The Weekly FIRE
Flexibility, Integrity, Respect, Effort
issue 25: 04/19/2021
Dear Dragons-
This is it!
In-person instruction at RLA for students in group A starts tomorrow! We are so excited!
When you come back into the school building there will be lots of new things that we will all be getting used to. Almost all of those new things are designed to help keep you, your friends and your family safe from Covid-19. At first, it may seem like a lot of new things to remember. But, if you can remember these three things, you will be doing a lot to help keep our community safe:
1. Stay home if you are feeling sick or if you have been around a sick person.
2. Always wear your mask.
3. Stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
If we all commit to doing these three things, we will go a long way in helping to protect our community from Covid-19. If you haven’t yet, make sure to check your school email for information about your group assignment and watch the video below for more information about hybrid instruction at RLA.
https://tinyurl.com/studenthybridvideo
-Principal Aaron
Social Justice Process Group
Dragons,
As I'm sure many of you are aware, the Derek Chauvin trial verdict will soon be announced. Many difficult feelings can arise during times like these. If you need a space to process, please join a member of the RLA mental health team on Monday, April 19th at 1:00pm.
Topic: Social Justice Process Group
Time: Apr 19, 2021 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://rsd7-net.zoom.us/j/92297995364Animal Guide of the Week:
-Laura Craford, RLA Social Worker
For those of you who do not know what the animal cards mean…
Each newsletter I will pull a card from my deck of animal guide cards, it is our message for the week—something we need to think about, understand or that we need to remember about ourselves or a situation. This is something that I have been doing with RLA students and staff for a while now, it’s my thing. 😊 If you ever want your own card, message me (Laura) through teams or @ (740) 240-2311 and I will send you a picture of one OR come to my office for one when we were in school!
Weasel
I think I would like to talk to someone...
Laura Craford, lcraford@rsd7.net 740-240-2311
Todd Brehm, tbrehm@trilliumfamily.org 971-334-2009
Jesse Bright jbright@trilliumfamily.org 503-318-2905
Mixtly Simon-Beard mbeard@trilliumfamily.org 971-600-4896
Are you in need of Resources?
Do you want to talk to Janna Cash, the school counselor?
Do you have questions about your credits, transcript, or graduation plan? Students and parents can schedule a meeting with her here!
This is the Trillium Team schedule for being in the building and how you can connect with us:
- Todd - Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 9am-4pm ph. 971-334-2009; tbrehm@trilliumfamily.org
- Jesse - Tues., Thurs. 9am-4pm 503-318-2905; jbright@trilliumfamily.org
- Mixtly - Wed., Fri., 9am-4pm 971-600-4896; mbeard@trilliumfamily.org
Of course, we are flexible and still can connect with you through Zoom, text, and phone also!
Check out Jesse's virtual office!
Lines for Life
Let's keep practicing our Emotional Intelligence
- Julie Mack, Wellness
Last week we talked about Emotional intelligence, which is the ability to understand, use, and manage our emotions. Today let's practice our self-awareness and managing our emotions. Managing emotional reactions means choosing how and when to express the emotions we feel.
- Self-Awareness: Stop, sit down and just reflect on how you are feeling right now. Be as specific as possible. Think about why you're feeling that way.
- Managing emotional reactions: Maybe you're feeling stressed because class schedules are changing? Maybe you are anxious or nervous to come back to classes in person? Maybe you're really excited about being back in person! Whatever you noticed for your self-awareness, now think What do I need right now to help me positively manage my emotions?
- Go take care of yourself! Take a walk in the sunshine and notice how it makes you feel a little happier. Get organized for class and catch up on work so you are less stressed. Pick out your favorite outfit and go treat yourself with a Dutch Bros. Take a moment to reflect on yourself and see what you need to help positively manage your emotions.
Emotional Intelligence is a skill and takes practice. A walk or cleaning your room won't solve all your worries but it will help to give you a little space so that you can figure out a way to continue being resilient and strong. See you online or in person this week!!
- Hector A. - for being an amazing human
Jo shouts out to:
- Leslie Martinez-Garcia
- Aleia Ochoa
- Jesus Paz Zacarias
- Harmony Crook
- David Vazquez Ramirez
- Natalie Casarez Alvarado
- Giovanni Cervantes Salazar
- Jonathan Reyes Reyes
- Angel Mendoza
- Stephanie Sauno
Today I celebrate the A for attendance team. Hoping to see you in person next week, or to continue to see you in class on Teams. Attendance counts! Keep it up!
Maureen shouts out to:
- Michael Easterly for doing an awesome job in Language Arts
April is National Poetry Month and I thought I'd share one of my favorite poems and poets!
- Maureen Geraghty, Language Arts
Naomi Shihab Nye is a poet, songwriter, and novelist. She was born to a Palestinian father and an American mother. She wrote her first poem at the age of six and has been published in over 30 books.
She wrote the poem, "Kindness", after she and her husband were robbed of everything they had while traveling in South America. I like the poem because it reminds us that when times get hard, sometimes it is just the little acts of kindness that keep us going. Enjoy!
- Gio Peña, Science
Most of you probably have heard of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at this point. There are a lot of numbers being thrown around with the J & J vaccine that is confusing and worth exploring. Thus, we will explore the questions, "what is the J & J vaccine?", "how is it different than the mRNA vaccines?" and "does it protect less than the mRNA vaccines?" in this week's The Science Behind COVID.
What is the J & J vaccine? Well, the basic idea is similar to the mRNA vaccines. Get your body to "print" the spike protein that allows COVID to enter your cells. J & J uses a tried-and-true method of using a virus to vector the vaccine into your body that has been used since the 70's. A virus!? you say, yes. Don't worry! this virus can't reproduce and won't make you sick. We just use it to get the DNA instructions of the J & J vaccine into your body. DNA?! isn't that gene editing? No. The DNA, in this case, just tells your body to make mRNA that will make you "print" out the spike protein. There is no reproductive DNA involved, so once it is done, it gets broken down by your body.
There are some cool pros to the J & J vaccine over the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. First of all, it is more stable. The nature of the mRNA vaccines makes them "breakable" mRNA is delicate and needs to be SUPER cold to prevent it from breaking. DNA on the other hand is far more resilient and can be stored at regular fridge temperatures. This means we can get the vaccine to people who live in rural areas more easily. This vaccine is also a one-shot deal. Go in, get your jab, and a month later you are protected!
Is the J & J vaccine worse? It only has an 66% Efficacy rate. There is a lot to unpack when we say "efficacy", so much so, that I will follow up with a post about it in next week's edition. The short answer is, no, the J & J vaccine is just as effective as the other vaccines where IT MATTERS. Remember, the goal here is to keep you safe from severe symptoms, hospitalizations, and death. All vaccines on the market are 100% effective at doing that!
Take a look at this week's video for more information about the J & J vaccine. Remember, we are not out of the woods yet! keep masking, social distancing, and, when you are able, GET YOUR VACCINE!
Earn CTE or Elective Credit by taking Kathi's Permit Prep Class every 1st Monday of the Month
Want to Earn CTE or Elective Credit while prepping for your permit? Need help preparing to take the Oregon Permit test? If so, then this is your class!
Check out Kathi “The Job Lady’s” Monday YTP Class below.
You can earn .50 credit by attending, ask me how!
Have questions about Permit Prep or anything else “job” or “life” related, please email me Kathi Morris at kmorris@rsd7.net or text/call me at 503-708-6540.
Monday: May 3rd & June 7th
Time: 1- 2:30pm
Meeting ID: 964 0575 7931
Passcode: RLA
GSA
Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a club to unite LGBTQ+ and allies. It's a space to come together to talk and learn about sexual orientation and gender identity. A place to build community and discuss the issues that impact it and you. This will be a safe, welcoming, and accepting space for all.
ZOOM: Meeting ID: 997 0308 6129 & Passcode: 500314
If you're interested in GSA or have any questions about the club, please contact Linda at:
BSU
The Black Student Union (BSU) is an organization at Reynolds Learning Academy that is devoted to spreading the history of Black Culture. We are doing this through cultural forums, educational workshops and entertainment events. We are all unified in one voice in order to embrace and enrich Black culture. We welcome all ethnicities and value growth, development and strive for cross-cultural understanding and appreciation of all our diverse histories and experiences.
Standing Motto “Unity Bridges Gaps”
Any students interested in joining the Black Student Union (BSU) please contact Ramon Hall at:
A Chuckle with Kendra
1. What did the ocean say to the shore?
2. What do you call a sleeping bull?
You can find the answers at the bottom of The Weekly FIRE.
Groups, Groups & More Groups!
Self-care/Wellness Group, Stress Management, Grief & Loss, Making Connections…and more. If you are interested in learning more or joining a group or you have an idea for a group, contact Laura at:
lcraford@rsd7.net or call/text (740) 240-2311
Now accepting applications for next year.
Want to learn more about Trades? Talk to Angie or Sean. Applications due by the end of April.
Angie Gilbert 503.667.4673 ex 3606 agilbert@rsd7.net
Sean McFall 971-645-3139 smcfall@rsd7.net
Answers to: A Chuckle with Kendra
1. Nothing, it just waved.
2. A bulldozer.
Principal Office Hours and Open Family Meetings
This year the Principal will be holding regular times when you can meet with him without an appointment. Open family meetings will be held on Thursday evenings. The Principal will make some brief announcements and then open the floor for questions, comments and discussion. Office hours will be held on Thursday mornings and will be a place where you can drop in to ask a question or get help from the Principal. Dates, times and the Zoom link are below.
Helpful Links:
This is a link to your Clever login. Follow this link to get into your schoology, school email, SutdentVUE, Teams meetings and other school resources from any computer.
Remember your login is: schoolID@students.rsd7.net
Your password is your school ID number followed by your 8 digit birthday (schoolid+mmddyyyy)
You can find our general student schedule here:
https://www.reynolds.k12.or.us/rla/student-weekly-schedule
The school calendar for 2020-2021 is here:
English:
Español:
If you are an RLA student, make sure you are signed up to get remind messages:
https://www.remind.com/join/cc7eh7
If you are an RLA parent, make sure you are signed up to get remind messages:
https://www.remind.com/join/8bb8c7
The Pledge of Allegiance/Wednesdays @10:00:
https://zoom.us/j/92325778075?pwd=aGNsN3U1NEoyajBocVI1OXJxWDVTQT09
Join Zoom Meeting for the Pledge
- Meeting ID: 923 2577 8075
- Passcode: 2f0vv3
RLA's Instagram: @reynoldslearningacademy
How to reach us:
Aaron Ferguson
Principal
503.667.4673 ex 3430
Angie Gilbert
Trades/Careers and Internships
503.667.4673 ex 3606
Brendan O'Malley
Art/Math
406.616.2852
Chris Phelps
Social Studies
503.667.4673 ex 3617
Gina Bousley
Case Management
503.667.4673 ex 3613
Gio Peña
Science
971.258.0180
Giovanna Gioffre
English
503.667.4673 ex 3604
Janna Cash
Counselor
541.362.1959
Jesse Bright
Skills Trainer
503.318.2905
Jessica Sexton
School Psychologist
360.991.9572
Jessica Kramer
Social Studies
503.780.4809
Jim Deady
Credit Recovery
Call: 503.667.4673 ex 3045 Text: (541) 937 5460
Julie Mack
Wellness
503.667.4673 ex 3608
Karri Klock
Registrar
503.667.4673
Katherine Howton
Math
609.380.1007
Kathi Morris
YTP Specialist
503.708.6540
Kendra DeWater
Math
971.217.6214
Kristin Aubel Topletz
Night School
503.893.5088
Laura Craford
Social Worker
503.667.4673 ex 3620
Lauren Tobias
Case Management
503.667.4673 ex 3618
Linda Lamendola-Gilliam
SMT/GSA/Newsletter Manager
503.667.4673 x3630
Maureen Geraghty
English
503.830.1752
Mixtly Simon-Beard
Skills Trainer
971.600.4896
Neal Noble
Math
503.667.4673 ex 3609
Ramon Hall
SMT/BSU Leader
Sean McFall
Trades
971.645.3139
Sue Rosemarin
Science
503.667.4673 ex 3598
Todd Brehm
Prevention Specialist
971.334.2009
Zach Cash (he/him)
School Counselor
503.985.8626 (Call or Text)
If you need help with school work between the hours of 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM, Monday through Thursday you can reach out to our Night School Teacher Kristin Aubel Topletz at 503-893-5088 or email her at kaubeltopletz@rsd7.net
Si desea comunicarse con algún miembro del personal y desea ayuda en español, puede comunicarse con nuestra enlace familiar Nancy Gutierrez Leon llamando al 503-667-4673 ex 3634 o enviándole un correo electrónico a NGutierrezLeon@rsd7.net. También puede enviarle mensajes de texto al 971-236-3174.
Reynolds Learning Academy
Website: https://www.reynolds.k12.or.us/rla
Location: 20234 Northeast Halsey Street, Fairview, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 667-4673