pps.net/whitman